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American-born Russian mixed martial arts fighter (born 1971) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jeffrey William Monson (born January 18, 1971) is an American-born Russian[5] mixed martial artist, boxer, and submission grappler who competes primarily in the heavyweight division. A professional competitor since 1997, he has competed for the UFC, Strikeforce, DREAM, PRIDE, M-1 Global, Impact FC, World Victory Road, and Cage Warriors. In submission wrestling and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Monson is a two-time ADCC World Champion and a no-gi Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion.
Jeff Monson | |
|---|---|
| |
| Member of the State Assembly of the Republic of Bashkortostan | |
| Assumed office September 10, 2023 | |
| Member of the City Duma for Krasnogorsk | |
| In office September 9, 2018 – September 10, 2023 | |
| Special Representative for International Cooperation of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation's Sport Club | |
| Assumed office June 2016 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Jeffrey William Monson[1] January 18, 1971 Saint Paul, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Nationality | Russian (2018–present)[2] LPR (2016–2022)[3] Abkhazian (honorary)[4] American (until 2023)[5] |
| Political party | Communist Party of the Russian Federation (since 2016) |
| Other political affiliations | United Russia (as member of the State Assembly of the Republic of Bashkortostan) |
| Martial arts career | |
| Other names | The Snowman |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (175 cm) |
| Weight | 238 lb (108 kg; 17 st 0 lb) |
| Division | Heavyweight (1997–2000, 2001–present) Light Heavyweight (2000) |
| Reach | 71 in (180 cm) |
| Style | Submission wrestling |
| Fighting out of |
|
| Team | American Top Team |
| Rank | Black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Ricardo Libório |
| Wrestling | NCAA Division I Wrestling |
| Years active | 1997–2021 |
| Professional boxing record | |
| Total | 4 |
| Wins | 2 |
| By knockout | 2 |
| Losses | 1 |
| Draws | 1 |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 89 |
| Wins | 61 |
| By knockout | 5 |
| By submission | 36 |
| By decision | 19 |
| By disqualification | 1 |
| Losses | 26 |
| By knockout | 10 |
| By submission | 4 |
| By decision | 12 |
| Draws | 2 |
| Other information | |
| University | Oregon State University |
| Boxing record from BoxRec | |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
Last updated on: September 14, 2011 | |
| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
Representing  United States | ||
| Men's Submission grappling | ||
| ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championships | ||
 | 2009 Barcelona | +99 kg |
 | 2005 Long Beach | +99 kg |
 | 2001 Abu Dhabi | +99 kg |
| 2000 Abu Dhabi | -99 kg |
| 1999 Abu Dhabi | -99 kg |
| FILA Grappling World Championships | ||
| 2012 Kraków | +100 kg (No-Gi) |
| 2008 Lucerne | -125 kg (No-Gi) |
| 2007 Antalya | -125 kg (No-Gi) |
| Men's Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu | ||
| World No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu Championship | ||
| 2007 Carson | Open |
| 2007 Carson | +97.5 kg |
| Pan American Jiu-Jitsu Championships | ||
| 2001 Kissimmee | +100kg |
| Collegiate Wrestling | ||
| Representing the Oregon State Beavers | ||
| Pac-10 Championships | ||
| 1992 | 190 lb |
Outside of fighting, Monson, an anarcho-communist, is known for his radical left-wing political views. In 2018, Monson was elected to the city Duma of Krasnogorsk. He is additionally the host of the multi-platform political and social commentary program Monson TV on Russian state-funded RT.[6] In February 2023, Monson began the process of renouncing his American citizenship.[5]
Monson was born in Saint Paul, Minnesota, where he also grew up for most of his childhood. He attended Timberline High School and continued on as a Division I wrestler at Oregon State University and at the University of Illinois and was a Pac-10 champion for Oregon State.[7] He also competed at the senior level at USA Wrestling events for a number of years.[8]
Monson received a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Illinois and a master's degree in psychology from the University of Minnesota Duluth, where he was the assistant coach of the wrestling team.
He worked as a mental health professional for five years, both in a crisis evaluation role for Cascade Mental Health in Lewis County, Washington, as well as a child and family counselor.[9] However, having major success in Abu Dhabi Combat Club events and at other mixed martial arts (MMA) shows, he decided to leave the mental health profession to devote himself full-time to MMA.
Monson is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt and a two-time Abu Dhabi Combat Club Submission Wrestling World Champion. He is an MMA fighter and has also had three professional boxing bouts. His boxing record is two wins and one draw.
