Pedro Ramsey Nijem (, born April 1, 1988) is an American retired

mixed martial artist Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a full-contact fighting sport based on striking and grappling; incorporating techniques from various combat sports from around the world. In the early 20th century, various inter-stylistic contests took place t ...

. A professional MMA competitor from 2008 to 2021, Nijem is perhaps best known for his 10-fight stint in the

Ultimate Fighting Championship The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is an American mixed martial arts (MMA) promoter (entertainment), promotion company based in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is owned and operated by TKO Group Holdings, a majority owned subsidiary of Endeavor ( ...

. He was a finalist on '' The Ultimate Fighter: Team Lesnar vs. Team dos Santos'' and also competed in the

Professional Fighters League The Professional Fighters League (PFL) is an American mixed martial arts league founded by venture capitalist Donn Davis in 2017 and launched in 2018, following the acquisition and restructuring of the former World Series of Fighting (WSOF) promot ...

(PFL).

Early life

Palestinian American Palestinian Americans () are Americans who are of full or partial Palestinian descent. There are around 160,000 Palestinian American refugees according to the 2023 American Community Survey, making up around 0.05% of the U.S. population. Th ...

, Nijem was born in

Concord, California Concord ( ) is the most populous city in Contra Costa County, California, Contra Costa County, California, United States. According to an estimate completed by the United States Census Bureau, the city had a population of 124,016 in 2024, maki ...

, but raised in Mill Creek, Washington, with two brothers. He attended Henry M. Jackson High School from 2002 through 2006. During those years, Nijem was a part of his high school's soccer, cross-country, and wrestling teams. His senior season in wrestling he went 27-5 and earned "Wrestler of the Year" honors. He was also wrestling captain for his junior and senior seasons. After high school, Nijem enrolled in

Utah Valley University Utah Valley University (UVU) is a public university in Orem, Utah, United States. UVU offers master's, bachelor's, associate degrees, and certificates. Previously called Utah Valley State College, the school attained university status in July ...

, also wrestling for the school. Nijem graduated with a degree in

business management Business administration is the administration of a commercial enterprise. It includes all aspects of overseeing and supervising the business operations of an organization. Overview The administration of a business includes the performance o ...

in 2010.

MMA career

Nijem began his training with Riven Academy of MMA in 2008. Electing to skip an amateur career, Nijem made his pro debut April 18, 2008, defeating Ryan Miller via first round rear-naked choke submission. After taking a nineteen-month hiatus from the sport, he returned losing to Gordon Bell via an armbar submission only 21 seconds into the first round. Only a month after his first loss he defeated Logan Hancock via unanimous decision, bring his professional record to 2-1. Ramzi recorded his first TKO win in April 2010, defeating Eric Uresk at Showdown Fights: Burkman vs. Paul. He made his lightweight debut against Scott Casey, winning the fight via first round submission. In June, 2011 at his UFC debut at the TUF 13 finale, Nijem walked out to the

Matisyahu Matthew Paul Miller (born June 30, 1979), known by his stage name Matisyahu (; ), is an American singer, rapper, beatboxer, and musician. Known for blending spiritual themes with reggae, rock and hip hop beatboxing sounds, Matisyahu's 2005 sin ...

song " One Day." His choice of music was significant due to Nijem's Palestinian background and Matisyahu's Orthodox Jewish background, and the moment has been recognized for its "diplomatic initiative and message centered on peace." Ramzi is now the Head MMA Coach at Ultimate Combat Training Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. Ramzi is also the Coach of the Fight Team there, and trains many fighters that compete in and around the state of Utah, and beyond.

''The Ultimate Fighter''

In 2011, Nijem had signed with the

UFC The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is an American mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion company based in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is owned and operated by TKO Group Holdings, a majority owned subsidiary of Endeavor Group Holdings. The larg ...

to compete in '' The Ultimate Fighter: Team Lesnar vs. Team dos Santos''. Nijem was picked fourth on Team dos Santos and eighth overall. In the fourth preliminary match-up, Nijem was selected to fight Bellator veteran, Charlie Rader. In the first round Nijem controlled the fight by putting Rader on the fence, and obtaining a few last minute take downs. In the second round Nijem was able to take Rader down early and lock in a fight ending rear naked choke. Nijem was selected to fight Clay Harvison in the quarterfinals. Nijem went on to win the fight by rear naked choke less than a minute in. In the semifinals, Nijem fought Chris Cope, defeating him via TKO in round two. The win moved him into the live finale for the chance to become the winner of The Ultimate Fighter.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Nijem made his official UFC debut on June 4, 2011, at The Ultimate Fighter 13 Finale against Tony Ferguson to crown the winner of The Ultimate Fighter 13. Nijem lost the bout via KO in the first round after getting caught flush by a left hook. After the bout Nijem signed a nine-fight contract with the UFC. Nijem defeated Danny Downes on October 29, 2011, at

UFC 137 ''UFC 137: Penn vs. Diaz'' was a mixed martial arts (MMA) pay-per-view event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on October 29, 2011, at Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. Background The event was originally expected to take ...

via unanimous decision (30-25, 30-26, 30-27). Nijem was expected to face Anthony Njokuani on December 30, 2011, at UFC 141. However, Nijem was forced out of the bout, citing an injury and replaced by Danny Castillo. Nijem faced promotional newcomer C.J. Keith on June 22, 2012, at

UFC on FX 4 The year 2012 was the 20th year in the history of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), a mixed martial arts promotion based in the United States. 2012 started with UFC 142: Aldo vs. Mendes and ended with UFC 155: dos Santos vs. Velasquez 2 ...

