Olaf Alfonso

Last updated

Olaf Alfonso
Born1976/1977(age 44–45) [1]
Ensenada, Mexico
ResidenceSouthern California
Nationality American
Height5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) [2]
Weight155 lb (70 kg; 11.1 st)
Division Lightweight
Welterweight
Reach69 in (175 cm)
Stance Southpaw
Fighting out of Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
TeamOdo Fight Club, Carlson Gracie
RankBlack belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Black belt in Judo
Years active2002–2009; 2014
Mixed martial arts record
Total20
Wins8
By knockout5
By submission2
By decision1
Losses12
By knockout8
By submission1
By decision3

Olaf Alfonso (born 1976 or 1977) [1] is a retired American professional mixed martial artist who most recently competed in the Lightweight division. A professional competitor from 2002 until 2014, Alfonso formerly competed for the WEC, the PRIDE Fighting Championships, Tachi Palace Fights and the Palace Fighting Championship.

Contents

Background

Alfonso was born in Ensenada, Baja California to a Guatemalan mother and a Norwegian father, who was a famous television and motion picture animator/director. Alfonso wrestled and helped coach during part of his time while enlisted with the U.S. Airforce, and also competed in boxing and kickboxing during his time overseas. He was also a former high school wrestling coach in Oregon.

Mixed martial arts

Alfonso made his professional debut in 2002, fighting for a small organization called DesertBrawl, against Ryan Healy, a future Strikeforce and WEC veteran. The fight was a highly entertaining striking battle and the kind of fight that Alfonso would become known for later in his career. Both fighters exchanged punches, with Alfonso landing powerful left hooks from the southpaw stance, before switching stances. However, Alfonso could not come out for the third round and his corner threw in their towel, therefore losing by TKO.

Alfonso then made his debut in the WEC in a Lightweight bout against Randy Spence, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist who was a member of Cesar Gracie's training camp. Alfonso immediately came out as the aggressor, grappling with Spence, where he landed many knees from the Muay Thai clinch. Alfonso was then knocked down with a right hand from Spence, but was able to recover, reversing Spence's mount before eventually winning by using the ground and pound technique to get his first professional win by TKO.

Alfonso would then win his next two fights in the WEC, despite, in one of these fights getting his nose broken with the first punch that his opponent threw. At this time, he was simply known as "Olaf," and quickly became a fan favorite due to his eccentric personality, fighting style, as well as his appearance, often sporting shoulder-length hair with a full beard. At WEC 10, his hair braided, he fought for the WEC Lightweight Championship, facing future Strikeforce Lightweight Champion Gilbert Melendez, another Cesar Gracie student who was at that time undefeated. The two traded punches from the start but ultimately Melendez won by utilizing his wrestling before the referee stopped the fight after Melendez landed many unanswered strikes with the ground and pound technique.

Two fights later, Alfonso fought again at WEC 12 for the now-vacant WEC Lightweight Championship against future UFC veteran, Gabe "Godzilla" Ruediger. Olaf put on another entertaining fight, landing big punches, but lost again, this time by rear-naked choke. Alfonso then lost two of his next three fights, one of which was handed to him by future WEC Lightweight Champion Rob McCullough, before being given a fight against Japanese superstar and striking specialist Hayato Sakurai despite only owning a record of 5-5. The fight was for the PRIDE organization in Japan, which at the time was arguably the best organization in the world. However, Alfonso would end up on the receiving end of a highlight reel knockout, running into a huge right overhand punch that knocked him completely unconscious, falling down face first into the mat.

Alfonso returned to the WEC losing two more bouts against future UFC veteran Alex Karalexis before making his debut in the California-based Palace Fighting Championship, but lost again this time against former King of the Cage Welterweight Champion, Thomas Denny. Alfonso then won his next two fights, snapping a six-fight losing streak, before losing to UFC and PRIDE veteran Phil Baroni. In his next bout, Alfonso fought for the PFC Welterweight Championship, winning the bout by submission from an armbar, becoming the new PFC Welterweight Champion. Alfonso would then lose the belt in his next fight, via TKO.

