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Todd Duffee
Todd Duffee
Todd Duffee
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Todd Duffee (born December 6, 1985) is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Heavyweight division of Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki (KSW). He trains predominantly with the Combat Sports Academy[citation needed] and the American Kickboxing Academy in California. Duffee has also competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Super Fight League in India, Jungle Fight in Brazil, and Dynamite!! 2010 in Japan. In addition to his mixed martial arts career he had a role in the 2011 film Never Back Down 2: The Beatdown as well as minor roles in both film and television. Duffee has also appeared on the front cover of Muscle & Fitness magazine.

Key Information

Background

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Duffee was born in Evansville, Indiana, but grew up in Raleigh, Illinois, and Eldorado as the third son of a coal miner father and nurse mother. Duffee played many sports growing up, including baseball, football, track, bull riding, soccer, and basketball. Duffee also began training in boxing but was not very devoted to it as he was playing other sports.[5] A standout football player, he was signed on to play college football but his career was derailed from an injury. Duffee then moved to Atlanta, Georgia when he was 18 years old and continued boxing, before watching a UFC event and shifting his training to mixed martial arts.[5] He was working on a degree from the University of Georgia before transferring to University of Nevada, Las Vegas, then dropping out to train mixed martial arts full-time.[2][4] As of February 2016, he is pursuing a degree in business from the University of Georgia. [6]

Mixed martial arts

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Early career

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Duffee won his first three fights against Mike Walbright, Mark Haniger and Josh Bennett. Duffee then agreed to fight UFC and PRIDE FC veteran, Assuério Silva in the main event of Jungle Fights 11. Duffee dominated the fight and won by knockout in the second round.[7]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

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Duffee was set to make his UFC debut against Mostapha al-Turk at UFC 99 until the UFC pulled Duffee from the fight. Duffee was replaced by Mirko Filipović.[8]

He was next announced by the UFC to face fellow UFC newcomer Mike Russow.[8] However, Duffee was then pulled from that match and instead was matched up against Tim Hague at UFC 102.[9] Duffee set the record for the fastest KO in UFC heavyweight history (0:07) after flooring Hague with a stiff jab and rendering him unconscious with follow-up ground and pound.[10] After the finish, he celebrated to the camera by saying "That was an appetizer, I want to eat now Dana, let me eat!"

Duffee was expected to face Paul Buentello at UFC 107[11][12] but pulled out due to a back injury.[13]

Duffee fought Mike Russow at UFC 114 in which he lost via KO in the third round. Prior to the fight Duffee went on record to say that he was being overhyped by the MMA world, while his opponent was very much underrated.[14] After dominating the first two rounds by utilizing his boxing, Duffee looked to be on his way to a unanimous decision win, when, from out of nowhere, Russow caught Duffee with two straight right hands followed by a hammerfist that prompted the referee to stop the fight as Duffee laid unconscious on the canvas. Joe Rogan stated that the nature of the knockout was "like something out of a movie" and was "one of the greatest comebacks in UFC history". Russow broke his left ulna while deflecting Duffee's punches at the end of round 1.[15] After the fight it was revealed that Duffee fought with a torn MCL as well as Shingles of the eye.[citation needed]

Duffee was expected to face Jon Madsen on October 23, 2010, at UFC 121,[16] but Duffee was once again forced off the card due to injury and replaced by Gilbert Yvel.[17]

On September 7, 2010, Duffee was surprisingly released from the UFC for unknown reasons.[18] It is rumored that Duffee requested financial aid in order to pay for a knee surgery which he couldn't afford, but when UFC said that he must pay for it himself there was a dispute between the two parties.[citation needed] Duffee spoke publicly about MMA fighters being underpaid and how he needed to take a second job just to pay for his training. Dana White later said in an interview with Ariel Helwani that Duffee had an attitude problem and that it seemed to him that "he doesn't want to be in the UFC, he doesn't like being in the UFC."[19] He also said that he could work his way back into the organization via fighting in smaller leagues. Following his release Duffee said that he couldn't understand his release and has never been told why, although he harbors no bitterness toward the UFC president or the company.[20]

DREAM

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After his release from the UFC, Duffee Went to DREAM, a promotion based out of Japan. Being unable to secure an opponent for former Strikeforce Heavyweight Champion Alistair Overeem in DREAM's first Heavyweight Championship bout at Dynamite!!, Duffee had the manager throw his name in the mix of potentials for the bout. Less than one week before the event, he was officially named to take on Overeem in the title fight, leaving him very little time to prepare, but an opportunity to fight a big name in the sport.[21] As the bout started Duffee charged in very aggressively flurrying punches to no avail, but the veteran Overeem stayed calm and landed a knee that rocked Duffee, followed by punches that put him out cold at 19 seconds of the first round.[22] Duffee said after the fight that he respected Overeem's ability but felt that if he had sufficient time to train and prepare that it would have been a completely different outcome. Overeem brought Duffee in for his training camp in preparation for his UFC debut vs. Brock Lesnar in late 2011 in order for Duffee to help him with his takedown defense.[23][24]

