# Cameron Saaiman

Cameron Alexander Saaiman (born 20 December 2000) is a South African mixed martial artist who competes in the Bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

## Background

Saaiman was born on 20 December 2000 in Pretoria, South Africa. He began training in kickboxing and mixed martial arts at the age of 12. Saaiman was a South African champion in K-1 kickboxing before focusing on MMA. His nickname, MSP, stands for "Most Savage Player" and was given to him by his coach.

## Mixed martial arts career
### Early career

Saaiman won his first five MMA bouts in the South African promotion Extreme Fighting Championship. In his fifth fight, Saaiman defeated Sindile Manengela by unanimous decision to win the EFC Bantamweight Championship.
On 23 August 2022, Saaiman faced Josh Wang-Kim at Dana White's Contender Series 51. Saaiman knocked out Wang-Kim with a punch in the third round and was awarded a contract with the UFC for his performance.

### Ultimate Fighting Championship

Saaiman was scheduled to make his UFC debut against Ronnie Lawrence on 10 December 2022 at UFC 282. However, Lawrence withdrew and was replaced by Steven Koslow. Saaiman won the fight by technical knockout in round three.
Saaiman then faced Leomana Martinez on 4 March 2023 at UFC 285. He was deducted a point in round two for a low blow, but nonetheless won the fight via majority decision.
Saaiman was scheduled to face Christian Rodriguez on 8 July 2023 at UFC 290. However, Rodriguez pulled out in late June due to injury and was replaced by promotional newcomer and former The Ultimate Fighter: Tournament of Champions cast member Terrence Mitchell. He won the fight via technical knockout in the first round.
The match between Saaiman and Christian Rodriguez was rescheduled for 14 October 2023, at UFC Fight Night 230. At the weigh-ins, Rodriguez weighed in at 140 pounds, four pounds over the bantamweight non-title fight limit. The bout proceeded at catchweight and Rodriguez was fined a percentage of his purse, which went to Saaiman. Saaiman lost the fight via unanimous decision.
Saaiman faced Payton Talbott on 23 March 2024, at UFC on ESPN 53. He lost the bout in the second round via technical knockout.
Saaiman is scheduled to face promotional newcomer Malcolm Wellmaker on 26 April 2025 at UFC on ESPN 66.

## Championships and accomplishments
### Mixed martial arts

* Ultimate Fighting Championship
** Performance of the Night (one time) vs. Steven Koslow
* Extreme Fighting Championship
** EFC Bantamweight Championship (One time)

## Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown :
| 11 matches | 9 wins | 2 losses |
| By knockout | 6 | 1 |
| By submission | 1 | 0 |
| By decision | 2 | 1 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
| Loss | 9–2 | Payton Talbott | TKO (punches) | UFC on ESPN: Ribas vs. Namajunas | March 23, 2024 | 2 | 0:21 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 9–1 | Christian Rodriguez | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Yusuff vs. Barboza | October 14, 2023 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Catchweight (140 lb) bout; Rodriguez missed weight. |
| Win | 9–0 | Terrence Mitchell | TKO (punches) | UFC 290 | July 8, 2023 | 1 | 3:10 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 8–0 | Leomana Martinez | Decision (majority) | UFC 285 | March 4, 2023 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Catchweight (137 lb) bout; Martinez missed weight. Saaiman was deducted 1 point in round 1 due to multiple groin strikes. |
| Win | 7–0 | Steven Koslow | TKO (knees and punches) | UFC 282 | December 10, 2022 | 3 | 4:13 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Saaiman was deducted 1 point in round 2 due to an illegal knee. Performance of the Night. |
| Win | 6–0 | Josh Wang-Kim | KO (punch) | Dana White's Contender Series 51 | August 23, 2022 | 3 | 2:52 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 5–0 | Sindile Manengela | Decision (unanimous) | EFC 94 | June 4, 2022 | 5 | 5:00 | Johannesburg, South Africa | Won the vacant EFC Bantamweight Championship. |
| Win | 4–0 | Roevan De Beer | TKO (punches) | EFC 92 | March 5, 2022 | 1 | N/A | Johannesburg, South Africa | |
| Win | 3–0 | Billy Oosthuizen | Submission (rear-naked choke) | EFC 85 | May 8, 2021 | 2 | 2:05 | Johannesburg, South Africa | |
| Win | 2–0 | Zwelibanzi Ngema | TKO (punches) | EFC 84 | March 14, 2020 | 2 | 3:29 | Pretoria, South Africa | |
| Win | 1–0 | Corne Blom | TKO (punches) | EFC 83 | December 14, 2019 | 1 | 1:25 | Pretoria, South Africa | Bantamweight debut. |