Monson is considered to be one of the world's top submission grapplers. He is a multiple event winner at NAGA, Grapplers Quest and FILA, among other submission tournaments.[10] He is nicknamed "The Snowman" for his performance at the 1999 Abu Dhabi Combat Club Submission Wrestling World Championship.[11] The Brazilian fighters at the tournament gave him the nickname because he came in as an unknown, but beat four Brazilians in a row to win the 88–98 kilogram weight class. As he went along in the tournament and continued to beat his opponents, they said he was like a snowball (white, compact, rolling and getting bigger and stronger as the tournament went on).[12]
After 14 straight MMA victories, Monson was signed by the UFC.
At UFC 57, Monson submitted Branden Lee Hinkle by north–south choke in the first round. At UFC 59, he fought Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt Marcio Cruz (ADCC veteran and longtime rival). Monson won by decision after three rounds. At UFC 61, Monson fought another Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt in Anthony Perosh, whom Monson defeated by TKO in the first round.
On November 18, 2006, at UFC 65, Monson fought Tim Sylvia for the UFC Heavyweight Championship. He lost a five-round decision and would later ask to be released from his UFC contract in the hopes of facing then-PRIDE Heavyweight Champion Fedor Emelianenko at a BodogFIGHT event scheduled for March 2007.[13] However, negotiations fell through and the match did not happen during that time.
In the main event of PRIDE 34, on April 8, 2007, Monson defeated Kazuyuki Fujita via rear-naked choke submission at 6:37 of the opening round.[14] This was the final fight in the history of Pride Fighting Championships.
His next fight was scheduled to be against Chris Guillen on August 17, 2007, for the Global Fighting Championships' Heavyweight Championship, but the event was canceled after four of the eight scheduled bouts were removed from the card.[15] Monson lost against Pedro Rizzo at Art of War 3, which was held on September 1, 2007. During the bout, Monson displayed a much improved level of striking, and kept the fight standing virtually the entire time.
On September 7, 2007, Monson won two matches in the FILA World Championship in Turkey, defeating France's Zoro Piere and England's Tom Blackledge by submission. Monson was awarded the 275-pound gold medal when his final opponent Ramon Diaz suffered an injury and was forced to bow out.
Monson defeated former UFC Heavyweight Champion Ricco Rodriguez in the main event of the Mixed Fighting Alliance "There Will Be Blood" event on December 13, 2008. He avenged a loss to Rodriguez from almost seven years prior.
On March 21, 2009, Monson won a controversial decision against Roy Nelson on Roy Jones Jr.'s hybrid boxing/MMA card "March Badness." He then beat Sergej Maslobojev on a Cage Wars card on March 29, 2009. He immediately went to Japan and defeated top Russian Heavyweight Sergei Kharitonov on April 5, 2009, at Dream 8, giving him three wins in two weeks.
On September 12, 2009, at Bitetti Combat MMA 4, Monson had his seven-fight win streak snapped, losing in a rematch with Pedro Rizzo by unanimous decision.
At 5150 Combat League/Xtreme Fighting League: New Years Revolution, Monson defeated John Brown by split decision on January 16, 2010.
On March 13, 2010, Monson fought in France at 100% Fight II and defeated Francisco Nonato by submission (guillotine choke) in the first round. He lost to Travis Wiuff in a split decision at XKL Evolution 2 on April 24, 2010. On May 14, 2010, he lost in Abu Dhabi to Shamil Abdurahimov by majority decision at the Abu Dhabi Fighting Championship in the quarter-finals of the 2010 Openweight Grand Prix.
Monson defeated Bira Lima at Impact FC 1 in Australia on July 10, 2010, by unanimous decision.
Monson faced Jason Guida on August 21, 2010, at an event called "Fight Time 1".[16] He defeated Jason Guida at 3:04 in the second round by a guillotine choke submission.
His next fight was scheduled to be against Neil Wain at "KnuckleUp: Kings of the North," but Neil Wain pulled out of the fight due to injuries. Stepping in to replace Wain was the very man who took him out of the fight, Dave Keeley.[17] Monson defeated Keeley by submission (north–south choke) in the first round.
Monson defeated Sergey Shemetov at the inaugural Israel Fighting Championship event on November 9. After the fight, he said he wanted to drop down to the Light Heavyweight division for his next fight and his friend, Ricco Rodriguez, who later won his fight in the main event, said he wanted to fight Monson in the International Fighting Championships (IFC) at Light Heavyweight.[18]
In 2011, Monson defeated Lee Mein on January 7[19] and Tony Lopez on April 1 in a five-round decision.
