Bas Rutten
Status: Mixed martial arts legend. Ht: 6-1 1/2 Wt: 200 Born On: February 25, 1965 In: Tilburg, Holland Childhood Hero: “Bruce Lee. I saw Bruce Lee in Enter The Dragon in France. And right after that I begged my parents to do martial arts.” Nicknames: “The Napalm - I love the smell of napalm in the morning [laughs after [...] (Read More)

Ben Rothwell
STATUS: Heavyweight MMA fighter. HT: 6-4 WT: 265 DOB: October 17, 1981 IN: Kenosha, Wisconsin CHILDHOOD HEROES: “My older brother.” NICKNAMES: “The Edge, Berzerker, The Machine, Big Ben - Don’t forget the Big [smiles].” HOBBIES/INTERESTS: “Building models. I like to fly rockets. Just do the nerdy type things. I got into animation. I love artwork, I love working with clay [...] (Read More)

BJ Penn
Status: Former UFC Welterweight Champion and world Jiu-Jitsu champion. Ht: 5-9 Wt: 165 Born On: December 17, 1972 In: Honolulu, Hawaii Childhood Heroes: “Hulk Hogan. I was a big Hulkamania fan when I was a kid.” Hobbies/Interests: “All normal stuff, go to the beach, hangout with friends, barbecues, swim in the river or the beach, catch a soccer game [...] (Read More)

Brandon “The Truth” Vera
By Scoop Malinowski Status: UFC Light Heavyweight & Heavyweight contender. Ht: 6-3 Wt: 225 1/2 DOB: October 10, 1977 In: Norfolk, VA Fight Inspiration(s): “My family.” Leisure Activities: “Playing with my dogs, remote-control cars, I like to go mountain bike riding, and play video games.” Nicknames: “Brad.” Favorite Movies: “The mafia-gangster movies and all the [...] (Read More)

Bruce Buffer
Status: UFC Octagon announcer. Birthdate: May 21, 1959 Birthplace: Tulsa, Oklahoma Childhood Heroes: “Actor-wise - Errol Flynn, John Wayne, James Cagney. Boxer-wise - Sugar Ray Robinson, Muhammad Ali.” Hobbies/Interests: “Surfing, mixed martial arts, film, and I collect movie and sports memorabilia and military weapons. And I like beautiful women [laughs].” Favorite Movies: “Wild Bunch, The Best Years Of Our Lives, [...] (Read More)

Carlos Newton
Status: MMA Fighter Ht: 5-9 Wt: 170 Born On: August 17, 1976 In: Anguila, British Caribbean Childhood Heroes: “Muhammad Ali, Daredevil, Spiderman, for sure [laughs]. And I’d have to say Miyoto Musashi - 15th century Samurai. He wrote a book.” Nicknames: Ronin, Li’l Tyson, Jungle Boy. Hobbies/Interests: “Video games. Go to the movie theatre. I like to exercise. And sit [...] (Read More)

Chuck Liddell
STATUS: Former UFC Light Heavyweight champ. BORN ON: December. 17, 1969 IN: Santa Barbara, CA HT: 6-2 WT: 205 CHILDHOOD HEROES: “Dan Gable, Walter Payton and Gale Sayers.” NICKNAMES: The Ice Man, Chuck, Chaz. (”I used to try to go by Charlie or Charles but it never stuck because everybody just called me Chuck.”) HOBBIES/INTERESTS: “Other than train…watch movies. I [...] (Read More)

Cung Le
STATUS: 2007 Strikeforce Middleweight MMA champion and film actor who recently finished filming his latest action movie ‘Blizniy Boy’ co-starring David Carridine. HT: 5-10 WT: 185 DOB: May 25, 1972 IN: Saigon, Vietnam CHILDHOOD HERO: “Bruce Lee.” HOBBIES/INTERESTS: “Gosh, I spend all my free time with my kids (Cung Michael, Anthony Ryan). And I train and go watch movies [...] (Read More)

Diego Sanchez
STATUS: MMA Welterweight fighter. HT: 5-10 WT: 180 DOB: December 31, 1981 IN: Albuquerque, New Mexico CHILDHOOD HEROES: “Definitely Jean Claude Van Damme as a movie star. Dan Gable. Randy Couture.” HOBBIES/INTERESTS: “Surfing, kite surfing, snowboard, shoot guns. What else do I do…drag racing.” NICKNAMES: “Superstar, Vitamin D. Let me think back to my high school days…Dirty D in football.” FAVORITE MOVIES: [...] (Read More)

