Pedro Ramsey Nijem ( ar, رامزي نجم, born April 1, 1988) is an American retired

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, incorpo ...

. A professional MMA competitor from 2008 to 2021, Nijem is perhaps best known for his 10-fight stint in 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 ...

. He was a finalist on '' The Ultimate Fighter: Team Lesnar vs. Team dos Santos'' and also competed in the

Professional Fighters League The Professional Fighters League (PFL) is an American mixed martial arts league founded by venture capitalist Donn Davis in 2017 and launched in 2018, following the acquisition and restructuring of the former World Series of Fighting (WSOF) promo ...

(PFL).

Early life

A Palestinian American, Nijem was born in

Concord, California Concord ( ) is the largest city in Contra Costa County, California. According to an estimate completed by the United States Census Bureau, the city had a population of 129,295 in 2019 making it the eighth largest city in the San Francisco Bay ...

, but raised in

Mill Creek, Washington Mill Creek is a city in Snohomish County, Washington, United States. It is located between the cities of Everett and Lynnwood, approximately northeast of Seattle. The city has a population of 20,926 as of the 2020 census. The city lies along ...

with two brothers. He attended Henry M. Jackson High School from 2002 through 2006. During those years, Nijem was a part of his high school's soccer, cross-country, and wrestling teams. His senior season in wrestling he went 27-5 and earned "Wrestler of the Year" honors. He was also wrestling captain for his junior and senior seasons. After high school, Nijem enrolled in

Utah Valley University Utah Valley University (UVU) is a public university in Orem, Utah. UVU offers master's, bachelor's, associate degrees, and certificates. Previously called Utah Valley State College, the school attained university status in July 2008. History ...

, also wrestling for the school. Nijem graduated with a degree in

business management Business administration, also known as business management, is the administration of a commercial enterprise. It includes all aspects of overseeing and supervising the business operations of an organization. From the point of view of managemen ...

in 2010.

MMA career

Nijem began his training with Riven Academy of MMA in 2008. Electing to skip an amateur career, Nijem made his pro debut April 18, 2008 defeating Ryan Miller via first round rear-naked choke submission. After taking a nineteen-month hiatus from the sport, he returned losing to Gordon Bell via an armbar submission only 21 seconds into the first round. Only a month after his first loss he defeated Logan Hancock via unanimous decision, bring his professional record to 2-1. Ramzi recorded his first TKO win in April 2010, defeating Eric Uresk at Showdown Fights: Burkman vs. Paul. He made his lightweight debut against Scott Casey, winning the fight via first round submission. In June, 2011 at his UFC debut at the TUF 13 finale, Nijem walked out to the

Matisyahu Matthew Paul Miller (born June 30, 1979), known by his stage name Matisyahu (; ), is an American reggae singer, rapper, beatboxer, and alternative rock musician. Known for blending spiritual themes with reggae, rock and hip hop beatboxing so ...

song " One Day." His choice of music was significant due to Nijem's Palestinian background and Matisyahu's Orthodox Jewish background, and the moment has been recognized for its "diplomatic initiative and message centered on peace." Ramzi is now the Head MMA Coach at Ultimate Combat Training Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. Ramzi is also the Coach of the Fight Team there, and trains many fighters that compete in and around the state of Utah, and beyond.

''The Ultimate Fighter''

In 2011, Nijem had signed with the UFC to compete in '' The Ultimate Fighter: Team Lesnar vs. Team dos Santos''. Nijem was picked fourth on Team dos Santos and eighth overall. In the fourth preliminary match-up, Nijem was selected to fight Bellator veteran, Charlie Rader. In the first round Nijem controlled the fight by putting Rader on the fence, and obtaining a few last minute take downs. In the second round Nijem was able to take Rader down early and lock in a fight ending rear naked choke. Nijem was selected to fight