Monson's next fight was against Maro Perak where he won a three-round decision.[20]
Monson said that after he fought in April and May, he hoped the UFC would want him back, but this time he would like to fight in the Light Heavyweight division.[21]
Monson stepped in for injured Shane del Rosario to face prospect Daniel Cormier on the June 18 Strikeforce: Overeem vs. Werdum card in Dallas, Texas, and lost via fight via unanimous decision.[22]
Monson defeated Paul Taylor in Birmingham, England at the Sprawl n Brawl promotion on October 9, 2011.[23]
Monson fought Fedor Emelianenko at M-1 Global: Fedor vs. Monson on November 20, 2011, in Moscow, Russia and lost by unanimous decision.
Monson was unbeaten in his four fights after the loss against Fedor, and in June 2012 signed a four-fight deal with the Super Fight League in India.[24] Monson was originally announced to fight at SFL 4 on September 29 against former UFC fighter Todd Duffee but after the event was pushed back twice the SFL decided to change the structure of their shows, with weekly events replacing monthly events. Duffee and SFL agreed on his departure in September and he is currently fighting in the UFC. Following this news, the fight was canceled.
From June 2013 to April 2014, Monson would go 1–6 in seven fights, defeating Denis Komkin, and losing to notable fighters such as Alexey Oleynik, Satoshi Ishii, and Mike Hayes. After a loss to up-and-comer Chaban Ka, Monson defeated Kevin Brooks via north–south choke at Fight Time 20 on August 29, 2014.[25]
Monson faced Dmitry Titkov on September 5, 2014, at Fight Star: Saransk vs. Penza. He lost the fight by cut TKO, after a cut opened up on Monson.[26]
Monson then faced Mikhail Shein at Fight Star: The Battle of the Sura 2. He won the fight via rear-naked choke in the second round.[27]
Monson faced Ivan Shtyrkov on 6 May, the promoter and him decided to do an exhibition match due to Monson having an injury that would have forced him out of a legitimate MMA match. When the match started it quickly became clear that Shtyrkov was treating it as a real fight and shortly after dropping Monson with a straight right finished him with an armbar on his injured arm.[28]
On 12 January 2021, Monson announced his official retirement from all forms of combat sports, including both MMA and Submission Grappling.[29]
In 2004, when facing Márcio Cruz at the Arnold Gracie IBJJF competition, Monson allegedly attacked a referee and caused a brawl following the use of a "can opener" submission. The original attack was not caught on camera, but Monson is shown being restrained by several competition staff and coaches. As a result of this brawl the "can opener" was made illegal in IBJJF competitions. Both Monson and Pe de Pano were barred from competing at the next year's event.[30]
Monson is an anarcho-communist. He presently hosts a multi-platform (TV/social media) political and social commentary program on Russian state-funded RT, called Monson TV.[6]
In 2015, Monson sought Russian citizenship, citing that he felt "Russian in spirit."[31] He was granted Russian citizenship in 2018 by President Vladimir Putin.[32]
In April 2016, Monson expressed his desire to join the Communist Party of the Russian Federation in a video appeal to the party and praised socialism as "the only way as a human species that we’re going to survive."[33] Soon after, he was invited to meet Communist Party of the Russian Federation leader Gennady Zyuganov in his office in the State Duma, where they discussed the future of communism in Russia and globally.[34] Monson later led a procession across Red Square into Lenin's Mausoleum together with Zyuganov dedicated to the anniversary of Vladimir Lenin's birth.[35] He was appointed as a special representative for international cooperation by the Communist Party of the Russian Federation's Sport Club in June 2016.[36]
Monson was the subject of a party political advertisement released in the run-up to the 2016 State Duma Elections.[37]
In an interview, Monson stated his political views as follows: "I am an anarchist, someone who would like to do away with all class hierarchy in society and the institutions that promote this inequality."[38]
Monson is a member of the Industrial Workers of the World.[9]