Din Thomas
Status: UFC Lightweight contender. Ht: 5-10 Wt: 155 Born On: September 20, 1976 In: Wilmington, Delaware Childhood Heroes: “The guys from the old karate movies of Run Run Shaw. And Johnny Depp from 21 Jump Street.” Hobbies/Interests: “Watching movies. Spending time with my home boys and my girl. And eating junk food - cheesecake and french fries are my [...] (Read More)

Evan Tanner
Status: Former UFC Middleweight contender. Ht: 6-0 Wt:200 Born On: Feb 11, 1971 In: Amarillo, Texas Childhood Heroes: “I liked the Terminator, and Bugs Bunny was always cool [smiles].” Hobbies/Interests: “I’d say surfing is my favorite, but I don’t get to do that too often. I like snowboarding, hiking, bicycling, reading, and riding my Harley.” Nicknames: “‘Machine’ back when I [...] (Read More)

Fedor Emilianenko
Status: Pride Heavyweight champion. Ht: 6-0 Wt: 233 DOB: September 28, 1976 IN: Rubeshnoe Lugansk, Russia Childhood Hero: “Yuri Vlasov - Olympic champion (weight-lifting).” Hobbies/Interests: “Drawing, Reading. I try to spend a lot of my free time with my family, daughter, and wife. I like to draw if I have some time and inspiration. I like to listen to [...] (Read More)

Frank Mir
Status: UFC Heavyweight contender. Ht: 6-3 Wt: 250 Born On: May 24, 1979 In: Las Vegas, Nevada Childhood Heroes: “The typical, Bruce Lee. I liked Muhammad Ali. Jack Dempsey. Dan Gable. I’ve always been interested in really technical guys.” Hobbies/Interests: “Well, of course, martial arts is a big part of my hobbies, my time. Everything about me is martial [...] (Read More)

Georges St. Pierre
STATUS: Former UFC Welterweight champion. HT: 5-11 WT: 185 DOB: May 19, 1981 IN: Montreal, Quebec, Canada CHILDHOOD HERO: “My first was probably Jesus Christ.” HOBBIES/INTERESTS: “When I’m not fighting, I like to play ice hockey. Chess. I like to go see a movie. I like to play tennis. Play basketball.” NICKNAME: “Rush. Because most of my fights finish quickly.” FAVORITE [...] (Read More)

Guy Mezger
Status: Mixed Martial Arts Fighter. Challenges Tito Ortiz at UFC 50 in Atlantic City on October 22. Height: 6-1 Weight: 205 Born On: January 1, 1968 In: Houston, TX Childhood Heroes: “Audie Murphy. The most decorated soldier in American history. He did some incredible things. He jumped on a burning German tank and used a machine gun to [...] (Read More)

Heath Herring
Status: UFC heavyweight contender. Ht: 6-4 Wt: 250 Born On: March 2, 1978 In: Waco, Texas Childhood Hero: The Hulk. Hobbies/Interests: Computers, hunting, fishing, camping. Nickname: Texas Crazy Horse. Favorite Movies: The Goonies, Gladiator, Young Guns I, II. All-Time Favorite TV Shows: King of the Hill, The A-Team, Thundercats. Musical Tastes: Country, rock. Country music - I love Johnny Cash and pretty much [...] (Read More)

Howard Davis Jr.
Status: Former 1976 Olympic gold medalist. Head Boxing Trainer American Top Team. Childhood Heroes: “My first idol was my father (Howard Sr.) Muhammad Ali was definitely an idol. (Ever meet him?) Many times. I was 11 or 12 when he came to Glen Cove. My father knew his chaffeur. The second time I didn’t know who [...] (Read More)

Jeremy Horn
Status: Light heavyweight MMA fighter. Ht: 6-2 Wt: 215 Born On: August 25, 1975 In: Omaha, Nebraska Childhood Heroes: “Didn’t really have any.” Hobbies/Interests: “Mountain bikes, guns, video games.” Nicknames: “None.” Funny Fighting Memory: “I was fighting this guy (Jason Allar) at the River Center here in Davenport. For money. A small show, just helping (manager) Monte (Cox) out. He was [...] (Read More)

