Sheila Gaff
{{short description|German mixed martial arts fighter}}
{{Infobox martial artist
| name = Sheila Gaff
| other_names = The German Tank
| image = Sheila "the german Tank" Gaff.jpg
| image_size = 200px
| alt =
| caption =
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1989|12|29}}
| birth_place = Bad Hersfeld, West Germany
| death_date =
| death_cause =
| residence =
| nationality = German
| height = {{convert|5|ft|5|in|cm|abbr=on}}
| weight = {{convert|135|lb|kg st|abbr=on}}
| weight_class = Bantamweight
Flyweight
Featherweight
Strawweight
| reach_in = 64
| style =
| fighting_out_of = Offenbach am Main, Germany
| team = Pyranha MMA
| rank =
| years_active = 2006–present
| mma_kowin = 5
| mma_subwin = 5
| mma_decwin =
| mma_dqwin =
| mma_koloss = 3
| mma_subloss = 2
| mma_decloss = 1
| mma_dqloss = 1
| mma_draw =
| mma_nc =
| url =
| sherdog = 43445
| footnotes =
| updated = {{Start date|2013|08|04}}
}}
Sheila Gaff (December 29, 1989) is a German mixed martial artist, and was fighting in the bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship but was released on August 12, 2013. Since May 14, 2015 she has been under contract with XFC. She is known for her berserker fighting style, which has resulted in most of her wins and losses coming via (T)KO stoppage within the first two minutes. Gaff has also worked a lot on her ground fighting, which led to successful participations in grappling tournaments. She is also known for being the first-ever woman released by UFC.{{cite web|url=http://www.mmamania.com/2013/8/12/4615366/sheila-gaff-is-officially-the-first-woman-to-be-released-by-the-ufc|title=Sheila Gaff first-ever woman released by UFC following back-to-back losses|publisher=www.mmamania.com|date=2013-08-13|accessdate=2013-08-13}}
Mixed martial arts career
Gaff made her mixed martial arts debut on September 2, 2006. She won six of her first eight fights over the next three years.
On March 27, 2010, Gaff competed in a one-night tournament at Upcoming Glory 7. She defeated Lena Buytendijk in the first round and lost to Romy Ruyssen later in the night.
Gaff faced Cindy Dandois two months later at M-1 Selection 2010: Western Europe Round 3. She was disqualified after landing an illegal knee early in the third round.{{cite web|url=http://www.mmarising.com/news/2010/11/17/dandois-to-face-kunitskaya-at-m-1-challenge-22/|title=Dandois To Face Kunitskaya At M-1 Challenge 22|publisher=MMARising.com|date=2010-11-17|accessdate=2012-09-06}}
On February 26, 2011, Gaff dropped down to 125 pounds to face Hanna Sillen at The Zone FC 8: Inferno. She defeated Sillen by knockout in eight seconds.
=Cage Warriors=
Gaff made her Cage Warriors debut when she fought Ireland's Aisling Daly at Cage Warriors Fighting Championship 41 on April 24, 2011 in Kentish Town, London.{{cite web|url=http://www.mmarising.com/news/2011/03/15/aisling-daly-vs-sheila-gaff-agreed-for-cage-warriors-41/|title=Aisling Daly vs Sheila Gaff Agreed For Cage Warriors 41|publisher=MMARising.com|date=2011-03-15|accessdate=2011-03-23}} She defeated Daly by TKO in the first round.{{cite web|url=http://www.mmarising.com/articles/2011/04/24/sheila-gaff-quickly-stops-aisling-daly-at-cage-warriors-41/|title=Sheila Gaff Quickly Stops Aisling Daly At Cage Warriors 41|publisher=MMARising.com|date=2011-04-24|accessdate=2012-09-05}}
Gaff was then scheduled to face Angela Hayes at Cage Warriors: Fight Night 2, but had to pull out due to illness and was replaced by Aisling Daly.{{cite web|url=http://www.mmarising.com/news/2011/09/05/sheila-gaff-out-daly-to-face-hayes-at-cwfc-fight-night-2/|title=Sheila Gaff Out, Daly To Face Hayes At CWFC: Fight Night 2|publisher=MMARising.com|date=2011-09-05|accessdate=2011-09-05}}
