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Rhadi Bullard Ferguson is an internationally renowned Strength & Conditioning Coach and Consultant and a former member of the 2004 US Judo Olympic Team. Rhadi has always excelled academically and athletically and has added to his Olympian Credential that of the earning of his Masters Degree and Doctorate Degree in the field of Education.
As the owner of Ferguson Marketing Systems in Boca Raton, FL, Rhadi provides clients and subscribers with his leading, state-of-the-art expertise as a Master Marketer, Strength & Conditioning Coach, Trainer, Consultant and Motivational Speaker. Moreover, he's highly dedicated to the goal of sharing his knowledge with the world as a Master instructor. Rhadi Ferguson is now one of the most sought after Fitness Experts in the world. He often does Strength and Conditioning Consults for top notch athletes, professional and collegiate teams and individuals seeking to get in great shape. Coach Ferguson is also a Master Instructor, in that he not only teaches but coaches individuals to high levels of success in various areas of interest. Under the umbrella of Ferguson Marketing Systems, he has created DVDs, Books and products. Also a motivational speaker, Coach Ferguson through his energetic coaching style has a knack of getting the most out of any athlete, audience or business
Rhadi's list of professional responsibilities is extensive, and he is an active member and contributor to a host of professional organizations and publications.
Born February 24, 1979 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) specialist and mixed martial artist (MMA). He holds a professional MMA record of 19 wins and 2 losses.
Vitor Ribeiro is an accomplished grappler. He has won the CBJJ Mundials (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Championship) four times, once as a purple belt in 1996 and three times as a black belt in three consecutive years (1999, 2000, and 2001). He has competed in the ADCC World Championship in 2000 and 2003.
"Shaolin" is considered one of the best lightweights in MMA. He has fought in several bouts in organizations all over the world, such as Shooto Japan, Shooto Hawaii, Rumble on the Rock (Hawaii), Cage Rage (England), and K-1 HERO'S (Japan). He has held the Shooto welterweight (154 lb) title, as well as the Cage Rage World lightweight championship.
Marcelo Garcia is a world-renown teacher and competitor of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. In addition to his current titles, he has won the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu World Championships at all belt levels (blue, purple, brown and black), and the Submissions Grappling World Championships (ADCC) three times in a row (2003, 2005, and 2007), in which he was voted the most technical competitor in 2003 and 2007, and participant in the best match of 2005.
In addition to his competition experience, Marcelo is a foremost expert in teaching Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. With his careful attention to detail and his friendly and charismatic personality, he is one of the most sought after instructors in the world, teaching seminars and lessons to professional fighters and grapplers, celebrities, hobbyists, and aficionados of martial arts.
Having excelled at the highest competitive and teaching levels of BJJ and submissions grappling, Marcelo is thrilled to share his love and passion for this wonderful martial art with you.
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Raised by Howard & Catherine Davis in Glen Cove, Long Island, NY - Davis is the oldest of 10 children. As an amateur boxer, Davis Jr. was trained by his father, a former boxer himself. In 1976, Howard Davis Jr. won the Olympic gold medal in the Lightweight division in Montreal, Canada. Davis was also named the Outstanding Boxer of the 1976 Olympics and awarded the Val Barker Trophy, during the Olympics that included Sugar Ray Leonard, Michael Spinks and Leon Spinks. His Olympic victory came just one week after his mother past away of a heart attack.
Davis Jr. turned pro after winning the Olympics. He retired in 1988 and made brief comeback in 1994. Davis officially retired in 1996 with a professional record of:
36-6-1 with 14 KO's.
Today Davis Jr. serves as Boxing Director at American Top Team in Florida & is a motivational speaker. He's worked with not only top professional boxers, but MMA fighters, who credit "coach" for improving their boxing skills.
He's also a fight promoter and is working on an exciting televised MMA event in South Florida. If that weren't enough, Davis Jr. is writing a book about his life & plays 4 musical instruments during his "down" time.
