Frank Mir

Skill Breakdown

Charts are compiled based on results from all fights.

Total Fights:	18
Record:	15-5-0
Summary:	Great submissions, improved striking

Fighter Info

From:	Las Vegas, Nevada USA
Fights Out Of:	Las Vegas, NV USA
Age:	32
Height:	6' 3" ( 190 cm )
Weight:	240 lb ( 109 kg )

Biography

I was born into martial arts.

TRAINING: My training is always centered on improving myself as a fighter; I don't really change too much for different opponents.

When and why did you start training for fighting? I was born into martial arts. My father had his own schools. He was training before I was born. Whenever he went to the studio I was there in a rocker. When I got older, I was the little kid who ran around the school annoying everybody. I didn’t really start training in martial arts until I was about 12 or 13 when I could start to comprehend what was going on.  Before that I was just punching in the air. At about 14 we started full contact sparring. As the son of the owner of the school, you feel a responsibility not to get beat up by everyone even though I was fighting adults most of the time. My father combined a lot of boxing principles with the kenpo. It wasn’t like most commercial schools. There was a lot of concentration on full contact sparring and conditioning. If you made it through a year, you were tough. I still have a crooked jaw from training at that school!

What ranks and titles have you held? Former UFC Heavyweight Champion, former interim UFC Heavyweight Champion, black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Ricardo Pires. Coach on season eight of The Ultimate Fighter.

Do you have any heroes? Bruce Lee.

What is your favorite technique? Submissions.

What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? I am very goal oriented. I want to be the UFC World Heavyweight champion. To me that title means you are the most complete, most well rounded martial artist in the world.

Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? No. I concentrated on my martial arts training instead.

What was your job before you started fighting? I worked at the front desk for Station Casinos in Las Vegas.

Brock Lesnar

Skill Breakdown

Charts are compiled based on results from all fights.

Total Fights:	7
Record:	5-2-0
Summary:	Size, wrestling ability, athleticism

Fighter Info

From:	Webster, South Dakota USA
Age:	34
Height:	6' 3" ( 190 cm )
Weight:	265 lb ( 120 kg )
College:	University of Minnesota

Biography

Brock Lesnar made an immediate impact in MMA in his 69 second debut win over Min Soo Kim in 2007, and he has continued to shock the world ever since. A 2000 NCAA Division I National Champion in wrestling, Lesnar made a positive impression in his first two UFC bouts against Frank Mir and Heath Herring, but at UFC 91 in November of 2008, he showed why he is one of the most feared fighters in the sport as he defeated Randy Couture to win the UFC heavyweight championship. When and why did you start training for fighting?  I started training full-time specifically for MMA in 2006.  I trained briefly in MMA during my college days.  I always thought I would enjoy fighting, but, due to NCAA rules, I couldn’t try it while I was in college.  When I finished wrestling in college (in 2001), there just wasn’t enough money or opportunity in fighting and WWE made me an offer I couldn’t refuse. What ranks and titles have you held?  UFC Heavyweight Champion  Do you have any heroes?  None. What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC?  It means I have the chance prove that I can compete with the best fighters in the world.  It’s an honor. Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn?  I went to college, but did not complete my degree.  What was your job before you started fighting?  I grew up on a dairy farm and there was always plenty of work to do.  After finishing my final year of college wrestling, I went right into professional wrestling with WWE.  After WWE, I took a shot at the NFL. Specific accomplishments in amateur competition? As an amateur wrestler, I was a four-time All-American, two-time Big Ten Champion and NCAA heavyweight wrestling champion.  Specific accomplishments in pro competition?  WWE Champion.

Junior Dos Santos

Skill Breakdown

Charts are compiled based on results from all fights.

Total Fights:	8
Record:	13-1-0
Summary:	Boxing, strength

Fighter Info

Nickname:	Cigano
From:	Santa Catarina Brazil
Fights Out Of:	Salvador, Bahia Brazil
Age:	27
Height:	6' 4" ( 193 cm )
Weight:	238 lb ( 108 kg )

Biography

TRAINING: In the mornings I train boxing and wrestling; in the afternoons I train Jiu Jitsu and strength and conditioning, all with focus on my fight, and alternating days between disciplines.

