Held began training in submission grappling at the age of nine, with emphasis on submission wrestling controls and Sambo style leglock system. He also received a jiu-jitsu black belt at the age 21, becoming the youngest black belt in Poland.[4] Held is well known for winning multiple submission grappling competitions in his home country. Since his MMA career has taken off, he still competes regularly in Submission Grappling, most notably for Quintet and Polaris.[5] Though he fights at lightweight, he has expressed a desire to compete at featherweight, should the right fight become available.[4]
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Held began his professional mixed martial arts career and compiled a 3–0 record before joining Shooto. His debut fight for the organisation was at Shooto Poland, where he headlined and defeated Rafal Lasota via TKO (leg injury). Just prior to the Shooto fight, Held was named as one of the top ten unsigned prospects to watch for 2009.[4]
In December 2009, Held competed in an eight-man tournament, defeating all three opponents; the latter two by submission. Following this, Held defeated Przemyslaw Zbiciak via submission (rear naked choke) midway through the first round.[6]
Held's first professional loss came at the hands of Lukasz Sajewski, a fellow highly rated prospect from Poland. Sajewski was able to neutralise the submission game of Held, before gaining top position and riding out a unanimous decision victory.[7]
Held rebounded to defeat the former Cage Rage Lightweight Champion Jean Silva. Held attacked his opponent with a lot of leg locks, Jean didn't tap very good leg lock and after he stand up he fall down because of knee injury. Held won the fight via TKO.[8]
Held was scheduled to participate in the inaugural event of a new Polish promotion - Infinite Fighting Federation - in October in Dąbrowa Górnicza, against German fighter Franco de Leonardis. However, due to an accident involving de Leonardis,[9] he faced Bojan Kosednar.[10] Held won the fight with a kneebar submission in the second round.
According to mmarocks, Held signed a contract to compete against Juha-Pekka Vainikainen in November at Iron Fist 3.[11] However, for unknown reasons, Held was forced to pull out of the fight and was replaced by Anthony Durnell.
Bellator MMA
On October 14, Held signed with Bellator MMA to compete in their Season Four Lightweight Tournament.[12] He faced wrestler Michael Chandler in the opening quarterfinal round at Bellator 36. He lost via arm-triangle choke submission in the first round.
Held faced Phillipe Nover at Bellator 59. He won the fight via split decision (29–28, 29–28, 29–28). Sherdog.com scored the bout 29–28 in favor of Nover.[13]
Held next faced Rodrigo Cavalheiro in the Bellator Season 10 Lightweight Tournament quarterfinals at Bellator 113. He won the fight via submission in the first round. He faced Derek Anderson in the semifinals at Bellator 117 and won via submission in the second round. He faced Patricky Pitbull in the finals at Bellator 126 on September 26, 2014.[17] Held dominated the fight and won via unanimous decision.
Held had a rematch with Dave Jansen on May 20, 2016, at Bellator 155.[20] He won the fight via unanimous decision. Despite getting the win, Bellator MMA announced they had released Held from his contract.[21] Held, however, wrote a Facebook post citing that he terminated his own contract.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
On August 30, Held officially signed with the UFC.[22]
Held made his promotional debut against UFC veteran Diego Sanchez on November 5, 2016, at The Ultimate Fighter Latin America 3 Finale.[23] Despite having some success with his boxing and remaining active off his back looking for submissions, Held lost the bout by unanimous decision.[24]
Held next faced Joe Lauzon on January 15, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 103.[25] He lost the fight via a controversial split decision, with even his opponent Lauzon saying he felt he lost the bout post-fight.[26] Likewise, 16 out of 17 media pundits scored the bout for Held; the lone holdout scored the fight a draw.[27]
Held faced Damir Hadžović on May 28, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 109.[28] After handily winning the first two rounds, he lost the fight via knockout in the opening seconds of the third round.[29]
Held was expected to face Teemu Packalen on October 21, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 118.[30] Teemu injured his knee and was replaced by Nasrat Haqparast.[31] Held won the fight via unanimous decision to earn his first UFC win and fighting out his rookie contract.[32]
Held faced Myles Price on August 13, 2022, at PFL 8. He won the bout via guillotine choke in the second round.[42][43]
Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki
On October 14, 2023 it was announced that Held signed with KSW and would make his debut against Raul Tutarauli on December 16, 2023 at KSW 89.[44] Held lost the bout in the second round via TKO stoppage.[45]
In his sophomore performance, Held faced Roman Szymański on June 7, 2024 at KSW 95, winning the bout via unanimous decision.[46]
Professional grappling career
Held competed in a superfight against Guram Kutateladze at ADXC 1 on October 20, 2023.[47] He won the match by submission with an armbar.[48]
Held then competed in the under 80 kg division of the Ocean BJJ Pro Championship on September 21, 2024.[49] He submitted two opponents before losing in the semi-final to Fabyury Khrysthyan.[50]
