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| Dan Severn | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 8, 1958 Flint, Michigan |
| Other names | The Beast |
| Nationality | |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Weight | 250 lb (110 kg; 18 st) |
| Division | 265 |
| Style | Freestyle wrestling, Greco-Roman Wrestling, Wrestling, Sambo |
| Fighting out of | |
| Rank | NCAA Division I Wrestling |
| MMA record | |
| Total | 114 |
| Wins | 91 |
| By knockout | 15 |
| By submission | 54 |
| Losses | 16 |
| Draws | 7 |
| Other information | |
| University | Arizona State University |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
Daniel DeWayne Severn (born June 8, 1958) is an American mixed martial artist and professional wrestler, notable for his success in the early years of Ultimate Fighting Championship tournaments. Severn has fought and wrestled for many mixed martial arts and professional wrestling promotions, including King of the Cage, PRIDE FC, Cage Rage, WEC, RINGS and the World Wrestling Federation. He holds a professional MMA Record of 91–16–7. Severn is one of only a few professional fighters to eclipse the 100 career fight mark.
Contents |
Biography
Wrestling
Severn has a long history in Greco-Roman and freestyle judo-hensho wrestling. He was a four time All-American at Arizona State University, the original Sunkist Kid of the Sunkist Kids[1], and a wrestling coach at both his alma mater Arizona State and Michigan State. He has wrestled in Turkey, Japan, Cuba, Hungary, Canada, and France as well as the U.S.A..
Severn failed to win in Olympic trials in both 1984 and 1988. In his long career, he has held many national and international titles. He was often introduced to the UFC Octagon as holding more than 100 in total. Severn also held the US national record for victories by pin from 1976 to 1992.
Mixed martial arts
Severn was the first world-class wrestler to enter the UFC, foreshadowing the period of dominance by wrestlers such as Don Frye in UFC 8 and 9 and Mark Coleman in UFC 10 and 11. Severn entered the UFC in 1994 at UFC 4: Revenge of the Warriors, where he captured the hearts of many UFC fans by executing two impressive back suplexs on Anthony Macias. In the finals of UFC 4, Severn was defeated by Royce Gracie who secured a triangle choke for the victory. The submission loss came after Severn was in Gracie's guard for almost 15 minutes, with the wrestler unable to finish his opponent for lack of striking and submission experience.
He soon roared back into mixed martial arts competition, dominating his opponents to capture the tournament championship at UFC 5: Return of the Beast. Severn's first fight with russian Oleg Taktarov at UFC 5 was what many think his greatest performance ever. He pounded Taktarov that night, opening huge cuts on both Oleg's face & the back of the head (back of the head shots were legal then in the UFC) displaying some of the most brutal ground & pound using knees ever seen. He won by TKO after the ref stopped the fight to protect 'The Russian Bear'.
After dominating UFC 5, Severn earned a title shot against Ken Shamrock at UFC 6 to determine the first UFC Superfight Champion, but was defeated by Shamrock via Guillotine Choke.
Severn went on to win Ultimate Ultimate 1995, a tournament consisting of UFC champions and runners up. Here Severn defeated Paul Varelans, David "Tank" Abbott, and Oleg Taktarov in a single night. He was also victorious over Ken Shamrock at UFC 9 to become the UFC Superfight Champion, his third title win for the promotion.
Severn managed his friend and fellow UFC champion Don Frye during UFC 8. In 1999, Severn founded a new mixed martial arts promotion intended to provide a platform for amateur fighters, called The Danger Zone, in which Severn has also fought. Severn has also trained and became a mentor to notable mixed martial artists including former UFC light-heavyweight champion Rashad Evans and The Ultimate Fighter competitor Luke Zachrich.
Dan was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame at UFC 52.
Professional wrestling
Severn is an accomplished professional wrestler, having worked for UWF International in Japan, the National Wrestling Alliance, and the World Wrestling Federation.
He entered the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) in 1995, and defeated Chris Candido for his first NWA World Heavyweight Championship on a Smoky Mountain Wrestling card. Severn would go on to win the UFC championship that year, making him the first and only man to hold an MMA and a professional wrestling championship simultaneously. Severn would go on to hold the NWA Championship for four years, the longest reign in over two decades and currently the third-longest reign in the belt's history.