When and why did you start training for fighting? I started with Jiu-Jitsu in 2005, afterwards I met Dorea, who introduced me to Boxing

What ranks and titles have you held? Bahia State Jiu-Jitsu Champion; Bahia State Submission Champion

Do you have any heroes? Rodrigo "Minotauro" Nogueira

What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? It's the biggest organization, and it's a dream that quickly became true.

Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? No

Specific accomplishments in pro competition? TKO at MTL

If any, list ranks in any martial arts styles: Brown belt in Jiu-Jitsu

Favorite grappling technique: On my back

Favorite Striking technique: Clean strikes

 

Heavy Weight Fighters

Shane Carwin

Skill Breakdown

Charts are compiled based on results from all fights.

Total Fights:	6
Record:	12-2-0
Summary:	Heart and Determination

Fighter Info

From:	Greeley, Colorado USA
Fights Out Of:	Denver, Colorado USA
Age:	36
Height:	6' 2" ( 187 cm )
Weight:	265 lb ( 120 kg )

Biography

TRAINING: Training is anything but typical for me. I have so much I am working on as a mixed martial artist that I tend to be training all the time. My days begin with some cardio training, then I work on my stand up with Coach Wittman. From there I have wrestling practice, BJJ and then we do our pro sparring which usually consists of five rounds of hard sparring. We have so many great fighters training with us here at Grudge. We have guys like Brendan Schaub, Eliot Marshall, Nate Marquardt, Todd Duffee and many more talented guys pushing each other. Then we have the coaches that run all of the training. Guys like Coach Leister Bowling, Coach Trevor Wittman, Coach Amal Easton, and Coach Loren Landow. And then I have Forged Fuel cooking for me.

When and why did you start training for fighting? Actually, I was just helping out with the wrestling portion of training about three years ago and became extremely interested in the sport and before I knew it….I was fighting.

What ranks and titles have you held? Interim UFC heavyweight champion, 2x NCAA Div II Wrestling National Runner-up HWT (1996,1997). NCAA II Wrestling National Champion HWT (1999). 2x NCAA II All-American in Football. Ring of Fire HWT Champion.

Do you have any heroes? My mom, she raised three boys on her own and her major goal was to make sure all we all received college degrees.

What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? It’s a real dream come true. The UFC is the NFL of mixed martial arts.

Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? Colorado School of Mines BS in Mechanical Engineering and Western State College BA in Environmental Technology

What was your job before you started fighting? Currently still an Engineer

Favorite grappling technique: Slam

Favorite Striking technique: Any strike that connects - there is something about that feeling

Cain Velasquez

Skill Breakdown

Charts are compiled based on results from all fights.

Total Fights:	10
Record:	9-0-0
Summary:	Well-rounded

Fighter Info

From:	Yuma, AZ USA
Fights Out Of:	San Jose, California USA
Age:	29
Height:	6' 1" ( 185 cm )
Weight:	240 lb ( 109 kg )
College:	Arizona State University
Degree:	Education

Biography

Training: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday are sparring days mixed with cardio practice at night. Tuesdays and Thursdays are more jiu-jitsu and wrestling days mixed with stand up practice at night. Also a lift in the mornings and cardio at nights.

When and why did you start training for fighting?   I began training as an MMA fighter a year and a half ago. MMA fighting is the professional arena for wrestling; the UFC is to wrestlers what the NFL is to football players.

What ranks and titles have you held? Two-time All-American in wrestling for Arizona State, Two-time Pac-10 Champion, junior college national champion for Iowa Central Community College.

Do you have any heroes? My parents

What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? The UFC is the "big show". It has the best fighters in the MMA arena.

Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? I graduated from Arizona State with a bachelor’s degree in Education.

What was your job before you started fighting? I worked security for a nightclub.

