| Erik Paulson | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 28, 1966 Minnesota, United States |
| Residence | Fullerton, California, United States |
| Teacher(s) | Yorinaga Nakamura, Rigan Machado, Rickson Gracie, Dan Inosanto, Tim Tackett, Ajarn Chai Sirisute, Rob Kaman |
| Rank | A-Class Shootist Black belt in Tae Kwon Do Black belt in Judo Sixth degree black belt Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Rigan Machado [ citation needed ] |
| Years active | 1993–2007 |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 17 |
| Wins | 11 |
| By knockout | 2 |
| By submission | 8 |
| By decision | 1 |
| Losses | 4 |
| By knockout | 2 |
| By submission | 1 |
| By decision | 1 |
| Draws | 2 |
| Other information | |
| Notable students | Sean Sherk, Ken Shamrock, Josh Barnett, Brock Lesnar, Cub Swanson |
| Website | http://www.erikpaulson.com |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
Erik Paulson (born June 28, 1966) is an American mixed martial artist. He is the first American to win the World Light Heavyweight Shooto Championship in Japan. [1]
Erik started his career in martial arts starting with Judo at age of eight. However, he got disillusioned after failing to use it in self-defense, when a bully blocked his hip throw by pulling his hair and forced Erik to strike him in order to win. Convinced that striking arts were the best to defend himself, he took up Taekwondo, Boxing, Karate, Aikido, Wrestling, and Jujutsu. [2] Many years after, he moved to California and became a student under Dan Inosanto, Gene Lebell, and Benny Urquidez, learning styles like Kickboxing, Jeet Kune Do, Savate, Arnis/Kali/Eskrima, Kung Fu, Sambo, Muay Thai, Chin Na, Dumog, Panantukan, and Silat. [1] In 1988, however, Paulson returned to explore grappling when he started Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Rorion, Royce and Rickson Gracie in his garage. [3] Upon returning to Inosanto's academy, he met Yorinaga Nakamura, who taught him Shoot Wrestling. Paulson also trained extensively in Catch Wrestling under Billy Robinson. Paulson got hooked with the style, and through Nakamura he got in touch with Satoru Sayama in order to fight in Shooto. In 1993, Erik had his first fight there, submitting Kazuhiro Kusayanagi. He also asked to compete in Ultimate Fighting Championship, but the Gracies refused as Royce was already going to compete there, so Paulson ended up cornering him instead. [1]
Later, in 1995, Paulson took part in an MMA tournament similar to UFC, World Combat Championships, which divided its participants in "strikers" and "grapplers" in order to pit them against each other in the finals. Again, a Gracie participated in the event, Renzo, but this time Paulson got the green light to take part in the tournament. Unfortunately, Paulson was put into the striker block, in which rules prohibited submission finishes, and it took away Erik's best field. Moreover, his long hair played against him, as he couldn't cut it due to his role as a film stuntman. His first match, against Muay Thai exponent Sean McCully, evidenced both disadvantages, with Paulson having to endure hair pulling and a significant punishment in order to finish him by ground and pound. At the second round, he faced Kickboxing champion James Warring, heavier and better rested, and this time Paulson's hair weakness took dramatic proportions; Warring grabbed the cage in order to avoid being taken down and literally dragged Paulson around the cage by the hair, making his corner throw the towel. After returning to the Gracie academy, Rickson expelled him without explanation and forbade him to train Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu again, but Paulson simply moved to train it with the Machado brothers. [1]
Paulson still competed in Shooto, being sent as a representative to the Vale Tudo Japan event, where he was submitted in 0:41 by Canadian grappler Carlos Newton. He retired shortly after, focusing in teaching as opposed to fighting, though he came out of retirement in October 2007 to headline the first HDNET MMA fight card. Paulson took on Jeff Ford in the main event of the night. Paulson made quick work of Ford, winning by spinning armbar in the opening minutes of the first round.
Erik is the founder of Combat Submission Wrestling, and STX Kickboxing. He runs the CSW Training Center in Fullerton, California, where he trains MMA fighters such as Josh Barnett, Ken Shamrock, Renato Sobral, Cub Swanson, and James Wilks. He is closely affiliated with Sean Sherk and Brock Lesnar of the Minnesota Martial Arts Academy. As well, Paulson was the striking coach for Team Lesnar on The Ultimate Fighter: Season 13, and he is the coauthor of a book along with American Combat Association president Matthew Granahan and JD Dwyer on the History of American Submission Wrestling. [4] He also has a younger brother, Leif Paulson, who is an up-and-coming grappler in his own right.
He wrestled for Inoki Genome Federation in 2008.
