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Kevin Randleman
| Kevin Randleman | |
|---|---|
 Randleman in 2006 |
|
| Born | August 10, 1971 Sandusky, Ohio, U.S. |
| Other names | The Monster |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) |
| Weight | 205.5 lb (93.2 kg; 14.7 st) |
| Division | Light Heavyweight Heavyweight |
| Reach | 70 in (178 cm) |
| Fighting out of | Columbus, Ohio, U.S. |
| Team | Team Hammer House Xtreme Couture |
| Rank | Blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu |
| Wrestling | NCAA Division I Wrestling |
| Years active | 1996–2011 (MMA) |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 33 |
| Wins | 17 |
| By knockout | 5 |
| By submission | 4 |
| By decision | 8 |
| Losses | 16 |
| By knockout | 4 |
| By submission | 8 |
| By decision | 4 |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
Kevin Christopher Randleman (born August 10, 1971) is a retired American mixed martial arts fighter and a former UFC heavyweight champion. Randleman’s background is in Collegiate wrestling. Wrestling at 177 pounds, Randleman was a two time Division I NCAA Champion for The Ohio State University. Randleman has competed in the heavyweight and light heavyweight classes, appearing in organizations including the UFC, Pride, WVR, and Strikeforce. He is known for his athleticism and explosive power. He was previously associated with Mark Coleman‘s Team Hammer House, but most recently began training at Randy Couture’s gym in Las Vegas, Nevada.[1]
Contents |
Biography
On October 22, 1996 at Universal Vale Tudo Fighting 4, his MMA career began with wins over Luiz Carlos Macial, Geza Kalman and Dan Bobish to win that event’s tournament. On March 3, 1997 at Universal Vale Tudo Fighting 6, he beat Ebenezer Fontes Braga and Mario Neto, but was handed his first loss by Carlos Barreto. Randleman believes there were shady circumstances in his fight with Barreto as he fought two other Brazilians that night who dragged the matches out by escaping the ring and hitting him from outside of the ring.
MMA career
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Randleman fought in the UFC Heavyweight and Light Heavyweight divisions at UFC 19, UFC 20, UFC 23, UFC 26, UFC 28, UFC 31, UFC 35. Beating Maurice Smith to become a top contender, he fought Bas Rutten for the Heavyweight title, previously vacated by Randy Couture. Randleman lost via a decision to Rutten, as while Randleman maintained positional superiority with takedowns, it was judged that Rutten was the more active fighter with strikes. This fight became infamous due to Mark Coleman’s instructions before the second overtime that Randleman “smear the blood” from the cut he had created above Rutten’s nose into his eye, so his opponent couldn’t see.
Randleman achieved his goal to become the UFC Heavyweight champion on November 19, 1999, beating Pete Williams at UFC 23 for the title (which was vacated upon Rutten’s retirement), and successfully defended it against Pedro Rizzo at UFC 26. However, he later lost the title to Randy Couture at UFC 28. After losing the title, he moved down to light heavyweight, feeling it was a more natural weight for his body, but suffered a setback, losing to Chuck Liddell in his first fight at that weight before beating Renato “Babalu” Sobral in his final fight with the UFC.
Pride FC
In September 2002, Randlemen made his debut in Pride, taking on Japanese wrestler Michiyoshi Ohara. Randleman acquired an easy victory, as Ohara appeared to have no intention of trying to fight Randleman right from the outset, and even tried to flee and grab the ropes several times in an attempt to avoid damage from Randleman. This match was panned by the audience and Randleman himself, who left the ring before being awarded his trophy, visibly angry.
Throughout the course of 2002, Randleman gained victories over Kenichi Yamamoto ( TKO by vicious knee strikes from north-south position) and Murilo “Ninja” Rua (TKO by cutting Rua with tremendeous counter left hook). This winning streak would eventually put him in the spot of contender for the Pride Middeweight (205 lb) championship, held by Wanderlei Silva. At Pride 25 Randleman faced another Middleweight contender, fellow American wrestler Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, in a match that determined the number one contender for Silva’s belt. In the first round Randleman suffered his first loss in Pride, after an incredible knee-uppercut combination from Jackson knocked Randleman down. The Referee stopped the fight after Rampage got dominant position and began landing strikes on Randleman.
