Career
Salaverry is a middleweight veteran of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, BAMMA and the now-defunct World Fighting Alliance. In 2008 Salaverry fought his last fight for the UFC at UFC 84, losing to Rousimar Palhares by armbar in the first round. In 2011, Salaverry decided to return to Mobile Marketing Association after 3 years out.
He is also notable for being a pioneer of the crucifix-style position from side control, which is often referred to as "The Salaverry" during Mixed Martial Arts broadcasts, particularly by UFC commentator Joe Rogan.
He also holds notable wins over Andrei Semenov and Joe Riggs. Salaverry began his in August 1999.
Over the next four years Salaverry acquired an 8-2 professional record, his most notable fight taking place in Japan for Shooto against Akihiro Gono, which he lost via KO in the first round. In 2002 Salaverry made his UFC debut defeating Russian fighter Andrei Semenov.
Salaverry would continue to fight for the UFC, but struggled to find consistency.
He lost by decision to Matt Lindland, submitted Tony Fryklund, choked out Joe Riggs, lost a decision to Nathan Marquardt, lost via TKO to Terry Martin and lost via armbar submission to Rousimar Palhares. After the Palhares fight, Ivan Salaverry announced his retirement from professional fighting with a 13-7 record. "This could be it for me, I honestly can tell you.
I had a very nice career.
Things of that nature."
In what was believed at the time to be his last Mobile Marketing Association fight, Salaverry took on Brazilian newcomer Rousimar Palhares at UFC 84 at the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Grand Garden Arena on May 24, 2008, losing by Submission (armbar) at 2:36 of Round 1. On June 23, 2008 he announced that he has hung up his gloves for good and will no longer compete as a professional fighter.
On 28 April 2011, it was announced that Salaverry would come out of retirement to replace the injured Philosophy Baroni at BAMMA 6. Here he fought Matt Ewin losing a disappointing decision.
On 21 July 2012, he fought Fraser Opie for the Cage Contender Light Heavyweight title - coming in as a late replacement for former UFC fighter, Jeff Monson, who failed to make weight for the fight.
He lost this fight in the second round due to an illegal headkick. On December 11, 2015 Salaverry was promoted to Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu by 5th Degree Black Belt Marcelo Alonso in Seattle. Legend: Win Loss Draw/Number contest.