Favorite grappling technique: takedown

Favorite Striking technique: knees

•    History-Maker: First Mexican-American fighter to win a heavyweight title in boxing or MMA

•    Uplifting an entire people: Dethroning of UFC champ Brock Lesnar at UFC 121 (Oct. 2010) was watched by millions of people in Mexico on Televisa (Spanish cable). Before the bout commenced, and even in its opening moments, many Mexicans and Mexican-Americans had feared for their hero, wondering how he would defeat such a monstrous and intimidating heavyweight who outweighed Velasquez by a good 25 or 30 pounds. Cain’s win set off an explosion of Mexican pride in homes and bars across Mexico and the U.S.

•    Dedicated his title victory to Mexicans and Mexican Americans

•    Has said he hopes to be a role model for future Mexican-Americans, noting that he found few Mexican role models to look up to his youth

•    Father, Efrain, and mother Isabel worked long hours in the hot fields picking lettuce for meager wages to support Cain and his two siblings. Cain credits his parents with instilling in him an extraordinary work ethic

•    Has never lost a single round of any fight

•    Born Salinas, Calif., also raised in Yuma, Ariz.

•    Graduated with degree in Education from Arizona State University

•    Two-time Division I All-American wrestler (5th in 2005, 4th in 2006), Two-time PAC-10 Champ

•    Two-time high school state champ (Arizona)

•    Junior college national champ (2002 at Iowa Central Community College, the same powerhouse program that Jon Jones attended and won a national title)

•    Guerilla jiu-jitsu brown belt under Dave Camarillo

•    Bilingual, speaks Spanish and English

•    Chest tattoo reads “Brown Pride”

•    After winning UFC title, appeared on George Lopez’s late-night talk show “Lopez Tonight”

Jon Jones

Skill Breakdown

Charts are compiled based on results from all fights.

Total Fights:	9
Record:	13-1-0
Summary:	Wrestling, Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai

Fighter Info

Nickname:	Bones
From:	Rochester, NY USA
Fights Out Of:	Endicott, NY USA
Age:	24
Height:	6' 4" ( 193 cm )
Weight:	205 lb ( 93 kg )
College:	Iowa Central
Degree:	Associates Degree

Biography

TRAINING: Practice with Coach Jackson and / or Winkeljohn, 2-3 times a day... a morning and night session plus one private a day, as well as strength and conditioning every night.

When and why did you start training for fighting? I started training MMA in 2007. I had an unexpected child in college and I needed to make some money.

What ranks and titles have you held? JUCO National Wrestling Champion, USKBA 205lb MMA Champion

Do you have any heroes? Anderson Silva, Fedor Emelianenko, Muhammad Ali

What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? It is a great opportunity for me at such a young age and being new to the sport of MMA.  I am extremely excited to be a part of the UFC.

Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? I attended Iowa Central and earned an associates degree.

Specific accomplishments in amateur competition? JUCO National Wrestling Champion, Greco Roman All-American, NYS Champion

Specific accomplishments in pro competition? USKBA 205lb Champion

Favorite grappling technique: Whatever taps the guy out.

Favorite Striking technique: What ever KO's him.

•    From Rochester, NY  (trains in Albuquerque, NM, with Greg Jackson)

•    UFC light heavyweight champion (youngest UFC champ in history at 23 years, 242 days old when he won the title at UFC 128)

•    Champ moonlights as a crime fighter: Hours before the biggest fight of his life – against then-UFC champ Mauricio “Shogun” Rua – Jones journeyed to a New Jersey park to meditate. He and two of his trainers, Greg Jackson and Mike Winklejohn, heard a woman scream and ran to her head. Against the wishes of his coaches, Jones ran down and double-leg tackled a mugger, then put the thief in a figure-four leg lock until police arrived. Jones even gave the bad guy a little advice: “It’s not right taking other people’s money from them. They work hard for it.”

•    Brother, Arthur, plays defensive line for the Baltimore Ravens of the NFL; another brother,  Chandler, is a defensive lineman at Syracuse University in New York (Note: Arthur Jones also played college football at Syracuse)

•    Lists his heroes as: Muhammad Ali, Anderson Silva and Fedor Emelianenko

•    Genesis: Began training MMA in 2007 because “I had an unexpected child and I needed to make some money.”

