Rob Broughton (born 3 March 1983) is an English former

mixed martial artist Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a full-contact fighting sport based on striking and grappling; incorporating techniques from various combat sports from around the world. In the early 20th century, various inter-stylistic contests took place t ...

who competed in the

heavyweight Heavyweight is a weight class in combat sports and professional wrestling. Boxing Professional Male boxers who weigh over are considered heavyweights by 2 of the 4 major professional boxing organizations: the International Boxing Federation an ...

division. A professional competitor between 2004 and 2015, Broughton is a former British Cage Rage heavyweight champion and has also competed in the

Ultimate Fighting Championship The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is an American mixed martial arts (MMA) promoter (entertainment), promotion company based in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is owned and operated by TKO Group Holdings, a majority owned subsidiary of Endeavor ( ...

(UFC), RINGS, and M-1 Global. Broughton was sentenced to an eight-year prison term in 2021 for his role as an enforcer for a drug gang.

Mixed martial arts career

Cage Rage

Rob first gained national recognition in 2006 when he became the British Cage Rage Heavyweight Champion, after defeating former

PRIDE Pride is a human Emotion, secondary emotion characterized by a sense of satisfaction with one's Identity (philosophy), identity, performance, or accomplishments. It is often considered the opposite of shame or of humility and, depending on conte ...

veteran James Thompson at Cage Rage 17 in

Wembley Arena Wembley Arena () (originally the Empire Pool, currently known as OVO Energy, OVO Arena Wembley for sponsorship reasons) is an indoor arena next to Wembley Stadium in Wembley, Greater London, England. The 12,500-seat facility is Greater Lond ...

, on just one week's notice. Broughton then went on to defeat Robert Berry via KO and submit the world-renowned and ex-World Super Heavyweight Boxing Champion,

Eric Esch Eric David Scott Esch (born August 3, 1966), is an American television personality and retired professional boxer, kickboxer, mixed martial artist, and professional wrestler better known by his nickname "Butterbean". A competitor in the heavy ...

in Cage Rage competition. However Broughton's win streak was ended against Tengiz Tedoradze, when a cut eye forced a premature end to the bout. During 2007 Rob sustained a severe injury during training, which prevented him from professional competition for over a year, but on his return to the Cage Rage Championships in March 2008, he showed his potential once again by ending the unbeaten record of

Neil Grove Neil Grove (born 18 January 1971) is a South African-English Heavyweight professional mixed martial artist. A professional competitor since 2006, Grove has competed for the UFC, Bellator Cage Rage, UCMMA, and the SFL. Background Originall ...

at Cage Rage 25 by majority decision. In October 2008, Broughton then fought the former UFC Heavyweight Champion

Ricco Rodriguez Ricco Rodriguez (born August 19, 1977) is an American former mixed martial artist who competed in the Heavyweight (MMA), heavyweight division. A professional competitor from 1999 to 2019, he competed for the Ultimate Fighting Championship, UFC, ...

in Liverpool. On this occasion Broughton impressed again by avoiding his opponent's takedown attempts, whilst dominating early on in the clinch and in top position too. However, despite a promising second round Broughton eventually succumbed to Rodriguez by kneebar, which came as a bitter blow to the Liverpool-based fighter. However this performance has only increased Broughton's determination to break through into the world scene.

M1 Challenge /Global

Broughton made his M-1 debut representing Team England on 29 April in Japan, defeating the then unbeaten Japanese fighter Yusuke Kawaguchi by decision after a dominating performance. Then on 5 June he made his second

M-1 Challenge M-1 Challenge is a competitions organized by M-1 Global with a series of events held in different places around the world where MMA fighters compete against each other. The events are broadcast in over 100 countries. Fighters in over 30 countries ...

appearance defeating Soufian Elgarne via TKO. Elgarne's corner withdrew their fighter early on in the bout after Broughton controlled the fight from the start with superior clinch work and striking. Broughton's performances in the

meant he was called up to the ill-fated Affliction: Trilogy show on 1 August in Los Angeles. However, the event was cancelled, and Broughton's fight against Jessie Gibbs was hastily rearranged to the M-1 Global Presents Breakthrough show on 28 August in Kansas City. Broughton, who was hampered by bad flight plans and other logistical issues, was unable to show his true potential in a bout that was broadcast live on

HDNet AXS TV () is an American specialty television, cable television channel majority-owned by Canadian broadcaster Anthem Sports & Entertainment. It is devoted primarily to Music television, music-related programming (such as concert films, Document ...

in the US and live over the internet and as a result he lost by decision. Frustrated by his performance, Broughton immediately requested to fight in the

semifinals in Russia and despite suffering from injuries and hampered by bad preparation, he was able to claim Team England's only win of the night as he submitted the BodogFIGHT veteran Akhmed Sultanov by keylock in round 1 of their bout. Broughton dominated proceedings and totally nullified Sultanov's offence and eventually forced the Russian to verbally submit to a shoulder lock. This win saw Broughton increase his

record to 3–0 and helped him establish his status as one of Europe's top Heavyweight prospects.