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James ("Jimmy") A. Pedro (born October 30, 1970 in Danvers, Massachusetts) is one of the most successful American judo competitors, having won two bronze medals in the Olympics.
Pedro was the World Champion at 73 kg in 1999. He won bronze medals in the 1991 and 1995 World Championships.
Pedro represented the United States in the 1992, 1996, 2000, and 2004 Olympic Games, winning bronze in 1996 and 2004. The United States has not traditionally been strong in judo, and a bronze medal in Olympic judo is an enormous accomplishment for an American athlete. His entry in the "Legends" section of a major judo magazine's web site lists 29 gold medals in international competition alone.
Jimmy is world renowned for his judo expertise, coaching ability, and training methods. A newaza (ground techniques) specialist, Jimmy currently owns and operates Pedro's Judo Center in Wakefield, MA and teaches clinics and seminars throughout the country.
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Kru Philip Nurse is a traditional Muay Thai master who strategically marries the footwork of Mohammed Ali with crafty execution to create one of the most exciting and effective forms of Muay Thai practiced today. Kru Phil's strength is in the application of the philosophy that his fighters should be conditioned and ready to fight at a moment's notice.
Kru Phil combines the sophisticated use of leverage and bodyweight along with clinch work to make his fighters tactically valuable on the inside while enabling them to be able to avoid and initiate takedowns. His camp, The WAT, is renowned for their offensive and defensive use of clinch work in competitive arenas.
The exposure to Asian, European and American Muay Thai has enhanced Kru Phil's reputation as a trainer and teacher whose skill is unsurpassed over a career spanning 27 years. Kru Phil Nurse began his formal training in Muay Thai at age 17. His training carried him from the UK to the camps of Thailand where he lived and trained alongside other Thai Masters.
Kru Phil has developed more than 20 Muay Thai champions. Because of his proven track record, his tremendous work ethic and unblemished integrity, Kru Phil is a coveted coach and trainer of many professional MMA athletes, Thai Boxers, celebrities and fitness enthusiasts.
Record: Muay Thai 32 Wins; 3 Losses; 0 Draws-- 15 Wins by Knock Out
Titles & Belts ~British All Styles Super Light Welterweight Champion
~Double British Champion
~European Light Welterweight Champion
Professor Marcos Santos received his black belt from Rigan Machado, nephew of the founder and late master of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Carlos and Helio Gracie Sr. Professor Marcos began training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at the age of 6, and has had the unusual pleasure of training with many of Brazil's top instructors.
The jiu jitsu that Santos learned in Brazil has been further refined by the famous Machado brothers, and he now is the official East coast representative for the Rigan Machado. Santos practices the Machado philosophy of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, which is to incorporate the martial art form as a way of living, not merely a method of combat. He believes that a healthy lifestyle, which includes proper nutrition and positive mental attitude, must be the base from which all self-defense begins.
With over 30 years training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Santos has a level of experience that few others can claim, and brings a wealth of fighting knowledge to his role as head instructor of the NY Jiu Jitsu Academy. Marcos opened his first NYC Academy in 1997 and is experience in teaching a wide range of individuals including, martial arts competitors, everyday people and children. In addition to teaching at his own academy, Marcos had conducted over 100 seminars for a variety of organizations including the NYPD, Low Enforcement and the Military Personal.
Martial Arts Education
• Brazilian Army – (Special Forces Unit).
• 3rd Degree Black Belt under world renowned Rigan Machado.
• 30 years Jiu-jitsu experience under various teachers, including Grandmaster Geny Rebello, Grandmaster Fransisco Mansur, and Master Rigan Machado.
• Certified Instructor in Senzala Capoeira.
• Certified Instructor of US Army Combative.
• Certified Instructor of Israeli Self-Defense ( F.I.G.H.T – HAGANA )
• 10 years of Gym Boxing
• 12 years of Greco Roman and Free Style Wrestling.