As NWA champion, Severn appeared in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) during a storyline where the NWA invaded the WWF. During his one year tenure, he competed in the Brawl for All tournament, beating The Godfather in the first round. However, he withdrew prior to the quarterfinals, allowing The Godfather to advance by default. He would also take part in the 1998 King of the Ring tournament, only to lose to The Rock in the Semi-Finals. He was part of the 1999 Royal Rumble being the 8th entrant lasting almost 6 minutes before being eliminated by Mabel.
Severn appeared in 2000 in the short-lived WXO promotion. In 2001, he again won the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, this time from Shinya Hashimoto in Japan. This title reign would be controversial (an American referee in a Japanese promotion issuing a fast count), and short-lived, as the title was stripped from Severn when he was unable to appear on the inaugural NWA-TNA pay-per-view to defend his title; the belt was won that evening by Severn's long-time rival, Ken Shamrock.
Severn was the original president of Price of Glory Wrestling, held out of his training facility in Coldwater, Michigan. In mid 2007, there were some unresolved things that led Severn to no longer own Price of Glory Wrestling[citation needed]. It seems that Mark Pennington is now the owner and booker of the popular promotion that is still running in Severn's training facility Michigan Sports Camps. Severn has also wrestled for the promotion, having notable feuds with Jimmy Jacobs, N8 Mattson, C.J. Otis, and Keith "Shamrock" Creme (as Ken Shamrocks long lost half brother). Severn most recently defeated Johnny Dynamo in a "Retirement Match" to take the promotions Heavyweight title.
In wrestling
- Finishing moves
- Armbar
- Beast Choker (Dragon sleeper with body scissors)
- Signature moves
- Back to belly piledriver, sometines transitioned into an armbar
- Belly to belly suplex
- Guillotine choke
- Heel hook
- Key lock
- Rear naked choke
Championships and accomplishments
Amateur wrestling
- Arizona State University wrestling Hall of Famer
- 1980 Summer Olympic team alternate
- 13 National AAU wrestling championships from 1982 to 1994
- 1984 Summer Olympic team alternate
- 1985 Canada Cup Gold Medalist [2]
Mixed martial arts
- Continental Freefighting Alliance
- CFA Super Heavyweight Championship (1 time, current)
- Gladiator Challenge
- Gladiator Challenge Superfight Heavyweight Championship (1 time, current)
- The Danger Zone
- Undefeated in Danger Zone single bout competition
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- UFC 5 Championship
- UFC Ultimate Ultimate 1995 Championship
- UFC 9 Superfight Championship
- UFC Hall of Fame
- World Extreme Cagefighting
- WEC Super Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
Professional wrestling
- Price of Glory Wrestling
- PoG Heavyweight Championship
- Cauliflower Alley Club