Duffee was scheduled to face Nick Gaston on July 16, 2011, at DREAM 17,[25] but an injury sustained fighting Tyler East two weeks prior to fighting Duffee forced Nick Gaston to withdraw from the event. Dream was unable to find a replacement.[26]

Super Fight League

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In February 2012 Duffee signed an exclusive four-fight deal with Super Fight League, India's first professional Mixed Martial Arts fighting league launched and owned by Raj Kundra & Sanjay Dutt.[27] He faced fellow UFC veteran Neil Grove on the SFL's second show held on April 7, 2012.[28] He won via TKO after just 34 seconds in the first round, following up a right-hook that dropped Grove with heavy ground-and-pound.[29] After the fight he thanked his training partners at the American Kickboxing Academy and credited them with helping him through a rough training camp, and stated that he is looking to fight again as soon as possible, adding that he "missed this". Shortly after his win, with SFL taking a 4-month break until their next event it was revealed that Duffee would be allowed to fight outside of the organization that summer if he could find fights. Duffee was appealing to promoters on Twitter for fights in both MMA and Professional Boxing but none came to fruition by the time of SFL's next event.

Duffee was originally announced to fight at SFL 4 on September 29 against former UFC title contender Jeff Monson but after the event was pushed back twice the SFL decided to change the structure of their shows, with weekly events replacing monthly events. Duffee and SFL agreed on his departure in September and he returned to free agency. Though frustrated by his fight with Monson falling out, the departure was amicable.[30]

Return to UFC

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Duffee made his UFC return against Phil De Fries on December 29, 2012, at UFC 155, as a replacement for Matt Mitrione.[31] Despite fighting with a respiratory infection he won the fight via first-round TKO, weathering an early ground exchange before finishing De Fries on the feet.[32] The performance earned Duffee Knockout of the Night honors.[33]

Injury, Parsonage–Turner syndrome diagnosis and return

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After the De Fries fight it emerged that Duffee had fought with an undisclosed injury sustained during his training camp and would be ruled out for much of 2013. He returned to training after successfully rehabbing the injury in September. However, 3 weeks into his return to the gym, after waking up with severe pains and numbness in his arm Duffee was diagnosed with an unknown affliction which was later revealed to be Parsonage–Turner syndrome. Despite initially being told by doctors that he would not be able to return for at least two years, Duffee returned to training after six months and in September 2014 announced that he was ready to fight.[34]

Duffee returned from his extended hiatus to face Anthony Hamilton on December 6, 2014, at UFC 181.[35] He won the fight via knockout in the first round.[36]

Duffee faced Frank Mir in the main event at UFC Fight Night 71 on July 15, 2015.[37] After rocking Mir with a punch, Duffee lost the fight via knockout in round one.[38]

Duffee was expected to face Mark Godbeer on March 4, 2017, at UFC 209.[39] However, Duffee pulled out of the fight in mid-February for undisclosed reasons, later revealed to be a shoulder injury.[40]

After suffering setbacks in his shoulder rehabilitation, but ultimately recovering from the injury and returning to training, Duffee then suffered a knee injury. In August 2018, during the surgery to repair his ACL, the doctors discovered that he needed a surgery in his other knee as well. Subsequently, in December 2018, he underwent another surgery for the other knee and during the recovery, was infected with MRSA. After battling the infection, Duffee relocated to Las Vegas in order to rehabilitate and continue training at the UFC Performance Institute.[41]

Return to competition after shoulder rehabilitation

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After a four-year hiatus, Duffee returned to face Jeff Hughes on September 14, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 158.[42] The bout ended in the first round as a No Contest due to an accidental eye poke that rendered Duffee unable to continue.[43]

In May 2021, Duffee returned to training after successfully rehabbing further shoulder and knee surgeries, as well as a positive COVID-19 diagnosis.[44]

Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki

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After a three year layoff, Duffee signed with Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki and rematched Phil De Fries for the KSW Heavyweight Championship on February 25, 2023, at KSW 79.[45] Duffee lost the bout in the first round via ground and pound TKO.[46]

Rizin Fighting Federation

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Duffee was to face former sumo wrestler Tsuyoshi Sudario at Rizin 44 on September 23, 2023. However, Duffee withdrew from the fight due to a problem with his passport.[47]

Global Fight League

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Duffee was scheduled to face Robelis Despaigne in the inaugural Global Fight League event on May 24, 2025 at GFL 1.[48] However, all GFL events were cancelled indefinitely.[49]

