Michael Joe Whitehead (born June 29, 1981) is a former professional
mixed martial artist
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, incorp ...
. He competed in the
Light Heavyweight
Light heavyweight, also referred to as junior cruiserweight or light cruiserweight, is a weight class in combat sports.
Boxing Professional
In professional boxing, the division is above and up to , falling between super middleweight and cruise ...
and
Heavyweight
Heavyweight is a weight class in combat sports and professional wrestling.
Boxing Professional
Boxers who weigh over are considered heavyweights by 3 of the 4 major professional boxing organizations: the International Boxing Federation, the Wo ...
weight classes for the
Ultimate Fighting Championship
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is an American mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion company based in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is owned and operated by Zuffa, a wholly owned subsidiary of Endeavor Group Holdings. It is the largest MMA ...
,
IFL IFL may refer to:
;American football
*Intense Football League, (2004–2008) in the United States, merged into the Indoor Football League
*Indoor Football League, (2008–present) in the United States
*Intercontinental Football League, a European l ...
,
Affliction
Affliction or Afflicted may refer to:
Books
* ''Affliction'' (novel), a 2013 Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter novel by Laurell K. Hamilton
* ''Affliction'', a novel by Russell Banks, basis of the 1998 film
Film and TV
* ''Affliction'' (1997 film), ...
, and
Strikeforce
Strike Force may refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media Games
* ''Strike Force'' (video game), a 1991 arcade game
*'' Commandos: Strike Force'', a 2006 video game
*'' Dynasty Warriors: Strikeforce'', a 2009 video game
*''Marvel Strike Force'', ...
.
Mixed martial arts career
At
Crater High School
Crater High School is a public high school in Central Point, Oregon, United States.
Small School Initiative
Beginning in the 2007-2008 school year, a program called the Small School Initiative was established in Crater after a monetary grant f ...
, Mike was a state champion wrestler in the 189lb division in 1999 and played defensive lineman in football.
Mike Whitehead started wrestling at
North Idaho College
North Idaho College (NIC) is a public community college in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. It has an enrollment exceeding 6,000 and is situated at the north end of Lake Coeur d'Alene near downtown Coeur d'Alene, Idaho and Tubbs Hill, Coeur d'Alene, Idah ...
,
Southern Oregon University
Southern Oregon University (SOU) is a public university in Ashland, Oregon. It was founded in 1872 as the Ashland Academy, has been in its current location since 1926, and was known by nine other names before assuming its current name in 1997.Kre ...
, and the
University of Missouri
The University of Missouri (Mizzou, MU, or Missouri) is a public university, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university in Columbia, Missouri. It is Missouri's largest university and the flagship of the four-campus Universit ...
. He is a 3 time All American Wrestler and Abu Dhabi qualifier. In 2005, he participated in the reality series ''
The Ultimate Fighter 2
''The Ultimate Fighter 2'' was the second season of the mixed martial arts reality television series ''The Ultimate Fighter''. The season featured a heavyweight and a welterweight division, with 9 fighters initially in each division. The UFC coa ...
'' on
Spike TV
Paramount Network is an American basic cable television channel owned by the MTV Entertainment Group unit of Paramount Media Networks. The network's headquarters are located at the Paramount Pictures studio lot in Los Angeles.
The channel was o ...
.
Prior to his fight with
Renato Sobral
Renato da Cunha Sobral (; born 7 September 1975), also known as "Babalu", is a retired Brazilian Luta Livre submission grappler, mixed martial artist, and was the former Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion. Sobral previously fought in the Ult ...
, he was on a 13 fight win streak, including five straight victories in the IFL. He has proven himself dangerous standing and striking, as well as with wrestling and submission grappling.
He has also competed in the standup only fight organization Xtreme Fighting Association where he defeated Ethen Cox by unanimous decision.
Personal life
Whitehead was arrested by Las Vegas Metro Police on April 14, 2010, after a female acquaintance filed a report that he had sexually assaulted her at his home. He faces several charges including two counts of sexual assault and one count each of attempted sexual assault and open and gross lewdness. Additional charges could still be coming for Mike based on the marijuana grow operation detectives found when they went to serve a warrant in response to the sexual assault. Detectives found 50 marijuana plants inside the residence, all of which were confiscated and destroyed after they were granted a warrant for the plants.
