Hunter Azure

Hunter Azure (born March 2, 1992) is an American professional mixed martial artist who competed in the bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

Background Azure was born on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation in Poplar, Montana, and went on to attend Poplar High School, where he was a four-time Class-B MHSA state champion as a wrestler. He then wrestled at Montana State University–Northern, where he earned a degree in industrial technology.

Mixed martial arts career Early career Azure spent most of his early career in regional Western American promotions, most notably fighting in the Legacy Fighting Alliance. During this time he compiled an undefeated 6–0 record.

Dana White's Contender Series

He was eventually invited to the Dana White's Contender Series 19. On July 9, 2019, he faced fellow undefeated prospect Chris Ocon, defeating him via unanimous decision and in the process gaining a UFC contract.

Ultimate Fighting Championship Azure made his promotional debut against The Ultimate Fighter 27 Featherweight Tournament winner Brad Katona on September 14, 2019, at UFC Fight Night: Cowboy vs. Gaethje. He won the bout by unanimous decision.

Azure was scheduled to face Umar Nurmagomedov on April 18, 2020, at UFC 249. However, the event was then postponed.

Azure faced Brian Kelleher on May 13, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Smith vs. Teixeira. He lost the fight via knockout in the second round. This bout earned both participants the Fight of the Night award.

Azure faced Cole Smith on September 5, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Sakai. He won by unanimous decision.

Azure faced Jack Shore on April 10, 2021, at UFC on ABC: Vettori vs. Holland. He lost the bout via split decision.

On March 1, 2022, it was announced that Azure was released from UFC.

Post UFC Azure made his first appearance post release at iKON FC 2 on March 18, 2022, against Keith Richardson. He lost the bout via rear-naked choke in the second round.

Azure faced Ben Hollier at Fusion Fight League: Boise on October 15, 2022, winning the bout via unanimous decision.

Azure next faced Amun Cosme at United Fight League 4 for the vacant UFL Bantamweight title on April 17, 2024. He would win the fight via second-round technical knockout.

Azure would make his first defence of the UFL Bantamweight title against fellow UFC veteran Vince Morales at United Fight League 5 on August 30, 2024. https://mmauk.net/2024/08/30/ufl-5-weigh-in-results/ He would lose the fight via submission in the third round succumbing to a Peruvian necktie. https://cagesidepress.com/2024/08/30/ufl-5-results/

The Ultimate Fighter 31 In mid March 2023, it was announced that Azure would be competing in the thirty-first season of The Ultimate Fighter.

In the quarterfinal Azure faced Rico DiSciullo. after a strong performance in the first round, he lost the fight in the second round by knock out.

Personal life Hunter and his fiancée Sage have a son. He is the son of Howard and Deb Azure and has three siblings. He is a native American, being an enrolled member of the Assiniboine and Sioux people on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation.

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts Ultimate Fighting Championship Fight of the Night (One time)

United Fight League UFL Bantamweight Championship (One time)

Mixed martial arts record

| Win | align=center| 6–0 | LJ Schulz | Decision (unanimous) | LFA 66 | | align=center| 3 | align=center| 5:00 | West Valley City, Utah, United States

| Win | align=center| 5–0 | Jaime Hernandez | TKO (kick to the body and punches) | LFA 59 | | align=center| 1 | align=center| 2:15 | Phoenix, Arizona, United States

| Win | align=center| 4–0 | A.J. Robb | Decision (unanimous) | LFA 53 | | align=center| 3 | align=center| 5:00 | Phoenix, Arizona, United States

Mixed martial arts exhibition record

|Loss |align=center|0–1 |Rico DiSciullo |TKO (punches) ||The Ultimate Fighter: Team McGregor vs. Team Chandler | (airdate) |align=center|2 |align=center|1:07 |Las Vegas, Nevada, United States |

Hunter Azure

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