Maximo Blanco

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Venezuelan mixed martial arts fighter

title: "Maximo Blanco" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["living-people", "1983-births", "sportspeople-from-falcón", "pancrase-champions", "venezuelan-male-mixed-martial-artists", "lightweight-mixed-martial-artists", "mixed-martial-artists-utilizing-taekwondo", "mixed-martial-artists-utilizing-wrestling", "mixed-martial-artists-utilizing-muay-thai", "venezuelan-muay-thai-practitioners", "venezuelan-male-sport-wrestlers", "wrestlers-at-the-2007-pan-american-games", "pan-american-games-competitors-for-venezuela", "venezuelan-expatriate-sportspeople-in-japan", "venezuelan-male-taekwondo-practitioners", "nihon-university-alumni", "ultimate-fighting-championship-male-fighters"] description: "Venezuelan mixed martial arts fighter" topic_path: "technology/web" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maximo_Blanco" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Venezuelan mixed martial arts fighter ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox martial artist"]

FieldValue
nameMaximo Blanco
other_namesMaxi
image_size200px
birth_nameMaximo Ernis Blanco Visazno
birth_date
birth_placeFalcón, Venezuela
height
weight146 lb
weight_classLightweight
Featherweight (current)
reach71 in
fighting_out_ofAlbuquerque, New Mexico, United States
teamGreg Jackson's Submission Fighting
Yoshida Dojo
Sengoku Training Players (formerly)
rankGreen belt in Tae Kwon Do
years_active2008–2016
mma_kowin8
mma_decwin4
mma_subloss4
mma_decloss2
mma_dqloss2
mma_draw1
mma_nc1
sherdog36618
::

| name = Maximo Blanco | other_names = Maxi | image = | image_size = 200px | alt = | caption = | birth_name = Maximo Ernis Blanco Visazno | birth_date = | birth_place = Falcón, Venezuela | death_date = | death_place = | death_cause = | residence = | height = | weight = 146 lb | weight_class = Lightweight Featherweight (current) | reach = 71 in | style = | stance = | fighting_out_of = Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States | team = Greg Jackson's Submission Fighting Yoshida Dojo Sengoku Training Players (formerly) | rank = Green belt in Tae Kwon Do | years_active = 2008–2016 | mma_kowin = 8 | mma_subwin = | mma_decwin = 4 | mma_koloss = | mma_subloss = 4 | mma_decloss = 2 | mma_dqloss = 2 | mma_draw = 1 | mma_nc = 1 | url = | sherdog = 36618 | footnotes = | updated =

Maximo Blanco (born October 16, 1983) is a Venezuelan professional mixed martial artist who last competed in the Featherweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. A professional competitor since 2008, Blanco is the former Lightweight King of Pancrase and has also competed in Strikeforce and World Victory Road.

Background

Blanco, originally from Venezuela, trained in Tae Kwon Do for three years, reaching the rank of green belt, before being introduced to wrestling at the age of 14 by his cousin. Blanco competed in the sport for a year at German Villalobos High School, before being recruited to compete for the inaugural team at Sendai Ikuei Gakuen High School in Japan along with three other Venezuelans. Blanco faced problems with bullying and fitting into a new society, but continued to excel at wrestling, winning All-Japan honors before being recruited again to compete at Nihon University. Upon graduating, Blanco continued competing and won International Championships in Venezuela, China, and Azerbaijan. Blanco was also a competitor at the 2007 Pan American Games and came close to winning a Bronze Medal in the 144 lb weight division, he later lost the third place match via points to Peruvian grappler Aldo Parimango.

Mixed martial arts career

Pancrase

Blanco made his mixed martial arts debut on August 27, 2008, against Yuki Yashima at Pancrase: Shining 6. The bout ended in a no contest after an accidental headbutt.

He returned to the promotion at Pancrase: Shining 8 on October 1, 2008, and knocked out Hiroki Aoki with a slam and punches in just 22 seconds.

Blanco faced Daisuke Hanazawa at Pancrase: Shining 10 on December 7, 2008, and was defeated by submission due to an arm-triangle choke in the second round.

He faced Koji Oishi at Pancrase: Changing Tour 2 on April 5, 2009. The fight was ruled a draw after two rounds.

Sengoku Raiden Championship

Blanco made his debut for Sengoku Raiden Championship at World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku no Ran 2009 on January 4, 2009, and knocked out standout wrestler Seigo Inoue with stomps in 38 seconds, it was later revealed in a SRC press conference that Blanco had broken Seigo's orbital bone with the stomps and Inoue was later forced into a 3-year retirement to rehabilitate his injury.

