# Ruan Potts

Ruan Potts (born 24 August 1977) is a South African professional mixed martial artist currently competing in the Heavyweight division. A professional competitor from 2011 to 2018, Potts formerly competed for the UFC.

## Mixed martial arts career

Potts made his professional debut in 2011, competing exclusively for regional promotions in his native South Africa, where he was also the Extreme Fighting Championship (EFC) Heavyweight Champion. He compiled a record of 8 – 1, finishing his opponents in all of his victories before signing with the UFC in February 2014.

### Ultimate Fighting Championship

Potts made his promotional debut against Soa Palelei on 10 May 2014 at UFC Fight Night 40. Palelei won the fight via knockout in the first round.
Potts faced Anthony Hamilton on 30 August 2014 at UFC 177. Hamilton won the bout via TKO in the second round.
Potts faced Derrick Lewis on 28 February 2015 at UFC 184. He lost the fight via TKO in the second round. Potts was subsequently released from the UFC.

### Return to EFC

Potts re-signed with Extreme Fighting Championship (EFC) after his release from the UFC and faced Cyril Asker. He lost via TKO (retirement) after the first round. He has fought a further five times in the EFC since then.

## Championships and accomplishments

* Extreme Fighting Championship
** EFC Heavyweight Championship (Two times)
** Two successful title defences

## Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown :
| 18 matches | 11 wins | 7 losses |
| By knockout | 5 | 5 |
| By submission | 6 | 0 |
| By decision | 0 | 2 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
| Loss | 11–7 | Jared Vanderaa | TKO (punches) | EFC 76 | 8 December 2018 | 3 | 3:24 | Pretoria, South Africa | For the vacant EFC Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 11–6 | Karl Etherington | TKO (punches) | EFC 58 | 8 April 2017 | 1 | 2:33 | Cape Town, South Africa | |
| Win | 10–6 | Brendon Groenewald | Submission (rear naked choke) | EFC 55 | 11 November 2016 | 2 | 4:21 | Cape Town, South Africa | |
| Win | 9–6 | Vandam Mbuyi | Submission (armbar) | EFC 50 | 17 June 2016 | 1 | 4:06 | Sun City, South Africa | Return to Heavyweight. |
| Loss | 8–6 | Tumelo Maphutha | Decision (unanimous) | EFC 45 | 7 November 2015 | 3 | 5:00 | Cape Town, South Africa | Light Heavyweight debut. |
| Loss | 8–5 | Cyril Asker | TKO (retirement) | EFC 40 | 6 June 2015 | 1 | 5:00 | Johannesburg, South Africa | |
| Loss | 8–4 | Derrick Lewis | TKO (punches) | UFC 184 | 28 February 2015 | 2 | 3:18 | Los Angeles, California, United States | |
| Loss | 8–3 | Anthony Hamilton | TKO (body punches) | UFC 177 | 30 August 2014 | 2 | 4:17 | Sacramento, California, United States | |
| Loss | 8–2 | Soa Palelei | KO (punches) | UFC Fight Night: Brown vs. Silva | 10 May 2014 | 1 | 2:20 | Cincinnati, Ohio, United States | |
| Win | 8–1 | Andrew Van Zyl | Technical Submission (armbar) | EFC Africa 26 | 12 December 2013 | 1 | 0:44 | Gauteng, South Africa | Won the EFC Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 7–1 | Ricky Misholas | Submission (triangle choke) | EFC Africa 24 | 10 October 2013 | 1 | N/A | Gauteng, South Africa | |
| Win | 6–1 | Mahmoud Hassan | Submission (ankle lock) | EFC Africa 21 | 25 July 2013 | 1 | 0:37 | Gauteng, South Africa | |
| Loss | 5–1 | Andrew Van Zyl | Decision (unanimous) | EFC Africa 18 | 1 March 2013 | 5 | 5:00 | Gauteng, South Africa | Lost the EFC Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 5–0 | Bernardo Mikixi | TKO (punches) | EFC Africa 16 | 19 October 2012 | 2 | N/A | Gauteng, South Africa | Defended the EFC Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 4–0 | Andrew Van Zyl | Submission (guillotine choke) | EFC Africa 11 | 10 November 2011 | 1 | 3:50 | Gauteng, South Africa | Defended the EFC Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 3–0 | Norman Wessels | TKO (punches) | EFC Africa 9 | 30 July 2011 | 3 | 4:21 | Gauteng, South Africa | Won the inaugural EFC Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 2–0 | Baygon Obutobe | TKO (punches and elbows) | EFC Africa 8 | 14 April 2011 | 4 | 3:00 | Gauteng, South Africa | |
| Win | 1–0 | Calven Robinson | TKO (knee and punches) | EFC Africa 7 | 3 February 2011 | 1 | 1:23 | Gauteng, South Africa | |