Stephen Richard Berger (born May 20, 1973)Mixed Martial Arts show results date: June 22, 2002
/ref> is an American retired 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 ...

who competed in the

Welterweight Welterweight is a weight class in combat sports. Originally the term ''welterweight'' was used only in boxing, but other combat sports like muay Thai, taekwondo, and mixed martial arts also use it for their own weight division system to classify th ...

division. Berger is probably best known for fighting in the

UFC 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 TKO Group Holdings, a majority owned subsidiary of Endeavor Group Holdings. The larg ...

, most notably participating in the first mixed martial arts fight aired on US cable television against

Robbie Lawler Robert Glenn Lawler (born March 20, 1982) is an American former professional mixed martial artist who competed between 2001 and 2023. He is a former UFC Welterweight Champion, former EliteXC Middleweight Champion, and has formerly competed in ...

at UFC 37.5.

Background

Berger was born and raised in

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 ...

. According to him, he had serious

anxiety Anxiety is an emotion characterised by an unpleasant state of inner wikt:turmoil, turmoil and includes feelings of dread over Anticipation, anticipated events. Anxiety is different from fear in that fear is defined as the emotional response ...

that he tried to relieve by getting into fights in his youth. Berger wrestled in high school, and started

boxing Boxing is a combat sport and martial art. Taking place in a boxing ring, it involves two people – usually wearing protective equipment, such as boxing glove, protective gloves, hand wraps, and mouthguards – throwing Punch (combat), punch ...

at the age of 17. After having boxing for a few years, Berger picked up

judo is an unarmed gendai budō, modern Japanese martial art, combat sport, Olympic sport (since 1964), and the most prominent form of jacket wrestling competed internationally.『日本大百科全書』電子版【柔道】(CD-ROM version of Encyc ...

and Brazilian jiu-jitsu as well.

Personal life

Berger and his wife have a son.

Mixed martial arts record

, - , Loss , align=center, ,

Scott Cleve Scott Cleve (born July 22, 1982) is an American mixed martial artist who competed in Bellator's Featherweight division and the MFC. Background Cleve was born in Long Beach, California and raised in Escondido, California, attending Escondido ...

, Submission (guillotine choke) , CC 37 - Cage Championships 37 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 1:02 ,

Washington, Missouri Washington is a city on the south banks of the Missouri River, 50 miles west of St. Louis, Missouri. It is considered to be part of the Greater St. Louis area. With an estimated population of 15,075, it is the largest city in Franklin County, ...

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 20–22–2 (2) , Chris Tickle , TKO (punches) , PCL - Cage Madness , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 0:56 ,

Glen Carbon, Illinois Glen Carbon is a village in Madison County, Illinois, United States, northeast of St. Louis. It is part of the St. Louis metropolitan area. The population was 13,842 at the 2020 census. History In 1801, Colonel Samuel Judy received a milita ...

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 20–21–2 (2) ,

Ferrid Kheder Ferrid Kheder (born 3 March 1975) is a French retired Olympic judoka who placed seventh at the Sydney Olympic Games and a former professional mixed martial artist who fought from 2004 to 2013. He holds the sixth Dan in IJF Judo and a BJJ blac ...

, TKO (punches) , Mixed Fight League 3 , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 1:26 ,

Montreal, Quebec Montreal is the List of towns in Quebec, largest city in the Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Quebec, the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, second-largest in Canada, and the List of North American cit ...

, Canada , Catchweight (175 lb) bout. , - , Win , align=center, 20–20–2 (2) , Sal Woods , Submission (guillotine choke) , Premier Combat League 1: Bad Intentions , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 1:13 ,

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 19–20–2 (2) ,

Waylon Lowe Michael Waylon Lowe (born October 31, 1980) is an American mixed martial artist who most recently competed in the Lightweight division. A professional competitor since 2006, he has competed for the UFC, Bellator MMA, and the World Series of Figh ...

, KO (punches) , KOTC: Bad Boys II , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 2:18 ,

Detroit, Michigan Detroit ( , ) is the List of municipalities in Michigan, most populous city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is situated on the bank of the Detroit River across from Windsor, Ontario. It had a population of 639,111 at the 2020 United State ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 19–19–2 (2) , Ryan Scheeper , Submission (arm-triangle choke) , Take That Promotions: Warriors Collide , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 2:10 ,

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 18–19–2 (2) , Ray Steinbeiss , Decision (unanimous) , Evolution MMA , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

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 , , - , Loss , align=center, 18–18–2 (2) , Eddy Ellis , Decision (unanimous) , Strikeforce: At The Dome , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Tacoma, Washington Tacoma ( ) is the county seat of Pierce County, Washington, United States. A port city, it is situated along Washington's Puget Sound, southwest of Seattle, southwest of Bellevue, Washington, Bellevue, northeast of the state capital, Olympia ...