Whitehead reached an agreement with Clark County prosecutors to make a no-contest plea. On September 12, 2011, he pleaded no-contest to the charges and faced up to 20 years in prison. On January 19, 2012, Whitehead was sentenced to one to four years in prison.
Championships and accomplishments
*Icon Sport
**SuperBrawl 24: Return of the Heavyweights Tournament Runner Up
[http://wrestlingdata.com/index.php?befehl=shows&show=74870 ]
*International Fighting Championship
**IFC Heavyweight Championship (One time)
Mixed martial arts record
, -
, Loss
, align=center, 27–8
, Brian Heden
, Decision (unanimous)
, Dakota FC / Ultimate Productions: Winter Brawl
,
, align=center, 3
, align=center, 5:00
,
Fargo, North Dakota
Fargo ( /ˈfɑɹɡoʊ/) is a city in and the county seat of Cass County, North Dakota, United States. According to the 2020 census, its population was 125,990, making it the most populous city in the state and the 219th-most populous city in ...
, United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 27–7
, Jojo Thompson
, Submission (neck crank)
, RITC: Rage in the Cage 156
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 1:58
,
Chandler, Arizona
Chandler is a city in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States, and a suburb in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). It is bordered to the north and west by Tempe, to the north by Mesa, to the west by Phoenix, to the ...
, United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 26–7
,
Eddie Sanchez
Eduardo Arturo Sanchez (born November 4, 1982) is an American professional mixed martial artist who last competed in the Heavyweight division. A professional since 2004, he has competed for the UFC, Bellator, Titan FC, Final Fight Championship, ...
, Decision (split)
, PFC: Pure Fighting Championships 6
,
, align=center, 3
, align=center, 5:00
,
Red Deer, Alberta
Red Deer is a city in Alberta, Canada, located midway on the Calgary–Edmonton Corridor. Red Deer serves central Alberta, and key industries include health care, retail trade, construction, oil and gas, hospitality, manufacturing and education. ...
, Canada
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 25–7
,
Chase Gormley
Chase Gormley (born August 11, 1983) is an American mixed martial artist in the Heavyweight division. A professional competitor since 2007, he has competed for the UFC, Bellator, the MFC, the RFA, King of the Cage, the XFC, Absolute Champions ...
, TKO (punches)
, IFC: Extreme Challenge
,
, align=center, 4
, align=center, 2:22
,
Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, United States
,
, -
, Loss
, align=center, 24–7
,
Muhammed Lawal
Oklahoma State Cowboys
Central Oklahoma Bronchos
Muhammed Lawal (born January 11, 1981), also known as "King Mo", is an American professional wrestler and retired mixed martial artist currently signed to Major League Wr ...
, KO (punches)
,
Strikeforce: Evolution
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 3:08
,
San Jose, California
San Jose, officially San José (; ; ), is a major city in the U.S. state of California that is the cultural, financial, and political center of Silicon Valley and largest city in Northern California by both population and area. With a 2020 popul ...
, United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 24–6
,
Kevin Randleman
Kevin Christopher Randleman (August 10, 1971 – February 11, 2016) was an American mixed martial artist, professional wrestler, and former UFC Heavyweight Champion. Randleman's background was in collegiate wrestling, in which he became ...
, Decision (unanimous)
,
Strikeforce: Lawler vs. Shields
,
, align=center, 3
, align=center, 5:00
,
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis () is the second-largest city in Missouri, United States. It sits near the confluence of the Mississippi River, Mississippi and the Missouri Rivers. In 2020, the city proper had a population of 301,578, while the Greater St. Louis, ...
, United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 23–6
, Leo Pla
, Submission (guillotine choke)
,
M-1 Challenge 8: USA
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 1:20
,
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City (abbreviated KC or KCMO) is the largest city in Missouri by population and area. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 508,090 in 2020, making it the 36th most-populous city in the United States. It is the central ...
, United States
,
, -
, Loss
, align=center, 22–6
,
Renato Sobral
Renato da Cunha Sobral (; born 7 September 1975), also known as "Babalu", is a retired Brazilian Luta Livre submission grappler, mixed martial artist, and was the former Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion. Sobral previously fought in the Ult ...
, Decision (unanimous)
,
Affliction: Banned
,
, align=center, 3
, align=center, 5:00
,
Anaheim, California
Anaheim ( ) is a city in northern Orange County, California, part of the Los Angeles metropolitan area. As of the 2020 United States Census, the city had a population of 346,824, making it the most populous city in Orange County, the 10th-most p ...