Jon Fitch
STATUS: UFC Welterweight fighter. HT: 6-0 WT: 192 DOB: February 24, 1978 IN: Fort Wayne, Indiana CHILDHOOD HEROES: “Dick Butkus, Ray Nitschke. I grew up thinking I was going to play pro football.” HOBBIES/INTERESTS: “Watching football, video games, mostly just training. Jiu-jitsu, boxing, kickboxing and Muay Thai are hobbies. I have a lot of fun training these things.” FAVORITE MOVIES: [...] (Read More)

Josh Barnett
By Scoop Malinowski STATUS: MMA Heavyweight fighter and former UFC Heavyweight champ has career wins over Randy Couture, Minotauro, Jeff Monson, Yuki Kondo. Will take on Pedro Rizzo on July 19 at the Affliction Banned show in California. It’s a rematch of an exciting brawl won by KO by RIzzo in 2001. HT: 6-3 WT: [...] (Read More)

Keith Jardine
STATUS: UFC Light Heavyweight fighter. HT: 6-2 WT: 206 DOB: October 31, 1975 IN: Butte, Montana CHILDHOOD HERO: “Muhammad Ali.” FIGHT INSPIRATIONS: “I wouldn’t say they are inspirations or that they inspire me to fight but guys I really look up to are Georges St. Pierre, Rich Franklin and B.J. Penn.” HOBBIES/INTERESTS: “I’m pretty boring, in my spare time I [...] (Read More)

Ken Shamrock
Status: UFC Hall of Famer. Ht: 5-11 Wt: 215 Born On: February 11, 1964 In: Warner Robins, Georgia Childhood Heroes: “I didn’t have any.” Hobbies/Interests: “I like golf. Coach high school wrestling. Coach the San Diego Mighty Mites - it’s a kid’s program from age 5-14. And watch football on Sundays.” Childhood Dream: “Pro football player. Pittsburgh Steelers, linebacker.” Early Fighting [...] (Read More)

Marco Ruas
STATUS: Legend and pioneer of MMA. Creator of Ruas Vale Tudo, the visionary fight academy in Rio De Janeiro. Currently the coach of the IFL’s Southern California Condors. HT: 6-1 WT: 210 DOB: January 23, 1961 IN: Rio De Janeiro, Brazil FIGHT INSPIRATIONS: “I have a lot of guys. Boxing guys like Holyfield, Mike Tyson. And now in [...] (Read More)

Marcus Davis
STATUS: MMA 170 lb. fighter. HT: 5-9 3/4 WT: 170 DOB: August 24, 1973 In: Houlton, Maine CHILDHOOD HEROES: “Hmmm…childhood heroes…like most MMA fighters I’d say Bruce Lee and Marvelous Marvin Hagler.” HOBBIES/INTERESTS: “Growing up I was interested in herpotology, which is kind of a nerdy thing. It’s the study of reptiles and amphibians. Now I like computers and [...] (Read More)

Matt Hughes
STATUS: Former UFC Middleweight champion. HT: 5-9 WT: 185 BORN ON: Oct. 13, 1973 IN: Hillsboro, IL CHILDHOOD HERO: “I always looked up to Dan Gable.” HOBBIES/INTERESTS: “Growing up on a farm, that would be all the hobbies right there. Farm work. I play paintball sometimes.” NICKNAMES: “The Wreckin’ Machine for a short time. But I don’t go by any [...] (Read More)

Matt Serra
Status: UFC Welterweight champ. Ht: 5-6 Wt: 155 Born On: June 2, 1974 In: Long Island, NY Childhood Heroes: “I was big into Bruce Lee. And I always looked up to my father (Ralph).” Nicknames: “The Terror, bro. That’s pretty much it. My boys call me Matty S.” Hobbies/Interests: “I’m a big movie fan, I like to go to the [...] (Read More)

Mauricio Rua
Translation by Eduardo Alonso STATUS: PRIDE middleweight contender. Considered to be one of the best mixed martial arts fighters in the world today. HT: 6’0” (1.82 m) WT: 205 lbs. NICKNAME: Shogun CHILDHOOD HEROES: Bebeto (from the Brazilian National Soccer Team), Mike Tyson HOBBIES/INTERESTS: “Going to movies, playing soccer, walking my dog Chakal, going the beach and trying to surf, [...] (Read More)