Bare-knuckle boxing

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Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship

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Duffee was scheduled to make his bare-knuckle boxing debut for Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship against Ben Rothwell at BKFC 56 on December 2, 2023. However, on November 30, it was announced the bout was cancelled due to Rothwell having an illness.[50] The fight against Rothwell has been rescheduled for BKFC Knucklemania IV in Los Angeles on April 27, 2024.[51] Duffee lost the fight by technical knockout after being knocked down and being injured in the first round.[52]

Acting

[edit]

In 2011 Duffee made his film debut in the Michael Jai White-produced Never Back Down 2: The Beatdown, portraying Tim Newhouse, a talented MMA fighter who lives in relative poverty and has to deal with losing his father. He also had a cameo in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice in a fight scene.[citation needed]

Championships and accomplishments

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Mixed martial arts

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Mixed martial arts record

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Professional record breakdown
14 matches 9 wins 4 losses
By knockout 9 4
No contests 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 9–4 (1) Phil De Fries TKO (punches) KSW 79 February 25, 2023 1 3:46 Liberec, Czech Republic For the KSW Heavyweight Championship.
NC 9–3 (1) Jeff Hughes NC (accidental eye poke) UFC Fight Night: Cowboy vs. Gaethje September 14, 2019 1 4:03 Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Accidental eye poke rendered Duffee unable to continue.
Loss 9–3 Frank Mir KO (punch) UFC Fight Night: Mir vs. Duffee July 15, 2015 1 1:13 San Diego, California, United States
Win 9–2 Anthony Hamilton KO (punch) UFC 181 December 6, 2014 1 0:33 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 8–2 Philip De Fries TKO (punches) UFC 155 December 29, 2012 1 2:04 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Knockout of the Night.
Win 7–2 Neil Grove TKO (punches) SFL 2 April 7, 2012 1 0:34 Chandigarh, India
Loss 6–2 Alistair Overeem KO (punches) Dynamite!! 2010 December 31, 2010 1 0:19 Saitama, Japan For the inaugural DREAM Heavyweight Championship.
Loss 6–1 Mike Russow KO (punch) UFC 114 May 29, 2010 3 2:32 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 6–0 Tim Hague KO (punches) UFC 102 August 29, 2009 1 0:07 Portland, Oregon, United States
Win 5–0 Assuério Silva TKO (punches) Jungle Fight 11 September 13, 2008 2 1:17 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Win 4–0 Josh Bennett KO (punches) Alianza National Full Contact 2 August 8, 2008 1 1:25 Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Win 3–0 Mark Honneger TKO (punches) Crazy Horse Fights December 11, 2007 1 3:22 Miami, Florida, United States
Win 2–0 Mike Walbright TKO (punches) Beatdown Fight Party: Head On Collision June 1, 2007 1 0:16 Kennesaw, Georgia, United States
Win 1–0 Jonathan Spears TKO (punches) Beatdown Fight Party: Invasion February 9, 2007 1 0:15 Kennesaw, Georgia, United States

Bare knuckle boxing record

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Professional record breakdown
1 match 0 wins 1 loss
By knockout 0 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 0–1 Ben Rothwell TKO (injury) BKFC: Knucklemania IV April 27, 2024 1 0:43 Los Angeles, California, United States

See also

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References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Todd Duffee

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Todd Duffee (born , 1985) is an American professional mixed martial artist and bare-knuckle boxer who competes primarily in the heavyweight division. Hailing from , and standing at 6 feet 3 inches tall, Duffee is celebrated for his explosive striking power and has never won a fight by submission or decision in his MMA career, with all nine victories coming via or technical knockout. He trains at the in , and broke into prominence with a stunning seven-second of in his UFC debut at UFC 102 in 2009, which remains one of the fastest finishes in UFC history. Duffee's professional MMA record is 9-4 with one no contest, including stints in elite promotions like the UFC (3-2 record) and Poland's (KSW), where he notably defeated in their 2012 UFC fight before losing a rematch for the KSW title to de Fries in 2023. Transitioning to with (BKFC), he debuted in 2024 but was quickly stopped by via TKO in just 43 seconds. Following a cancelled scheduled fight in May 2025, as of November 2025, Duffee has no scheduled fights and continues to be recognized for his blue-collar background and relentless finishing style across combat sports.