, United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 22–5
,
Zak Jensen
''The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights'' is the tenth installment of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)-produced reality television series '' The Ultimate Fighter''. In a press conference following ''UFC 98'', Dana White announced that filmin ...
, Submission (armbar)
, Beatdown: 4 Bears Casino
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 2:06
,
North Dakota
North Dakota () is a U.S. state in the Upper Midwest, named after the Native Americans in the United States, indigenous Dakota people, Dakota Sioux. North Dakota is bordered by the Canadian provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba to the north a ...
, United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 21–5
, Soakai Pulu
, Submission (keylock)
, Throwdown Showdown 1: Showdown
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 0:59
,
Orem, Utah
Orem is a city in Utah County, Utah, United States, in the northern part of the state. It is adjacent to Provo, Lindon, and Vineyard and is approximately south of Salt Lake City.
Orem is one of the principal cities of the Provo-Orem, Utah Me ...
, United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 20–5
,
Daniel Sarafian
Daniel Sarafian Gantman (born 21 August 1982 in São Paulo) is an Armenian-Brazilian mixed martial arts, mixed martial artist who last competed in 2018. A professional since 2006, Sarafian has formerly competed for the Ultimate Fighting Champion ...
, Decision (unanimous)
, PFP: Ring Of Fire
,
, align=center, 3
, align=center, 5:00
,
Manila
Manila ( , ; fil, Maynila, ), officially the City of Manila ( fil, Lungsod ng Maynila, ), is the capital of the Philippines, and its second-most populous city. It is highly urbanized and, as of 2019, was the world's most densely populate ...
, Philippines
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 19–5
,
Vernon White
, TKO (punches)
,
IFL: Las Vegas
,
, align=center, 2
, align=center, 0:54
,
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas (; Spanish for "The Meadows"), often known simply as Vegas, is the 25th-most populous city in the United States, the most populous city in the state of Nevada, and the county seat of Clark County. The city anchors the Las Vegas ...
, United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 18–5
, Wojtek Kaszowski
, TKO (punches)
,
IFL: Connecticut
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 2:43
,
Uncasville, Connecticut
Uncasville is an area in the New England town, town of Montville, Connecticut, Montville, Connecticut, United States. It is a Administrative divisions of Connecticut#Village, neighborhood, section of town, village in southeastern Montville, at the ...
, United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 17–5
,
Krzysztof Soszynski
Krzysztof Soszyński (; born August 2, 1977) is a Polish–Canadian actor and retired mixed martial artist. An 11-year competitor from 2003 until 2014, Soszynski fought in the UFC, Strikeforce, the Los Angeles Anacondas of the IFL, and was a co ...
, Decision (unanimous)
,
IFL: World Championship Final
,
, align=center, 3
, align=center, 4:00
,
Uncasville, Connecticut
Uncasville is an area in the New England town, town of Montville, Connecticut, Montville, Connecticut, United States. It is a Administrative divisions of Connecticut#Village, neighborhood, section of town, village in southeastern Montville, at the ...
, United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 16–5
,
Mark Kerr
, TKO (punches)
,
IFL: World Championship Semifinals
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 2:40
,
Portland, Oregon
Portland (, ) is a port city in the Pacific Northwest and the largest city in the U.S. state of Oregon. Situated at the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers, Portland is the county seat of Multnomah County, the most populous co ...
, United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 15–5
, Michael Buchkovich
, TKO (submission to punches)
, CFC2: Combat Fighting Championship
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 4:04
,
Orlando, Florida
Orlando () is a city in the U.S. state of Florida and is the county seat of Orange County, Florida, Orange County. In Central Florida, it is the center of the Greater Orlando, Orlando metropolitan area, which had a population of 2,509,831, acco ...
, United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 14–5
, Ruben Villareal
, Submission (keylock)
, Valor Fighting: Showdown At Cache Creek II
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 1:02
,
Brooks, California
Brooks is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Yolo County, California, located in the Capay Valley in the northwest of the county. Brooks' ZIP Code is 95606 and its area code 530. The Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation is headq ...
, United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 13–5
, Rich Beecroft
, Submission (keylock)
, RITC 85: Xtreme Cage Fighting
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 1:17
,
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix ( ; nv, Hoozdo; es, Fénix or , yuf-x-wal, Banyà:nyuwá) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of cities and towns in Arizona#List of cities and towns, most populous city of the U.S. state of Arizona, with 1 ...
