Kevin Randleman

Kevin Randleman

Randleman in 2006
Born (1971-08-10)August 10, 1971
Sandusky, Ohio, U.S.
Died February 11, 2016(2016-02-11) (aged 44)
San Diego, California, U.S.
Other names The Monster
Nationality American
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight 205.5 lb (93 kg; 14 st 10 lb)
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
last updated on: September 15, 2011 (2011-09-15)

Kevin Christopher Randleman (August 10, 1971 – February 11, 2016) was an American mixed martial arts fighter and a former UFC Heavyweight Champion. Randleman's background was in collegiate wrestling, and he competed in the heavyweight and light heavyweight classes. Randleman had fought in the UFC, PRIDE, WVR, and Strikeforce. He was previously associated with Mark Coleman's Team Hammer House, before training at Randy Couture's gym in Las Vegas, Nevada.[1]

Background

Randleman was from Sandusky, Ohio and was one of 11 children. He grew up without a lot of money, and often got into street fights growing up. Randleman attended Sandusky High School, started all four years on the football team, ran track in which he qualified for the state finals, and had a 122-11 record while on the wrestling team, including winning the state championship in 1989. Randleman then went to wrestle for Ohio State University. His redshirt freshman year he had a string of 42 victories and a first place finish in the Big Ten Tournament, earned All-American status, and dominated in the NCAA tournament, before losing in the tournament final. Randleman then went undefeated during his sophomore year, and won the NCAA tournament. Randleman again won the NCAA tournament in his junior year, despite having his jaw dislocated during the actual tournament. Despite having some of the most successful three years in the history of collegiate wrestling, including compiling the third best winning percentage in Ohio State wrestling history, Randleman became ineligible to wrestle in his senior year because of academic issues.

After being offered a professional fight in Universal Vale Tudo Fighting 4 by Mark Coleman, one of Randleman's coaches at Ohio State, Randleman accepted and made his MMA debut on October 22, 1996. Randleman dominated in his debut, winning the tournament which was three fights, including one against Dan Bobish. 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 believed 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 Championship, 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 would not be able to 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, Randleman made his debut in PRIDE FC, 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 a 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 PRIDE 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).

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 Maurício "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 one year and seven months of lay off due to kidney problems, a 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 three rounds the judges rendered a controversial split decision, with one judge for Randleman and two 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 two rounds using takedowns but Randleman employed the use of reversals very competently to avoid significant damage. In the third 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 Whitehead's head, but was unable to capitalize effectively on the knock-down. 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 loss to Russian black belt judoka, Baga Agaev with Agaev submitting Randleman with a modified armbar and dislocating his elbow, Randleman had decided to retire.

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 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 Maurício 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 debuted in professional wrestling in 2002 as part of All Japan Pro Wrestling's Wrestle-1 project, which brought several mixed martial artists to take part in wrestling matches. Teaming up with Mark Coleman, Randleman wrestled Hiroshi Hase and Satoshi Kojima in a losing effort.[9] They returned for the next Wrestle-1 event, defeating the masked tag team of Jan the Giant Convict and Singh the Giant Convict.

In July 2003, Randleman started working for Pro Wrestling Zero-One, teaming up with The Predator to take part in the OH Tag Festival tournament. They performed well, eliminating Yoshiaki Fujiwara and Yuki Ishikawa at the first round and Emblem (Masato Tanaka and Shinjiro Otani) at the second, but they lost in the finals to Naoya Ogawa and Katsuhisa Fujii.

The next year, Randleman started appearing in Zero-One's partner promotion Hustle. Introduced as a member of heel faction Takada Monster Army and managed by Takada's secretary Ute Werner, Randleman had his first singles match against Wataru Sakata, but he lost despite Werner trying to intervene in his favor.[10] Due to his loss, he was expelled from the Monster Army, so he sought refuge in babyface faction Hustle Army. After two years of inactivity in wrestling, Kevin returned in June 2007, adopting the masked superhero-like persona of "Randleman" and teaming up with fellow superheroes Kintaman and Kurodaman. His former partner Mark Coleman also joined the team, making it a quartet. In September 2007, Randleman made his last appearance in Hustle, defeating Kohei Sato and Piranha Monster alongside Coleman.

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 his college sweetheart Barbara on August 28, 2000. After hardships, they divorced on May 26, 2005. Kevin married his longtime girlfriend and publicist, the former Elizabeth Broglia on April 25, 2009.[11] He had a son by Tina Black, a daughter by Jayme Hodge and a son by Broglia.

