Elias Theodorou (16-2) is a middleweight combatant signed to the Ultimate Fighting Championship. In his next outing, the 30-year-old Canadian will square off against Derek Brunson on the main card of UFC Fight Night 151, which takes place on May. 4.
As we approach the contest, here are five things that you might not know about the man they call “The Spartan.”
He has worked as a model.
When the good-looking pugilist is not honing his fighting skills, he works as a model. The Ontario native specializes in hair, and his long flowing locks are in demand. Theodorou is currently the North American brand ambassador for Pert Shampoo. He’s previously lauded his hair as the best in mixed martial arts. However, being a model clearly goes against his chosen profession. “It’s obviously a concern that one broken nose could damage my face,” said Theodorou.He won ‘The Ultimate Fighter.’
In 2014, “The Spartan” competed on “The Ultimate Fighter Nations: Canada vs Australia.” Having bested Zein Saliba in the quarterfinal by decision, he got the judges nod over Tyler Manawaroa in the semi-final, which qualified him for the season’s finale. His first official UFC contest was opposite Sheldon Westcott and Theodorou emerged victorious via TKO in the second round. With the success, the newly crowned champion earned himself a contract with the promotion and he won his next two UFC clashes.He more often than not wins by decision.
Theodorou has not won a match by stoppage since his UFC 185 bout against Roger Narvaez. Across his career to date, nine of the Canadian’s victories have come by way of decision. This is not surprising since Theodorou’s preferred fighting style consists of the cerebral combatant engaging his opponents on the feet. There, the elusive pugilist employs quick footwork and pinpoint striking.Theodorou best summed up his attitude towards fighting by saying, “The best thing about winning a fight is not looking like you got in a fight.”
He has been in several television series.
In addition to “The Ultimate Fighter Nations,” Theodorou has appeared in “The Listener” and “The Amazing Race Canada.” The latter, a reality series which aired in 2015, saw the MMA combatant and his girlfriend compete against other teams in a range of sport-themed challenges. Following his elimination from the show in the first round, Theodorou said, “Our goal was not to die and not to look dumb.”Last year the Canadian combatant made the move to the silver screen with his role in the comedy “Last Hit,” in which he plays a retired MMA fighter turned esports competitor.