Stefan Struve, affectionately known as the “Skyscraper,” is a retired Dutch mixed martial artist who left a significant mark in the heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
In this article, you will learn about Stefan Struve’s net worth, salary, career earnings, contract, stats, wife, career overview, and more.
Stefan Struve Biography
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Stefan Jaimy Struve |
| Nickname | The Skyscraper |
| Date of Birth | February 18, 1988 |
| Place of Birth | Beverwijk, Netherlands |
| Nationality | Dutch |
| Height | 7 feet 0 inches (213 cm) |
| Weight Class | Heavyweight |
| Reach | 84.5 inches (215 cm) |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Fighting Out Of | Beverwijk, Netherlands |
| Professional Debut | March 19, 2005 |
Stefan Struve was born on February 18, 1988, in Beverwijk, Netherlands. Growing up, he initially pursued football but found his true calling in martial arts at the age of 14.
Early Career
At 16, Struve had his first amateur fight, winning by knockout. This victory fueled his passion for the sport and set the stage for his professional debut at 17.
Professional Career
Struve’s professional career began with a series of impressive performances in various MMA promotions before he signed with the UFC.
In February 2021, Stefan Struve announced his retirement from MMA due to health concerns related to his vestibular system and heart issues.
Wife
Stefan Struve is married and has a son named Tobi, who was born in 2020. The family resides in the Netherlands, where Struve enjoys spending quality time with his loved ones.
Stefan Struve’s Net Worth Details
Stefan Struve’s net worth is estimated to be $3 million as of 2025.
Contract
- Initial UFC Contract: Struve initially signed with the UFC in early 2009. This marked the beginning of his journey in one of the most prestigious MMA organizations.
- Four-Fight Deal in 2010: In September 2010, Stefan Struve signed a new 4-fight contract with the UFC. This deal was announced by his management firm, Alchemist Management.
- Subsequent Contracts: Over the years, Struve continued to renew his contract with the UFC, participating in numerous fights that solidified his reputation as a formidable heavyweight contender.
Fight Purses
| Date | Opponent | Event | Disclosed Purse |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 7, 2019 | Ben Rothwell | UFC Fight Night | $77,000 (potential $77,000 win bonus) |
| Mar 3, 2018 | Andrei Arlovski | UFC 222 | $77,000 (potential $77,000 win bonus) |
| Sep 2, 2017 | Alexander Volkov | UFC Fight Night | – |
| May 8, 2016 | Antônio Silva | UFC Fight Night | – |
Fight Records
| Date | Opponent | Event | Result | Method | Round |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 24, 2020 | Tai Tuivasa | UFC 254 | Loss | KO (Punches) | 1 |
| Dec 7, 2019 | Ben Rothwell | UFC Fight Night | Loss | TKO (Punches) | 2 |
| Feb 23, 2019 | Marcos Rogério de Lima | UFC Fight Night | Win | Submission (Arm Triangle) | 2 |
| Jul 22, 2018 | Marcin Tybura | UFC Fight Night | Loss | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 |
| Mar 3, 2018 | Andrei Arlovski | UFC 222 | Loss | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 |
| Sep 2, 2017 | Alexander Volkov | UFC Fight Night | Loss | TKO (Punches) | 3 |
| Oct 8, 2016 | Daniel Omielanczuk | UFC 204 | Win | Submission (D’Arce Choke) | 2 |
| May 8, 2016 | Antônio Silva | UFC Fight Night | Win | KO (Elbows) | 1 |
| Nov 14, 2015 | Jared Rosholt | UFC 193 | Loss | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 |
| Aug 1, 2015 | Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira | UFC 190 | Win | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 |
| Dec 13, 2014 | Alistair Overeem | UFC on Fox | Loss | KO (Punches) | 1 |
| Mar 3, 2013 | Mark Hunt | UFC on Fuel TV | Loss | TKO (Punches) | 3 |
| Sep 29, 2012 | Stipe Miocic | UFC on Fuel TV | Win | TKO (Punches) | 2 |
FAQs
1. Who is Stefan Struve?
Stefan Struve is a retired Dutch mixed martial artist who competed in the UFC heavyweight division. Known as “Skyscraper” due to his 7-foot height, he holds the distinction of being the tallest fighter in UFC history. He had a professional MMA career spanning from 2005 to 2020.
2. What is Stefan Struve’s MMA record?
Stefan Struve has a professional MMA record of 42 fights, with 29 wins and 13 losses. His victories include 8 by knockout, 18 by submission, and 2 by decision. He also earned multiple “Performance of the Night” bonuses during his UFC career.
3. Why did Stefan Struve retire from MMA?
Stefan Struve retired in February 2021 due to health concerns, including a heart condition involving a leaking aortic valve and an enlarged heart. He cited struggles with injuries and his inability to perform at his best as contributing factors to his decision.
4. What are Stefan Struve’s notable achievements in the UFC?
Struve achieved significant milestones, including defeating top fighters like Stipe Miocic, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, and Pat Barry. He earned eight “Performance of the Night” bonuses and headlined two UFC events during his career.
5. What health challenges did Stefan Struve face during his career?
Struve was diagnosed with a leaking aortic valve and an enlarged heart due to a bicuspid aortic valve condition. These issues temporarily sidelined him in 2013 but improved with medication, allowing him to return to fighting before retiring in 2021.
6. How did Stefan Struve begin his MMA journey?
Struve started MMA training at age 14 after being introduced by his brother. He had his first amateur fight at age 16, winning via head kick knockout, and turned professional at age 17. Initially competing at middleweight, he later moved up to heavyweight.
7. What is Stefan Struve’s fighting style?
Struve is known for his striking and submission skills, leveraging his extraordinary reach (84.5 inches). He holds a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and has won many fights using techniques like triangle chokes and armbar submissions.
8. What were Stefan Struve’s most memorable fights?
Some of Struve’s notable bouts include his TKO victory over Stipe Miocic in 2012, earning “Fight of the Night” honors, and his submission win against Lavar Johnson in UFC 146, which garnered him “Submission of the Night.”
9. What teams did Stefan Struve train with during his career?
Throughout his career, Struve trained with teams like Team Schreiber, Blackzilians, Combat Club, and Sanford MMA. These affiliations helped him refine his skills across striking and grappling disciplines.
10. What did Stefan Struve do after retiring from MMA?
After retiring, Struve focused on improving his health while staying active in training. Although he stepped away from competition, he expressed gratitude for his career achievements and remains involved in the sport through mentoring and commentary roles.
