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Travis Fulton

American boxer and mixed martial artist (1977–2021) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Travis Fulton
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Travis Fulton (May 29, 1977 – July 10, 2021) was an American mixed martial artist and a professional boxer in the heavyweight division of both sports. Known as a longtime veteran in mixed martial arts, he competed in over 300 sanctioned bouts and while he was perhaps best known for competing in smaller US-based promotions, he also competed in the UFC, the USWF, the WEC, Pancrase, M-1 Global, the Chicago Red Bears of the IFL, King of the Cage, RINGS, and Oktagon MMA. He also holds the record for the most sanctioned mixed martial arts bouts, with 320 bouts; in addition to that, he also holds the most wins in mixed martial arts history (255).

Quick Facts Born, Died ...
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Background

Fulton was born in Waterloo, Iowa and raised in Cedar Falls, Iowa.[1] His father worked for the John Deere company and was eventually laid off, sending the family to deep poverty.[1] In school, Fulton was seriously bullied, up to a point where he contrived a plan to kill his tormentors and subsequently himself.[1] However, success in multiple sports made him popular: Fulton began wrestling when he was in elementary school, following his older brother's footsteps.[1] Fulton was also a skilled baseball player and later attended Cedar Falls High School, where he was a state competitor in wrestling, but was kicked off the team several times for skipping classes. He was also a Golden Gloves boxer and a second-degree black belt in American Kenpo. Fulton fell in love with the sport of mixed martial arts after seeing UFC 3 on pay per view. At the age of 18, Fulton took up submission fighting and later trained with Miletich Fighting Systems led by legendary coach and fellow Iowa native Pat Miletich.[2]

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Mixed martial arts career

Summarize
Perspective

Fulton has fought more documented MMA matches than any other fighter, racking up over 300 fights in just over 15 years. He debuted on July 26, 1996, when he was 19 years old against Dave Strasser in an event entitled "Gladiators". He lost by submission via a rear naked choke. Within just over two years of his debut, he had fought 50 Vale Tudo fights including five fights across two tournaments in one month in September 1997, compiling a record of 37-11-2 in that span. He won the World Vale Tudo Heavyweight Championship at a Tournament in Brazil in 1998.[3]

Fulton fought over 40 professional mixed martial Arts bouts in 1998 alone. He won 10 tournaments including the prestigious WVC in Brazil.

Fulton also defeated undefeated Super Brawl champion Kawika Pa'alhui in Hawaii in August 1998. He fought to a draw against Ikuhisa Minowa in Japan in October 1998.

By early 1999, at just 22 years old, Fulton was recognized as one of the top young Vale Tudo fighters in the United States and was invited to fight at UFC 20, where he lost to Pete Williams by submission via an armbar. He returned at UFC 21, defeating David Dodd via a unanimous decision, though it was his last time fighting in the UFC.

Fulton was scheduled to compete in UFC 23 against Scott Adams, but was sidelined with a broken hand just six days prior to the event.

In 2008, Fulton was chosen to appear in The Ultimate Fighter reality series, but was unable to make weight in time for filming.

While posting a winning record 2001-05 were dogged by losses to up-and-coming fighters that went on to become top-level UFC fighters, such as Andrei Arlovski, Renato Sobral, Ricco Rodriguez, Evan Tanner, Dan Severn, Rich Franklin, Forrest Griffin, Ian Freeman, Jeremy Horn, Branden Lee Hinkle, and Ben Rothwell.

Fulton has thrived in many MMA organizations. He won the International Fighting Championships (IFC) world title 3 times, and has also won 3 tournaments in the organization. His only IFC losses were to Matt Lindland by choke at 22:13 (although Fulton submitted Lindland via armbar submission less than 2 minutes into their fight, but Lindland protested and Fulton agreed to continue the match) and Vladimir Matyushenko by neck crank at 15:33.

Fulton competed in the main event of World Extreme Cagefighting's debut event in June 2001 and lost a decision to UFC Hall of Famer Dan Severn.

Fulton returned to compete in IFL Chicago in May 2007 when he took on IFL Heavyweight Champion Ben Rothwell. Fulton took the fight on a week's notice, but gave Rothwell his greatest challenge to date in the IFL organization before losing via kimura in round 2.

Fulton fought former UFC Heavyweight Champion Andrei Arlovski at ProElite 2 in November 2011 and lost via a head kick KO with only one second remaining in the fight. The bout served as the co-main event.[4]

Fulton was the #1 ranked heavyweight in Iowa for nearly a decade. He formerly held the Iowa Challenge, Cedar Valley Fighting Championships, and ISKA Mid West Muay Thai Heavyweight Championship titles.