Championships and Awards
• 5-Time Brazilian Jiu-jitsu City & National Champion (Teresopolis, Petropolis, and Cabo Frio Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), 80’s & 90’s.
• 1st Place, Joe Moreira International Invitational, Los Angeles, California, 1997
• Grapplers Quest Team East Coast Champion, 1999
• Certificate of Appreciation of United States Marine Corps, 2005
• Army Certificate Instructor of Combatives Trainer Level I, II & III, 2005
• Thai Boxing Association U.S.A certificate, 2006
• New York State BJJ Federation 2nd Place-Team Championship, 2006
• Certified trainer for FBI, NAVY SEAL, NYPD, ARMY and MARINES
• 2nd Place Pan American, Los Angeles, CA, 2007
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Fighting History
Over 120 professional Muaythai fights with 19 years of experience
Actively competed in Thailand from 1988 – 2000 under the name of “Kajorndej Petch-Om Kaew”
In 2000, changed to Sor. Plantalae Gym and fought under the name “Thanongsak Sor. Plantalae”
Competed in One Songchai Tournament seven times – the largest Muaythai event in Thailand
Received support from Songchai Ratanasuban, Thatiland's premier Muaythai promoter, to fight at Lumpini Stadium (world famous Muaythai venue)
Training History
2000 - Began career as a Muaythai trainer
2007 – Received Trainer Certification from World Muaythai Council
2008 – Worked as trainer for Contender Asia season one, the Muaythai reality-television series:
The Contender Asia is a Mark Burnett Production ( The Apprentice, Survivor, Are You Smarter than a Fifth Grader? ). It was the largest reality TV production in Asia, reaching over 400 million households worldwide. Season two is currently in production in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It aired in Asia on AXN Networks and was picked up by the Versus Channel in the United States.
Trained Contender Asia Season One Fighters in Thailand:
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Maurepaz Auguste, was born and raised in Newark, NJ. Mr. Auguste was in a gang called the “Double Deuce” They were based on 22 nd Street and 18 th Avenue in Newark, NJ. There were 22 of them. Sadly today there are only 3 are alive and 2 not in prison. Mr. Auguste says martial arts is the reason he is alive today.
Mo was constantly in trouble with the law. Following his release from prison, Mo discovered MMA-Kickboxing. MMA-Kickboxing instilled in him discipline, confidence and the desire to better himself and claw his way out the environment that he labels, “The economic prison.” He eventually became the WKO World Middleweight Kickboxing Champion in 2001 and was recently inducted into the Martial Arts Hall of Fame! He has trained people countless celebrities such as Tiki Barber to MMA fighters like B.J. Penn.
To give back to the martial arts Mr. Auguste set out to open a gym for the unprivileged children that provided a safe-haven for at risk youths to help them escape jail or death. He named his foundation “Warrior House” and after years of hard work the first Warrior House opened in Amsterdam West, Holland in 2003. Warrior Houses are currently being built in Spain. Given the tremendous success, Mo's has returned to NY to save as many kids as possible by opening Warrior Houses across America.
Twenty-four-year-old Taraje took up judo in September of 1992, at 8-years-old, after his cousin started the sport. The fourth of six children, he says at one time they all did judo. His sisters, Kaure and Kinanda, both medaled at the senior nationals, but Taraje was the only one to stick with the sport.
From the very beginning Williams-Murray was in love with judo – as a kid, he says the worst punishment his parents could give was be not allowing him to go to practice. Watching the men's lightweight division at the Senior Nationals when he was just 12, Williams-Murray told those around him that he was going to take over that weight class.
An accomplished junior level competitor and member of the 2002 U.S. Junior World Championship team, Williams-Murray officially moved up to the senior level in 2003. He quickly took over the top spot at 60 kilograms. Since that time, he's been the dominant player in the division, winning the 2003 Rendez Vous Canada , 2004 & 2007 New York Open, 2003-2005 & 2007 National Championships, 2004 Olympic Trials and 2005 & 2007 World Trials. After the 2008 Games, Taraje made a huge jump up to 81kg to place second at the 2009 U.S. Nationals.