Alfonso officially retired in 2010 due to injuries (Alfonso had already broken his nose a shocking nine times heading into the fight with Sakurai). Alfonso also retired to focus on his gym and work for MMA Mexico events as a color commentator.

Olaf later decided to come out of retirement in mid-2014 to return full-time to compete in mixed martial arts competition.

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
20 matches8 wins12 losses
By knockout58
By submission21
By decision13
Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Loss8–12Adrian DiazTKO (punches) Tachi Palace Fights 19 June 19, 201432:35 Lemoore, California, United States Lightweight bout.
Loss8–11Kyle PimentelTKO (doctor stoppage) PFC 13: Validation May 8, 200932:48 Lemoore, California, United StatesLost the PFC Welterweight Championship.
Win8–10Jeremiah MetcalfSubmission (armbar) PFC 12: High Stakes January 22, 200911:38 Lemoore, California, United StatesWon the PFC Welterweight Championship.
Loss7–10 Phil Baroni Decision (unanimous) PFC 10: Explosive September 26, 200833:00 Lemoore, California, United States
Win7–9Chris SolomonKO (punch) PFC 8: A Night of Champions May 8, 200810:28 Lemoore, California, United States
Win6–9 Casey Olson KO (punch) PFC: Olson vs. Alfonso February 29, 200821:50 Lemoore, California, United States
Loss5–9Thomas DennyDecision (unanimous) PFC 4: Project Complete October 18, 200733:00 Fresno, California, United States
Loss5–8 Alex Karalexis TKO (doctor stoppage) WEC 25 January 20, 200723:53 Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesReturn to Welterweight.
Loss5–7 John Polakowski Decision (split) WEC 24 October 12, 200635:00 Lemoore, California, United States
Loss5–6 Hayato Sakurai KO (punch) PRIDE: Bushido 11 June 4, 200611:54 Saitama, Japan
Loss5–5 Rob McCullough KO (punch) WEC 19 March 17, 200620:12 Lemoore, California, United States
Loss5–4 John Polakowski TKO (corner stoppage) WEC 14 March 17, 200515:00 Lemoore, California, United States
Win5–3Chin SengTKO (punches) WEC 13 January 22, 200511:13 Lemoore, California, United States
Loss4–3 Gabe Ruediger Submission (rear naked choke) WEC 12 October 21, 200413:05 Lemoore, California, United StatesFor the vacant WEC Lightweight Championship.
Win4–2Philip PerezTKO (elbows) WEC 11 August 20, 200412:57 Lemoore, California, United States
Loss3–2 Gilbert Melendez TKO (punches) WEC 10 May 21, 200434:54 Lemoore, California, United StatesFor the inaugural WEC Lightweight Championship.
Win3–1 John Polakowski Decision (split) WEC 9 January 16, 200435:00 Lemoore, California, United States
Win2–1Randy BowersSubmission (armbar) WEC 8 October 17, 200313:05 Lemoore, California, United States
Win1–1Randy SpenceTKO (punches) WEC 7 August 9, 200324:34 Lemoore, California, United States Lightweight debut.
Loss0–1 Ryan Healy TKO (corner stoppage)DesertBrawl 5August 17, 200215:00 Bend, Oregon, United States

[2]

Related Research Articles

Evangelista Santos Brazilian mixed martial arts fighter

Evangelista Santos is a Brazilian retired mixed martial artist. A professional from 1997 until 2016, Santos competed for Strikeforce, Bellator MMA, the PRIDE Fighting Championships, Cage Rage, International Vale Tudo Championships, Pancrase, Jungle Fight, Legacy FC, and World Victory Road. Known for his exciting fighting style, 24 of his 39 career bouts ended via knockout.

