Dustin Stoltzfus


Dustin Stoltzfus is an American mixed martial artist and former kickboxer. He currently competes in the middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Background

Stoltzfus grew up in the Pennsylvania Dutch community outside of Ronks, Pennsylvania to former Amish parents. Stoltzfus started Folkstyle Wrestling as a child, moving to Tang Soo Do, Kung Fu and other martial arts growing up. After graduating from Lampeter-Strasburg High School, he attended Middle Tennessee State University, where he also got introduced to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He graduated with Bachelor's in both foreign languages and economics, and subsequently moved to Germany – where he had already studied abroad – in 2014. In Germany he attended Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz where he graduated with Master's in translation.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Stoltzfus fought once as an amateur in 2012, losing via decision. Two years later, he began competing as a professional in the Central-European regional circuit. He compiled a 12–1 record while claiming the FFA Middleweight Championship and defending it twice.

Dana White's Contender Series

Stoltzfus was then invited to face Joe Pyfer at Dana White's Contender Series 28 on August 11, 2020. He won the fight via technical knockout due to an injury stemming from a slam and was awarded a contract with the UFC.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Stoltzfus made his promotional debut against Kyle Daukaus at UFC 255 on November 21, 2020. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.
Stoltzfus faced Rodolfo Vieira at UFC on ESPN: Makhachev vs. Moisés on July 17, 2021. He lost the fight via third-round submission.
Stoltzfus was expected to face Anthony Hernandez at UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Daukaus on December 18, 2021. However, Hernandez withdrew from the event due to undisclosed reasons and was replaced by newcomer Caio Borralho. In turn, Borralho and Gerald Meerschaert's opponent, Abusupiyan Magomedov, were forced to withdraw from the fight due to visa issues, thus the UFC matched Meerschaert and Stoltzfus against each other for the event. He lost the bout via rear-naked choke in the third round.
Stoltzfus faced Dwight Grant on July 16, 2022, at UFC on ABC 3. He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Stoltzfus faced Abusupiyan Magomedov, replacing injured Makhmud Muradov, on September 3, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 209. He lost the fight via knockout in 19 seconds.
Stoltzfus faced Punahele Soriano on December 2, 2023, at UFC on ESPN 52. He won the bout by second round rear-naked choke submission. This fight earned him the Performance of the Night award.
Stoltzfus faced Brunno Ferreira on June 8, 2024 at UFC on ESPN 57. He lost the fight via technical knockout due to a spinning back elbow.
Stoltzfus faced Marc-André Barriault on November 2, 2024 at UFC Fight Night 246. He won the fight via knockout in the first round. This fight earned him another Performance of the Night award.
Stoltzfus faced Nursulton Ruziboev on May 17, 2025 at UFC Fight Night 256. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.
Stoltzfus faced former interim UFC Middleweight Championship challenger Kelvin Gastelum on September 13, 2025 at UFC Fight Night 259. At the weigh-ins, Gastelum weighed in at 191 pounds, five pounds over the middleweight non-title fight limit. The bout proceeded at catchweight and Gastelum was fined 35 percent of his purse which went to Stoltzfus. Stoltzfus lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Professional kickboxing

Stoltzfus faced Sebastian Cozmâncă, on February 23, 2018, at Colosseum Tournament 5. He lost the fight via knockout in the first round.

Championships and accomplishments

  • Ultimate Fighting Championship
  • *Performance of the Night
  • We Love MMA
  • *WLMMA Middleweight Championship
  • **Two successful title defenses

    Mixed martial arts record

Kickboxing record (incomplete)