- Other honoree (1998)
- Global Wrestling Alliance
- GWA Heavyweight Championship (2 times)
MMA record
| Professional record breakdown | ||
| 114 matches | 91 wins | 16 losses |
| By knockout | 15 | 1 |
| By submission | 54 | 8 |
| By decision | 22 | 7 |
| Draws | 7 | |
| No contests | 0 | |
| 91 Wins 16 Losses , 7 Draws | |||||||
| Result | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round, Time | Notes |
| Win | 91–16–7 | TKO (Corner Stoppage) | Gladiator Fighting Championship 23 | 2009-10-24 | 1 5:00 | ||
| Win | 90–16–7 | Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke) | KOTC – Disputed | 2009-07-25 | 2 2:31 | ||
| Win | 89–16–7 | Decision (Unanimous) | Gladiator Challenge – The Beast | 2009-05-16 | 3 5:00 | ||
| Loss | 88–16–7 | Decision (Unanimous) | Iroquois – MMA Championships 7 | 2009-01-24 | 3 5:00 | ||
| Loss | 88–15–7 | Decision | Heaven or Hell – Hell Cage | 2008-05-03 | N/A | ||
| Win | 88–14–7 | Submission (Kimura) | WFC – Armageddon | 2008-04-12 | 2 | ||
| Win | 87–14–7 | Colin Robinson | Decision (Unanimous) | Cage Wars – Max Extreme fighting | 2008-03-09 | 3 | |
| Win | 86–14–7 | Submission (Kimura) | Iroquois – MMA Championships II | 2008-02-09 | |||
| Win | 85–14–7 | Decision (Unanimous) | KOTC – Bad Boys | 2007-11-21 | 3 5:00 | ||
| Win | 84–14–7 | Decision (Unanimous) | UFP – Universal Fight promotions | 2007-10-13 | 3 5:00 | ||
| Win | 83–14–7 | TKO (Corner Stoppage) | TOTP – Titans of the Pentagon | 2007-9-22 | 1 | ||
| Win | 82–14–7 | Submission (Rear Naked Choke) | WFC – Rumble in the Red Rocks | 2007-06-09 | 1 1:35 | ||
| Win | 81–14–7 | Submission (Armbar) | WVF – Minot | 2007-04-21 | 1 4:18 | ||
| Win | 80–14–7 | Submission (Rear Naked Choke) | GC 60 – Invasion | 2007-03-23 | 1 2:36 | ||
| Win | 79–14–7 | Submission (Rear Naked Choke) | Wind Rumble | 2007-02-24 | 2 1:25 | ||
| Win | 78–14–7 | Submission (Rear Naked Choke) | CCCF – Red River Riot | 2007-02-17 | 1 1:53 | ||
| Loss | 77–14–7 | Decision (Unanimous) | CR 20 – Born 2 Fight | 2007-02-10 | 3 5:00 | ||
| Win | 77–13–7 | Submission (Keylock) | KOTC – Mass Destruction | 2007-01-26 | 1 3:08 | ||
| Win | 76–13–7 | Submission (Heel Hook) | IFC – Rumble on the River 2 | 2006-11-10 | 1 3:08 | ||
| Win | 75–13–7 | Decision (Majority) | NFA – Night of the Beast | 2006-09-23 | N/A | ||
| Win | 74–13–7 | Submission (Guillotine Choke) | IE – Independent Event | 2006-08-26 | 1 | ||
| Win | 73–13–7 | Submission (Rear Naked Choke) | Goshin Ryu 15 | 2006-06-03 | 1 4:21 | ||
| Win | 72–13–7 | Submission (Strikes) | WFC – Rumble in the Rockies | 2006-01-21 | 1 1:22 | ||
| Loss | 71–13–7 | KO (Punch) | RINGS Holland – Men of Honor | 2005-12-11 | 1 1:28 | ||
| Win | 71–12–7 | Submission (Strikes) | AWE – Action Wrestling Entertainment | 2005-10-05 | 1 4:12 | ||
| Loss | 70–12–7 | Decision (Unanimous) | MFC 8 – Resurrection | 2005-09-09 | 3 5:00 | ||
| Win | 70–11–7 | Submission (Knees) | GC 39 – Titans Collide | 2005-07-17 | 2 | ||
