Maki Pitolo
{{short description|American mixed martial arts fighter}}
{{Infobox martial artist
| name = Maki Pitolo
| image =
| image_size =
| other_names = Coconut Bombz
| birth_name = Maki Ikaika Maleko Pitolo
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1990|11|24}}
| birth_place = Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
| death_date =
| death_place =
| death_cause =
| residence =
| height = {{height|ft=5|in=9}}
| weight_lb = 185
| weight_class = Middleweight (2019–present)
Welterweight (2013–2018, 2019)
| reach = 73.5 in
| style =
| stance = Orthodox
| fighting_out_of = Nanakuli, Hawaii
| team = West Oahu MMA{{cite web|url=https://mymmanews.com/maki-pitolo-biggest-hawaii-mma-card-in-over-a-decade/|title=Maki Pitolo Prepares for the Biggest Hawaii MMA Card in Over a Decade|publisher=mymmanews.com|author=Bryanna Fissori}}
Gracie Technics
| years_active = 2013–present
| kickbox_win =
| kickbox_kowin =
| kickbox_loss =
| kickbox_koloss =
| kickbox_draw =
| kickbox_nc =
| mma_kowin = 8
| mma_subwin = 3
| mma_decwin = 4
| mma_koloss = 5
| mma_subloss = 5
| mma_decloss = 2
| mma_draw =
| mma_nc =
| sherdog = 51049
| footnotes =
| updated =
}}
Maki Ikaika Maleko Pitolo[http://boxing.nv.gov/uploadedFiles/boxingnvgov/content/results/2019_Results/07-09-19MMA.pdf Mixed martial arts show results Date: July 9, 2019] (born November 24, 1990) is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Middleweight division. A professional mixed martial artist since 2013, Pitolo has also competed for the Ultimate Fighting Championship and Bellator MMA.
Background
Pitolo played football in high school, and started training mixed martial arts to stay in shape during the offseason.{{cite web|url=http://media.ufc.com/fighter/maki-pitolo|title=Maki Pitolo|website=UFC}}{{dead link|date=January 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} Eventually after seeing Forrest Griffin vs. Stephan Bonnar, he decided to pursue a career in the sport. He has a little brother Alphonso, who is also a mixed martial artist.{{cite web|url=https://www.khon2.com/sports/inspired-by-his-brothers-victorious-fight-against-drug-abuse-hawaii-maki-pitolo-returns-to-the-ufc-this-saturday/|title= Inspired by his brother's victorious fight against drug abuse, Hawai'i's Maki Pitolo returns to the UFC this Saturday |date=August 6, 2020|publisher=khon2.com}}
Mixed martial arts career
=Early career=
At the beginning of his mixed martial arts career, Pitolo fought primarily in Hawaii regional scene. After racking up a record of 6–2, he fought five times for the Victory Fighting Championship where he amassed three straight wins before getting stopped in two consecutive fights. After the tenure in VFC, Pitolo faced Thiago Rela at CFFC 68 on October 21, 2017, winning the fight via first-minute knockout. He was expected to face Stephen Regman at CFFC 70 on March 24, 2018, but the bout was cancelled.
Pitolo was scheduled to face Chibwikem Onyenegecha at Dana White's Contender Series 13 on July 17, 2018, but a shoulder injury forced him to withdraw from the bout and he was replaced by Anthony Adams.{{cite web|url=https://www.ufc.com/news/quitting-not-maki-pitolos-vocabulary|title=Quitting Not In Maki Pitolo's Vocabulary|author=Thomas Gerbasi|date=August 19, 2019|website=UFC}}
=Bellator=
After the one-off bout in Cage Fury FC, Pitolo faced Chris Cisneros in a rematch at Bellator 213 on December 15, 2018. He won the fight via third-round submission.
=DWCS and Ultimate Fighting Championship=
After the lone bout in Bellator, Pitolo was once again invited to Dana White's Contender Series. Pitolo faced Justin Sumter at Dana White's Contender Series 19 on July 9, 2019. He won the fight via first round technical knockout and was awarded a UFC contract.