Early life and background

Childhood and education

Todd Duffee was born on December 6, 1985, in . He grew up primarily in the small towns of Raleigh and Eldorado in , where he was raised as the third son of a coal miner father and a nurse mother in a blue-collar household. His parents encouraged his participation in sports from a young age, fostering a strong and athletic drive that shaped his early development. During his high school years in , Duffee immersed himself in multiple sports, including football, , , track, and even , excelling particularly in football as a large, powerful . At age 16, he was introduced to at a local gym, though his involvement was initially limited due to commitments to other school sports. Following high school, he signed to play at but suffered an injury that derailed those plans. At 18, Duffee moved to , Georgia, after his mother relocated for a job, which allowed him to transfer to the (UGA) as an in-state student on a . He later transferred to the (UNLV) to continue his studies. While in , Duffee began training more seriously; however, watching a UFC event inspired him to shift his focus toward , leading him to join an MMA shortly thereafter. This pursuit ultimately interrupted his education, as he dropped out of college to train full-time for a professional fighting career.

Amateur sports and transition to MMA

Duffee excelled as a multi-sport athlete during his high school years in , participating in football, , , , and even as a year-round competitor. His athletic prowess earned him a football scholarship to , where he briefly enrolled before a severe injury derailed his collegiate career shortly after high school. Following the injury and his family's relocation to due to his mother's job transfer, Duffee sought new outlets for his competitive drive, building on his earlier introduction to at age 16. Inspired by watching a UFC event, he began formal training in 2006 at Hardcore Gym in —an affiliate of —under coaches including , Carmelo Marrero, and Marcelo Oliveira, later supplementing sessions at 's main facility in . This shift to MMA appealed to Duffee as a way to channel his physicality and aggression into a full-contact that combined his existing striking foundation with elements, offering a path forward after traditional team sports no longer panned out. Duffee's initial foray into competitive MMA came through bouts in regional promotions, where he gained valuable cage experience. One key early fight occurred on , 2006, against Joshua Johnson at Full Throttle 6 in , marking an important step in honing his skills ahead of turning professional. With a brief but focused phase, Duffee transitioned to the pro ranks in early , motivated by the rapid evolution of the sport and his desire to test himself against seasoned opponents.

Mixed martial arts career

Early professional career (2006–2008)

Duffee transitioned from amateur wrestling to professional mixed martial arts in early 2007, making his debut on February 9 at ISCF Invasion in Georgia, where he secured a first-round TKO victory over Jonathan Spears via punches just 15 seconds into the bout. He followed this up on June 1 at ISCF Head-On Collision, again in Georgia, defeating Mike Walbright by TKO (punches) at 0:16 of Round 1, showcasing his striking power early in his career. These initial fights took place under the International Sport Combat Federation (ISCF), a regional promotion focused on emerging talent in the . Continuing his undefeated streak, Duffee competed on December 11, 2007, at Fights in , stopping Mark Honneger with a TKO (punches) at 3:22 of the first round. By mid-2008, he had relocated from his initial training base at Hardcore Gym in , to to join , a prominent camp known for developing contenders. There, he honed his skills ahead of his next bout on August 8 at ANFC 2 in , where he knocked out Josh Bennett with punches at 1:25 of Round 1. Duffee's early professional momentum peaked on September 13, 2008, at in Rio de Janeiro, , a respected regional promotion in , when he defeated veteran Assuerio — a former UFC and fighter—by TKO (punches) at 1:17 of the second round. This performance, part of a 5-0 record composed entirely of first- or second-round knockouts or TKOs, drew initial interest from UFC scouts, positioning him for entry into major promotions.

Ultimate Fighting Championship debut (2009–2010)

Todd Duffee entered the as an undefeated prospect, having secured all six of his prior professional victories by or technical knockout. In preparation for his debut, Duffee trained at Hardcore Gym in , and in , focusing on sharpening his striking and skills against high-level competition. Weighing in at 241 pounds, he competed in the division, where his explosive power and athleticism positioned him as a rising talent in the promotion. Duffee made his UFC debut on August 29, 2009, at UFC 102 in , against Canadian fighter Tim Hague. In a stunning display, Duffee declined a glove touch and immediately pressed forward, landing a short left hook that dropped Hague just seven seconds into the first round, securing a victory. This finish established the fastest in UFC heavyweight history at the time and marked Duffee's seventh professional win, all by stoppage. The performance generated significant buzz, highlighting his potential as a dominant force in the division. Duffee returned on May 29, 2010, at in , facing in his follow-up bout. Despite entering as a heavy favorite and controlling much of the fight with superior striking and takedown defense, Duffee was caught by a counter right hand in the third round, leading to a loss at 2:35. The upset defeat, his first in MMA, exposed vulnerabilities in his defensive wrestling and endurance, as Russow mounted a comeback from the bottom position before landing the decisive blow. Following the loss, Duffee was released from the UFC on September 7, 2010, with the promotion citing the Russow defeat as the primary reason, amid reports of a lingering injury that had affected his training camp. The abrupt exit halted his momentum as a prospect, shifting his career trajectory toward other promotions and prompting a period of reflection on his rapid rise and fall within the organization.