| Win | 69–11–7 | Submission (Triangle Choke) | Extreme Wars-X-1 | 2005-07-02 | 2 | ||
| Win | 68–11–7 | Submission (Keylock) | NFC-Northern Fighting Championships | 2005-06-03 | 2 | ||
| Win | 67–11–7 | TKO (Injury) | GC 34 – Legends Collide | 2005-01-27 | 3 | ||
| Win | 66–11–7 | TKO | CFC – Continental Fighting Championships | 2004-11-20 | 2 1:41 | ||
| Loss | 65–11–7 | Decision (Unanimous) | UC 11-Wrath of the Beast | 2004-09-12 | 5 5:00 | ||
| Win | 65–10–7 | TKO (Corner Stoppage) | AFA – Beast | 2004-07-31 | 1 | ||
| Win | 64–10–7 | Decision (Unanimous) | Gladiator FC – Day 1 | 2004-06-26 | 3 5:00 | ||
| Win | 63–10–7 | Decision (Split) | GC 27 – FightFest 2 | 2004-06-03 | 2 5:00 | ||
| Win | 62–10–7 | Submission | Dangerzone – Cage Fighting | 2004-04-10 | 2 1:45 | ||
| Win | 61–10–7 | Decision (Unanimous) | HFC 3 – Hardcore Fighting Championships 3 | 2004-03-27 | N/A | ||
| Loss | 60–10–7 | Submission (Rear naked choke) | XFC 4 – Australia vs The World | 2004-03-19 | 1 1:36 | ||
| Loss | 60–9–7 | Submission (Verbal) | ETB – Enter the Beast | 2004-03-06 | 3 2:45 | ||
| Draw | 60–8–7 | Draw | KOTC 33 – After Shock | 2004-02-20 | 2 5:00 | ||
| Loss | 60–8–6 | Decision (Unanimous) | KOTC 32 – Bringing Heat | 2004-01-24 | 3 5:00 | ||
| Win | 60–7–6 | Submission (Armbar) | PXC 1 – Pacific X-Treme Combat | 2004-01-17 | 3 | ||
| Win | 59–7–6 | Submission | SB – Seasons Beatings | 2003-12-18 | 1 2:40 | ||
| Draw | 58–7–6 | Draw | RITC 54 – 'The Beast' vs 'The Rock' | 2003-10-25 | 3 3:00 | ||
| Win | 58–7–5 | TKO (Strikes) | GC 18 – Gladiator Challenge 18 | 2003-08-21 | 1 2:08 | ||
| Win | 57–7–5 | Decision (Split) | KOTC 24 – Mayhem | 2003-06-14 | 3 5:00 | ||
| Win | 56–7–5 | Submission | HFC 1 – Hardcore Fighting Championships 1 | 2003-05-24 | 2 | ||
| Win | 55–7–5 | Decision (Unanimous) | KOTC 23 – Sin City | 2003-05-16 | 3 5:00 | ||
| Loss | 54–7–5 | Decision | MFC 6 – Road To Gold | 2003-02-22 | 3 5:00 | ||
| Draw | 54–6–5 | Draw | WATS – War at the Shore | 2003-01-17 | 3 5:00 | ||
| Win | 54–6–4 | Submission (Bulldog Choke) | UC 4 – Eyes of the Beast | 2002-12-01 | 3 1:42 | ||
| Win | 53–6–4 | Decision (Unanimous) | VFC 3 – Total Chaos | 2002-11-23 | N/A | ||
| Win | 52–6–4 | Submission (Keylock) | KOTC 18 – Sudden Impact | 2002-11-01 | 1 2:56 | ||
| Win | 51–6–4 | Decision | Aztec Challenge 1 | 2002-09-06 | 3 5:00 | ||
| Win | 50–6–4 | TKO (Towel) | KOTC: New Mexico | 2002-06-19 | 1 5:00 | ||
| Win | 49–6–4 | Submission (Strikes) | Dangerzone – Caged Heat | 2002-04-13 | 1 5:45 | ||
| Win | 48–6–4 | Decision | RSF 5: New Blood Conflict | 2001-10-27 | 3 4:00 | ||
| Draw | 47–6–4 | Draw | Iowa Challenge 3 | 2001-09-22 | 3 5:00 | ||
| Win | 47–6–3 | Submission (Strikes) | UW – St. Paul | 2001-07-15 | 1 1:49 | ||
| Win | 46–6–3 | Decision | WEC 1: Princes of Pain | 2001-06-30 | 3 5:00 | ||
| Win | 45–6–3 | Decision | RSF 2 – Attack at the Track | 2001-06-23 | 3 4:00 | ||
