Soa Palelei facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Soa Palelei |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | 12 July 1977 Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia |
| Other names | The Hulk |
| Height | 6 ft 4 in (193 cm) |
| Weight | 265 lb (120 kg) |
| Division | Heavyweight Super Heavyweight |
| Reach | 81 in (210 cm) |
| Style | Wrestling, BJJ, Kickboxing |
| Fighting out of | Perth, Western Australia, Australia |
| Team | Team Hulk |
| Rank | Black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu |
| Years active | 2002–2015 (MMA) |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 27 |
| Wins | 22 |
| By knockout | 18 |
| By submission | 4 |
| Losses | 5 |
| By knockout | 3 |
| By submission | 1 |
| By decision | 1 |
Soa Palelei (born on July 12, 1977) is a retired Australian mixed martial artist. He was a professional fighter from 2002 to 2015. He is best known for competing in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and PRIDE Fighting Championships.
Contents
About Soa Palelei
Soa Palelei was born in 1977 in Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. His family comes from Tonga. He started his fighting journey when he was young.
He first focused on Wrestling. He almost got to compete for Australia in the Olympics held in Sydney. Soon, he became very interested in other martial arts. This led to his love for mixed martial arts (MMA).
Life Outside Fighting
Soa Palelei runs a special program called Hulk Kids MMA. In this program, he helps teenagers with different parts of their lives. He gives them advice on training and healthy eating. This program is available for schools and community groups.
In June 2016, Palelei wrote a book about his life called Face Your Fears.
Acting Career
Soa Palelei also has an acting career. He first appeared in a movie in 2014 called Son of a Gun. He played a character named Tommy. He acted alongside famous actors like Ewan McGregor.
Later, he played the main role in Zombie Ninjas Vs Black Ops. He also appeared in an Australian comedy called Football Breakers. In 2017, he was in the movie 1% with other Australian actors.
Mixed Martial Arts Journey
Soa Palelei's professional MMA career began in September 2002.
Starting His Career
For the first two years of his career, Soa Palelei was undefeated. He won his first seven fights. All of these wins were either by TKO (when the referee stops the fight) or by submission (when an opponent gives up). His first loss was in October 2004 at PRIDE 28.
Fighting in the UFC
Palelei had a short time in the UFC at UFC 79. He lost his fight against Eddie Sanchez. After this, he left the UFC for a while.
After His First UFC Time
After leaving the UFC in 2007, Palelei had a great winning streak. He won 10 out of 11 fights. During this time, he defeated other fighters who had been in the UFC. He won the Australian Fighting Championship (AFC) heavyweight title. He also successfully defended this title.
Returning to the UFC
In March 2013, Soa Palelei signed a new contract to fight again in the UFC.
He was supposed to fight Stipe Miocic at UFC 161. However, Miocic was moved to another fight, and Palelei was taken off the event.
Palelei then fought Nikita Krylov at UFC 164. He won this fight by TKO in the third round. It was later found out that Palelei had a broken rib before this fight.
His next fight was against Pat Barry at UFC Fight Night 33. Palelei won this fight by knockout in the first round. He got into a dominant position and landed many punches.
On May 10, 2014, Palelei fought Ruan Potts at UFC Fight Night 40. He won again by knockout in the first round.
He then faced Jared Rosholt at UFC Fight Night 43. Palelei lost this fight by a decision from the judges.
Palelei was set to fight Daniel Omielańczuk in November 2014. But Omielańczuk had to pull out because of a broken thumb. Walt Harris replaced him. Palelei won this fight by TKO in the second round.
His last fight was against Antônio Silva at UFC 190 in August 2015. He lost this fight by TKO in the second round. On October 19, 2015, Soa Palelei announced that he was retiring from MMA.
Achievements and Titles
Soa Palelei won many titles during his fighting career:
- Australian Fighting Championship (AFC) World Heavy Weight Champion
- K-OZ Entertainment World Super Heavy Weight Champion
- IKBF Super Heavy Weight World Champion
- Australian Heavy Weight Mixed Martial Arts Champion
- Australian Heavy Weight Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Champion
- W.A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Heavy Weight Champion
- W.A Freestyle Wrestling Champion at 120 kg
- W.A MMA Heavy Weight Champion
- Australian Freestyle Wrestling Champion at 120 kg
- ADCC Australian Heavy Weight Submission Champion
- South Pacific MMA Heavy Weight Champion
Mixed Martial Arts Record
| Professional record breakdown | ||
| 27 matches | 22 wins | 5 losses |
| By knockout | 18 | 3 |
| By submission | 4 | 1 |
| By decision | 0 | 1 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 22–5 | Antônio Silva | TKO (punches) | UFC 190 | 1 August 2015 | 2 | 0:41 | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | |
| Win | 22–4 | Walt Harris | TKO (punches) | UFC Fight Night: Rockhold vs. Bisping | 8 November 2014 | 2 | 4:49 | Sydney, Australia | |
| Loss | 21–4 | Jared Rosholt | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Te Huna vs. Marquardt | 28 June 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | Auckland, New Zealand | |
| Win | 21–3 | Ruan Potts | KO (punch) | UFC Fight Night: Brown vs. Silva | 10 May 2014 | 1 | 2:20 | Cincinnati, Ohio, United States | |
| Win | 20–3 | Pat Barry | KO (punches) | UFC Fight Night: Hunt vs. Bigfoot | 7 December 2013 | 1 | 2:09 | Brisbane, Australia | |
| Win | 19–3 | Nikita Krylov | TKO (punches) | UFC 164 | 31 August 2013 | 3 | 1:34 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States | |
| Win | 18–3 | Sean McCorkle | TKO (punches) | Australian Fighting Championship 4 | 7 December 2012 | 1 | 1:45 | Melbourne, Australia | Defended the AFC Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 17–3 | Bob Sapp | TKO (punches) | Cage Fighting Championship 21 | 18 May 2012 | 1 | 0:12 | Sydney, Australia | |
| Win | 16–3 | Joe Kielur | TKO (punches) | Australian Fighting Championship 3 | 14 April 2012 | 1 | 1:14 | Melbourne, Australia | Won the AFC Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 15–3 | Shunske Inoue | TKO (punches) | Cage Fighting Championship 20 | 24 February 2012 | 2 | 4:08 | Gold Coast, Australia | |
| Win | 14–3 | Henry Miller | TKO (punches) | K-Oz Entertainment: Bragging Rights | 21 January 2012 | 1 | 1:26 | Perth, Australia | Won the K-Oz Entertainment Super Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 13–3 | Matt Walker | TKO (punches) | Cage Fighting Championship 19 | 9 December 2011 | 1 | 0:16 | Sydney, Australia | |
| Win | 12–3 | Son Hai Suk | TKO (punches) | Australian Fighting Championship 2 | 3 September 2011 | 1 | 0:28 | Melbourne, Australia | |
| Win | 11–3 | Yusuke Kawaguchi | TKO (punches) | Australian Fighting Championship 1 | 25 June 2011 | 1 | N/A | Melbourne, Australia | |
| Loss | 10–3 | Daniel Cormier | TKO (submission to punches) | Xtreme MMA 3 | 5 November 2010 | 1 | 2:23 | Sydney, Australia | For the XMMA Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 10–2 | Brad Morris | Submission (keylock) | Impact FC 2 | 18 July 2010 | 1 | 4:20 | Sydney, Australia | |
| Win | 9–2 | Leamy Tato | Submission (armbar) | XFC: Return of the Hulk | 14 March 2009 | 1 | 0:56 | Perth, Australia | |
| Loss | 8–2 | Eddie Sanchez | TKO (punches) | UFC 79 | 29 December 2007 | 3 | 3:24 | Paradise, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 8–1 | Shaun Vanof | KO (punch) | KOTC: Perth | 5 October 2007 | 1 | 0:05 | Perth, Australia | |
| Loss | 7–1 | Choi Mu-Bae | Submission (rear-naked choke) | PRIDE 28 | 31 October 2004 | 2 | 4:55 | Saitama, Japan | |
| Win | 7–0 | Vince Lucero | TKO (punches) | Shooto Australia – NHB | 20 May 2004 | 1 | N/A | Melbourne, Australia | |
| Win | 6–0 | Lance Cartwright | TKO (injury) | XFC 4 – Australia vs The World | 19 March 2004 | 1 | 0:38 | Queensland, Australia | |
| Win | 5–0 | Christian Wellisch | TKO (punches) | Shooto Australia – NHB | 12 February 2004 | 2 | 4:33 | Melbourne, Australia | |
| Win | 4–0 | Don Richards | TKO (submission to punches) | Shooto Australia – NHB | 13 November 2003 | 1 | N/A | Melbourne, Australia | |
| Win | 3–0 | Edwin Montevgini | Submission (armbar) | After Dark Fight Night 3 | 1 August 2003 | 2 | 1:15 | Australia | |
| Win | 2–0 | Gerald Burton-Batty | TKO (punches) | Thunderdome | 21 February 2003 | 1 | 0:49 | Perth, Australia | |
| Win | 1–0 | Brad Morris | TKO (doctor stoppage) | Xtreme Fight Night | 27 September 2002 | 4 | 3:00 | Australia |
More About Fighters
- List of male mixed martial artists