Pat Miletich
STATUS: Former UFC Welterweight champion. Founder of Miletich Fighting Systems in Iowa - home base of many UFC Champions. HT: 5-10 WT: 170 BORN ON: March 9, 1968 IN: Davenport, Iowa CHILDHOOD HEROES: “Smokin’ Joe Frazier and Jack Lambert.” NICKNAMES: “Roundhead, The Croatian Sensation, Munk, Pitch, Grape Ape, Curious George, Cornelius - I broke my back as a kid [...] (Read More)

Patrick Cote
Status: MMA Light Heavyweight fighter. Ht: 5-11 Wt: 185 DOB: February 29, 1980 In: Rimouski, Quebec Canada Childhood Heroes: “Right now one of my heroes is Muhammad Ali. He was an inspiration for me. He changed the face of boxing when he was at the top.” Nickname: “The Predator. My team gave me this name.” Hobbies/Interests: “Play golf a lot. [...] (Read More)

Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou
Status: MMA light heavyweight fighter. 2001 U.S. Open Judo champion. HT: 6′0″ WT:205 DOB: April 18, 1984 In: Hom’la, Cameroon, Africa CHILDHOOD HERO: “Bruce Lee.” HOBBIES/INTERESTS: “Movies, traveling, anything fun pretty much.” FAVORITE MOVIES: “Ong-Bak: The Thai Warrior, Fearless, Romeo Must Die, Undisputed II, Rocky - all of them.” FAVORITE TV SHOWS: “CSI, Reno 911!, The Chapelle Show, Chris Rock.” MUSICAL TASTES: [...] (Read More)

Randy Couture
STATUS: UFC Heavyweight Champion, Former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion HT: 6-1 1/2 WT: 205 BORN ON: June 22, 1963 IN: Everett, Washington CHILDHOOD HEROES: “Franz Klammer, Jean-Claude Killy.” HOBBIES/INTERESTS: “I like to snow ski in the winter. Big hunter, archery and rifle. Occasionally play tennis with my wife and daughter. Two-on-one, they gang up on me [smiles].” NICKNAMES: “The Natural, [...] (Read More)

Renato “Babalu” Sobral
From Scoop Malinowski Status: MMA Light Heavyweight fighter. HT: 6-1 WT: 205 DOB: September 7, 1975 IN: Rio De Janeiro, Brazil Residence: Costa Mesa, CA Leisure Activities/Hobbies: “Surfing. (What else? Tennis? Golf?) Fight.” Favorite Movies: “I like movies from Francis Ford Coppola.” Favorite TV Show: “Lost.” Musical Tastes: “Heavy metal.” Childhood Hero: “Jesus. [...] (Read More)

Rico Chiapparelli
MMA coach & former World Cup and NCAA wrestling (University of  Iowa) champ   DOB: January 8, 1964  In: Baltimore, MD Childhood Heroes:  “That’s a good question. Probably for sports - Dan Gable. I didn’t really have heroes.” Hobbies/Interests:  “Nothing really. combat arts was a hobby that became a career.” Nickname:  “Rico. My real name is Ricardo.” Favorite Movies:  “I don’t [...] (Read More)

Robbie Lawler
Status: ICON Middleweight Champion Ht: 5-11 Wt: 170 Born On: March 20, 1982 In: San Diego, CA Childhood Heroes: “Mike Tyson, Bruce Lee, Lawrence Taylor, Bo Jackson, Barry Sanders, Marshall Faulk.” Nicknames: “Nothing but ‘Ruthless.’” Hobbies/Interests: “Just play Madden 2003 on my bigscreen. It’s about all I do. Weightlifting. I play basketball too.” Favorite Movies: “Let’s see…Scarface. Marked For Death. Menace [...] (Read More)

Ryan Shamrock
STATUS: MMA fighter made his pro debut last year. HT: 5-9 WT: 140 DOB: November 24, 1988 IN: San Diego, CA CHILDHOOD HEROES: “Didn’t really have any. The closest to it would be my dad.” HOBBIES/INTERESTS: “I like to play sports at the park. Paintball as much as I can. Any physical activity. And spending time with my family.” FAVORITE [...] (Read More)

Sean Sherk
Status: UFC Middleweight contender. Challenges Champion Matt Hughes on April 26 in Miami Ht: 5-6 Wt: 175 Born On: August 5, 1973 In: Minneapolis, MN Childhood Heroes: “Most of all they were college and Olympic level wrestlers like Dan Gable, Lincoln McIlravey, the Brands brothers. I started wrestling at a young age (7).” Nicknames: Juggernaut, Shark, Shercules.” Early Fighting Memory: [...] (Read More)