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 18–17–2 (2) , Diego Gonzalez , Decision (unanimous) , Bodog Fight - Vancouver , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

British Columbia British Columbia is the westernmost Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Canada. Situated in the Pacific Northwest between the Pacific Ocean and the Rocky Mountains, the province has a diverse geography, with rugged landscapes that ...

, Canada , , - , Win , align=center, 18–16–2 (2) , Piotr Jakaczynski , Decision (split) , Bodog Fight - Costa Rica , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 , Costa Rica , , - , Loss , align=center, 17–16–2 (2) ,

Jorge Masvidal Jorge Luis Masvidal (born November 12, 1984) is an American professional boxer and former professional mixed martial artist who competed in the Welterweight and Lightweight divisions. Masvidal competed professionally for 20 years from 2003 unti ...

, Decision (unanimous) , Bodog Fight - St. Petersburg , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

St. Petersburg Saint Petersburg, formerly known as Petrograd and later Leningrad, is the second-largest city in Russia after Moscow. It is situated on the River Neva, at the head of the Gulf of Finland on the Baltic Sea. The city had a population of 5,601, ...

, Russia , , - , Loss , align=center, 17–15–2 (2) ,

Jake Shields Jake Shields (born January 9, 1979) is an American former mixed martial artist and podcaster. As a mixed martial artist, he was the last Rumble on the Rock Welterweight Champion, the only Elite XC Welterweight Champion, a former Shooto Welte ...

, TKO (punches) , FCP: Malice at Cow Palace , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 1:36 , Cow Palace, San Francisco, CA. , , - , Loss , align=center, 17–14–2 (2) , Victor Moreno , TKO (doctor stoppage) , Diesel Fighting Championships 1 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 3:00 ,

Texas Texas ( , ; or ) is the most populous U.S. state, state in the South Central United States, South Central region of the United States. It borders Louisiana to the east, Arkansas to the northeast, Oklahoma to the north, New Mexico to the we ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 17–13–2 (2) , Mark Long , TKO (punches) , TFC 4: Memorial Mayhem , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 1:38 ,

Kansas Kansas ( ) is a landlocked U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern region of the United States. It borders Nebraska to the north; Missouri to the east; Oklahoma to the south; and Colorado to the west. Kansas is named a ...

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 16–13–2 (2) , Nuri Shakur , Decision (unanimous) , APEX: Undisputed , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Montreal Montreal is the List of towns in Quebec, largest city in the Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Quebec, the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, second-largest in Canada, and the List of North American cit ...

Quebec Quebec is Canada's List of Canadian provinces and territories by area, largest province by area. Located in Central Canada, the province shares borders with the provinces of Ontario to the west, Newfoundland and Labrador to the northeast, ...

, Canada , , - , Loss , align=center, 16–12–2 (2) ,

Heath Sims Heath Sims (born October 14, 1971) is an American mixed martial artist, Olympic wrestler and MMA trainer. He is a long time training partner of Dan Henderson and a highly respected MMA coach who was the wrestling instructor for the US team on ...

, TKO (cut) , SF 9: Respect , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 1:23 ,

Oregon Oregon ( , ) is a U.S. state, state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is a part of the Western U.S., with the Columbia River delineating much of Oregon's northern boundary with Washington (state), Washington, while t ...

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 16–11–2 (2) ,

Keith Wisniewski Keith Wisniewski (born October 25, 1981) is an American professional mixed martial artist currently competing in the Welterweight division. He has competed for the UFC, IFL, M-1 Global, Ironheart Crown, and BodogFIGHT. Mixed martial arts career ...

, Decision (unanimous) , Combat - Do Fighting Challenge 1 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Illinois Illinois ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern United States. It borders on Lake Michigan to its northeast, the Mississippi River to its west, and the Wabash River, Wabash and Ohio River, Ohio rivers to its ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 16–10–2 (2) , Fritz Paul , TKO (submission to punches) , APEX: Genesis , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 4:46 ,

, Canada , Middleweight bout. , - , Loss , align=center, 15–10–2 (2) , Phil Johns , Decision , RSF - Shooto Challenge 2 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 15–9–2 (2) ,

Din Thomas Din Yero Thomas ( ; born September 28, 1976) is an American former mixed martial artist who was featured on '' The Ultimate Fighter 4: The Comeback''. In the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Thomas is a UFC 41 Lightweight Tournament Semifinalist ...