On April 4, 2019, in Fulton's last fight, he captured the M-1 Global Super Fight World title when he defeated Shannon Ritch in Winterhaven, California by forearm choke. Fulton holds the record for the most mixed martial arts fights in history. Shannon Ritch is second only to Fulton in number of mixed martial arts fights.

ISCF - International Sport Combat Federation

Fulton won the ISCF Pro Super Heavyweight United States Title on August 8, 1999, in Tempe, Arizona, when he defeated Dan Chase by knockout at :40 of round 1.

Iowa Challenge

In August 2012, Fulton competed at Iowa Challenge 69, facing Brad Scholten. He won the fight via split decision. After being inactive from MMA, Fulton returned to face Ryan Scheeper at Iowa Challenge 80 in March 2013, which he won by submission strikes. Fulton returned to Iowa Challenge in August 2013, where he faced Blake Breitspreacher, and won by TKO.

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Boxing career

In parallel to his MMA career, Fulton has also boxed professionally since 1999, mainly in the Midwestern circuit, often serving as a trial horse for up-and coming fighters such as Tye Fields, Chris Koval, Brian Minto, David Rodriguez, Albert Sosnowski, Chauncy Welliver, Travis Walker, Alonzo Butler, and Steve Collins (not the famous Irish boxer).[5] While not as prolific as his MMA career, he has had 75 professional boxing matches, racking up a record of 25 wins against 48 losses and 2 draws, with twenty-three of his wins coming by way of knockout.[5]

Personal life

Fulton lived alone in rural Iowa and had one child. He wrote his autobiography in 2017 which has not been published.[1]

Death

While in custody for the child pornography charges, Fulton, age 44, was found dead by deputies at the Linn County Jail on the morning of July 10, 2021.[6] The cause of death was suicide by hanging. The Sheriff of Linn County later reported his autopsy cause of death as strangulation.[7]

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Championships and accomplishments

  • M-1 Global
    • M-1 Global Super Fight World Champion
  • International Sport Combat Federation
    • ISCF Pro Super Heavyweight US Champion
  • International Fighting Championship
    • IFC 8 Tournament Winner
    • IFC Extreme Combat Tournament Winner
    • IFC 6 Tournament Runner Up
  • World Vale Tudo Championship
    • WVC 6 Tournament Winner

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
320 matches 255 wins 54 losses
By knockout 143 13
By submission 104 26
By decision 8 14
By disqualification 0 1
Draws 10
No contests 1
More information Res., Record ...
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Professional boxing record

