Daniel Weichel (born November 22, 1984) is a German mixed martial artist currently competing in Bellator's Featherweight division. A professional competitor since 2002, he has also competed in M-1 Global and Shooto. As of November 22, 2022, he is #9 in the Bellator Featherweight Rankings. Background Born and raised in Germany, Weichel originally began training in Jujutsu at the age of 14, before transitioning into Brazilian jiu-jitsu a year later. Weichel also began training in Muay Thai and then wrestling when he was 17, with both freestyle wrestling and Greco-Roman wrestling, as well as boxing. In 2014 Daniel received his blackbelt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu by Din Thomas. Mixed martial arts career Early career Weichel made his professional MMA debut in May 2002. Over the next four and a half years of his career, he amassed a record of 15–2. During this time, Weichel competed on a German mixed martial arts reality show titled M.A.X. (Martial Arts Xtreme) in 2006, where he made it to the final against Ivan Mussardo. However, the production shut down before the match could actually take place. The two did eventually meet in 2009, where Weichel won by unanimous decision. M-1 Global Following a rough patch where he went 3-4 (including two losses to future UFC fighters Paul Daley and Dan Hardy), Weichel joined the Russian MMA organization M-1 Global, going 5–0 on their M-1 Challengers series. Weichel eventually challenged for the M-1 Global Lightweight Championship as he faced Jose Figueroa in November 2011 at M-1 Global: Fedor vs. Monson. He won the bout and title via knockout in the first round. Weichel's reign as champion would be short lived though. He lost the belt in his first defense in June 2012 against Musa Khamanaev at M-1 Global: Fedor vs. Rizzo. He lost the bout via submission in the first round. Bellator MMA In September 2013, it was announced that Weichel had signed a contract with Bellator MMA and would compete in their Season Ten Featherweight Tournament. Weichel made his Bellator debut in the Season Ten Featherweight Tournament Quarterfinal facing Scott Cleve at Bellator 110 on February 28, 2014 he won via submission with a rear-naked choke. Weichel fought against Matt Bessette at Bellator 114 on March 28, 2014 in the Featherweight tournament semifinals. He won the bout via unanimous decision. Weichel faced Desmond Green in the Tournament Final at Bellator 119 on May 9, 2014.