DREAM and early injuries (2010–2011)

Following his release from the after an upset knockout loss to at in May 2010, Duffee signed a contract with the Japanese promotion DREAM. He debuted for the organization at the Dynamite!! 2010 event on December 31, 2010, in , challenging Strikeforce heavyweight champion for the interim DREAM Heavyweight Championship. Duffee was knocked out by a knee strike from Overeem just 19 seconds into the first round, marking one of the quickest finishes in DREAM title fight history. The rapid defeat was compounded by pre-existing physical issues, as Duffee had entered the Overeem bout dealing with a lingering injury that originated earlier in 2010 and had already forced him to withdraw from a scheduled matchup against in August. Post-fight, these problems persisted, limiting his training and leading to further medical assessments. In early 2011, Duffee underwent evaluations for the condition, which contributed to his overall sidelining, though specific details on treatment at the time remained private. Duffee's injury woes culminated in a withdrawal from his next scheduled DREAM bout against at DREAM 17 on July 16, 2011, in , due to an undisclosed injury sustained shortly before the event. DREAM officials confirmed the pullout five days prior, scrapping the matchup entirely and removing from the card as well. This marked Duffee's second consecutive fight cancellation in under a year, exacerbating his frustration amid ongoing recovery efforts. Despite these setbacks, Duffee began exploring opportunities elsewhere by late 2011, transitioning to the upstart Super Fight League in February 2012 as he navigated persistent health challenges and sought a platform for his return to the cage.

Super Fight League and UFC return (2012–2015)

After sustaining injuries that sidelined him following his 2010 stint , Duffee signed a four-fight contract with the Super Fight League (SFL) in February 2012. He made his promotional debut at SFL 2 on April 7, 2012, in , , where he secured a first-round TKO victory over Grove at 0:34 via punches. This quick finish marked Duffee's first win since 2009 and highlighted his explosive striking power against a fellow UFC veteran. Duffee re-signed with the UFC in November 2012 and returned at UFC 155 on December 29, 2012, in Las Vegas, replacing Matt Mitrione on short notice against Phil De Fries. He dominated the bout with ground-and-pound strikes, earning a first-round TKO at 2:04 and the Knockout of the Night bonus. This victory improved his overall professional record to 8-2 and reestablished him as a heavyweight prospect. Following a nearly two-year , Duffee competed at on December 6, 2014, in , knocking out Anthony Hamilton in just 33 seconds with a right hand in the first round. The win brought his record to 9-2 and showcased his one-punch ability. However, his momentum halted at UFC Fight Night 71 on July 15, 2015, in , where he was knocked out by former UFC heavyweight champion at 1:13 of the first round via a counter right hand. During this period, Duffee compiled a 2-1 record in the UFC, with all three of his victories coming via first-round knockout—totaling under four minutes of Octagon time—and facing a top-10 ranked opponent in Mir. His performances emphasized his reputation for rapid finishes, landing 100% of his significant strikes in those wins.

Hiatus due to Parsonage–Turner syndrome (2015–2019)

Following his first-round knockout loss to Frank Mir at UFC Fight Night 71 on July 15, 2015, Todd Duffee entered an extended hiatus plagued by persistent shoulder issues stemming from his prior diagnosis of Parsonage–Turner syndrome, a rare neurological disorder characterized by acute brachial neuritis leading to severe shoulder pain, muscle weakness, atrophy, and potential paralysis in the affected arm. Although initially diagnosed in 2013 following undisclosed injuries sustained during his 2012 UFC return bout against Phil De Fries, the condition's lingering effects resurfaced prominently after the Mir defeat, exacerbating nerve damage and limiting Duffee's ability to train or compete effectively. This marked the beginning of a nearly four-year absence from professional fighting, during which Duffee focused on managing symptoms that included numbness, reduced range of motion, and chronic pain in his right shoulder and arm. Duffee's rehabilitation efforts during this period were intensive and multifaceted, beginning with conservative treatments such as to restore strength and mobility, though progress was slow due to the syndrome's unpredictable nature and the risk of recurrence. By late 2016, he signed a new four-fight UFC contract and targeted a return, but a worsening forced him to withdraw from a scheduled bout against at in March 2017, with the issue later identified as requiring intervention. In early 2017, Duffee underwent to address the nerve-related damage, followed by an initial recovery phase estimated at several months, during which he reported steady improvements in function through targeted exercises and medical monitoring. However, complications arose in 2018 when a —sustained in a non-combat involving a fall through a —necessitated two ACL repairs, further delaying his timeline and compounding the physical toll of the syndrome's aftermath. The prolonged layoff took an emotional toll on Duffee, who described the uncertainty of his recovery as mentally draining, particularly as he navigated repeated setbacks and the fear that the nerve damage might permanently sideline his career. Despite these challenges, he remained committed to rehabilitation, incorporating specialized therapies at facilities like the UFC Performance Institute after relocating to Las Vegas in early 2019 to access full-time physical therapy and strength conditioning programs. By mid-2019, following clearance from medical evaluations and a rigorous training regimen that emphasized gradual reintroduction of striking and grappling, Duffee was deemed fit for competition, setting the stage for his UFC return later that year. This period underscored the syndrome's long-term impact, with Duffee crediting his resilience and support network for sustaining his drive amid what he called an "arduous and uncertain" path back to fighting.

