Mads Burnell Bio
Mads Zerahn Burnell, born on 6 March 1994 in Husum, Denmark, is a professional mixed martial artist competing in the featherweight division. Beginning his career in 2013, he has fought in major promotions including the UFC, Bellator MMA, PFL, and Cage Warriors, where he was a featherweight champion. Burnell is also a decorated Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner, having won the European No-Gi Championship in 2014.
Early Life and Background
Born and raised in Husum, Denmark, Mads Zerahn Burnell developed an early interest in combat sports that would shape his professional future. He demonstrated natural athleticism and dedication to martial arts from a young age, eventually focusing on Brazilian jiu-jitsu as his foundation. His technical approach to fighting was influenced by his European training background, which emphasized precision and leverage over brute strength.
Path to Mixed Martial Arts
Burnell began training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu early in his career, earning his 1st degree black belt under Chris Haueter. This grappling expertise became the cornerstone of his fighting style. His transition to mixed martial arts was seamless, as he combined his ground skills with developing striking abilities. His technical proficiency in Brazilian jiu-jitsu would later become a signature aspect of his fighting career, earning him recognition as a well-rounded martial artist.
Mads Burnell Career
Early Career (2013–2017)
Mads Burnell started his professional MMA career in 2013, winning his first five bouts and establishing himself as a promising talent in Northern Europe. He met his first defeat when he faced Ott Tonissaar at Octagon Athletes 2, but quickly rebounded to build an impressive record of 8–1 before joining the UFC. This early period demonstrated his resilience and ability to learn from setbacks while maintaining momentum in his professional development.
Cage Warriors Breakthrough (2018–2019)
In September 2018, Burnell signed with Cage Warriors and made his promotional debut against Lukasz Rajewski at Cage Warriors 99 on November 17, 2018. After weathering the early storm from Rajewski, Burnell took the fight to the ground and finished via rear-naked choke in the first round. His breakthrough came on June 29, 2019, when he challenged Dean Trueman for the Cage Warriors featherweight title at Cage Warriors 106. Burnell submitted Trueman by japanese necktie in the second round to capture the championship. This victory solidified his status as a top featherweight contender in European MMA.
UFC and Bellator Era (2017–Present)
Burnell made his UFC debut on September 2, 2017, facing Michel Prazeres at UFC Fight Night: Volkov vs. Struve, replacing Islam Makhachev. He lost the fight via submission due to a north-south choke in the third round. After defeating Mike Santiago via unanimous decision on January 14, 2018, Burnell faced Arnold Allen at UFC Fight Night: Thompson vs. Till on May 27, 2018, and lost via front naked choke in the third round. He was released from UFC in September 2017 after going 1-2 in the promotion. In August 2020, Burnell signed with Bellator and made his debut on October 10, 2020, at Bellator 248, defeating Darko Banovic via TKO in the first round. He would compile a notable record in Bellator, including wins over Saul Rogers, Emmanuel Sanchez, and Justin Gonzales, while also suffering losses to Ádám Borics and Pedro Carvalho.
Driving Style and Strengths
Mads Burnell’s fighting style is heavily influenced by his Brazilian jiu-jitsu background, with exceptional ground skills and submission abilities. He excels in grappling exchanges and has demonstrated particularly strong rear-naked choke techniques. His technical approach to MMA emphasizes leverage and positioning, allowing him to control opponents both on the ground and in the clinch. Burnell maintains a strategic mindset that combines patience with opportunistic finishing ability.
Notable Events and Milestones
Burnell’s career milestone came in 2019 when he captured the Cage Warriors featherweight championship by submitting Dean Trueman via japanese necktie. This victory established him as a champion-caliber fighter in European MMA. Another notable moment came in 2021 when he defeated Bellator veteran Emmanuel Sanchez via unanimous decision, showcasing his ability to compete against established names in the sport.
Mads Burnell Career Wins
Mads Burnell has compiled an impressive professional record with 20 wins across various MMA promotions, demonstrating his longevity and consistency at the highest levels of competition. His victories span multiple weight classes and organizations, showcasing his adaptability as a fighter.
Bellator MMA Highlights
During his Bellator tenure, Burnell secured notable victories over tough opponents including Darko Banovic (TKO), Saul Rogers (rear-naked choke), Emmanuel Sanchez (unanimous decision), and Justin Gonzales (unanimous decision). His most recent Bellator win came against Daniel Weichel via unanimous decision on September 23, 2023, further establishing his credibility as a featherweight contender in the organization.
PFL Highlights
In the Professional Fighters League, Burnell has shown his ability to compete at the highest level, defeating Clay Collard via unanimous decision on June 21, 2024, and Elvin Espinoza via unanimous decision on August 16, 2024. These victories demonstrated his versatility and ability to adapt his style to different competition formats.
| Series | Wins | Top Tens | Poles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellator MMA | 5 | 7 | 0 |
| Cage Warriors | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| PFL | 2 | 2 | 0 |
Mads Burnell Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Information about Mads Burnell’s family background is not publicly available. There is no known racing lineage or family connections to combat sports that have influenced his career path.
Personal Life
Burnell currently resides in Copenhagen, Denmark, and trains with Arte Suave Copenhagen Xtreme Couture. He maintains active social media presence on platforms like Instagram and Twitter, where he shares insights into his training and professional life. His personal life outside of fighting remains relatively private, with no publicly available information about marital status or children.
2025 Season Performance
In 2025, Mads Burnell competed in the PFL Lightweight Tournament, representing his transition from featherweight to lightweight. The season began with a loss to Jay-Jay Wilson via technical knockout in round three on April 18, 2025. His tournament continued on August 15, 2025, at PFL 9, where he faced Robert Watley and lost via technical knockout in the third round. Despite these setbacks, Burnell’s move to lightweight demonstrated his commitment to challenging himself at different weight classes and competing at the highest level of MMA.