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Characters / Universal Wrestling Federation USWF

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https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/uswf_shoot_fighting2.PNG
USWF Inc. Presents Shoot Fighting

"That's the very first form of MMA in Texas, and it started in Amarillo."
— Jim Larsen, founder of MMA promotion Shark Fights, on the USWF.

As a whole

  • American Kirby Is Hardcore: Averted, it was basically the American Alternate Company Equivalent to early Pancrase, just without shoes and leggers.
  • Dangerous Forbidden Technique: Unlike the other shoot style promotions, closed fists to the body were not allowed. Only palm strikes were allowed in the promotion as it even banned backhanded and side handed strikes.
  • Early-Bird Cameo: Quite a few fighters got their start here like Frank Trigg, Heath Herring, and Evan Tanner.
  • Early-Installment Weirdness: At the first USWF show, the main event was Steve Nelson vs James Stone, which featured rather standard pro wrestling tropes such as a pre-match brawl, picture-perfect German suplexes, a Boston crab submission finish, and allowed wearing shoes.
  • Everything Is Big in Texas: Had all of their shows in Amarillo, and West Texas. Most of its early talent came from Texas amateur wrestling clubs.
  • Faction Motto: "No Fakes, No Fixes, It's Real".
  • Real Men Love Jesus: Shows began usually with a prayer by the announcer.
  • Special Guest: Frank Shamrock made a special appearance at USWF 10.
  • Spin-Off: Former USWF female fighter Lisa Hunt also created International Fighting Alliance after gaining the rights to the promotion.
  • Ur-Example: Created the first women's MMA championship (based on single fights, tournament championships were first done with Ladies Legend Pro Wrestling).
  • Wrestler in All of Us: Started under a pro wrestling license from the Texas Boxing Commission as MMA at the time was illegal.
  • Writing Around Trademarks: Was originally called the Universal Shoot Wrestling Federation, but Herb Abrams' UWF was still in operation so they had to change it to the Unified Shoot Wrestling Federation.

Diego Acosta

Wayne Admire

Kevin Anthony

Art Arcos

Donnie Armijo

Tracy Auldridge

Junior Baeza

Ricky Barron

Larry Bartholomew

Mike Belleci

Marcus Bettag

D'Anya Bierra

  • Action Girl
  • I Know Judo: A black belt and is a national and international champion, with a bronze medal in the 1994 Pan American Championships, 7 time national bronze medalist with a silver in 1992 and gold in 1991, 4 time US Open bronze medalist with a silver in 1990, a Pacific Rim silver and bronze medalist in 1991 and 1993 respectively, a 1999 Benito Juárez bronze medalist, and a Canada Cup gold medalist.
  • Jobber: Had a MMA career of 1 win and 1 loss.

Gee Boyd

Leslie Brace

Chad Brady

Scott Brady

  • Cool Teacher: Head Jiu Jitsu instructor at Full Circle Martial Arts and also a insturctor at Brachs MMA.
  • I Know Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: A brown belt under Ken Brach, he is also a Tang So Do black belt.
  • Jobber: Had only one fight in USWF against Phillip Preece, he lost.

Michael Buell

"Yeah, Buell was definitely the talk of the USWF lightweight division."
— Eric Payne

Javier Buentello

Paul Buentello

"No matter what fight I get into, everybody knows which Paul Buentello is going to show up: It's going to be a stand up war."

Clinton Burke

  • A Day in the Limelight: He won the 8 Man middle weight tournament at USWF 2.
  • I Know Amateur Wrestling: Was a two-time Blue Hen Conference Champion, two-time state runner-up at William Penn High School, two-time All-American at the University of Oklahoma, he was also NCAA runner-up and Big Eight Champion in 1983, finished third in the NCAA in 1984, was an Olympic alternate in 1984 and an Olympic alternate in Judo in 1992. He was also a six-time national champion in Sambo and two-time world championship silver medalist.
  • Scary Black Man

Jason Burkhalter

Patrick Mitsugi Burris

  • The Apprentice: To Patrick Burris Sr and Shag Okada.
  • Badass Teacher: Was the head trainer of USA Stars Training Center and trained guys like Ron Tripp and Jimmy Pedro. He began his coaching career at Fort Lupton High School when he was named Head Wrestling Coach in late August.
  • Combat Referee: Was brought in as a special guest referee for referee the Steve Nelson vs. James Stone match as USWF 1.
  • I Know Judo: As well as amateur wrestling. In Judo, He won the bronze medal at the 1975 Pan American Games in Mexico City in the men's lightweight division at 70 kg. Burris is a five time US national senior AAU champion, including an unprecedented four straight championships. He was named 1976 US national Grand Champion (best in all weight classes) – the lightest Grand Champion ever. He also won the 1968 National Junior judo championship at 150 lbs and the Southern Pacific AAU championship at 139 lbs and 150 lbs in 1968 and 1969. He won the US National Senior Men's Judo championship in Philadelphia by throwing a previous US national champion, Paul Maruyama, something that had never been done, which earned him the right to represent the United States Olympic judo team that year at the 1972 Summer Olympic Games in Munich and the 1976 Summer Olympic Games in Montreal. In wrestling, he won a bronze medal in the Southern California Interscholastic Federation Wrestling finals, went on to attend Santa Ana Junior College where, in the 1969–1970 wrestling season, he compiled a 36–1 record before winning the California State Junior College championship at 150 lbs, then transferred to the University of Northern Colorado (UNC) in Greeley where he became a two-time Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference champion wrestling for the Bears at 150 lbs in 1971 and 1972.

Butch Cagle

  • Jobber: Had only one fight in USWF against Gene Lydick, he lost.

Tim Campfield

  • Jobber: Had only one fight in USWF against Bruce Pierce, which he lost. He got better outside USWF.