On September 11, 2016, Monson announced on Twitter that he had become a citizen of the Luhansk People's Republic.[3] He was made an honorary citizen of the Republic of Abkhazia in October 2016 for "supporting nations striving for self-determination".[4]
On September 9, 2018, Monson was elected to the city duma (local city parliament) of Krasnogorsk, a city located near Moscow. Monson won the mandate as a candidate on the list of the ruling party United Russia, which nominated him without membership in the party. To be able to carry out the mandate, Monson had to give up his American citizenship in accordance with Russian law.[39][40]
Monson has expressed explicit support for the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022.[41] In March 2022, he criticized Arnold Schwarzenegger's appeal to the Russians (in which the latter accused the Russian government of aggression and disinformation of the population), recalling the non-compliance with the agreement not to expand NATO to the East, as well as that the War in Donbass began back in 2014.[42] In the same year, he released the documentary "8 Years Before", dedicated to the citizen of the DPR and LPR who survive in terrible conditions: "I want to tell the world about it. In the US, no one knows what is really going on. They see Russia as an aggressor, not as a savior, which it really is. I want to tell the truth so that they can see the situation that is actually there. People in Donbass have been suffering for eight years, and no one knows about it. This is a crime!"[43] About 500 local residents participated in the film.[44]
In August 2023, Monson was noted in a video for the Russian college course "Fundamentals of Russian Statehood" which is mandatory for all college students in Russia as someone who embraced the "Russian world", a propaganda term for the culture and worldview of Russia. A lecture in the video claims that "Hospitality is one of the traits of the Russian national character. Foreigners are not simply delighted by our [i.e. Russian] culture — they adopt it as their own, becoming part of the Russian world." The same lecture also notes American actor Steven Seagal as another foreigner who has embraced the Russian world. The news site Meduza in an article about the course notes that both Monson and Seagal had become citizens of Russia and both have publicly supported Russia in its invasion of Ukraine. The "Fundamentals of Russian Statehood" course is intended at least in part to explain and justify the invasion.[45]
In September 2023, Monson was elected to the 110-seat State Assembly (kurultai) of the Republic of Bashkortostan as a member of the ruling United Russia party following an election.[46]
Monson has two children from his first marriage.[47] He has a daughter from his second marriage. He now has a fourth child from a Russian woman.[48]
In late 2008, Monson spraypainted an anarchy symbol, peace symbol, "no war", and "no poverty" on the Washington State Capitol in photographs published in ESPN The Magazine. Charged with first-degree criminal mischief,[49] Monson pled guilty in July 2009.[50]
On February 16, 2023, Monson declared that he was in the process of renouncing his U.S. citizenship. "This spring, I'll only have my Russian passport," he said, "I do not agree with the American foreign policy, they keep meddling in the affairs of other countries, people are suffer[ing] because of them. Yes, I have children in the United States, but I love Russia and the Russians."[5] On May 23, 2023, Monson officially renounced his American citizenship.[51]
| 89 matches | 61 wins | 26 losses |
| By knockout | 5 | 10 |
| By submission | 36 | 4 |
| By decision | 19 | 12 |
| By disqualification | 1 | 0 |
| Draws | 2 | |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Draw | 61–26–2 | Nikolai Savilov | Draw | Arta MMA: Battle For Ryzan | March 25, 2017 | 2 | 5:00 | Ryazan, Russia | |
| Win | 61–26–1 | Alex Kardo | Submission (north-south choke) | Industrials Battle in Belgorod | October 22, 2016 | 2 | 3:30 | Belgorod, Russia | |
| Loss | 60–26–1 | Ivan Shtyrkov | Submission (armbar) | Titov Boxing Promotion: Monson vs. Shtyrkov | May 6, 2016 | 1 | 1:01 | Yekaterinburg, Russia | |
| Win | 60–25–1 | Anton Lotkov | Submission (north-south choke) | Fight Stars 2 | March 19, 2016 | 1 | 1:45 | Balakovo, Russia | |