Death

Randleman died on February 11, 2016 from a heart attack after being admitted to the hospital with pneumonia. He was 44 years old.[12][13]

In wrestling

Championships and Accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

Amateur wrestling

Mixed martial arts record

Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 17–16 Baga Agaev Submission (armbar) Pro FC: Randleman vs. Agaev 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, Missouri, 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, Missouri, 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 - The Real Deal October 21, 2006 1 2:35 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States 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 PRIDE 2005 Middleweight Grand Prix Opening Round. Return to light heavyweight
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 (americana) 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 PRIDE 2004 Heavyweight GP Opening Round. Upset of the Year (2004). Knockout of the Year (2004).
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 PRIDE Middleweight title elimination
Win 14–5 Murilo Rua TKO (doctor stoppage) 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 Foster KO (punch) RFC: The Beginning July 13, 2002 1 0:20 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 10–5 Renato Sobral Decision (unanimous) UFC 35 January 11, 2002 3 5:00 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Loss 9–5 Chuck Liddell KO (punches) UFC 31 May 4, 2001 1 1:18 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Light heavyweight bout
Loss 9–4 Randy Couture TKO (punches) UFC 28 November 17, 2000 3 4:13 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Lost UFC Heavyweight Championship
Win 9–3 Pedro Rizzo Decision (unanimous) UFC 26 June 9, 2000 5 5:00 Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 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, Alabama, United States For vacant UFC Heavyweight Championship. Road To The Heavyweight Title Tournament Finals
Win 7–2 Maurice Smith Decision (unanimous) UFC 19 March 5, 1999 1 15:00 Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, United States Road to the Heavyweight Title Tournament Semifinals
Loss 6–2 Tom Erikson KO (punches) Brazil Open-'97 June 15, 1997 1 1:11 Brazil Brazil Open '97 Finals
Win 6–1 Gustavo Homem de Neve Submission (elbow) Brazil Open-'97 June 15, 1997 1 2:21 Brazil Brazil Open '97 Semifinals
Loss 5–1 Carlos Barreto Technical Submission (triangle choke) Universal Vale Tudo Fighting 6 March 3, 1997 1 22:24 Brazil
Win 5–0 Mário 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 Won UVTF 4 Tournament
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

  1. ↑ Carpinello, Dave (August 4, 2007). "Kevin Randleman: Return of the Monster". Nokaut. Retrieved August 4, 2007.
  2. ↑ MMAWeekly Radio – Jeff Cain (March 27, 2006). "Randleman Resurrected". MMAWeekly.
  3. ↑ Randleman vs. Gracie, Villasenor vs. "Jacare" official for May 15 Strikeforce event. MMAjunkie.com (2010-04-23). Retrieved on 2012-05-05.
  4. ↑ Ivan Trembow UFC FIGHTERS PASS DRUG TESTS. MMAWeekly.com. March 16, 2007
  5. ↑ Meltzer, Dave (November 7, 2006). "Fraudulent Drug Test Likely to Lead to Suspension". Wrestling Observer.
  6. ↑ "Kevin Randleman at a crossroads". MMAWeekly.
  7. ↑ "License to Fight: Busy Morning for NSAC". Sherdog. February 16, 2007.
  8. ↑ "Kevin Randleman Arrested in Nevada". MMA Weekly. August 16, 2007.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "All Japan Wrestle-1". Puroresu Central. Retrieved 2013-12-18.
  10. ↑ http://411mania.com/wrestling/the-furious-flashbacks-hustle-4/
  11. ↑ "Kevin Randleman's Wedding". CombatLifestyle.com. 2009-04-25. Retrieved 2009-06-06.
  12. ↑ Tristen Critchfield (February 11, 2016). "Former UFC Champ, Pride Veteran Kevin Randleman Dies at 44". sherdog.com. Retrieved February 11, 2016.
  13. ↑ Brent Brookhouse (February 11, 2016). "Former UFC heavyweight champion Kevin Randleman reportedly dead at 44". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved February 11, 2016.
  14. ↑ "Pro Wrestling ZERO-ONE - "OH Tag Festival 2003"" (in German). PuroLove.com. Retrieved 2013-12-18.
  15. 1 2 "HUSTLE Results: 2007" (in German). PuroLove.com. Retrieved 2013-12-18.
  16. ↑ "Fight Matrix Awards". Retrieved 2012-05-05.
  17. ↑ http://www.fightmagazine.com/mma-magazine/mma-article.asp?aid=231&issid=9
  18. ↑ http://www.fightmatrix.com/fightmatrix-awards/

External links

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Vacant
Title last held by
Bas Rutten		 5th UFC Heavyweight Champion
November 14, 1999 – November 17, 2000 		Succeeded by
Randy Couture
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