Chris Cantrell

Enaku Cantrell

Mark Cantu

Steve Cantu

Essie Carter

Tony Castenada

Joe Castillo

Tony Castillo

Tony Castrada

Donna Cauthen

Marcus Chacon

Jimmy Chaikong

  • Cool Teacher: Owns and operates Chaikong Jiu-Jitsu & Jimmy Ninja Entertainment, his MMA school.
  • Hidden Depths: Has an indies blues band called Ninja Cowboys.
  • I Know Muay Thai: Originally trained and competed in his homeland of Thailand before moving to the US. He later learned Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and is now a black belt under Frontin Cunha. He also trained in American Kenpo Karate and amateur wrestling.
  • Jobber: Had a MMA career of 4 wins and 8 losses.
  • Red Baron: "Ninja".
  • Ur-Example: Was the first Thai-American MMA fighter.

JJ Chasteen

Mike Cizek

Dane Clark

Johnny Cobb

Ken Coleman

David Corino

Charlie Cote

Mathew Cote

Charles Daggett

Dr. B J Daneshfar

Pon Dara

  • I Know Kung Fu: As well as amateur wrestling.
  • Jobber: Had only one fight in USWF against Tony Hernandez.

Eric Davila

"Eric is a pioneer of the sport, he paved the way for us here. In Texas MMA, everytime you hear about it, Eric Davila’s name is mentioned. He’s fought some of the greatest people and to be on that list is incredible. He’s fought Matt Hughes. He’s fought Pete Spratt. He’s fought Cedric Marks. He knocked out Brock Larson."
— Brandon Farran

"He’s not the first one. I’ve already broken like three guys feet. I’ve broken three hands. I’ve ended two careers. You can hear it. They don’t call me big head for nothing."
— Eric Davila, on his last fight with Brandon Farran, and on his Hard Head.

Gigi Davila

David Davis

Jerrod Dawson

James De Haven

Donald Dickson

Gary Duggar

Chris Easter

Floyd Edwards

Ali Elias

"Ali is really one of the best grapplers in the world. He was a two time NCAA Wrestling Champion, 6 time Iranian national Champion and was USWF Middleweight world Champion. He is an incredible coach and on top of all of that he's even a better person. I couldn't say enough about how great he is and how much of an impact he's had on my life."
— Phillip Preece

"Without wrestling, I’d be dead by now. Through wrestling, I achieved my personality, my education, my friends. It made me a physically and mentally tough person."
— Ali Elias

  • Authority Equals Ass Kicking: Founded and was the head fighter of the Scorpions Lair Fight Team.
  • Cool Teacher: Has been a teacher and wrestling coach in Texas, Florida and now Maryland. He now teaches at the Bullis High School, a private school in Potomac, Md and is also the coach of a club team.
  • Guest Fighter: Also fought in Shooto.
  • I Know Amateur Wrestling: An inductee of the NCAA Division II Wrestling Hall of Fame, a junior world runner-up and a high school world champion in 1978 as well as a six-time Iranian national champion and a member of the national team, he won the 150-pound NAIA national championship in 1990 and the NCAA Division II national title in 1991. While living in Germany, he posted a 125-1 record, losing only when he moved up a weight class to wrestle the No. 3-ranked wrestler in the world.
  • Red Baron: "The Scorpion".
  • Spell My Name With An S: Legally changed his name from Amiri-Eliasi to Ali Elias.

David Elizalde

Trina Fellaboum

Ben Flores

Danny Fortune

Don Frye

"Anyone can win two fights in one night, but it is the third fight that tells you if you have steel balls or not."

  • Combat Commentator: Had a memorable and meme-worthy appearance on Shark Fights 13 commentating with Ron Kruck and Bas Rutten.
  • Cool Versus Awesome: Was Antonio Inoki's final wrestling opponent.
  • Determinator: In his fight with Ken Shamrock, where Shamrock locked in an ankle lock and transitioned into both a kneebar and a toehold, wrenching Frye's leg badly; however, despite the damage, Frye refused to tap out and managed to knock Shamrock down in a subsequent punching exchange and when they went to the ground again Shamrock attempted another ankle lock, only for Frye to try to counter with one of his own and finally refusing to tap out by sheer will until the time ran out.
  • Death Glare: Had some of the most intense staredowns in the history of MMA.
  • Drugs Are Bad: His Determinator attitude against Shamrock above is deconstructed, as after the fight Frye later had a dependency on painkillers that would effect the rest of his career.
  • Early-Bird Cameo: Made his MMA debut at UFC 7, though he was also part of Dan Severn's entourage at the Ultimate Ultimate in 1995.
  • Finishing Move: Cross Armbreaker in NJPW.
  • Foreign Wrestling Heel: In New Japan Pro-Wrestling and Universal Fighting-Arts Organization, which for some reason made use of him as a power and brawler-style wrestler instead of the more technical fighter he showed himself as in his early MMA fights, making him sort of a reverse Hulk Hogan in terms of how they were used in the two different countries.
  • Guest Fighter: Had only one fight in USWF against Eric Valdez.
  • Heterosexual Life-Partners: With Dan Severn.
  • Hidden Depths: Was firefighter and an emergency medical technician before his MMA career.
  • I Know Amateur Wrestling: Was a NCAA Division I Wrestler and in 1987, he won the freestyle and Greco-Roman events during an Olympic qualifier. He also trained in boxing and is a 2nd dan black belt in Judo.
  • Jack of All Stats: One of the first fighters to have a well-rounded MMA game, though he states he couldn't kick well.
  • Lightning Bruiser: In his prime.
  • Power Stable: BATT in NJPW.
  • Pummel Duel: The most famous MMA bout that devolved into this was between him and Yoshihiro Takayama. The two guys bludgeoned each other beyond human comprehension in a scene comparable to a Hockey Fight, and it was awesome.
  • Put on the Bus: He actually retired from MMA in 1997 to pursue a pro wrestling career in New Japan Pro-Wrestling.
  • Red Baron: "The Predator", "Tamashii no Kobushi" ("Fist of Soul").
  • The Rival: Had a trilogy of fights with Gary "Big Daddy" Goodridge.
  • Wearing a Flag on Your Head: His shorts had the American flag on them in some of his Pride fights.
  • Wrestler in All of Us: Trained for pro wrestling under "Mr Perfect" Curt Hennig and Brad Rheingans.