Brief UFC comeback (2019)

After a four-year hiatus marked by recovery from and additional health setbacks including knee surgeries and a MRSA infection, Todd Duffee returned to the UFC on a short-term , generating buzz as a proven artist eager to reclaim his spot in the division. Duffee faced Jeff Hughes on September 14, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 158 in Vancouver, . The heavyweight bout started aggressively, with both fighters exchanging strikes in the clinch early in the first round. At 4:03, an inadvertent eye poke from Hughes struck Duffee, causing significant vision impairment as he reported seeing double to the referee and doctor. The ringside physician examined Duffee and deemed him unable to continue safely, prompting referee Kevin Dornan to wave off the fight and rule it a no contest. Post-fight analysis highlighted the controversy, as replays showed the poke appeared relatively minor, yet medical protocol prioritized Duffee's reported symptoms of blurred vision to prevent further injury. The abrupt end dashed hopes for a triumphant comeback, leading to Duffee's release from the UFC shortly thereafter and his subsequent announcement of retirement from , effectively concluding his career with a record of 3-2 (1 NC). This outcome underscored the challenges of his prolonged absence and limited him from building further momentum in the promotion, prompting a shift toward other combat sports avenues.

Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki (2023)

In January 2023, following a four-year hiatus from MMA due to Parsonage–Turner syndrome, Todd Duffee signed with the Polish promotion Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki (KSW) and was immediately booked for a heavyweight title challenge against longtime champion Phil De Fries at KSW 79. The matchup served as a rematch from their 2012 encounter, where Duffee had previously defeated De Fries by TKO, but De Fries had since built an extensive title reign in KSW. Duffee's preparation for the bout emphasized rebuilding his conditioning after years away, with pre-fight interviews highlighting his intent to "save" the KSW division through aggressive striking. At the weigh-ins on February 24, 2023, Duffee came in at 240 pounds, significantly lighter than De Fries' 265 pounds, suggesting a controlled weight cut to optimize speed against the larger champion. The fight took place on February 25, 2023, at Home Credit Arena in , . De Fries quickly closed the distance, clinched with Duffee, and took his back before unleashing ground-and-pound strikes that forced a stoppage at 3:46 of the first round, resulting in a TKO victory for De Fries. In his post-fight , De Fries expressed for Duffee as a "great fighter" while calling out for a potential next defense, marking his eighth consecutive title retention. updated Duffee's professional record to 9-4 with 1 no contest, with all four defeats coming via or TKO. No further fights under his KSW contract were announced immediately after the event.

Later scheduled fights and cancellations (2023–2025)

Following his loss to at KSW 79 in February 2023, Duffee was slated to make his debut for against Tsuyoshi Sudario at Rizin 44 (also known as Rizin Landmark 6) on September 30, 2023, in Saitama, . However, he was forced to withdraw from the bout just days before the event due to visa issues. Dong Hyun Lim replaced him on short notice, losing to Sudario by unanimous decision. Duffee then signed with the newly formed Global Fight League (GFL), aiming for a high-profile matchup. He was booked to face undefeated prospect in the co-main event of GFL 1, the promotion's inaugural regular season event, scheduled for May 24, 2025, at the Shrine Auditorium in . The fight was anticipated as a clash of artists, with both competitors holding perfect finishing records in their recent outings. Ultimately, the bout did not occur, as GFL 1—and the entire 2025 regular season—was cancelled amid organizational challenges, including funding shortfalls and logistical failures that derailed the league's launch. This cancellation left Duffee without a fight, exacerbating his frustrations with securing consistent bookings in MMA after years of injuries and promotional hurdles. In the intervening period, Duffee focused on recovery from a injury sustained in his April 2024 bare-knuckle boxing loss to , which required surgery to remove and pin a bone fragment without fusion. Duffee underwent surgery for the injury and reported full recovery by late 2024 after four to five months of rehabilitation, stating he had resumed and training intensely. Duffee expressed eagerness to return to competition but reflected on persistent barriers, including past nerve disorders like Parsonage-Turner syndrome and difficulties in negotiating fights due to managerial politics in the sport. He specifically called out longtime rival for a potential bare-knuckle matchup in BKFC, noting the fight had been offered and verbally agreed upon but was declined by Arlovski's camp; as of November 2025, no such bout has materialized. These unfulfilled opportunities have contributed to Duffee's extended inactivity in . As of November 2025, he has not announced any new MMA bouts and continues to pursue opportunities in , holding a professional record of 9 wins, 4 losses, and 1 no contest, with his last MMA appearance being the 2023 defeat to de Fries.