Professional record breakdown
75 matches 25 wins 48 losses
By knockout 23 33
By decision 2 10
By disqualification 0 5
Draws 2
Result Record Opponent Type Round Date Location Notes
Loss 25-48-2 United States Ryan Watson UD 4 09/08/2019 Minnesota Hinckley, Minnesota, United States 36-40, 36-40, 37-39
Loss 25-47-2 Canada Mladen Miljas TKO 1 08/09/2018 Kansas Lawrence, Kansas, United States
Loss 25-46-2 United States David Latoria UD 4 15/09/2017 Illinois Rosemont, Illinois, United States
Win 25-45-2 United States Preston Shane KO 1 15/07/2017 Iowa Waterloo, Iowa, United States
Draw 24-45-2 United States Lance Gauch MD 4 29/04/2017 Kansas Lawrence, Kansas, United States 38-38, 38-38, 37-39
Loss 24-45-1 United States Tyson Cobb KO 1 29/04/2017 Kansas Lawrence, Kansas, United States
Loss 24-44-1 United States Craig Lewis TKO 1 07/10/2016 Kentucky Covington, Kentucky, United States
Win 24-43-1 United States Mike Smith TKO 1 24/09/2016 Iowa Mason City, Iowa, United States
Loss 23-43-1 United States Byron Polley DQ 3 10/06/2016 Missouri Saint Joseph, Missouri, United States Fulton disqualified for excessive holding
Loss 23-42-1 Canada Simon Kean TKO 2 12/03/2016 Canada Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Loss 23-41-1 United States Richard Carmack UD 4 19/02/2016 Iowa Sloan, Iowa, United States 37-39, 37-39, 37-39
Win 23-40-1 United States Van Goodman UD 5 22/01/2016 Minnesota Hinckley, Minnesota, United States 50-45, 50-45, 50-45
Loss 22-40-1 Canada Oleksandr Teslenko DQ 2 28/11/2015 Canada Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
Loss 22-39-1 United States Joey Abell TKO 3 17/04/2015 Minnesota Hinckley, Minnesota, United States
Loss 22-38-1 United States Byron Polley SD 4 28/03/2015 Missouri Saint Joseph, Missouri, United States 38-37, 37-38, 36-39
Win 22-37-1 United States Blake Breitsprecher TKO 2 02/08/2014 Iowa Waterloo, Iowa, United States
Loss 21-37-1 United States Ed Latimore DQ 2 17/05/2014 West Virginia Chester, West Virginia, United States Fulton was disqualified for excessive holding
Loss 21-36-1 United States Donovan Dennis TKO 2 28/03/2014 North Dakota New Town, North Dakota, United States
Loss 21-35-1 Jamaica Lenroy Thomas UD 4 21/03/2014 Florida Tampa, Florida, United States 33-40, 33-40, 33-40
Loss 21-34-1 Nigeria Lateef Kayode TKO 2 06/12/2013 California Santa Ynez, California, United States
Loss 21-33-1 United States Gerald Washington TKO 1 19/10/2013 Mexico Mexico City, Mexico
Win 21-32-1 United States Van Goodman UD 4 16/08/2013 Minnesota Hinckley, Minnesota, United States 40-36, 40-36, 40-36
Win 20-32-1 United States Blake Breitsprecher TKO 3 27/07/2013 Iowa Des Moines, Iowa, United States
Loss 19-32-1 United States Jeremy Williams DQ 3 30/03/2013 Iowa Waterloo, Iowa, United States Fulton was disqualified for excessive holding
Draw 19-31-1 United States Van Goodman MD 4 25/01/2013 Minnesota Hinckley, Minnesota, United States 39–37, 38–38, 38–38
Win 19-31 United States Mike Smith KO 1 15/12/2012 Iowa Waterloo, Iowa, United States Smith knocked out at 0:18 of the first round.
Loss 18-31 United States Jordan Shimmell TKO 2 27/10/2012 Minnesota Carlton, Minnesota, United States Referee stopped the bout at 2:47 of the second round.
Win 18-30 United States Sam Wilcox TKO 1 08/09/2012 Iowa Davenport, Iowa, United States Referee stopped the bout at 1:31 of the first round.
Loss 17-30 United States Elijah McCall TKO 2 21/06/2012 Illinois Elk Grove, Illinois, United States Referee stopped the bout at 2:10 of the second round.
Win 17-29 United States Nick Capes TKO 1 02/06/2012 Iowa Davenport, Iowa, United States Referee stopped the bout at 2:37 of the first round.
Loss 16-29 United States Galen Brown UD 4 12/05/2012 Oklahoma Concho, Oklahoma, United States 34–40, 34–40, 34–40
Loss 16-28 United States Aaron Green TKO 2 07/04/2012 Wisconsin Superior, Wisconsin, United States Referee stopped the bout at 2:49 of the second round.
Win 16-27 United States Preston Shane KO 2 10/03/2012 Iowa Waterloo, Iowa, United States Shane knocked out at 2:15 of the second round.
Loss 15-27 United States Fres Oquendo DQ 2 03/03/2012 Iowa Davenport, Iowa, United States Fulton disqualified at 2:58 of the second round.
Win 15-26 United States Brian Long KO 1 18/02/2012 Iowa Steamboat Rock, Iowa, United States Long knocked out at 0:34 of the first round.
Loss 14-26 United States Eugene Hill UD 4 10/06/2011 Iowa Iowa City, Iowa, United States 33–40, 33–39, 33–40
Loss 14-25 United States Rob Calloway MD 6 06/08/2011 Kansas Kansas City, Kansas, United States 55–59, 57–57, 55–59
Loss 14-24 United States John Clark TKO 3 07/05/2009 Oklahoma Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States Referee stopped the bout at 2:45 of the third round.
Loss 14-23 United States Chazz Witherspoon TKO 3 28/03/2009 Oklahoma Miami, Oklahoma, United States Referee stopped the bout at 1:43 of the third round.
Loss 14-22 United States Raphael Butler TKO 2 04/10/2008 Minnesota Rochester, Minnesota, United States Referee stopped the bout at 2:04 of the second round after being knocked down thrice in the fight.
