Dylan Salvador (born 20 May 1993) is a French mixed martial artist and former Muay Thaikickboxer. A professional competitor since 2011, Salvador is a former two-weight WAKO World champion, having held the low-kick titles at light welterweight and welterweight, and is the 2016 Glory Lightweight Contender Tournament Winner.
As of 25 April 2017, he was the #9 ranked lightweight in the world by LiverKick.com.[1]
Muay Thai and Kickboxing career
Salvador scored a major victory when he defeated Kaew Fairtex by unanimous decision on March 2, 2013, at Warriors Night.[2]
On October 6, 2013, Salvador took part in the MAX Muay Thai qualification tournament in Sendai, Japan. In semifinals he defeated Yuya Yamato by decision before losing by decision to Jingreedtong Seatransferry in the final.[3] Salvador was nonetheless invited to the Max Muaythai Final Chapter Tournament on December 10, 2013. He lost to Victor Nagbe by decision in semifinals.[4]
On June 14, 2014, Salvador faced Ekarit Mor KrunthpTonburi for the WMC Super Lightweight world title at Monte Carlo Fighting Masters 2014. He lost the fight by split decision.[5]
Kickboxing transition
On December 14, 2014, Salvador Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong at Victory 2. He lost the fight by decision.[6] They rematched five months later at Kunlun Fight 24, Salvador won by unanimous decision.[7]
Dylan Salvador won his first two fights against Anatoly Moiseev and Hysni Beqiri at Glory 36 in Oberhausen, Germany during a 4-men Lightweight Contender Tournament.
Salvador will fight Sittichai Sitsongpeenong for the Glory lightweight title on March 25, 2017, in Brussels, Belgium at Glory 39. It will be the third fight between the two.[10]
Salvador next faced Serhiy Adamchuk in a top contender bout at Glory 42: Paris on October 6, 2017. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.[11]
Post Glory run
Salvador took part in the 2017 Glory of Heroes 65 kg tournament.[12] In the tournament semifinals he beat Giga Chikadze by extension round unanimous decision. He lost to Qiu Jianliang by unanimous decision in the tournament finals.[13]
Salvador challenged Rafi Bohic for his Lumpinee Stadium title on February 27, 2018. he lost by fourth-round KO due to an elbow strike.[14]
Salvador faced Sorin Căliniuc on June 13, 2019, in the semifinals of the Lightweight Tournament at SAS Gym 02. He lost a controversial split decision despite scoring a knockdown.[15]
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Salvador made his mixed martial arts debut against Kenny Porter at Titan FC 54 on April 26, 2019.[16] He won the fight by a third-round submission.[17]
Salvador faced John Morehouse at NFC 131 on April 17, 2021. He won the fight by a second-round submission.[18]
Salvador faced Joshua Anderson at XFN 373 on August 15, 2021. He won the fight by a first-round submission.[19]
Salvador faced Ali Zebian at Premier FC 31 on September 18, 2021, in the final of the one-night Tournament of Champions after winning against Estevan Payne and Anthony Spike via unanimous and split decision. He lost the fight against Zebian via split decision.[20]
Salvador faced Arman Ospanov on January 28, 2022, at Eagle FC 44.[21] He won the fight via TKO due to a corner stoppage between the second and third round.[22]
Salvador faced Jakhongir Jumaev on October 20, 2022, at UAE Warriors 34. He won the bout via Von Flue choke in the third round.[23]
Salvador was invited to Dana White's Contender Series 60, where he faced Bolaji Oki on August 29, 2023, getting finished via TKO stoppage in the first round.[24]
Salvador rebounded on January 20, 2024, at UAE Warriors 46, where he submitted Carls John de Tomas in the first round via rear-naked choke.[25]