| Win | 44–6–3 | Submission (Keylock) | Reality Combat Fighting 11 | 2001-05-10 | N/A | ||
| Loss | 43–6–3 | Submission | RSF 1 – Redemption in the Valley | 2001-04-21 | 2 1:03 | ||
| Win | 43–5–3 | Submission (Keylock) | Dangerzone – Insane In Ft. Wayne | 2000-11-25 | 1 2:03 | ||
| Win | 42–5–3 | Submission (Rear Naked Choke) | Dangerzone – Night of the Beast | 2000-10-28 | 1 2:01 | ||
| Loss | 41–5–3 | Submission (Strikes) | UFC 27 – Ultimate Bad Boyz | 2000-09-22 | 1 1:33 | ||
| Win | 41–4–3 | Decision (Unanimous) | Rings – Millennium Combine 3 | 2000-08-23 | 2 5:00 | ||
| Win | 40–4–3 | Submission (Keylock) | CFA 2 – Continental Freefighting Alliance 2 | 2000-07-19 | 1 5:18 | ||
| Win | 39–4–3 | Submission (Keylock) | Dangerzone – Battle At The Bear | 2000-07-08 | 1 0:54 | ||
| Win | 38–4–3 | Submission (Neck Crank) | Dangerzone – Ft. Wayne 2 | 2000-05-20 | 1 0:44 | ||
| Win | 37–4–3 | Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke) | WEF 9 – World Class | 2000-05-13 | 1 4:46 | ||
| Win | 36–4–3 | TKO (Doctor Stoppage) | CFA 1 – Collision at the Crossroads | 2000-03-25 | 2 0:36 | ||
| Loss | 35–4–3 | Submission (Armbar) | SuperBrawl 16 | 2000-02-08 | 4 1:21 | ||
| Win | 35–3–3 | Decision | Dangerzone – Ft. Wayne | 1999-11-22 | 1 15:00 | ||
| Win | 34–3–3 | Submission (Keylock) | Extreme Challenge 28 | 1999-10-09 | 1 1:55 | ||
| Win | 33–3–3 | Submission (Strikes) | Dangerzone – Ft. Smith | 1999-09-18 | 1 8:36 | ||
| Win | 32–3–3 | Decision | Ultimate Reality Fighting | 1999-07-18 | N/A 0:00 | ||
| Win | 31–3–3 | TKO (Slam) | Ultimate Wrestling | 1999-06-25 | 1 7:57 | ||
| Win | 30–3–3 | Submission (Keylock) | Dangerzone – Mahnomen | 1999-06-19 | 1 3:30 | ||
| Win | 29–3–3 | Submission (Jaw Lock) | BITBH – Brawl in the Black Hills 1 | 1999-05-15 | 1 N/A | ||
| Win | 28–3–3 | Submission (Bulldog Choke) | Cage Combat 1 | 1998-12-08 | 1 | ||
| Win | 27–3–3 | Submission (Armbar) | SuperBrawl 9 | 1998-09-19 | 1 4:02 | ||
| Draw | 26–3–3 | Draw | Extreme Challenge 20 | 1998-08-22 | 1 20:00 | ||
| Win | 26–3–2 | TKO (Cut) | SuperBrawl 8 | 1998-08-04 | 1 4:55 | ||
| Win | 25–3–2 | Submission (Keylock) | IFC: Showdown at Shooting Star | 1998-06-20 | 1 12:57 | ||
| Win | 24–3–2 | Submission (Rear naked choke) | WSW – World Shoot Wrestling | 1998-06-12 | 1 5:45 | ||
| Win | 23–3–2 | TKO (Punches) | SB 7 – SuperBrawl 7 | 1998-04-25 | 1 3:38 | ||
| Win | 22–3–2 | Submission (Keylock) | Gladiators – Gladiators 2 | 1998-04-18 | 1 10:39 | ||
| Win | 21–3–2 | TKO (Strikes) | EC 15 – Extreme Challenge 15 | 1998-02-27 | 1 0:53 | ||
| Draw | 20–3–2 | Draw | PRIDE 1 – PRIDE 1 | 1997-10-11 | 1 30:00 | ||
| Win | 20–3–1 | Submission (Keylock) | IFC 6 – Battle at Four Bears | 1997-09-20 | 1 2:28 | ||
| Win | 19–3–1 | Submission (Strikes) | IFC 5 – Battle in the Bayou | 1997-09-05 | 1 2:33 | ||
| Win | 18–3–1 | Submission (Keylock) | SB 5 – SuperBrawl 5 | 1997-08-23 | 1 26:22 | ||
| Win | 17–3–1 | Submission | USWF 6 – Unified Shoot Wrestling Federation 6 | 1997-08-16 | 1 2:55 | ||
