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Blackzilians
The Blackzilians was a professional team of fighters in mixed martial arts, boxing, kickboxing, amateur wrestling and catch wrestling located in South Florida. The team had included former UFC champions Rashad Evans, Vitor Belfort, Eddie Alvarez and Kamaru Usman. History Owned by Glenn Robinson, Blackzilians, started when MMA fighters Jorge Santiago, Danillo Villefort, Yuri Villefort, and Gesias Cavalcante left American Top Team. The name 'Blackzilians' was coined when Strikeforce Middleweight Danillo Villefort was looking through their management's website and pointed out to Robinson that every fighter (at the time) was Black or Brazilian. It was reported on September 20, 2018, that Glenn Robinson, Blackzilians founder, had died of a suspected heart attack. As of 2017, the Blackzilians as a gym is considered defunct. Many of its members have left to join Sanford MMA, now Kill Cliff Fight Club (founded by Blackzilians trainers Henry Hooft and Greg Jones) which is considered a ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Kamaru Usman
Kamarudeen Usman (born May 11, 1987) is a Nigerian and American professional mixed martial artist, former freestyle wrestler and retired folkstyle wrestler. He currently competes in the welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he is the former UFC Welterweight Champion and was also The Ultimate Fighter 21 tournament winner. As of November 14, 2022, he is #1 in the UFC men's welterweight rankings, and #4 in the UFC men's pound-for-pound rankings. As a freestyle wrestler, Usman primarily competed at , and was a 2010 U.S, University World Team Member. Collegiately, he competed at , and was the 2010 NCAA Division II national champion, a three–time NCAA Division II All-American, and a NAIA national qualifier. Background Usman was born in Auchi, Nigeria. His father was a major in the Nigerian Army and his mother was a teacher. He has two brothers, Kashetu and Mohammed, the latter of whom is also a mixed martial artist and fellow The Ultimate ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Cosmo Alexandre
Cosmo Alexandre Moreira da Rocha (born 24 April 1982 in São Vicente, São Paulo) is a Brazilian professional kickboxer, boxer, and mixed martial artist. He is a former It's Showtime 77MAX World Champion, WMC Intercontinental and WPMF World Champion, W5 World Champion. On 5 December 2009, he won WMC King's Cup Challenger Tournament in Bangkok, Thailand. Since becoming a professional MMA competitor in 2011 until his own retirement, he has competed for Bellator and Legacy Fighting Championship, and ONE Championship. Background Alexandre, who is named after his grandfather, was born in São Vicente, São Paulo and raised in Santos, Sao Paulo. Growing up, Alexandre competed in football and was talented, going on to play professionally, but ultimately chose to focus on a career in Muay Thai. Alexandre began training in Muay Thai at the age of 19. Kickboxing career Alexandre began his professional kickboxing career in October 2004 in his native Brazil. In 2007 he experienced the ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Henri Hooft
Henri Hooft, also known as Harry Hooft (born May 21, 1969), is a Dutch former kickboxer and trainer. He is the head trainer at Kill Cliff FC and formerly the Blackzilians. Career Hooft was born and raised in The Hague, Netherlands. At the age of 15, he became interested in combat sports. He started training with his brother in full contact Karate, but later switched to kickboxing. He already began competing after training for three months, winning several competitions. At the age of 18, he was invited by Dutch kickboxing world champion Rob Kaman to move to Thailand to train with him. There, he discovered Thai boxing. Hooft began fighting professionally while coaching at the same time. He developed his own fighting system by combining the best of Thai boxing and Dutch kickboxing. He competed in more than 100 kickboxing fights. His most notable fight was against Stefan Leko at the K-1 Grand Prix '99, which he lost by knockout in the first round. In 2004, he joined Team Aerts as ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Greg Jones (wrestler)