Jeremy Horn American mixed martial arts fighter

Jeremy Graham Horn is an American mixed martial artist. Horn is best known for fighting in smaller American promotions, he has also competed in some of the premiere mixed martial arts organizations around the world, including the UFC, WEC, PRIDE, Bellator, Pancrase, the IFL, King of the Cage, and the International Fighting Championships (IFC). Horn is the former King of the Cage Light Heavyweight Champion and has also competed in the Heavyweight and Light Heavyweight divisions. He holds notable victories over Chuck Liddell, Forrest Griffin, Chael Sonnen (x3), and David Loiseau.

Hayato Sakurai Japanese mixed martial artist

Hayato Sakurai also known as Mach, born August 24, 1975, is a Japanese mixed martial artist. A professional competitor since 1996, he has formerly competed for the UFC, PRIDE, DREAM, Shooto, Vale Tudo Japan, DEEP, and participated in the Yarennoka!, Dynamite!! 2008, Dynamite!! 2009, Dynamite!! 2010, and Fight For Japan: Genki Desu Ka Omisoka 2011 events. Sakurai finished second (Silver) in the Absolute Class ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship in 1999 at just under 77 kg. During the height of his career in 2000 and 2001 he was considered to be one of the top pound for pound fighters in MMA. He is the former Shooto Middleweight Champion.

Jens Pulver American mixed martial arts fighter

Jens Johnnie Pulver is an American retired professional mixed martial artist and undefeated boxer and kickboxer. Pulver was the inaugural UFC Lightweight Champion in addition to serving as the head coach on The Ultimate Fighter 5 reality show against long-time rival B.J. Penn. In mixed martial arts, Pulver competed at the Lightweight, Featherweight, Bantamweight and Flyweight divisions in addition to competing at the Middleweight, Light Middleweight, and Welterweight divisions as a professional boxer. While perhaps best known for competing in the UFC, Pulver has also competed in Pride Fighting Championships, for the PRIDE 2005 Lightweight Grand Prix. He is to-date the youngest UFC Lightweight Champion in the UFC history, eventually relinquishing his title, after two defenses, due to a contract dispute. Pulver officially retired from combat sports in 2014.

Tatsuya Kawajiri Japanese mixed martial arts fighter (born 1978)

Tatsuya Kawajiri is a Japanese mixed martial artist who competes in the Bantamweight division. He is a former Shooto Lightweight Champion, and has also competed in the UFC, PRIDE, DREAM, Strikeforce, ONE FC, and Rizin Fighting Federation. Kawajiri also participated in the Yarennoka! event as well as Dynamite!! 2009 and Dynamite!! 2010, representing DREAM in both events.

Nick Diaz American mixed martial artist

Nickolas Robert Diaz is an American professional mixed martial artist who competes in the middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Diaz is a former Strikeforce, WEC and IFC welterweight champion and a UFC title challenger. He also notably competed in PRIDE, EliteXC, DREAM, and Shooto. Nick is the older brother of fellow UFC fighter Nate Diaz, with the pair of brothers being one of the biggest influences in the sport of MMA.

Joe Riggs American mixed martial arts fighter

Joseph Jonathan Riggs is an American professional bare-knuckle boxer and former mixed martial artist who is currently signed to Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. A professional competitor since 2001, Riggs formerly competed for the UFC, WEC, Strikeforce, Bellator, ProElite, M-1 Global, and King of the Cage. Riggs is the former WEC Middleweight Champion.

Scott Smith (fighter) American mixed martial arts fighter

Bryan Scott Smith, is a retired American mixed martial artist. A professional competitor since 2001, Smith was a contestant on The Ultimate Fighter: The Comeback, and has competed for the UFC, Strikeforce, EliteXC and PFC. He is the former WEC Light Heavyweight Champion.