Clay Harvison Clay Harvison (born September 25, 1980) is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the lightweight division. A professional competitor since 2006, Harvison has competed for the UFC, Bellator, and was a competitor on The Ultimate Fight ...

in the quarterfinals. Nijem went on to win the fight by rear naked choke less than a minute in. In the semifinals, Nijem fought Chris Cope, defeating him via TKO in round two. The win moved him into the live finale for the chance to become the winner of The Ultimate Fighter.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Nijem made his official UFC debut on June 4, 2011 at The Ultimate Fighter 13 Finale against

Tony Ferguson Anthony Armand Ferguson Padilla (born February 12, 1984) is an American professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Lightweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He is a former Interim UFC Lightweight C ...

to crown the winner of

The Ultimate Fighter 13 ''The Ultimate Fighter: Team Lesnar vs. Team dos Santos'' is the thirteenth installment of the Ultimate Fighting Championship produced reality television series ''The Ultimate Fighter''. The UFC and Spike TV held open tryouts on November 4, 2010, ...

. Nijem lost the bout via KO in the first round after getting caught flush by a left hook. After the bout Nijem signed a nine-fight contract with the UFC. Nijem defeated

Danny Downes Daniel William Downes (born April 8, 1986) is a retired American mixed martial artist. Even after his retirement, Downes has still continued to stick around the sport of MMA. He became what some call a "fighter turned writer", as he now write ...

on October 29, 2011 at

UFC 137 ''UFC 137: Penn vs. Diaz'' was a mixed martial arts (MMA) pay-per-view event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on October 29, 2011, at Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. Background The event was originally expected to take ...

via unanimous decision (30-25, 30-26, 30-27). Nijem was expected to face Anthony Njokuani on December 30, 2011 at

UFC 141 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 ...

. However, Nijem was forced out of the bout, citing an injury and replaced by

Danny Castillo Daniel Alfonso Castillo (born August 25, 1979) is a retired American mixed martial artist. A professional from 2007 until 2015, he competed in 22 bouts with both the UFC and WEC. Mixed martial arts career Early career Castillo began training M ...

. Nijem faced promotional newcomer C.J. Keith on June 22, 2012 at UFC on FX 4. He won the fight via TKO in the first round. Nijem faced Joe Proctor on December 8, 2012 at UFC on Fox 5. He won the fight via unanimous decision. Nijem faced

Myles Jury Myles Madison Jury (born October 31, 1988) is an American mixed martial artist. He is currently signed with Bellator MMA, competing in the Lightweight division. He is a Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Background Jury was born in Hazel Park, M ...

on April 20, 2013 at UFC on Fox 7. He lost the fight via knockout in the second round. Nijem fought

James Vick James William Vick (born February 23, 1987) is a retired American mixed martial artist and boxer who formerly competed in the welterweight and lightweight divisions of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Vick was a cast member of '' The U ...

on August 17, 2013 at UFC Fight Night 26. He lost the fight via submission at 58 seconds in the first round. Nijem next faced fellow TUF alumni and teammate Justin Edwards on January 15, 2014 at UFC Fight Night 35. He won the fight via unanimous decision. Nijem faced Beneil Dariush on April 11, 2014 at

UFC Fight Night 39 ''UFC Fight Night: Nogueira vs. Nelson'' (also known as ''UFC Fight Night 39'') was a mixed martial arts event held on April 11, 2014, at du Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Background A heavyweight bout between Roy Nelson and Antônio ...

. He won the fight via TKO in the first round. The win also won Nijem his first ''Performance of the Night'' bonus award. Nijem faced

Carlos Diego Ferreira Carlos Diego Ferreira (born January 18, 1985) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist, currently competing in the Lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He is the former Legacy FC lightweight champion, and vacated the ...

on August 30, 2014 at

UFC 177 ''UFC 177: Dillashaw vs. Soto'' was a mixed martial arts event held on August 30, 2014, at the Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento, California. Background The event was originally planned to take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, ...