Greg Jones is one of the most successful American collegiate wrestlers of all-time. At West Virginia University, Jones won three NCAA Division 1 wrestling titles - one of only 39 wrestlers to accomplish that feat in the tournament's 75-year history. Shortly after his 5-3 decision of Cornell's Tyler Baier in the 184 pound finals, Jones was named the 2005 tournament's Most Outstanding Wrestler. In addition to his title in 2005, Jones won the 184 pound title in 2004 and the 174 pound title as a freshman in 2002. Jones is currently serving as the Head Wrestling Coach for Sanford MMA in Deerfield Beach FL. Background Greg Jones was born on August 10, 1982, in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. He was the third of 5 children. Greg's older brother Vertus was a 3-time All-American wrestler. Both brothers were inducted into the West Virginia Mountaineers Hall of Fame in 2019. In Greensburg-Salem School District Jones won the PIAA championship as a member of the Greensburg-Salem Golden Li ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Kill Cliff FC
Kill Cliff FC, officially known as Kill Cliff Fight Club (formerly known as Sanford MMA, Hard Knocks 365 and Combat Club) is a mixed martial arts gym based in Deerfield Beach, Florida. It was originally founded in 2017 by Henri Hooft and Greg Jones as Combat Club and later Hard Knocks 365 before being rebranded to Sanford MMA in 2019 after obtaining a sponsorship deal with Sanford Health. In July 2022, the gym rebranded to Kill Cliff FC. Overview In 2017, Henri Hooft left the Blackzilians and alongside Greg Jones, founded the gym, Combat Club in Boynton Beach, Florida. This later rebranded as Hard Knocks 365 after moving the gym to Fort Lauderdale, Florida in order to accommodate a bigger facility. Some of the fighters who were originally training at the Blackzilians would join the new gym. In 2019, Hard Knocks 365 rebranded to Sanford MMA after obtaining a sponsorship deal with Sanford Health. A new training facility was opened in Deerfield Beach, Florida as part of the ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Sanford MMA
Kill Cliff FC, officially known as Kill Cliff Fight Club (formerly known as Sanford MMA, Hard Knocks 365 and Combat Club) is a mixed martial arts gym based in Deerfield Beach, Florida. It was originally founded in 2017 by Henri Hooft and Greg Jones as Combat Club and later Hard Knocks 365 before being rebranded to Sanford MMA in 2019 after obtaining a sponsorship deal with Sanford Health. In July 2022, the gym rebranded to Kill Cliff FC. Overview In 2017, Henri Hooft left the Blackzilians and alongside Greg Jones, founded the gym, Combat Club in Boynton Beach, Florida. This later rebranded as Hard Knocks 365 after moving the gym to Fort Lauderdale, Florida in order to accommodate a bigger facility. Some of the fighters who were originally training at the Blackzilians would join the new gym. In 2019, Hard Knocks 365 rebranded to Sanford MMA after obtaining a sponsorship deal with Sanford Health. A new training facility was opened in Deerfield Beach, Florida as part of the deal ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Danillo Villefort
Danillo Villefort (born August 5, 1983) is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist. Villefort has fought for the UFC, WEC, IFL, World Series of Fighting, and Professional Fighters League fighting in their Middleweight division. Biography Villefort was born in Brazil, he was raised in competition, being the son of Vale Tudo legend Francisco "Master Indio" Silva. He was also the god-son of Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira. Villefort is a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu and has been doing Judo for over 30 years. Villefort is a founder and was a Judo MMA with the Blackzilians for over 6 years. In 2016 Villefort got bronze medal at the Judo Veterans World Championships in Fort Lauderdale. In 2017 Villefort became Champion at Judo US open at the light heavy weight division. World Extreme Cagefighting Villefort was set to face Jake Rosholt but Rosholt came down with an injury, the fight would have to be postponed. The WEC then disbanded their middleweight division. Villefort drop ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Mixed Martial Arts
Mixed martial arts (MMA), sometimes referred to as cage fighting, no holds barred (NHB), and ultimate fighting, and originally referred to as Vale Tudo is a full-contact combat sport based on striking, grappling and ground fighting, incorporating techniques from various combat sports from around the world. The first documented use of the term ''mixed martial arts'' was in a review of UFC 1 by television critic Howard Rosenberg in 1993. The question of who actually coined the term is subject to debate. During the early 20th century, various interstylistic contests took place throughout Japan and in the countries of the Four Asian Tigers. In Brazil, there was the sport of Vale Tudo, in which The Gracie family was known to promote Vale Tudo matches as a way to promote their own Brazilian jiu-jitsu style. A precursor to modern MMA was the 1976 Ali vs. Inoki exhibition bout (which ended in a draw after 15 rounds), fought between boxer Muhammad Ali and wrestler Antonio ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Yuri Villefort
