Zachary Ottow (born ) is an American

mixed martial artist Mixed martial arts (MMA), sometimes referred to as cage fighting, no holds barred (NHB), and ultimate fighting, and originally referred to as Vale Tudo is a full-contact combat sport based on striking, grappling and ground fighting, incorp ...

who formerly competed in the

welterweight Welterweight is a weight class in combat sports. Originally the term "welterweight" was used only in boxing, but other combat sports like Muay Thai, taekwondo, and mixed martial arts also use it for their own weight division system to classify the ...

division of the

Ultimate Fighting Championship The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is an American mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion company based in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is owned and operated by Zuffa, a wholly owned subsidiary of Endeavor Group Holdings. It is the largest MMA ...

(UFC). A professional competitor since 2011, he has also competed for

King of the Cage King of the Cage (KOTC) is a mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion based in Southern California, United States. History KOTC was founded in 1998 by Terry Trebilcock. KOTC features mostly amateur as well as up and coming MMA stars and former mainstr ...

Background

Ottow was born and raised in

Milwaukee, Wisconsin Milwaukee ( ), officially the City of Milwaukee, is both the most populous and most densely populated city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, Milwaukee County. With a population of 577,222 at th ...

with an older biological brother and two older stepbrothers. Ottow started training in wrestling and football – becoming an All-State select in latter – while attending

Wisconsin Lutheran High School Wisconsin Lutheran High School, commonly referred to as WLHS or Wisco, is a private preparatory religious high school in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. WLHS was formed when the Lutheran High School in Milwaukee, founded in 1903, split in the 1950s over d ...

. He attended

Air Force Academy An air force academy or air academy is a national institution that provides initial officer training, possibly including undergraduate level education, to air force officer cadets who are preparing to be commissioned officers in a national air forc ...

in Colorado for two years before transferring to

University of Wisconsin A university () is an institution of higher (or tertiary) education and research which awards academic degrees in several academic disciplines. Universities typically offer both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. In the United States, t ...

in Milwaukee from where he graduated with a degree in

kinesiology Kinesiology () is the scientific study of human body movement. Kinesiology addresses physiological, anatomical, biomechanical, pathological, neuropsychological principles and mechanisms of movement. Applications of kinesiology to human health ...

. After his college football career had finished, he begun training

Brazilian jiu-jitsu Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ; pt, jiu-jitsu brasileiro ) is a self-defence martial art and combat sport based on grappling, ground fighting (ne-waza) and submission holds. BJJ focuses on the skill of taking an opponent to the ground, control ...

and later picking up kickboxing. Eventually he started mixed martial arts training and started his professional career not long after. Ottow's typical day of training splits into three sessions. He starts his early morning with strength and conditional training; he works on his wrestling or boxing during the midday, and finishes off his day with BJJ training.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Ottow participated in various regional MMA promotions primarily in the

Upper Midwest The Upper Midwest is a region in the northern portion of the U.S. Census Bureau's Midwestern United States. It is largely a sub-region of the Midwest. Although the exact boundaries are not uniformly agreed-upon, the region is defined as referring ...

such as

, North American Fighting Championship, and

Legacy Fighting Championship Legacy Fighting Alliance is an American mixed martial arts promotion, created as a result of the ''Legacy Fighting Championship'' and ''Resurrection Fighting Alliance'' merger in early 2017. History Resurrection Fighting Alliance On October 11, ...

. He amassed a record of 13–3 prior signed by

(UFC).

