UFC"Danger"Matt Schnell Record: 17-11-0
FlyweightRecord17-11-0
Age36
DivisionFlyweight · #16
Combat Edge Elo1606
Last fightJun 6 2026
Matt Schnell has a 17-11-0 professional record and is 36 years old in the Flyweight division, representing Fortis MMA. This profile tracks fight history, UFC stats, ELO rating, record, age, and opponent links.
Last updated Jun 17, 2026 · Combat Edge fight database
Matt Schnell bio
Personal background
Matt Schnell, nicknamed "Danger," is an American flyweight known for his action-first style and submission-heavy game, carrying a 17–11 professional record. Born on January 15, 1990, and a product of Shreveport, Louisiana, Schnell first gained attention as an amateur featured on MTV's "Caged," a reality series following aspiring Louisiana fighters, where he trained in the same Gladiators Academy environment as Dustin Poirier under coach Tim Credeur. He later relocated to train under Sayif Saud at Fortis MMA in Dallas, sharing a room with the likes of Geoff Neal and Damon Jackson. Standing 5'8" with a 70-inch reach, the lanky flyweight blends long-limbed striking with a constantly hunting jiu-jitsu game.
Path to the UFC
Schnell turned professional in 2012 and built his record largely with Legacy FC, where he became a flyweight champion on the Texas-Louisiana regional scene. His early career had its bumps, including a 2013 majority-decision loss to the unbeaten Elias Garcia, but he announced himself with a 2015 finish of the unbeaten Jonathan Martinez. His road to the big show ran through The Ultimate Fighter 24, the flyweight-focused season, where he submitted his way into the spotlight before falling to eventual finalist Tim Elliott in the semifinals.
Finding his footing in the UFC
Schnell's Octagon journey began the hard way: a first-round knockout loss to Rob Font at The Ultimate Fighter 24 Finale in December 2016, followed by a 2017 knockout defeat to Hector Sandoval. He found his form with a decision over Marco Beltran in 2017 and a split-decision win over the unbeaten Naoki Inoue in 2018. The 2019 run was his best stretch, scoring triangle-choke submissions of Louis Smolka and Jordan Espinosa, before a first-round knockout loss to future champion Alexandre Pantoja closed the year.
A roller-coaster veteran run
Schnell's path stayed turbulent but always entertaining. He edged Tyson Nam by split decision in 2021, fought to a no-contest against Rogério Bontorin, and after a 2022 submission loss to Brandon Royval bounced back with a triangle-choke finish of Sumudaerji. The back half of his career proved difficult: knockout losses to Matheus Nicolau in 2022 and Steve Erceg in 2024, plus a submission defeat to Cody Durden. He showed his trademark grit with a 2025 decision over Jimmy Flick, though recent submission and TKO losses to Joseph Morales and Alessandro Costa have tested the veteran.
Fighting style
Schnell is a submission-oriented flyweight with a flair for high-paced, back-and-forth fights. Nine of his 17 wins have come by submission — the triangle choke a signature — for a 65 percent finish rate, and he is as comfortable hunting taps off his back as he is from top position. His length and willingness to engage make him a constant offensive threat. The honest reality of his record is durability: six of his 11 losses have come by knockout, reflecting a fighter who takes risks and has been caught against the division's sharper finishers.
Career highlights
- Triangle-choke specialist — submitted Louis Smolka and Jordan Espinosa in 2019, with the triangle choke as his trademark finish.
- Regional champion and TUF run — captured a Legacy FC flyweight title and earned his UFC shot through The Ultimate Fighter 24's flyweight tournament.
- Action-fight reputation — a 65 percent finish rate and a willingness to brawl have made him one of the flyweight division's most reliably entertaining competitors.
Career snapshot
Matt Schnell career snapshot
EloCombat Edge Elo
1606Solid ratingElo trajectory (last 3 years)
Overall#1291
Catchweight#16of 17 active
Peak1682
Last move-12
Opponent quality1674avg. pre-fight Elo · last 10
Similar Elo in Catchweight
Matt Schnell quick answers
What is Matt Schnell's record?
Matt Schnell's professional MMA record is 17-11-0.
How old is Matt Schnell?
Matt Schnell is 36 years old.
What weight class is Matt Schnell?
Matt Schnell fights at Flyweight in UFC.
How tall is Matt Schnell?
Matt Schnell is 5'8" tall with a 70" reach.
How much does Matt Schnell weigh?
Matt Schnell competes at Flyweight, with a most recent weigh-in of 135 lbs.
What is Matt Schnell's Combat Edge Elo?
Matt Schnell's Combat Edge Elo is 1606, with a peak Elo of 1682.
How strong is Matt Schnell's recent opposition?
Matt Schnell's latest 10 counted opponents averaged 1674 Elo immediately before their fights. This avoids using opponents' later career results with hindsight.
When was Matt Schnell's last fight?
Matt Schnell's latest tracked pro fight was against Alessandro Costa at UFC Fight Night on Jun 6 2026.
What is Matt Schnell's recent form?
Matt Schnell's recent tracked pro form is L-L-W-L-L over the latest 5 decisive pro results.
How does Matt Schnell usually win?
Matt Schnell's 17 recorded wins include 2 knockouts, 9 submissions, and 5 decisions, with 65% ending before the final bell.
2Wins by knockout
9Wins by submission
5Wins by decision
6Loss by knockout
4Loss by submission
1Loss by decision
Matt Schnell stats
Record : 17 / 11 / 0Significant strikes landed per minute
4.07Fighter3.39Division average
Significant striking accuracy
40%Fighter44%Division average
Significant strikes absorbed per minute
4.11Fighter3.88Division average
Significant strike defenseThe % of opponents strikes that did not land
55%Fighter54%Division average
Average takedowns landed per 15 minutes
0.60Fighter1.51Division average
Takedown accuracy
45%Fighter35%Division average
Takedown defenseThe % of opponents TD attempts that did not land
43%Fighter53%Division average
Average submissions attempted per 15 minutes
1.21Fighter0.57Division average
Pro fight history
ResultOpponentMethodTimeRoundEventDateFight details
Amateur fight history
ResultOpponentMethodTimeRoundEventDateFight details
Loading comments…