Name	Pride
Director	Sunu Gonera
Producer	Brett Forbes Paul Hall Patrick Rizzotti Adam Rosenfelt John Sacchi
Screenplay	Kevin Michael SmithMichael GozzardJ. Mills Goodloe
Story	Kevin Michael SmithMichael Gozzard
Starring	Terrence HowardBernie MacGary SturgisTom ArnoldKimberly Elise
Music	Aaron Zigman
Editing	Billy Fox
Cinematography	Matthew F. Leonetti
Studio	LionsgateCinerentaElement FilmsFortress FeaturesLIFT ProductionsPaul Hall Productions
Distributor	Lionsgate
Released
Runtime	104 minutes
Language	English
Gross	$7,094,650 }}

''Pride'' is a 2007 biopic drama feature film released by Lionsgate Entertainment on March 23, 2007. Loosely based upon the true story of Philadelphia swim coach James "Jim" Ellis, ''Pride'' stars Terrence Howard, Bernie Mac, and Kimberly Elise, and was directed by Sunu Gonera.

''Pride'' is a film that depicts African-Americans succeeding in a sport — swimming — that is still largely dominated by whites. This differed from most other African-American films with sport themes as they usually feature sports where African-Americans have progressed into the mainstream, such as basketball (such as ''Coach Carter'') and football (such as ''Gridiron Gang'', ''Remember the Titans''). ''Pride'' differed from this theme by bringing attention to the often overlooked world of African-American swimmers.

The film centers around Jim Ellis (Terrence Howard) and grouchy but caring janitor Elston (Bernie Mac). The two have a short-lived rivalry before becoming good loyal friends.

Plot

It is 1974 and life is not easy for a black male, even a college-educated one like Jim Ellis (Terrence Howard), to find employment. Struggling to find anything better, Jim, a former competitive swimmer, accepts the job of dismantling the decrepit Marcus Foster Recreation Center operated by the Philadelphia Department of Recreation. The center includes a dilapidated swimming pool, which Ellis rehabilitates. Ellis' presence and activities causes friction with a bitter, overprotective janitor named Elston (Bernie Mac). One day, Jim invites a group of black teens who have just been thrown off the basketball court in the Center's yard in for a swim. Andre (Kevin Phillips), Hakim (Nate Parker), Reggie (Evan Ross), Puddin’ Head (Brandon Fobbs), and Walt (Alphonso McAuley) prove to be fairly capable swimmers and with a few pointers, could become great swimmers. With some help from Elston, Jim decides to try to save the public swimming pool by starting the city's first all African-American swim team. When the team also acquires Willie (Regine Nehy), a female swimmer more gifted than any of the boys, the prospects of competing against much more experienced rival white teams begin to seem more positive. Jim also develops a romantic interest in a beautiful city councilor (Kimberly Elise), Hakim's sister and guardian. Throughout their struggles, in or out of the swimming pool, Jim and Elston embrace and mentor the kids, helping them become successful at swimming and struggle against prejudice, crime, and poverty.

Cast

Terrence Howard as Jim Ellis

Bernie Mac as Elston

Kimberly Elise as Sue Carter

Evan Ross as Reggie

Tom Arnold as Bink

Alphonso McAuley as Walt

Regine Nehy as Willie

Scott Eastwood as Jake

Nate Parker as Hakim

Kevin Phillips as Andre

Gary Sturgis as Franklin

Brandon Fobbs as Puddin' Head

Reception

Critical response

''Pride'' was met with mixed reviews. with a 45% freshness rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 108 reviews. Some critics criticized the use of the word "nigger" in the film's opening scene where Jim is confronted by a racist predominantly white college that objects to his presence in the water of their pool and refuses to swim with him because they say he is "dirty." The film also has a visibly upsetting scene where Jim is pinned to the floor under the boot of a white policeman. Although these words and images may be difficult for some viewers (explaining the film's PG rather than G rating), they were included with the intent to illustrate the severity of the racism faced by young black swimmers growing up in the segregated 1960s. The film was not successful at the box office.

Trivia

The film is notable for its inclusion of many up and coming actors who are the children of established celebrities from the previous generation. Evan Ross, who plays one of the athletes, is the son of the famous musical pioneer Diana Ross. Scott Reeves is the son of actor Clint Eastwood.

The real Jim Ellis makes a cameo appearance in the film as the city worker who takes the basketball rim down.

Writer Kevin Michael Smith, a Seton Hall Preparatory School graduate, named Coach Richard Binkowski after his English teacher of the same name (and of the same nickname).

Notes

External links

Category:2007 films Category:African American films Category:American comedy-drama films Category:American teen drama films Category:Buddy films Category:Coming-of-age films Category:Directorial debut films Category:English-language films Category:Films set in the 1970s Category:Films set in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Category:Films shot in New Orleans, Louisiana Category:Lions Gate Entertainment films Category:Sports films based on actual events Category:Swimming films

name	Paul Oscar
background	solo_singer
birth name	Páll Óskar Hjálmtýsson
alias	Páll Óskar; Paul Oscar
birth date	March 16, 1970
origin	Reykjavík, Iceland
genre	Pop music
occupation	Pop singer, songwriter and disc jockey
years active	1993–present
label	Paul Oscar Productions (P.O.P.)
website	Myspace.com/palloskar
notable instruments	}}

Páll Óskar Hjálmtýsson (born 16 March 1970), known internationally as Páll Óskar and Paul Oscar, is an Icelandic pop singer, songwriter and disc jockey. He had a musical childhood, singing at private functions, with choirs and for media advertisements, but was affected by bullying in school and tension between his parents at home. He came out as gay to his family at the age of 16 years.

Paul Oscar's musical range spans traditional Icelandic songs, ballads, love songs, disco, house and techno. He released his first album, ''Stuð'' (''Groove''), in 1993 while in New York City, and also sang with Icelandic groups Milljónamæringarnir (The Millionaires) and Casino while establishing a career as a solo artiste. His album of ballads, ''Palli'', was the best-selling Icelandic album of 1995. Paul Oscar came to international attention when he performed "''Minn hinsti dans''" ("My Final Dance"), Iceland's entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 1997. His most recent album is ''Silfursafnið'' (''The Silver Collection'', 2008). In Reykjavík, Paul Oscar performs regularly as a disc jockey in clubs and appears on radio and TV shows.

Early life

The youngest of seven children of Hjálmtýr E. Hjálmtýsson, a bank clerk, and Margrét Matthíasdóttir, a writer, Paul Oscar was born on 16 March 1970 in Reykjavík. As a child he displayed artistic talent in drawing, writing fairy tales and singing – his mother had him sing for the women in her sewing club and at family birthday parties. He also spent much time singing in choirs and in media commercials, and recorded his first album at the age of seven. His first leading role in a professional theatre production was at 12 years of age in the musical version of ''Rubber Tarzan'', a popular Danish children's novel by Ole Lund Kirkegaard (1940–1979). His voice broke two weeks after the musical's last performance, and he did not sing for the next few years.

Although Paul Oscar's family encouraged his musical talent, his parents did not get along with each other, and he was bullied by his schoolmates. Paul Oscar recalled: "My nickname was Little Palli, and Palli was chubby, nerdy, someone who never got jokes right, who was afraid of other men." At 13 he realized that he found men attractive, and came out to his family at 16. "For the first day, there was nice talk of acceptance, though my father did raise his voice. On the second day, and the third, and the fourth, there was this terrible silence. They treated me like an alien." However, his mother was supportive. She said: "If Páll has the talent to fall in love, he should nurture that talent. And he has as much a right to sit down at my table with his partner as anybody else does with their partner."

Paul Oscar rediscovered his voice at the age of 18, singing bass with the Hamrahlíð college choir for two years. In 1990 he won a talent contest for his college; later that year at the time of his graduation, he played Frank-N-Furter to great success in the college's production of ''The Rocky Horror Picture Show''. Around the same time, he began appearing in drag shows at a notorious Reykjavík nightclub. After the club closed, he became a radio jockey on independent radio station FM 90,9. He also appeared in a film, ''Svo á jörðu sem á himni'' (''As in Heaven'', 1992).

Professional career

In the summer of 1993, Paul Oscar left Iceland for New York City, where he met fellow Icelanders Jóhann Jóhannsson and Sigurjón Kjartansson who were then on tour with heavy metal band HAM. Paul Oscar became their groupie, and about the same time released his first album, ''Stuð'' (''Groove''). In October 1993, Paul Oscar started singing with a band called Milljónamæringarnir (The Millionaires), which released the albums ''Milljón á mann'' (''A Million for Each'', 1994), ''Allur pakkinn'' (''The Whole Lot'', 1999) and ''Þetta er nú meiri vitleysan'' (''This is Completely Foolish'', 2001).

1995 saw Paul Oscar make his début as a solo artiste. In that year he formed his own recording company, Paul Oscar Productions (P.O.P.) and released an album of ballads entitled ''Palli'' which he personally arranged, performed and produced. It was the best-selling Icelandic album of 1995. This was followed by his album ''Seif'' in 1996.

Paul Oscar was Iceland's entrant in the annual Eurovision Song Contest in 1997. He performed the song "''Minn hinsti dans''" ("My Final Dance"), which he co-wrote, backed by four women dressed in latex playing suggestively on a sofa behind him. Although the song only reached 20th place in a field of 25, the daring presentation attracted wide attention, especially amongst gay audiences, and made him known internationally. In 1998 he was invited to appear in ''A Song for Eurotrash'', a one-off special of the British Channel 4 TV series ''Eurotrash'' that was based on the Eurovision Song Contest. He also presented a musical feature ''Popp i Reykjavík'' (''Pop in Reykjavík'').

Paul Oscar worked with easy-listening group Casino on their album ''Stereo'' (1998). He followed this with three albums: the English-language album ''Deep Inside'' (1999); and two collaborations with harpist Monika Abendroth, ''Ef ég sofna ekki'' (''If I Won't Sleep Tonight'', 2001) and ''Ljósin heima'' (''The Lights at Home'', 2003) (his sister Sigrún Hjálmtýsdóttir (Diddú) also appeared on the latter album). His musical range spans traditional Icelandic songs, ballads, love songs in the style of Burt Bacharach, disco, house and techno.

At home in Reykjavík, Paul Oscar performs regularly as a disc jockey in clubs and appears on radio and TV shows. He was a judge in the third season of ''Idol stjörnuleit'' (''Idol Starsearch'', 2005), Iceland's version of the UK reality TV series ''Pop Idol''; and in ''The X Factor'' (2006), also modelled on the UK's ''The X Factor''. In 2002 he appeared as Dr. Love in the teenage movie ''Gemsar'' (''Made in Iceland'').

He has a reputation for being brash, even rude, when it comes to discussing gay concerns, especially gay sex. Matthías Matthíasson, Director of Samtökin '78, Iceland's gay and lesbian rights group, has commented: "He says things I could never say. But he is an exquisite addition to the gay voice in Iceland." As a gay activist, Paul Oscar helped to organize a Gay Pride Festival in Reykjavík in 2005.

Paul Oscar has said he realizes that "as a working place Iceland will be too small for me. Actually, it already is. But I am an Icelander. I will always keep a home here. My roots are so valuable to me. I wouldn't change them for a sack of gold."

Personal life

Regarding his personal life, Paul Oscar has said: "I have a lot of work still to do. I have had three relationships that, from the outside, looked picture perfect, I suppose. But they were actually quite rotten and false, abusive to me. What I am doing now is learning to fall in love with myself."

Paul Oscar's father Hjálmtýr E. Hjálmtýsson (5 July 1933 – 12 September 2002), with whom he had a difficult relationship, had roles in the Icelandic comedies ''Með allt á hreinu'' (''On Top'', 1982), ''Löggulíf'' (''A Policeman's Life'', 1985), and ''Karlakórinn Hekla'' (''The Men's Choir'', 1992). His older sister, Sigrún Hjálmtýsdóttir (Diddú), is an opera singer.

Selected discography

Albums

''Stuð'' (''Groove'', 1993)

''Palli'' (1995)

''Seif'' (1996)

''Deep Inside'' (1999)

''Ef ég sofna ekki'' (''If I Won't Sleep Tonight'', 2001) (in collaboration with harpist Monika Abendroth)

''Ljósin heima'' (''The Lights at Home'', 2003) (with Monika Abendroth and Sigrún Hjálmtýsdóttir (Diddú))

''Allt fyrir ástina'' (''All in the Name of Love'', 2007)

''Silfursafnið'' (''The Silver Collection'', 2008)

Singles

''Minn hinsti dans'' (''My Final Dance'', 1997) (Iceland's Eurovision Song Contest 1997 entry)

''Allt fyrir ástina'' (2007)

*''Allt fyrir ástina'' (''All in the Name of Love'', 2007)

*''International'' (2007)

*''Betra Lif'' (2007)

*''Er þetta ást?'' (2008)

*''Þú komst við hjartað í mér'' (2008)

''Silfursafnið'' (''The Silver Collection'', 2008)

*''Sama hvar þú ert'' (2008)

Notes

References

. Retrieved on 1 November 2007.

Further reading

External links

Paul Oscar (Páll Óskar) at MySpace Music

Paul Oscar at KDJ Eurodance Ltd. – The Eurodance Encyclopædia

Category:Icelandic actors Category:Icelandic Eurovision Song Contest entrants Category:Eurovision Song Contest entrants of 1997 Category:Icelandic male singers Category:Icelandic pop musicians Category:Icelandic songwriters Category:Idol series judges Category:Reality television judges Category:The X Factor judges Category:LGBT people from Iceland Category:LGBT DJs Category:People from Reykjavík Category:1970 births Category:Living people

cs:Páll Óskar Hjálmtýsson de:Páll Óskar Hjálmtýsson es:Paul Oscar fr:Paul Oscar is:Páll Óskar it:Paul Oscar nl:Paul Oscar pl:Páll Óskar Hjálmtýsson pt:Paul Oscar fi:Páll Óskar Hjálmtýsson sv:Paul Oscar uk:Паул Оскар

name	Wanderlei Silva
other names	The Axe Murderer
birth name	Wanderlei César da Silva
birth date	July 03, 1976
birth place	Curitiba, Brazil
nationality	Brazilian
height
weight lb	185
weight class	Middleweight ''(2010 – present)'' Light Heavyweight ''(1996 - 2009)'' Heavyweight ''(2006)''
reach in	74
style	Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu| stance
fighting out of	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
team	Wand Fight Team
rank	''black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
years active	1996 - present
mma win	33
mma kowin	23
mma subwin	3
mma decwin	7
mma loss	11
mma koloss	6
mma subloss	0
mma decloss	5
mma draw	1
mma nc	1
occupation	Professional MMA fighter
url	http://www.wandfightteam.com/
sherdog	209
updated	February 25, 2010 }}

Wanderlei César da Silva ( , ; born July 3, 1976), nicknamed "''The Axe Murderer''", is a Brazilian mixed martial artist, who has competed in Japan's Pride Fighting Championships and the American based Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Silva is known for his aggressive fighting style with the majority of his fights ending in knockout or referee stoppage due to strikes. His style includes engaging opponents with punches and knees from the Muay Thai clinch. He is currently ranked as #21 best middleweight fighter in the world by FightMatrix.com.

Silva began his training under Rudimar Fedrigo at the Chute Boxe Academy in his hometown of Curitiba, Brazil. Although he specializes in Muay Thai, he has also trained and received his black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu from trainer Cristiano Marcello. Silva was given the nickname "Cachorro Louco" ("Mad Dog") in Brazil because of his aggressive style and his pre-fight opponent "stare down". He is the former IVC light heavyweight champion, former Pride middleweight (205 lb) champion, and the Pride 2003 Middleweight Grand Prix champion.

He holds notable wins over Guy Mezger, Dan Henderson, Kazushi Sakuraba (3 times), Kiyoshi Tamura, Hidehiko Yoshida (twice), Quinton "Rampage" Jackson (twice), Ikuhisa Minowa, Yuki Kondo, Kazuhiro Nakamura, Kazuyuki Fujita, Ricardo Arona, Keith Jardine, and Michael Bisping.

After spending a majority of his career in Brazil, Silva moved to the United States in 2007 and he trained at Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas. Preferring a more aggressive gym atmosphere, like he had at Chute Boxe, he opened his own gym, The Wand Fight Team Training & Conditioning Center, in Las Vegas. Silva currently trains there with his former Chute Boxe coach Rafael Cordeiro.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Silva's aggressive style is rooted in street brawling, refined with elements of Muay Thai and kickboxing. As a late teen he joined the military and was quickly recognized for his fighting talents and rose up in the ranks. Silva enlisted after already winning fight tournaments in his age group in Brazil.

Silva's first professional match was on November 1, 1996, in the Brazilian Vale Tudo Fighting organization (BVF), where he knocked out Dilson Filho via strikes at ''BVF 6''. He fought in one other match in BVF, ''BVF 10'' on July 1, 1997, against Marcelo Barbosa, who submitted due to a shoulder injury.

Silva fought six matches in four different IVC events, ''IVC 2'', ''IVC 6'', ''IVC 9'' and ''IVC 10'', from 1997 to 1999. He won five of these matches by KO/TKO, with his one loss being the result of a cut stoppage against Artur Mariano in the IVC 2 show on September 15, 1997. The cut was above his left eyelid and opened back up several times, partially because Silva continued to use the cut side of his head to inflict many headbutts on Mariano over the course of the match. The doctor observed the cut several times before the fight was ended.

Silva culminated his IVC career by winning the promotion's light heavyweight belt with a submission win over Eugene Jackson in the IVC 10 show on April 27, 1999. It was after this fight that Silva earned the nickname "The Axe Murderer".

Silva participated in one Meca World Vale Tudo event, ''Meca 2'' on August 12, 2000, where he knocked out Todd Medina with muay thai knees.

UFC

Silva entered the Ultimate Fighting Championship on October 16, 1998, at ''UFC Brazil: Ultimate Brazil'', in a match against Vitor Belfort. The match has arguably been Silva's worst defeat in his career, lasting only 44 seconds and ending with Silva being knocked down by Belfort's punches then being stopped by the referee. Silva won his next UFC match on May 7, 1999, at ''UFC 20'' where he knocked out Tony Petarra with knees. On April 14, 2000, Silva was given a chance to fight for the UFC light heavyweight championship, but lost via decision to Tito Ortiz at UFC 25.

Pride Fighting Championships

Silva debuted in Pride at the ''Pride 7'' event on September 12, 1999, winning against Carl Malenko by decision. From 1999 to 2004, Silva won eighteen-straight fights in Pride, excluding a draw against Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic (under slightly modified rules in which if the match would go the distance, the bout would be declared a draw) and a no contest against Gilbert Yvel (Silva accidentally kicked Yvel in the groin), giving him a twenty-fight unbeaten streak. Silva's reputation as a formidable MMA fighter grew as he developed a successful 5 year win record in the middle weight division (205 lb) of Pride.

Silva fought Japanese superstar Kazushi Sakuraba for the first time at ''Pride 13: Collision Course'' on March 25, 2001. Silva won via TKO (knees and soccer kick) at 1:38 into the first round. At ''Pride 17: Championship Chaos'' on November 3, 2001, Silva won the inaugural Pride middleweight (205 lb) championship when he defeated Sakuraba for the second time. Sakuraba suffered a broken clavicle and was forced to withdraw after the first round, giving Silva a TKO win via doctor's stoppage. The two fought for a third time on August 10, 2003 at ''Pride Total Elimination 2003'', part of Pride's middleweight tournament. Silva knocked out Sakuraba with a two punch combination at 5:01 into the first round. Silva faced Quinton "Rampage" Jackson at ''Pride Final Conflict 2003'' on November 9, 2003. Silva won by TKO after delivering seventeen consecutive knees to Jackson. Silva became Pride's 2003 tournament champion with the win. The two fought again on October 31, 2004 at ''Pride 28: High Octane''. Jackson knocked Silva down near the end of the first round and mounted him as the bell rang. In round two Silva caught Jackson with a counter right hand and followed up with knees from the thai clinch knocking Jackson out, successfully defending the Pride middleweight championship with the win. In Japan, Silva additionally gained his reputation as a fighter who has never been defeated by any Japanese opponent, resulting in a trend of various Japanese fighters being arranged by Pride to face him.

Silva's undefeated 5-year streak (18 wins, 13 knockouts) in Pride was broken by heavy weight Mark Hunt, a K-1 champion on December 31, 2004 at the ''Pride Shockwave 2004'' event. Hunt won the non-title match by split decision. The decision was controversial because some who felt that Hunt's weight of 280 lb (125 kg), over 80 lb more than Silva, as well as Silva's performance in rounds two and three, had not been sufficiently considered by the judges in their decision; Randy Couture and Bas Rutten, both being commentators at the event, expressed disagreement with the judges decision. Silva also took this fight on two days notice. Nonetheless, Silva's 2004 campaign earned him Fighter of the Year honors from both Sherdog and the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Silva's former status as Pride's middleweight champion first came under debate and criticism with his loss to Ricardo Arona (who subsequently lost the tournament to Silva's team-mate, Mauricio "Shogun" Rua) on August 28, 2005 at ''Pride Final Conflict 2005''. The loss, by unanimous decision in the tournament's semi-finals, was Silva's first defeat in a middleweight match in Pride; however, since it was not a title fight and held under special rules due to the grand prix format (2 rounds instead of 3), Silva was still recognized as the middleweight champion. A rematch between Arona and Silva took place at the ''Pride Shockwave 2005'' event on December 31, 2005, with Silva winning by split decision.

On May 18, 2006, Pride's parent company, Dream Stage Entertainment (DSE), announced that Silva would replace Pride heavyweight champion Fedor Emelianenko in the Open Weight Grand Prix. Emelianenko's doctors stated that his hand, which had recently undergone surgery, would not be in good enough shape to fight because the metal implant would still be present. Because Silva was also a champion, he received a first round bye and fought in the second round at ''Pride Critical Countdown Absolute'', which took place on July 1, 2006. Silva moved to the semi-finals of the Open Weight Grand Prix after defeating Kazuyuki Fujita by TKO (punches and soccer kicks) at 9:21 of round one.

On July 8, 2006, at ''UFC 61: Bitter Rivals'', UFC president Dana White announced Silva would face Chuck Liddell in a UFC event held in November, provided Liddell beat Renato "Babalu" Sobral at ''UFC 62''. Liddell did end up winning that fight. However, talks dwindled and the fight as advertised did not happen.

On September 10, 2006, at ''Pride Final Conflict Absolute'', Wanderlei Silva was knocked out by Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic in their rematch during the Open Weight Grand Prix semi-finals. After a brief stoppage to tend to a swollen eye on Silva, "Cro Cop" struck Silva in the head with a left kick, knocking him out. On October 21, 2006 at ''Pride 32: The Real Deal'', Wanderlei issued his challenge to Chuck Liddell to a fight inside a Pride ring in February, when the promotion returned to Las Vegas, Nevada, however Dana White stated that the fight would not be happening, citing Silva's recent KO loss to Mirko Filipovic which would have not allowed the NSAC to clear him medically for the fight that soon after being knocked out.

Silva put his Pride middleweight title on the line against Dan Henderson, Pride's welterweight (183 lb) champion at ''Pride 33: The Second Coming'', held on February 24, 2007, in Las Vegas, Nevada. In a night of upsets, Henderson knocked out Silva in the third round with a left hook to become the new middleweight champion. This fight was held under unified rules which prevent knees and kicks to the head of a downed opponent as well as having five 5 minute rounds. Many believe this hindered Silva's ability to fully utilize his offensive arsenal. Silva was denied the ability to participate in Pride 34 due to medical suspension by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) which made this his last Pride appearance. Silva never lost under pure Pride rules at 205 pounds.

Return to the UFC

}} On August 17, 2007, the UFC announced that they had signed Wanderlei Silva to compete in the organization and that he would return to the Octagon on December 29, 2007 at UFC 79. After months of speculation about Silva's opponent, UFC President Dana White announced that Chuck Liddell would be Silva's opponent for his return match. The long-awaited match happened on December 29, with Wanderlei Silva losing to Chuck Liddell by unanimous decision. After the fight Silva said, "Win or lose I like to give the emotion for my fans" He also added that he gave his best and promised that next time he will deliver a win.

Keeping to his promise, on May 24, 2008 at UFC 84 in Las Vegas, he earned a decisive knockout win against Keith Jardine at the 36-second mark of the very first round by referee stoppage, earning him Knockout of the Night honors. When Jardine threw a kick, Silva countered with a right-left-right combo that dropped him. Silva then finished the fight with ground strikes to earn the brutal knockout.

At UFC 92, Wanderlei fought Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, who he beat twice previously. Jackson avenged his previous defeats by knocking Silva out with a left hook in the first round. Following the fight, Silva stated that he would like to fight Jackson again, for the 4th, and possibly in the future, even the 5th time, knowing he already has two knockouts of Jackson. The two fighters also buried the hatchet after this fight.

Wanderlei met Rich Franklin at ''UFC 99'' in Germany at a catchweight bout of 195 lb. After a hard fought match on both sides, Silva lost via unanimous decision to Franklin. During the second round, Silva rocked Franklin hard with punches and almost finished the match during that moment. This was counterbalanced by Franklin dropping Silva three times in that round, each time with singular strikes. Silva then announced he would be out of action until 2010, as he underwent facial surgery to repair his nose (which was broken during Silva's second fight with Cro Cop, and then repeatedly broken again in later matches) and remove some scar tissue from above his eyes to avoid bleeding and being easily cut open during future fights. The surgery allowed him to breathe through a once completely blocked nose thus increasing his oxygen intake by 30% by doctor's estimates. At UFC 110, announcer Joe Rogan emphatically stated that Wanderlei looked like a totally different person in the wake of his recent facial reconstructive surgery.

Silva made his middleweight (185 lb) debut during UFC 110 against British striker Michael Bisping on February 21, 2010. During the fight Bisping was able to take Silva down several times during the first round, however Wanderlei came back with a flurry of punches at the end of the first round, a tight guillotine choke in the second, and a right hook that dropped Bisping in the third. After three rounds of fighting, Silva was awarded the unanimous decision victory (29–28, 29–28, 29–28)and his first victory in almost two years. Although winning only one of his previous 6 bouts, he was slightly favored going into the fight as it was widely speculated that Bisping was apprehensive to fight toe-to-toe after being viciously knocked out by Dan Henderson on July 11, 2009 in UFC 100. After the fight Silva said, “In your life you have bad moments. Everybody has bad moments, but if you believe in God and working hard, good moments they’ll come,” an emotional Silva told the audience. Silva attributed his success to working with his previous trainer Raphael Cordeiro. Bisping added, “Wanderlei’s a great opponent...I felt the reason he got the decision was the knockdown right at the end.”

Wanderlei Silva was expected to face former K-1 HERO'S Light Heavyweight Champion Yoshihiro Akiyama at UFC 116. Unfortunately, on June 22, Wanderlei had to pull out due to breaking three ribs during training. Akiyama would instead be fighting on the card, against Chris Leben. After Leben defeated Akiyama with a triangle choke in the third round Leben verbally called out Silva saying "Come on Wanderlei, I'll take you out too" in his post fight interview. "He represented very well, he's a good opponent," said Silva of "The Crippler." "I think if he's gonna wait that I'm gonna fight him next however Dana White has not considered a Silva/Leben fight happening anytime soon."

Silva underwent knee surgery in late July 2010 and his doctors have stated that he will need to wait at least 4 months before returning to training. This means that he will not be seen fighting in the octagon again until early 2011.

Silva was scheduled to face Brian Stann at UFC 130. However, after Silva voiced his reluctance to face Stann, he was replaced on the card by returning UFC veteran Jorge Santiago. On April 4, 2011, the UFC announced that Silva's next opponent would be Chris Leben with the two scheduled to meet at UFC 132. on July 2, 2011. During the fight's first round Leben won by KO with several uppercuts before following Silva to the ground for a referees stoppage at the 27 second mark. Silva is now 4-6 in his last ten fights, after a 29-5-1 Record to start his career and 3-6 overall in the UFC. When Dana White was asked about his thoughts on Wanderlei's possible retirement, he said he felt it would be the best time for Wanderlei to retire but in the end it is up to wether Wanderlei himself would like to fight again.

Personal life

Wanderlei and his wife Tea have a son named Thor. He also has a daughter named Rafaela from a previous relationship.

Championships and accomplishments

'''International Vale Tudo Championship

:*IVC Light Heavyweight Champion

'''PRIDE Fighting Championships

:*PRIDE Middleweight Championship 2001-2007 (One time, First) :*2003 PRIDE Middleweight Grand Prix Tournament Winner :*2005 PRIDE Middleweight Grand Prix Semi-Finalist :*2006 PRIDE Openweight Grand Prix Semi-Finalist :*Most Wins & Knockouts in PRIDE FC History (22 Wins 15 Knockouts)

'''Sherdog

:*2004 Fighter of the Year

'''Ultimate Fighting Championship

:*Fight of the Night (Two times) :*Knockout of the Night (One time)

'''Fighters Only World MMA Awards

:*Fight of the Year (2008) - vs Chuck Liddell on December 29, 2007 :*Knockout of the Year (2008) - vs Keith Jardine on May 24 :*Gym of the Year (2010) - awarded to Wand Fight Team

'''Inside Fights

:*2008 Fight of the Year vs Chuck Liddell on December 29, 2007

'''Wrestling Observer Newsletter

:*2001 Feud of the Year (vs Kazushi Sakuraba) :*2001 Shootfighter of the Year :*2003 Shootmatch of the Year (vs Hidehiko Yoshida) :*2004 Shootfighter of the Year :*2004 Shootmatch of the Year (vs Quinton Jackson)

Mixed martial arts record

| Loss |align=center| 33–11–1(1) | Chris Leben | KO (punches) | UFC 132 | |align=center| 1 |align=center| 0:27 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |- | Win |align=center| 33–10–1(1) | Michael Bisping | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 110 | |align=center| 3 |align=center| 5:00 | Sydney, Australia | |- | Loss |align=center| 32–10–1(1) | Rich Franklin | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 99 | |align=center| 3 |align=center| 5:00 | Cologne, Germany | |- |Loss |align=center| 32–9–1 (1) | Quinton Jackson | KO (punch) | UFC 92 | |align=center| 1 |align=center| 3:21 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |- |Win |align=center| 32–8–1 (1) | Keith Jardine | KO (punches) | UFC 84 | |align=center| 1 |align=center| 0:36 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |- |Loss |align=center| 31–8–1 (1) | Chuck Liddell | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 79 | |align=center| 3 |align=center| 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |- |Loss |align=center| 31–7–1 (1) | Dan Henderson | KO (punch) | Pride 33 | |align=center| 3 |align=center| 2:08 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |- |Loss |align=center| 31–6–1 (1) | Mirko Filipović | KO (head kick) | Pride Final Conflict Absolute | |align=center| 1 |align=center| 5:26 | Saitama, Japan | |- |Win |align=center| 31–5–1 (1) | Kazuyuki Fujita | TKO (punches and soccer kicks) | Pride Critical Countdown Absolute | |align=center| 1 |align=center| 9:21 | Saitama, Japan | |- |Win |align=center| 30–5–1 (1) | Ricardo Arona | Decision (split) | Pride Shockwave 2005 | |align=center| 3 |align=center| 5:00 | Saitama, Japan | |- |Loss |align=center| 29–5–1 (1) | Ricardo Arona | Decision (unanimous) | Pride Final Conflict 2005 | |align=center| 2 |align=center| 5:00 | Saitama, Japan | |- |Win |align=center| 29–4–1 (1) | Kazuhiro Nakamura | TKO (punches) | Pride Critical Countdown 2005 | |align=center| 1 |align=center| 5:24 | Saitama, Japan | |- |Win |align=center| 28–4–1 (1) | Hidehiko Yoshida | Decision (split) | Pride Total Elimination 2005 | |align=center| 3 |align=center| 5:00 | Osaka, Japan | |- |Loss |align=center| 27–4–1 (1) | Mark Hunt | Decision (split) | Pride Shockwave 2004 | |align=center| 3 |align=center| 5:00 | Saitama, Japan | |- |Win |align=center| 27–3–1 (1) | Quinton Jackson | KO (knees) | Pride 28 | |align=center| 2 |align=center| 3:26 | Saitama, Japan | |- |Win |align=center| 26–3–1 (1) | Yuki Kondo | KO (stomps) | Pride Final Conflict 2004 | |align=center| 1 |align=center| 2:46 | Saitama, Japan | |- |Win |align=center| 25–3–1 (1) | Ikuhisa Minowa | KO (punches) | Pride Bushido 2 | |align=center| 1 |align=center| 1:09 | Yokohama, Japan | |- |Win |align=center| 24–3–1 (1) | Quinton Jackson | TKO (knees) | Pride Final Conflict 2003 | |align=center| 1 |align=center| 6:28 | Tokyo, Japan | |- |Win |align=center| 23–3–1 (1) | Hidehiko Yoshida | Decision (unanimous) | Pride Final Conflict 2003 | |align=center| 2 |align=center| 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |- |Win |align=center| 22–3–1 (1) | Kazushi Sakuraba | KO (punch) | Pride Total Elimination 2003 | |align=center| 1 |align=center| 5:01 | Saitama, Japan | |- |Win |align=center| 21–3–1 (1) | Hiromitsu Kanehara | TKO (corner stoppage) | Pride 23 | |align=center| 1 |align=center| 3:40 | Tokyo, Japan | |- |Win |align=center| 20–3–1 (1) | Tatsuya Iwasaki | TKO (head kick and punches) | Pride Shockwave | |align=center| 1 |align=center| 1:16 | Tokyo, Japan | |- | Draw |align=center| 19–3–1 (1) | Mirko Filipović | Draw | Pride 20 | |align=center| 5 |align=center| 3:00 | Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan | |- |Win |align=center| 19–3 (1) | Kiyoshi Tamura | KO (punch) | Pride 19 | |align=center| 2 |align=center| 2:28 | Saitama, Japan | |- |Win |align=center| 18–3 (1) | Alexander Otsuka | TKO (doctor stoppage) | Pride 18 | |align=center| 3 |align=center| 2:02 | Fukuoka, Japan | |- |Win |align=center| 17–3 (1) | Kazushi Sakuraba | TKO (doctor stoppage) | Pride 17 | |align=center| 1 |align=center| 10:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |- |Win |align=center| 16–3 (1) | Shungo Oyama | TKO (punches) | Pride 14 | |align=center| 1 |align=center| 0:30 | Yokohama, Japan | |- |Win |align=center| 15–3 (1) | Kazushi Sakuraba | TKO (knees and soccer kick) | Pride 13 | |align=center| 1 |align=center| 1:38 | Saitama, Japan | |- |Win |align=center| 14–3 (1) | Dan Henderson | Decision (unanimous) | Pride 12 | |align=center| 2 |align=center| 10:00 | Saitama, Japan | |- | NC |align=center| 13–3 (1) | Gilbert Yvel | No Contest (groin strike) | Pride 11 | |align=center| 1 |align=center| 0:21 | Osaka, Japan | |- |Win |align=center| 13–3 | Guy Mezger | KO (punch) | Pride 10 | |align=center| 1 |align=center| 3:45 | Saitama, Japan | |- |Win |align=center| 12–3 | Todd Medina | KO (knees) | Meca World Vale Tudo 2 | |align=center| 1 |align=center| 0:39 | Curitiba, Brazil | |- |Loss |align=center| 11–3 | Tito Ortiz | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 25 | |align=center| 5 |align=center| 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |- |Win |align=center| 11–2 | Bob Schrijber | Submission (rear naked choke) | Pride Grand Prix 2000 Opening Round | |align=center| 1 |align=center| 2:42 | Tokyo, Japan | |- |Win |align=center| 10–2 | Daijiro Matsui | Decision (unanimous) | Pride 8 | |align=center| 2 |align=center| 10:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |- |Win |align=center| 9–2 | Carl Malenko | Decision (unanimous) | Pride 7 | |align=center| 2 |align=center| 10:00 | Yokohama, Japan | |- |Win |align=center| 8–2 | Tony Petarra | KO (knees) | UFC 20 | |align=center| 1 |align=center| 2:53 | Birmingham, Alabama, United States | |- |Win |align=center| 7–2 | Eugene Jackson | Submission (punches) | IVC 10: World Class Champions | |align=center| 1 |align=center| 0:32 | Brazil | |- |Win |align=center| 6–2 | Adrian Serrano | KO (punches and soccer kick) | IVC 9: The Revenge | |align=center| 1 |align=center| 0:22 | Aracaju, Brazil | |- |Loss |align=center| 5–2 | Vitor Belfort | TKO (punches) | UFC Brazil | |align=center| 1 |align=center| 0:44 | São Paulo, Brazil | |- |Win |align=center| 5–1 | Mike Van Arsdale | KO (punch and soccer kick) | IVC 6: The Challenge | |align=center| 1 |align=center| 4:00 | São Paulo, Brazil | |- |Loss |align=center| 4–1 | Artur Mariano | TKO (cut) | IVC 2: A Question of Pride | |align=center| 1 |align=center| 13:10 | São Paulo, Brazil | |- |Win |align=center| 4–0 | Egidio da Costa | Submission (punches) | IVC 2: A Question of Pride | |align=center| 1 |align=center| 2:27 | São Paulo, Brazil | |- |Win |align=center| 3–0 | Sean Bormet | KO (head kick) | IVC 2: A Question of Pride | |align=center| 1 |align=center| 1:19 | São Paulo, Brazil | |- |Win |align=center| 2–0 | Marcelao Barbosa | TKO (shoulder injury) | Brazilian Vale Tudo 10 | |align=center| 1 |align=center| 0:20 | Brazil | |- |Win |align=center| 1–0 | Dilson Filho | KO (elbow) | Brazilian Vale Tudo 6 | |align=center| 1 |align=center| 3:35 | Brazil |

References

External links

Wanderlei Silva audio interview from 12/19/08

Category:1976 births Category:Living people Category:People from Curitiba Category:Brazilian mixed martial artists Category:Middleweight mixed martial artists Category:Light heavyweight mixed martial artists Category:Pride Fighting Championships champions Category:Brazilian Muay Thai practitioners Category:Brazilian practitioners of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Category:Brazilian expatriates in the United States

als:Wanderlei Silva de:Wanderlei Silva es:Wanderlei Silva fr:Wanderlei Silva it:Wanderlei Silva nl:Wanderlei Silva ja:ヴァンダレイ・シウバ no:Wanderlei Silva pl:Wanderlei Silva pt:Wanderlei Silva ru:Силва, Вандерлей fi:Wanderlei Silva sv:Wanderlei Silva uk:Вандерлей Сілва

name	Dan Henderson
birth name	Daniel Jeffery Henderson
birth date	August 24, 1970
birth place	Downey, California, United States
other names	Hendo, Dangerous Dan, SoCal Dan
nationality	American
height
weight lb	207
weight class	Heavyweight Light Heavyweight Middleweight
reach in	71
style	Greco-Roman Wrestling, Boxing
stance	Orthodox
fighting out of	Temecula, California
team	Team Quest (1999 - present) RAW (1997 - 1999)
rank	''Olympian Greco-Roman Wrestling'' ''NCAA Division I Wrestling''
years active	1997 – present (MMA)
mma kowin	13
mma subwin	2
mma decwin	13
mma subloss	3
mma decloss	5
university	Cal State Fullerton Arizona State University
spouse	Alison
children	3
school	Victor Valley High School
url	http://www.danhenderson.com/
sherdog	195
updated	October 5, 2010 }}

}}

Daniel Jeffery Henderson, (born August 24, 1970) is a former Olympic wrestler and current mixed martial artist fighting for Strikeforce. He is the current Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion and was the last Welterweight and Middleweight champion of Pride Fighting Championships. He was the only mixed martial artist to concurrently hold two titles in two different weight classes in a major MMA promotion. Henderson is also the ''UFC 17'' middleweight tournament champion, the 1997 Brazil Open lightweight tournament champion, the 1999 RINGS King of Kings tournament champion, and the Pride 2005 Grand Prix welterweight tournament champion.

Henderson holds notable victories over Fedor Emelianenko, Wanderlei Silva, Rich Franklin, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Carlos Newton, Renato Sobral, Vitor Belfort, Michael Bisping and Rafael Cavalcante. Henderson also owns the ''Clinch Gear'' MMA apparel brand. As of July 2011, Henderson is ranked the #10 light heavyweight in the world by ''Sherdog'', #2 light heavyweight by ''Fight!'' magazine, and the #7 light heavyweight by ''MMA Weekly''.

Background

Dan Henderson was born in Downey, California and grew up in Apple Valley, California. He attended Victor Valley High School in Victorville, California, and earned medals at the California State Wrestling Championships in 1987 and 1988. He was a member of the 1987 Victor Valley High School wrestling team state champions. Henderson went on to wrestle at both Cal State Fullerton and Arizona State University, participating in the 1993 NCAA championships. He represented the United States in the 1992 and 1996 Summer Olympics in Greco-Roman wrestling.

Mixed martial arts career

He began training in mixed martial arts in 1997, when he joined the Real American Wrestling team (RAW).

Early career and UFC

In his first year of MMA competition, Henderson won the Brazil Open, a four-man heavyweight tournament. Just one year later, he won the ''UFC 17'' tournament, defeating Allan Goes and Carlos Newton. In his next MMA fight, Henderson defeated five opponents over the course of two events to claim the 1999 RINGS King of Kings title. He won two fights on October 28, 1999 in Tokyo, Japan, to qualify for the finals, and then beat Gilbert Yvel, Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira and Renato Sobral on the evening of February 26, 2000, to win the tournament.

Pride FC

Henderson later began competing in Pride Fighting Championships, fighting primarily in the middleweight (205 lb) division. In Pride, Henderson competed against many of the sport's elite fighters, including Wanderlei Silva, Renzo Gracie, Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira, Ricardo Arona, Murilo Rua, Murilo Bustamante, Yuki Kondo, Ryo Chonan and Akihiro Gono.

When Pride began its Bushido brand, Henderson won their first welterweight tournament, defeating Ryo Chonan and Akihiro Gono by knockout, and then defeating Bustamante by split decision in the finals to capture the welterweight title. At Pride Bushido 10, Henderson defeated Kazuo Misaki by unanimous decision after hurting him with strikes on numerous occasions. Henderson later entered the second Pride Welterweight Grand Prix, losing by decision in a rematch with Misaki.

Henderson's final Pride bout was a rematch with Wanderlei Silva at Pride 33 in Las Vegas, Nevada on February 24, 2007, where he scored a one-punch knockout victory to become Middleweight Champion, while still holding his Welterweight title. Henderson became the first fighter to simultaneously hold titles in two different weight classes in a major MMA organization.

UFC return

On September 8, 2007, Henderson returned to the UFC to face light heavyweight champion Quinton "Rampage" Jackson at ''UFC 75'' in London, England. In a closely contested fight that saw Henderson impose his will early, Jackson controlled the later rounds and won a five-round unanimous decision to retain his title and gain the Pride middleweight title.

On November 17, 2007, it was announced during the post fight at ''UFC 78'' that Henderson would fight UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva to unify the Pride welterweight (183 lb) and UFC middleweight (185 lb) championships. ''UFC 82'' took place on March 1, 2008 and was held at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Despite winning the first round, Henderson lost via submission at 4:52 of the second round by rear naked choke.

Henderson bounced back from his inauspicious start in the UFC with a victory over highly-touted Brazilian jiu jitsu ace Rousimar Palhares at ''UFC 88,'' winning by unanimous decision. It was his first win in the UFC in over ten years. After the bout, Henderson laughed and said, "Hopefully I don't have to wait that long before I get my next win."

Henderson returned to the light heavyweight division to face former UFC Middleweight champion Rich Franklin on January 17, 2009, at ''UFC 93'' in Dublin, Ireland. Henderson won the fight via a split decision following an eye-poke in the third round that many, including Franklin himself, thought was intentional. He was subsequently selected to lead Team U.S. on season 9 of The Ultimate Fighter, with Michael Bisping coaching the opposing Team UK.

Coaching ''The Ultimate Fighter'' and aftermath

The reality TV show, which spawned a feud between the two coaches that continued until their fight, aired on Spike TV and premiered on April 1, 2009, with the live finale on June 20, 2009 in Las Vegas. Dan received a high-end Land Rover for being coach on the show, along with Bisping.

On July 11, 2009 at ''UFC 100'' at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Henderson and Bisping settled their differences with their fists, culminating with Henderson becoming the first man to knock Bisping out, doing so in the second round with a right hook to the jaw as Bisping was circling to Henderson's right. This win put Henderson back into contention for a title shot at the UFC Middleweight Champion. The knockout punch also won Henderson a $100,000 bonus for "Knockout of the Night."

Controversy arose from the fight due to Henderson immediately following up his knockout punch with a flying forearm-drop to the prone Bisping's head shortly before referee Mario Yamasaki ended the fight at 3:20. Immediately after the fight, Henderson addressed the issue of the final blow to the knocked-out Bisping, saying "Normally I'm not that way in fights. I know if the guy's out, I tend to stop. I knew I hit him out and I think that one was just to shut him up a little bit."

After UFC president Dana White said Henderson had made those comments in jest, Henderson clarified stating, "When you're in the heat of the moment, the ref hadn't stopped me yet, who knows what's going to happen, if he's going to recover. I really only hit him twice, once on my feet, once on the ground. I didn't keep going. I didn't go after him after the ref tried to stop me, it was nothing like that. It was a reaction of mine to keep going until I was stopped—and you know, it did feel good though."

Strikeforce

Dan Henderson signed a four-fight, 16-month deal with Strikeforce on December 5, 2009, after his contract expired with the UFC. Henderson made his Strikeforce debut on April 17, 2010 at ''Strikeforce on CBS'' against Jake Shields. He was also eyed for a light heavyweight match against Gegard Mousasi, and expressed interest in eventually fighting Fedor Emelianenko at some point during his contract. Henderson lost his Strikeforce debut to Jake Shields. Despite hurting Shields and knocking him down in the 1st round, Henderson went on to lose by unanimous decision. The majority of the last rounds were spent on the ground where Shields controlled the fight via grappling. (49–46, 49–45, 48–45).

Henderson faced Renato Sobral on December 4, 2010 at ''Strikeforce: Henderson vs. Babalu''. Henderson won the fight via KO at 1:53 of the first round.

Henderson defeated Rafael Cavalcante via third round TKO for the Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Championship at ''Strikeforce 32''. After two rounds in which all three judges had the score tied 19-19, Henderson dropped Cavalcante with his famed right hand in the third. Cavalcante went down face-first, and could not recover, taking six shots on the ground before referee Dan Miragliotta called the fight off at the 0:50 mark.

Henderson fought Fedor Emelianenko on July 30, 2011 at ''Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Henderson''. Many had speculated that Henderson would meet Fedor at a catch weight, but Strikeforce later confirmed the fight as a heavyweight bout. Henderson said, “Its tough for me to gain weight. I did weightlifting and plenty of eating; I don’t know what else I’m supposed to do. I’m not going to feel outmatched or small in there.” He had to step on the scales weighing at least 206 pounds in order to qualify for the heavyweight division, and weighed in at 207. Fedor weighed in at his normal weight, with the scale reading 223 pounds. Henderson defeated Emelianenko via TKO (punches) at 4:12 of the 1st round. It was also noted that this was the last fight under Henderson's current Strikeforce contract. Henderson expressed that he would like to re-sign in order to defend his Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Championship.

Possible return to the UFC

Shortly after the UFC 133 pre-fight press conference, Dana White commented on the potential to bring Henderson back to the UFC for a third go-around. “We’ll see what happens,” White said on Thursday in Philadelphia. “‘Hendo and I have had some history in dealing. We’ll see if we can figure something out and get him back in the UFC.” Later Henderson commented, “I think the biggest fight they could promote is probably a title unification with whoever is the champ in the UFC.”

Personal life

Dan Henderson is part Welsh, Scottish, French and Native American. He grew up on a ranch in Apple Valley, California. He started wrestling at a young age and started being noticed as a relentless competitor. When he entered high school he placed on the wrestling team with his brother Tom at Victor Valley High, which was coached by Sam Gollmyer and assisted by their father Bill Henderson and Joe Barrios.

Dan was also coached by Bob Anderson, of the California Jets (now a defunct organization). He placed second at the California State Wrestling Championship in 1987 and Victor Valley won the team title. In 1988, he placed fifth in the state finals and several months later won national crowns in both freestyle and Greco Roman at the Junior Nationals in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

He has three children with his wife Alison. He now lives in Temecula, California and is currently associated with Team Quest where he trains with fellow fighters Matt Lindland and Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou. He is currently training fighters such as newcomer Albert Mercado, Krzysztof Soszynski, Phil Davis, Dave Kohn, Tyron Woodley, Jake Morris, and Justin Nelson. Henderson has also made guest appearances on television shows such as ''The King of Queens'', ''The Best Damn Sports Show Period'', ''Inside MMA'' and ''Rome is Burning''.

According to the March 2007 ''Confederated Umatilla Journal'': "Henderson's grandmother, Alice (Bergevin) LeJune, is an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes and owns land on the Umatilla Indian Reservation. From all accounts, Henderson is 1/16 Walla Walla Native American." In the interview Henderson commented: "Now I know I'm Walla Walla. It's refreshing to find some of those things out. I look Indian and I knew I had some, but I didn't know what tribe or exactly how much. It will be good to be able to tell my kids about their heritage."

Clinch Gear

Henderson owns the Clinch Gear MMA apparel brand, which he acquired in January 2007 after wearing Clinch Gear shorts in many of his fights in the preceding two years. He has grown the product line to include 11 colors of performance board shorts in two styles, including the Primo Hendo signature model.

Team Quest

Dan Henderson is an owner of Team Quest Fitness Gym located in Murrieta, California.

As of February 28, 2011, Henderson is in litigation over the Team Quest trademark with former teammate Matt Lindland.

Championships and awards

Amateur wrestling

International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles

*FILA Junior World Greco-Roman Championship (1990)

*1994 FILA World Championships Greco-Roman (12th place)

*1997 FILA World Championships Greco-Roman (7th place)

*1998 FILA Greco-Roman Test Tournament Winner

Olympic Games

*1992 Summer Olympic Games Greco-Roman (10th place)

*1996 Summer Olympic Games Greco-Roman (12th place)

Pan American Games

*1995 Pan American Games Greco-Roman Bronze Medalist

World Cup Wrestling

*1994 Greco-Roman World Cup Silver Medalist

*1996 Greco-Roman World Cup Silver Medalist

Pan American Championships

*1994 Pan Am Greco-Roman Silver Medalist

*1998 Pan Am Greco-Roman Bronze Medalist

*2000 Pan Am Greco-Roman Gold Medalist

United States National Championships

*USA Junior Freestyle Championship (1988)

*USA Junior Greco-Roman Championship (1988)

*USA University Greco-Roman Championship (1991, 1993, 1994)

*USA Senior Greco-Roman Championship (1993, 1994, 1997)

Mixed martial arts

Strikeforce

*Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Championship (One time; Current)

*Oldest fighter to win a title in Strikeforce history (40 years, 194 days)

PRIDE Fighting Championships

*PRIDE World Middleweight Championship (One time; Last)

*PRIDE World Welterweight Championship (One time; First; Last)

*2005 PRIDE Welterweight Grand Prix Champion

Ultimate Fighting Championship

*UFC 17 Middleweight Tournament Winner

*Fight of the Night (One time)

*Knockout of the Night (One time)

Fighting Network RINGS

*RINGS King of Kings 1999 Tournament Winner

Brazil Open Fight

*Brazil Open 1997 Lightweight Tournament Winner

Black Belt Magazine

*2007 MMA Fighter of the Year

World MMA Awards

*2009 Knockout of the Year vs. Michael Bisping on July 11

Inside Fights

2009 Knockout of the Year vs. Michael Bisping on July 11

FIGHT! Magazine

2009 Knockout of the Year vs. Michael Bisping on July 11

Mixed martial arts record

| Win |align=center| 28-8 | Fedor Emelianenko | TKO (punches) | Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Henderson | |align=center| 1 |align=center| 4:12 | Hoffman Estates, Illinois, USA | |- | Win |align=center| 27–8 | Rafael Cavalcante | TKO (punches) | Strikeforce: Feijao vs. Henderson | |align=center| 3 |align=center| 0:50 | Columbus, Ohio, USA | |- | Win |align=center| 26–8 | Renato Sobral | KO (punches) | Strikeforce: St. Louis | |align=center| 1 |align=center| 1:53 | St. Louis, Missouri, USA | |- | Loss |align=center| 25–8 | Jake Shields | Decision (unanimous) | Strikeforce: Nashville | |align=center| 5 |align=center| 5:00 | Nashville, Tennessee, USA | |- | Win |align=center| 25–7 | Michael Bisping | KO (punch) | UFC 100 | |align=center| 2 |align=center| 3:20 | Las Vegas, Nevada, USA | |- | Win |align=center| 24–7 | Rich Franklin | Decision (split) | UFC 93 | |align=center| 3 |align=center| 5:00 | Dublin, Ireland | |- | Win |align=center| 23–7 | Rousimar Palhares | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 88 | |align=center| 3 |align=center| 5:00 | Atlanta, Georgia, USA | |- | Loss |align=center| 22–7 | Anderson Silva | Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFC 82 | |align=center| 2 |align=center| 4:50 | Columbus, Ohio, USA | |- | Loss |align=center| 22–6 | Quinton Jackson | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 75 | |align=center| 5 |align=center| 5:00 | London, England | |- | Win |align=center| 22–5 | Wanderlei Silva | KO (punch) | Pride 33 | |align=center| 3 |align=center| 2:08 | Las Vegas, Nevada, USA | |- | Win |align=center| 21–5 | Vitor Belfort | Decision (unanimous) | Pride 32 | |align=center| 3 |align=center| 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, USA | |- | Loss |align=center| 20–5 | Kazuo Misaki | Decision (unanimous) | Pride Bushido 12 | |align=center| 2 |align=center| 5:00 | Nagoya, Japan | |- | Win |align=center| 20–4 | Kazuo Misaki | Decision (unanimous) | Pride Bushido 10 | |align=center| 2 |align=center| 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |- | Win |align=center| 19–4 | Murilo Bustamante | Decision (split) | Pride Shockwave 2005 | |align=center| 2 |align=center| 5:00 | Saitama, Japan | |- | Win |align=center| 18–4 | Akihiro Gono | KO (punch) | Pride Bushido 9 | |align=center| 1 |align=center| 7:58 | Tokyo, Japan | |- | Win |align=center| 17–4 | Ryo Chonan | KO (punch) | Pride Bushido 9 | |align=center| 1 |align=center| 0:22 | Tokyo, Japan | |- | Loss |align=center| 16–4 | Antônio Rogério Nogueira | Submission (armbar) | Pride Total Elimination 2005 | |align=center| 1 |align=center| 8:05 | Osaka, Japan | |- | Win |align=center| 16–3 | Yuki Kondo | Decision (split) | Pride Shockwave 2004 | |align=center| 3 |align=center| 5:00 | Saitama, Japan | |- | Win |align=center| 15–3 | Kazuhiro Nakamura | TKO (shoulder injury) | Pride 28 | |align=center| 1 |align=center| 1:15 | Saitama, Japan | |- | Win |align=center| 14–3 | Murilo Bustamante | KO (punches) | Pride Final Conflict 2003 | |align=center| 1 |align=center| 0:53 | Tokyo, Japan | |- | Win |align=center| 13–3 | Shungo Oyama | TKO (punches) | Pride 25 | |align=center| 1 |align=center| 3:28 | Yokohama, Japan | |- | Loss |align=center| 12–3 | Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira | Submission (armbar) | Pride 24 | |align=center| 3 |align=center| 1:49 | Fukuoka, Japan | |- | Loss |align=center| 12–2 | Ricardo Arona | Decision (split) | Pride 20 | |align=center| 3 |align=center| 5:00 | Yokohama, Japan | |- | Win |align=center| 12–1 | Murilo Rua | Decision (split) | Pride 17 | |align=center| 3 |align=center| 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |- | Win |align=center| 11–1 | Akira Shoji | TKO (punches & knees) | Pride 14 | |align=center| 3 |align=center| 3:18 | Yokohama, Japan | |- | Win |align=center| 10–1 | Renzo Gracie | KO (punches) | Pride 13 | |align=center| 1 |align=center| 1:40 | Saitama, Japan | |- | Loss |align=center| 9–1 | Wanderlei Silva | Decision (unanimous) | Pride 12 | |align=center| 2 |align=center| 10:00 | Saitama, Japan | |- | Win |align=center| 9–0 | Renato Sobral | Decision (majority) | King of Kings Tournament 1999 | |align=center| 2 |align=center| 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |- | Win |align=center| 8–0 | Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira | Decision (split) | King of Kings Tournament 1999 | |align=center| 3 |align=center| 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |- | Win |align=center| 7–0 | Gilbert Yvel | Decision (unanimous) | King of Kings Tournament 1999 | |align=center| 2 |align=center| 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |- | Win |align=center| 6–0 | Hiromitsu Kanehara | Decision (majority) | King of Kings Tournament 1999 | |align=center| 2 |align=center| 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |- | Win |align=center| 5–0 | Bakouri Gogitidze | Submission (knee strikes) | King of Kings Tournament 1999 | |align=center| 1 |align=center| 2:17 | Tokyo, Japan | |- | Win |align=center| 4–0 | Carlos Newton | Decision (split) | UFC 17 | |align=center| 1 |align=center| 15:00 | Mobile, Alabama, USA | |- | Win |align=center| 3–0 | Allan Goes | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 17 | |align=center| 1 |align=center| 15:00 | Mobile, Alabama, USA | |- | Win |align=center| 2–0 | Eric Smith | Technical submission (guillotine choke) | Brazil Open '97 | |align=center| 1 |align=center| 0:30 | Brazil | |- | Win |align=center| 1–0 | Crezio de Souza | TKO (punches) | Brazil Open '97 | |align=center| 1 |align=center| 5:25 | Brazil |

Championships and accomplishments

– present

References

External links

Official Dan Henderson MySpace

Clinch Gear

Official Clinch Gear MySpace

Dan Henderson at the National Wrestling Hall of Fame

Team Quest

Category:1971 births Category:Living people Category:American people of English descent Category:American people of French descent Category:American people of Scottish descent Category:Native American sportspeople Category:American mixed martial artists Category:Mixed martial artists from California Category:Welterweight mixed martial artists Category:Middleweight mixed martial artists Category:Light heavyweight mixed martial artists Category:Pride Fighting Championships champions Category:American sport wrestlers Category:Wrestlers at the 1992 Summer Olympics Category:Wrestlers at the 1996 Summer Olympics

als:Dan Henderson de:Dan Henderson fr:Dan Henderson ja:ダン・ヘンダーソン pl:Dan Henderson pt:Dan Henderson ru:Хендерсон, Дэн sv:Dan Henderson uk:Ден Хендерсон

name	Charley Pride
background	solo_singer
birth name	Charley Frank Pride
birth date	March 18, 1938
other names	Charlie Pride
origin	Sledge, Mississippi, United States
instrument	Guitar, vocals
genre	Country music
occupation	SingerFormer Professional Baseball playerbusiness and radio station owner
years active	1966–present
label	RCA16th AvenueMusic City
website	http://www.charleypride.com/ }}

Charley Frank Pride (born March 18, 1938) is an American country music singer. His smooth baritone voice was featured on thirty-nine number-one hits on the ''Billboard'' Hot Country Songs charts. His greatest success came in the early- to mid-1970s, when he became the best-selling performer for RCA Records since Elvis Presley. His chart success and recordings since the late 1980s have been sporadic, but Pride continued touring successfully.

Pride is one of the few Black country musicians to have had considerable success in the largely Caucasian country music industry and the only one to be inducted into the Grand Ole Opry. In 2010, Pride became a special investor and minority owner of the Texas Rangers baseball club.

Early life and career

Pride was born in Sledge, Mississippi, one of eleven children of poor sharecroppers. His father intended to name him Charl Frank Pride, but owing to a clerical error on his birth certificate, his legal name is Charley Frank Pride. In his early teens, Pride began playing guitar.

Though he also loved music, one of Pride's life-long dreams was to become a professional baseball player. In 1952, he pitched for the Memphis Red Sox of the Negro American League. He pitched well, and, in 1953, he signed a contract with the Boise Yankees, the Class C farm team of the New York Yankees. During that season, an injury caused him to lose the "mustard" on his fastball, and he was sent to the Yankees' Class D team in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. Later that season, while in the Negro leagues with the Louisville Clippers, he and another player (Jesse Mitchell), were traded to the Birmingham Black Barons for a team bus. "Jesse and I may have the distinction of being the only players in history to be traded for a used motor vehicle," Pride mused in his 1994 autobiography.

He pitched for several other minor league teams, his hopes of making it to the big leagues still alive. Pride appeared to be advancing to a career in baseball, but the Army derailed this. After serving two years in the military, he tried to return to baseball. Though hindered by an injury to his throwing arm, Pride briefly played for the Missoula Timberjacks of the Pioneer League (a farm club of the Cincinnati Reds) in 1960, and had tryouts with the California Angels (1961) and the New York Mets (1962) organizations, but was not picked up by either team. He worked construction in Helena, Montana during this time. When it became apparent that he was not destined for greatness on the baseball diamond, Pride pursued a music career.

On June 5, 2008, Pride, his brother, Mack "The Knife" Pride, and 28 other living former Negro league players were "drafted" by each of the 30 Major League Baseball teams in a recognition of the on-field achievements and historical relevance of 30 mostly forgotten Negro league stars. Pride was picked by the Texas Rangers while his brother was taken by the Colorado Rockies.

Rise to music fame

While he was active in baseball, Pride had been encouraged to join the music business by country stars such as Red Sovine and Red Foley, and was working towards this career. In 1958, in Memphis, Tennessee, Pride visited Sun Studios and recorded some songs. One song has survived on tape, and was released in the United Kingdom as part of a box set. The song is a slow stroll in walking tempo called "Walkin' (the Stroll)."

Nashville manager and agent Jack D. Johnson signed Pride and landed him a contract with a record label, and he caught the ear of record producer Chet Atkins. Atkins was the longtime producer of RCA Records who had made stars out of country singers such as Jim Reeves, Skeeter Davis and others. Pride was signed to RCA in 1965. In January 1966, he released his first single with RCA, "The Snakes Crawl at Night", which did not chart. On the records of this song submitted to radio stations for airplay, the singer was listed as "Country Charley Pride". At this time, country music was a white medium. Jack made sure that there were no pictures of Pride distributed for the first two years of his career, in order to avoid the effects of Jim Crowism.

Soon after the release of "The Snakes Crawl at Night", Pride released another single called "Before I Met You", which also did not chart. Soon after, Pride's third single, "Just Between You and Me", was released. This song was the one that finally brought Pride success on the Country charts. The song reached #9 on US Country chart.

Height of his career

The success of "Just Between You and Me" was enormous. He won a Grammy Award for the song the next year.

In 1967, he became the first black performer to appear at the Grand Ole Opry since harmonica player DeFord Bailey. Bailey was a regular cast member of the Opry from 1925 through 1941, and made a final appearance in 1974. Pride also appeared in 1967 on the American Broadcasting Company's "The Lawrence Welk Show".

Between 1969 and 1971 Pride had eight single records that simultaneously reached number one on the US Country Hit Parade and also charted on the Billboard Hot 100: "All I Have to Offer You (Is Me)", "(I'm So) Afraid of Losing You Again", "I Can't Believe That You've Stopped Loving Me", "I'd Rather Love You", "Is Anybody Goin' to San Antone", "Wonder Could I Live There Anymore?", "I'm Just Me", and "Kiss an Angel Good Mornin'". The pop success of these songs reflected the country/pop crossover sound that was reaching Country music in the 1960s and early 1970s, known as "Countrypolitan". In 1969 his compilation album, ''The Best of Charley Pride'' sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc.

Pride sang the Paul Newman directed film ''Sometimes a Great Notion'''s main soundtrack song "All His Children" in 1970. The film starred Newman and Henry Fonda and received two Oscar nominations in 1972, one being for the song that Pride sang.

"Kiss an Angel Good Mornin'"

In 1971, he would release what would become his biggest hit "Kiss an Angel Good Mornin'", a million-selling crossover single that helped Pride land the Country Music Association's prestigious Entertainer of the Year award, as well as Top Male Vocalist. He won CMA's Top Male Vocalist award again in 1972.

"Kiss an Angel Good Mornin'" became Pride's signature tune. Besides being a five-week country #1 in late 1971 and early 1972, the song was also his only pop Top 40 hit, hitting #21, and reaching the Top Ten of the Adult Contemporary charts as well.

Pride during the 1970s, 1980s and beyond

During the rest of the 1970s and into the 1980s, Pride continued to rack up country music hits. Other Pride standards of the 1970s and 1980s include "Mississippi Cotton Picking Delta Town," "Someone Loves You, Honey," "When I Stop Leavin' (I'll Be Gone)," "Burgers and Fries", "I Don't Think She's in Love Anymore", "Roll On Mississippi", "Never Been So Loved (In All My Life)" and "You're So Good When You're Bad." Like many other country performers, he has paid tribute to Hank Williams, with an album of songs that were all written by Hank entitled ''There's a Little Bit of Hank in Me'', which included top-sellers of Williams' classics "Kaw-Liga," "Honky Tonk Blues" and "You Win Again".

Pride has sold over 70 million records (singles, albums, compilation included).

He stayed with RCA Records until 1986. At that point, he grew angry over the fact that the record company began to promote newer artists and not older artists who had been with the company for years. He moved on to 16th Avenue Records, where Pride bounced back with the #5 hit, "Shouldn't it be Easier Than This." He had a few minor hits with 16th Avenue, as well.

Pride's lifelong passion for baseball continues; he has an annual tradition of joining the Texas Rangers for workouts during Spring Training. A big Rangers fan (Dallas has been his home for many years), Pride is often seen at their games.

In 2008, Pride received the Mississippi Arts Commission's lifetime achievement award during the organization's Governor's Awards for Excellence in the Arts.

Personal

Pride met his future wife, Rozene, while playing baseball in the southern states. They were married in 1956. They have two sons (Kraig, Dion) and a daughter (Angela). They currently reside in Dallas, Texas. Kraig now goes by the name Carlton and has somewhat followed in his father's footsteps as a performing artist. His band, Carlton Pride and Zion started in San Marcos, Texas in 1995 and they perform a variety of reggae, funk, and soul music throughout the United States.

In 1994 Pride co-wrote (with Jim Henderson) his autobiography, ''Pride: The Charley Pride Story''. In this book he reveals that he has struggled for years with manic depression.

Pride had a tumor removed from right vocal cord in 1997 at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. He returned to the site in February 2009 for a routine checkup and surprised the Arkansas Senate with an unplanned performance of five songs. He was joined by Governor Mike Beebe during the show. Pride is an avid fan and part owner of the Texas Rangers. He sang the national anthem before game 5 of the 2010 World Series, played between the Texas Rangers and San Francisco Giants.

Film

On April 29, 2011 it was announced that a biopic was in the works based on Pride's life and career. The film will be produced by and star actor and professional wrestler, Dwayne Johnson.

Chronology

1960s, Pride lived in Helena, MT and played legion baseball for the Helena Smelterites.

January 1966 - "The Snakes Crawl At Night" his first RCA Single is issued, receives airplay but does not chart.

June 1966 - Second RCA Single - "Before I Met You" also does not chart.

December 1966 – Makes his debut on the ''Billboard magazine'' Hot Country Singles chart with "Just Between You and Me." The song would peak in the top 10 less than three months later; two earlier singles had failed to chart.

August 9, 1969 – Scores his first ''Billboard'' No. 1 hit with "All I Have to Offer You Is Me."

September 6, 1969 – Pride appears on national television on ''The Johnny Cash Show'' to perform a medley of Hank Williams songs with Cash. Pride's medley with Cash can be seen here.

1971 – Enjoys the biggest hit of his career with the million-seller "Kiss an Angel Good Mornin'." The song was his eighth No. 1 on the ''Billboard'' Hot Country Singles chart, and spent five weeks atop the chart.

September 17, 1983 – Scores his 29th and final No. 1 hit on ''Billboard'' with "Night Games." He still remains sixth on the all-time list of most No. 1 hits on the ''Billboard'' country charts. "Night Games" would be the last song performed by a black artist to hit the top of the Billboard country charts until Darius Rucker's "Don't Think I Don't Think About It" reached #1 in 2008.

May 1, 1993 – Pride accepted an invitation to join the Grand Ole Opry, in the process becoming the first black Opry regular in the show's more than 70-year history.

1994 – Pride released his autobiography, ''Pride: The Charley Pride Story'' (published by William Morrow).

June 1994 – Pride was honored by the Academy of Country Music with its prestigious Pioneer Award.

January 1996 – Pride was honored with a Trumpet Award by Turner Broadcasting, marking outstanding African-American Achievement. His 1981 hit, "Roll On Mississippi", is considered the official song of his home state, a stretch of Mississippi highway was named for him and he headlined a special Christmas performance for President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary Clinton at the White House. July 1999 – Pride received his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. March 25, 2003 - Received the Texas Cultural Trust's Texas Medal of Arts.

March 27, 2003 - Ranked #18 on ''CMT's 40 Greatest Men in Country Music''.

May 20, 2003 – Pride's album, ''Comfort of Her Wings'', was released on Music City Records.

November 7, 2006 – Pride's album, ''Pride & Joy: A Gospel Music Collection'', was released on Music City Records.

January 10, 2008 - Received a lifetime achievement award from the Mississippi Arts Commission.

Discography

Awards

American Music Awards

1973 Favorite Country Album - "A Sun Shiny Day"

1973 Favorite Country Male Artist

1976 Favorite Country Male Artist

Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

Inducted in 2000

Country Music Association

1971 Entertainer of the Year

1971 Male Vocalist of the Year

1972 Male Vocalist of the Year

Grammy Awards

1972 Best Country Vocal Performance, Male - "Charley Pride Sings Heart Songs"

Sources

''Country Music: The Rough Guide''; Wolff, Kurt; Penguin Publishing

Allmusic.com

See also

Grand Ole Opry

Inductees of the Country Music Hall of Fame (2000 inductee)

References

External links

Official Website

Record Label

at the Grand Ole Opry

Category:1938 births Category:Living people Category:African American musicians Category:African American singers Category:American country musicians Category:American country singers Category:Country Music Hall of Fame inductees Category:Grammy Award winners Category:Grand Ole Opry members Category:Memphis Red Sox players Category:Minor league baseball players Category:Musicians from Dallas, Texas Category:Musicians from Mississippi Category:Negro league baseball players Category:People from Montana Category:People from Quitman County, Mississippi Category:People with bipolar disorder Category:RCA Victor artists

de:Charley Pride fo:Charley Pride fr:Charley Pride sw:Charley Frank Pride sv:Charley Pride