Bare-knuckle boxing career

Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship debut (2023–2024)

After a period of inactivity in following unsuccessful attempts to secure bouts in 2023, Todd Duffee transitioned to by signing with the (BKFC), seeking to compete against high-profile opponents in a new combat format that emphasized his striking prowess. Duffee, a veteran of promotions like the UFC and KSW, viewed the move as an opportunity to chase notable names rather than titles, drawing on his extensive experience to adapt quickly with minimal nerves. Duffee's BKFC debut was initially scheduled for December 2, 2023, at BKFC 56 in , , where he was set to face fellow UFC veteran in a matchup announced as part of the event's co-main event. However, Rothwell withdrew due to a severe flu just days before the event, leading to its postponement and prompting public exchanges of criticism between the fighters. At the BKFC 56 , Duffee questioned the legitimacy of Rothwell's illness, mocking him by suggesting Thanksgiving dinner was a greater challenge and implying in avoiding the fight. Rothwell responded by confirming his illness, defending his 50-plus fight and weight-cutting reliability, while dismissing Duffee's comments as immature. The bout was rescheduled for February 2024 before being moved again to BKFC KnuckleMania IV on , 2024, at the in , , allowing both fighters additional preparation time. Leading into the event, Duffee expressed confidence in his preparation, noting he had initially trained for another opponent before switching to Rothwell three weeks prior, treating the matchup like a familiar exam despite ongoing evolution in both fighters' skills. Expectations were high for a competitive clash, with Rothwell aiming for a to position himself for a title shot. The fight ended abruptly in Round 1, with Rothwell securing a TKO victory at 0:43 after landing punches that knocked Duffee down twice, the second causing a debilitating right that prompted the referee to stop the contest. Rothwell expressed disappointment over the quick finish, insisting it was not the decisive performance he sought, while the result marked Duffee's first professional bare-knuckle loss.

Post-debut developments (2024–2025)

Following his debut at BKFC KnuckleMania 4 in April , where Todd Duffee was stopped just 43 seconds into the bout against due to a severe in the and , Duffee faced a challenging recovery period. The injury echoed Duffee's prior experiences with and nerve-related issues from his MMA career, prompting immediate medical suspension of up to 180 days or until cleared by a neurologist. He underwent shortly after to address the and reported feeling significantly better almost immediately post-operation. Duffee's recovery progressed steadily over four to five months, allowing him to resume full and by late 2024. This timeline aligned with the lifting of his medical suspension around October 2024, enabling a gradual return to conditioning focused on bare-knuckle specifics. By mid-2025, he had fully reintegrated into rigorous preparation, emphasizing hand conditioning and striking adaptation to mitigate past vulnerabilities. In a July 2025 appearance on The Mike & Mish Show, Duffee confirmed his complete health and eagerness for a BKFC return, highlighting his interest in a matchup against as a "long time coming" bout that had been informally offered and accepted on his end, though Arlovski's management declined. As of November 2025, no such fight had been confirmed or scheduled by BKFC. Duffee's bare-knuckle record stood at 0-1, with the loss to Rothwell marking his sole professional outing in the discipline to date. Reflecting on the transition, Duffee noted that bare-knuckle fighting demands distinct adjustments compared to MMA, particularly the absence of gloves which heightens risks to hand protection and alters striking dynamics, though he believes his explosive, power-based style aligns well with the format's intensity.

Acting career

Film debut (2011)

Todd Duffee made his acting debut in the 2011 direct-to-video Never Back Down 2: The Beatdown, where he portrayed Tim Newhouse, a talented fighter and one of four college students trained by ex-MMA star Case Walker (played by ) to compete in an underground tournament known as "The Beatdown." The film's plot centers on these fighters overcoming personal challenges through intense training and brutal bouts, with Newhouse depicted as a loyal, physically imposing team member whose MMA expertise drives key action sequences. Duffee's role directly tied into the production's emphasis on authentic fight choreography, featuring real UFC and MMA talents like himself alongside champion . Duffee was cast in the role leveraging his professional MMA background as a UFC , with UFC matchmaker Joe Silva personally encouraging him to take the part during an expo event, despite Duffee's initial reluctance due to his focus on recovery and upcoming fights. As a actor, he accepted the opportunity but emphasized that it was not his primary pursuit, stating, "I'm not an ," while prioritizing his fighting amid early injuries following his 2009 UFC debut. The production, directed by —who also starred as the mentor—highlighted Duffee's natural fit for the physically demanding character, integrating his real-world combat skills into scenes of training and confrontation. Filming took place in 2010, coinciding with a challenging phase in Duffee's MMA career marked by injuries and professional setbacks, which he later described as one of the most difficult periods of his life. His on-set experiences involved collaborating closely with , including action sequences where their characters bond over fighting techniques, contributing to the film's realistic portrayal of MMA culture. Duffee's performance received positive notes from co-star , who praised him for doing "a great job" in his first film role, particularly in delivering authentic fight dynamics as a real MMA practitioner. While the movie's overall reception critiqued its amateurish elements, Duffee's debut showcased his physical presence effectively, though he expressed limited personal interest in pursuing further at the time, viewing it as a one-off venture tied to his athletic identity.

