Marc Diakiese Bio
Marc Diakiese, born on 16 March 1993, is an English professional mixed martial artist who competes in the lightweight division. Born in Kinshasa, then part of Zaire, he moved to England and currently fights out of Doncaster. Diakiese is currently signed with the Professional Fighters League (PFL) and formerly competed for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and BAMMA. Known by the nickname “Bonecrusher,” he holds a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and trains with American Top Team.
Diakiese began his professional career in 2013 after compiling an undefeated amateur record. Over the course of his career, he has accumulated eighteen wins against eight losses, with victories coming by knockout, submission, and decision. He is recognized for his well-rounded skill set that combines striking and grappling.
Early Life and Background
Marc Diakiese was born in Kinshasa, which was then part of Zaire and is now the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He later relocated to England, where he grew up and developed an interest in athletics. Before committing to mixed martial arts, Diakiese was a promising footballer, showcasing his athletic ability from a young age.
At the age of seventeen, Diakiese began training in mixed martial arts as a way to stay fit and avoid trouble. Prior to turning professional, he worked as a railway engineer while continuing to pursue his fighting career. His early dedication to the sport laid the foundation for what would become a successful professional journey.
Path to MMA
Diakiese began his amateur career with remarkable success, going undefeated with a 9-0 record while simultaneously holding three different amateur titles. His ability to find opponents became a challenge as he dominated regional competition. As a result, he made the decision to turn professional in 2013.
He trained with several gyms during his development, including Titan Fighter Asylum, Vale Tudo London, Shootfighters, and Scramble Academy Leeds. These early training environments helped him develop both his striking and grappling abilities. His success at the amateur level quickly drew attention from larger promotions.
Marc Diakiese Career
Early Career (2013-2014)
After turning professional in 2013, Marc Diakiese wasted no time in making an impact. He secured four wins in under a year competing in regional promotions across the United Kingdom. His quick success and dynamic fighting style caught the attention of BAMMA, one of Britain’s premier MMA organizations.
In 2014, Diakiese signed a five-fight contract with BAMMA. He made his promotional debut in September at BAMMA 16 against Jefferson George, winning by unanimous decision. He followed this with another unanimous decision victory over Vernon O’Neill at BAMMA 17 in December, establishing himself as a rising prospect in British MMA.
BAMMA Breakthrough (2014-2016)
Diakiese’s career reached new heights when he faced Jack McGann at BAMMA 19 in March 2015 for the vacant Lightweight Championship. He won the fight by unanimous decision, claiming the title and cementing his status as one of Britain’s top lightweight prospects. The victory marked a significant milestone in his young career.
In September 2015, he defended his title for the first time at BAMMA 22, knocking out Rick Selvarajah just twenty-four seconds into the first round. After signing a new deal with BAMMA in February 2016, Diakiese successfully defended his championship a second time at BAMMA 25, finishing Kane Mousah in thirty-six seconds with another first-round knockout. This dominant performance earned him a contract with the UFC.
Ultimate Fighting Championship (2016-2024)
Marc Diakiese made his UFC debut on 8 October 2016 at UFC 204 against Łukasz Sajewski, who stepped in for the injured Reza Madadi. After being smothered in the first round, Diakiese came back to win by technical knockout using knees and punches late in the second round. He followed this with a unanimous decision win over Frankie Perez at UFC Fight Night in December 2016.
Diakiese’s most impressive UFC victory came on 18 March 2017 at UFC Fight Night: Manuwa vs. Anderson, where he knocked out Teemu Packalén just thirty seconds into the first round. This performance earned him his first Performance of the Night bonus. However, he faced setbacks against Drakkar Klose, Dan Hooker, and Nasrat Haqparast later that year and into 2018.
He rebounded in 2019 with a unanimous decision win over Joseph Duffy at UFC Fight Night 147 on his birthday, then signed a new multi-fight contract with the promotion. After a loss to Rafael Fiziev at UFC Fight Night 172 in July 2020, a fight that earned him the Fight of the Night award, Diakiese continued to compete. He recorded wins over Viacheslav Borshchev and Damir Hadžović in 2022 before suffering losses to Michael Johnson and Joel Álvarez. His final UFC victory came in November 2023, a split decision over Kauê Fernandes at UFC Fight Night 231.
