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Hunter Azure

Hunter Dean Azure (born March 2, 1992)[4] is an American professional mixed martial artist who competed in the bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

Background

Azure was born on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation in Poplar, Montana, and went on to attend Poplar High School, where he was a four-time Class-B MHSA state champion as a wrestler. He then wrestled at the Montana State University–Northern, where he earned a degree in industrial technology.[3][5]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Azure spent most of his early career in regional Western American promotions, most notably fighting in the Legacy Fighting Alliance. During this time he compiled an undefeated 6–0 record.[6]

Dana White's Contender Series

He was eventually invited to the Dana White's Contender Series 19. On July 9, 2019, he faced fellow undefeated prospect Chris Ocon, defeating him via unanimous decision and in the process gaining a UFC contract.[7]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Azure made his promotional debut against The Ultimate Fighter 27 Featherweight Tournament winner Brad Katona on September 14, 2019, at UFC Fight Night: Cowboy vs. Gaethje.[8] He won the bout by unanimous decision.[9]

Azure was scheduled to face Umar Nurmagomedov on April 18, 2020, at UFC 249.[10] However, the event was then postponed.[11]

Azure faced Brian Kelleher on May 13, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Smith vs. Teixeira.[12] He lost the fight via knockout in the second round.[13] This bout earned both participants the Fight of the Night award.[14]

Azure faced Cole Smith on September 5, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Sakai.[15] He won by unanimous decision.[16]

Azure faced Jack Shore on April 10, 2021, at UFC on ABC: Vettori vs. Holland.[17] He lost the bout via split decision.[18]

On March 1, 2022, it was announced that Azure was released from UFC.[19]

Post UFC

Azure made his first appearance post release at iKON FC 2 on March 18, 2022, against Keith Richardson. He lost the bout via rear-naked choke in the second round.[20]

Azure faced Ben Hollier at Fusion Fight League: Boise on October 15, 2022, winning the bout via unanimous decision.[21]

Azure next faced Amun Cosme at United Fight League 4 for the vacant UFL Bantamweight title on April 17, 2024. He would win the fight via second round technical knockout.[22]

Azure would make his first defence of the UFL Bantamweight title against fellow UFC veteran Vince Morales at United Fight League 5 on August 30, 2024. [23] He would lose the fight via submission in the third round succumbing to a Peruvian necktie. [24]

The Ultimate Fighter 31

In mid March 2023, it was announced that Azure would be competing in the thirty-first season of The Ultimate Fighter.[25]

In the quarterfinal Azure faced Rico DiSciullo. after a strong performance in the first round, he lost the fight in the second round by knock out.[26]

Personal life

Hunter and his fiancée Sage have a son, Wilder (born 2020).[2] He is the son of Howard and Deb Azure and has three siblings: Dustyn, Autumn, and Ashley. He is a native American, being an enrolled member of the Assiniboine and Sioux people on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation.[27][28]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

Mixed martial arts record

[6]

Mixed martial arts exhibition record

See also

References

  1. ^ Flores, Victor (September 17, 2019). "'No better feeling': Poplar's Hunter Azure takes week to enjoy UFC win". 406 MT Sports. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
  2. ^ a b Thomas Gerbasi (April 19, 2020). "Hunter Azure Settling Into Fatherhood And Preparing to Fight". Ultimate Fighting Championship.
  3. ^ a b "Poplar graduate Hunter Azure earns UFC contract". 406 MT SPORTS. July 9, 2019. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  4. ^ Mixed martial arts show results Date: September 5, 2020
  5. ^ "Poplar's Azure to wrestle at Northern". missoulian.com. Associated Press. May 21, 2010. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  6. ^ a b Sherdog.com. "Hunter Azure". Sherdog. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  7. ^ "Hunter Azure not happy with performance despite earning UFC deal at DWCS 19". MMA Junkie. July 9, 2019. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  8. ^ Sherdog.com. "Brad Katona to Fight Hunter Azure at UFC Vancouver". Sherdog. Retrieved October 11, 2019.
  9. ^ "Hunter Azure def. Brad Katona at UFC on ESPN+ 16: Best photos". MMA Junkie. September 14, 2019. Retrieved October 11, 2019.
  10. ^ "Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Hunter Azure joins UFC 249 lineup in Brooklyn". MMA Junkie. February 28, 2020. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  11. ^ 406mtsports.com (April 9, 2020). "Second UFC fight for Poplar native Hunter Azure postponed". 406 MT SPORTS. Retrieved September 17, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  12. ^ "Dana White announces full list of UFC matchups for May 13, May 16 events in Florida". MMA Junkie. May 1, 2020. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
  13. ^ McClory, Mike (May 13, 2020). "UFC Jacksonville Results: Brian Kelleher Weathers the Storm to KO Azure". Cageside Press. Retrieved May 14, 2020.
  14. ^ a b Sherdog.com. "UFC Fight Night 171 Bonuses: Teixeira, Dober, Kelleher, Azure Pocket $50K Awards". Sherdog. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  15. ^ McClory, Mike (August 7, 2019). "Cole Smith vs. Hunter Azure Added to September 5 UFC Event". MMAsucka. Retrieved September 5, 2019.
  16. ^ Evanoff, Josh (September 5, 2020). "UFC Vegas 9 Results: Hunter Azure Survives, Defeats Cole Smith". Cageside Press. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  17. ^ DNA, MMA (February 13, 2021). "Jack Shore treft Hunter Azure tijdens UFC evenement op 10 april". MMA DNA. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  18. ^ Doherty, Dan (April 10, 2021). "UFC Vegas 23 Results: Jack Shore Wins Gritty Debut Over Hunter Azure". Cageside Press. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
  19. ^ Anderson, Jay (February 28, 2022). "Fabio Cherant, Hunter Azure Latest Fighters to Exit UFC". Cageside Press. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  20. ^ Behunin, Alex (March 18, 2022). "iKON FC 2: Highbaugh vs. Dumas Full Results". Cageside Press. Retrieved March 19, 2022.
  21. ^ "Ben Hollier vs. Hunter Azure, Fusion Fight League | MMA Bout". Tapology. Retrieved December 26, 2022.
  22. ^ "Poplar's Hunter Azure scores KO for United Fight League bantamweight belt". April 30, 2024.
  23. ^ https://mmauk.net/2024/08/30/ufl-5-weigh-in-results/
  24. ^ https://cagesidepress.com/2024/08/30/ufl-5-results/
  25. ^ Heck, Mike (March 5, 2023). "Full TUF 31 cast revealed, featuring Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler as coaches". MMA Fighting. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
  26. ^ "'The Ultimate Fighter 31: McGregor vs. Chandler,' Episode 8 recap: Did Conor McGregor avoid clean sweep?". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. July 19, 2023.
  27. ^ "Hunter Azure (Assinniboine/Sioux) set to fight in LFA Bantam Weight Fight in Phoenix on Nov 9th". ndvsports.com. November 8, 2018. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  28. ^ Wylie, Tom (July 5, 2019). "Poplar's Hunter Azure seeking UFC opportunity on Dana White's Contender Series". montanasports.com. Retrieved September 5, 2020.

External links