Achieving success early is nothing new to Williams-Murray. At 15 he began attending Long Island University . After taking some time off to make the Olympic team, he graduated May 2007, with a B.S. in Computer Science, Minor in Business with Honors. Taraje wasted no time getting back to his studies, as he began Boston University Metropolitan College 's M.S. Program in Banking and Financial Services Management immediately after his graduation.
Title: Taraje Williams-Murray, NCSF Certified Personal Trainer
Education : B.S. Computer Science Minor in Business with Honors, Long Island University--Currently working toward M.S. in Banking and Financial Services Management at Boston University .
Honors:
2009 National Championships Most Inspirational Athlete Award
2005 National Championships Best Technique Award
2003 National Championship Outstanding Athlete Award
Olympic Teams : 2004 and 2008
World Championship Teams : 2007, 2005 (Ninth), 2002 (Junior)
Pan American Games Team: 2007 (Seventh)
Pan American Championship Teams : 2004 and 2008 (Bronze)
Recent Career Highlights
2009: Silver – USA Judo National Championships (-81kg)
2008:
Gold – USA Judo Olympic Trials
Gold – Olympic Zone Cup
Bronze – Pan American Championships
Silver – USA Judo National Championships
Silver – New York Open
2007:
Gold – Tre Torri International B-Level Tournament
Gold – USA Judo Pan Am Games and World Team Trials
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Mark is known for his ability to improve fast. As an elementary school student, he held 20 of 25 school fitness records. He started gymnastics at 14 and two years later was Northern California All-Around Champion. He started wrestling in the 11th Grade and sixteen months later was California State Champion. In college he went from unranked to 2nd after winning the Great Plains. Then he won the NCAA Wrestling Championships three times and was voted the "Outstanding Wrestler" by unanimous decision. Mark was the youngest medalist on the Olympic Team and took Olympic Gold seven years after starting the sport. It may be the fastest rise to an Olympic Wrestling Title. Mike Chapman, Editor of W.I.N. Magazine, named Mark to America's All-Time Olympic Freestyle Team saying quote "Schultz may have been the most physically gifted wrestler in American history. He had it all... strength, flexibility, quickness, and great athletic skills. And when you got him riled up, get out of the way!"
•Olympic Champion
•Two time World Champion
•Three time NCAA Champion
•Four time National Open Champion
•California State High School Champion
•Northern California Age Group (15-16) Gymnastics Champion
•Winner of UFC IX
Athletic Distinctions
•Named Fourth Greatest Wrestler in the history of the United States by Mike Chapman, editor of W.I.N. magazine
•Distinguished Member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame
•Unanimously voted Outstanding Wrestler at the 1982 NCAA Championships for beating Ed Banach in the finals 16-8. This stopped him from becoming the first 4 time NCAA Champion in history. Mike Chapman, editor of W.I.N. magazine ranked this the 2nd greatest match in NCAA history.
•The match against the #1 Ranked wrestler in the world Resit Karabajak (Turkey) was ranked 8th greatest Olympic moment in history by WIN Magazine Editor Mike Chapman.
•Olympian Magazine Sportsman of the Year in Wrestling
•USA Wrestling (National Governing Body) Athlete of the Year
•Set the University of Oklahoma record in 1983 for most victories in a season without a loss.
•Sullivan Award Nominee for Outstanding Amateur Athlete in the United States.
•Wrestling Masters Magazine International Wrestler of the Year
•Captain of the Oklahoma University Wrestling Team
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Fabio was born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and started his athletic career with the sport of rowing. Fabio dedicated most of his teenage years to the sport and eventually represented Brazil as a member of their rowing team.