Loss 14-21 United States Travis Kauffman TKO 2 19/07/2008 Missouri Saint Joseph, Missouri, United States Referee stopped the bout at 1:57 of the second round.
Loss 14-20 United States Galen Brown UD 6 17/05/2008 Missouri Saint Joseph, Missouri, United States
Loss 14-19 United States Steve Collins UD 4 02/08/2007 Texas Houston, Texas, United States 34–40, 34–40, 34–40
Loss 14-18 United States Raphael Butler TKO 2 29/06/2007 Michigan Comstock Park, Michigan, United States Referee stopped the bout at 1:25 of the second round.
Loss 14-17 United States Lou Savarese TKO 3 18/01/2007 Texas Houston, Texas, United States Referee stopped the bout at 1:31 of the third round.
Loss 14-16 Canada Patrice L'Heureux TKO 3 30/09/2006 Canada Montreal, Quebec, Canada Referee stopped the bout at 2:03 of the third round.
Win 14-15 United States Rory Prazak TKO 2 15/07/2006 Iowa Manchester, Iowa, United States Referee stopped the bout at 2:01 of the second round.
Loss 13-15 United States Alonzo Butler TKO 2 31/05/2006 Washington (state) Airway Heights, Washington, United States Referee stopped the bout at 1:26 of the second round.
Loss 13-14 United States Travis Walker TKO 2 23/02/2006 California Lemoore, California, United States Referee stopped the bout at 1:54 of the second round.
Win 13-13 United States Brandon Quigley TKO 1 28/01/2006 Iowa Hendrick, Iowa, United States Referee stopped the bout at 0:43 of the first round.
Win 12-13 United States Bryan Robinson TKO 1 10/12/2005 Iowa Blairstown, Iowa, United States Referee stopped the bout at 2:47 of the first round.
Loss 11-13 New Zealand Chauncy Welliver TKO 4 17/09/2005 Washington (state) Tacoma, Washington, United States Referee stopped the bout at 1:40 of the fourth round.
Loss 11-12 United States Jeremy Bates TKO 1 12/08/2005 West Virginia Wheeling, West Virginia, United States
Loss 11-11 United States Thomas Hayes TKO 3 08/07/2005 Indiana Merrillville, Indiana, United States Referee stopped the bout at 1:33 of the third round.
Loss 11-10 United States China "The Dragon" Smith TKO 3 03/06/2005 Florida Sarasota, Florida, United States Referee stopped the bout at 1:04 of the third round.
Win 11-9 United States Rory Prazak KO 2 07/05/2005 Minnesota Duluth, Minnesota, United States Prazak knocked out at 1:30 of the second round.
Loss 10-9 Poland Albert Sosnowski TKO 2 19/03/2005 Nevada Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Referee stopped the bout at 1:39 of the second round.
Loss 10-8 United States Rob Calloway TKO 2 05/02/2005 Nebraska Omaha, Nebraska, United States Referee stopped the bout at 2:55 of the second round.
Win 10-7 United States Don Shea KO 1 22/01/2005 Iowa Hendrick, Iowa, United States Shea knocked out at 0:45 of the first round.
Win 9-7 United States Rory Prazak TKO 2 17/12/2004 Iowa Clive, Iowa, United States Referee stopped the bout at 2:47 of the second round.
Loss 8-7 United States David Rodriguez TKO 1 22/10/2004 Texas El Paso, Texas, United States Referee stopped the bout at 2:01 of the first round.
Win 8-6 United States Brandon Quigley TKO 1 16/10/2004 Iowa Waterloo, Iowa, United States Referee stopped the bout at 2:01 of the first round.
Win 7-6 United States Bryan Robinson KO 2 30/09/2004 Iowa Altoona, Iowa, United States Robinson knocked out at 0:29 of the second round.
Loss 6-6 United States Brian Minto TKO 2 24/06/2004 Ohio Niles, Ohio, United States
Loss 6-5 United States Chris Koval TKO 1 23/04/2004 West Virginia Wheeling, West Virginia, United States
Win 6-4 United States Manuel Quiroz TKO 1 28/02/2004 Iowa Marshalltown, Iowa, United States Referee stopped the bout at 2:21 of the first round.
Loss 5-4 United States John Poore TKO 1 11/11/2003 Pennsylvania Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Win 5-3 United States Bryan Robinson TKO 2 10/10/2003 Iowa Osceola, Iowa, United States Referee stopped the bout at 1:48 of the second round after Robinson was knocked down thrice in the fight.
Win 4-3 United States Kevin Oliver TKO 1 15/06/2002 Iowa Waterloo, Iowa, United States Referee stopped the bout at 2:49 of the first round.
Win 3-3 United States Clayton Miller TKO 2 11/05/2002 Iowa Marshalltown, Iowa, United States Referee stopped the bout at 0:24 of the second round.
Loss 2-3 Denmark Simon Welms Nielsen TKO 1 31/03/2000 Denmark Esbjerg, Denmark Referee stopped the bout at 2:35 of the first round.
Loss 2-2 United States Tye Fields KO 1 17/02/2000 Iowa Davenport, Iowa, United States Fulton knocked out at 0:30 of the first round.
Win 2-1 United States Jesse Villagecenter TKO 2 07/10/1999 Minnesota Rochester, Minnesota, United States
Loss 1-1 United States Jesse Villagecenter KO 2 24/07/1999 Minnesota Mahnomen, Minnesota, United States
Win 1-0 United States Jamie Schell KO 1 17/02/1999 Iowa Davenport, Iowa, United States Schell knocked out at 0:25 of the first round.
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Bare-knuckle boxing record

Result Record Opponent Type Round Date Location Notes
Loss 0-1 United States Michael P. Gruis TKO 3 30/11/2019 Kansas Topeka, Kansas, United States Fulton was knocked out at 0:15 in the third round

See also

References

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