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)

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)

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)

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 […] (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)

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)