Blanco returned to SRC at Sengoku 8 on May 2, 2009, against Akihiko Mori. He was disqualified after striking Mori with an illegal soccer kick after knocking him down with a punch.

In his next fight, Blanco became the Lightweight King of Pancrase by defeating veteran Katsuya Inoue, older brother of Seigo Inoue, with punches in the second round at Pancrase: Changing Tour 4 on August 8, 2009.

Blanco faced Tetsuya Yamada at Sengoku 10 on September 23, 2009. He won the fight by TKO in the second round.

On March 7, 2010, Blanco knocked out Chang Hyun Kim with a head kick at Sengoku Raiden Championships 12.

Blanco was matched up against Rodrigo Damm at Sengoku Raiden Championships 13 on June 20, 2010. He defeated Damm by TKO early in the second round.

Blanco faced Kiuma Kunioku at Sengoku Raiden Championship 15 on October 30, 2010. He won the fight via KO late in the first round.

On April 11, 2011, Pancrase announced Blanco had vacated his title, due to an inability to defend his belt because of numerous injuries.

Strikeforce

Blanco next signed a three-fight deal with Strikeforce.

Blanco was expected to face Josh Thomson at Strikeforce 36 but a foot injury caused Thompson to drop out. Pat Healy stepped in for the injured Thomson. Blanco lost the bout via submission in the second round.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

On September 14, 2011, Blanco's management stated that he would be moving down to the Featherweight division and that his next fight would be in the UFC.

In his debut, Blanco faced Marcus Brimage on April 21, 2012, at UFC 145. He lost the fight via split decision.

For his second fight with the promotion, Blanco took on Sam Sicilia on April 13, 2013, at The Ultimate Fighter 17 Finale. He won the back-and-forth fight via unanimous decision.{{cite news|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2013/04/tuf-17-finale-results-maximo-blanco-vs-sam-sicilia|title=TUF 17 Finale results: Maximo Blanco edges Sam Sicilia in slugfest |publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Ben Fowlkes|date=2013-04-13|accessdate=2013-04-13}}

Blanco faced Akira Corassani on November 30, 2013, at The Ultimate Fighter 18 Finale. Early in the opening round Blanco landed an illegal knee to the head of Corassani when he had a knee and hand on the ground. Corassani indicated that he was unable to continue, so Blanco lost the bout via disqualification.

Blanco faced Felipe Arantes on February 15, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 36. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Blanco then faced Andy Ogle on May 31, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 41. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Blanco next faced Dan Hooker on September 20, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 52. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Blanco next faced Mike De La Torre on July 12, 2015, at The Ultimate Fighter 21 Finale. He won the fight via TKO in the first round.

Blanco was expected to face Dennis Bermudez on January 17, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 81. However, Bermudez pulled out of the fight in early December citing injury and was replaced by promotional newcomer Luke Sanders. He lost the fight via submission in the first round.

Blanco returned to face Chas Skelly on September 17, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 94. He lost the fight via submission in the fight's opening minute.

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

Mixed martial arts record

| draws= 1 | ko-wins= 8 | ko-losses= | sub-wins= | sub-losses= 4 | dec-wins= 4 | dec-losses= 2 | dq-wins= | dq-losses= 2

nc= 1
Loss
align=center
Chas Skelly
Technical Submission (anaconda choke)
UFC Fight Night: Poirier vs. Johnson

| |align=center|1 |align=center|0:19 |Hidalgo, Texas, United States | |- |Loss |align=center|12–7–1 (1) |Luke Sanders |Submission (rear-naked choke) |UFC Fight Night: Dillashaw vs. Cruz | |align=center|1 |align=center|3:38 |Boston, Massachusetts, United States | |- | Win | align=center| 12–6–1 (1) | Mike De La Torre | TKO (punches) | The Ultimate Fighter: American Top Team vs. Blackzilians Finale | | align=center| 1 | align=center| 0:16 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

