Kevin Randleman facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Kevin Randleman
Randleman in 2006
Born	Kevin Christopher Randleman (1971-08-10)August 10, 1971 Sandusky, Ohio, U.S.
Died	February 11, 2016(2016-02-11) (aged 44) San Diego, California, U.S.
Other names	The Monster
Nationality	American
Height	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight	205 lb (93 kg; 14 st 9 lb)
Division	Light Heavyweight (2001–2003, 2005–2011) Heavyweight (1996–2001, 2004–2005)
Reach	70 in (178 cm)
Style	Wrestling, Boxing
Fighting out of	Columbus, Ohio, U.S.
Team	Team Hammer House Xtreme Couture
Rank	Purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Wrestling	NCAA Division I Wrestling
Years active	1996–2011 (MMA)
Mixed martial arts record
Total	33
Wins	17
By knockout	9
By decision	8
Losses	16
By knockout	4
By submission	8
By decision	4
University	Ohio State University Lindenwood University
Notable school(s)	Sandusky High School
last updated on: September 15, 2011 (2011-09-15)

Kevin Christopher Randleman (born August 10, 1971 – died February 11, 2016) was an American athlete. He was a mixed martial artist and a professional wrestler. He even became a UFC Heavyweight Champion! Kevin was an amazing wrestler in college. He won the NCAA Division I championship twice and the Big Ten championship three times while at Ohio State University.

He competed in both heavyweight and light heavyweight divisions in mixed martial arts (MMA). Besides the UFC, he also fought in other big events like PRIDE and Strikeforce. He trained with famous teams like Mark Coleman's Team Hammer House and later at Randy Couture's gym. In 2020, Kevin was honored by being added to the UFC Hall of Fame. He was the first fighter to be put into the Hall of Fame after he passed away.

Early Life and Wrestling Career

Kevin grew up in Sandusky, Ohio, with a big family. He was one of eleven children! He went to Sandusky High School. There, he played football for four years and ran track. He was also a fantastic wrestler. He had a record of 122 wins and only 11 losses. In 1989, he won the state wrestling championship.

After high school, Kevin wrestled for Ohio State University. In his first year, he won 42 matches in a row. He also won the Big Ten Tournament. He became an All-American wrestler. He almost won the NCAA tournament but lost in the final match.

In his second year, Kevin was undefeated and won the NCAA tournament. He won the NCAA tournament again in his junior year. This was amazing because he had a dislocated jaw during the tournament! Kevin had a very successful college wrestling career. He was even nominated as the Ohio State University Wrestler of the Century in 2002.

Kevin also supported the United States Army troops. In 2008, he visited soldiers in Iraq with other UFC fighters. He showed them some wrestling moves. He happily took pictures and signed autographs for everyone.

Mixed Martial Arts Journey

Kevin Randleman started his mixed martial arts career in 1996. His college wrestling coach, Mark Coleman, invited him to fight in Brazil. Kevin joined Coleman's team, known as Team Hammer House.

Fighting in Brazil

Kevin's first fight was in October 1996. He won by hitting his opponent with punches. He kept winning and reached the finals of the tournament. He won the tournament by taking his opponent down and landing punches.

In his next tournament in 1997, Kevin faced a tough fighter named Ebenezer Fontes Braga. Kevin controlled the fight with takedowns. His opponent kept trying to leave the ring, which was against the rules. Kevin won the fight after 20 minutes.

Next, he fought Brazilian jiu-jitsu expert Mario "Sukata" Neto. This fight was also difficult because Neto kept escaping the ring. Kevin eventually won with punches. In the finals, he faced another famous BJJ fighter, Carlos "Carlao" Barreto. Kevin got tired, and Barreto won by using a triangle choke move.

Kevin's last fight in Brazil was in June 1997. He won his first match quickly. Then, he fought Tom Erikson, another strong American wrestler. Erikson was much heavier. Erikson knocked Kevin out with punches. Kevin had to be carried out of the ring.

UFC Career Highlights

Kevin Randleman fought in the UFC in both the heavyweight and light heavyweight divisions. He beat Maurice Smith to become a top contender. Then, he fought Bas Rutten for the UFC Heavyweight Championship. Kevin lost this fight, even though he took Rutten down many times. The judges decided Rutten was more active with his strikes. This fight was very controversial and led to changes in how UFC fights are scored.

Kevin finally became the UFC Heavyweight Champion on November 19, 1999. He beat Pete Williams at UFC 23 to win the title.

Before his next fight, Kevin had an accident. He slipped and hit his head, which made him unconscious. He was diagnosed with a concussion and couldn't fight. His scheduled fight against Pedro Rizzo happened later at UFC 26. Kevin won that fight.

However, he lost his title to Randy Couture at UFC 28. After losing the championship, Kevin moved to the light heavyweight division. He felt this weight class was better for him. He lost his first light heavyweight fight to Chuck Liddell. But then, he beat Renato "Babalu" Sobral in his last UFC fight.

Fighting in PRIDE FC

In September 2002, Kevin Randleman started fighting in Pride Fighting Championships. He won his first fight easily against Michiyoshi Ohara. Ohara seemed to avoid fighting and tried to escape the ring. Kevin was not happy with this fight.