Following a submission loss to Kazushi Sakuraba in 2003, Randleman became one of the sixteen participants in the Pride 2004 Heavyweight tournament, alongside teammate Mark Coleman. His first round match up at Pride Total Elimination 2004 was against former K-1 kickboxer Mirko Cro Cop Filipović, a participant heavily favored to win the entire tournament. Randleman knocked out “Cro Cop” by ground and pound following a left hook that surprised and knocked him down. In the second round, at Pride Critical Countdown 2004, Randleman faced off against the reigning Heavyweight champion Fedor Emelianenko. Again a heavy underdog, in a short bout he managed to suplex Fedor onto his head, landing in north south position. This maneuver failed to damage Fedor, who quickly capitalized on Randleman’s characteristic failure to inflict damage upon opponents from a dominant position by reversing him and submitting him with a kimura, thereby eliminating him from the tournament.
With his tournament journey over, Randleman went on to square off against friend and fellow American wrestler Ron Waterman at Pride Final Conflict 2004, submitting to a keylock in the first round. Randleman picked up and slammed much bigger (6’2 and 280 pounds) Waterman, was ahead on scorecards but made one mistake and lost by Americana (Ude-garami). At Pride Shockwave 2004 Randleman offered a rematch to Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipović. Filipovic submitted Randleman in the first round via guillotine choke, avenging his loss and adding another loss to Randleman’s losing streak in the process. In the opening round of Pride’s 2005 Middleweight Grand Prix, Kevin Randleman lost to Kazuhiro Nakamura via decision. In November 2005, Randleman appeared in Bushido Europe-Rotterdam Rumble, Europe’s first Bushido event, and defeated Fatih Kocamis via decision, ending his losing streak, and giving him his first win in nearly a year.
Randleman was taken ill with a serious fungal lung infection after his Rotterdam bout that had unknowingly been present for sometime.[2] He underwent a successful surgery to have the infection removed. After recovering, he was scheduled to fight against Vitor Belfort at a Strikeforce event in San Jose, California on June 9, 2006, but was unable to, due to a recurrence of the infection (Belfort instead fought, and lost to, Alistair Overeem, by unanimous decision).[citation needed]
Kevin Randleman returned to Pride FC for their first show on American soil, Pride 32: The Real Deal on October 21, 2006, where he was quickly submitted by a kneebar in the first round by 2005 Middleweight Grand Prix champion Mauricio “Shogun” Rua. This match-up was made partly to capitalize on an incident where Mark Coleman fought Rua and broke his arm with a trip takedown. After the referee stopped the fight, a brawl ensued. Chute Boxe and Hammer House members then entered the ring, clashing verbally and physically, creating bad blood between the two teams.
World Victory Road: Sengoku
After 1 year and 7 months of lay off due to kidney problems, terrible staph infection, and suspension, Randleman came back with a unanimous decision over Ryo Kawamura at May 18, 2008 in Sengoku 2.
Randleman’s next fight was scheduled to be on June 21, 2008 versus Jeff Monson at the Godz of War; however Randleman injured his shoulder while training. Ricco Rodriguez replaced him and fought Monson, losing a unanimous decision.
Randleman said that he would fight at Sengoku VI in November, but did not. Later, he explained that he injured his shoulder very seriously in his comeback fight vs Ryo Kawamura, so he took a long rest.
On November 7, 2009, Randleman fought Bulgarian prospect Stanislav Nedkov. Randleman started the fight with a good left leg kick and takedown. He used elevators and reversals to avoid damage from Nedkov, when Nedkov made few takedowns. In the 3rd round Randleman repeated his strong left leg kick and used his new blue belt Brazilian Jiu Jitsu skills to avoid bottom positions and back immediately to the top positions on the ground. After 3 rounds the judges rendered a controversial split decision, with 1 judge for Randleman and 2 judges for Nedkov.