Erik played Kumite fighter Stellio in Bloodsport III , where his character faced Alex Cardo played by Daniel Bernhardt. He trained Djimon Hounsou in Shoot Wrestling for his role of Mixed Martial Arts instructor Jean Roqua in the 2008 action drama Never Back Down . [5]
| 17 matches | 11 wins | 4 losses |
| By knockout | 2 | 2 |
| By submission | 8 | 1 |
| By decision | 1 | 1 |
| Draws | 2 | |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 11–4–2 | Jeff Ford | Submission (armbar) | HDNF 1: HD Net Fights | October 13, 2007 | 1 | 1:44 | Dallas, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 10–4–2 | Ronald Jhun | Decision (unanimous) | SB 17: SuperBrawl 17 | April 15, 2000 | 3 | 5:00 | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States | |
| Win | 9–4–2 | Masanori Suda | TKO (punches) | Shooto: Las Grandes Viajes 5 | August 29, 1998 | 3 | 4:48 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 8–4–2 | Carlos Newton | Submission (armbar) | VTJ 1997: Vale Tudo Japan 1997 | November 29, 1997 | 1 | 0:41 | Urayasu, Japan | |
| Loss | 8–3–3 | Paul Jones | Decision (majority) | Shooto: Reconquista 3 | August 27, 1997 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Draw | 8–2–2 | Paul Jones | Draw | EF 4: Extreme Fighting 4 | March 28, 1997 | 3 | 5:00 | Des Moines, Iowa, United States | |
| Win | 8–2–1 | Stuart Harrison | Submission (armbar) | Shooto: Reconquista 1 | January 18, 1997 | 2 | 2:28 | Tokyo, Japan | Defended the Shooto Light Heavyweight Championship. |
| Loss | 7–2–1 | Matt Hume | TKO (cut) | EF 3: Extreme Fighting 3 | October 18, 1996 | 3 | 0:44 | Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States | |
| Win | 7–1–1 | Kenji Kawaguchi | Submission (toe hold) | Shooto: Vale Tudo Junction 3 | May 7, 1996 | 3 | 1:23 | Tokyo, Japan | Won the Shooto Light Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 6–1–1 | Todd Bjornethun | Submission (guillotine choke) | Shooto: Vale Tudo Junction 1 | January 20, 1996 | 2 | 0:26 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 5–1–1 | James Warring | TKO (corner stoppage) | WCC 1: First Strike | October 17, 1995 | 1 | 16:08 | Charlotte, North Carolina, United States | |
| Win | 5–0–1 | Sean McCully | TKO (submission to strikes) | WCC 1: First Strike | October 17, 1995 | 1 | 5:17 | Charlotte, North Carolina, United States | |
| Win | 4–0–1 | Yasunori Okuda | Technical submission (keylock) | Shooto: Vale Tudo Perception | September 26, 1995 | 1 | 0:44 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 3–0–1 | Ben Spijkers | Submission (guillotine choke) | Shooto: Complete Vale Tudo Access | July 29, 1995 | 5 | 0:38 | Saitama, Japan | |
| Win | 2–0–1 | Kenji Kawaguchi | Technical submission (armbar) | Shooto: Vale Tudo Access 2 | November 7, 1994 | 2 | 1:03 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Draw | 1–0–1 | Naoki Sakurada | Draw | Shooto: Shooto | November 25, 1993 | 5 | 3:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 1–0 | Kazuhiro Kusayanagi | Submission (triangle choke) | Shooto: Shooto | June 24, 1993 | 3 | 1:46 | Tokyo, Japan |
Grappling is a fighting technique as well as a full-contact combat sport based on throws, trips, sweeps, clinch fighting, ground fighting and submission holds.
Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a full-contact combat sport based on striking, grappling and ground fighting, incorporating techniques from various combat sports from around the world. The first documented use of the term mixed martial arts was in a review of UFC 1 by television critic Howard Rosenberg in 1993.
Vale Tudo or vale-tudo, also known as No Holds Barred (NHB) in the United States, is an unarmed, full-contact combat sport with relatively few rules. It became popular in Brazil during the 20th century and would eventually evolve into modern Mixed martial arts (MMA). For years "Vale Tudo" was used as a synonym for MMA in Brazil, but the term fell into disuse due to the emergence of stricter rules and the influence of the media to have a more "civilized" name. It is now used to refer to an early, more rules-free stage of the modern sport.
Submission wrestling, also known as submission grappling, submission fighting or simply grappling, is a competitive martial art and combat sport that focuses on ground fighting and submission techniques. It is a hybrid discipline that incorporates elements of various grappling arts, mostly Brazilian jiu-jitsu but also Judo, Sambo, and wrestling. Submission wrestling is practiced both as a competitive sport and as a training method for self-defence and mixed martial arts (MMA).