As per Dana White's wish after the bout, Maki made his return to welterweight in his UFC debut and faced Callan Potter on 5 October 2019 at UFC 243.{{cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2019/07/maki-pitolo-agrees-with-dana-white-will-return-to-welterweight-for-ufc-run|title=Maki Pitolo agrees with Dana White, will return to welterweight for UFC run|author=Farah Hannoun|publisher=mmajunkie.com|date=July 10, 2019}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2019/8/29/20838347/callan-potter-meets-maki-pitolo-at-ufc-243|title=Callan Potter meets Maki Pitolo at UFC 243
|author=Alexander K. Lee|date=29 August 2019|work=MMA Fighting|access-date=20 June 2020}} He lost the fight via unanimous decision.{{Cite news|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2019/10/05/ufc-243-maki-pitolo-vs-callan-potter/|title=UFC 243 Results: Callan Potter Decisions Maki Pitolo|author=Ryan Fortune|date=5 October 2019|work=Cageside Press|access-date=10 June 2020}}
Pitolo was scheduled to face Takashi Sato at UFC Fight Night 168 on February 23, 2020. However, Pitolo was unable to make weight and the bout was scrapped from the card.{{cite web|url=https://www.mmamania.com/2020/2/21/21147007/ufc-cancels-auckland-fight-following-unexpected-illness-mma|title=UFC cancels Auckland fight following unexpected illness|author=Jesse Holland|publisher=mmamania.com|date=February 21, 2020}}
Due to the botched weight cut preceding the previous fight, Pitolo returned to the Middleweight division for his next fight against Charles Byrd at UFC 250 on June 6, 2020.{{cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/05/maki-pitolo-moves-to-middleweight-meets-charles-byrd-at-ufc-250|title=Maki Pitolo moves to middleweight, meets Charles Byrd at UFC 250|date=May 12, 2020|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Nolan King}}{{cite web|url=https://www.ufc.com/news/maki-pitolo-can-enjoy-ride-again-ufc-vegas-6|title=Maki Pitolo Can Enjoy The Ride Again|author=Zac Pacleb|website=UFC|date=August 6, 2020}} He won the bout via second round technical knockout,{{cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/platform/amp/2020/6/6/21282231/ufc-250-results-nunes-vs-spencer|title=UFC 250 Results: Nunes vs. Spencer|work=MMAFighting.com|date=June 6, 2020|access-date=June 6, 2020|author=Bryan Tucker}}
Pitolo faced Darren Stewart on 8 August 2020 at UFC Fight Night 174.{{cite web|url=https://www.fightful.com/mma/report-darren-stewart-faces-maki-pitolo-ufc-fight-night-lewis-vs-oleinik|title=Darren Stewart faces Maki Pitolo at UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Oleinik|publisher=fightful.com|author=David Tees|date=2020-07-27|access-date=2020-07-28}} He lost in the first round via guillotine choke.{{cite web|url=https://www.khon2.com/sports/hawaiis-maki-pitolo-loses-to-darren-stewart-at-ufc-fight-night-174/|title=Hawaii's Maki Pitolo loses to Darren Stewart at UFC Fight Night 174|work=Khon2|date=August 8, 2020|access-date=August 8, 2020|author=Christian Shimabuku}}
Pitolo was tabbed for a quick turnaround and faced promotional newcomer Impa Kasanganay on August 29, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Smith vs. Rakić.{{Cite web|url=https://lrbears.com/news/2020/8/13/football-kasanganay-earns-ufc-contract-first-fight-set-for-aug-22.aspx|title=Kasanganay earns UFC contract; first fight set for Aug. 29|publisher=lrbears.com|author=Staff|date=2020-08-13|access-date=2020-08-24}} He lost the fight via unanimous decision.{{Cite web|last=Bitter|first=Shawn|date=2020-08-29|title=UFC Vegas 8 Results: Impa Kasanganay Defeats Maki Pitolo in Debut|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2020/08/29/ufc-vegas-8-results-maki-pitolo-vs-impa-kasanganay/|access-date=2020-08-30|website=Cageside Press|language=en-US}}