Gabriel Garcia

Leonard Garcia

"My focus was on being competitive and not winning, and trying to be a smarter fighter, but not an effective fighter. That wasn’t my forte. My forte was to go into fights, get in there, grind it out, push the guy really, really hard, and get a victory. I started to think ‘man, how come my skill set keeps dropping?’ And the reason was, I would learn a move, and instead of going over it a hundred times like I’m supposed to, I would learn the move and try to make it seem like ‘okay, this is the technical way of doing it, and this is the way it should be done.’ But everybody knows me, man. I don’t do things the technical way. I make things look chaotic. If I’m going for an armbar, it looks like I’m going for a triangle or omoplata, and I end up getting an armbar. (Laughs) That’s just my way of doing things. I’m more reckless about it, and I really go in there and make my own way of doing stuff and it worked for me for all those years, and I tried to change it for the fans’ point of view."

  • The Apprentice: To Klay Pittman and Greg Jackson.
  • Badass Family: His uncles were boxers. His brother Gabriel is also a MMA fighter.
  • Blood Knight: Is known to be constantly smiling in his fights.
  • Determinator: Was born with a rare illness which required doctors had to inject steroids into his lungs. In high school he was involved in a physical altercation with a recently released felon at a local restaurant and was stabbed eight times, twice puncturing his lungs, causing them to collapse. Had it not been for the steroid injections when he was an infant, Garcia believes that he would have died.
  • Drugs Are Bad: In March 2008, he was arrested as part of an alleged cocaine ring, he was exonerated 3 months later.
  • I Know Boxing: Trained by his uncles, he is also a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at Pittman's Academy of Martial Arts, and trained in MMA at the Jackson Wink MMA Academy.
  • Red Baron: "Bad Boy", "Mexican Zombie".
  • Screwed by the Network: Oddly its not him that gets screwed but his opponents for Garcia's split decision wins, he has been given the nickname "King of Split/Bad Decisions" for this.
  • Unskilled, but Strong: Was notably less skilled than his peers in the UFC, he won his fights more on heart and will. That was until he Took a Level in Badass under Greg Jackson.

Chris Garr

Dan Gilbert

  • Bash Brothers: With his brother Joey.
  • Cool Teacher: The head coach for Gilbert Grappling G2 Training Center with his brother Joey.
  • Guest Fighter: Also fought in Shooto.
  • I Know Amateur Wrestling: Was a ESPIOR Greco-Roman National Champion, a 2-time Junior National Greco Roman All American, a 2-time IHSA State Placer and a Div 1 Wrestler for Boise State University.
  • Wrestling Family: His brother Joey is also a wrestler and MMA fighter.

Chris Gillian

Daniel Gomez

Johnny Gomez

Danny Gordon

Ralph Gracie

"BC, one day, someone is gonna try to take something from you, and you are gonna have to choke that motherfucker out, its that simple."
— Ralph Gracie, from the Instagram of Darren "Bone Crusher" Uyenoyama.

  • Always Someone Better: To Steve Nelson.
  • The Apprentice: To Carlson Gracie Jr.
  • Attack! Attack! Attack!: Along with his brothers Ryan and to a lesser extent Renzo, he is notable among the Gracies of his generation for being very aggressive in his grappling and MMA fights.
  • Badass Family: Part of the legendary Gracie family.
  • Bash Brothers: With his brothers Renzo and Ryan.
  • Cloudcuckoolander: Somewhat, he once shot (he missed thankfully) at his brother Renzo with a crossbow "just to scare him".
  • Cool Teacher: Has a few of his own Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu academies. His best student is said to have been B.J. Penn.
  • Defeating the Undefeatable / The Worf Effect: His only loss in MMA was against Takanori Gomi by KO in 6 seconds.
  • Establishing Character Moment: Made his MMA debut at Battlecade Extreme Fighting 1 and shocked fans with his more aggressive style of Gracie jiu-jitsu as they were expecting something similar to Royce's or Rickson's style.
  • Guest Fighter: Was brought into USWF for a rematch with Steve Nelson.
  • I Know Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: A 5th degree black belt. He also trained in boxing and was a Brazilian national champion.
  • Red Baron: "The Pitbull".
  • Sore Loser: There is a rumor where he and a friend were playing video games and he started losing and that he started shooting his friend with a BB gun. He stated that he doesn't remember that happening, but that it was something he would do.
    • There is also a story where he trained with Renzo and since Renzo knew Ralph would never tap out, he would choke him out and then leave the school since he knew Ralph would immediately begin attacking him again when he regained consciousness.

Ray Granger

Troy Green

  • Jobber: Had only one fight in USWF against Eric Davila, he lost.

Daniel Greene

Chris Guillen

Hoagie Hall

Brandon Harbaugh

  • Jobber: Had a MMA of 1 win and 2 losses.