, United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 12–5
, Rocky Batastini
, Submission (kimura)
, RITC 83: Rampage
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 0:14
,
Arizona
Arizona ( ; nv, Hoozdo Hahoodzo ; ood, Alĭ ṣonak ) is a state in the Southwestern United States. It is the 6th largest and the 14th most populous of the 50 states. Its capital and largest city is Phoenix. Arizona is part of the Fou ...
, United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 11–5
, Mike Bourke
, TKO (retirement)
, UAGF: Kaos on the Kampus
,
, align=center, 3
, align=center, N/A
,
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the largest city in the state of California and the second most populous city in the United States after New York City, as well as one of the world' ...
, United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 10–5
, Robert Beraun
, Submission (kimura)
, RITC 80: Fight Night at The Fort
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 2:57
,
Fountain Hills, Arizona, United States
,
, -
, Loss
, align=center, 9–5
,
Keith Jardine
Keith Jardine (born October 31, 1975) is an American actor and retired mixed martial artist who most notably competed in the UFC and Strikeforce. Jardine was known for upset victories in bouts he took at short notice against highly rated fight ...
, Decision (unanimous)
,
UFC 57
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is an American mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion company based in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is owned and operated by Zuffa, a wholly owned subsidiary of Endeavor Group Holdings. It is the largest MMA ...
,
, align=center, 3
, align=center, 5:00
,
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas (; Spanish for "The Meadows"), often known simply as Vegas, is the 25th-most populous city in the United States, the most populous city in the state of Nevada, and the county seat of Clark County. The city anchors the Las Vegas ...
, United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 9–4
,
Travis Fulton
Travis Jon 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 ...
, Submission (bulldog choke)
, EC 61: Extreme Challenge 61
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 1:30
,
Osceola, Iowa
Osceola is a city in Clarke County, Iowa, Clarke County, Iowa, United States. The population was 5,160 at the time of the 2020 United States Census, 2020 census. It is the county seat of Clarke County.
History
Osceola was named after a Seminol ...
, United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 8–4
,
Aaron Brink
Aaron Franklin Brink (born November 12, 1974), also known by his stage name Dick Delaware, is an American professional mixed martial artist and pornographic film actor who competes in the Light Heavyweight division. He has competed for King of ...
, Decision (unanimous)
, UAGF: Clover Combat
,
, align=center, 3
, align=center, 5:00
,
California
California is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States, located along the West Coast of the United States, Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the List of states and territori ...
, United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 7–4
, Matt Bear
, TKO (submission to strikes)
, VFC 9: Madness
,
, align=center, 2
, align=center, 0:54
,
Council Bluffs, Iowa
Council Bluffs is a city in and the county seat of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, Pottawattamie County, Iowa, United States. The city is the most populous in Southwest Iowa, and is the third largest and a primary city of the Omaha–Council Bluffs ...
, United States
,
, -
, Loss
, align=center, 6–4
,
Brandon Vera
Brandon Michael Vera (born October 10, 1977), or also known by his ring name as The Truth, is a Filipino-American (of Italian heritage) retired mixed martial artist where he was the inaugural ONE Heavyweight Champion and the 2005 WEC Heavyweigh ...
, TKO (doctor stoppage)
, WEC 13: Heavyweight Explosion
,
, align=center, 2
, align=center, 1:12
,
Lemoore, California
Lemoore (formerly, La Tache and Lee Moore's) is a city in Kings County, California, United States. Lemoore is located west-southwest of Hanford, at an elevation of . It is part of the Hanford-Corcoran Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA Code 2 ...
, United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 6–3
, Terrell Dees
, Submission (neck crank)
, WEC 13: Heavyweight Explosion
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 3:43
,
Lemoore, California
Lemoore (formerly, La Tache and Lee Moore's) is a city in Kings County, California, United States. Lemoore is located west-southwest of Hanford, at an elevation of . It is part of the Hanford-Corcoran Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA Code 2 ...
, United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 5–3
, Demian Decorah
, TKO (punches)
, EC 59: Extreme Challenge 59
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 3:25
,
Medina, Minnesota
Medina is a city in Hennepin County, Minnesota, United States. An outer edge suburb of Minneapolis–Saint Paul, the city has a primarily rural character, with agricultural lands and natural preservation areas. Medina is home to the corporate hea ...