Catchweight (148.5 lbs) bout; Blanco missed weight.
Win
align=center
Dan Hooker
Decision (unanimous)
UFC Fight Night: Hunt vs. Nelson

| | align=center| 3 | align=center| 5:00 | Saitama, Japan | |- | Win | align=center| 10–6–1 (1) | Andy Ogle | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Munoz vs. Mousasi | | align=center| 3 | align=center| 5:00 | Berlin, Germany | |- | Loss | align=center| 9–6–1 (1) | Felipe Arantes | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Machida vs. Mousasi | | align=center| 3 | align=center| 5:00 | Jaraguá do Sul, Brazil | |- | Loss | align=center| 9–5–1 (1) | Akira Corassani | DQ (illegal knee) | The Ultimate Fighter: Team Rousey vs. Team Tate Finale | | align=center| 1 | align=center| 0:25 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |- | Win | align=center| 9–4–1 (1) | Sam Sicilia | Decision (unanimous) | The Ultimate Fighter: Team Jones vs. Team Sonnen Finale | | align=center| 3 | align=center| 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |- | Loss | align=center| 8–4–1 (1) | Marcus Brimage | Decision (split) | UFC 145 | | align=center| 3 | align=center| 5:00 | Atlanta, Georgia, United States

Featherweight debut.
Loss
align=center
Pat Healy
Submission (rear-naked choke)
Strikeforce: Barnett vs. Kharitonov

| | align=center| 2 | align=center| 4:27 | Cincinnati, Ohio, United States | |- | Win | align=center| 8–2–1 (1) | Won Sik Park | Decision (unanimous) | World Victory Road Presents: Soul of Fight | | align=center| 3 | align=center| 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |- | Win | align=center| 7–2–1 (1) | Kiuma Kunioku | KO (punches) | World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku Raiden Championships 15 | | align=center| 1 | align=center| 4:26 | Tokyo, Japan | |- | Win | align=center| 6–2–1 (1) | Rodrigo Damm | TKO (punches) | World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku Raiden Championships 13 | | align=center| 2 | align=center| 0:45 | Saitama, Japan | |- | Win | align=center| 5–2–1 (1) | Chang Hyun Kim | KO (head kick and punches) | World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku Raiden Championships 12 | | align=center| 1 | align=center| 1:10 | Tokyo, Japan | |- | Win | align=center| 4–2–1 (1) | Tetsuya Yamada | TKO (punches) | World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku 10 | | align=center| 2 | align=center| 1:12 | Saitama, Japan | |- | Win | align=center| 3–2–1 (1) | Katsuya Inoue | TKO (punches) | Pancrase: Changing Tour 4 | | align=center| 2 | align=center| 4:38 | Tokyo, Japan

Won the Pancrase Lightweight Championship.
Loss
align=center
Akihiko Mori
DQ (illegal soccer kick)
World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku 8

| | align=center| 1 | align=center| 4:20 | Tokyo, Japan | |- | Draw | align=center| 2–1–1 (1) | Koji Oishi | Draw | Pancrase: Changing Tour 2 | | align=center| 2 | align=center| 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |- | Win | align=center| 2–1 (1) | Seigo Inoue | KO (stomps) | World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku no Ran 2009 | | align=center| 1 | align=center| 0:38 | Saitama, Japan | |- | Loss | align=center| 1–1 (1) | Daisuke Hanazawa | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | Pancrase: Shining 10 | | align=center| 2 | align=center| 2:19 | Tokyo, Japan | |- | Win | align=center| 1–0 (1) | Hiroki Aoki | TKO (slam and punches) | Pancrase: Shining 8 | | align=center| 1 | align=center| 0:22 | Tokyo, Japan | |- | NC | align=center| 0–0 (1) | Yuki Yashima | NC (accidental headbutt) | Pancrase: Shining 6 | | align=center| 1 | align=center| 0:56 | Tokyo, Japan |