Yuri Villefort (born March 23, 1991) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who competes in the Welterweight division. A professional competitor since 2009, he has competed for the UFC and Strikeforce. He is the younger brother of fellow mixed martial artist Danillo Villefort. Mixed martial arts career Early career Yuri started his career in 2009 and fought mainly for Florida-based promotions. With a record of six victories and no losses, Villefort signed with Strikeforce. Strikeforce Villefort was expected to face Travis Bush on July 24, 2011 at Strikeforce Challengers 16: Fodor vs. Terry. However, he was removed from the event due to training injuries. Villefort made his debut against Quinn Mulhern on May 19, 2012 at Strikeforce: Barnett vs. Cormier. He lost via split decision (30–27 Mulhern, 29–28 Villefort, 29–28 Mulhern). Villefort was expected to face Nah-Shon Burrell on September 29, 2012 at Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Healy. However, the event was cancelled due to h ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Jorge Santiago
Jorge Santiago Rodrigues (; born October 9, 1980) is a retired Brazilian mixed martial artist. He was the first Sengoku Middleweight Champion and is the former Strikeforce Middleweight Grand Prix Champion. He has also competed for the UFC, King of the Cage, Titan FC, It's Showtime, and BodogFIGHT. Mixed martial arts career Early career Santiago started his mixed martial arts career at Reality Fighting 2 in 2002 with a win over Jose Rodriguez. In the following years Santago fought for Absolute Fighting Championships, King of the Cage, and a few other small organizations earning an 11–5 record. Ultimate Fighting Championship In 2006 he signed with Ultimate Fighting Championships, where he competed three times. He won his UFC debut at UFC Ultimate Fight Night 5 against Justin Levens by first round KO. He returned at UFC Fight Night 6 and UFC Fight Night 7, losing by KO to former WEC Middleweight Champion, Chris Leben in the second round and to Alan Belcher by KO in the third ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Eddie Alvarez
Edward "Eddie" Alvarez (born January 11, 1984) is an American mixed martial artist who most recently competed in the Lightweight (170 lb) division of ONE Championship. He also formerly competed in the UFC and Bellator MMA, winning world titles in each: the UFC Lightweight Championship once and the Bellator Lightweight World Championship twice. Alvarez was the first Lightweight champion in Bellator MMA. He has also competed for the Japanese DREAM promotion, where he fought in their inaugural Lightweight Grand Prix. Alvarez also fought once for ProElite's EliteXC. Alvarez is the first fighter to have won championships in both Bellator MMA and the UFC. He holds notable wins over former world champions Pat Curran, Michael Chandler, Shinya Aoki, Gilbert Melendez, Justin Gaethje, Anthony Pettis, Eduard Folayang and Rafael dos Anjos. Fight Matrix ranks him #3 ''All-Time Lightweight'' in the world (behind Khabib Nurmagomedov and B.J. Penn). Background Edward, the son of Louis and Lil ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Rashad Evans
Rashad Anton Evans (born September 25, 1979) is an American mixed martial artist. Evans started his professional career in 2003, he was the Heavyweight winner of The Ultimate Fighter 2 and is also a former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, and a 2019 inductee of the UFC Hall of Fame. In present day, he serves on the UFC broadcasting team as a desk analyst while also advocating for the health benefits of functional mushrooms through his companUmbo co-founded alongside former NFL quarterback, Jake Plummer. Wrestling career Wrestling out of Niagara-Wheatfield High School in Sanborn, New York, Evans twice made it to the state finals tournament of New York by winning his weight class for his region, in which he received All-State honors both times. In 1997 he placed 4th in the state at 145 pounds. In 1998 he placed 4th in the state at 171 pounds. In 1999 he entered the National Junior College Athletic Association National Championships for the 165 pound weight class in which he finish ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