•    College: Earned associate’s degree from Iowa Central Community College (coincidentally, the same Jr. College that Cain Velasquez attended)

•    Championship wrestling pedigree: Junior College national champ in 2006 (197 pounds), New York State champ in high school

•    6 feet 4 inches tall, with an 84.5-inch reach – longest in UFC history at any weight class

•    Tragedy: Sister passed away from brain cancer at age 18

•    “The Future is Now” – describes how many UFC fans and pundits feel about Jon Jones and his one-in-a-million potential

•    13-1 record; lone loss was via disqualification to Matt Hamill in 2009. Jones dominated the entire fight and punished Hamill and many fans feel that the referee should have perhaps penalized Jones a point for illegal elbows rather than disqualifying him.

Anderson Silva

Skill Breakdown

Charts are compiled based on results from all fights.

Total Fights:	32
Record:	29-4-0
Summary:	Very Well Rounded - Phenomenal Striker

Fighter Info

Nickname:	The Spider
From:	Curitiba Brazil
Fights Out Of:	Curitiba Brazil
Age:	36
Height:	6' 2" ( 187 cm )
Weight:	185 lb ( 84 kg )

Biography

TRAINING: Training twice a day from Monday to Saturday

When and why did you start training for fighting? I started training Tae Kwon Do at the age of 14.

What ranks and titles have you held? UFC Middleweight Champion, MECA Champion, Cage Rage Champion, Victories in Pride, Shooto, and Minotauro Fight, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt.

Do you have any heroes? Spiderman

What is your favorite technique? I love to stand up and exchange, but I also really enjoy fighting on the ground too.

What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? My team and I are very excited to fight in the UFC.  I'm training very hard to make my presence known in the U.S. and the rest of the world.

Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? I'm currently working on my Physical Education degree.

What was your job before you started fighting? I was an office clerk, and I worked at McDonald’s.

•    Arguably the greatest fighter in MMA history

•    Undefeated in past 5 and ½ years. Reigning UFC middleweight king has never lost inside of the Octagon (14-0).

•    Longest reigning UFC champ

•    Title defense against Chael Sonnen at UFC 117 is regarded by some, including UFC Prez Dana White and Yahoo! Sports’ writer Kevin Iole, as the greatest MMA fight in history. Silva was trailing badly on all judges’ scorecards and sent fans into mass hysteria with a fight-ending triangle choke with only 1 minute 50 seconds left in the five-rounder

•    Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt

•    Native of Curitiba, Brazil – known for producing other stars such as Mauricio “Shogun” Rua and Wanderlei Silva

•    Speaks Portuguese and a tad bit of English, but prefers to conduct media interviews through a Portuguese translator

•    Superb and speedy Muay Thai. Devastating and precise kicks, knees, elbows and punches have stopped 17 of his foes

•    Worked at McDonald’s restaurant before fighting career

 

Georges St Pierre

Skill Breakdown

Charts are compiled based on results from all fights.

Total Fights:	25
Record:	22-2-0
Summary:	Athleticism, very well rounded, discipline

Fighter Info

Nickname:	Rush
From:	Montreal, Quebec Canada
Age:	30
Height:	5' 11" ( 180 cm )
Weight:	170 lb ( 77 kg )