Gaff next fought Jennifer Maia at Cage Warriors: Fight Night 4 as part of a four-woman flyweight tournament to crown the inaugural Cage Warriors women's flyweight champion. She defeated Maia via knockout in ten seconds. Gaff began the fight with a sucker punch instead of touching gloves.{{cite web|url=http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Mike-Hayes-Handles-Big-Daddy-for-Cage-Warriors-Heavyweight-Strap-in-Dubai-41151|title=Mike Hayes Handles ‘Big Daddy’ For Cage Warriors Heavyweight Strap In Dubai|publisher=Sherdog.com|date=2012-03-16|accessdate=2012-08-28}}
Gaff was scheduled to face Rosi Sexton in the tournament final at Cage Warriors Fighting Championship 49 on October 27, 2012 in Cardiff, Wales. Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) drug testing was used in the weeks prior to the planned fight.{{cite web|url=http://www.mmarising.com/news/2012/09/06/rosi-sexton-vs-sheila-gaff-official-for-cage-warriors-49/|title=Rosi Sexton vs Sheila Gaff Official For Cage Warriors 49|publisher=MMARising.com|date=2012-09-06|accessdate=2012-09-06}} However, the bout was cancelled on October 19 when Gaff withdrew due to illness.{{cite web|url=http://www.mmarising.com/news/2012/10/19/sheila-gaff-withdraws-from-cwfc-title-bout-with-rosi-sexton/|title=Sheila Gaff Withdraws From CWFC Title Bout With Rosi Sexton|publisher=MMARising.com|date=2012-10-19|accessdate=2012-10-25}}
=Ultimate Fighting Championship=
On March 1, 2013, German website groundandpound.de reported that Gaff had signed a 4-fight contract with the UFC to join the UFC women's bantamweight division.{{cite web|url=http://www.groundandpound.de/mma/de/news/sheila-gaff-debuetiert-in-der-ufc/|title=Sheila Gaff debütiert in der UFC|publisher=GroundandPound.de|date=2013-03-01|accessdate=2013-03-02}} She faced Sara McMann at UFC 159 on April 27.{{cite web|url=http://www.mmajunkie.com/news/2013/03/olympian-sara-mcmann-vs-sheila-gaff-joins-ufc-159-lineup|title=Olympic medalist Sara McMann vs. Sheila Gaff joins UFC 159 lineup|publisher=MMAjunkie.com|date=2013-03-01|accessdate=2013-03-02}} Gaff lost the fight via TKO in the first round.{{cite web|url=http://www.mmajunkie.com/news/2013/04/ufc-159-resultsphotos-sheila-gaff-vs-sara-mcmann|title=UFC 159 results/photos: Sara McMann dominates, TKOs Sheila Gaff|publisher=MMAjunkie.com|date=2013-04-27|accessdate=2013-05-01}}
In her second fight with the promotion, Gaff faced Amanda Nunes at UFC 163 on August 3, 2013.{{cite web|url=http://www.mmarising.com/news/2013/06/04/sheila-gaff-vs-amanda-nunes-added-to-ufc-163-in-brazil/|title=Sheila Gaff vs Amanda Nunes Added To UFC 163 In Brazil|publisher=MMARising.com|date=2013-06-04|accessdate=2013-06-05}} She lost the fight via TKO in the first round.{{cite web|url=http://www.mmarising.com/articles/2013/08/03/amanda-nunes-stops-sheila-gaff-at-ufc-163-in-brazil/|title=Amanda Nunes Stops Sheila Gaff At UFC 163 In Brazil|publisher=MMARising.com|date=2013-08-03|accessdate=2013-08-04}}{{cite web|url=http://www.mmajunkie.com/news/2013/08/ufc-163-results-and-photos-sheila-gaff-vs-amanda-nunes|title=UFC 163 results and photos: Amanda Nunes elbows way to TKO of Sheila Gaff|publisher=MMAjunkie.com|date=2013-08-03|accessdate=2013-08-04}}
On August 12, 2013 German MMA magazine GroundandPound reported her release from the UFC.{{cite web|url=http://www.groundandpound.de/mma/de/news/sheila-gaff-aus-der-ufc-entlassen/|title=Sheila Gaff released from UFC|publisher=GroundandPound.de|date=2013-08-12|accessdate=2013-08-12}} She was also the first-ever woman released by UFC.{{cite web|url=http://www.mmamania.com/2013/8/12/4615366/sheila-gaff-is-officially-the-first-woman-to-be-released-by-the-ufc|title=Sheila Gaff first-ever woman released by UFC following back-to-back losses|publisher=www.mmamania.com|date=2013-08-13|accessdate=2013-08-13}}
=XFC=
On April 14, 2015 Gaff signed a 6-fight contract with XFC. She joins the Strawweight division of the organisation.{{cite web|url=http://www.groundandpound.de/mma/news/sheila-gaff-unterschreibt-vertrag-mit-xfc//|title=Sheila Gaff unterschreibt Vertrag mit XFC|publisher=GroundandPound.de|date=2015-04-15|accessdate=2015-04-15}} Gaff debuted at XFCi 11 in Sao Paulo, Brazil on September 19, 2015 against Antonia Silvaneide. She won the fight via submission in Round 1.