, Decision (unanimous) , Absolute Fighting Championships 4 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Florida Florida ( ; ) is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern region of the United States. It borders the Gulf of Mexico to the west, Alabama to the northwest, Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia to the north, the Atlantic ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 15–8–2 (2) , Nuri Shakur , Submission (guillotine choke) , USMMA 2: Ring of Fury , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 4:59 ,

Massachusetts Massachusetts ( ; ), officially the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, is a U.S. state, state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States. It borders the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Maine to its east, Connecticut and Rhode ...

, United States , Won the vacant USMAA Welterweight Championship. , - , Loss , align=center, 14–8–2 (2) ,

, TKO (punches) , UFC 37.5 , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 0:27 ,

Nevada Nevada ( ; ) is a landlocked state in the Western United States. It borders Oregon to the northwest, Idaho to the northeast, California to the west, Arizona to the southeast, and Utah to the east. Nevada is the seventh-most extensive, th ...

, United States , , - , NC , align=center, 14–7–2 (2) , Benji Radach , No Contest (overturned by state commission) ,

UFC 37 ''UFC 37: High Impact'' was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship at the CenturyTel Center in Bossier City, Louisiana on May 10, 2002. The event was seen live on pay per view in the United States, and was later rel ...

, , align=center, 1 , align=center, 0:27 ,

Louisiana Louisiana ( ; ; ) is a state in the Deep South and South Central regions of the United States. It borders Texas to the west, Arkansas to the north, and Mississippi to the east. Of the 50 U.S. states, it ranks 31st in area and 25 ...

, United States , Radach was declared the winner by TKO at 0:27 of the first round, but the fight was later ruled a No Contest by the Louisiana State Athletic Commission due to Radach holding the fence. , - , Win , align=center, 14–7–2 (1) , Pete Spratt , TKO (cut) , UA 1: The Genesis , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 2:14 ,

Indiana Indiana ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern region of the United States. It borders Lake Michigan to the northwest, Michigan to the north and northeast, Ohio to the east, the Ohio River and Kentucky to the s ...

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 13–7–2 (1) , Chris Brennan , Decision (unanimous) , KOTC 11 - Domination , , 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 , For the KOTC Middleweight Championship. , - , Win , align=center, 13–6–2 (1) ,

Seichi Ikemoto is a Japanese mixed martial artist and professional wrestler. He is a veteran of Shooto, PRIDE and DEEP. His specialty is a "double punch", in which he puts his hands together and throws them at his opponent. Biography and career Ikemoto is a ...

, Submission (triangle/armbar) , Shooto - To The Top 7 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 2:09 ,

Osaka is a Cities designated by government ordinance of Japan, designated city in the Kansai region of Honshu in Japan. It is the capital of and most populous city in Osaka Prefecture, and the List of cities in Japan, third-most populous city in J ...

, Japan , , - , Loss , align=center, 12–6–2 (1) ,

Tony DeSouza Anton Nicolas de Souza (born July 26, 1974) is a Peruvian professional mixed martial artist and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt. Biography and career His style of fighting is a blend of freestyle wrestling and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. De Souza compe ...

, Decision (unanimous) ,

UFC 31 ''UFC 31: Locked and Loaded '' was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship at the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, New Jersey on May 4, 2001. The event was seen live on pay-per-view in the United States, and later ...

, , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

New Jersey New Jersey is a U.S. state, state located in both the Mid-Atlantic States, Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern United States, Northeastern regions of the United States. Located at the geographic hub of the urban area, heavily urbanized Northeas ...

, United States , Return to Welterweight. , - , Win , align=center, 12–5–2 (1) , Nick Cardenez , Submission (armbar) , TPA - Tom Proctor's Absolute , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 1:10 , United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 11–5–2 (1) , Karl Schmidt , TKO (cut) , Reality Submission Fighting 2 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 22:38 ,

Belleville, Illinois Belleville is a city in St. Clair County, Illinois, United States, and its county seat. It is a southeastern suburb of St. Louis. The population was 42,404 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, making it the most populated city in the Me ...

, United States , Welterweight bout. , - , Win , align=center, 11–4–2 (1) ,

Rich Clementi Richard Thomas Clementi (born March 31, 1977) is a former American mixed martial artist. Clementi has fought for the Ultimate Fighting Championships, Bellator, K-1 Hero's DREAM, King of the Cage, and Titan FC. Background Clementi was born in ...

, Submission (armbar) , Dangerzone - Insane In Ft. Wayne , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 3:14 ,

Fort Wayne, Indiana Fort Wayne is a city in Allen County, Indiana, United States, and its county seat. Located in northeastern Indiana, the city is west of the Ohio border and south of the Michigan border. The city's population was 263,886 at the 2020 census ...

