Cameron Saaiman

Cameron 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.
Championships and accomplishments
Mixed martial arts
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Performance of the Night (one time)
Extreme Fighting Championship
EFC Bantamweight Championship (One time)
Mixed martial arts record
|-
|Loss
|align=center|9–1
|Christian Rodriguez
|Decision (unanimous)
|UFC Fight Night: Yusuff vs. Barboza
|
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
|
|-
| Win
| align=center|9–0
| Terrence Mitchell
| TKO (punches)
| UFC 290
|
| align=center|1
| align=center|3:10
| Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
|
|-
| Win
| align=center| 8–0
| Leomana Martinez
| Decision (majority)
| UFC 285
|
| align=center|3
| align=center|5:00
| Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
|
|-
| Win
| align=center| 7–0
| Steven Koslow
| TKO (knees and punches)
| UFC 282
|
| align=center|3
| align=center|4:13
| Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
|
|-
| Win
| align=center| 6–0
| Josh Wang-Kim
| KO (punch)
| Dana White's Contender Series 51
|
| align=center|3
| align=center|2:52
| Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
|
|-
| Win
| align=center| 5–0
| Sindile Manengela
| Decision (unanimous)
| EFC 94
|
| align=center|5
| align=center|5:00
| Johannesburg, South Africa
|
|-
| Win
| align=center| 4–0
| Roevan De Beer
| TKO (punches)
| EFC 92
|
| align=center| 1
| align=center| N/A
| Johannesburg, South Africa
|
|-
| Win
| align=center| 3–0
| Billy Oosthuizen
| Submission (rear-naked choke)
| EFC 85
|
| align=center| 2
| align=center| 2:05
| Johannesburg, South Africa
|
|-
| Win
| align=center| 2–0
| Zwelibanzi Ngema
| TKO (punches)
| EFC 84
|
| align=center| 2
| align=center| 3:29
| Pretoria, South Africa
|
|-
| Win
| align=center| 1–0
| Corne Blom
| TKO (punches)
| EFC 83
|
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 1:25
| Pretoria, South Africa
|
See also
List of current UFC fighters
List of male mixed martial artists
References
External links
2000 births
Living people
South African male mixed martial artists
Bantamweight mixed martial artists
Ultimate Fighting Championship male fighters
Sportspeople from Pretoria
Mixed martial artists utilizing kickboxing
South African male kickboxers