| Loss | 59–25–1 | Donald Njatah Nya | KO (punch) | Mix Fight Combat | December 25, 2015 | 1 | 0:50 | Khimki, Russia | For the vacant MFC Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 59–24–1 | Konstantin Skrelya | Submission (north-south choke) | OFS: Octagon Fighting Sensation 6 | November 20, 2015 | 1 | 2:13 | Moscow, Russia | |
| Win | 58–24–1 | Nikolay Savilov | DQ (soccer kicks after bell) | Shield-Peresvet 3 | September 26, 2015 | 1 | 5:00 | Moscow, Russia | |
| Loss | 57–24–1 | Zamirbek Syrgabaev | Decision (unanimous) | JFC: Jashkuch Fighting Championship Fight Night | September 19, 2015 | 3 | 5:00 | Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan | |
| Win | 57–23–1 | Denis Komkin | Decision (unanimous) | Fightspirit Championship 5 | September 6, 2015 | 3 | 5:00 | Kolpino, Russia | |
| Loss | 56–23–1 | Evgeny Erokhin | TKO (punches) | FEFoFP: Mayor's Cup | June 6, 2015 | 2 | 4:43 | Khabarovsk, Russia | |
| Loss | 56–22–1 | Evgeny Egemberdiev | Decision (unanimous) | Alash Pride FC: Royal Plaza Vol. 5 | April 30, 2015 | 3 | 5:00 | Almaty, Kazakhstan | |
| Loss | 56–21–1 | D.J. Linderman | TKO (punches) | Fight Time 24: MMA Kings | April 3, 2015 | 5 | 1:42 | Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States | Lost the ISKA World Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 56–20–1 | Alexander Stolyarov | Submission (north-south choke) | OFS: Octagon Fighting Sensation 3 | February 28, 2015 | 3 | 4:29 | Yaroslavl, Russia | |
| Win | 55–20–1 | Vladimir Nepochatov | Submission (north-south choke) | Oplot Challenge 108 | February 21, 2015 | 1 | 2:40 | Moscow, Russia | Openweight bout. |
| Win | 54–20–1 | Ilya Shcheglov | Submission (north-south choke) | Eurasian Fighting Championship: Altay Great Battle | November 28, 2014 | 2 | 2:45 | Barnaul, Russia | |
| Win | 53–20–1 | Evgeniy Bykov | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Fight Alliance Promotions: Gladiator Fighting 2 | November 22, 2014 | 1 | 1:16 | Troitsk, Moscow, Russia | |
| Win | 52–20–1 | Mikhail Shein | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Fight Stars: The Battle of the Sura 2 | September 21, 2014 | 2 | 4:05 | Penza, Russia | |
| Loss | 51–20–1 | Dmitry Titkov | Decision (unanimous) | Fight Stars: Saransk vs. Penza | September 5, 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | Saransk, Russia | |
| Win | 51–19–1 | Kevin Brooks | Submission (north-south choke) | Fight Time 20 | August 29, 2014 | 1 | 1:08 | Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States | |
| Loss | 50–19–1 | Chaban Ka | TKO (punches) | M-1 Challenge 47 | April 4, 2014 | 1 | 1:31 | Orenburg, Russia | |
| Loss | 50–18–1 | Shakhmaral Dzhepisov | KO (punches) | Diamond Fight | March 22, 2014 | 3 | 3:38 | Almaty, Kazakhstan | |
| Loss | 50–17–1 | Mike Hayes | TKO (head kick and punches) | CWC 9: Cage Warrior Combat 9 | November 2, 2013 | 3 | 1:21 | Kent, Washington, United States | |
| Loss | 50–16–1 | Satoshi Ishii | Decision (majority) | M-1 Challenge 42 | October 20, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | St. Petersburg, Russia | |
| Win | 50–15–1 | Denis Komkin | Decision (split) | Coliseum Fighting Championship: New History | September 16, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | St. Petersburg, Russia | |
| Loss | 49–15–1 | Alexey Oleynik | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Oplot Challenge 54 | June 20, 2013 | 2 | 3:26 | Kharkiv, Ukraine | |
| Loss | 49–14–1 | Magomed Malikov | TKO (doctor stoppage) | M-1 Challenge 40 | June 8, 2013 | 2 | 2:58 | Dzheyrakhsky District, Ingushetia, Russia | |
| Win | 49–13–1 | Drazen Forgac | TKO (knee injury) | Strength & Honor Championship 7 | March 9, 2013 | 2 | 0:58 | Geneva, Switzerland | Defended the SHC Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 48–13–1 | Dong Gook Kang | Decision (unanimous) | Road FC 10: Monson vs. Kang | November 24, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Busan, South Korea | |
| Win | 47–13–1 | Alexander Emelianenko | Submission (north-south choke) | M-1 Challenge 35 | November 15, 2012 | 2 | 3:17 | St. Petersburg, Russia | |
| Win | 46–13–1 | Denis Komkin | Submission (north-south choke) | M-1 Global: Fedor vs. Rizzo | June 21, 2012 | 1 | 1:58 | St. Petersburg, Russia | |
