PERSONAL INFORMATION
Born: Bolaji Oki, Brussels, Belgium
Nickname: The Zulu Warrior
Date of Birth: 1995
Weight: 155LBS/70.31kg
Division: Flyweight and Catchweight
Pro MMA Record: [9-1-0]
EARLY LIFE
Bolaji Oki, aka The Zulu Warrior, is a Nigerian fighter born in Belgium. He trains at the Davinci Gym in Evere and is associated with the Valon team. The Belgian has fought in different MMA competitions in the lightweight category and started his MMA career in 2017 at the amateur level.
In August 2023, the 29-year-old fighter competed in Dan white’s Contender Series in Las Vegas, USA. He defeated former world Champion in Muay Thai and Kickboxing, Dylan Salvado at the tournament and earned a contract for the UFC. Oki has been in twelve fights, two amateur and ten professional bouts.
MMA CAREER
The Belgian’s victory at the Contender Series and a new contract with UFC has finally opened new opportunities in his MMA journey. His steadfastness has earned him fame that only three of his countrymen, Tarec Saffiedine, Cindy Dandois, and Gaetano Pirrello, have achieved before him.
Before this new development, He had been on top of his game. He had participated in tournaments and won national and international fights. The fighter has competed in many competitions like Fightstar Championship 13, European Beatdown,360 Selection, Levels Fight League, AFC, Atomic, Contender Series, and UFC Fight Night.
His first amateur fight was against Baseem Zaied in the preliminary card. The fight was off to a quick start, with Zaied throwing quick jabs and punches that landed. Oki managed a takedown and remained on top and dthe fight persisted with Oki delivering a flying kick that had no significance. He kept up his defenses up and blocked Zaied’s strikes. The bout ended with Oki victorious via unanimous decision. Next, he faced off against Alexandru Curcudel but the match ended in a split draw after the third round.
His next fight was pro-level, where he faced off Sebastien Di Franco at the preliminaries. After a deadly exchange of strikes and blows, Di Franco won the third round via unanimous decision. Next, he squared off against French fighter Jordan Beljic in the main card and defeated his opponent, winning the bout via unanimous decision.
After that, he went up against Fayad Djoumoi, and the two started the match carefully tagging each other and seeking an opening. Djoumoi grappled Oki to the canvas in the first round and delivered a series of blows. Oki was soon back on his feet, blocking attacks and putting up a strong defense. He came in hot in round two and landed a left cross followed by a right jab that saw Djoumoi topple to the ground. Oki took no chances and proceeded to deliver some heavy ground pound before the round ended. The third round began with both opponents going for a takedown. Oki won the match by landing a flurry of punches that left Djoumoi incapacitated. His next fight was against Netherlander Hyram Rodriguez, who came in hot in the opening round but ended up losing after a guillotine choke by Oki.
Soon after, he faced off against Moldovan fighter Tudor Dermenji and dolled out precise strikes. Dermenji came out hot and tried a couple of takedowns, but Oki remained on his feet. He soon backed Dermenji to a corner where he delivered a knee to the midsection and deadly strikes with the elbows. Dermenji submitted soon afterward, and Oki won the fight via KO in the second round. His next bout was against Brazil fighter Assis Silva. He dominated his opponent after landing several head shots and ground pound in the opening round. His fight saw him battle the unbeatable Armenian fighter Nair Melikya. The the two exchanged deadly blows and strikes before round one was over. The match continued with both rivals landing vicious strikes and drawing blood. Oki eventually won the fight in round three via unanimous decision.
Next, he battled the tall Brazilian Jocimar Ferreira. Following a few feints, he defeated the Brazilian in round one after Ferreira clinched to Oki and got a knee to the liver that left him sprawled on the canvas. Next, he faced off Dylan Salvador. He rocked his opponent with multiple body shots, a knee to the head, multiple jabs, and uppercuts that knocked out Salvador in the first round.
His last recorded fight took place on 11th February 2024 against Timmy Cuamba. His original opponent was Damir Hadzovic, but Hadzovic was removed due to visa issues and replaced with Cuamba. Oki’s battle against Cuamba was his official debut in the UFC, and he won the fight in round three via split decision.
MMA RECORD
Bolaji Oki is skilled at kickboxing and Muay Thai and is quite deadly and quick with his punches and jabs. The Belgian athlete is currently ranked #120 among MMA lightweight fighters. He has shown considerable skills and efficiency in his fighting techniques.
| W/L/D [NC] | RECORD AFTER FIGHT | OPPONENT | FIGHT LIBRARY |
| W | 9-1-0 | TIMMY CUAMBA | |
| W | 8-1-0 | DYLAN SALVADOR | https://youtu.be/WB3mMpZmWYo?si=AQGVMvOvLAtzknxL |
| W | 7-1-0 | JOCIMAR FERRERIRA | |
| W | 6-1-0 | NAIR MELIKYAN | https://youtu.be/v2eZ_1nwewA?si=OKjOUTacY7fjVVWK |
| W | 5-1-0 | ASSIS SILVA | https://youtu.be/f4H6UGNLRKs? si=gIX2eSs2dyd8RmZa |
| w | 4-1-0 | TUDOR DERMENJI | |
| 3-1-0 | HYRAM RODRIGUEZ | ||
| W | 2-1-0 | FAYAD DJOUMOI | https://youtu.be/cNAjgsqhbJ4?si=EH-jxK-IvoE6RSEp |
| W | 1-1-0 | JORDAN BELJIC | |
| L | 0-1-0 | SEBASTIEN DI FRANCO |