. He lost the back-and-forth fight via TKO in the second round. Despite the loss, Nijem was awarded his first ''Fight of the Night'' bonus award. Nijem was expected to face

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 ...

on July 25, 2015 at UFC on Fox 16. However, Koch was forced from the bout with injury and replaced by promotional newcomer

Andrew Holbrook Andrew Holbrook (born February 6, 1986) is an American mixed martial artist and the former Colosseum Combat lightweight champion. He competed in the Lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Background Holbrook started wrestli ...

. Holbrook defeated Nijem by split decision. 15 of 15 media outlets scored the decision in favor of Nijem. On October 2, 2015, it was announced that Nijem was cut from the UFC roster.

World Series of Fighting

On August 29, 2016 it was announced that Nijem had signed a multi-fight deal with World Series of Fighting.

''The Ultimate Fighter: Redemption''

In February 2017, it was revealed that Nijem would compete again on the UFC's reality show in the 25th season on '' The Ultimate Fighter: Redemption''. Nijem was the third pick overall for Team Dillashaw. He defeated Julian Lane in the opening round by TKO in the first round.

Professional Fighters League

On March 23, 2018 it was revealed that Nijem has signed a contract with

(PFL). In his debut, he faced Brian Foster at PFL 2 on June 21, 2018. He lost the fight via TKO in the third round. On October 13, 2018, Nijem faced Yuki Kawana at PFL 9. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Season 2

In May 2019, Nijem was expected to face Ronys Torres at PFL 2, but Torres was forced to withdraw on the fight week. By PFL rules, Nijem was declared the winner by walkover. Nijem was expected to face reigning PFL lightweight tournament winner Natan Schulte on PFL 5, but could not make weight and was disqualified and removed from the card. Afterwards it was revealed that Nijem failed a drug test for marijuana and was temporarily suspended until disciplinary hearing. Nevada State Athletic Commission eventually suspended Nijem for nine months. Nijem was rebooked against Natan Schulte in the Lightweight Quaterfinals at PFL 8 on October 17, 2019, losing the bout after being choked out by rear-naked choke in under a minute.

Post PFL

Nijem faced Ben Saunders on July 30, 2021 at XMMA 2. He lost the bout via unanimous decision and subsequently retired in early August.

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

** The Ultimate Fighter 13 Tournament Runner Up ** Fight of the Night (One time) **

Performance of the Night UFC Bonus Awards are three separate cash bonuses usually awarded to four fighters after each UFC event, based on internal decisions by UFC management. More/fewer bonuses have been awarded at some events, especially when no knockouts or submissions ...

(One time)

Mixed martial arts record

, - , Loss , align=center, 10–9 , Ben Saunders , Decision (unanimous) , XMMA 2: Saunders vs. Nijem , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

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Abu Dhabi Abu Dhabi (, ; ar, أَبُو ظَبْيٍ ' ) is the Capital city, capital and List of cities in the United Arab Emirates, second-most populous city (after Dubai) of the United Arab Emirates. It is also the capital of the Emirate of Abu Dha ...

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Duluth, Georgia Duluth is a city in Gwinnett County, Georgia, United States. Located north of Interstate 85, it is approximately northeast of Atlanta. As of the 2020 census, Duluth had a population of 31,873, and the United States Census Bureau estimated the ...

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Mixed martial arts exhibition record

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, (airdate) , align=center, 2 , align=center, 1:49 , rowspan=3,

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References

External links

*
Official UFC Profile
{{DEFAULTSORT:Nijem, Ramzi 1988 births Living people People from Concord, California American male mixed martial artists Mixed martial artists from California Mixed martial artists from Washington (state) American people of Palestinian descent People from Mill Creek, Washington Lightweight mixed martial artists Welterweight mixed martial artists Mixed martial artists utilizing collegiate wrestling Mixed martial artists utilizing kajukenbo American kajukenbo practitioners American male sport wrestlers