David Hargrove

James Harris

Jody Harrison

Taichi Hayashi

  • The Apprentice: To his father, Professor Tarow Ty Hayashi.
  • Cool Teacher: Owner and head instructor of Hayashi's Martial Arts Academy after his father retired.
  • Guest Fighter: Had only one fight in USWF against Steve Nelson, he lost.
  • I Know Karate: A 6th dan black belt in shotokan Karate, a 5th dan black belt in Japanese jujitsu and Judo and was a 2 time Texas State Judo champion, 6th dan in Bujutsu, 2nd dan in Kendo, and trained in Jeet Kune Do and boxing under Ted Lucay Lucay and is a 1993 Golden Gloves champion.
  • Jobber
  • Spell My Name With An S: His name is spelled as Tiachi Hayashi in some MMA sites.

Jason Heineman

Bill Hendricks

"My martial arts education began in the early nineties with Kung-Fu San Soo. The training was mainly striking and self-defense techniques for the street. A few years later, I attended one of the first Ultimate Fighting Championships in Denver, Colorado. After watching the fights I knew that I had to learn ground fighting. Within a few days I had found a school and began my training in jiu-jitsu and grappling."

Juan Hernandez

Randall Hernandez

Tony Hernandez

Dustin Heronemus

  • I Know Karate: Trained at Rine's American Freestyle Karate.
  • Jobber: Had only one fight in USWF against Paul Buentello, he lost.

Heath Herring

"Normally, it's a very fast paced style — I do a lot of kicking, a lot of punching. And I'm looking to end the fight on the ground [or] standing up. I've actually won probably the majority of my fights by submission, believe it or not. I'm always looking for that finish. I was a mainstay in Japan for a lot of years because I think a lot of the fans over there realized that there was always something to watch with me. I was always an exciting fighter. I wasn't known for these long, drawn out, boring fights that unfortunately sometimes seem to pepper through this sport."

  • Alliterative Name
  • Always Someone Better: Was beaten three times by Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira.
  • Americans Are Cowboys: Was very popular with the Japanese crowds for his unique hairstyles and colors, as well as sporting a duster coat and cowboy hat to the ring during his entrances.
  • The Apprentice: To Cor Hemmers.
  • Badass Family / Bash Brothers: His brother Hunter also competed in MMA, holding an undefeated 5-0 record before attending Baylor University to play football as an offensive tackle. He was also a superheavyweight.
  • Bury Your Gays: Was involved in a memorable and slightly hilarious MMA moment during K-1's Dynamite 2005 show. During the pre-fight staredown, his opponent, Yoshihiro Nakao, leaned in and kissed him on the lips. Herring reacted, delivering a right hook to the jaw of Nakao, knocking him out cold. Herring was immediately disqualified and Nakao was carried from the ring. Shortly thereafter, Nakao's cornermen attacked Herring and a brief fight ensued. Herring's trainers, Ricardo Pires and Sergio Penha fought with Nakao's trainers until security stopped the fight. The fight result has since been changed by K-1 from a disqualification loss for Herring to a no contest, as K-1 judges ruled that Nakao's kiss and Herring's subsequent knockout punch were both fouls.
  • Combat Commentator: Was a commentator for Rizin Fighting Federation.
  • David Versus Goliath / Defeating the Undefeatable: Was the first man to beat the much larger and heavier Tom Erikson.
  • Determinator: He had asthma since he was a child and used to take a puff on an inhaler right before his fights more out of habit.
  • Hidden Depths: Before becoming a professional fighter, he worked as a computer programmer. He has also dabbled in stunt work in Hollywood and tried his hand at professional poker.
  • I Know Amateur Wrestling: In his senior year at Amarillo High School, he began wrestling and qualified as one of the top ten wrestlers in the state for the state championships. Soon after, he began practicing Sambo. He also trained in Muay Thai at Golden Glory.
  • Red Baron: "The Texas Crazy Horse", "The Destroyer", "Big".
  • The Rival: With Evan Tanner in USWF.
  • Start My Own: Launched a mixed martial arts promotion in Argentina.

Richard Hess

Jason Hickson

Michael Hinajosa

Dat Ho

Dihn Ho

Roberge Holsinger

Billy Hudson

Lisa Hunt

Bruce Hunter

Clinton Ingram

Cao Inpeng

Rit Inpeng

Jay Jack

"I always fight better under fewer rules. If you have to fight with more rules, your responses become tailored because you canít take every opening. I understand that some spectators arenít used to seeing head butts, knees on the ground and things like that. In those situations though, the guy can tap. In boxing you fight until one guy can no longer coherently defend himself, you beat on a guy until he actually changes levels of consciousness. In this sport you can tap out and itís respected, and if a guy canít or doesnít tap, then someone else can throw in the towel or stop the fight. But you get stubborn guys, bad referees and uneducated spectators then you have a spectacle. And thatís something that people can hold up as being brutal, but those are typically the smaller less classy events. Iím sure you can find some unsanctioned underground boxing that has the same things."

Adam Johnson

  • Jobber: Had a MMA career of 4 wins and 17 losses.

David Johnson

  • Jobber: Had only one fight in USWF against Vinny Nixon, he lost.

Kenny Jones

Paul Jones

"Paul and I were defending the rights of MMA on nationwide television. Paul said, "I just punch my opponents in the face to soften them up." That’s classic Paul Jones."
— Steve Nelson

Hossein Kalami

  • I Know Amateur Wrestling: Started in his home country of Iran before he later trained in the US. He also trained in Judo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Sambo, and Chinese Shuai Jiao and is a 1 time US National gold medalist in judo, 2 time US National gold medalist in Sambo with an additional silver and bronze, and is also a US National gold medalist in Shuai Jiao wrestling.
  • Jobber: Had a MMA career of 2 wins and 2 losses.

Mike Kennedy

James Kidwell

Mike Kleinstub

  • Guest Fighter: Was a newsman that challenged local athletes so Steve Nelson fought him in an exhibition match in USWF 2.