=KSW=
After XFC closing operations for undetermined time, Gaff signed a 1-fight contract with Polish organization KSW. She faced Brazilian prospect Ariane Lipski at her debut at KSW 36. She lost via knockout in the first round.{{Cite web |title=Ariane Lipski ubija Sheilę Gaff! |url=https://www.lowking.pl/ariane-lipski-ubija-sheile-gaff/ |access-date=2022-06-10 |website=Lowking.pl |language=pl-PL}}
Mixed martial arts record
{{MMArecordbox
| draws=
| nc=
| ko-wins= 5
| ko-losses= 3
| sub-wins= 5
| sub-losses= 2
| dec-wins=
| dec-losses= 1
| dq-wins=
| dq-losses= 1
| other-wins=
| other-losses=
}}
{{MMA record start}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 10–7
| Milena Bojić
| TKO (punches)
| Dynasty Fighting Championship
| {{dts|2019|February|23}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 0:07
| Frankfurt, Germany
|
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 9–7
| KO (punches)
| KSW 36
| {{dts|2016|October|1}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 2:09
| Lubusz Voivodeship, Poland
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 9–6
| Antonia Silvaneide
| Submission (armbar)
| XFCi 11
| {{dts|2015|September|19}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 4:46
| São Paulo, Brazil
| {{small|XFCi Women's Strawweight Tournament Quarterfinal}}
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 8–6
| TKO (punches and elbows)
| UFC 163
| {{dts|2013|August|3}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 2:08
| Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
|
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 8–5
| TKO (punches)
| UFC 159
| {{dts|2013|April|27}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 4:06
| Newark, New Jersey, United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 8–4
| KO (punches)
| {{dts|2012|March|16}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 0:10
| Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| {{small|CWFC Women's Flyweight Tournament Semifinal}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 7–4
| TKO (knees and punches)
| {{dts|2011|April|24}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 1:34
| Kentish Town, North London, England
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 6–4
| Hanna Sillen
| KO (punches)
| The Zone FC 8: Inferno
| {{dts|2011|February|26}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 0:08
| Gothenburg, Sweden
|
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 5–4
| Decision (unanimous)
| ProFC 22
| {{dts|2010|December|17}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 5:00
| Rostov-on-Don, Russia
|
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 5–3
| DQ (illegal knee to the head)
| M-1 Selection 2010: Western Europe Round 3
| {{dts|2010|May|29}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 0:10
| Helsinki, Finland
|
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 5–2
| Romy Ruyssen
| Submission (armbar)
| Upcoming Glory 7
| {{dts|2010|March|27}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 1:08
| Overijssel, Netherlands
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 5–1
| Lena Buytendijk
| Submission (armbar)
| Upcoming Glory 7
| {{dts|2010|March|27}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 4:30
| Overijssel, Netherlands
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 4–1
| Submission (heel hook)
| MMA Berlin: Tournament 16
| {{dts|2009|September|26}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 1:59
| Berlin, Germany
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 3–1
| Dalia Grakulskyte
| Submission (rear-naked choke)
| Night of Pain 2nd
| {{dts|2009|September|12}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 1:26
| Darmstadt, Germany
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 2–1
| Tania Loureiro
| TKO (Punches)
| Hamburger Kafig - First Strike
| {{dts|2008|December|9}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 0:30
| Hamburg, Germany
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 1–1
| Lydia Myska
| Submission (armbar)
| FCA: Fight Club Plauen
| {{dts|2008|May|10}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 0:30
| Plauen, Germany
|
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 0–1
| Majanka Lathouwers
| Submission (rear-naked choke)
| UFR: Mix Fight Gala
| {{dts|2006|September|23}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| N/A
| Neuwied, Germany
|
{{end}}
=Mixed martial arts amateur record=
{{MMA amateur record box
| draws= 1
| nc=
| ko-wins= 2
| ko-losses=
| sub-wins= 1
| sub-losses=
| dec-wins=
| dec-losses=
| dq-wins=
| dq-losses=
| other-wins=
| other-losses=
}}
{{MMA record start}}
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 3–0–1
| Julie Larsen
| Submission (armbar)
| FG: Fight Night 2
| {{dts|2009|January|24}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 1:04
| Odense, Denmark
|
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 2–0–1
| Katharina Albinus
| TKO (punches)
| FFA: New Talents 8
| {{dts|2008|September|6}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 1:54
| Eschwege, Germany
|
|-
| {{draw}}Draw
| align=center| 1–0–1
| Tania Loureiro
| Draw
| FFA: New Talents 6
| {{dts|2007|September|1}}
| align=center| 2
| align=center| 5:00
| Eschwege, Germany
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 1–0
| Annett Sonntag
| TKO (punches)
| FFA: New Talents 2
| {{dts|2006|September|2}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 1:20
| Eschwege, Germany
|
{{end}}
References
{{Reflist|2}}
[http://www.groundandpound.de/mma/news/sheila-gaff-unterschreibt-vertrag-mit-xfc/]
External links
- [http://www.sheilagaff.de/ Sheila Gaff's official website] {{in lang|de}}
- [http://www.awakeningfighters.com/athletes/sheila-gaff Sheila Gaff Awakening Profile]
- {{Sherdog}}
- {{UFC|sheila-gaff}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20150416033631/http://www.pyranha-mma.de/sheila-gaff-startet-mit-ihrem-team-pyranha-mma-neue-karriere-xfc/]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Gaff, Sheila}}
Category:People from Bad Hersfeld
Category:Sportspeople from Kassel (region)
Category:Bantamweight mixed martial artists
Category:German female mixed martial artists
Category:Flyweight mixed martial artists
Category:Featherweight mixed martial artists
Category:Strawweight mixed martial artists