| Win | 16–3–1 | TKO (Cut) | IVC 1 – Real Fight Tournament | 1997-07-06 | 1 8:17 | ||
| Draw | 15–3–1 | Draw | EC 7 – Extreme Challenge 7 | 1997-06-25 | 1 20:00 | ||
| Win | 15–3 | TKO | EC 6 – Extreme Challenge 6 | 1997-05-10 | 1 2:29 | ||
| Loss | 14–3 | Submission (Choke) | UFC 12 – Judgement Day | 1997-02-07 | 1 2:57 | For UFC Heavyweight title | |
| Win | 14–2 | Submission (Rear naked choke) | EC 1 – Extreme Challenge 1 | 1996-11-23 | 1 1:53 | ||
| Win | 13–2 | Submission (Armlock) | U-Japan | 1996-11-17 | 1 1:32 | ||
| Win | 12–2 | Decision | UVF 4 – Universal Vale tudo Fighting 4 | 1996-10-22 | 1 40:00 | ||
| Win | 11–2 | Submission (Neck Crank) | BATB 1 – Brawl at the Ballpark 1 | 1996-09-01 | 1 4:10 | ||
| Win | 10–2 | Submission (Keylock) | VTJ 1996 – Vale tudo Japan 1996 | 1996-07-07 | 1 3:23 | ||
| Win | 9–2 | Decision (Split) | UFC 9 – Motor City Madness | 1996-05-17 | 1 30:00 | Won UFC Superfight title | |
| Win | 8–2 | Decision (Unanimous) | UU 95 – Ultimate Ultimate 1995 | 1995-12-16 | 1 30:00 | Won Ultimate Ultimate 95 Tournament | |
| Win | 7–2 | Decision (Unanimous) | UU 95 – Ultimate Ultimate 1995 | 1995-12-16 | 1 18:00 | ||
| Win | 6–2 | Submission (Arm triangle choke) | UU 95 – Ultimate Ultimate 1995 | 1995-12-16 | 1 1:01 | ||
| Loss | 5–2 | Submission (Guillotine choke) | UFC 6 – Clash of the Titans | 1995-07-14 | 1 2:14 | For UFC Superfight title | |
| Win | 5–1 | Submission (Keylock) | UFC 5 – The Return of the Beast | 1995-04-07 | 1 3:01 | Won UFC 5 Tournament | |
| Win | 4–1 | TKO (Cut) | UFC 5 – The Return of the Beast | 1995-04-07 | 1 4:21 | ||
| Win | 3–1 | Submission (Rear naked choke) | UFC 5 – The Return of the Beast | 1995-04-07 | 1 1:38 | ||
| Loss | 2–1 | Submission (Triangle choke) | UFC 4 – Revenge of the Warriors | 1994-12-16 | 1 15:49 | ||
| Win | 2–0 | Submission (Rear naked choke) | UFC 4 – Revenge of the Warriors | 1994-12-16 | 1 0:52 | ||
| Win | 1–0 | Submission (Rear naked choke) | UFC 4 – Revenge of the Warriors | 1994-12-16 | 1 1:45 | ||
Footnotes
- ^ "Jim Cornette". Online World of Wrestling. http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/columns/managerscorner/01.html. Retrieved 2009-11-20.
1. ^ 'Mat Stars Open Quest Of Olympics', The Sunday Oklahoman, 18 March 1984
2. ^ 'Canadian wrestlers third, Cubans grapple to victory', Stephen McHale, The Globe and Mail, 25 November 1985
3. ^ 'OC comes up empty', Lee Scheide, The Orange County Register, 8 March 1992External links
- The official website of Dan Severn
- Professional MMA record for Dan Severn from Sherdog
- Website of the film 'Catch - the hold not taken', featuring Dan Severn, a documentary on the impact of Wrestling in the UFC
- Interview on Genickbruch.com
- Dan Severn at the National Wrestling Hall of Fame
| Preceded by Ken Shamrock |
2nd UFC Superfight Champion May 17, 1996 |
Final Superfight |
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