Michael Joe Whitehead (born June 29, 1981) is a former professional

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 ...

. He competed in the

Light Heavyweight Light heavyweight is a weight class in combat sports. Boxing Professional In professional boxing, the division is above and up to , falling between super middleweight and cruiserweight (boxing), cruiserweight. The light heavyweight class has ...

and

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 ...

weight classes for 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 ( ...

, IFL, Affliction, and

Strikeforce Strike Force may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Games *Strike Force (video game), ''Strike Force'' (video game), a 1991 arcade game *''Commandos: Strike Force'', a 2006 video game *''Dynasty Warriors: Strikeforce'', a 2009 video game *' ...

Mixed martial arts career

At Crater High School, 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 of approximately 3,900 undergraduate students. Its main campus is situated at the north end of Lake Coeur d'Alene near downtown Coeur d'Alene, ...

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 or MU) is a public university, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university in Columbia, Missouri, United States. It is Missouri's largest university and the flagship of the four-campus Univers ...

. He is a 3 time All American Wrestler and Abu Dhabi qualifier. In 2005, he participated in the reality series '' The Ultimate Fighter 2'' on

Spike TV Paramount Network is an American basic cable television channel and the flagship property of the Paramount Media Networks division of Paramount Global, who operates it through the MTV Entertainment Group. The network's headquarters are locate ...

. Prior to his fight with

Renato Sobral Renato Sobral da Cunha (; 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 U ...

, 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.

Championships and accomplishments

*Icon Sport **SuperBrawl 24: Return of the Heavyweights Tournament Runner Up *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 ,

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, 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 ,

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, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 26–7 , Eddie Sanchez , Decision (split) , PFC: Pure Fighting Championships 6 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

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, Canada , , - , Win , align=center, 25–7 ,

Chase Gormley Chase Gormley (born August 11, 1983) is an American professional Mixed martial arts, mixed martial artist and bare-knuckle boxing, bare-knuckle boxer, currently competing in the Heavyweight (MMA), Heavyweight division of the Bare Knuckle Fightin ...

, TKO (punches) , IFC: Extreme Challenge , , align=center, 4 , align=center, 2:22 , Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 24–7 ,

Muhammed Lawal Muhammed Lawal (born January 11, 1981), also known as "King Mo", is an American professional wrestler and retired mixed martial artist currently signed to Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. As a mixed martial artist, he is a former Strikeforc ...

, KO (punches) , Strikeforce: Evolution , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 3:08 ,

San Jose, California San Jose, officially the City of San José ( ; ), is a cultural, commercial, and political center within Silicon Valley and the San Francisco Bay Area. With a city population of 997,368 and a metropolitan area population of 1.95 million, it is ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 24–6 ,

Kevin Randleman Kevin Christopher Randleman (August 10, 1971 – February 11, 2016) was an American mixed martial artist, amateur and professional wrestler, and former UFC Heavyweight Champion. Randleman's background was in collegiate wrestling, in which he ...

, Decision (unanimous) , Strikeforce: Lawler vs. Shields , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

St. Louis, Missouri St. Louis ( , sometimes referred to as St. Louis City, Saint Louis or STL) is an Independent city (United States), independent city in the U.S. state of Missouri. It lies near the confluence of the Mississippi River, Mississippi and the Miss ...

, 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, 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 ...

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 22–6 ,

, Decision (unanimous) , Affliction: Banned , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Anaheim, California Anaheim ( ) is a city in northern Orange County, California, United States, part of the Greater Los Angeles area. As of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, the city had a population of 346,824, making it the most populous city in Orang ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 22–5 , Zak Jensen , 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 indigenous Dakota people, Dakota and Sioux peoples. It is bordered by the Canadian provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba to the north and by the U.S. states of Minneso ...

, 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, Utah, Provo, Lindon, Utah, Lindon, and Vineyard, Utah, Vineyard and is approximately south of Salt Lake City. Orem is one of the pri ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 20–5 , Daniel Sarafian , Decision (unanimous) , PFP: Ring Of Fire , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Manila Manila, officially the City of Manila, is the Capital of the Philippines, capital and second-most populous city of the Philippines after Quezon City, with a population of 1,846,513 people in 2020. Located on the eastern shore of Manila Bay on ...