Royce Gracie is a Brazilian retired professional mixed martial artist. Gracie gained fame for his success in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He is a member of the Gracie jiu-jitsu family, a UFC Hall of Famer, and is considered to be one of the most influential figures in the history of mixed martial arts (MMA). He also competed in PRIDE Fighting Championships, K-1's MMA events, and Bellator.
Rumina Sato is a Japanese retired mixed martial artist, famous for his career in the Shooto organization. In the past he fought mostly in the 155 lb division, but he moved down to the 145 lb division.
Shooto is a combat sport and mixed martial arts organization that is governed by the Shooto Association and the International Shooto Commission. Shooto was originally formed in 1985, first as a particular fighting system and then in 1989 as a mixed martial arts promotion. It is considered one of the first true mixed martial arts competitions, with its Vale Tudo Japan events being essential to the rise of PRIDE Fighting Championships and the development of modern MMA. Many Japanese MMA fighters had their start at Shooto and the organization still holds both professional and amateur tournaments.
Rickson Gracie is a Brazilian 9th-degree red belt in Gracie jiu-jitsu and a retired mixed martial artist. He is a member of the Gracie family: the third oldest son of Hélio Gracie, brother to Rorion and Relson Gracie, and half-brother to Rolker, Royce, Robin and Royler Gracie. In the 1980s and 1990s, he was widely considered to be the best fighter of the Gracie clan, and one of the toughest in the world. In July 2017, he was promoted to red belt, the highest ranking in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, but denied the rank as he had not yet met JJGF time in rank requirements, keeping the belt for when he does.
Marco Antônio de Lima Ruas is a Brazilian former mixed martial arts fighter, submission wrestler, kickboxer and instructor. Ruas was the UFC 7 Tournament Champion, and also competed for the World Vale Tudo Championship (WVC), PRIDE Fighting Championships and the International Fight League, where he head-coached the Southern California Condors.
Carlos Newton is an Anguillian-born Canadian retired mixed martial artist. He is a former UFC Welterweight Champion and Pride FC Japan MMA Legend. Known as "The Ronin", he competed worldwide in the biggest MMA organizations including UFC, Pride FC, IFL, K-1, Shooto and most recently W-1. He is a 3rd Degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt alongside his coach Terry Riggs under Renzo Gracie, at Warrior MMA in Newmarket, Ontario. Newton has always been considered a fan favourite and a "Submission Master" and has dubbed his personal fighting style — an amalgam of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, Wrestling, Karate, and Boxing — as "Dragon Ball Jiu-Jitsu" in tribute to Dragon Ball, a Japanese manga and anime franchise. As a testament to his worldwide popularity, Newton is one of only a few MMA athletes to ever be allowed to compete in the UFC and Pride FC at the same time. In Canada, he is respected as a mixed martial arts pioneer, he was the first Canadian UFC Champion at UFC 31 (Welterweight) defeating Pat Miletich.
Yuki Nakai is a retired Japanese mixed martial artist. He currently teaches Shooto and jiu-jitsu, and is the president of the Japanese Confederation of Jiu-Jitsu.
Wallid Farid Ismail is a Brazilian mixed martial artist and promoter.
Jean Jacques Machado is a Brazilian Jiu jitsu practitioner. He is one of the five Machado brothers. Machado is nephew of BJJ co-founder and Grandmaster Carlos Gracie, and learned the martial art from an early age. Jean Jacques Machado is Divorced.
The Machado Family are a family of Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioners, mixed martial artists and grapplers. They are the founders of RCJ Machado Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and are cousins to members of the Gracie family.
Kron Gracie is a Brazilian-American mixed martial artist, submission grappler, and instructor.
Noboru Asahi is a Japanese retired mixed martial artist, a designer, and an owner of MMA gym.
Yorinaga Nakamura, also known as Yori Nakamura, is a retired Japanese shoot wrestler and an instructor in shoot wrestling, Jeet Kune Do, Filipino Martial Arts, Silat, and Muay Thai.
Luta Livre, known in Brazil as Luta Livre Brasileira or Luta Livre Submission, and also Brazilian Submission Wrestling, is a Brazilian martial arts and combat sport created by Euclydes Hatem in Rio de Janeiro. Primarily a mixture of catch wrestling and kosen judo, there is also ground striking with the hands, feet, knees and elbows. Notable practitioners include Marco Ruas, Ebenezer Fontes Braga, Johil de Oliveira, Alexandre Franca Nogueira, Renato Sobral, Gesias Cavalcante, Pedro Rizzo, Darren Till and José Aldo.
Ryan James Gruhn is an internationally competitive American martial artist, MMA coach, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt.
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