35 Facts About Akira Corassani

1.

Hamid Khorassani, professionally known as Akira Corassani, is a Swedish former professional mixed martial artist who most recently competed in the Featherweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

2.

Akira Corassani was a competitor on Spike TV's The Ultimate Fighter: Team Bisping vs Team Miller as a member of Team Bisping.

3.

Akira Corassani was born in Lund in Iranian-Azerbaijani family, southern Sweden.

4.

Akira Corassani's parents moved to Sweden from Iran around 1976.

5.

Akira Corassani began martial arts when he was six years old, Shotokan Karate became his discipline for 1 year until he switched over to Tae Kwon Do.

6.

Akira Corassani was playing football in his hometown team as well as pursuing his black belt in Tae Kwon Do.

7.

Akira Corassani graduated fast and was considered a natural talent early on.

8.

At the age of 22 Akira Corassani found his way back to martial arts and he began training MMA.

9.

Akira Corassani comes from an academic family and has four sibling who are all doctors.

10.

Akira Corassani speaks seven different languages: Swedish, English, Spanish, Portuguese, Persian, Azeri and Turkish.

11.

In 2005 Akira Corassani started training at a local MMA gym in Gothenburg where he lived at the time.

12.

Akira Corassani decided to dedicate his life to martial arts and only four months later he competed in his first grappling tournament where he took a silver medal.

13.

Up until his professional debut Akira Corassani had 30 grappling matches and 12 boxing fights.

14.

Akira Corassani began fighting professionally in 2007, and traveling all across Europe to compete.

15.

Akira Corassani had travelled to Holland to corner his friend but heard about Straing's opponent pulling out.

16.

Akira Corassani moved to New York in 2011 and was a part of Team Renzo Gracie.

17.

In 2011, Akira Corassani had signed with the UFC to compete on The Ultimate Fighter: Team Bisping vs Team Miller.

18.

Akira Corassani was selected as a part of Team Bisping, he was the second featherweight chosen for the team.

19.

Akira Corassani went on to defeat Neace via a majority decision after two rounds.

20.

Akira Corassani was set to make his debut on December 3,2011 at The Ultimate Fighter 14 Finale against Steven Siler.

21.

However, after an injury in training camp, Akira Corassani was forced to pull out of the bout and was replaced by newcomer Josh Clopton.

22.

Akira Corassani was expected to make his UFC debut in his native Sweden against Jason Young on April 14,2012 at UFC on Fuel TV 2.

23.

However Akira Corassani pulled out of the bout due to injury.

24.

Akira Corassani won his UFC debut via split decision against Andy Ogle on September 29,2012 at UFC on Fuel TV 5.

25.

Akira Corassani was expected to face Mike Brown on August 17,2013 at UFC Fight Night 26.

26.

However, Akira Corassani pulled out of the bout due to an injury and was replaced by Steven Siler.

27.

Akira Corassani faced Maximo Blanco on November 30,2013 at The Ultimate Fighter 18 Finale.

28.

Akira Corassani was unable to continue, so he was rendered with the victory by disqualification.

29.

Akira Corassani faced Dustin Poirier at The Ultimate Fighter Nations Finale.

30.

Akira Corassani lost the back-and-forth fight via TKO in the second round.

31.

Akira Corassani was awarded his first Fight of the Night bonus for his efforts.

32.

Akira Corassani was expected to face Chan Sung Jung on October 4,2014 at UFC Fight Night 53.

33.

Akira Corassani lost the fight via knockout in the first round.

34.

Akira Corassani fought Sam Sicilia on January 24,2015 at UFC on Fox: Gustafsson vs Johnson.

35.

Akira Corassani lost the fight via KO in the first round.