Strikeforce
At the Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Diaz press conference it was announced that he had finalised the signing of a contract with Strikeforce.
Randleman’s Strikeforce debut was on June 6 against journeyman and IFL standout Mike Whitehead at Strikeforce: Lawler vs. Shields. Randleman looked to grapple immediately in the fight, whilst Whitehead controlled the fight on the feet. Whitehead won the first 2 rounds using takedowns but Randleman employed the use of reversals very competently to avoid significant damage. In the 3rd round Randleman, having seemingly lost the previous, he threw caution to the wind and loosened his arms, becoming reckless with his strikes, but knocking his opponent down with a left hook to the chin. Randleman charged in to finish Whitehead and landed a few shots to Mike’s head, but was unable to capitalize effectively on the knockdown. All 3 judges scored the bout (29–28, 29–28, 29–28) in favor of Mike Whitehead.
Randleman lost to Strikeforce newcomer Roger Gracie via a rear-naked choke in the second round of their light-heavyweight bout on May 15, 2010 at Strikeforce: Heavy Artillery.[3] He lost 10 out of his last 13 fights. Following the lost to Baga Agaev Randleman had decided to retire.[citation needed]
Controversy, illness and suspension from fighting
After the bout with Rua, Randleman failed a drug test administered by the Nevada Athletic Commission.[4] Randleman submitted a urine sample lacking any hormones to the Nevada State Athletic Commission. This indicated that the sample was fake.[5] On January 19, 2007, Randleman was hospitalized due to serious damage to his kidneys.[6] In an interview with MMAWeekly, he stated he failed to submit a urine sample due to his use of painkillers and antibiotics after his previous surgeries that may have prevented him from being cleared to fight, and his current health issues were a result of the cumulative effects of his surgeries, medication and fighting on his body.
The Nevada Athletic Commission met on February 16, 2007 to discuss the fake sample and revoked Randleman’s license to fight. He was able to reapply for a license after October 21, 2007, a year from the date of his loss to Mauricio Rua.[7]
DUI Arrest
On August 16, 2007, Randleman was arrested in Goodsprings, Nevada, a small community in the desert south of Las Vegas, on a variety of charges, including drunk driving, following an apparent traffic stop.[8]
Professional wrestling career
Randleman has had several professional wrestling matches, his first in January 2004 for HUSTLE. In February 2009, Randleman made a challenge to WWE pro-wrestler Kofi Kingston on a St. Louis FOX Sports MMA show called Absolute Wrestling Radio!
Personal life
Kevin married college sweetheart Barbara on August 28, 2000. After hardships, they divorced on May 26, 2005. Kevin married his longtime girlfriend, Elizabeth on April 25, 2009.[9] He also has two children, Calvin and Jasmine Capri.[10] His son Calvin graduated from Huron High School, helping lead the football team to the state regional finals.[citation needed] Calvin played football at the Ashland University for two years out of Huron High school before taking his skills to the Division I level by transferring to UNLV.