Marty Kline

Angel Le

Scott Leffler

Becky Levi

"She hits harder than most men."
— Dan Severn

"I was a pioneer, and I really wanted to show some of the women out there that they could fight in MMA. Looking back, you see the evolution of the sport and the level of training has taken off. We were nowhere near what the sport of women’s MMA is today. You have a coach today for everything. We didn’t have that when I was coming up."
— Becky Levi

  • Action Girl
  • The Apprentice: To Dan Severn and Don Frye.
  • Charles Atlas Superpower: Was a 1987 National Champion and a World Team Trial Champion in Women's Weightlifting, both in the 82 kg division. She also was a 1981 National Junior College Champion in Shot Put throwing and a Runner up in discus throwing as well as a 1982 National Junior College Champion in Discus throwing and a Runner up in shot put throwing.
  • Cool Teacher: Was a PE teacher and coached sports like volleyball, football, wrestling, and track and field. She is the fitness and sport performance co-director at Spiece Fitness and has worked and developed their sport training and personal training programs since 2002. She was also Don Frye's strength and conditioning trainer.
  • Defeating the Undefeatable / The Worf Effect: Her only loss was at the Re Mix - World Cup 2000 semifinals to Marloes Coenen, who beat her in 1 min 37 secs, while suffering from a back injury.
  • Dented Iron: Has aches and pains from several procedures she has undergone which include four knee surgeries, including a knee replacement, and multiple spinal fusions.
  • The Dreaded: Was a lot bigger and stronger than most woman fighters of her era and had great difficulty finding fights.
  • Early-Bird Cameo: Unlike the other women in USWF, she has fought before outside of the USWF in the U-Japan event against Yoko Takahashi and at IFC 4 - Akwesasane against Betty Fagan. She was also part of Don Frye's entourage at UFC 7.
  • I Know Amateur Wrestling: As well as boxing and Judo, in which she is a 2nd dan black belt under Steve Owen and a national champion. She also trained in shootfighting with Bart Vale.
  • Minored In Ass Kicking: She has competed in 4 Tough Woman World Championships and was a 3 time Runner-up.
  • Red Baron: "The Specimen".
  • Start My Own: Helped start up Dan Severn's Danger Zone MMA promotion.
  • Statuesque Stunner: Was in her prime, 6-foot tall and 215 pounds.

Shawn Liggin

Jeff Lindsey

  • The Apprentice: To Patrick Mitsugi Burris, Ron Tripp, and Pat Miletich.
  • Cool Teacher: A grappling coach for Prodigy Jiu-Jitsu.
  • I Know Sambo: A national champion and trained at the USA Stars Training Center, he also has black belts in luta livre and Judo, a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, trained in boxing, and MMA at Miletich Fighting Systems.

Corey Loehr

Jimmy Lucedo

Olin Marks

Isais Martinez Jr

Juan Martinez

  • The Apprentice: To Steve Nelson in Sambo and Tim Joe in Judo.
  • Cool Teacher: A grappling trainer at Nick's Fight Club in Amarillo.
  • I Know Amateur Wrestling: He is also a Judo black belt and won a silver in 1997 at Texas AAF Judo championships, trained in Sambo and won a bronze at 1996 sambo grand nationals, a 4th degree brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Rafael Dorado, boxing and earned a silver at 1987 American Boxing Federation jr. Olympics, and Taekwondo and won a 3 Texas state championships in 1991, 1995, and 1996.
  • Short-Runners: Had only one fight in USWF against Israel Sanchez, he won.
  • Unrelated Brothers: No relation to Isais.

Jimmy Marrugo

  • I Know Karate: Subverted, he was introduced as a street fighter.
  • Jobber: Had a MMA career of 2 losses.

Mark Matthews

Jason Maxwell

Jay McCown

"I had Jay McCown, who competed in high school wrestling and is a powerhouse, work with me on my wrestling and positioning. The only guy in TX that could beat him at his weight division was Olympic Gold Medalist Brandon Slay, so he has been great with helping learn wrestling and I've only been working with him about two months."
— Paul Buentello

  • Cool Teacher: Helped Paul Buentello with his wrestling.
  • Short-Runners: Had a MMA career of 3 wins and 3 losses, weirdly he never lost in USWF, but lost every time outside of it.
  • Spell My Name With An S: MMA sites like to name him as Jay McCowen.

Kenneth McCuistion

Brandon McDowell

"I want to get the message out that there are a lot of good guys in the sport. This is a pure sport, it just happens to be fighting."

Derek McGill

Tony Medina

Brent Medley

Robert Mendez

Lee Meza

Cody Moore

John Moore

Nathan Moore

Tommy Moore

Anthony Mora

Joe Morales

  • Cool Teacher: Is a conditioning instructor and BJJ trainer at Gracie Barra San Clemente and Dana Point. He was also a football coach.
  • Guest Fighter: Had only one fight in USWF against Ali Elias, he lost.
  • I Know Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: A brown belt under Flavio Almeida. He also trained in amateur wrestling.

Tim Morris

  • I Know Amateur Wrestling: Placed third in the 1987 NCAA Division II division. He also trained in some form of kung fu.
  • Jobber: Had a MMA career of 5 losses.

Juan Mott

  • Cool Teacher: Is the owner/operator of Pandemic BJJ/MMA Academy in Jacksonville, Florida.
  • Guest Fighter: Had only one fight in USWF against Paul Jones, he lost.
  • I Know Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: A black belt. He is also a 6th dan in aikido, a 5th dan in Japanese jiu-jitsu, a black sash level 4 instructor in Wing Chun, a 4th dan in hapkido, and also trained in Muay Thai.
  • Jobber: Had a MMA career of 3 wins and 4 losses.
  • Pet the Dog: Is President and founder of "Eye's Wide Shut Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for the sensory impaired".