Joshua Joseph Thomson is an American mixed martial arts podcaster, commentator, analyst and former mixed martial artist. A professional competitor since 2001, Thomson has competed in Bellator MMA, PRIDE, Strikeforce, UFC, the World Fighting Alliance, and appeared at Dynamite!! 2010. Thomson is a former Strikeforce World Lightweight Champion, former Strikeforce U.S. Lightweight Champion, and a former top contender in the UFC.

Gilbert Melendez American MMA fighter

Gilbert Melendez is an American mixed martial artist who formerly competed in the Lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He is a two-time Strikeforce Lightweight Champion and a former WEC Lightweight Champion. He also competed in PRIDE FC, Shooto and Rumble on the Rock.

Jason Douglas Black is an American retired mixed martial artist who competed in the lightweight and welterweight divisions. He is a veteran of the King of the Cage, UFC, and PRIDE Fighting Championships organizations, a former UCC title holder, and trains with the Miletich Fighting Systems camp.

Jorge Santiago Brazilian mixed martial arts fighter

Jorge Santiago Rodrigues is a retired Brazilian mixed martial artist. He was the first Sengoku Middleweight Champion and is the former Strikeforce Middleweight Grand Prix Champion. He has also competed for the UFC, King of the Cage, Titan FC, It's Showtime, and BodogFIGHT.

Karl James "K.J." Noons is a retired American professional mixed martial artist, as well as a former professional boxer and kickboxer. Noons competed for UFC, Strikeforce, DREAM and EliteXC. He is the former EliteXC Lightweight Champion.

Mike Kyle American mixed martial arts fighter

Michael Andrew Kyle is an American professional mixed martial artist and boxer currently competing in the Heavyweight division. A professional competitor since 2001, Kyle has competed for the UFC, the WEC, Strikeforce, the World Series of Fighting, Absolute Championship Berkut, Pancrase, King of the Cage, and is the former King of the Cage Light Heavyweight Champion.

Patrick "Pat" Healy is a retired American professional mixed martial artist who last competed in the Lightweight division of ACB. A professional competitor since 2001, Healy has also formerly competed for the UFC, Strikeforce, the WEC, the IFL, the MFC, King of the Cage, Titan FC and Shark Fights. His twin brother, Ryan, is also a professional mixed martial artist. Healy holds notable wins over Dan Hardy, Paul Daley, and Carlos Condit.

Carlo Ricardo Prater is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist currently competing in the Welterweight division. A professional MMA competitor since 2002, Prater has also formerly competed for the UFC, WEC, Strikeforce, the MFC, Vale Tudo Japan, the Palace Fighting Championship, Legacy FC, and Titan FC.

Tachi Palace Fights MMA promoter based in Lemoore, California

Tachi Palace Fights (TPF) was an American mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion which hosted events at the Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino in Lemoore, California. Matchmaker for TPF was former fighter Richard Goodman.

Cesar Gracie Jiu-Jitsu MMA and BJJ training facility in California

Cesar Gracie Jiu-Jitsu is a mixed martial arts and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu training facility located in Pleasant Hill, California and is home to numerous highly ranked mixed martial artists who compete in organizations such as the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

Mikel "Mike" Bronzoulis is an American mixed martial artist who most recently competed in the Lightweight division of Bellator. A professional competitor since 2007, Bronzoulis has competed for Strikeforce, Legacy FC, Titan FC, Shark Fights, and was a finalist on Spike TV's Bellator: Fight Master reality show.

Ricky Legere is an American professional mixed martial artist currently competing in the Welterweight division. A professional competitor since 2007, Legere has formerly competed for Bellator MMA, Strikeforce, the RFA, King of the Cage, Tachi Palace Fights,

References

  1. 1 2 "Olaf Alfonso". UFC.com. Ultimate Fighting Championship. Archived from the original on October 11, 2021. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  2. 1 2 "Olaf Alfonso". Sherdog . Mandatory, an Evolve Media, LLC company. Archived from the original on September 16, 2018. Retrieved March 26, 2009.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.