At the age of 18 Fabio, whose father was a Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, was encouraged by his close friend to try the sport. Fabio's athletic ability translated quickly into success in Jiu Jitsu and after only 3 months of training and having learned just 4 techniques he won the first national Brazilian Jiu Jitsu tournament.
This early success motivated Fabio to continue his training with his friends the Machado brothers. Eventually the Machado's moved to California and it became more difficult for Fabio to train with them regularly. Fabio's career as a photographer took him to Europe and New York but he would still make trips to California to train with the Machado's, where he after winning the Pan American championships twice he received his black belt.
Since then Fabio has been teaching Jiu Jitsu in New York city for over 10 years. In addition to his teaching Fabio also competes in the top tournaments and has won the Gold medals in the Pan American Championships the past 2 years. He has also created some amazing competitors and teachers.
Major Titles:
Pan American Champion Super Heavyweight 2007
Pan American Champion Open Weight 2006
Pan American Champion Super Heavyweight 2006
Master World Championships 3rd place Super Heavyweight 2005
Master World Championships 3rd place Super Heavyweight 2003
Master World Championships 3rd place Heavyweight 2000
Pan American Champion Heavyweight 1996
Pan American Champion Heavyweight 1995
Wanderlei Cesar da Silva (pronounced /ˈvændərleɪ/, VAN-dər-lay; born July 3, 1976 in Curitiba, Brazil) is a Brazilian mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter, who has competed in Japan's Pride Fighting Championships and the American based Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
He trained under Rudimar Fedrigo at the Chute Boxe Academy in Curitiba, Brazil. He specializes in Muay Thai and has received a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu by Carlos Gracie, Jr.[2] He is the former IVC light heavyweight champion, former Pride middleweight (205 lb) champion, and the Pride 2003 Middleweight Grand Prix champion.
Silva earned the nickname "The Axe Murderer" for his extremely aggressive fighting style; the majority of his fights have either ended in a knockout or referee stoppage due to his strikes. In the ring, he is known for engaging opponents with punches and utilizing knees in the Muay Thai clinch. Silva was given the nickname "Cachorro Louco" ("Mad Dog") in Brazil, which refers to his aggressive fighting style and of the way he stares down opponents before his fights.
Throughout his career Wanderlei has trained with Chute Boxe Academy in Brazil, and since moving to the United States in 2007, he has trained at Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas. He currently trains in Brazil, with former Chute Boxe teammate Mauricio Rua, and in Las Vegas, at his newly opened Wand Fight Team Academy....read more.
Matt Hughes is the 9-time World Welterweight Champion of the UFC. With a record of 44-7, Matt has traveled the world and has become a household name amongst mixed martial arts fans. He has proven time and time again that ‘a country boy can survive.’ However, it hasn’t always been like that for Hughes. You see, Matt comes from humble beginnings.
Matt was born and raised in Hillsboro, a small town with a population of 4,500 that is located in south central Illinois. As youngsters, he and his twin brother Mark spent most of their time on the family farm playing and learning the importance of hard work. Matt often remembers being ‘volunteered’ by his father to help family friends on their farms and still recalls his dad driving home the principle that ‘You never take advantage of someone else’s misfortune.’ Matt and Mark’s participation in sports was quite limited while in junior high. As a matter of fact, their junior high sports career only included the interschool wrestling tournament (Mark beat Matt in case you were wondering) and a couple of weeks of 6th grade track. The Hughes boys were needed during the fall and spring to help around the farm and, thus, had to hang up their spikes for work boots once the spring planting season began. ...read more
Pete Spratt has been competing in MMA for the past 9 years and has an extensive background in Muay Thai Kickboxing. Spratt was trained by the one and only Saekson Janjira who is highly regarded as one of the best Muay Thai trainers in the United States and around the World. Pete Spratt has been in the Cage/ring with the likes of George St. Pierre, Josh Koscheck, Marcus Davis, Carlos Newton, Robbie Lawler, Chris Lytle, Matt Serra and Carlo Condit just to name a few! Spratt holds a 3-4 UFC record and an overall MMA record of 19-11-0. He also carries a 15-3 kickboxing record with an overall fight record of 49-14-0.
