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
,
Fargo, North Dakota
Fargo is the List of cities in North Dakota, most populous city in the U.S. state of North Dakota and the county seat of Cass County, North Dakota, Cass County. The population was 125,990 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, which was e ...
, 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 Metropolitan Area, Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is the List of municipalities in Arizona, fourth-most populous city in Arizona ...
, United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 26–7
,
Eddie Sanchez
, 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 its key industries include health care, retail trade, construction, oil and gas, hospitality, manufacturing and educati ...
, 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
,
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 ...
, 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
,
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, 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
,
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, 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
,
Council Bluffs, Iowa
Council Bluffs is a city in and the county seat of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, Pottawattamie County, Iowa, United States. The population was 62,799 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, making it the state's List of cities in Iowa, te ...
, 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
,
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 252 ...
, 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 252 ...
, 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. It is an outer suburb of the Minneapolis–Saint Paul, Twin Cities, located about west of Minneapolis, the population was 6,837 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census. A lar ...
, 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 in the Willamette Valley, Located in Multnomah County in the U.S. state of Oregon, bordered by Portland to the northwest and partially in the southwest. It was first settled in the early 1850s by the Powell brothers. It ...
, 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. It is an outer suburb of the Minneapolis–Saint Paul, Twin Cities, located about west of Minneapolis, the population was 6,837 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census. A lar ...
, 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
,
Honolulu, Hawaii
Honolulu ( ; ) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Hawaii, located in the Pacific Ocean. It is the county seat of the Consolidated city-county, consolidated City and County of Honol ...
, 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 List of capitals in the United States, capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Hawaii, located in the Pacific Ocean. It is the county seat of the Consolidated city-county, consolidated City and County of Honol ...
, 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 kn ...
, TKO (punches)
, SB 24: Return of the Heavyweights 1
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 3:46
,
Honolulu, Hawaii
Honolulu ( ; ) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Hawaii, located in the Pacific Ocean. It is the county seat of the Consolidated city-county, consolidated City and County of Honol ...
, 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