Subsequent roles and appearances

Following his film debut, Duffee appeared in an uncredited role as an underground fighter in the 2014 episode "Bullets and Tears" of the series , where his character is defeated in a brutal match during an underground fighting event. In 2016, he made a as a bare-knuckle fighter in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, portraying a large opponent in a gritty street fight scene overseen by Ben Affleck's Bruce Wayne, while also contributing as a . Duffee also featured in UFC-related media, including self appearances in event footage for (2010) and Dynamite!! (2010), presented in documentary-style broadcasts that highlighted his professional fighting career. In 2020, Duffee took on the recurring role of Jason Bernardo in The Gentle Art, a centered on training at a gym, where he portrayed a navigating the community alongside other MMA personalities. No additional acting credits have been reported for Duffee from 2021 through 2025, reflecting his primary focus on and competitions during this period. Duffee's acting pursuits have remained sporadic and closely tied to his fame as a heavyweight fighter, with roles often emphasizing combat scenarios that draw on his real-world expertise, rather than pursuing a full-time entertainment career.

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

Todd Duffee competed as a professional mixed martial artist in the heavyweight division from 2006 to 2023, compiling an overall record of 9 wins, 4 losses, and 1 no contest. All nine of his victories came by knockout or technical knockout, while all four defeats were also by KO or TKO. In the (UFC), Duffee holds the record for the fastest knockout in division history, achieving a 7-second KO against at UFC 102 on August 29, 2009. This debut performance capped an undefeated streak of five consecutive wins in his pre-UFC career. His UFC record stood at 3-2 with one no contest upon his departure from the promotion in 2019. He earned a Knockout of the Night bonus for his TKO victory over Philip De Fries at UFC 155 on December 29, 2012. Duffee did not win any major professional MMA championships during his career. As of November 2025, there have been no updates to his MMA record since his last bout in February 2023.

Mixed martial arts record

ResultRecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocation
Loss9–4 (1)Phil De FriesTKO (punches)KSW 79: De Fries vs. Duffee 2February 25, 202313:46Warsaw, Poland
NC9–3 (1)Jeff HughesNo Contest (overturned)UFC Fight Night: Cowboy vs. GaethjeSeptember 14, 201914:03Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Loss9–3Frank MirKO (punch)UFC Fight Night: Mir vs. DuffeeJuly 15, 201511:13San Diego, California, United States
Win9–2Anthony HamiltonKO (punch)UFC 181: Hendricks vs. Lawler 2December 6, 201410:33Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win8–2Phil De FriesTKO (punches)UFC 155: dos Santos vs. Velasquez 2December 29, 201212:04Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win7–2Neil GroveTKO (punches)Super Fight League 2April 7, 201210:34Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss6–2Alistair OvereemKO (punches)K-1 World Grand Prix 2010 FinalDecember 31, 201010:19Saitama, Japan
Loss6–1Mike RussowKO (punch)UFC 114: Rampage vs. EvansMay 29, 201032:32Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win6–0Tim HagueKO (punches)UFC 102: Couture vs. NogueiraAugust 29, 200910:07Portland, Oregon, United States
Win5–0Assuerio SilvaTKO (punches)Jungle Fight 11September 13, 200821:17Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Win4–0Josh BennettKO (punches)Alianza Nacional Full Contact 2August 8, 200811:25Evansville, Indiana, United States
Win3–0Mark HonnegerTKO (punches)Crazy Horse FightsDecember 11, 200713:22Evansville, Indiana, United States
Win2–0Mike WalbrightTKO (punches)ISCF: Head-On CollisionJune 1, 200710:16Mount Carmel, Illinois, United States
Win1–0Jonathan SpearsTKO (punches)ISCF: InvasionFebruary 9, 200710:15Terre Haute, Indiana, United States

Bare-knuckle boxing record

ResultRecordOpponentMethodRoundTimeDateEventLocationNotes
Loss0–1TKO (punches)10:43April 27, 2024BKFC: KnuckleMania 4, California, United States
As of November 15, 2025.

References

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