ZT Fight Night: Heavyweights Collide

Broughton participated in the ZT Fight Night: Heavyweights Collide. This event was considered important in the UK domestic scene, to clarify the UK-based number one Heavyweight. The ZT Fight Night Heavyweight Tournament was a one-night tournament that took place on 31 January 2010. In the opening round he faced off against UFC veteran Neil Wain, submitting Wain with a guillotine choke in the second round. In the semifinals he faced MMA journeyman James Thompson, who was coming off an impressive TKO (punches) win over Tengiz Tedoradze in his opening round. Broughton had defeated Thompson in the past, back in 2006 and the win had made Brougton the British Cage Rage Heavyweight Champion. The man who took the title away from Broughton was Tengiz Tedoradze, who Thompson defeated to face off against Broughton in the tournament. In this bout, Broughton defeated Thompson by KO (Punch) in the second round. Broughton was next expected to face off against Joe Vedepo, a natural Middleweight who took part in the Heavyweight tournament on a days notice, but Vedepo broke his hand in his semifinals bout against Oli Thompson, which forced him out of the finals. Oli Thompson went on to replace Vedepo and Broughton defeated Oli Thompson in the finals by unanimous decision to win the ZT Fight Night Heavyweight Tournament Championship as well as earning the £10,000 tournament cheque. After the event, Rob stated that he hoped the bigger organizations such as the UFC and Strikeforce noticed his achievements and hopes of landing a multi-fight contract.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

On 21 April 2010, ESPN UK reported that Broughton and two other Wolfslair MMA Academy teammates had signed with the UFC on a multi-fight contract His debut was against Vinicius Queiroz at

UFC 120 ''UFC 120: Bisping vs. Akiyama'' was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on October 16, 2010, at the O2 Arena in London, United Kingdom. The card featured six televised MMA bouts, as well as four un-aired preli ...

in which he won via rear-naked choke. Queiroz later tested positive for the steroid

Stanozolol Stanozolol (Abbreviation, abbrev. Stz), sold under many brand names, is a synthetic androgen and anabolic steroid (AAS) medication derived from dihydrotestosterone (DHT). It is used to treat hereditary angioedema. It was developed by American ph ...

. Broughton was expected face promotional newcomer Dave Herman on 11 June 2011 at UFC 131. However, in late March, Broughton was replaced in the bout by

Joey Beltran Joey Beltran (born December 9, 1981) is an American bare-knuckle fighter and mixed martial arts, mixed martial artist. A professional mixed martial artist since 2007, he has competed for the Ultimate Fighting Championship, UFC, Bellator MMA, Bel ...

. Broughton faced Travis Browne on 24 September 2011 at UFC 135 where he lost by unanimous decision. Broughton made a quick return to the octagon as he replaced Oli Thompson at

UFC 138 ''UFC 138: Leben vs. Muñoz'' was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on November 5, 2011 at LG Arena in Birmingham, United Kingdom. The event aired on the same day, via tape delay, on Spike TV in the United ...

against Phil De Fries. He lost the fight via unanimous decision. Broughton was scheduled to face Ednaldo Oliveira on 14 January 2012 at UFC 142, but was forced out of the bout and replaced by Gabriel Gonzaga. Broughton was expected to face Matt Mitrione on 4 August 2012 at UFC on Fox: Shogun vs. Vera. However, the bout was scrapped after Broughton pulled out for an undisclosed personal matter. Broughton/Mitrione was briefly linked to

UFC on FX 5 ''UFC on FX: Browne vs. Bigfoot'' (also known as ''UFC on FX 5'') was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on October 5, 2012, at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It was the fifth UFC event broadcast l ...

. However, the bout was scrapped altogether after Broughton was forced out of the bout a second time and as a result, Broughton was released from the promotion.

Personal life

Rob Broughton has a son and daughter

Championships and accomplishments

*Cage Rage **Cage Rage British Heavyweight Champion *ZT Fight Nights **ZT Fight Night Heavyweight Tournament Winner (2010)

Mixed martial arts record

, - , Win , align=center, 16–7–1 , Marcin Bocian , Submission (kimura) , ICE FC 6: Broughton vs. Bocian , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 0:18 , Manchester, Greater Manchester,

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, , align=center, 3 , align=center, 1:43 ,

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, England , , - , Win , align=center, 11–5–1 , Akhmed Sultanov , Submission (americana) , M-1 Challenge 19: 2009 Semifinals , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 4:31 ,

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, Russia , , - , Loss , align=center, 10–5–1 , Jessie Gibbs , Decision (unanimous) , M-1 Global: Breakthrough , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Kansas City, Missouri Kansas City, Missouri, abbreviated KC or KCMO, is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri by List of cities in Missouri, population and area. The city lies within Jackson County, Missouri, Jackson, Clay County, Missouri, Clay, and Pl ...

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, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 9–4–1 , Yusuke Kawaguchi , Decision (unanimous) , M-1 Challenge 14: Japan , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Tokyo Tokyo, officially the Tokyo Metropolis, is the capital of Japan, capital and List of cities in Japan, most populous city in Japan. With a population of over 14 million in the city proper in 2023, it is List of largest cities, one of the most ...

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Liverpool Liverpool is a port City status in the United Kingdom, city and metropolitan borough in Merseyside, England. It is situated on the eastern side of the River Mersey, Mersey Estuary, near the Irish Sea, north-west of London. With a population ...

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, Decision (majority) , Cage Rage 25 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

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, England , , - , Win , align=center, 6–2–1 , Robert Berry , TKO (punches) , Cage Rage 18 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 3:33 ,

, England , , - , Win , align=center, 5–2–1 , James Thompson , KO (punches) , Cage Rage 17 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 0:49 ,

, England , , - , Win , align=center, 4–2–1 , Martin Thompson , Submission (guillotine choke) , War in Workington 1 , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 3:40 ,

Cumbria Cumbria ( ) is a ceremonial county in North West England. It borders the Scottish council areas of Dumfries and Galloway and Scottish Borders to the north, Northumberland and County Durham to the east, North Yorkshire to the south-east, Lancash ...

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References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Broughton, Rob Living people 1983 births English male mixed martial artists Heavyweight mixed martial artists Sportspeople from St Helens, Merseyside 21st-century English criminals English male criminals Criminals from Merseyside English money launderers Prisoners and detainees of England and Wales Ultimate Fighting Championship male fighters British sportspeople convicted of crimes 21st-century English sportsmen