# Brett McDermott

Brett McDermott (born 10 September 1978) is an English mixed martial artist, and former professional rugby league footballer. In rugby he represented Ireland, and played club level for every Cumbrian clubs except Carlisle Border Raiders. In MMA, he has been a professional competitor since 2013 and is the current BAMMA Heavyweight Champion. McDermott also competed for Rizin and Bellator MMA.

## Rugby league

McDermott, who competed in professional rugby for 15 seasons, was playing for Barrow in 2009. He also represented Ireland, including games against France in 2010.
On 30 March 2011, McDermott announced his retirement from rugby league. A couple of days later, he later admitted that he had retired after being charged by the Rugby Football League (RFL) for failing a drugs test. In June 2011, the RFL confirmed that McDermott was banned for two years after testing positive for drostanolone and 19-norandrosterone.

## Mixed martial arts career

After being banned from rugby league, McDermott became a MMA fighter. In 2013, he turned professional and fought Thomas Denham at BAMMA 12, but lost by submission.
McDermott competed in the Rizin Fighting Federation Heavyweight Tournament on 29 December 2015, losing in the quarterfinals against former Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion Muhammed Lawal by knockout.
McDermott stepped in on a few days notice as a replacement for Vladimir Filipovic to face Liam McGeary in the main event at Bellator 173. He lost the fight via TKO in the second round.

## Personal life

McDermott is married with three children. He is of Irish descent.

## Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown :
| 14 matches | 9 wins | 5 losses |
| By knockout | 8 | 2 |
| By submission | 0 | 2 |
| By decision | 1 | 1 |
| No contests | 0 | 0 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
| Win | 9–5 | Tony Mustard | TKO (punches) | MTK MMA: Probellum | 7 September 2019 | 1 | 2.40 | Liverpool, England | |
| Win | 8–5 | Ruben Wolf | TKO (punches) | BAMMA 29 | 12 May 2017 | 2 | 0.54 | Birmingham, England | Return to Heavyweight. Won the vacant BAMMA World Heavyweight Championship. |
| Loss | 7–5 | Liam McGeary | TKO (doctor stoppage) | Bellator 173 | 24 February 2017 | 2 | 1:06 | Belfast, Northern Ireland | Catchweight (215 lb) bout. |
| Win | 7–4 | Dan Konecke | TKO (punches) | Full Contact Contender 17 | 24 September 2016 | 2 | 2:50 | Manchester, England | |
| Loss | 6–4 | Kenneth Bergh | Submission (guillotine choke) | Clash of the Titans 16 | 9 July 2016 | 1 | 1:02 | Cumbria, England | |
| Win | 6–3 | Jamie Sloane | KO (punch) | BAMMA 25 | 14 May 2016 | 1 | 3:58 | Birmingham, England | |
| Loss | 5–3 | Muhammed Lawal | KO (punches) | Rizin World Grand Prix 2015: Part 1 - Saraba | 29 December 2015 | 1 | 9:20 | Saitama, Japan | Heavyweight bout. 2015 Rizin Heavyweight Grand Prix Quarterfinal. |
| Win | 5–2 | Pelu Adetola | TKO (punches) | BAMMA 23 | 14 November 2015 | 1 | 1:57 | Birmingham, England | |
| Loss | 4–2 | Marcin Lazarz | Decision (unanimous) | BAMMA 20 | 25 April 2015 | 3 | 5:00 | Birmingham, England | For the vacant BAMMA World Light Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 4–1 | Oli Thompson | KO (punches) | BAMMA 17 | 6 December 2014 | 1 | 1:43 | Manchester, England | |
| Win | 3–1 | Paul Bennett | KO (punch) | Stoke Fight Factory: Rage in the Cage 4 | 26 April 2014 | 1 | 1:09 | Stoke-on-Trent, England | |
| Win | 2–1 | Shaun Lomas | Decision (unanimous) | Stoke Fight Factory: Rage in the Cage 3 | 30 November 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Stoke-on-Trent, England | Return to Light Heavyweight. |
| Win | 1–1 | Jason Tyldesley | TKO (punches) | Alpha Male FC 2 | 6 July 2013 | 1 | 1:20 | Scarborough, England | Heavyweight debut. |
| Loss | 0–1 | Thomas Denham | Submission (rear-naked choke) | BAMMA 12 | 9 March 2013 | 2 | 3:58 | Newcastle, England | Light Heavyweight debut. |

## Championships and accomplishments

Rugby league
Whitehaven
* National League One
** Champions - 2005
Barrow Raiders
* Division Two Championship
** Champions – 2009
** Minor premiership – 2009
BAMMA
* BAMMA World Heavyweight Championship (One time; first)