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Ottow made his promotional debut on a short notice, replacing

Bobby Green Bobby Green (born September 9, 1986) is an American professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Lightweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A professional competitor since 2008, Green is the former King ...

against

Josh Burkman Joshua Ray Burkman (born April 10, 1980) is a retired American professional mixed martial artist formerly competing in the Welterweight division. He formerly competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, the World Series of Fighting, the XFC, ...

on October 1, 2016 at UFC Fight Night: Lineker vs. Dodson. He won the fight via split decision. Ottow faced

Sérgio Moraes Sérgio Ricardo de Moraes (born July 23, 1982) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who formerly competed in the welterweight and middleweight division's for the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He was a competitor on '' The Ultimat ...

on November 19, 2016 at UFC Fight Night: Bader vs. Nogueira 2. Moraes was awarded a split decision victory. Ottow next faced

Kiichi Kunimoto is a Japanese professional mixed martial artist currently competing in the welterweight division. A professional competitor since 2006, he has also competed for the RIZIN, UFC, Bellator, and Pancrase. Background Born and raised in the Nishina ...

on June 11, 2017 at UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Hunt. He won the fight via split decision. Ottow faced

Li Jingliang Li Jingliang (Chinese: 李景亮; pinyin: Lǐ Jǐngliàng; born March 20, 1988) is a Chinese mixed martial artist who competes as a welterweight for the Ultimate Fighting Championship. As of December 13, 2022, he is #15 in the UFC welterweight ...

on November 25, 2017 at UFC Fight Night: Silva vs. Gastelum. He lost the fight via TKO in the first round. After the bout Ottow became a free agent having fought his contract out. Ottow then signed a new four-fight contract to face Mike Pyle on short notice on March 3, 2018 at

UFC 222 ''UFC 222: Cyborg vs. Kunitskaya'' was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that was held on March 3, 2018, at the T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada, part of the Las Vegas metropolitan area. Background A UFC ...

. He won the fight by technical knockout in the first round. Pyle had announced he would retire before the fight. Ottow faced

Sage Northcutt Sage Northcutt (March 1, 1996) is an American professional mixed martial artist who is currently competing in the Lightweight division of ONE Championship, although he has competed in the Welterweight (MMA), Welterweight division as well. He has a ...

on July 14, 2018 at

UFC Fight Night 133 ''UFC Fight Night: dos Santos vs. Ivanov'' (also known as ''UFC Fight Night 133'') was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that was held on July 14, 2018 at CenturyLink Arena in Boise, Idaho, United States. ...

. He lost the fight via knock out in round two. Ottow replaced

Erik Koch Erik Jon Koch (born October 4, 1988) is an American mixed martial artist who competed in the Welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. A professional competitor since 2007, he formerly competed for the WEC. Background Koch wa ...

to face promotional newcomer

Dwight Grant Dwight Lamont Grant (born September 14, 1984) is an American mixed martial artist (MMA) who competes in the welterweight division. He had previously fought in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Background Born and raised in the Bedfor ...

on December 15, 2018 at

UFC on Fox 31 ''UFC on Fox: Lee vs. Iaquinta 2'' (also known as ''UFC on Fox 31'') was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that was held on December 15, 2018 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. Backgr ...

. He won the fight by split decision. Ottow faced

Alex Morono Alexander Quincy Morono (born August 16, 1990) is an American professional mixed martial artist who currently fights as a welterweight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. A professional competitor since 2010, Morono has also fought for Legacy ...

on March 9, 2019 at

UFC on ESPN+ 4 UFC on ESPN: dos Anjos vs. Edwards (also known as ''UFC on ESPN 4'') was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that took place on July 20, 2019 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. Background The event ma ...

. He lost the fight via a verbal submission due to elbows in the first round. Having fought out his contract, Ottow became a free agent as the UFC opted not to renew his contract.

Post UFC

Ottow faced Clarence Jordan at Cages Aggression 29 on November 20, 2020. He won the bout via armbar in the second round. Ottow faced Jarome Hatch on July 31, 2021 at North Iowa Fights: Hatch vs. Ottow. He won the bout via unanimous decision. Ottow faced Derek Smith at A-Town Throwdown 17 on January 15, 2022. He won the bout via guillotine choke in the first round. Ottow faced Kyle Stewart on April 2, 2022 at XMMA 4. He won the bout via unanimous decision.

Personal life

Ottow worked as a bartender and worked in Wall Street for a year before making his career choice to be a professional fighter. He owns Pura Vida BJJ & MMA.

