Eric John Schafer (born September 20, 1977) is a retired American mixed martial artist. A professional from 1997 until 2016, he competed for the UFC.

Background

Schafer attended the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh.

Schafer is a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Pedro Sauer.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Schafer compiled an amateur record of 2–1 before making his professional MMA debut in 1998. He then amassed a record of 6-1-2 before being signed by the UFC.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

He made his UFC debut at UFC 62, defeating Rob MacDonald by arm-triangle choke, rendering him unconscious at the 2:26 mark of round one.

Schafer then lost his next 2 bouts consecutively via TKO to Michael Bisping at UFC 66 and Stephan Bonnar at UFC 77.

Schafer next defeated Houston Alexander by arm-triangle choke in the first round on September 17, 2008, at UFC Fight Night: Diaz vs Neer.

Schafer won via TKO over Antonio Mendes at UFC 93 on January 7, 2009.

He lost to Ryan Bader by unanimous decision (30–27, 29–26, and 30–27) on October 24, 2009, on the undercard of UFC 104.

Schafer was defeated by Jason Brilz via unanimous decision on March 21, 2010, at UFC Live: Vera vs. Jones. After this bout he was released from the promotion.

Post UFC

In his first fight since being released from the UFC and his first fight at Middleweight Schafer defeated Chris Albandia via submission (triangle choke) in the first round at XFO 41 - Outdoor War 7 on September 3, 2011.

Return to the UFC

Schafer returned to the UFC in a Middleweight bout against Aaron Simpson at UFC 136 on October 8, 2011, and lost a unanimous decision.

Schafer next faced Jorge Rivera on January 20, 2012, at UFC on FX 1. He lost the fight via TKO in the second round. He was released from the promotion for the third time following this loss.

Independent promotions

After being released from the UFC, Schafer faced John Poppie at Madtown Throwdown 29: Unstoppable on January 5, 2013. He won via second round TKO.

He then fought Eric Hammerich for Chosen Few FC 6, in Madison Wisconsin on 09/19/15. He would win by choke in 2:38 of the first round.

His next fight would be his retirement fight against James Austen Heidlage for Choose Few FC 8, in Madison Wisconsin on 04/16/16. Eric would lose by referee stoppage at 3:01 of the second round.

Championships and accomplishments

  • Gladiators Fighting Series GFS Light Heavyweight Championship (One time)
  • Xtreme Fighting Organization XFO Light Heavyweight Championship (One time)

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
24 matches14 wins8 losses
By knockout34
By submission91
By decision13
Unknown10
Draws2
Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Loss15–8–2James Austen HeidlageTKO (referee stoppage)Chosen Few FC 8April 4, 201623:01Madison, Wisconsin, United States
Win15–7–2Eric HammerichSubmission (choke)Chosen Few FC 6September 9, 201514:07Madison, Wisconsin, United States
Win14–7–2John PoppieTKO (punches)Madtown Throwdown 29: UnstoppableJanuary 5, 201312:38Madison, Wisconsin, United States
Loss13–7–2Jorge RiveraTKO (punches)UFC on FX: Guillard vs. MillerJanuary 20, 201221:31Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Loss13–6–2Aaron SimpsonDecision (unanimous)UFC 136October 8, 201135:00Houston, Texas, United States
Win13–5–2Chris AlbandiaSubmission (triangle choke)XFO 41: Outdoor War 7September 3, 201111:41Island Lake, Illinois, United StatesMiddleweight debut.
Loss12–5–2Jason BrilzDecision (unanimous)UFC Live: Vera vs. JonesMarch 21, 201035:00Broomfield, Colorado, United States
Loss12–4–2Ryan BaderDecision (unanimous)UFC 104October 24, 200935:00Los Angeles, California, United States
Win12–3–2Antonio MendesTKO (punches)UFC 93January 17, 200913:35Dublin, Ireland
Win11–3–2Houston AlexanderSubmission (arm-triangle choke)UFC Fight Night: Diaz vs NeerSeptember 17, 200814:53Omaha, Nebraska, United States
Win10–3–2William HillTKO (punches)GFS: ThunderdomeMay 17, 200812:52Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United StatesWon the GFS Light Heavyweight Championship.
Win9–3–2Ryan AntleSubmission (guillotine choke)GFS: The WarriorsFebruary 16, 200810:41Wisconsin, United States
Loss8–3–2Stephan BonnarTKO (punches)UFC 77October 20, 200722:47Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
Loss8–2–2Michael BispingTKO (punches)UFC 66: Liddell vs. OrtizDecember 30, 200614:24Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win8–1–2Rob MacDonaldTechnical Submission (arm-triangle choke)UFC 62: Liddell vs. SobralAugust 26, 200612:26Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win7–1–2William HillSubmission (triangle choke)Xtreme Fighting Organization 9January 28, 200612:37Lakemoor, Illinois, United StatesWon the WFO Light Heavyweight Championship.
Win6–1–2Jason VeachSubmission (choke)Duneland Classic 2August 6, 20051N/APortage, Indiana, United States
Win5–1–2Jason GuidaSubmission (triangle choke)XFO 6: Judgement DayJune 25, 200513:49Lakemoor, Illinois, United States
Loss4–1–2Dustin DenesSubmission (kimura)HOOKnSHOOT: OverdriveMarch 9, 20021N/AEvansville, Indiana, United States
Draw4–0–2Jim DesouzaDrawHOOKnSHOOT: Kings 2November 18, 200125:00Evansville, Indiana, United States
Draw4–0–1Paul IvensDrawHOOKnSHOOT: MillenniumNovember 6, 1999115:00Evansville, Indiana, United States
Win4–0Steve MartinSubmission (strikes)Cage Combat 4September 26, 199914:13Green Bay, Wisconsin, United States
Win3–0Duane FranzenDecisionMidwest Shootfighting 1June 27, 1998110:00Clinton, Iowa, United States
Win2–0John LoweyN/AMidwest Shootfighting 1June 27, 199813:59Clinton, Iowa, United States
Win1–0Ryan ApolonarioSubmission (choke)Fight Sheet Ultimate MMAJuly 19, 19981N/AMilwaukee, Wisconsin, United States

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