Rivalries: John Makdessi

John Makdessi appears to be aging gracefully as he meanders through the twilight phase of his career.

The Shotokan karate black belt will return to the Ultimate Fighting Championship stage for the first time in more than a year when he confronts Nasrat Haqparast in a three-round UFC Fight Night 209 lightweight showcase on Saturday at Accor Arena in Paris. Makdessi has rattled off four wins across his past five assignments. The 37-year-old Halifax, Nova Scotia, native last appeared at UFC on ABC 2, where he was awarded a split decision over Ignacio Bahamondes on April 10, 2021.

In advance of Makdessi’s forthcoming battle with Haqparast at 155 pounds, a look at a few of the rivalries that have helped chart his course to this point:

Anthony Njokuani

His spear tipped by gnarly leg and body kicks, the World Extreme Cagefighting veteran cruised to a unanimous decision over Makdessi as part of the UFC 145 undercard on April 21, 2012 at Philips Arena in Atlanta. All three cageside judges scored it 30-27. Outstruck for the first time in his career, Makdessi found himself cut off by a 7.5-inch reach disadvantage and rarely managed to move into range. Njokuani short-circuited his counterpart with thudding kicks to his lead leg and midsection while mixing in the occasional shot upstairs. He also connected with the most significant punch of the fight in the first round, where he wobbled the sturdy Makdessi with a counter left hook. By the time it was over, Njokuani had landed nearly twice as many significant strikes (73) as the Canadian (39). When coupled with Makdessi’s inability to make weight, the setback established a clear ceiling for the Firas Zahabi protégé at 155 pounds.

Daron Cruickshank

Effective aggression combined with a stiff jab, some exquisite body work and airtight takedown defense carried Makdessi to a unanimous decision over “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 15 graduate in their three-round UFC 158 lightweight prelim on March 16, 2013 at the Bell Centre in Montreal. Scores were 29-28, 29-28 and 29-28. Cruickshank never got in gear, and the longer the bout went, the more his opponent’s confidence grew. Makdessi blasted the flashy taekwondo black belt with jabs, counterpunches and combinations, integrating a vast array of standup techniques to keep the American off-balance. After a competitive first five minutes, he outlanded Cruickshank by significant margins in the second and third rounds.

Yancy Medeiros

The Hawaiian action hero eked out a contentious split decision over Makdessi as part of the UFC 194 undercard on Dec. 12, 2015 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. All three members of the cageside judiciary struck 29-28 scorecards: Marcos Rosales and Lester Griffin for Medeiros, Sal D’Amato for Makdessi. All three rounds were close, with Medeiros pecking away with single strikes from the outside and his adversary answering with a variety of kicks and punches. The Team Hakuilua representative authored the fight’s most decisive blow late in Round 3, where he knocked down Makdessi with a tightly wound left hook and followed up with punches. In a match that felt too close to call, it could have provided the difference.

Mehdi Baghdad

Makdessi rebounded from back-to-back losses when he took a split verdict from the onetime Resurrection Fighting Alliance champion in a three-round UFC Fight Night 90 lightweight prelim on July 7, 2016 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The judges rendered 29-28 scores across the board: D’Amato for Baghdad, Junichiro Kamijo and Tony Weeks for Makdessi. Baghdad was the busier fighter throughout the 15-minute match, stinging the Canadian with leg kicks and two- and three-punch combinations. The notoriously difficult-to-hit Makdessi was more efficient, blending feints and deft footwork with effective counters. Baghdad had him reeling for a brief moment in the third round, where an overhand right and knees upstairs did the damage. Makdessi recovered—an ill-advised flying armbar attempt from his opponent aided his cause—and eventually buckled the Algerian with a right hand before swooping into top position and riding out the remaining seconds.

Lando Vannata

The Jackson-Wink MMA export knocked out Makdessi with a sensational first-round wheel kick as part of the UFC 206 undercard on Dec. 10, 2016 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto. Vannata brought it to a close 1:40 into Round 1, banking a $50,000 “Performance of the Night” bonus for his efforts. Makdessi engaged the Greg Jackson disciple on the feet and worked behind a sneaky jab. However, Vannata closed the distance with two sidekicks to the thigh, forced the Canadian to move to his right and clipped him on the chin with his heel. Makdessi hit the canvas unconscious, the unwitting victim in one of the year’s best finishes. No follow-up shots were necessary.