Mixed martial arts record

, - , Loss , align=center, 20–8 , Kyle Stewart , Decision (unanimous) , XMMA 4: Black Magic , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

New Orleans, Louisiana New Orleans ( , ,New Orleans
Merriam-Webster. ; french: La Nouvelle-Orléans , es, Nuev ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 20–7 , Derek Smith , Submission (guillotine choke) , A-Town Throwdown 17 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 2:59 ,

Austin, Minnesota Austin is a city in, and the county seat of, Mower County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 26,174 at the 2020 census. The town was originally settled along the Cedar River and has two artificial lakes, East Side Lake and Mill Po ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 19–7 , Jarome Hatch , Decision (unanimous) , North Iowa Fights: Hatch vs. Ottow , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Mason City, Iowa Mason City is a city and the county seat of Cerro Gordo County, Iowa, United States. The population was 27,338 in the 2020 census, a decline from 29,172 in the 2000 census. The Mason City Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Cerro Go ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 18–7 , Clarence Jordan , Submission (armbar) , Caged Aggression 29: Determination Day 1 , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 2:37 ,

Davenport, Iowa Davenport is a city in and the county seat of Scott County, Iowa, United States. Located along the Mississippi River on the eastern border of the state, it is the largest of the Quad Cities, a metropolitan area with a population of 384,324 and a ...

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 17–7 ,

, TKO (submission to elbows) , UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. dos Santos , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 3:34 ,

Wichita, Kansas Wichita ( ) is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kansas and the county seat of Sedgwick County, Kansas, Sedgwick County. As of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, the population of the city was 397,532. The Wichita metro area had ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 17–6 ,

, Decision (split) , UFC on Fox: Lee vs. Iaquinta 2 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 16–6 ,

, KO (punches) , UFC Fight Night: dos Santos vs. Ivanov , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 3:13 ,

Boise, Idaho Boise (, , ) is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Idaho and is the county seat of Ada County. On the Boise River in southwestern Idaho, it is east of the Oregon border and north of the Nevada border. The downtown are ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 16–5 , Mike Pyle , TKO (punches) ,

, , align=center, 1 , align=center, 2:34 ,

Las Vegas, Nevada Las Vegas (; Spanish for "The Meadows"), often known simply as Vegas, is the 25th-most populous city in the United States, the most populous city in the state of Nevada, and the county seat of Clark County. The city anchors the Las Vegas ...

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 15–5 ,

, TKO (punches) , UFC Fight Night: Bisping vs. Gastelum , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 2:57 ,

Shanghai Shanghai (; , , Standard Mandarin pronunciation: ) is one of the four direct-administered municipalities of the People's Republic of China (PRC). The city is located on the southern estuary of the Yangtze River, with the Huangpu River flow ...

, China , , - , Win , align=center, 15–4 ,

, Decision (split) , UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Hunt , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Auckland Auckland (pronounced ) ( mi, Tāmaki Makaurau) is a large metropolitan city in the North Island of New Zealand. The List of New Zealand urban areas by population, most populous urban area in the country and the List of cities in Oceania by po ...

, New Zealand , , - , Loss , align=center, 14–4 ,

, Decision (split) , UFC Fight Night: Bader vs. Nogueira 2 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

São Paulo São Paulo (, ; Portuguese for 'Saint Paul') is the most populous city in Brazil, and is the capital of the state of São Paulo, the most populous and wealthiest Brazilian state, located in the country's Southeast Region. Listed by the GaWC a ...

, Brazil , , - , Win , align=center, 14–3 ,

, Decision (split) , UFC Fight Night: Lineker vs. Dodson , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Portland, Oregon Portland (, ) is a port city in the Pacific Northwest and the largest city in the U.S. state of Oregon. Situated at the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers, Portland is the county seat of Multnomah County, the most populous co ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 13–3 , Craig Eckelberg , Decision (unanimous) , Pure FC 4 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 12–3 , Frank Schuman , Submission (guillotine choke) , KOTC: Total Devastation , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 3:23 ,