Biography
TRAINING: I train six days a week – a different combination each day of two of the following:  wrestling, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), boxing, Muay Thai, Strength & Conditioning/Running, and MMA sparring. When and why did you start training for fighting? I started martial arts when I was six, doing Kyokushin karate.  When I started training for MMA, I started wrestling with the national team and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with Nova Uniao. I now train in wrestling, BJJ, Muay Thai, and boxing.  When I first met Stephane Patry and his team I decided I wanted to become a champion in this sport. What ranks and titles have you held? Two-time and current UFC Welterweight Champion, former TKO Canadian welterweight champion. Brazilian Jim-Jitsu Black belt under Bruno Fernande. Do you have any heroes? My MMA hero is Randy Couture. What is your favorite technique? I love taking my opponent down. Once I have him on the ground I am dangerous with ground and pound and submissions. What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? Fighting in the UFC has been a dream come true for me - even now I'm still amazed!  The UFC has allowed me to develop and mature as a fighter and I have so many opportunities that I never would have had otherwise because I’m a UFC fighter!  Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? I was going to get a degree in administration but I put that on hold to concentrate on my fighting career. What was your job before you started fighting? Before I started fighting I was a student, but now I’m fortunate enough to train full-time. •    One of the most popular Canadian athletes ever, according to various magazine and online fan polls •    Happens to be a paleontology buff, very passionate about dinosaurs •    Winner of 10 straight, has gone unbeaten for the past four years •    Arrives at all press conferences sharply dressed in an expensive suit and tie; also routinely dons a suit and tie when arriving at the arena on fight night. Widely respected for not only being an elite fighter but also a class act. •    He is, for some reason, a particular favorite of female fight fans. Some have theorized it that appeals stems from a combination of his French accent, chiseled frame, ballet-like athletic movements and good looks. •    His stellar resume includes wins over former UFC champions Matt Hughes (twice) and B.J. Penn (twice), and over Jon Fitch, Thiago Alves and Josh Koscheck (twice) and halted Jake Shields’ 15-fight win streak. •    Regularly trains with the Canadian National Wrestling Team and is regarded as one of MMA’s best wrestlers (which is extraordinary given that he started wrestling in adulthood and not during his youth). •    Holds a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and Karate and Greg Jackson’s “Gaidojutsu” •    Speaks English and French •    Subject of an MMA documentary titled “The Striking Truth”

Frankie Edgar

Skill Breakdown Charts are compiled based on results from all fights. Total Fights: 11 Record: 13-1-1 Summary: wrestling and cardio Fighter Info Nickname: The Answer From: Summit, New Jersey USA Fights Out Of: Toms River, NJ USA Age: 29 Height: 5' 6" ( 167 cm ) Weight: 155 lb ( 70 kg ) College: Clarion University Degree: Political Science
Biography
Training: I’ve been training at Ricardo’s – doing boxing, and strength and conditioning at All-Star Sports Academy, and training at Rutgers and with Phil Nurse. When and why did you start training for fighting? After I graduated from college in May of 2005. I always liked the sport. I have seen other people with a wrestling background do well, and I felt that I could succeed. Accomplishments in amateur competition? Two-time State Place Winner for New Jersey, 2nd in H.S. Nationals in 2000, four-time Division I National Qualifier for Clarion University and College Freestyle All-American in 2004. Accomplishments in pro competition? Reality Fighting 155lb Champion Ranks in any martial arts styles: Purple Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Favorite grappling technique: Guillotine choke Favorite striking technique: Right hand Do you have any heroes?  My dad and my high school wrestling coach, Mr. Reid. These two are the toughest people that I know, both mentally and physically. What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? It is great, considering that I only started fighting a year and a half ago, and there wasn't even a 155 weight class in the UFC at the time. Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn?  I have a BA in Political Science from Clarion University What was your job before you started fighting?  Plumber

Jose Aldo

Skill Breakdown Charts are compiled based on results from all fights. Total Fights: 10 Record: 19-1-0 Summary: Very Strong ground game Fighter Info Nickname: Junior From: Manaus Brazil Fights Out Of: Rio de Janeiro Brazil Age: 25 Height: 5' 7" ( 170 cm ) Weight: 145 lb ( 65 kg )