In 2002, Kevin also won against Kenichi Yamamoto and Murilo "Ninja" Rua. These wins made him a top contender for the Pride Middeweight Championship. At Pride 25, Kevin fought Quinton "Rampage" Jackson. The winner would get to fight for the championship. Kevin lost this fight after Jackson landed a strong knee and uppercut.

In 2003, Kevin fought Kazushi Sakuraba. Just three months before, Kevin was in a serious car accident. He had a bad head injury that needed many stitches. Even so, he was cleared to fight. He lost the fight to Sakuraba by an armbar submission.

Kevin was one of the fighters in the PRIDE 2004 Heavyweight Tournament. His first opponent was Mirko Cro Cop, a very famous kickboxer. Many people thought Cro Cop would win the tournament. But Kevin surprised everyone! He knocked out Cro Cop with punches after a left hook.

In the next round, Kevin fought the champion, Fedor Emelianenko. Kevin was again not expected to win. He managed to suplex Fedor onto his head! But Fedor quickly recovered. He then used a kimura submission to win, taking Kevin out of the tournament.

Kevin then fought his friend, Ron Waterman. Kevin was winning the fight, but he made a mistake and lost by a submission move called an americana. Later, Kevin had a rematch with Mirko Cro Cop. Cro Cop won this time by a guillotine choke submission. Kevin also lost to Kazuhiro Nakamura in 2005.

In November 2005, Kevin won a fight against Fatih Kocamis. This ended his losing streak. After this, Kevin got a serious lung infection. He had surgery to remove it. He was supposed to fight Vitor Belfort in 2006, but his infection came back.

Kevin returned to PRIDE in October 2006. He quickly lost to Maurício "Shogun" Rua by a toe hold submission. This fight was set up because of a past fight where Kevin's teammate, Mark Coleman, had injured Rua.

Later Fights

After a long break due to health problems, Kevin returned to fighting in May 2008. He won against Ryo Kawamura. Kevin was supposed to fight Jeff Monson next, but he injured his shoulder during training.

In November 2009, Kevin fought Stanislav Nedkov. Kevin used his wrestling and Brazilian jiu-jitsu skills. The judges made a split decision, and Kevin lost the fight.

Kevin then signed with Strikeforce. His first fight there was in June 2009 against Mike Whitehead. Kevin tried to wrestle, while Whitehead controlled the fight with strikes and takedowns. Kevin lost the fight.

His last fight was in May 2010 against Roger Gracie. Kevin lost by a rear-naked choke submission. After this, Kevin decided to retire from MMA.

Professional Wrestling Career

Kevin Randleman also became a professional wrestler in 2002. He joined All Japan Pro Wrestling for a project that brought MMA fighters into wrestling. He teamed up with Mark Coleman. They wrestled in tag team matches.

In 2003, Kevin worked for Pro Wrestling Zero-One. He teamed with The Predator in a tag team tournament. They did well, reaching the finals, but they lost there.

The next year, Kevin joined a wrestling promotion called Hustle. He was part of a "bad guy" group called the Takada Monster Army. He lost his first match and was kicked out of the group. So, he joined the "good guy" group, the Hustle Army.

Kevin returned to Hustle in 2007. He wore a mask and became a superhero character named "Randleman." He teamed up with other superheroes. His old partner, Mark Coleman, also joined the team. Kevin's last wrestling appearance was in September 2007.

Personal Life

Kevin married Barbara in 2000, and they divorced in 2005. He then married Elizabeth Broglia in 2009. Kevin had four children named Calvin, Jasmine, Madolyn, and Santino.

After his fighting career, Kevin started a program called Monster Wrestling Academy. It was at Coronado High School. He taught wrestling to kids with other volunteer coaches.

Death

Kevin Randleman passed away on February 11, 2016. He was traveling for business when he became ill. He died from complications of pneumonia. He was 44 years old.

Championships and Accomplishments

Mixed Martial Arts

• Ultimate Fighting Championship
  • UFC Hall of Fame (Pioneer Wing, Class of 2020)
  • UFC Heavyweight Championship (One time; former)
    • One successful title defense
  • UFC Road To The Heavyweight Title Tournament Runner-Up (1999)
• Universal Vale Tudo Fighting
  • UVTF 4 Tournament Champion
  • UVTF 6 Tournament Finalist
• Brazil Open
  • Brazil Open '97 Heavyweight Tournament Runner-Up
• Fight Matrix
  • Knockout of the Year (2004) vs. Mirko Cro Cop on April 25
• FIGHT! Magazine
  • Knockout of the Year (2004) vs. Mirko Cro Cop on April 25
• MMA Fighting
  • Most Lopsided Upset of the Year (2004)

Collegiate Wrestling

• National Collegiate Athletic Association
  • NCAA Division I 177 lb – Champion out of Ohio State University (1992, 1993)
  • NCAA Division I 167 lb – Runner-up out of Ohio State University (1991)
  • NCAA Division I All-American out of Ohio State University (1991, 1992, 1993)
  • Ohio State University Wrestler of the Century (20th Century)
• Big Ten Conference
  • Big Ten 177 lb – Champion out of Ohio State University (1991, 1992, 1993)

Mixed Martial Arts Record

See also

In Spanish: Kevin Randleman para niños