, 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, colloquially referred to as Vegas, is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and the county seat of Clark County. The Las Vegas Valley metropolitan area is the largest within the greater Mojave Desert, and second-l ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 18–5 , Wojtek Kaszowski , TKO (punches) , IFL: Connecticut , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 2:43 ,

Uncasville, Connecticut Uncasville is a village in the town of Montville, Connecticut, United States. It is located in southeastern Montville, at the mouth of the Oxoboxo River where it flows into the Thames River. The name is now applied more generally to all of the ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 17–5 , Krzysztof Soszynski , Decision (unanimous) , IFL: World Championship Final , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 4:00 ,

, 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 the List of cities in Oregon, most populous city in the U.S. state of Oregon, located in the Pacific Northwest region. Situated close to northwest Oregon at the confluence of the Willamette River, Willamette and Columbia River, ...

, 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 and the county seat of Orange County, Florida, United States. The city proper had a population of 307,573 at the 2020 census, making it the fourth-most populous city in Florida behind Jacksonville, Florida, Jacksonville ...

, 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, 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 ( ) 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 over 1.6 million residents at the 2020 census, it is the ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 12–5 , Rocky Batastini , Submission (kimura) , RITC 83: Rampage , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 0:14 ,

Arizona Arizona is a U.S. state, state in the Southwestern United States, Southwestern region of the United States, sharing the Four Corners region of the western United States with Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah. It also borders Nevada to the nort ...

, 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, often referred to by its initials L.A., is the List of municipalities in California, most populous city in the U.S. state of California, and the commercial, Financial District, Los Angeles, financial, and Culture of Los Angeles, ...

, 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 Fountain Hills is a town in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States. Known for its impressive fountain, once the tallest in the world, it borders the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, and Scottsdale. Th ...

, 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. Background Jardine was born in Butte, Montana, moved to Oregon, and finally settled in Los Angele ...

, Decision (unanimous) , UFC 57 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 9–4 , Travis Fulton , Submission (bulldog choke) , EC 61: Extreme Challenge 61 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 1:30 , Osceola, Iowa, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 8–4 , Aaron Brink , 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 that lies on the West Coast of the United States, Pacific Coast. It borders Oregon to the north, Nevada and Arizona to the east, and shares Mexico–United States border, an ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 7–4 , Matt Bear , TKO (submission to strikes) , VFC 9: Madness , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 0:54 ,

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, 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 and American retired mixed martial artist where he was the inaugural ONE Heavyweight Champion and the 2005 WEC Heavyweight Grand Prix Champ ...

, TKO (doctor stoppage) , WEC 13: Heavyweight Explosion , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 1:12 ,

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, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 6–3 , Terrell Dees , Submission (neck crank) , WEC 13: Heavyweight Explosion , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 3:43 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 5–3 , Demian Decorah , TKO (punches) , EC 59: Extreme Challenge 59 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 3:25 ,

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, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 4–3 , Brian Stromberg , Submission , SF 5: Stadium , , align=center, 2 , align=center, N/A ,

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, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 3–3 , Karl Knothe , Submission (neck crank) , EC 58: Extreme Challenge 58 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 1:17 ,

, 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 most populous city in Broward County, Florida, Broward County with a population of 182,760 at the ...

, 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 kn ...

, TKO (knee and punches) , SB 24: Return of the Heavyweights 2 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 2:38 ,

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, 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 ,

, United States , SuperBrawl Return of the Heavyweights Semifinals. , - , Loss , align=center, 1–1 ,

, TKO (punches) , SB 24: Return of the Heavyweights 1 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 3:46 ,

, 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, United States ,

Kickboxing record

, - , - bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 2008-03-22 , , Win , , align=left, Ethen Cox , , XFA 1, , Las Vegas, Nevada, USA , , 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 Mixed martial artists utilizing kickboxing American male kickboxers Heavyweight kickboxers Heavyweight mixed martial artists Ultimate Fighting Championship male fighters American male sport wrestlers Missouri Tigers wrestlers North Idaho Cardinals wrestlers Southern Oregon Raiders men's wrestlers