Pitolo faced Julian Marquez on February 13, 2021, at UFC 258.{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/12/ufc258-julian-marquez-vs-maki-pitolo|title=Julian Marquez vs. Maki Pitolo added to UFC 258|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Farah Hannoun|date=2020-12-04|access-date=2020-12-04}} He lost the bout via an anaconda choke in the third round.{{Cite web|last=McClory|first=Mike|date=2021-02-13|title=UFC 258 Results: Returning Julian Marquez Submits Maki Pitolo|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2021/02/13/ufc-258-results-maki-pitolo-vs-julian-marquez/|access-date=2021-02-14|website=Cageside Press|language=en-US}}
Pitolo was scheduled to face Duško Todorović on June 5, 2021, at UFC Fight Night: Rozenstruik vs. Sakai.{{cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2021/3/24/22348437/ufc-middleweights-dusko-todorovic-maki-pitolo-june-5-fight|title=UFC adds middleweights Dusko Todorovic, Maki Pitolo to June 5 card|website=mmafighting.com|author=Guilherme Cruz and Damon Martin|date=2021-03-24|access-date=2021-03-24}} However, two weeks ahead of the bout, Pitolo had to pull out for unknown reasons and was replaced by Gregory Rodrigues.{{Cite web|date=2021-05-23|title=Maki Pitolo scratched from UFC Vegas 28|url=https://www.khon2.com/sports/maki-pitolo-scratched-from-ufc-vegas-28/|access-date=2021-05-23|website=KHON2|language=en-US}}{{cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/05/maki-pitolo-out-lfa-champ-gregory-rodrigues-vs-dusko-todorovic-ufc-fight-night-189-booking-matchup|title=With Maki Pitolo out, LFA champ Gregory Rodrigues steps in to face Dusko Todorovic at UFC Fight Night 189|date=May 25, 2021|work=MMAjunkie.com|author=Farah Hannoun}}
The bout between Pitolo and Todorović was rescheduled for December 4, 2021, at UFC on ESPN 31.{{Cite web|last=DNA|first=MMA|date=2021-11-13|title=Maki Pitolo vs. Dusko Todorovic opnieuw ingepland, ditmaal voor 4 december in Las Vegas|url=https://mmadna.nl/maki-pitolo-vs-dusko-todorovic-opnieuw-ingepland-ditmaal-voor-4-december-in-las-vegas/|access-date=2021-11-13|website=MMA DNA|language=en-US}} He lost the fight via technical knockout in round one.{{Cite web|last=Doherty|first=Dan|date=2021-12-04|title=UFC Vegas 44: Dusko Todorovic Stops Maki Pitolo in First Round|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2021/12/04/ufc-vegas-44-maki-pitolo-dusko-todorovic/|access-date=2021-12-05|website=Cageside Press|language=en-US}}
On January 12, 2022, it was announced that Pitolo was no longer on the UFC roster.{{Cite web|date=2022-01-12|title=UFC parts ways with Maki Pitolo, three other fighters|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/lists/ufc-news-maki-pitolo-michel-prazeres-jared-gooden-matt-sayles-released|access-date=2022-01-12|website=MMA Junkie|language=en-US}}
= Post-UFC =
Pitolo made his first appearance outside of the UFC at Tuff-N-Uff 127 on March 4, 2022, facing Fernando Gonzalez. He won the bout via unanimous decision.{{Cite web |title=Maki Pitolo vs. Fernando Gonzalez, Tuff-N-Uff 127 {{!}} MMA Bout |url=https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/bouts/639454-tuff-n-uff-127-maki-coconut-bombz-pitolo-vs-fernando-the-menifee-maniac-gonzalez |access-date=2022-03-16 |website=Tapology |language=en}}
Pitolo made his debut with Eagle FC against Doug Usher on May 20, 2022, at Eagle FC 47. At weigh ins, Maki Pitolo and Doug Usher missed weight and the bout changed from Middleweight to Light Heavyweight. Pitolo weighed in at 187.4 pounds while Usher weighed in at 189 pounds.{{Cite web |date=2022-05-19 |title=Eagle FC 47 weigh-in results: Yorgan De Castro nears heavyweight limit vs. Junior Dos Santos |url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/05/eagle-fc-47-weigh-in-results-dos-santos-vs-de-castro |access-date=2022-05-22 |website=MMA Junkie |language=en-US}} Pitolo won by knockout in the opening minute of the fight.{{Cite web |last=Al-Shatti |first=Shaun |date=2022-05-20 |title=Eagle FC 47 video: Maki Pitolo retires Doug Usher with vicious 30-second faceplant KO |url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/5/20/23133259/eagle-fc-47-video-maki-pitolo-retires-doug-usher-with-vicious-30-second-faceplant-ko |access-date=2022-05-22 |website=MMA Fighting |language=en}}