Jimmy Murugo

Gary Nabors

Hideki Nakai

Abel Navarette

"Well, we went to regional in Alamo, Texas and this kid’s name was Bobo Navarette. He had never lost a fight and he had 40, they told me 40 fights."
— Frank Dunlap, a former multiple-time Golden Glove regional and state boxing champion in the welterweight division back in the 50’s and boxing coach.

  • Badass Family: His son Abel "Bobo" Navarette Jr is also a boxer.
  • I Know Amateur Wrestling: As well as boxing and was undefeated for 40 straight matches.
  • Jobber: Had a MMA career of 2 wins and 3 losses.
  • Red Baron: "Bobo" which is better known than his real name.

Darce Nicholson

Vinny Nixon

  • I Know Boxing: Had one pro boxing fight, which he lost. He also trained in amateur wrestling.
  • Jobber: Had a MMA career of 2 wins and 3 losses.

Mike Ochoa

Danny Payne

Eric Payne

"I started fighting in 1998. I have 34 fights, with a total of 25 wins, 22 of which are by submission."

Kelly Pena

Mike Penning

Bradley Perez

Ray Perez

Bobby Pierce

Bruce Pierce

Clayton Pingry

Noel Platts

Mike Powers

  • Combat Referee: Is the head referee for Legend MMA.
  • Cool Teacher: He now lives in Hong Kong teaching Jiu Jitsu and MMA at Fight Factory Gym.
  • Hidden Depths: Was a former pro surfer and motivational speaker.
  • I Know Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: A 2nd degree black belt, under Rodrigo Medreiros and is a two-time U.S. National Champion in 2005 and 2009 with a silver medal in 2013, a Pan American Champion in 2003 with a silver medal in 2005 and a World Masters 2014 Black Belt division bronze medalist.
  • Jobber: Had a MMA career of 1 win and 3 losses.

Carlo Prater

"I was fighting in anything under the sun. It could be Kickboxing, boxing, MMA, sub wrestling, and anywhere, against anyone available. It could be going up in weight, down a weight, around a weight, through a weight. Taking replacement bouts, short notice, it didn’t matter the rules, opponent, or promotion. No real “career” planning, no manager, making almost no money, I was living broke, but happy, drunk off glory and the thrill of fighting. I was sleeping on couches, driving all over the place. I was living off the energy of the dream, the thrill of victory, the constant challenge. Those were the good old days, the blood by the gallon days, the all or nothing days."

  • The Apprentice: Had many trainers like Yves Edwards, Saul Soliz, Jeff Lindsey, Mark Dellagrotte, Bill Sharp, Bob Perez, Pat Burris, Julio "Pudim" da Silva Lima, Sandro "Bala" da Silva Lima, Marcus Gões, Marcio Cromado, Alexandre "Pequeno" Nogueira, Waldo Santa Cruz, etc.
  • Cool Teacher: Has his own MMA school, Neo Dojo. He is also a high school wrestling trainer.
  • I Know Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: A black belt, he is also holds black belts in luta livre and Judo, and also trained in Tang Soon Do, amateur wrestling, boxing, Muay Thai, and even a bit of Chinese sanshou.
  • The Missionary: Not himself actually, but he was born in Brazil as his parents were American missionaries working in Brazil at the time.
  • Red Baron: "Neo".

Phillip Preece

"I started off in Kung Fu growing up and learned many of the Asian Arts. I've been involved in shootfighting since 97 and quickly learned I needed to cross-train."

Brandon Raines

Michael Ralston

Isaac Rangel

Sammy Rangel

Ku Rezaie

  • I Know Taekwondo: A 2nd dan black belt and also trained in Muay Thai and trained at the Hybrid Martial Arts Academy.
  • Jobber: Had only one fight in USWF against Juan Hernandez, he lost.

Felix Rios

"After going back and forth to Japan wrestling, one of my best friends from high school talked me into starting the USWF. Felix Rios (my high school team mate) helped me start and run the USWF. He was my right hand man and the USWF owes a great deal of its success to Felix. Without his help and confidence, the USWF would not have ever begun. Felix is still a fight referee and stays very involved in the fight game."
— Steve Nelson

Jim Robinson

Raúl Romero

Richard Rosas

Jeff Rosenbaum

Shane Saavedra

Jason Saenz

David San Miguel

Brandon Sanchez

Israel Sanchez

Moses Sanchez

Leo Sawyer

  • Cool Teacher: Is an assistant coach at Glenpool High School and Spartanburg Methodist College.
  • I Know Amateur Wrestling: An Alaska state high school champion, he was also a national Judo champion and was once invited to the Olympic Trials. He has also won national titles in senior and masters level Greco-Roman and Sambo tournaments.
  • Jobber
  • Wrestling Family: His son Leo Sawyer III is also an amateur wrestler.

Bounyasone Sayavongsa

Shane Schartzer

Marsha Segura

Shawn Sheldon

"I love to throw guys, and I found it harder to throw in freestyle."

  • Alliterative Name
  • Cool Teacher: Was coach of the New York Outrage in the inaugural season of Real Pro Wrestling. He also coached the NYAC Greco team and twice serving as coach for Florida's Junior and Cadet national teams and coaching both Greco-Roman and freestyle U.S. team members at the 2004 FILA World University Championships. He also has his own wrestling school, Sheldon's Wrestling Academy & Training.
  • I Know Amateur Wrestling: He went on to make the 1988 and 1992 Olympic Greco-Roman wrestling teams, placing fourth in '92 at 114.5 pounds, preceded by a world silver medal in 1991. He also won nine national Greco championships on the senior level, was a three-time NCAA Division III All-American and two-time finalist, capturing the 118-pound title as a junior. He also competed in freestyle wrestling winning two junior national championships in both wrestling styles, he preferred Greco-Roman style.
  • Jobber: Had only one fight in USWF against Brent Medley, he lost.
  • Scary Black Man

Eli Shetler

Stephen Sierra

Roland Silaraup

Geraldo Silva Pedra

  • Early-Bird Cameo: Made his MMA debut at Gracie Vale Tudo against Ralph Gracie.
  • I Know Karate: As well as kung fu and Judo and trained at Campeao Paulista Full Contact (not to be confused with the football league).
  • Jobber: Had a MMA career of 1 win and 2 losses.