Championships and Accomplishments
Mixed martial arts
- Universal Vale Tudo Fighting
- UVTF 4 Tournament Winner
- UVTF 6 Tournament Runner-up
Amateur wrestling
- NCAA Division I runner-up (1991)
- NCAA Division I Championship (2 Times – 1992 & 1993)
Mixed martial arts record
| Professional record breakdown | ||
| 33 matches | 17 wins | 16 losses |
| By knockout | 5 | 4 |
| By submission | 4 | 8 |
| By decision | 8 | 4 |
| Result | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 17–16 | Baga Agaev | Submission (armbar) | Mayor’s Cup | May 7, 2011 | 1 | 4:05 | Khabarovsk, Russia | |
| Loss | 17–15 | Roger Gracie | Submission (rear naked choke) | Strikeforce: Heavy Artillery | May 15, 2010 | 2 | 4:10 | St. Louis, United States | |
| Loss | 17–14 | Stanislav Nedkov | Decision (split) | World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku 11 | November 7, 2009 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 17–13 | Mike Whitehead | Decision (unanimous) | Strikeforce: Lawler vs. Shields | June 6, 2009 | 3 | 5:00 | St. Louis, United States | |
| Win | 17–12 | Ryo Kawamura | Decision (unanimous) | World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku 2 | May 18, 2008 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 16–12 | Maurício Rua | Submission (kneebar) | Pride 32 | October 21, 2006 | 1 | 2:35 | Las Vegas, United States | Randleman was suspended following post-fight drug test |
| Win | 16–11 | Fatih Kocamis | Decision (unanimous) | Bushido Europe-Rotterdam Rumble | October 9, 2005 | 2 | 5:00 | Rotterdam, Netherlands | |
| Loss | 15–11 | Kazuhiro Nakamura | Decision (unanimous) | Pride Total Elimination 2005 | April 23, 2005 | 3 | 5:00 | Osaka, Japan | Returned to LHW (205) division |
| Loss | 15–10 | Mirko Filipović | Submission (guillotine choke) | Pride Shockwave 2004 | December 31, 2004 | 1 | 0:42 | Saitama, Japan | |
| Loss | 15–9 | Ron Waterman | Submission (keylock) | Pride Final Conflict 2004 | August 15, 2004 | 1 | 7:44 | Saitama, Japan | |
| Loss | 15–8 | Fedor Emelianenko | Submission (kimura) | Pride Critical Countdown 2004 | June 20, 2004 | 1 | 1:33 | Saitama, Japan | Pride 2004 Heavyweight Grand Prix Quarterfinal |
| Win | 15–7 | Mirko Filipović | KO (punches) | Pride Total Elimination 2004 | April 25, 2004 | 1 | 1:57 | Saitama, Japan | Returned to heavyweight division. Pride 2004 Heavyweight Grand Prix Opening Round |
| Loss | 14–7 | Kazushi Sakuraba | Submission (armbar) | Pride Final Conflict 2003 | November 9, 2003 | 3 | 2:36 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 14–6 | Quinton Jackson | KO (knee and punches) | Pride 25 | March 16, 2003 | 1 | 6:58 | Yokohama, Japan | |
| Win | 14–5 | Murilo Rua | TKO (cut) | Pride 24 | December 23, 2002 | 3 | 0:20 | Fukuoka, Japan | |
| Win | 13–5 | Kenichi Yamamoto | TKO (knees) | Pride 23 | November 24, 2002 | 3 | 1:16 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 12–5 | Michiyoshi Ohara | Decision (unanimous) | Pride 22 | September 29, 2002 | 3 | 5:00 | Nagoya, Japan | |
| Win | 11–5 | Brian Dohl | KO (punch) | RFC: The Beginning | July 13, 2002 | 1 | 0:20 | Las Vegas, United States | |
| Win | 10–5 | Renato Sobral | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 35 | January 11, 2002 | 3 | 5:00 | Uncasville, United States | |
| Loss | 9–5 | Chuck Liddell | KO (punches) | UFC 31 | May 4, 2001 | 1 | 1:18 | Atlantic City, United States | Dropped to light heavyweight |
| Loss | 9–4 | Randy Couture | TKO (strikes) | UFC 28 | November 17, 2000 | 3 | 4:13 | Atlantic City, United States | Lost UFC Heavyweight Championship |
| Win | 9–3 | Pedro Rizzo | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 26 | June 9, 2000 | 5 | 5:00 | Cedar Rapids, United States | Defended UFC Heavyweight Championship |
