Career Timeline of Drew Dober: Major Achievements and Milestones

How Drew Dober built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Drew Dober is an American professional mixed martial artist competing in the UFC's Lightweight division. Noted for his striking ability, Dober holds the record for the most knockouts in UFC lightweight history with ten. He has been a professional fighter since 2009, with previous experience in Bellator MMA and Titan Fighting Championship.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

2009: Dober Starts Professional MMA Career

In 2009, Drew Dober began his career as a professional mixed martial artist.

2009: Dober Turns Professional After Amateur Success

In 2009, Drew Dober turned professional after compiling an amateur record of 9 wins and 0 losses.

April 29, 2010: Dober defeats Nick Nolte at Bellator 16

On April 29, 2010, Dober faced Nick Nolte at Bellator 16, winning the fight via arm-triangle choke submission in the first round.

February 2012: Dober Participates in The Ultimate Fighter 15

In February 2012, Drew Dober participated on The Ultimate Fighter 15 but was defeated in the entry round by Daron Cruickshank via unanimous decision.

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November 30, 2013: Dober Fights Sean Spencer at The Ultimate Fighter 18 Finale

On November 30, 2013, Drew Dober stepped in for an injured Sérgio Moraes to face Sean Spencer at The Ultimate Fighter 18 Finale, losing the fight via unanimous decision.

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May 31, 2014: Dober Loses to Nick Hein at UFC Fight Night 41

On May 31, 2014, Drew Dober faced Nick Hein at UFC Fight Night 41 and lost the fight via unanimous decision.

March 21, 2015: Dober Loses to Silva, Result Overturned

On March 21, 2015, Drew Dober faced Leandro Silva at UFC Fight Night 62 and initially lost via technical submission. However, the result was later overturned to a 'No Contest' after the referee admitted a mistake, and Dober received his win money.

June 13, 2015: Dober Loses to Escudero at UFC 188

On June 13, 2015, Drew Dober faced Efrain Escudero at UFC 188. Dober lost the fight by guillotine choke submission in the first round.

January 2, 2016: Dober Defeats Scott Holtzman at UFC 195

On January 2, 2016, Drew Dober faced Scott Holtzman at UFC 195, after Erik Koch pulled out due to injury. Dober won the fight by unanimous decision.

April 16, 2016: Dober's Fight with Makhachev Cancelled

On April 16, 2016, Drew Dober's scheduled fight against Islam Makhachev at UFC on Fox 19 was cancelled after Makhachev tested positive for the banned substance meldonium.

September 10, 2016: Dober Defeats Jason Gonzalez at UFC 203

On September 10, 2016, Drew Dober faced Jason Gonzalez at UFC 203 after Erik Koch withdrew due to injury. Dober won the fight via TKO in the first round.

December 10, 2016: Dober Loses to Aubin-Mercier at UFC 206

On December 10, 2016, Drew Dober faced Olivier Aubin-Mercier at UFC 206. Dober lost the fight via submission in the second round.

July 29, 2017: Dober Defeats Burkman at UFC 214

On July 29, 2017, Drew Dober faced Josh Burkman at UFC 214 and won by first round knockout.

January 27, 2018: Dober Defeats Camacho, Earns Bonus

On January 27, 2018, Drew Dober faced Frank Camacho at UFC on Fox 27. He won the fight via unanimous decision and earned the Fight of the Night bonus.

August 25, 2018: Dober Defeats Tuck at UFC Fight Night 135

On August 25, 2018, Drew Dober faced Jon Tuck at UFC Fight Night 135 and won the fight by unanimous decision.

March 9, 2019: Dober Loses to Dariush at UFC Fight Night 146

On March 9, 2019, Drew Dober faced Beneil Dariush at UFC Fight Night 146 and lost the fight via submission in the second round.

June 29, 2019: Dober Defeats Reyes at UFC on ESPN 3

On June 29, 2019, Drew Dober faced Polo Reyes at UFC on ESPN 3 and won the fight via knockout in the first round.

January 18, 2020: Dober Defeats Haqparast, Earns Award

On January 18, 2020, Drew Dober faced Nasrat Haqparast at UFC 246. He won the fight via knockout in the first round, earning a Performance of the Night award.

May 2, 2020: Dober's Fight Postponed

On May 2, 2020, Drew Dober was originally scheduled to face Carlos Diego Ferreira at UFC Fight Night: Hermansson vs. Weidman, but the event was postponed.

May 13, 2020: Dober Defeats Hernandez, Earns Award

On May 13, 2020, Drew Dober faced Alexander Hernandez at UFC Fight Night 171 and won the fight via technical knockout in round two, earning a Performance of the Night award.

November 7, 2020: Dober's Bout with Ferreira Scrapped

On November 7, 2020, Drew Dober's rescheduled bout with Carlos Diego Ferreira at UFC on ESPN 17 was scrapped after Ferreira pulled out due to an illness on October 22.

March 6, 2021: Dober Loses to Makhachev at UFC 259

On March 6, 2021, Drew Dober faced Islam Makhachev at UFC 259 and lost the fight via submission in round three.

June 12, 2021: Dober Loses to Riddell, Earns Award

On June 12, 2021, Drew Dober faced Brad Riddell at UFC 263. He lost the fight via unanimous decision but earned the Fight of the Night award.

March 12, 2022: Dober Defeats McKinney at UFC Fight Night 204

On March 12, 2022, Drew Dober faced Terrance McKinney at UFC Fight Night 204, after Ricky Glenn withdrew. Dober won the fight via technical knockout in round one.

July 30, 2022: Dober Defeats Alves, Earns Award

On July 30, 2022, Drew Dober faced Rafael Alves at UFC 277. He won the fight in the third round after knocking out Alves with a punch to the body. Dober also earned his third Performance of the Night award.

December 17, 2022: Dober Defeats Green, Earns Award

On December 17, 2022, Drew Dober faced Bobby Green at UFC Fight Night 216 and won the fight via knockout in round two. Dober earned the Fight of the Night award.

May 6, 2023: Dober Loses to Frevola at UFC 288

On May 6, 2023, Drew Dober faced Matt Frevola at UFC 288 and lost the fight by TKO at the end of the first round.

October 7, 2023: Dober Defeats Glenn, Breaks Record

On October 7, 2023, Drew Dober faced Ricky Glenn at UFC Fight Night 229 and won the fight via TKO in the first round. With the win, Dober broke the record for most knockouts in the UFC Lightweight division history and earned the Performance of the Night award.

February 3, 2024: Dober Loses to Moicano at UFC Fight Night 235

On February 3, 2024, Drew Dober faced Renato Moicano at UFC Fight Night 235. Dober lost by unanimous decision, due to being dominated on the ground despite landing punches.

July 13, 2024: Dober Loses to Silva, Earns Award

On July 13, 2024, Drew Dober was scheduled to face Mike Davis at UFC on ESPN 59, but Davis withdrew. Dober then faced Jean Silva and lost the fight via doctor stoppage in the third round due to a cut above the left eye. Dober earned another Fight of the Night award.

March 29, 2025: Dober Loses to Torres at UFC on ESPN 64

On March 29, 2025, Drew Dober faced Manuel Torres at UFC on ESPN 64. He lost the fight by technical knockout in the first round.

October 18, 2025: Dober Defeats Prepolec, Sets Record

On October 18, 2025, at UFC Fight Night 262, Drew Dober faced Kyle Prepolec. Despite a point deduction for a groin strike, Dober won via TKO, achieving his tenth knockout in the UFC lightweight division and setting a new record. He also earned another Fight of the Night award.