Stefan Struve
Active 2009–present · rated in 4 editions · peak overall 77.0
Scouting report
Using his 7-foot frame across sixteen promotional appearances, Stefan "The Skyscraper" Struve became a fixture in heavyweight competition. Hailing from Beverwijk, Netherlands, Struve secured a knockout of future champion Stipe Miocic and submission wins over Pat Barry and Lavar Johnson, his long-range striking and guard game captured by an 84 BJJ and 78 Boxing, securing a 77 Overall rating.
Peak ratings
By edition
Struve compiled a four-fight stoppage streak between 2011 and 2012, submitting Pat Barry with a triangle armbar, submitting Lavar Johnson with an armbar, and stopping Stipe Miocic with punches in round two at UFC on Fuel TV 5 in Nottingham, before losing to Mark Hunt by TKO in round three. His 7-foot height, 84.5-inch reach, and bottom submission threats are reflected in an 84 BJJ and 78 Boxing.
After a layoff that began in 2013, Struve returned to competition in December 2014, dropping a stoppage to Alistair Overeem in Phoenix before defeating former heavyweight champion Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira by unanimous decision at UFC 190 in Rio de Janeiro. His submission defense, long jab, and resilient spirit anchor his 82 BJJ and 78 Boxing.
Struve scored back-to-back finishes in 2016, knocking out Antonio Silva with elbows in Rotterdam and submitting Daniel Omielanczuk with a D'Arce choke at UFC 204 in Manchester, before dropping a stoppage to Alexander Volkov in Rotterdam. His reach, front chokes, and power elbows justify his 82 BJJ and 78 Boxing.
Struve submitted Marcos Rogerio de Lima with a second-round arm-triangle choke in Prague in February 2019, before dropping a stoppage defeat to Ben Rothwell in Washington D.C. and announcing his retirement from mixed martial arts. His submission transitions, long front kicks, and veteran heavyweight experience are captured in his 82 BJJ and 78 Boxing ratings.
Stefan Struve, seven feet tall and dangerous off his back
Stefan Struve is Dutch, stands 7 feet tall, and is the tallest fighter in the history of the promotion. He played football until fourteen, began training at Bob Schreiber's gym, and turned pro at seventeen. He lost his big-promotion debut to Junior dos Santos in 2009, then submitted Denis Stojnic, Chase Gormley, Pat Barry and Lavar Johnson. He earned three Submission of the Night bonuses and beat Stipe Miocic in 2012.
Struve, rating by rating
Boxing. Decent. Against Dave Herman in 2012 he landed a left hook and right uppercut in succession to win.
Kickboxing. Good. He knocked out Christian Morecraft in 2010 after being dominated in round one.
Wrestling. His lowest number. Gormley took him down in 2009 before Struve caught a triangle.
BJJ. His top rating. He finished Barry with a triangle armbar and Johnson with an armbar.
Strength. Good. He beat Stipe Miocic in round two in 2012 once he started using his reach.
Durability. A concern. Travis Browne knocked him out in 2011 and Mark Hunt broke his jaw in 2013.
Cardio. Decent. He was cut open by Stojnic in round one and still submitted him in round two.
Fight IQ. Fine. He beat previously unbeaten Sean McCorkle in 2010 by escaping a kimura attempt, sweeping and mounting.
BJJ at 84 is the reason he stays dangerous
Three Submission of the Night awards back the number. He beat Gormley with a triangle from underneath, Barry with a triangle armbar, and Johnson with an armbar. He is unusual because he can be more dangerous on the bottom than the top.
Wrestling at 70 is the low mark
Gormley took him down in 2009, Morecraft dominated round one with ground and pound in 2010, and wrestler Jared Rosholt outpointed him in 2015. Draft him with someone who covers for his takedown defense.
Keep exploring
Closest heavyweight profiles to Stefan Struve, measured by how near their peak attribute ratings sit across all eight categories.
- Gabriel Gonzagabest bjj 88 · weakest cardio 76
- Chris Daukausbest boxing 88 · weakest wrestling 72
- Marcos Rogerio de Limabest strength 89 · weakest bjj 76
- Augusto Sakaibest strength 86 · weakest bjj 72
- Heavyweight division guide: how the whole division rates and who to draft from it.
- Grappling vs striking in the draft: a guide that fits Stefan Struve's strongest attribute, BJJ.
Draft Stefan Struve into your build
Stefan Struve enters the pool on any spin landing on heavyweight between 2010 and 2019. Spin, draft eight attributes, then simulate 25 fights.
Ratings shown are my own estimates, made with AI assistance and informed by how Stefan Struve is regarded by the MMA community. They are unofficial and do not constitute an assessment of Stefan Struve'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.