, United States , Lightweight debut. , - , Draw , align=center, 10–4–2 (1) ,

Jutaro Nakao Jutaro Nakao (born November 30, 1970) is a Japanese mixed martial arts, mixed martial artist. He competes in both the Lightweight (MMA), Lightweight and Welterweight (MMA), Welterweight divisions. A judo based fighter, Nakao is known for his c ...

, Draw , HOOKnSHOOT: Fusion , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Evansville, Indiana Evansville is a city in Vanderburgh County, Indiana, United States, and its county seat. With a population of 118,414 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it is Indiana's List of cities in Indiana, third-most populous city after India ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 10–4–1 (1) , Riley McIlhon , Submission (armbar) , rowspan=2, Reality Submission Fighting 1 , rowspan=2, , align=center, 1 , align=center, 1:12 , rowspan=2,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 9–4–1 (1) ,

Shonie Carter Shonie Carter (born May 3, 1972), is an American former mixed martial artist. He is a former WEC Welterweight Champion, a UFC veteran, and a contestant on '' The Ultimate Fighter 4'' reality show. He has also competed in Pancrase, Shooto, Ki ...

, Submission (rear-naked choke) , align=center, 1 , align=center, 2:41 , , - , Win , align=center, 8–4–1 (1) , Brian Geraghty , Submission (armbar) , Submission Fighting Championships 11 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 2:01 ,

Collinsville, Illinois Collinsville is a city located mainly in Madison County and partially in St. Clair County, Illinois, United States. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 24,366. Collinsville is approximately east of St. Louis, Missouri, and is ...

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 7–4–1 (1) ,

Aaron Riley Aaron Riley (born December 9, 1980) is a retired American mixed martial artist who most recently competed in the Lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. A professional competitor from 1997 to 2013, he has also formerly compete ...

, Decision , HOOKnSHOOT: Triumph , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 7–3–1 (1) , Jason Black , Decision (split) , Extreme Challenge 32 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 15:00 ,

Springfield, Illinois Springfield is the List of capitals in the United States, capital city of the U.S. state of Illinois. Its population was 114,394 at the 2020 United States census, which makes it the state's List of cities in Illinois, seventh-most populous cit ...

, United States , , - , Draw , align=center, 7–2–1 (1) , Andy Sanders , Draw , HOOKnSHOOT - Double Fury 2 , , align=center, N/A , ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 7–2 (1) , Shannon Ritch , Submission (guillotine) , Submission Fighting Championships 9 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 1:30 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 6–2 (1) , Jason Glabus , Decision , rowspan=2, Ironheart Crown 1 - Genesis , rowspan=2, , align=center, 2 , align=center, 2:00 , rowspan=2,

Chicago, Illinois Chicago is the List of municipalities in Illinois, most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois and in the Midwestern United States. With a population of 2,746,388, as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it is the List of Unite ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 5–2 (1) ,

, Decision (split) , align=center, 2 , align=center, 2:00 , , - , Loss , align=center, 4–2 (1) , Ben Harrison , Decision , HOOKnSHOOT: Beyond , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 15:00 , , , - , Win , align=center, 4–1 (1) , James Wade , Submission (triangle choke) , Submission Fighting Championships 8 , , align=center, 1 , ,

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 3–1 (1) ,

Jeremy Horn Jeremy Graham Horn (born August 25, 1975) is an American mixed martial artist. Horn is best known for fighting in smaller American promotions, he has also competed in some of the premiere mixed martial arts organizations around the world, inclu ...

, Decision (unanimous) , Submission Fighting Championships 5 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 24:00 ,

, United States , , - , NC , align=center, 3–0 (1) , Greg James , No Contest , rowspan=2, UCC - Universal Challenge Championship , rowspan=2, , align=center, 1 , align=center, 0:38 , rowspan=2, , , - , Win , align=center, 3–0 , David Beason , Submission (front choke) , align=center, 1 , align=center, 8:58 , , - , Win , align=center, 2–0 , James Wade , Decision , Submission Fighting Championships 2 , , align=center, N/A , ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 1–0 , Ryan McBride , Submission (armbar) , Submission Fighting Championships 1 , , align=center, N/A , ,

, United States ,

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Berger, Steve 1973 births Living people American male mixed martial artists American practitioners of Brazilian jiu-jitsu Mixed martial artists from Missouri Welterweight mixed martial artists Mixed martial artists utilizing boxing Mixed martial artists utilizing wrestling Mixed martial artists utilizing judo Mixed martial artists utilizing Brazilian jiu-jitsu Ultimate Fighting Championship male fighters 20th-century American sportsmen