Cameron Saaiman Explained

Cameron Saaiman
Birth Date:20 December 2000
Birth Place:Pretoria, South Africa
Nickname:MSP
Weight Lb:135
Reach:67 in[1]
Stance:Southpaw
Fighting Out Of:Pretoria, South Africa
Team:Team CIT MMA
Years Active:2019–present
Mma Kowin:6
Mma Subwin:1
Mma Decwin:2
Mma Koloss:1
Mma Decloss:1
Sherdog:317055

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.[2] His nickname, MSP, stands for "Most Savage Player" and was given to him by his coach.[3]

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.[4]

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.[5]

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.[6] Saaiman won the fight by technical knockout in round three.[7]

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.[8]

Saaiman was scheduled to face Christian Rodriguez on 8 July 2023 at UFC 290.[9] However, Rodriguez pulled out in late June due to injury and was replaced by promotional newcomer and former cast member Terrence Mitchell.[10] He won the fight via technical knockout in the first round.[11]

The match between Saaiman and Christian Rodriguez was rescheduled for 14 October 2023, at UFC Fight Night 230.[12] 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.[13] Saaiman lost the fight via unanimous decision.[14]

Saaiman faced Payton Talbott on 23 March 2024, at UFC on ESPN 53.[15] He lost the bout in the second round via technical knockout.[16]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

Mixed martial arts record

|-|Loss|align=center|9–2|Payton Talbott|TKO (punches)|||align=center|2|align=center|0:21|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States ||-|Loss|align=center|9–1|Christian Rodriguez|Decision (unanimous)|||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| [17]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Cameron Saaiman. UFC. 20 June 2022 . 9 July 2023.
  2. Web site: 10 Regional MMA Prospects You Might Not Know About . Bitter . Shawn . 7 October 2021 . The Scrap . 9 July 2023 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230127010952/https://www.thescrap.co/10-regional-mma-prospects-you-might-not-know-about/ . 27 January 2023.
  3. Web site: Who is Cameron Saaiman? Undefeated fighter nicknamed 'MSP' set for UFC 290 . Pandey . Pranav . 6 July 2023 . Sportskeeda . 9 July 2023 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230706193343/https://www.sportskeeda.com/mma/news-who-cameron-saaiman-undefeated-fighter-nicknamed-msp-set-ufc-290 . 6 July 2023.
  4. News: Kiewietz . Julian . 4 June 2022 . Cameron Saaiman is EFC's new Bantamweight champion . . 9 July 2023 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220704214554/https://www.iol.co.za/sport/mma/cameron-saaiman-is-efcs-new-bantamweight-champion-fb07c049-2a98-46e1-bf2e-c29db566d8e4 . 4 July 2022.
  5. Web site: Cameron Saaiman wasn't sure he'd earn UFC contract: 'Bit of a question mark because of my age' . Hannoun . Farah . Hathaway . Ken . 24 August 2022 . MMA Junkie . 9 July 2023 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230629152339/https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/08/ufc-news-cameron-saaiman-wasnt-sure-contract-age . 29 June 2023.
  6. Web site: Cameron Saaiman to fight replacement opponent Steven Koslow at UFC 282 . Lee . Alexander K. . 30 November 2022 . MMA Fighting . 9 July 2023 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230131074311/https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/11/30/23486362/cameron-saaiman-to-fight-replacement-opponent-steven-koslow-at-ufc-282 . 31 January 2023.
  7. Web site: Cameron Saaiman def. Steven Koslow at UFC 282: Best photos . 10 December 2022 . MMA Junkie . 9 July 2023 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230629152335/https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/gallery/cameron-saaiman-def-steven-koslow-at-ufc-282-best-photos . 29 June 2023.
  8. Web site: Cameron Saaiman breaks down why groin shots were a thing again at UFC 285 . Erickson . Matt . Hathaway . Ken . 6 March 2023 . MMA Junkie . 9 July 2023 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230314010033/https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/lists/ufc-285-video-cameron-saaiman-why-groin-shots-keep-happening-analysis . 14 March 2023.
  9. Web site: Christian Rodriguez vs. Cameron Saaiman in the works for UFC 290. mmafighting.com. Mike Heck. 2023-05-04. 2023-06-22.
  10. Web site: Cameron Saaiman gets new UFC 290 opponent after Christian Rodriguez withdrawal. mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Nolan King. 2023-06-22. 2023-06-22.
  11. Web site: UFC 290 video: South Africa's Cameron Saaiman makes quick work of Terrence Mitchell . King . Nolan . 8 July 2023 . MMA Junkie . 9 July 2023 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230709051021/https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2023/07/ufc-290-video-cameron-saaiman-vs-terrence-mitchell-finish-south-africa . 9 July 2023.
  12. Web site: Christian Rodriguez vs. Cameron Saaiman set for UFC Vegas 81 event. itnwwe.com. News Desk. 2023-08-22. 2023-08-22.
  13. Web site: Sherdog.com . UFC Fight Night 230 Weigh-in Results: Main Event Set; 1 Fighter Misses Weight . 2023-10-13 . Sherdog . en.
  14. Web site: Dewar . Val . 2023-10-14 . UFC Vegas 81: Christian Rodriguez Earns Decision in Thrilling Bout with Cameron Saaiman . 2023-10-14 . Cageside Press . en-US.
  15. Web site: Calhoun . Curtis . 2024-01-31 . Dricus Du Plessis' Surging Teammate, Cameron Saaiman, Booked For UFC Return . 2024-02-01 . MMA News UFC News, Results & Interviews . en-us.
  16. Web site: Anderson . Jay . 2024-03-24 . UFC Vegas 89: Payton Talbott Absolutely Dismantles Cameron Saaiman . 2024-03-24 . Cageside Press . en-US.
  17. Web site: Sherdog.com. Cameron Saaiman. 9 July 2023. Sherdog. 4 March 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230304192952/https://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Cameron-Saaiman-317055. live.