Pitolo faced Daniel Compton on November 20, 2022, at Tuff-N-Uff 130 for the TUFF Middleweight Championship. He was submitted in the third round by the way of a kimura, after which Compton went into the crowd to confront Pitolo's fans.{{Cite web |last=Calhoun |first=Curtis |date=2022-11-21 |title=Tuff-N-Uff 130 Ends With Chaotic Post-Fight Melee |url=https://www.mmanews.com/2022/11/tuff-n-uff-130-ends-with-chaotic-post-fight-brawl-3/ |access-date=2023-01-14 |website=MMA News |language=en-US}}
Pitolo faced Joel Bauman on September 8, 2023, at Gamebred Fighting Championship 5, losing the bout via second round head kick TKO.{{Cite web |last=Newswire |first=MMA Fighting |date=2023-09-08 |title=Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA Results: dos Santos vs. Werdum |url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2023/9/8/23864434/gamebred-bareknuckle-mma-results-dos-santos-vs-werdum |access-date=2023-09-17 |website=MMA Fighting |language=en}}
Personal life
Mixed martial arts record
{{MMArecordbox
|draws=
|nc=
|ko-wins=8
|sub-wins=3
|dec-wins=4
|ko-losses=5
|sub-losses=5
|dec-losses=2
|dq-wins=
|dq-losses=
|other-wins=
|other-losses=
}}
{{MMA record start}}
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|15–12
|Eric McConico
|TKO (head kick and punches)
|Tuff-N-Uff 134
|{{dts|2023|November|12}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|2:35
|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
|{{small|Catchweight (195 lb) bout.}}
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|15–11
|Joel Bauman
|TKO (head kicks and punches)
|Gamebred Fighting Championship 5
|{{dts|2023|September|8}}
|align=center|2
|align=center|2:36
|Jacksonville, Florida, United States
|{{small|Bare Knuckle MMA.}}
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|15–10
|Daniel Compton
|Submission (kimura)
|Tuff-N-Uff 130
|{{dts|2022|November|20}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|1:39
|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
|{{small|For the TUFF Middleweight Championship.}}
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|15–9
|Doug Usher
|KO (punches)
|{{dts|2022|May|20}}
|align=center|1
|align=center|0:30
|Miami, Florida, United States
|{{small|Catchweight (189 lb) bout; Pitolo and Usher both missed weight.}}
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|14–9
|Decision (unanimous)
|Tuff-N-Uff 127
|{{dts|2022|March|4}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
|
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|13–9
|TKO (punches)
|{{dts|2021|December|4}}
|align=center|1
|align=center|4:34
|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
|
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|13–8
|Submission (anaconda choke)
|{{dts|2021|February|13}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|4:17
|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
|
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|13–7
|Decision (unanimous)
|UFC Fight Night: Smith vs. Rakić
|{{dts|2020|August|29}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
|
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|13–6
|Submission (guillotine choke)
|UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Oleinik
|{{dts|2020|August|8}}
|align=center|1
|align=center|3:41
|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
|
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|13–5
|TKO (punches)
|{{dts|2020|June|06}}
|align=center|2
|align=center|1:10
|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
|
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|12–5
|Decision (unanimous)
|{{dts|2019|October|5|}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|Melbourne, Australia
|{{small|Welterweight bout.}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 12–4
| Justin Michael Sumter
| TKO (punches)
| Dana White's Contender Series 19
| {{dts|2019|July|9}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 1:37
| Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
| {{small|Middleweight debut.}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 11–4
| Chris Cisneros
| Submission (rear-naked choke)
| {{dts|2018|December|15}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 2:40
| Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
| {{small|Catchweight (180 lb) bout.}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 10–4
| Thiago Rela
| KO (punch)
| Cage Fury FC 68
| {{dts|2017|October|21}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 0:59
| Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
| {{small|Catchweight (173.2 lb) bout; Pitolo missed weight.}}
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 9–4
| Submission (guillotine choke)
| Victory FC 58
| {{dts|2017|July|22}}
| align=center| 2
| align=center| 4:58
| Omaha, Nebraska, United States
|
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 9–3
| Kassius Kayne
| KO (punch)
| Victory FC 54
| {{dts|2016|December|09}}
| align=center| 2
| align=center| 0:05
| Omaha, Nebraska, United States
|{{small|Lost the VFC Welterweight Championship.}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center|9–2
| Kassius Kayne
| Decision (unanimous)
| Victory FC 52
| {{dts|2016|July|16}}
| align=center|5
| align=center|5:00
| Omaha, Nebraska, United States
|{{small|Won the VFC Welterweight Championship.}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center|8–2
| Justin Guthrie
| TKO (punches)
| Victory FC 50
| {{dts|2016|May|21}}
| align=center|1
| align=center|0:48
| Topeka, Kansas, United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center|7–2
| Andrews Nakahara
| TKO (punches)
| Victory FC 49
| {{dts|2016|April|1}}
| align=center|2
| align=center|2:21
| Omaha, Nebraska, United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center|6–2
| Adam Smith
| Submission (guillotine choke)
| Destiny MMA: Na Koa 9
| {{dts|2015|April|11}}
| align=center|1
| align=center|3:23
| Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 5–2
| Pono Pananganan
| TKO (punches)
| Ainofea Cage Fights
| {{dts|2015|February|15}}
| align=center|1
| align=center|2:44
| Lihue, Hawaii, United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 4–2
| Paul Norman
| TKO (punches)
| RWE: Just Scrap
|{{dts|format=dmy|2014|November|14}}
|align=Center|1
|align=center|4:31
|Hilo, Hawaii, United States
| {{small|Catchweight (180 lb) bout.}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 3–2
| Taki Uluilakepa
| Submission (rear-naked choke)
| Destiny MMA: Na Koa 7
| {{dts|2014|November|2}}
| align=center| 2
| align=center| N/A
| Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 2–2
| Coates Cobb-Adams
| Decision (unanimous)
| X–1: Jara vs. Vitale
| {{dts|2014|September|26}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 5:00
| Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
|
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 1–2
| C.J. Marsh
| TKO (punches)
| Destiny MMA: Na Koa 5
| {{dts|2014|May|3}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| N/A
| Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
|
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 1–1
| Chris Cisneros
| Submission (armbar)
| Destiny MMA: Proving Grounds 2
| {{dts|2013|August|24}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| N/A
| Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 1–0
| Jason Camarillo
| Decision (unanimous)
| X–1: Mayhem at the Mansion 4
| {{dts|2013|February|16}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 5:00
| Puhi, Hawaii, United States
|{{small|Welterweight debut.}}
{{end}}
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Sherdog|51049}}
- {{UFC|maki-pitolo}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Pitolo, Maki}}
Category:American male mixed martial artists
Category:Welterweight mixed martial artists
Category:Middleweight mixed martial artists
Category:Ultimate Fighting Championship male fighters
Category:Mixed martial artists from Hawaii