Chris Sisneros

  • The Apprentice: To Dennis Dombrow and Billy Hendricks.
  • I Know Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: As well as boxing at Dennis Dombrow Dojo (3D) Martial Arts Academy. He also trained at the Pancrase USA Academy.

Brandon Slay

  • Combat Referee: Was a referee at USWF 6.
  • Cool Teacher: Founded the Dallas Dynamite wrestling club in Dallas, Texas and currently is the Assistant National Freestyle Coach and National Freestyle Resident Coach for USA wrestling, stationed at the Olympic Training Center (USOTC) in Colorado Springs.
  • I Know Amateur Wrestling: Was a three-time Texas State Champion, was runner up and All American in the NCAA tournament at 167 pounds twice, and won the gold medal in freestyle wrestling in the 76 kg division at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia after losing in the finals to Alexander Leipold of Germany, then Leipold tested positive for the steroid Nandrolone and the gold medal was awarded to Slay.
  • Real Men Love Jesus: A devout Christian and runs Greater Gold which does speeches and camps about Christ and wrestling.

Gilbert Soto

Brad Stark

"Aside from it just being a rowdy crowd that comes to see real matches and is very understanding and rabid as to what it is seeing, is because the ring announcer for these shows, Bruce Stark, has an incredible knack of what to say and how to say it. It's hard to explain but if you'd see a tape you'd realize just how valuable he is as far as picking the crowd up when it starts dying off during these 19-match long house shows."
— Dave Meltzer, who got his name wrong.

Dianna Sturgen

Josh Sursa

Robert Sutton

David Swaim

Evan Tanner

"It’s pretty easy to elaborate on why Tanner was and will remain my favorite fighter. Just about every single one of his fights were exciting. They had you on the edge of your seat. What Tanner lacked in skill, he made up for in heart. There were many a night where Tanner had to overcome the brink of defeat in order to squeak out a win. It was extremely entertaining watching him do so for years. It also seems that was the way that Tanner lived life."
— John Chandler, writer for MMA on Tap.

"I will do nothing lightly. When I walk, I will walk heavily. When I fight, I will fight with conviction. When I speak, I will speak strongly. When I feel, I will feel everything. When I love, I will love with everything."
— Evan Tanner

"I believe there are people out there that just have a warrior spirit, whether it's fighting or something, they've got to do it. It's hard to identify with me; it's just something I do."
— Evan Tanner again

  • The Ace: Was undefeated in the USWF with 11 wins.
  • The Alcoholic: Suffered for two years of serious alcohol abuse.
  • Always Someone Better: Was beaten twice by Rich Franklin. He is this to Phil Baroni.
  • Authority Equals Ass Kicking: Served as President of USWF from February 2000 through April 2003. Before that he was Vice-President before Steve Nelson stepped down.
  • Awesome by Analysis: Mostly taught himself submission and grappling techniques using instructional videos created by the famous Gracie family. It is stated that he has Photographic Memory.
  • Bully Hunter: He tells a funny story of when he fought a bully in his youth.
    "I fought the school bully in 7th grade. Don’t remember his name. We had gotten into it at school and decided to meet at the skating rink that weekend to settle it. It was a small town we lived in at the time. The skating rink was the only hangout for the kids in town on Saturday night. It was especially crowded that night. I guess our fight was the biggest thing going on in town. So this guy shows up, and we decide we’re going fight in the field across the street. The parking lot of the skating rink wasn’t paved. It had been raining so the parking lot and the field were nothing but mud. We walk out the door and the skating rink emptied out behind us. Most people didn’t even bother taking their skates off. Some got only one skate off. They didn’t want to miss a thing. (Who won?) I wouldn’t say the fight was very interesting. Neither one of us knew what we were doing. I just have this memory of all these people wearing roller skates, stumbling, and hobbling across a muddy parking lot and into a muddy farm field, and standing there in their skates watching two guys duke it out in the mud. About a hundred pairs of skates were ruined that night. The skating rink owners were pissed off. All of the parents were pissed off. And for some reason they all blamed it on me. After that, I was known as a troublemaker. I was the scourge of the town."
  • Dented Iron: After his last fight he stated his alcohol abuse had damaged his body past the point in which he could no longer compete at the level he once had.
  • The Drifter: Was homeless for sometime and moved from city to city constantly.
  • Heterosexual Life-Partners: With Brandon McDowell, who was his first training partner for MMA.
  • Hidden Depths: Worked as a Bouncer, a cable television contractor, a framer building beach houses, a dishwasher, a baker, a ditch digger, and slaughterhouse worker before his MMA career.
  • I Know Amateur Wrestling: Was a 2 time Texas State Champion and also trained in a bit of Kenpo. He also trained at Hard Knocks Kickboxing, Team Quest, Chute Boxe USA, American Top Team, and USA Stars.
  • Mighty Whitey: Was the first non-Japanese/American fighter to win the Pancrase Neo Blood Tournament in 1998. He was also the second oldest fighter to win the Pancrase Neo Blood Tournament, the first non-King of Pancrase titleholder, the sixth Pancrase fighter, and the only fighter to win the Pancrase Neo Blood Tournament and a UFC Championship.
  • Red Baron: "Machine" in his high school days, they also jokingly called him "Ivan Drago".
  • The Rival: With Heath Herring in USWF.
  • Ur-Example: Was the first USWF Heavyweight Champion. He was also the first and only fighter from Texas to win a UFC Championship. He is also credited as being one of the first fighters to use elbows as an effective striking method in the ground and pound position.
  • The Worf Effect: Lost to Pancrase jobber Leon Dijk at Pancrase – Breakthrough 4 by TKO. He also got KO'ed by Tito Ortiz in 30 seconds by being slammed.