| Win | 45–13–1 | Jim York | Decision (unanimous) | Cage Fighting Championships 21 | May 18, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Sydney, Australia | |
| Draw | 44–13–1 | Chaban Ka | Draw | 100% Fight 11: Explosion | May 11, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Paris, France | |
| Win | 44–13 | Alexey Oleynik | Decision (split) | M-1 Challenge 31 | March 16, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | St. Petersburg, Russia | |
| Loss | 43–13 | Fedor Emelianenko | Decision (unanimous) | M-1 Global: Fedor vs. Monson | November 20, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Moscow, Russia | |
| Win | 43–12 | Paul Taylor | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Sprawl n Brawl 8: Return of the Cyborg | October 9, 2011 | 1 | 4:20 | Edgbaston, Birmingham, England | Won the SNB Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship. |
| Loss | 42–12 | Daniel Cormier | Decision (unanimous) | Strikeforce: Overeem vs. Werdum | June 18, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Dallas, Texas, United States | Strikeforce 2011 Heavyweight Grand Prix Reserve Bout. |
| Win | 42–11 | Maro Perak | Decision (unanimous) | SHC 4: Monson vs. Perak | April 30, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Geneva, Switzerland | Won the SHC Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 41–11 | Tony Lopez | Decision (unanimous) | Fight Time 4: MMA Heavyweight Explosion | April 1, 2011 | 5 | 5:00 | Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States | Won the ISKA World Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 40–11 | Lee Mein | Submission (guillotine choke) | CFM 1: Monson vs. Mein | January 7, 2011 | 1 | 3:31 | Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada | |
| Win | 39–11 | Sergey Shemetov | Submission (americana) | Israel FC: Genesis | November 9, 2010 | 1 | 4:09 | Tel Aviv, Israel | |
| Win | 38–11 | Travis Fulton | Submission (kimura) | Fight Time 2 | October 23, 2010 | 1 | 4:40 | Pompano Beach, Florida, United States | |
| Win | 37–11 | Dave Keeley | Submission (north-south choke) | KUMMA: Kings of the North | September 4, 2010 | 1 | 1:41 | Lancashire, England | |
| Win | 36–11 | Jason Guida | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Fight Time 1 | August 21, 2010 | 2 | 3:04 | Pompano Beach, Florida, United States | |
| Win | 35–11 | Ubiratan Marinho Lima | Decision (unanimous) | Impact FC 1 | July 10, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | Brisbane, Australia | |
| Loss | 34–11 | Shamil Abdurakhimov | Decision (majority) | ADFC: Battle of the Champions | May 14, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | |
| Loss | 34–10 | Travis Wiuff | Decision (split) | CFX / XKL: Mayhem in Minneapolis | April 24, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States | |
| Win | 34–9 | Francisco Nonato | Submission (guillotine choke) | 100% Fight: 100 Percent Fight 2 | March 13, 2010 | 1 | 2:27 | Paris, France | |
| Win | 33–9 | John Brown | Decision (split) | 5150 Combat League / XFL: New Year's Revolution | January 16, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States | |
| Loss | 32–9 | Pedro Rizzo | Decision (unanimous) | Bitetti Combat MMA 4 | September 12, 2009 | 3 | 5:00 | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | |
| Win | 32–8 | Jimmy Ambriz | Submission (rear-naked choke) | TC 33: Bad Intentions | July 11, 2009 | 1 | 1:09 | Mexico City, Mexico | |
| Win | 31–8 | Sergei Kharitonov | Submission (north-south choke) | Dream 8 | April 5, 2009 | 1 | 1:42 | Nagoya, Aichi, Japan | |
| Win | 30–8 | Sergej Maslobojev | Submission (north-south choke) | CW 11: Decade | March 29, 2009 | 2 | 2:30 | Belfast, Northern Ireland | |
| Win | 29–8 | Roy Nelson | Decision (unanimous) | SRP: March Badness | March 21, 2009 | 3 | 5:00 | Pensacola, Florida, United States | |
| Win | 28–8 | Ricco Rodriguez | Decision (unanimous) | MFA: There Will Be Blood | December 13, 2008 | 3 | 5:00 | Miami, Florida, United States | |
| Win | 27–8 | Jimmy Ambriz | Submission (north-south choke) | Beatdown: 4 Bears Casino | October 11, 2008 | 1 | 1:50 | New Town, North Dakota, United States | |
| Win | 26–8 | Mark Kerr | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Vengeance Fighting Championship 1 | September 27, 2008 | 1 | 3:15 | Concord, North Carolina, United States | |