| Win | 8–3 | Pete Williams | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 23 | November 19, 1999 | 5 | 5:00 | Urayasu, Japan | Won Vacant UFC Heavyweight Championship |
| Loss | 7–3 | Bas Rutten | Decision (split) | UFC 20 | May 7, 1999 | 1 | 21:00 | Birmingham, United States | For Vacant UFC Heavyweight Championship |
| Win | 7–2 | Maurice Smith | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 19 | March 5, 1999 | 1 | 15:00 | Bay St. Louis, United States | |
| Loss | 6–2 | Tom Erikson | KO (punches) | Brazil Open-’97 | June 15, 1997 | 1 | 1:11 | Brazil | |
| Win | 6–1 | Gustavo Homem de Neve | Submission (elbow) | Brazil Open-’97 | June 15, 1997 | 1 | 2:21 | Brazil | |
| Loss | 5–1 | Carlos Barreto | Technical submission (triangle choke) | Universal Vale Tudo Fighting 6 | March 3, 1997 | 1 | 22:24 | Brazil | |
| Win | 5–0 | Mario Neto | Submission (punches) | Universal Vale Tudo Fighting 6 | March 3, 1997 | 1 | 11:24 | Brazil | |
| Win | 4–0 | Ebenezer Fontes Braga | Decision | Universal Vale Tudo Fighting 6 | March 3, 1997 | 1 | 20:00 | Brazil | |
| Win | 3–0 | Dan Bobish | Submission (punches) | Universal Vale Tudo Fighting 4 | October 22, 1996 | 1 | 5:50 | Brazil | |
| Win | 2–0 | Geza Kalman | TKO (punches) | Universal Vale Tudo Fighting 4 | October 22, 1996 | 1 | 7:37 | Brazil | |
| Win | 1–0 | Luiz Carlos Macial | Submission (punches) | Universal Vale Tudo Fighting 4 | October 22, 1996 | 1 | 5:14 | Brazil |
References
- ^ Carpinello, Dave (August 4, 2007). “Kevin Randleman: Return of the Monster”. Nokaut. http://www.nokaut.com/?id=38&solo_news=974&lang=e&cur=eur. Retrieved August 4, 2007.
- ^ MMAWeekly Radio – Jeff Cain (March 27, 2006). “Randleman Resurrected”. MMAWeekly. http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/dailynews.asp?articleid=1797&zoneid=13.
- ^ Randleman vs. Gracie, Villasenor vs. “Jacare” official for May 15 Strikeforce event. MMAjunkie.com (2010-04-23). Retrieved on 2012-05-05.
- ^ Ivan Trembow UFC FIGHTERS PASS DRUG TESTS. MMAWeekly.com. March 16, 2007
- ^ Meltzer, Dave (November 7, 2006). “Fraudulent Drug Test Likely to Lead to Suspension”. Wrestling Observer. http://www.wrestlingobserver.com/wo/news/headlines/default.asp?aID=17838.
- ^ “Randleman Discusses His Medical Condition”. MMAWeekly. January 24, 2007. http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/dailynews.asp?articleid=3325&zoneid=13.
- ^ “License to Fight: Busy Morning for NSAC”. Sherdog. February 16, 2007. http://www.sherdog.com/news/news.asp?n_id=6780.
- ^ “Kevin Randleman Arrested in Nevada”. MMA Weekly. August 16, 2007. http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/dailynews.asp?articleid=4526&zoneid=13.
- ^ “Kevin Randleman’s Wedding”. CombatLifestyle.com. 2009-04-25. http://www.combatlifestyle.com/pics/view_album.php?id=1717. Retrieved 2009-06-06.
- ^ “UFC 20 Bio”. Fcfighter.com. http://www.fcfighter.com/ufc20bio.htm. Retrieved February 11, 2009.
External links
- Professional MMA record for Kevin Randleman from Sherdog
- Official website for Kevin Randleman
- Kevin Randleman at Wrestlinghalloffame.com
- August 2007 interview
- January 2009 Interview
- 9, 2009T22_16_34-08_00 January 2009 Interview with AWR
| Vacant
Title last held by
|
5th UFC Heavyweight Champion November 14, 1999 – November 17, 2000 |
Succeeded by Randy Couture |
- 1971 births
- Living people
- People from Columbus, Ohio
- American sport wrestlers
- American mixed martial artists
- African-American mixed martial artists
- Light heavyweight mixed martial artists
- Heavyweight mixed martial artists
- Ohio State University alumni
- Ultimate Fighting Championship champions
- American sportspeople in doping cases
- Doping cases in mixed martial arts
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