Spratt currently continues his Muay Thai and MMA training under coach Mark Dellagrotte of Team Sityodtong Boston and his boxing under former WBC Champion “Jesse“ James Leija. He has been training jiu-jitsu under Pinheiro for 13 months now and currently holds a blue belt. He has also trained under Houston’s Saul Soliz and Seattle’s Maurice Smith. Some of his training partners have included Yves Edwards, Chris Brennan, Melvin Guillard, Shonie Carter Travis Lutter, Jorge Rivera, Rich Clementi, Gideon Ray, Kenny Florian, Sam Soliman, Chris Leben, Bob Sapp, Duane Ludwig, Charles McCarthy, Mickey Burnett, Alex Andrade, Guy Mezger, Tra Telligman and many, many others. He was also a member of Spike Tv’s very popular show The Ultimate Fighter 4 “The Comeback”! This show enabled Spratt to refocus on his MMA career and have a brand new start to re-establish himself as one of the best welterweights in the world. Since TUF 4 Spratt’s career has been up and down with a record of 3-4. Not ready to fold his cards, at 37 Spratt still feels he has what it takes to get back on top. Time will tell! ...read more
Louisiana native Rich 'No Love' Clementi is a veteran mixed martial artist with over fifty fights to his record. He was featured as a welterweight on SpikeTV's The Ultimate Fighter 4 and found his career revived. Since the show he has improved his game, gone on a big winning streak, and become a UFC fan favorite.
Rich made his professional mma debut on October 9th, 1999 and spent the next four years fighting in smaller local shows and building a reputation for himself. He earned his first fight in the UFC in February of 2003 but lost late in the 3rd round and again found himself fighting in smaller shows for smaller organizations. But Rich kept winning until earning his spot on the popular UFC reality show.
Rich competed on The Ultimate Fighter as a welterweight but has since dropped down to his more natural lightweight division home. He has been impressive in going on a 6 plus fight win streak and is known to be willing to step in with anyone at any time and on short notice. Fans and fighters are starting to notice that Rich 'No Love' Clementi is the real deal. ..read more
Pete K. Sell is an American mixed martial artist specializing in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He is a black belt under teacher and fellow mixed martial artist Matt Serra in East Meadow, New York, and has trained extensively under striking coach Ray Longo in Garden City, New York.
Sell made his debut with the UFC at UFC 51, defeating Phil Baroni by guillotine choke submission in what was considered a major upset, considering he was a 5-1 underdog.
After a controversial stoppage in his first fight against The Ultimate Fighter veteran Nate Quarry, Sell was then seen as a middleweight contestant on The Ultimate Fighter: The Comeback, which premiered on August 17, 2006. He entered the competition alongside Matt Serra, who competed one weight class below Sell in the welterweight division. Sell defeated "Chainsaw" Charles McCarthy to move on the semi-finals of the competition, where he lost to the ultimate winner of the tournament; Travis Lutter. Although Sell did not proceed the finals, he was featured on the undercard of the season finale where he lost to Scott Smith by knockout.
He then fought and lost to Thales Leites at UFC 69. His next fight was a rematch against Nathan Quarry, at UFC Fight Night 11. Sell lost the fight by Knockout.
Pete made his second appearance on The Ultimate Fighter as a trainer for Team Serra for season 6, The Ultimate Fighter: Team Hughes vs. Team Serra.
Pete has dropped down to welterweight for his latest matches; a victory over Josh Burkman at UFC 90, and a loss to Matt Brown at UFC 96.
Phillipe J. Nover, is an American mixed martial artist. He is best known for making it to the finals of The Ultimate Fighter: Team Nogueira vs. Team Mir.