| Loss | 25–8 | Josh Barnett | Decision (split) | World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku 2 | May 18, 2008 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 25–7 | Hakim Gouram | Decision (unanimous) | PFP: Ring of Fire | December 9, 2007 | 3 | 5:00 | Quezon City, Philippines | |
| Loss | 24–7 | Pedro Rizzo | TKO (punches) | Art of War 3 | September 1, 2007 | 3 | 2:40 | Dallas, Texas, United States | For the UAFC Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 24–6 | Kazuyuki Fujita | Submission (rear-naked choke) | PRIDE 34 | April 8, 2007 | 1 | 6:37 | Saitama, Saitama, Japan | |
| Loss | 23–6 | Tim Sylvia | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 65 | November 18, 2006 | 5 | 5:00 | Sacramento, United States | For the UFC Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 23–5 | Anthony Perosh | TKO (punches) | UFC 61 | July 8, 2006 | 1 | 2:43 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Knockout of the Night. |
| Win | 22–5 | Márcio Cruz | Decision (split) | UFC 59 | April 15, 2006 | 3 | 5:00 | Anaheim, California, United States | |
| Win | 21–5 | Branden Lee Hinkle | Technical Submission (north-south choke) | UFC 57 | February 4, 2006 | 1 | 4:35 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 20–5 | Marc Emmanuel | Submission (rear-naked choke) | CWFC: Strike Force 4 | November 26, 2005 | 1 | 0:58 | Coventry, England | Defended the Cage Warriors Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 19–5 | Devin Cole | Decision (unanimous) | XFC: Dome of Destruction 3 | October 15, 2005 | 3 | 5:00 | Tacoma, Washington, United States | Won the XFC Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 18–5 | Jay White | Submission (rear-naked choke) | SF 12: Breakout | September 16, 2005 | 1 | 1:21 | Portland, Oregon, United States | Won the SportFight Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 17–5 | Rich Wilson | Submission (armbar) | Extreme Wars: X-1 | July 2, 2005 | 1 | 1:56 | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States | |
| Win | 16–5 | Tengiz Tedoradze | Submission (rear-naked choke) | CWFC: Ultimate Force | April 30, 2005 | 1 | 1:59 | Sheffield, England | Defended the Cage Warriors Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 15–5 | Jay White | TKO (injury) | Euphoria: USA vs. the World | February 26, 2005 | 1 | 4:07 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
| Win | 14–5 | Brian Stromberg | Submission (rear-naked choke) | SF 8: Justice | January 7, 2005 | 1 | N/A | Gresham, Oregon, United States | |
| Win | 13–5 | Tengiz Tedoradze | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Cage Warriors 9: Xtreme Xmas | December 18, 2004 | 1 | 3:51 | Sheffield, England | Won the Cage Warriors Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 12–5 | Pat Stano | TKO (knee to the body) | Euphoria: Road to the Titles | October 15, 2004 | 2 | 3:11 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
| Win | 11–5 | Carlos Clayton | Decision (unanimous) | AFC: Brazil 1 | August 28, 2004 | 3 | 5:00 | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | |
| Win | 10–5 | Don Richards | Submission (north-south choke) | IHC 7: The Crucible | June 5, 2004 | 2 | 2:25 | Hammond, Indiana, United States | |
| Win | 9–5 | Joe Nye | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Mass Destruction 12 | August 16, 2003 | 1 | 3:02 | Taunton, Massachusetts, United States | |
| Win | 8–5 | Mike Delaney | Submission (north-south choke) | Absolute Fighting Championships 4 | July 19, 2003 | 1 | 4:27 | Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States | |
| Loss | 7–5 | Forrest Griffin | Decision (unanimous) | WEFC 1: Bring it On | June 29, 2002 | 4 | 4:20 | Marietta, Georgia, United States | |
| Loss | 7–4 | Ricco Rodriguez | TKO (punches) | UFC 35 | January 11, 2002 | 3 | 3:00 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | |
| Win | 7–3 | Roman Roytberg | Submission (north-south choke) | AMC: Revenge of the Warriors | July 21, 2001 | 1 | N/A | Rochester, Washington, United States | |
| Loss | 6–3 | Chuck Liddell | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 29 | December 16, 2000 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | Light Heavyweight debut. |
| Win | 6–2 | Tim Lajcik | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 27 | September 22, 2000 | 2 | 5:00 | New Orleans, Louisiana, United States | |