, United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 4–3
, Brian Stromberg
, Submission
, SF 5: Stadium
,
, align=center, 2
, align=center, N/A
,
Gresham, Oregon
Gresham ( ) is a city located in Multnomah County, Oregon, in the United States of America, immediately east of Portland, Oregon. It is considered a suburb within the Greater Portland Metropolitan area. Though it began as a settlement in the mid- ...
, United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 3–3
, Karl Knothe
, Submission (neck crank)
, EC 58: Extreme Challenge 58
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 1:17
,
Medina, Minnesota
Medina is a city in Hennepin County, Minnesota, United States. An outer edge suburb of Minneapolis–Saint Paul, the city has a primarily rural character, with agricultural lands and natural preservation areas. Medina is home to the corporate hea ...
, United States
,
, -
, Loss
, align=center, 2–3
, Alex Paz
, Decision (split)
, HOOKnSHOOT: Absolute Fighting Championships 2
,
, align=center, 2
, align=center, 5:00
,
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Fort Lauderdale () is a coastal city located in the U.S. state of Florida, north of Miami along the Atlantic Ocean. It is the county seat of and largest city in Broward County with a population of 182,760 at the 2020 census, making it the tenth ...
, United States
,
, -
, Loss
, align=center, 2–2
,
Tim Sylvia
Timothy Deane Sylvia (born March 5, 1976) is an American retired mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter, professional wrestler, and a former two-time UFC Heavyweight Champion. He has competed as a Super Heavyweight and Heavyweight. While he is best kno ...
, TKO (knee and punches)
, SB 24: Return of the Heavyweights 2
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 2:38
,
Honolulu, Hawaii
Honolulu (; ) is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Hawaii, which is in the Pacific Ocean. It is an unincorporated county seat of the consolidated City and County of Honolulu, situated along the southeast coast of the island o ...
, United States
,
SuperBrawl Return of the Heavyweights Finals.
, -
, Win
, align=center, 2–1
,
Ben Rothwell
, Decision (unanimous)
, SB 24: Return of the Heavyweights 2
,
, align=center, 2
, align=center, 5:00
,
Honolulu, Hawaii
Honolulu (; ) is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Hawaii, which is in the Pacific Ocean. It is an unincorporated county seat of the consolidated City and County of Honolulu, situated along the southeast coast of the island o ...
, United States
,
SuperBrawl Return of the Heavyweights Semifinals.
, -
, Loss
, align=center, 1–1
,
Tim Sylvia
Timothy Deane Sylvia (born March 5, 1976) is an American retired mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter, professional wrestler, and a former two-time UFC Heavyweight Champion. He has competed as a Super Heavyweight and Heavyweight. While he is best kno ...
, TKO (punches)
, SB 24: Return of the Heavyweights 1
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 3:46
,
Honolulu, Hawaii
Honolulu (; ) is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Hawaii, which is in the Pacific Ocean. It is an unincorporated county seat of the consolidated City and County of Honolulu, situated along the southeast coast of the island o ...
, United States
,
SuperBrawl Return of the Heavyweights Quarterfinals.
, -
, Win
, align=center, 1–0
, Kim Bower
, TKO (punches)
, GVT: Gladiators Vale Tudo
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, N/A
,
Worley, Idaho
Worley is a city in southwestern Kootenai County, Idaho, United States. The population was 257 at the 2010 census, up from 223 in 2000. , United States
,
Kickboxing record
, -
, - bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
, 2008-03-22 , , Win , , align=left,
Ethen Cox , , XFA 1, ,
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
The Las Vegas Valley is a major metropolitan area in the southern part of the U.S. state of Nevada, and the second largest in the Southwestern United States. The state's largest urban agglomeration, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Statistical Area i ...
, , Decision (unanimous) , , 3 , , 3:00 , , 1-0
, -
, -
, colspan=9 , ''Legend'':
References
External links
*
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Whitehead, Mike
1981 births
Living people
Sportspeople from Medford, Oregon
American male mixed martial artists
Light heavyweight mixed martial artists
Mixed martial artists utilizing collegiate wrestling
American male kickboxers
Heavyweight kickboxers
Heavyweight mixed martial artists
Southern Oregon University alumni
Ultimate Fighting Championship male fighters
American male sport wrestlers
Amateur wrestlers