References

References

  1. "State Of Nevada".
  2. "Fight Card - The Ultimate Fighter Finale American Top Team vs. Blackzilians". UFC.com.
  3. Tony Loiseleur. (July 10, 2011). "Maximo Blanco: Made in Japan - Made in Japan". sherdog.com.
  4. "Maximo Blanco: Made in Japan - Eyes on MMA". sherdog.com.
  5. (April 2009). "Maximo Blanco, loose cannon, good prospect | Pro MMA Now". prommanow.com.
  6. (2008-08-27). "Kondo Wins, Not Impressive". Sherdog.com.
  7. (2008-10-01). "Kawamura Wins KOP After Battle with Yamamiya". Sherdog.com.
  8. (2008-12-07). "Inoue Outpoints Oishi At 'Shining 10'". Sherdog.com.
  9. (2009-01-04). "Kitaoka, Santiago Crowned By Sengoku". Sherdog.com.
  10. (2009-05-02). "Hioki Taps Mann To Advance in Sengoku GP". Sherdog.com.
  11. (2009-08-08). "Kondo Stops Kim in Pancrase". Sherdog.com.
  12. (2009-09-23). "Izumi's Debut Spoiled; Hornbuckle Finishes Thompson at Sengoku 10". Sherdog.com.
  13. (2010-03-07). "Santiago Outpoints Khalidov at SRC 12". Sherdog.com.
  14. (2010-06-20). "Sandro Dethrones Kanehara in 38 Seconds at SRC 13". Sherdog.com.
  15. "Kiuma Kunioku To Face Maximo Blanco At SRC 15". MMARising.com.
  16. (2010-10-30). "Izumi Bests Zikic, Cobb Decisions Yokota at SRC 15". Sherdog.com.
  17. Nelson, Chris. (2011-04-11). "Blanco Abdicates Pancrase Throne; Lightweight GP Begins May 3". Sherdog.com.
  18. (2011-08-23). "Josh Thomson scratched from "Strikeforce Grand Prix: Barnett vs. Kharitonov"". MMAjunkie.com.
  19. (2011-08-30). "Healy replaces Thomson, meets Blanco at "Strikeforce Grand Prix: Barnett vs. Kharitonov"". MMAjunkie.com.
  20. Helwani, Ariel. (2011-09-14). "Maximo Blanco Headed to UFC Featherweight Division". mmafighting.com.
  21. (January 19, 2012). "Maximo Blanco vs. Marcus Brimage Verbally Agreed for UFC 145 in Atlanta". mmaweekly.com.
  22. Staff. (February 16, 2013). "TUF 17 Finale Adds Maximo Blanco vs. Sam Sicilia". mmaweekly.com.
  23. (2013-09-28). "Maximo Blanco meets Akira Corassani at TUF 18 Finale in Las Vegas". mmajunkie.com.
  24. Ben Fowlkes. (2013-11-30). "TUF 18 Finale results: Illegal knee gives Akira Corassani DQ win over Maximo Blanco". mmajunkie.com.
  25. Matt Erickson. (2014-01-02). "Felipe Arantes vs. Maximo Blanco added to February's UFC Fight Night 36 in Brazil". MMAJunkie.com.
  26. Ben Fowlkes. (2014-02-15). "UFC Fight Night 36 results, photos: Point deduction unneeded, Arantes tops Blanco". mmajunkie.com.
  27. @YourMMA. (2014-04-03). "Ogle To Face Blanco At UFC Berlin". YourMMA.tv.
  28. Matt Erickson. (2014-05-31). "UFC Fight Night 41 results: Flashy Maximo Blanco tops gritty Andy Ogle". mmajunkie.com.
  29. C.J. Tuttle. (2014-07-15). "Maximo Blanco set to face Dan Hooker at UFC Fight Night in Japan". sherdog.com.
  30. Matt Erickson. (2014-09-20). "UFC Fight Night 52 results: Maximo Blanco outslugs gritty Daniel Hooker". mmajunkie.com.
  31. Staff. (2015-06-01). "Maximo Blanco meets Mike De La Torre at TUF 21 Finale in July". mmajunkie.com.
  32. Matt Erickson. (2015-07-12). "TUF 21 Finale results: Maximo Blanco gets controversial 16-second TKO of De La Torre". mmajunkie.com.
  33. Tristen Critchfield. (2015-11-19). "Dennis Bermudez, Maximo Blanco to lock horns at UFC Fight Night in Boston on Jan. 17". sherdog.com.
  34. Hunter A. Homistek. (2015-12-06). "Dennis Bermudez suffers staph infection, out of January UFC Fight Night 81 bout". mmafighting.com.
  35. Staff. (2016-01-04). "Luke Sanders steps in to fight Maximo Blanco; UFC Fight Night 81 lineup shuffled". mmajunkie.com.
  36. Ben Fowlkes. (2016-01-17). "UFC Fight Night 81 results: Luke Sanders chokes Maximo Blanco in octagon debut". mmajunkie.com.
  37. Stacey Davis. (2016-07-19). "Chas Skelly set to battle Maximo Blanco at UFC Fight Night 94". themmacorner.com.
  38. Damon Martin. (2016-09-17). "Chas Skelly pulls off ridiculously fast submission to finish Maximo Blanco". foxsports.com.

::callout[type=info title="Wikipedia Source"] This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page. ::

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