Igor Pokrajac (born 2 January 1979) is a Croatian mixed martial artist, who formerly competed in the Light Heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. A professional competitor since 2003, Pokrajac has also formerly competed for K-1, KSW, It's Showtime, and Jungle Fight promotions.
Pokrajac started his professional MMA career in 2003, primarily competing in his native Croatia. Over the next six years, he compiled an impressive record of 21–5.
In August 2009, it was announced he had signed with the UFC, with his first fight taking place against Vladimir Matyushenko on September 19, 2009 at UFC 103.[2] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.
Pokrajac next faced James Te-Huna on February 21, 2010 at UFC 110.[3] Pokrajac lost again, this time via third-round TKO, due to strikes. This loss was somewhat controversial, as Te Huna had Pokrajac in a modified crucifix position on the mat and landed five to six clean shots to Pokrajac's face and although Pokrajac was not able to defend himself from this position, he was signalling to the referee that he was okay, although the ref did not acknowledge this, and stopped the fight after the unanswered shots from Te Huna. Although visibly dazed, Pokrajac disputed the stoppage directly after the fight to no avail.
Pokrajac then faced James Irvin on August 1, 2010 at UFC on Versus 2.[4] Midway through the first round, Pokrajac took Irvin down and immediately got side control on the floor. After taking multiple strikes, Irvin rolled over and was submitted by a rear naked choke, handing Pokrajac his first UFC victory.
Pokrajac fought Stephan Bonnar on December 4, 2010 at The Ultimate Fighter 12 Finale.[5] Pokrajac lost a unanimous decision.
Pokrajac defeated Todd Brown on March 3, 2011 at UFC Live: Sanchez vs. Kampmann by TKO at the conclusion of the first round. Brown was dropped by a knee in the final minute and hit with several clean follow up shots, being saved by the end of the round. When the fighters went back to their corners, Brown was unable to stand on his own power and the fight was stopped.[6]
Pokrajac was expected to face Krzysztof Soszynski on June 11, 2011 at UFC 131, replacing an injured Anthony Perosh.[7] However, Pokrajac was himself forced out of the bout with an injury and replaced by returning UFC veteran Mike Massenzio.[8]
Pokrajac/Soszynski ultimately took place on December 10, 2011 at UFC 140.[9] Pokrajac defeated Soszynski via first-round KO.
Pokrajac was expected to face Thiago Silva on May 15, 2012 at UFC on Fuel TV: Korean Zombie vs. Poirier, replacing an injured Brandon Vera.[10] However, Silva was pulled from the bout to face Alexander Gustafsson on April 14, 2012 at UFC on Fuel TV 2 after Gustafsson's original opponent Antônio Rogério Nogueira pulled out of the bout citing an injury.[11] Pokrajac instead faced Fábio Maldonado at the event.[12] He won the fight via unanimous decision (29–28, 30–27, and 29–28).
Pokrajac was defeated by Vinny Magalhães via second round armbar on September 22, 2012 at UFC 152.[13]
Pokrajac next faced Joey Beltran on December 15, 2012 at UFC on FX 6, replacing an injured Anthony Perosh.[14] Pokrajac lost the fight via unanimous decision. However, on January 10, 2013, it was announced that Beltran had failed his post fight drug test, testing positive for nandrolone and the result of the bout was changed to No Contest.[15]
Pokrajac faced Ryan Jimmo at UFC 161 in Winnipeg, Manitoba on June 15, 2013.[16] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.
Pokrajac faced Rafael Cavalcante on November 9, 2013 at UFC Fight Night 32.[17] He lost via submission due to strikes in the first round.[18]
Pokrajac faced Marcos Rogério de Lima on December 20, 2014 at UFC Fight Night 58.[19] He lost the fight via TKO in the first round, and was subsequently released from the promotion shortly after.[20]
After being released from Ultimate Fighting Championship Pokrajac signed for Croatia's Final Fight Championship promotion. His debut was expected to be against Maciej Browarski, but he was replaced and he will now make his debout in heavyweight division against Archontis Taxiarchis at FFC 18 - Ljubljana on 17 April, 2015.[21] He weighed 102 kg at official weight ins.[22]
After recording three first round stoppage victories on the regional circuit across the Balkans, Pokrajac was re-signed for a second stint in the UFC. He faced Jan Błachowicz on April 10, 2016 at UFC Fight Night 86.[23] Pokrajac lost the fight via unanimous decision.[24]
Pokrajac was expected to face Ed Herman on March 4, 2017 at UFC 209.[25] However, Pokrajac pulled out of the fight in early February citing an injury, and was replaced by Gadzhimurad Antigulov.[26]
On May 4, 2019, it was reported that Pokrajac was released by UFC.[27]