Professional Fighters League (2024-Present)
In June 2024, it was reported that Marc Diakiese had signed with the Professional Fighters League. He made his PFL debut on 14 September 2024 at Bellator Champions Series 5, winning a unanimous decision over Tim Wilde. The move to PFL marked a new chapter in his career as he sought fresh opportunities in the lightweight division.
On 15 January 2025, it was announced that Diakiese had joined the 2025 PFL World Tournament in the lightweight division. He faced Gadzhi Rabadanov in the quarterfinals on 18 April 2025 at PFL 3, where he suffered a first-round knockout loss. Despite the setback, he remains an active competitor in the organization.
Style and Strengths
Marc Diakiese is known for his well-rounded skill set, combining effective striking with solid grappling abilities. His training at American Top Team has refined his overall game, allowing him to compete at a high level in multiple areas. He holds a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, which complements his knockout power and decision-winning cardio.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of Diakiese’s signature moments came with his twenty-four-second knockout of Rick Selvarajah at BAMMA 22, followed by his thirty-six-second finish of Kane Mousah at BAMMA 25. His first-round knockout of Teemu Packalén in the UFC earned him his first Performance of the Night bonus in 2017. In 2017, he also became the first UFC fighter to pose for Gay Times, an LGBT publication.
Marc Diakiese Career Wins
Throughout his professional career spanning from 2013 to the present, Marc Diakiese has accumulated eighteen wins against eight losses. His victories have come by various methods, including one knockout, three submissions, and four decisions, demonstrating his versatility as a fighter. He has competed at the highest levels of the sport, including the UFC, BAMMA, and PFL.
BAMMA Highlights
Diakiese won the BAMMA Lightweight Championship by defeating Jack McGann via unanimous decision at BAMMA 19 in March 2015. He successfully defended the title twice, both times by first-round knockout, finishing Rick Selvarajah in twenty-four seconds and Kane Mousah in thirty-six seconds. His reign as BAMMA British Lightweight Champion helped launch his career to international prominence.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond BAMMA, Diakiese earned notable UFC victories over Łukasz Sajewski, Frankie Perez, Teemu Packalén, Joseph Duffy, Lando Vannata, Viacheslav Borshchev, Damir Hadžović, and Kauê Fernandes. His knockout of Packalén earned him a Performance of the Night bonus, while his fight against Rafael Fiziev earned him a Fight of the Night award in 2020. In the PFL, he added a win over Tim Wilde in his debut.
Marc Diakiese Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Marc Diakiese was born in Kinshasa, then part of Zaire, before relocating to England during his youth. His Congolese heritage and English upbringing have shaped his identity as a fighter. While specific details about his parents are not publicly documented, his move from Africa to Europe provided him with new opportunities that eventually led him to martial arts.
Personal Life
Diakiese currently resides in Doncaster, England, where he trains and builds his career. He has a son and a daughter. In 2017, he made history as the first UFC fighter to pose for Gay Times, an LGBT publication, demonstrating his willingness to break barriers and support diverse communities.
2025 Season Performance
Marc Diakiese entered 2025 with renewed momentum after signing with the Professional Fighters League and securing a debut victory over Tim Wilde in September 2024. His inclusion in the 2025 PFL World Tournament lightweight bracket positioned him among the division’s top competitors. The tournament format offered him a clear path to championship contention.
Diakiese faced Gadzhi Rabadanov in the quarterfinals on 18 April 2025 at PFL 3, where he was knocked out in the first round. The loss ended his tournament run but did not diminish his standing within the organization. As an established veteran with experience in major promotions, he remains a valuable competitor in the PFL’s lightweight division.
Moving forward, Diakiese will look to rebound from the quarterfinal loss and continue building his legacy. His training with American Top Team and his experience across multiple promotions provide him with the tools to compete at a high level. Fans can expect him to remain active in the PFL as he pursues future opportunities in the lightweight division.