Biography

TRAINING: My training remains the same, with a lot of Muay Thai and jiu-jitsu technique training, stand up and ground routines, wrestling and strength and conditioning training. When and why did you start training for fighting? I started training because I would like to fight. What ranks and titles have you held? UFC Featherweight Champion, former WEC Featherweight Champion, Four-time Brazilian jiu-jitsu champion, World jiu-jitsu champion, Black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Do you have any heroes? Mike Tyson What is your favorite technique? Arm Lock What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? A great honor and opportunity Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? Yes, I finished college What was your job before you started fighting? I played football (soccer) •    Former semi-professional soccer player in Brazil (which would qualify him as a pro soccer player in most other countries) •    Is a big fan of Clube de Regatas do Flamingo (in Brazil) and British Premier League team Chelsea Football Club (London, owned by billionaire Roman Abramovich) •    Has large scar on left side of his face and said he suffered the injury when “I was just a baby and my mom wasn’t paying attention for a moment when my sisters rolled me onto the barbeque pit being used for a 1986 World Cup party.” •    Raised in extreme poverty in Manaus, Brazil (now fighting out of Rio). Would train Brazilian jig-jitsu and Muay Thai, often on an empty stomach or little food. His teammates, such as Wagnney Fabiano, would give him a sandwich or other food to eat. •    WEC and UFC featherweight champ who is undefeated in past five years, 8-0 in WEC. Widely regarded as top-5 on the pound-for-pound rankings. •    World MMA Awards (presented by Fighter’s Only magazine’s) 2010 Fighter of the Year •    Describes thrill of the KO as “one of the best feelings in the world.” Note: 12 of his 19 wins have come via KO or TKO. •    Brazilian jig-jitsu black belt under Andre Pederneiras

Title Holders

Dominick Cruz

Skill Breakdown

Charts are compiled based on results from all fights.

Total Fights:	10
Record:	18-1-0
Summary:	Conditioning and Punching Power

Fighter Info

From:	San Diego, California, California USA
Fights Out Of:	San Diego, CA USA
Age:	26
Height:	5' 8" ( 172 cm )
Weight:	135 lb ( 61 kg )

TRAINING: I train Mon three times, then Tues through Fri are two-a days. One on Sat....and Sunday I’m off! I mix all techniques of wrestling, BJJ, boxing, shootboxing, and kickboxing in my training.

When and why did you start training for fighting? I wrestled my whole life and I wanted to continue to compete.

What ranks and titles have you held? UFC bantamweight champion, WEC bantamweight champion. Total Combat 145 & 155 lb champion. Number 1 ranked ROTC fighter.

Do you have any heroes? My mom

What is your favorite technique? Uppercut

What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? It means I can truly call myself one of the best fighters on the planet and that my dreams and goals are slowly being accomplished!

Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? No

What was your job before you started fighting? Customer service rep

•    First-ever (and reigning) UFC bantamweight champion

•    Ranked No. 6 on Yahoo Sports! pound-for-pound MMA rankings

•    Grew up in Tuscon, Ariz., trailer with mom and brother

•    Kicked out of home at age 19 for hosting a house party, but recalls the experience as “the greatest thing that ever happened to me” because it forced him to become a man

•    Longtime wrestler

•    Lives and trains in San Diego

•    Wrestler/boxer who is stylistically similar to UFC lightweight champ Frankie Edgar. Cruz is very elusive on his feet with a peek-a-boo style – he fires off combos and moves out of harm’s way before an opponent can return fire

•    Very mentally tough

Pat Barry"HD"

Skill Breakdown

Charts are compiled based on results from all fights.

Total Fights:	7
Record:	6-3-0
Summary:	Striking

Fighter Info

Nickname:	HD
From:	New Orleans, Louisiana USA
Age:	32
Height:	5' 11" ( 180 cm )
Weight:	235 lb ( 106 kg )
College:	Louisiana State University

TRAINING: OUCH!!!

When and why did you start training for fighting? I started when I was 23. It was just supposed to be a hobby, but the more I did it, the more I loved it.

What ranks and titles have you held? Two heavyweight San Shou titles (2003-2004), 2005 Kings of Kickboxing tournament champion, 2008 Combat USA heavyweight champion.

Do you have any heroes? MOM is definitely first. Mike Tyson. Sagat.

What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? It's a major accomplishment reflecting all the hard work and sacrifice that I’ve done. The UFC is the top of the mountain, and I’ve been given an opportunity to see if I can secure a place at their table. I’m gonna stay!

Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? I went to LSU, and am two classes away from finishing a degree in Sociology, focusing on juveniles.

What was your job before you started fighting? Pizza delivery guy.

Favorite grappling technique: Sweeps

Favorite Striking technique: Anything that lands. I'm a pure striker, and I rarely miss