Nover was born and raised in Brooklyn. He was born into a Filipino and American family. He trained with Sifu Ralph Mitchell at Universal Defense Systems which covers Filipino Arnis (similar to Filipino Kali[1]/Eskrima), Muay Thai, Kick Boxing, Kung-Fu, Judo, Jeet Kun Do and Savate. He attended Kingsborough Community College and works at Coney Island Hospital as a registered nurse in the ER. Phillipe is currently pursuing graduate studies at SUNY Downstate Medical Center. He began training in martial arts at age ten and attended Leon Goldstein High School. Nover holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Alexander "Soca" Freitas and fights out of Team Insight.[2] He has been fighting Pro MMA since 2003.
Phillipe normally fought as a welterweight but since The Ultimate Fighter: Team Nogueira vs. Team Mir only had an opening for lightweights and light-heavyweights he had to cut weight to be able to participate. Dana White called him "Fainting Phillipe" because he had fainted when White was announcing the coaches. In the preliminary round, Phillipe defeated Joe Duarte with a rear naked choke in the second round. On episode 8, he was chosen to fight Dave Kaplan of Team Mir. Nover defeated Kaplan with again another rear naked choke then proclaimed himself as the toughest registered nurse on the planet. In the same episode Dana White mentions that Nover reminds him of a young Georges St. Pierre.[5] Phillipe defeated George Roop in the semi-finals via a Kimura lock. Phillipe lost in the Ultimate Finale on December 13, 2008 to Efrain Escudero via unanimous decision.
Phillipe made his UFC debut in the TUF 8 Finale against former The Ultimate Fighter: Team Nogueira vs. Team Mir cast mate Efrain Escudero. Nover lost via unanimous decision.
Phillipe Nover fought Kyle Bradley at UFC 98, losing by a stoppage due to TKO at 1:03 of the first round.
Phillipe Nover was set to fight Sam Stout at Ultimate Fight Night 19, replacing the injured Kyle Bradley. On September 16, 2009, the day of the fight, Nover had a syncopal episode. As a result, the match with Stout was canceled.
Darrill Schoonover is an American professional mixed martial arts fighter and a cast member of SpikeTV's The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights.
Born in Texas, Schoonover began training in submission wrestling, kick boxing, judo and jiu jitsu at the age of 17. At the age of 19, Schoonover joined the United States Army. He attended Central Texas College and put his history degree studies on hold in order to participate in The Ultimate Fighter.
Justin Wren is aN American professional mixed martial arts fighter and is a cast member of SpikeTV's The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights.
Wren enjoyed a highly successful and decorated wrestling career before venturing into MMA. He was a standout at Texas wrestling powerhouse Bishop Lynch High School, where he was coached by Olympic Gold Medalists Kenny Monday and Kendall Cross. During that time, he was a two time Prep State Champion (2004, 2005) and a two time Prep all-American, winning the Prep National Championship his senior year in Lehigh, PA.
While he was indeed a standout collegiate-style wrestler, Wren's greatest success came in the Greco Roman style. He was a two time all-American in that discipline, winning the national championship in Fargo, ND the summer after his senior year in high school ('05). This championship gained him national attention and earned him a scholarship to the Olympic Training center in Michigan to train for the Olympics to compete in Greco Roman wrestling.
Wanting to try his hand at Division I college wrestling, Wren planned to move to Iowa State University to compete for then coach Cael Sanderson, however, he sustained an injury training before he could join the team. To stay active, Wren entered local fights around Iowa and began his MMA career.
Wren won his first three fights by knockout before taking his first and only loss to date. His opponent was Matt Thompson. Wren then won three more fights and was six and one before appearing on TUF.
Wren is on the tenth season of The Ultimate Fighter fighting for Team Rashad. He was picked third for his team and sixth overall. On episode five, Wren fought Wes Sims, defeating him via first round technical submission from an arm triangle. Wren then moved on to the quarterfinals.