Shelby Walker
Status: Professional boxer/ Mixed Martial Artist. Passed away in 2006. Recorded quickest KO in women’s MMA (5 Seconds) Ht: 5-7 Wt: 130 Born On: February 27 In: Texas Childhood Heroes: “Royce Gracie, Sakuraba, Sugar Ray Leonard.” Hobbies/Interests: “I like to fish, I like to spend time in the country, go to the beach. That’s about it, besides training.” Nickname: Shelby [...] (Read More)

Tank Abbott
By Scoop Malinowski STATUS: MMA Heavyweight fighter. HT: 6-0 WT: 230 DOB: April 26, 1965 In: Huntington Beach, CA FIGHT INSPIRATIONS: “Not really. Maybe all the big-name boxers that came around in the ’70’s and 80s, Ali, Foreman, Frazier, Duran, Leonard.” CHILDHOOD HEROES: “Not really. Never really had any heroes. Dick Butkus for a lil [...] (Read More)

Tim Sylvia
Status: Former 2 time UFC Heavyweight champ. Ht: 6-8 Wt: 260 Born On: March 5, 1976 In: Eastbrook, Maine Childhood Heroes: “Bruce Lee, Michael Jordan, Bo Jackson.” Nicknames: “The Mainiac, Grizzly Bear.” Hobbies/Interests: “I like to play paintball. Go hunting, of course. Do a lot of mountain biking. Play video games with the boys…out here in Iowa, there’s not much [...] (Read More)

Tito Ortiz
STATUS: Former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion HT: 6-2 WT: 205 BORN ON: January 23, 1975 In: California CHILDHOOD HEROES: Bruce Lee - an icon of mixed martial arts. Muhammad Ali. Looked at them and used that as a fuel for a fire for me to work with. NICKNAME: Huntington Beach Bad Boy. That’s the attitude I throw into the [...] (Read More)

Tyson Griffin
STATUS: UFC Lightweight fighter. HT: 5-6 WT: 155 DOB: April 20, 1984 IN: Sacramento, CA CHILDHOOD HEROES: “Conan [smiles].” FIGHT INSPIRATIONS: “I’d say everybody, the whole sport.” HOBBIES/INTERESTS: “Fishing, outdoors, foods - cooking, eating, drawing.” NICKNAMES: “Just Ty. Never had a nickname for fighting.” FAVORITE MOVIES: “Don’t really have one. Go with Transformers.” FAVORITE TV SHOWS: “Don’t have one.” MUSICAL TASTES: “Again, not really [...] (Read More)

Urijah “The California Kid” Faber
STATUS: WEC Featherweight champion. HT: 5-6 WT: 156 DOB: May 14, 1979 IN: Santa Barbara, CA HOBBIES/INTERESTS: “I have a lot of stuff to do with fighting - watching other fighters, learning. Outside of fighting, I like to go to the beach, anywhere sunny near the ocean is awesome. I like to eat good [...] (Read More)

Vernon “Tiger” White
By Scoop Malinowski Status: MMA Light Heavyweight/Heavyweight fighter. Will next face Minotauro Nogueira at the July Affliction Banned show in Anaheim, CA. Ht: 6-1 Wt: 210 DOB: December 3, 1971 In: Palo Alto, CA Childhood Heroes: “It was Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris - before I met him. Now he’s not. He’s rude. I [...] (Read More)

Vitor Belfort
STATUS: Former UFC Light Heavyweight contender. HT: 6-0 WT: 210 BORN ON: April 1, 1977 IN: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil CHILDHOOD HEROES: “Zico the soccer player. I had Mike Tyson. I had Evander Holyfield.” HOBBIES/INTERESTS: “My hobbies? Play football, volleyball, surf and movies. And I like to spend time with my family, my friends and my dogs. Stay in [...] (Read More)

Yves Edwards
Status: Elite XC Lightweight contender. Ht: 5-9 Wt: 155 Born On: September 30, 1976 In: Nassau, Bahamas Childhood Heroes: “Batman and Bruce Lee.” Hobbies/Interests: “I just like to train and play video games, hang out with my girl.” Favorite Movies: “Blackhawk Down and Enter The Dragon are two of the best movies ever made.” Musical Tastes: “I like whatever sounds good. [...] (Read More)