Nik Lentz
Active 2011–present · rated in 2 editions · peak overall 77.0
Scouting report
Nik "The Carny" Lentz tallied fourteen UFC victories across a decade in the promotion, known for top control and a guillotine choke. Born in Rockford, Illinois, and a wrestler for the Minnesota Golden Gophers, Lentz has wins over Danny Castillo, Manny Gamburyan, and Will Chope, backed by an 88 Cardio rating and 82 Wrestling.
Peak ratings
By edition
Moving down from lightweight in 2012, Lentz compiled three consecutive wins over Eiji Mitsuoka, Diego Nunes, and Hacran Dias before dropping a decision to Chad Mendes at UFC on Fox 9 in Sacramento. His grinding wrestling control, cage pressure, and top rides are reflected in an 82 Wrestling and 88 Cardio rating across this run.
Between 2014 and 2015, Lentz scored a decision win over Manny Gamburyan and a split-decision win over Danny Castillo upon returning to lightweight at UFC on Fox 17, while dropping a guillotine submission to Charles Oliveira in a rematch at UFC Fight Night 67 in Goiania, Brazil. His clinch work, takedown persistence, and grappling grit are captured in an 84 Wrestling and 76 Boxing.
Nik Lentz, the Minnesota wrestler who ground out wins
Nik Lentz grew up in the Twin Cities, won a Minnesota state wrestling title at Bloomington Jefferson, and wrestled at the University of Minnesota. He began MMA in 2005 and trained at Minnesota Martial Arts Academy alongside Brock Lesnar and Sean Sherk. He signed with the top promotion in 2009 and beat Rafaello Oliveira in his debut as a replacement. He later moved from lightweight to featherweight, where he beat Diego Nunes and kept winning close ones.
What Lentz's ratings show
Boxing. Fine, but he was known more for wrestling than for boxing.
Kickboxing. His lowest number. Kicks were never the reason he won.
Wrestling. The base. He won decisions over Tyson Griffin, Andre Winner, and Rob Emerson.
BJJ. He came back from losing the first two rounds against Waylon Lowe to submit him in the third.
Strength. Strong for the weight, in a division where his control was a strength.
Durability. He was rarely finished. Most of his losses went to the scorecards, and Charles Oliveira submitted him in 2015.
Cardio. His top attribute at 88. He was in a string of three-round fights and won come-from-behind against Waylon Lowe.
Fight IQ. He beat Gray Maynard in 2018 with a head kick and punches, showing he could read an opening.
The engine
His cardio rating is 88, the top number on his card. He fought Waylon Lowe and lost the first two rounds, then came back to submit him in the third. He also beat Diego Nunes by decision in January 2013.
Kickboxing is where he gives ground
At 70, kickboxing is his lowest attribute. Chad Mendes beat him by decision in 2013, and Charles Oliveira submitted him with a guillotine in 2015. A sharp counter striker who can stay off his hips is the right answer.
Keep exploring
Closest featherweight profiles to Nik Lentz, measured by how near their peak attribute ratings sit across all eight categories.
- Clay Guidabest cardio 96 · weakest kickboxing 70
- Dennis Bermudezbest cardio 88 · weakest bjj 74
- Jonathan Brookinsbest cardio 82 · weakest kickboxing 70
- Hacran Diasbest cardio 82 · weakest strength 74
- Featherweight division guide: how the whole division rates and who to draft from it.
- Protecting your streak: a guide that fits Nik Lentz's strongest attribute, Cardio.
Draft Nik Lentz into your build
Nik Lentz enters the pool on any spin landing on featherweight between 2010 and 2015. Spin, draft eight attributes, then simulate 25 fights.
Ratings shown are my own estimates, made with AI assistance and informed by how Nik Lentz is regarded by the MMA community. They are unofficial and do not constitute an assessment of Nik Lentz's real-world abilities. How the ratings are made. See the disclaimer below. Ratings and write-ups by Haaris A. Last reviewed 2026-09-30; spot an error? Tell us. Read our editorial standards.