. He won the fight via TKO in the first round. Nijem faced Joe Proctor on December 8, 2012, at UFC on Fox 5. He won the fight via unanimous decision. Nijem faced

Myles Jury Myles Madison Jury (born October 31, 1988) is an American mixed martial artist, who competes in the Lightweight division. He has most notably fought for Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and Bellator MMA. He is a Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-J ...

on April 20, 2013, at

UFC on Fox 7 The year 2013 was the 21st year in the history of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), a mixed martial arts promotion based in the United States. 2013 started with ''UFC on FX: Belfort vs. Bisping''. 2013 also saw the introduction of the wom ...

. He lost the fight via knockout in the second round. Nijem fought James Vick on August 17, 2013, at UFC Fight Night 26. He lost the fight via submission at 58 seconds in the first round. Nijem next faced fellow TUF alumni and teammate Justin Edwards on January 15, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 35. He won the fight via unanimous decision. Nijem faced Beneil Dariush on April 11, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 39. He won the fight via TKO in the first round. The win also won Nijem his first ''Performance of the Night'' bonus award. Nijem faced Carlos Diego Ferreira on August 30, 2014, at UFC 177. He lost the back-and-forth fight via TKO in the second round. Despite the loss, Nijem was awarded his first ''Fight of the Night'' bonus award. Nijem was expected to face Erik Koch on July 25, 2015, at UFC on Fox 16. However, Koch was forced from the bout with injury and replaced by promotional newcomer Andrew Holbrook. Holbrook defeated Nijem by split decision. 15 of 15 media outlets scored the decision in favor of Nijem. On October 2, 2015, it was announced that Nijem was cut from the UFC roster.

World Series of Fighting

On August 29, 2016, it was announced that Nijem had signed a multi-fight deal with

World Series of Fighting The Professional Fighters League (PFL) is an American mixed martial arts league founded by venture capitalist Donn Davis in 2017 and launched in 2018, following the acquisition and restructuring of the former World Series of Fighting (WSOF) promot ...

''The Ultimate Fighter: Redemption''

In February 2017, it was revealed that Nijem would compete again on the UFC's reality show in the 25th season on '' The Ultimate Fighter: Redemption''. Nijem was the third pick overall for Team Dillashaw. He defeated Julian Lane in the opening round by TKO in the first round.

Professional Fighters League

On March 23, 2018, it was revealed that Nijem has signed a contract with

(PFL). In his debut, he faced Brian Foster at PFL 2 on June 21, 2018. He lost the fight via TKO in the third round. On October 13, 2018, Nijem faced Yuki Kawana at PFL 9. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Season 2

In May 2019, Nijem was expected to face Ronys Torres at PFL 2, but Torres was forced to withdraw on the fight week. By PFL rules, Nijem was declared the winner by walkover. Nijem was expected to face reigning PFL lightweight tournament winner Natan Schulte on PFL 5, but could not make weight and was disqualified and removed from the card. Afterwards it was revealed that Nijem failed a drug test for marijuana and was temporarily suspended until disciplinary hearing. Nevada State Athletic Commission eventually suspended Nijem for nine months. Nijem was rebooked against Natan Schulte in the lightweight quarterfinals at PFL 8 on October 17, 2019, losing the bout after being choked out by rear-naked choke in under a minute.

Post PFL

Nijem faced Ben Saunders on July 30, 2021, at XMMA 2. He lost the bout via unanimous decision and subsequently retired in early August.

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

** The Ultimate Fighter 13 Tournament Runner Up ** Fight of the Night (One time) ** Performance of the Night (One time)

Mixed martial arts record

, - , Loss , align=center, 10–9 , Ben Saunders , Decision (unanimous) , XMMA 2: Saunders vs. Nijem , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

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, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 3–1 , Eric Uresk , TKO (punches) , Showdown Fights: Burkman vs. Paul , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 4:02 ,

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Mixed martial arts exhibition record

, - , Loss , align=center, 4–1 , James Krause , Decision (unanimous) , rowspan=2, The Ultimate Fighter: Redemption , (airdate) , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 , rowspan=2,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 4–0 , Julian Lane (fighter) , TKO (punches) , (airdate) , align=center, 1 , align=center, 4:44 , , - , Win , align=center, 3–0 , Chris Cope , TKO (punches) , rowspan=3, The Ultimate Fighter 13 , (airdate) , align=center, 2 , align=center, 1:49 , rowspan=3,

, United States , , - , win , align=center, 2–0 , Clay Harvison , Submission (rear-naked choke) , (airdate) , align=center, 1 , align=center, 0:56 , , - , Win , align=center, 1–0 , Charlie Rader , Submission (rear-naked choke) , (airdate) , align=center, 2 , align=center, 3:31 ,

References

External links

*
Official UFC Profile
{{DEFAULTSORT:Nijem, Ramzi 1988 births Living people Sportspeople from Concord, California American male mixed martial artists Mixed martial artists from California Mixed martial artists from Washington (state) American people of Palestinian descent People from Mill Creek, Washington Sportspeople from Snohomish County, Washington Lightweight mixed martial artists Welterweight mixed martial artists Mixed martial artists utilizing collegiate wrestling Mixed martial artists utilizing kajukenbo American kajukenbo practitioners American male sport wrestlers