Lac Du Flambeau, Wisconsin Lac du Flambeau is a town in Vilas County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 3,004 at the 2000 census. The land base of the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa is located within the town and also consists of a large portion ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 11–3 , Jay Ellis , Submission (rear-naked choke) , KOTC: Shattered , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 0:26 ,

Keshena, Wisconsin Keshena ( mez, Kesīqnæh) is a census-designated place (CDP) in and the county seat of Menominee County, Wisconsin, United States. Located on the Menominee Indian Reservation, it had a population of 1,257 at the 2020 census. Keshena was named ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 10–3 , Richard Wolfe , Submission (guillotine choke) , KOTC: Title at the Torch , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 1:33 ,

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 9–3 ,

Jacob Volkmann Minnesota Golden Gophers Jacob Joseph Volkmann (born September 5, 1980) is an American mixed martial artist currently competing in the Welterweight division. A professional MMA competitor since 2007, Volkmann has formerly competed for t ...

, Technical Submission (brabo choke) , Legacy Fighting Championship 43 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 4:55 ,

Hinckley, Minnesota Hinckley is a city in Pine County, Minnesota, United States, located at the junction of Interstate 35 and Minnesota State Highway 48. The population was 1,800 at the 2010 census. Hinckley's name in the Ojibwe language is ''Gaa-zhiigwanaabikoka ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 9–2 , Robbie Gotreau , TKO , KOTC: Public Enemy , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 4:27 ,

Carlton, Minnesota Carlton is a city in Carlton County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 948 at the 2020 census. It is the county seat of Carlton County. The town sits on the northwestern edge of Jay Cooke State Park. Minnesota State Highways 45 and ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 8–2 , Eddie Larrea , Submission (arm-triangle choke) , KOTC: Beastmaster , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 1:53 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 7–2 , Nathan Howe , Submission (arm-triangle choke) , Resurrection Fighting Alliance 19 , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 0:54 ,

Prior Lake, Minnesota Prior Lake is an exurban city southwest of Minneapolis seated next to Savage and Shakopee in Scott County in the state of Minnesota. Surrounding the shores of Lower and Upper Prior Lake, the city lies south of the Minnesota River in an area kn ...

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 6–2 , Zach Micklewright , TKO (punches) , Caged Aggression 12 , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 1:04 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 6–1 , Quinton McCottrell , Submission (rear-naked choke) , NAFC: Battle in the Ballroom , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 1:05 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 5–1 , Eddie Larrea , Submission (rear-naked choke) , KOTC: Train Wreck , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 2:45 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 4–1 , Matt Gauthier , Submission (arm-triangle choke) , Resurrection Fighting Alliance 8 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 3:07 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 3–1 , Jesse Midas , TKO (punches) , Driller Promotions: Caged Chaos , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 4:00 ,

Shakopee, Minnesota Shakopee ( ) is a city in and the county seat of Scott County, Minnesota, United States. It is located southwest of Minneapolis. Sited on the south bank bend of the Minnesota River, Shakopee and nearby suburbs comprise the southwest portion of ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 2–1 , Ricky Stettner , Submission (choke) , NAFC: Battleground , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 2:27 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 1–1 , Jim Klimczyk , TKO (submission to punches) , KOTC: New Vision , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 4:37 ,

Morton, Minnesota Morton is a city in Renville County, Minnesota, United States. This city is ninety-five miles southwest of Minneapolis. It is the administrative headquarters of the Lower Sioux Indian Reservation. The population was 411 at the 2010 census. Hist ...

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 0–1 , Mike Rhodes , Decision (unanimous) , NAFC: Colosseum , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

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References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Ottow, Zak 1986 births Living people American male mixed martial artists Welterweight mixed martial artists Sportspeople from Milwaukee Mixed martial artists from Wisconsin Mixed martial artists utilizing taekwondo Mixed martial artists utilizing boxing Mixed martial artists utilizing wrestling Mixed martial artists utilizing Brazilian jiu-jitsu United States Air Force Academy alumni University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee alumni Ultimate Fighting Championship male fighters American male taekwondo practitioners American practitioners of Brazilian jiu-jitsu People awarded a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu