Grappling refers to techniques, maneuvers, and counters applied to an opponent in order to gain a physical advantage, such as improving relative position, escaping, submitting, or injury to the opponent. Grappling is a general term that covers techniques used in many disciplines, styles and martial arts that are practiced both as combat sports and for self defense. Grappling does not typically include striking or most commonly the use of weapons, however some grappling disciplines teach tactics that include strikes and weapons either alongside grappling or as part of it.

Types of Technique

Grappling techniques can be broadly subdivided into Clinch fighting; Takedowns and Throws; Submission holds and Pinning or Controlling Techniques; and Sweeps, Reversals, Turnovers, and Escapes.

Clinching, or clinch work, takes place with both competitors on their feet using various clinch holds applied to the upper body of the opponent. Clinch work is generally used to set up or defend against throws or takedowns.

Takedowns A takedown is used by one grappler to manipulate his or her opponent from a position where both are initially standing, to a position on the ground. The grappler completing the takedown aims to end on top of the opponent in a position of relative control.

Throws: A throw is a technique in which one grappler lifts or off-balances his or her opponent and maneuvers him or her forcefully through the air or to the ground. The purpose of throws varies among the different disciplines of grappling with some emphasizing throws with the potential to incapacitate the opponent, while leaving the thrower standing, or to gain a takedown or controlling position.

Submission holds: There are generally two types of submission holds: those that would potentially strangle or suffocate an opponent (chokes), and those that would potentially cause injury to a joint or other body part (locks). In sport grappling, a competitor is expected to submit, either verbally or by tapping the opponent, to admit defeat when he is caught in a submission hold that he or she cannot escape. Competitors who refuse to "tap out" risk unconsciousness or serious injury.

Pinning or Controlling Techniques: A pin involves holding an opponent on his or her back in a position where he or she is unable to attack. In some styles of competitive grappling a pin is an instant victory, and in other styles it is considered a dominant position that is rewarded with points. Other controlling techniques are used to hold an opponent face down on the ground or on all fours in order to prevent an escape or attack.

Escapes: In a general sense, an escape is accomplished by maneuvering out of danger or from an inferior position; for example when a grappler who is underneath side control is able to moves to guard or gets back to their feet or when a grappler is able to maneuver out of a submission attempt and back to a position where he or she is no longer in immediate danger of being submitted.

Turnovers: used to maneuver an opponent who is on all fours or flat on their stomach to their back, in order to score points, prepare for a pin or in order to gain a more dominant position.

Reversals or Sweeps: These occur when a grappler who was underneath his or her opponent on the ground is able to maneuver so that he or she gains a top position over his opponent.

Use

The degree to which grappling is utilized in different fighting systems varies. Some systems, such as amateur wrestling, submission wrestling, judo, sumo, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu are exclusively grappling arts and do not allow striking. Grappling is not allowed in all martial arts and combat sports; usually for the sake of focusing on other aspects of combat such as punching, kicking or mêlée weapons. Opponents in these types of matches, however, still grapple with each other occasionally when fatigued or in pain; when this occurs, the referee will step in and restart the match, sometimes giving a warning to one or both of the fighters. Examples of these include boxing, kickboxing, taekwondo, karate, and fencing. While prolonged grappling in muay Thai will result in a separation of the competitors, the art extensively uses the clinch hold known as a double collar tie.

Grappling techniques and defenses to grappling techniques are also considered important in self-defense applications and in law enforcement. The most common grappling techniques taught for self defense are escapes from holds and application of pain compliance techniques.

Grappling can be trained for self defense, sport, and mixed martial arts (MMA) competition.

==Stand-up grappling== Stand-up grappling or sometimes clinching, is arguably an integral part of all grappling and clinch fighting arts, considering that two combatants generally start fighting from a stand-up position. The aim of stand-up grappling varies according to the martial arts or combat sports in question. Defensive stand-up grappling concerns itself with pain-compliance holds and escapes from possible grappling holds applied by an opponent, while offensive grappling techniques include submission holds, trapping, takedowns and throws, all of which can be used to inflict serious damage, or to move the fight to the ground. Stand-up grappling can also be used both offensively and defensively in combination with striking, either to prevent the opponent from obtaining sufficient distance to strike effectively, or to bring the opponent close to apply, for instance, knee strikes such as in Muay Thai.

In combat sports, stand-up grappling usually revolves around successful takedowns and throws. In some sports such as glima, the fight is over once one of the opponents has fallen down. In others, the fight may continue on the ground until some other condition (such as a submission hold or pin) is met.

==Ground grappling== Ground grappling refers to all the grappling techniques that are applied while the grapplers are no longer in a standing position. A large part of most martial arts and combat sports which feature ground grappling is positioning and obtaining a dominant position. A dominant position (usually on top) allows the dominant grappler a variety of options, including: attempting to escape by standing up, obtaining a pin or hold-down to control and exhaust the opponent, executing a submission hold, or striking the opponent. The bottom grappler is, on the other hand, concerned with escaping the situation and improving his position, typically by using a sweep or reversal. In some disciplines, especially those where the guard is used, the bottom grappler may also be able to finish the fight from the bottom by a submission hold.

Applications

When unskilled fighters get embroiled in combat, a common reaction is to grab the opponent in an attempt to slow the situation down by holding them still, resulting in an unsystematic struggle that relies on brute force. A skilled fighter, in contrast, can perform takedowns as a way of progressing to a superior position such as a mount or side control, or using clinch holds and ground positions to set up strikes, choke holds, and joint locks. A grappler who has been taken down to the ground can use defensive positions such as the guard, which protects against being mounted or attacked. If a grappler is strong and can utilize leverage well, a takedown or throw itself can be a form of dix; the impact can render an opponent unconscious. On the other hand, grappling also offers the possibility of controlling an opponent without injuring them. For this reason, most police staff receive some training in grappling. Likewise, grappling sports have been devised so that their participants can compete using full physical effort without injuring their opponents.

Grappling is called ''dumog'' in Eskrima. The term ''chin na'' in Chinese martial arts deals with the use of grappling to achieve submission or incapacitation of the opponent (these may involve the use of acupressure points). Some Chinese martial arts, aikido and some eskrima systems—as well as medieval and Renaissance European martial arts—practice grappling while one or both participants is armed. This practice is significantly more dangerous than unarmed grappling and generally requires a great deal of training.

Types of grappling

There are many different regional styles of grappling around the world that are practised within a limited geographic area or country. Other grappling styles like Shoot wrestling, Catch wrestling, FILA Grappling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Judo, luta livre esportiva, Sambo and several types of wrestling including Freestyle, Greco-Roman have gained global popularity. Judo, Freestyle Wrestling, and Greco-Roman Wrestling are Olympic Sports while Brazilian Jiu-jitsu and Sambo have their own World Championship Competitions. Other known grappling-oriented systems are luta luta livre esportiva, shuai jiao, malla-yuddha, aikido, hapkido, and catch wrestling.

In these arts, the object is either to take down and pin the opponent, or to catch the adversary in a specialized chokehold or joint lock which forces him or her to submit and admit defeat or be rendered helpless (unconscious or broken limbs). There are two forms of dress for grappling that dictate pace and style of action: with a jacket, such as a ''gi'' or kurtka, and without. The jacket, or "gi", form most often utilizes grips on the cloth to control the opponent's body, while the "no-''gi''" form emphasizes body control of the torso and head using only the natural holds provided by the body. The use of a jacket is compulsory in judo competition, sambo competition, and most Brazilian jiu-jitsu competition, as well as a variety of folk wrestling styles around the world. Jackets are not used in many forms of wrestling, such as Olympic Freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling.

Grappling techniques are also used in mixed martial arts along with striking techniques, including using strikes to set up grappling techniques and vice-versa. Some martial artists, such as the Dog Brothers, combine grappling with the use of weapons.

FILA

FILA defines grappling as a wrestling style — also called "submission wrestling" or "submission grappling" — which consists of controlling the opponent without using striking, in standing position or on the ground after a throw.

See also

Clinch fighting

Combatives

Grappling hold

Grappling position

Ground fighting

Submission wrestling

Brazilian Jui Jitsu

References

Gracie; Renzo, Gracie, Royler; Peligro, Kid; Danaher, John (2001). ''Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Theory and technique''. Invisible Cities Press. ISBN 1-931229-08-2.

Ohlenkamp, Neil (2006) ''Judo Unleashed'' basic reference on judo. ISBN 0-07-147534-6.

External links

International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles Grappling Committee

University of Szeged Students Union

Category:Combat sports Category:Martial art techniques

de:Grappling es:Agarre fr:Grappling id:Pergumulan it:Grappling nl:Grappling ja:グラップリング no:Grappling oc:Grappling pl:Grappling pt:Grappling ru:Грэпплинг sv:Grappling

Coordinates	28°36′36″N77°13′48″N
name	Matt Serra
other names	The Terror
birth name	Matthew John Serra
birth date	June 02, 1974
birth place	East Meadow, New York, United States
nationality	American
height
weight
weight class	Welterweight Lightweight
reach
style	Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Boxing
fighting out of	East Meadow, New York
team	Serra Jiu-Jitsu
rank	''2nd degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu''
years active	1999–present
mma win	11
mma kowin	2
mma subwin	5
mma decwin	4
mma loss	7
mma koloss	2
mma decloss	5
relatives	Nick Serra, ''brother''
sherdog	1305
updated	September 26,2010 }}

Matthew John Serra (born June 2, 1974) is an American mixed martial artist and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt. He is a former UFC Welterweight Champion and an ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship silver medalist. He began practicing martial arts at an early age, first studying kung fu. In the 1990s, he began studying Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Renzo Gracie and on May 23, 2000 was awarded his black belt, the first American to do so under Gracie. He is one of only two people in MMA to defeat Georges St-Pierre, the other being Matt Hughes.

Biography

Early career

Serra won first place at the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Pan American games in 1999 and won third place at the 1999 World Championships in Brazil as a brown belt. Continuing his Martial Arts career, he competed in the ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship choking out Takanori Gomi, winning a decision over Jean-Jacques Machado, and placing 2nd in the 66–76 kg division. Serra was invited to compete in Pride 9 against Johil de Oliveira but the bout was called off at the last minute when Oliveira was burned in a pyrotechnics accident backstage. Soon after, Matt began to compete in the UFC organization where he built up a record of four wins and four losses.

''The Ultimate Fighter''

Matt later became a participant in ''The Ultimate Fighter 4: The Comeback'' on SpikeTV. On the show, Serra defeated Pete Spratt and Shonie Carter to reach the finals, his win against Carter avenging his infamous highlight-reel KO loss to Carter at UFC 31. On November 11, 2006, Serra defeated Chris Lytle by split decision to become the Ultimate Fighter 4 Welterweight Tournament Champion.

His win earned him a guaranteed title shot against Georges St-Pierre for the UFC Welterweight Championship, as well as a $100,000 contract and $100,000 sponsorship with Xyience.

Winning the title

Serra fought St-Pierre on April 7, 2007 at UFC 69, and won the UFC Welterweight title via TKO at 3:25 of the first round. Prior to the fight Serra was considered a substantial underdog and consequently the fight is considered to be one of the biggest upsets in MMA history.

''The Ultimate Fighter'' coach

Serra coached season 6 of ''The Ultimate Fighter'' reality show with Matt Hughes. Team Serra finished 6–2 in the first round of fights, winning six consecutive times which gave Serra the right to pick the fights in the second round. However, from then on Serra did not corner a single fighter to victory and saw all his trainees eventually lose out. The finale saw Team Hughes fighters Tommy Speer and Mac Danzig face each other for the title of Ultimate Fighter.

Serra said in season 6 of ''The Ultimate Fighter'' reality show that Joe Scarola lost his job at Serra's jiu-jitsu school for quitting ''The Ultimate Fighter'' within the first week of the show. In exchange, Scarola opened his own academy which has created a feud among the two former friends. Relieving Scarola from his duties was difficult for Serra as the two were close friends, with Scarola serving as best man at Serra's wedding.

The two coaches were scheduled to face off for the UFC welterweight title at the conclusion of the series on UFC 79. Serra, however, was forced to withdraw from the fight due to a herniated disc in his lower back. The injury became evident when Serra was demonstrating a move to his student and fell to the floor in excruciating pain. In Serra's place, Georges St-Pierre fought and defeated Matt Hughes for what was then the interim UFC welterweight title. This led to Serra holding the welterweight title while St-Pierre held the interim title.

After St-Pierre vs Hughes at UFC 79, Serra confirmed to NBC Sports that his back was rapidly improving. He announced that he was scheduled to fight Georges St-Pierre at the first event to take place in Canada, UFC 83. This match would unify the interim and regular welterweight belts.

Rematch with St-Pierre and fight with Matt Hughes

At UFC 83 on April 19, 2008, Serra fought Georges St-Pierre in a match to determine the undisputed welterweight championship during the UFC's first-ever event in Canada, at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec. Instead of striking, St-Pierre pressed the action early with a takedown and kept mixing up his attack, never allowing Serra the chance to mount a significant offense. In the second round, St-Pierre continued his previous actions, forcing Serra into the turtle position and delivering repeated knees to Serra's midsection. When Serra was unable to improve his position or defend against the strikes, referee Yves Lavigne stopped the fight.

Serra suffered a unanimous decision loss to Matt Hughes at UFC 98. Serra hurt Hughes early on in the fight with an inadvertent head-butt and a follow-up flurry of hooks. However, Hughes recovered and went on to win a close decision. After the fight Hughes and Serra embraced each other and ended their feud.

At UFC 109, Serra defeated Frank Trigg via KO (punches) at 2:23 of the first round, awarding him Knockout of the Night Honors. Serra was rumored to be headlining UFC Fight Night 22 on April 17, 2010, versus Mike Swick, but the fight was turned down by Swick due to an arm injury.

At UFC 119 Serra fought Chris Lytle on September 25, 2010. Serra lost the fight via unanimous decision.

In an interview with Ariel Helwani at UFC 131 following Chris Weidman's standing guillotine victory over Jesse Bongfeldt, Serra put over his prominent student, and addressed when or if he would be fighting in the UFC in the forseeable future. Between the birth of his second child and the rigors of training (Serra himself confirmed that he weighed somewhere around 200 lbs. at interview time), he likened his current situation to that of Rocky Balboa in the sixth film of the series, saying that he still "had some stuff in the basement". While not naming a specific opponent, the former champion said he'd like to be back in the Octagon sometime in the fall, and just wants an exciting fight.

Personal life

Serra was born to an Italian-American family and currently resides in East Meadow, New York. Matt and his wife Ann were married on May 26, 2007. The couple had their first child, a daughter named Angelina, on February 11, 2009. The couple had their second child, a girl in April 2011.

Serra and his brother Nick run two Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu schools at local strip malls in East Meadow, New York and Huntington, New York. Serra currently trains with Ray Longo and trains fighters such as Pete Sell and Luke Cummo.They fight under the Serra/Longo Competition Team.

Championships and achievements

Grappling credentials

ADCC World Submission Wrestling Championships

ADCC 2001

66–76 kg: 2nd place

Record of opponents:

Won: Takanori Gomi (sub), Jean Jacques Machado (pts), Leonardo Silva Dos Santos (sub)

Lost: Marcio Feitosa Souza (Conceded victory.)

CBJJ World Championships

1999 Brown Belt Medio: Shared 1st Place

Pan-American Championships

1999 Purple Belt Medio: 1st place. ῼ

Mixed martial arts

Ultimate Fighting Championship

*UFC Welterweight Championship (One time)

*The Ultimate Fighter 4 Welterweight Tournament Winner

*Fight of the Night (One time)

*Knockout of the Night (One time)

Mixed martial arts record

|- | Loss |align=center| 11–7 | Chris Lytle | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 119 | |align=center| 3 |align=center| 5:00 | Indianapolis, Indiana, US | |- | Win |align=center| 11–6 | Frank Trigg | KO (punches) | UFC 109 | |align=center| 1 |align=center| 2:23 | Las Vegas, Nevada, US | |- | Loss |align=center| 10–6 | Matt Hughes | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 98 | |align=center| 3 |align=center| 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, USA | |- | Loss |align=center| 10–5 | Georges St. Pierre | TKO (knees to body) | UFC 83 | |align=center| 2 |align=center| 4:45 | Montreal, Quebec, Canada | Lost UFC Welterweight Championship |- | Win |align=center| 10–4 | Georges St. Pierre | TKO (punches) | UFC 69 | |align=center| 1 |align=center| 3:25 | Houston, Texas, United States | Won UFC Welterweight Championship |- | Win |align=center| 9–4 | Chris Lytle | Decision (split) | The Ultimate Fighter 4 | |align=center| 3 |align=center| 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Won TUF 4 Welterweight division |- | Loss |align=center| 8–4 | Karo Parisyan | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 53 | |align=center| 3 |align=center| 5:00 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | Return to Welterweight division. |- | Win |align=center| 8–3 | Ivan Menjivar | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 48 | |align=center| 3 |align=center| 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |- | Win |align=center| 7–3 | Jeff Curran | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 46 | |align=center| 3 |align=center| 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |- | Loss |align=center| 6–3 | Din Thomas | Decision (split) | UFC 41 | |align=center| 3 |align=center| 5:00 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |- | Loss |align=center| 6–2 | B.J. Penn | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 39 | |align=center| 3 |align=center| 5:00 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | |- | Win |align=center| 6–1 | Kelly Dullanty | Submission (triangle choke) | UFC 36 | |align=center| 1 |align=center| 2:58 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |- | Win |align=center| 5–1 | Yves Edwards | Decision (majority) | UFC 33 | |align=center| 3 |align=center| 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |- | Loss |align=center| 4–1 | Shonie Carter | KO (spinning back fist) | UFC 31 | |align=center| 3 |align=center| 4:51 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |- | Win |align=center| 4–0 | Greg Melisi | Submission (armbar) | Vengeance at the Vanderbilt 11 | |align=center| 1 |align=center| 0:46 | Plainview, New York, United States | |- | Win |align=center| 3–0 | Jeff Telvi | Submission (guillotine choke) | Vengeance at the Vanderbilt 7 | |align=center| 1 |align=center| 0:30 | Plainview, New York, United States | |- | Win |align=center| 2–0 | Graham Lewis | Submission (armbar) | Vengeance at the Vanderbilt 6 | |align=center| 1 |align=center| 1:04 | Plainview, New York, United States | |- | Win |align=center| 1–0 | Khamzat Vitaev | Submission (rear naked choke) | Vengeance at the Vanderbilt 3 | |align=center| N/A |align=center| N/A | Plainview, New York, United States |

Note: His record does not include his two wins while on the ''Ultimate Fighter'' as they are classified as exhibition bouts.

References

External links

Matt Serra MySpace

Official UFC Profile

Matt Serra profile

Official site

Category:The Ultimate Fighter winners Category:American mixed martial artists Category:Mixed martial artists from New York Category:Living people Category:American practitioners of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Category:Ultimate Fighting Championship champions Category:Welterweight mixed martial artists Category:American mixed martial artists of Italian descent Category:1974 births

de:Matt Serra fr:Matt Serra ja:マット・セラ pt:Matt Serra fi:Matt Serra sv:Matt Serra uk:Метт Серра

Coordinates	28°36′36″N77°13′48″N
name	Ben Askren
other names	Funky
birth place	Cedar Rapids, Iowa, United States
nationality	American
height
weight
weight class	Welterweight
reach
style	Wrestling, Grappling, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
fighting out of	Milwaukee, Wisconsin
team	Roufusport
rank	''NCAA Division I Wrestling'' ''Olympian Freestyle Wrestling'' ''Brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu''
years active	2009-Present
mma win	8
mma kowin	1
mma subwin	3
mma decwin	4
mma loss	0
mma draw	0
university	University of Missouri
relatives	Max Askren, ''Brother''
club	Sunkist Kids
school	Arrowhead High School
url	http://www.benaskren.net/
sherdog	42390
updated	}}

}}

Ben Askren (born July 18, 1984) is an American former amateur wrestler for the University of Missouri and U.S. Olympic team. He is now a mixed martial artist and the current Bellator Welterweight Champion.

Wrestling

Askren is an assistant wrestling coach at Arizona State University and was an American amateur wrestler for the University of Missouri. He won two state wrestling championships at Arrowhead High School in Hartland, Wisconsin.

Collegiate wrestling

In college, he wrestled in the 174 lb. weight class. He lost the NCAA championship match to Chris Pendleton in both 2004 and 2005 before winning it in 2006 and 2007. He is known for his incredible pinning ability (he holds the single-season NCAA pin record); his massive afro, and his "funky", or unorthodox, wrestling style. For example, while being ridden in the 2005 championship match, he attempted to reach around and apply a headlock to Pendleton, a move that any wrestling coach would disavow. His tall, lanky body — in sharp contrast to the squat, muscular physiques of most top wrestlers — allows him to attempt moves that most wrestlers could not. This characteristic led to some embarrassing moments earlier in his freestyle career. His younger brother Max also wrestled for Missouri and won a national championship in 2010.

Ben had a dominant Junior season in 2005–06, winning all 45 of the matches he wrestled, pinning in 25 of those matches. He won the 174 pound weight class easily at both the Big 12 and NCAA Championships. He won his Big 12 finals match 17–6 over Jacob Klein of Nebraska and his NCAA finals match 14-2 over another wrestler who was undefeated going into the NCAA finals, future two time NCAA champion and future Hodge Trophy winner, Jake Herbert of Northwestern. His outstanding season earned him the Outstanding Wrestler award at the NCAA Championships as well as the Dan Hodge Trophy and the Rev Wrestler of the Year.

He continued that dominance going into his Senior year in 2006–07, going undefeated again with a record of 42–0. He won his second consecutive NCAA Championship at 174 pounds by defeating yet another future NCAA champion, second-ranked Keith Gavin of Pittsburgh, 8–2. Ben finished his collegiate career with an 87 match winning streak. He also became only the second person ever to win the Dan Hodge Trophy twice, as W.I.N. Magazine named the 2007 winner. Ben was also once again named the Rev Wrestler of the Year. Additionally, he also received the Schalles Award, named after Wade Schalles and given to the most prolific pinner at the end of each season.

Ben finished his collegiate wrestling career with a record of 153-8, with 91 of those victories coming by way of fall. Those 91 pins put him at third on the all-time NCAA Division I pins list. He was also a four-time All American, including being only the twelfth Division I wrestler ever to be a four-time finalist. Askren was also nominated for an ESPY in 2007 in the category Best Male College Athlete.

2008 Olympics

In the summer of 2008, Askren defeated national runner-up Tyrone Lewis in two consecutive matches by decision at the US Olympic Trials in Las Vegas, becoming the second University of Missouri wrestler to qualify for the Olympics. Sammie Henson, who attended MU, but finished his college wrestling career at Clemson, competed in the 2000 Olympics, winning the silver medal. Askren competed at the 74 kg. weight class in the 2008 Summer Olympics. Askren won his first match via pin against Hungarian István Veréb. In his round of 8 match he lost to Cuba's Ivan Fundora 1-3 0-4. The Cuban's loss to Russia's Buvaisar Saitiev in the quarterfinal round ended Askren's hopes to medal at the 2008 games.

The 24-year-old Askren was asked if inexperience was a factor. Though he was a two-time NCAA champion at the University of Missouri he was relatively new to freestyle after wrestling folkstyle in college. "That wasn't it," he said with tears in his eyes, "I just wasn't good enough. I sucked."

Mixed martial arts

Askren is a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and the lead wrestling coach at the American Top Team school in Columbia, Missouri . In December 2008, Ben went to Coconut Creek, FL to train at American Top Team main school where many top fighters train.

Early career

Askren made his professional MMA debut on February 7, 2009. It was held by Headhunter Productions at the Holiday Inn Select Executive Center in Columbia, Missouri. He defeated Josh Flowers via TKO early in the first round.

Askren had his second fight at Patriot Act 2 in Columbia, Missouri. He defeated Mitchell Harris via submission by arm triangle. The fight was at a catchweight of 175 pounds.

Grappling

Asken competed at the 2009 ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship from September 26—27, in Barcelona, Spain. He won his first match against Toni Linden by arm triangle choke. He lost his second fight to Pablo Popovitch, a veteran grappler he had trained with the previous summer, by figure four footlock early in the match. Popovitch went on to win the championship in the under 77 kg (169 lb) division.

Askren also competed at the 2009 FILA 2° World Grappling Championship in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, from December 11–13. Askren faced the 2008 World Champion, Jacob Volkmann, in the 84 kg no-gi division. Askren out-wrestled Volkmann and won gold in the category.

Bellator Fighting Championships

Askren was a participant in Bellator Fighting Championships Season 2 Welterweight Tournament. In his first fight, Askren defeated Ryan Thomas via technical submission at Bellator 14 on April 15, 2010. The outcome of the fight was controversial because Thomas protested the stoppage as soon as Askren released the choke.

After Jim Wallhead was pulled from the tournament, Thomas was given another chance to compete. Thomas defeated Jacob McClintock by TKO in the first round at Bellator 15 and was awarded a rematch with Askren. When the two fought at Bellator 19, Askren came out victorious again with a unanimous 30-27 decision after controlling him with wrestling for three rounds.

At Bellator 22, Askren defeated Dan Hornbuckle via unanimous decision after dominating him with his superior wrestling for all three rounds, becoming the Bellator Season Two Welterweight Tournament Champion. On October 21, 2010 in Philadelphia Askren took on the Bellator Welterweight Champion Lyman Good. Despite being hit with a brutal upkick and almost getting caught in a triangle choke with one minute left, he was able to take down and control Good dominantly in every round. Askren won via unanimous decision to win the Bellator Welterweight Championship.

Askren next returned at Bellator 40 to fight and defeat Nick Thompson after taking down and controlling Thompson for all three rounds. Although Askren started off quickly in the third round with a spinning back fist and several other strikes, he was caught with a overhand right by Thompson, causing Askren to take down and control Thompson for the remainder of the round. Askren went on to win by unanimous decision with the scores 30-26, 30-27, and 30-27.

Following his commanding unanimous decision win over Nick Thompson in a non-title affair at ppBellator 40]] in Newkirk, Okla., Askren revealed that he will relocate to Milwaukee in the near future to train under Duke Roufus at Roufusport.

Askren is now expected to defend his title against season 4 welterweight tournament winner Jay Hieron.

Personal life

Askren is married. Askren is also competitive in the sport of disc golf. In 2009, Askren finished 9th in the Amateur World Championships. Askren is sponsored by Discraft. Ben has been photographed having what looks like a homosexual affair with his long time friend and training partner Sterling Jerabek.

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

Bellator Fighting Championships

*Bellator Welterweight Championship (One time; Current)

*Bellator Season 2 Welterweight Tournament Winner

Submission grappling

Abu Dhabi Combat Club

*2009 ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championships Quarterfinalist

International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles

*2009 FILA Grappling World Championships Senior No-Gi Gold Medalist

USA Wrestling

*FILA World Team Trials Senior No-Gi Winner (2009)

Amateur wrestling

International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles

*2010 Cerro Pelado International Senior Freestyle Silver Medalist

*2010 Dave Schultz Memorial International Open Senior Freestyle Gold Medalist

*2009 Hargobind International Senior Freestyle Gold Medalist

*2009 Sunkist Kids International Open Senior Freestyle Silver Medalist

*2008 Kiev International Senior Freestyle Bronze Medalist

*2007 NYAC Holiday International Open Senior Freestyle Gold Medalist

*2007 Hargobind International Tournament Senior Freestyle Gold Medalist

*2005 Pan American Championships Senior Freestyle Gold Medalist

USA Wrestling

*USA Senior Freestyle Olympic Team Trials Winner (2008)

*USA Junior Freestyle World Team Trials Winner (2004)

*USA Senior Freestyle National Championship (2008)

*USA University Freestyle National Championship Runner-up (2005)

*ASICS Tiger High School All-American (2002)

*West Junior Freestyle Regional Championship (2002)

*Northern Plains Junior Freestyle Regional Championship (2001, 2002)

*Northern Plains Junior Freestyle Regional Championship Runner-up (2000)

National Collegiate Athletic Association

*NCAA Division I Collegiate Championship (2006, 2007)

*NCAA Division I Collegiate Championship Runner-up (2004, 2005)

*NCAA Division I All-American (2004, 2005, 2006, 2007)

*Big 12 Conference Championship (2004, 2006, 2007)

*Big 12 Conference Championship Runner-up (2005)

*Dan Hodge Trophy Collegiate Wrestler of the Year (2006, 2007)

National Wrestling Coaches Association

*Schalles Award Top Collegiate Pinner of the Year (2006, 2007)

National High School Coaches Association

*NHSCA Senior High School National Championship Runner-up (2002)

*NHSCA Senior All-American (2002)

Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association

*WIAA Division I High School State Championship (2000, 2001)

*WIAA Division I High School State Championship Runner-up (1999)

*WIAA Division I All-State (1999, 2000, 2001)

*Classic 8 Conference Championship (1999, 2000, 2001, 2002)

Disc golf

Professional Disc Golf Association

*2011 United States Amateur Disc Golf Championship 2nd Place

*2009 PDGA Amateur World Doubles Championships Advanced 4th Place

*2009 St. Louis Open Advanced 2nd Place

*2009 Mighty MO Advanced 1st Place

*2006 Alabama Amateur Open Intermediate 3rd Place

*2005 Highnoon at Indiantown Intermediate 2nd Place

Mixed martial arts record

|- |align=center| |align=center| | Jay Hieron |align=center| | | |align=center| |align=center| | | |- | Win |align=center| 8–0 | Nick Thompson | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 40 | |align=center| 3 |align=center| 5:00 |Newkirk, Oklahoma, United States | |- | Win |align=center| 7–0 | Lyman Good | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 33 | |align=center| 5 |align=center| 5:00 |Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States | |- | Win |align=center| 6–0 | Dan Hornbuckle | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 22 | |align=center| 3 |align=center| 5:00 |Kansas City, Missouri, United States | |- | Win |align=center| 5–0 | Ryan Thomas | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 19 | |align=center| 3 |align=center| 5:00 |Grand Prairie, Texas, United States | |- | Win |align=center| 4–0 | Ryan Thomas | Technical submission (guillotine choke) | Bellator 14 | |align=center| 1 |align=center| 2:40 |Chicago, Illinois, United States | |- | Win |align=center| 3–0 | Matt Delanoit | Submission (north-south choke) | Max Fights DM: Ballroom Brawl | |align=center| 1 |align=center| 1:15 |Des Moines, Iowa, United States | |- | Win |align=center| 2–0 | Mitchell Harris | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | Headhunter Productions 2: The Patriot Act 2 | |align=center| 1 |align=center| 1:27 |Columbia, Missouri, United States | |- | Win |align=center| 1–0 | Josh Flowers | TKO (punches) | Headhunter Productions 1: The Patriot Act | |align=center| 1 |align=center| 1:25 |Columbia, Missouri, United States |

See also

List of current mixed martial arts champions

References

External links

Ben Askren's Personal Website

Bellator Profile

University of Missouri biography

Ben Askren profile at the National Wrestling Hall of Fame

Category:Articles with inconsistent citation formats Category:American mixed martial artists Category:Mixed martial artists from Missouri Category:Welterweight mixed martial artists Category:American sport wrestlers Category:Wrestlers at the 2008 Summer Olympics Category:Olympic wrestlers of the United States Category:American practitioners of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Category:1984 births Category:Living people

de:Ben Askren

Danny Rubinstein (1937- ) is an Israeli journalist and author.

Biography

Daniel (Danny) Rubinstein was born in Jerusalem in 1937. He grew up in Neveh Bezalel, a small neighborhood between Nahlaot and the city center. He majored in Middle Eastern studies and sociology at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

In 1967, during the Six-Day War, Rubinstein was a reserve soldier in a Jerusalem reconnaissance unit led by Yossi Langotsky. This unit was the first to cross the cease-fire line into the Jordanian-controlled West Bank.

He lives in Jerusalem's Beit Hakerem neighborhood.

Journalism career

From 1967 to 1990, Rubinstein worked as a columnist and Jerusalem bureau chief for the now-defunct newspaper ''Davar''. From 1990-2008, he worked for ''Haaretz'', where he was a member of the editorial board. He wrote regular columns on the Arab-Israeli conflict and Palestinian affairs. He now writes a weekly column on the Palestinian economy for Calcalist, an Israeli business daily published by Yediot Ahronoth.

Rubinstein teaches at the Department of Middle East history at Ben-Gurion University in Beersheba and has published several books.

Controversy

In 2007, Rubinstein described Israel as an "apartheid state" at the UN-sponsored International Conference of Civil Society in Support of Israeli-Palestinian Peace. In response, the Zionist Federation of Great Britain cancelled his scheduled appearance at an event sponsored by the Federation. Its chairman, Andrew Balcombe said: "Criticism of Israeli policy is acceptable. However, by using the word 'apartheid' in a UN conference held at the European Parliament, Danny Rubinstein encourages the demonization of Israel and the Jewish people."At an event sponsored by the New Israel Fund, Rubinstein was not apologetic: "People do use the word 'apartheid' in my circles. My newspaper increasingly uses that word. This is nothing new."

Published works

''Camp David 2000'' (2002)

''The Mystery of Arafat'' (1995)

''People of Nowhere (1991)

References

Category:1937 births Category:Israeli journalists Category:Living people Category:Post-Zionists Category:Sokolov Prize recipients

Coordinates	28°36′36″N77°13′48″N
name	Mario Sperry
other names	The Zen Machine
birth place	Porto Alegre, Brazil
nationality	Brazilian
height
weight
weight class	Heavyweight
style	Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
rank	''black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu''
mma kowin	3
mma subwin	7
mma decwin	3
mma koloss	3
mma decloss	1
updated	}}

Mario Sperry (born September 28, 1966) is a Brazilian heavyweight martial artist. His specialty is Brazilian jiu-jitsu, grappling and ground fighting.

Career

Sperry first broke onto the sport Jiu-Jitsu scene in the early eighties. A protegee of Carlson Gracie, Mario was handed his black belt at the 1995 World Championships of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, where he entered and won the heavyweight black belt division, defeating many of the sports greatest legends. Mario won again in 1996, 1997, and 1998. In late 1998 Mario Sperry became the first fighter in history to make a Gracie submit in a match when he defeated World Champion Royler Gracie in Brazil. He became the first World Submission Grappling Champion, a title he held for three consecutive years.

Sperry has also competed in mixed martial arts, with wins over such fighters as Vernon White and Igor Vovchanchyn. He is also one of the founders of the Brazilian Top Team, where he trained fighters such as Antonio Rodrigo "Minotauro" Nogueira, Antônio Rogério Nogueira, Ricardo Arona, and Paulo Filho, among others.

Grappling credentials

ADCC World Submission Wrestling Championships

ADCC 2000 Superfight: Defeated Roberto Traven.

ADCC 1999 Superfight: Defeated Enson Inoue.

ADCC 1998 88–98 kg: 1st place Absolute: 1st place

Record of opponents:

Won: Mohammed Saleh (adv), Larry Parker (sub), Renato Verissimo (sub), Ricardo Alves (pts), Oleg Taktarov (pts), Simon Siasi (sub), Ricardo Morais (pts), Roberto Traven (?), Enson Inoue (?)

CBJJ World Championships

1999 Black Belt Absolute: =3rd Place Black Belt Super Pesado = 2nd Place

1998 Black Belt Absolut =1st Place

1997 Black Belt Super-Pesado: 1st Place Black Belt Absolute: =3rd Place

1996 Black Belt Pesadissimo: 1st Place

Personal life

Mario has a daughter who was born in March 2005.

Mixed martial arts record

|- |Win |align='center'|13-4 | Lee Hasdell |Submission (rear naked choke) |Cage Rage 22 | |align='center'|1 |align='center'|1:39 |London, England | |- |Loss |align='center'|12-4 | Tsuyoshi Kohsaka |TKO (punches) |PRIDE 31 | |align='center'|1 |align='center'|1:20 |Saitama, Japan | |- |Win |align='center'|12-3 | Hirotaka Yokoi |TKO (knees) |PRIDE 29 | |align='center'|1 |align='center'|9:08 |Saitama, Japan | |- |Win |align='center'|11-3 | Mike Bencic |KO (punch) |PRIDE Bushido 2 | |align='center'|1 |align='center'|0:11 | Yokohama, Japan | |- |Loss |align='center'|10-3 | Yuki Kondo |TKO (doctor stoppage) |PRIDE Shockwave 2003 | |align='center'|1 |align='center'|3:27 |Saitama, Japan | |- |Win |align='center'|10-2 | Andrei Kopylov |TKO (cut) |PRIDE 22 | |align='center'|1 |align='center'|6:02 | Japan | |- |Win |align='center'|9-2 | Wataru Sakata |Decision (unanimous) |UFO: Legend | |align='center'|3 |align='center'|5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |- |Loss |align='center'|8-2 | Murilo Rua |Decision (unanimous) |PRIDE 20 | |align='center'|3 |align='center'|5:00 |Yokohama, Japan | |- |Win |align='center'|8-1 | Igor Vovchanchyn |Submission (arm-triangle choke) |PRIDE 17 | |align='center'|1 |align='center'|2:52 | Tokyo, Japan | |- |Win |align='center'|7-1 | Hiromitsu Kanehara |Decision (majority) |C2K Colosseum 2000 | |align='center'|3 |align='center'|5:00 | Japan | |- |Win |align='center'|6-1 | Chris Haseman |Submission(punches) |Caged Combat 1 - Australian Ultimate Fighting | |align='center'|1 |align='center'|1:12 | Sydney, Australia | |- |Win |align='center'|5-1 ||Neil Bodycote |Submission(punches) |Caged Combat 1 - Australian Ultimate Fighting | |align='center'|1 |align='center'|0:47 | Sydney, Australia | |- |Win |align='center'|4-1 | Vernon White |Decision (unanimous) |Caged Combat 1 - Australian Ultimate Fighting | |align='center'|3 |align='center'|5:00 | Sydney, Australia | |- |Win |align='center'|3-1 | Andrey Dudko |Submission(kimura) |MARS - Martial Arts Reality Superfighting | |align='center'|1 |align='center'|4:15 |Alabama, USA | |- |Loss |align='center'|2-1 | Igor Zinoviev |TKO(doctor stoppage) |Extreme Fighting 1 | |align='center'|1 |align='center'|11:39 |North Carolina, USA | |- |Win |align='center'|2-0 | Rudyard Moncayo |Submission(punches) |Extreme Fighting 1 | |align='center'|1 |align='center'|2:42 |North Carolina, USA | |- |Win |align='center'|1-0 | Jose Balduino |Submission (strikes) |Duelo de Titas 1 | |align='center'|N/A |align='center'|N/A |Brazil | |-

Sport accomplishments

Black Belt World Mundial Champion 1996, 1997, and 1998. Brazilian National Black Belt Heavyweight Champion 1994 and 1995. Voted Best Purple Belt in Brazil by the Brazilian Confederation in 1990. Voted Best Brown Belt in Brazil by the Brazilian Confederation 1992.

No Holds Barred Accomplishments: Vale Tudo Super Fight Champion at the Titanic Duel in Brazil 1995. Reality Super Fight Champion in Alabama 1996. Ultimate Caged Combat Overall Championship in Sydney Australia 1997. Japan's Coliseum 2000 Heavy Weight Champion (Defeated Hiromitsu Kanehara). Pride fighter from 2001 to 2006

Submission Grappling Accomplishments:

Abu Dhabi Submission Wrestling Competition Heavyweight and Absolute Class Champion 1998

Abu Dhabi Submission Wrestling Competition Superfight Champion 1999.

Abu Dhabi Submission Wrestling Competition Superfight Champion 2000.

Black belts

Alexandre Brandão

Fernando Paradeda

Carlão Santos

Carlos Aveline

Marcello Salazar

Alexandre "Canibal" Prates

References

External links

Official website

Professional MMA record

Category:1966 births Category:Living people Category:Brazilian mixed martial artists Category:Heavyweight mixed martial artists Category:Brazilian practitioners of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Category:People from Porto Alegre

fr:Mario Sperry ja:マリオ・スペーヒー