Rusty Totty

Evaldo Trejo

Frank Trigg

"Frank is a dangerous guy. He’s an exciting fighter... I always thought that he would be an interesting guy to fight. On top of that, he just has one of those faces that you want to punch.... When Joe Silva called me with the Trigg fight, I said, ‘Hell yeah.’ It’s a matchup that excites me a lot. Look, when my career is over and done with, I’m the one who can look back and say that I was the champ. He got there twice and choked both times — literally. I refuse to lose to a guy that has a [expletive] tramp stamp. You’ve seen his back, right? C’mon. No way am I losing to a guy that walks around with that."
— Matt Serra

  • The Apprentice: To Rico Chiapparelli at Real American Wrestling.
  • Combat Commentator: Has done work in TNA.
  • Guest Fighter: Also fought in Shooto and Vale Tudo Japan.
  • Hero Killer: Has victories over Jean Jacques Machado, Dennis Hallman, Jason Miller, Falaniko Vitale, etc.
  • I Know Judo: A second dan black belt under sensei and former Olympian, Patrick Burris. He is also an amateur wrestler and an Olympic Trials Finalist. He also a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and a black belt in Catch Wrestling under Neil Melansen at Xtreme Couture.
  • Real Men Wear Pink: A number of fighters paint their toenails before fights, usually colored a manly black (as long as you don't count the act of painting your toenails as something not very manly). Frank Trigg, however, usually wore colorful shades, which inspired his nickname "Twinkle Toes."
  • Red Baron: "Twinkle Toes".
  • The Worf Effect: Apparently got into a fight in an elevator with UFC announcer Bruce Buffer and lost.
    • He also lost a judo vs wrestling bout against Bill Simpson (who represented judo) by getting choked out at the World Series of Martial Arts 1995 presented by Dale Cook.
  • Wrestler in All of Us: Worked for TNA as an analyst and on-screen character in 2008, aligning himself with Kurt Angle, who used his passing resemblance to Trigg as part of a storyline.

Ron Tripp

"Many people have always wondered who the man was that defeated Rickson Gracie 300-1. Rickson was defeated by Ron Tripp in 1993 in a Sombo match held at the Pan-American Championships. This man was Oklahoma Sombo wrestler Ron Tripp. Tripp made his first and only fight debut for the USWF. He never fought for another company. Ron competed in a fight with judo rules against Roberge Hoisinger. Ron Tripp was the 1994 World Sombo Champion and Word Judo Team member."
— Steve Nelson, as part of his summary of USWF's first event.

  • The Apprentice: To Patrick Mitsugi Burris and Chonosuke Takagi.
  • Authority Equals Ass Kicking: Is the current general secretary of USA Judo, and was a member of the board of directors of the United States Olympic Committee.
  • Badass Family: His brother Mark is a 5th dan black belt in Judo, a 7th dan black belt in Shingitai Jujitsu and also trained and competed in Sambo, amateur wrestling, Small Circle Jujitsu, Rykyu Kempo, and Isshinryu Karate and runs the Tripp Academy and also trained Dan Severn.
  • Cool Teacher: He is a trainer of USA Stars Training Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and coaches and corners UFC Fighters Joe "Daddy" Stevenson and Melvin "The Young Assassin" Guillard at UFC events.
  • Defeating the Undefeatable: He is the only man who has an official recorded win against Rickson Gracie in a sambo match in 47 seconds, though Rickson disputed the loss claiming he was misinformed of the rules of the event despite claiming to be a 2 time Pan American Sambo Champion.
  • Guest Fighter: Was brought in for a Judo exhibition match with Roberge Holsinger.
  • Hidden Depths: He is also a Doctor of Chiropractic, is the president of the Oklahoma Board of Chiropractic Examiners, was the District Director of Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards from 2003 to 2009, the Chairman of the FCLB Board of Directors from 2008 to 2009, the Recipient of the FCLB George W. Ardvison Award 2010, the Vice-Chairman of the Board of International Oil and Gas Holdings, and is the Director of the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners since May 2011.
  • I Know Judo: A 6th dan black belt, but is mostly known for his Sambo credentials as he was a 10th dan black belt when they still gave ranks and is America’s first Merited and Distinguished Master of Sport. His list of achievements include being a 1994 World Sambo Champion, a 7-time World Medalist Sambo, a 1989 World Judo Team Belgrade, an Olympic Festival Judo Open Division Champion , an 8-time Olympic Festival Medal winner, part of a team that won the Mifune Cup Team Open Division Bronze Medal, and is a 12-time Judo and Sambo National Champion and Pan American Champion.
  • Red Baron: "The Terminator".
  • Start My Own: He co-founded and was the president of C 3 Fights, a professional MMA company.
  • The Worf Effect: Before his victory against Rickson Gracie, he lost in the 1990 Sambo Pan American finals against Rigan Machado in 39 seconds.

Dale Tyra

Freddy Urioste

Eric Valdez

Eva Vandiver

Paul Vandiver

Boone Waggoner

Mark Walker

Jimmy Westfall

Steve Whitley

Ron Woods

Tom Young

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