| Win | 5–2 | Bob Gilstrap | Decision (unanimous) | AMC: Return of the Gladiators 1 | July 29, 2000 | 3 | 5:00 | Rochester, Washington, United States | |
| Loss | 4–2 | David Dodd | Submission (armbar) | Extreme Challenge 23 | April 2, 1999 | 1 | 0:46 | Indianapolis, Indiana, United States | |
| Win | 4–1 | Roger Neff | Decision | Ultimate Ring Challenge | March 1, 1999 | 3 | 5:00 | Wenatchee, Washington, United States | |
| Loss | 3–1 | Tommy Sauer | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Extreme Challenge 20 | August 22, 1998 | 1 | 3:47 | Davenport, Iowa, United States | |
| Win | 3–0 | John Renfroe | TKO (submission to punches) | Ultimate Warrior Challenge | August 2, 1998 | 1 | 2:45 | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | |
| Win | 2–0 | Cy Cross | Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFCF: Night of Champions | March 14, 1998 | 1 | 3:47 | Lynnwood, Washington, United States | |
| Win | 1–0 | Luther Norberg | Decision (unanimous) | UFCF: Gladiators | November 21, 1997 | 1 | N/A | No location reported |
| Amateur record breakdown | ||
| 1 match | 0 wins | 1 loss |
| By decision | 0 | 1 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 0–1 | Viacheslav Datsik | Decision (unanimous) | Arta MMA: Battle For Ryzan | August 8, 2022 | 3 | 5:00 | Moscow, Russia |
| 4 fights | 2 wins | 1 loss |
|---|---|---|
| By knockout | 2 | 0 |
| By decision | 0 | 1 |
| Draws | 1 | |
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Method | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Loss | 2–1–1 |  Timer Nikulin |
UD | 4 | Oct 26, 2021 |  Concert Hall Mir, Moscow, Russia | |
| 3 | Win | 2–0–1 |  J.C. Hillard |
TKO | 2 (4), 2:11 | Nov 20, 2004 | Club Ovation, Boynton Beach, Florida, United States |
|
| 2 | Win | 1–0–1 | Kenyatta Quitman |
TKO | 2 (4), 2:12 | May 15, 2004 | Club Ovation, Boynton Beach, Florida, United States |
|
| 1 | Draw | 0–0–1 | Matt Ives |
PTS | 4 | Apr 23, 2004 | Club Med, Port St. Lucie, Florida, United States |
| 1 match | 0 wins | 1 loss |
| By decision | 0 | 1 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 0–1 | Alexander Emelianenko |
Decision (unanimous) | Hardcore FC: Russia vs. USA | February 23, 2022 | 3 | 3:00 | Moscow, Russia |
| 16 Matches, 9 Wins (4 Submissions), 4 Losses (0 Submissions), 3 Draws | |||||||
| Result | Rec. | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 9–4–3 | Aleksey Molchakov |
Submission (Rear-naked choke) | Kingdom Professional Fight: Selection 4 | July 18, 2020 | St. Petersburg, Russia | |
| Win | 8–4–3 | Warren Brooks |
Submission (Rear-naked choke) | Submission Underground 2 | December 10, 2016 | Portland, Oregon | |
| Win | 7–4–3 | Shannon Ritch |
Submission (Kimura) | A-Fight MMA 4 | October 9, 2016 | Nevinnomyssk, Russia | |
| Loss | 6–4–3 | Levan Persaev |
Decision (Unanimous) | Octagon Fighting Sensation 9 | October 6, 2016 |  Sukhumi, Georgia | |
| Draw | 6–3–3 | Eduard Kuntudaev |
Draw | Red City Fights 6 | September 4, 2016 | Yoshkar-Ola, Russia | |
| Win | 6–3–2 | Maxim Kiselev |
Submission (North-south choke) | PRIDE Fighting Show 1 | April 23, 2016 | Nizhny Novgorod, Russia | |
| Draw | 5–3–2 | Aleksey Budimirov |
Draw (Unanimous) | Fight Stars: Battle on Sura 5 | April 16, 2016 | Penza, Russia | |
| Draw | 5–3–1 | Isa Umarov |
Draw (Unanimous) | Kunlun Fight 1 | January 25, 2014 |  Pattaya, Thailand | |
| Win | 5–3 |  Gabriel Gonzaga |
Decision | 2005 ADCC Championships | May 28, 2005 | Long Beach, California | |
| Loss | 4–3 | Ryron Gracie |
Decision (Points) | Ultimate Submission Showdown 2003 | October 11, 2003 | Torrance, California | |
| Loss | 4–2 |  Mark Robinson |
Decision | 2001 ADCC World Championship | April 11, 2001 |  Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | |
| Loss | 4–1 | Ricardo Arona |
Decision | 2000 ADCC World Championship | March 1, 2000 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | |
| Win | 4–0 | Saulo Ribeiro |
Decision | 1999 ADCC World Championship | February 24, 1999 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | |
| Win | 3–0 | Rigan Machado |
Decision (Points) | ||||
| Win | 2–0 | Roberto Traven |
Decision (Points) | ||||
| Win | 1–0 |  Fabiano Capoani |
Decision (Points) | ||||
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