Paul Buentello

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Paul Buentello
Born (1974-01-16) January 16, 1974 (age 51)
Amarillo, Texas, United States
Other namesThe Headhunter
Height6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight205 lb (93 kg; 15 st)
Division Heavyweight
Light heavyweight
Reach76.0 in (193 cm) [1]
Fighting out of San Jose, California, United States
Team Grudge Training Center
Years active1997–2017
Mixed martial arts record
Total52
Wins35
By knockout25
By submission6
By decision4
Losses17
By knockout8
By submission4
By decision5
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Paul Anthony Buentello (born January 16, 1974) is an American former mixed martial artist. A professional competitor from 1997 to 2017, Buentello competed in the UFC, Bellator, Strikeforce, Affliction, King of the Cage, Shark Fights, ACB, Legacy FC, and is the former King of the Cage Heavyweight Champion.

Contents

Background

Paul grew up in Tulia, Texas, and went to school with former UFC Middleweight Champion Evan Tanner. At Caprock High School, Buentello played baseball and football, [2] and then began Tae Kwon Do after graduating. Buentello received the nickname "The Headhunter" due to his propensity, in his early years of martial arts training, to axe kick his opponent's faces.

Mixed martial arts career

Ultimate Fighting Championship

In his debut in the UFC, he had an impressive win over Justin Eilers with a KO in 3:34 of the first round for his debut fight in UFC 51: Super Saturday on February 2, 2005. His next fight was against Kevin Jordan on UFC 53: Heavy Hitters on June 4, 2005 where Buentello won with a neck crank submission at 4:00 of the first round. He lost a title shot against the heavily touted #2 ranked Heavyweight fighter in the world Interim UFC Interim Heavyweight Champion Andrei Arlovski at UFC 55 on October 7, 2005, Arlovski knocked Buentello out in 15 seconds setting a UFC record for the quickest title fight in UFC history. Following his devastating loss to Arlovski, he faced off against Gilbert Aldana at UFC 57 where he won via TKO due to strikes. [3]

Strikeforce

After leaving the UFC, Buentello fought for Strikeforce, winning 3 straight against K-1 Kickboxer Carter Williams, UFC veteran Tank Abbott, and experienced journeyman Ruben Villareal, before losing to Alistair Overeem in a bout for the Strikeforce Heavyweight Championship.

Affliction

Buentello moved to a new major organization, Affliction, where he won his first two bouts. [3] His third fight was set to be against Gilbert Yvel at Affliction: Trilogy on August 1, 2009, but the entire event was ultimately cancelled due to complications arising from heavyweight Josh Barnett's inability to receive a California State Athletic Commission licence. [4] Affliction Entertainment became defunct as an MMA promoter shortly after. [5]

UFC return

At a press conference held July 31, 2009, it was announced that Buentello was one of several former Affliction fighters to sign with UFC. [6]

Buentello was expected to face Todd Duffee at UFC 107, [7] but Duffee was forced off the card with an undisclosed injury. [8] Buentello instead faced 6'11 Stefan Struve [9] and lost a majority decision.

Subsequently, Buentello lost to Cheick Kongo on UFC LIVE: Vera vs. Jones where he surprisingly—after a prolonged period of having his legs pounded—he tapped due to elbows to the right thigh in the third round. After losing both bouts in his return to the UFC, Buentello was released from the promotion. [10]

Independent promotions

Buentello continued his MMA career at the Texas-based Shark Fights promotion, defeating the previously unbeaten (6-0) Bryan Humes via Unanimous Decision. [11]

Buentello fought former UFC Heavyweight Champion Tim Sylvia at Powerhouse World Promotions: War on the Mainland on August 14. In a very one sided fight, Sylvia defeated Buentello via KO due to an uppercut in the second round. [12]

Buentello was scheduled to face Kerry Schall at Nemesis Fighting: MMA Global Invasion on November 13, 2010 [13] but the event was postponed to December 10, 2010 to avoid a tropical storm. He won the fight by unanimous decision. [14] Buentello, like the other MMA fighters on the card, did not receive his contracted pay. [15]

His next bout was a non-title fight against decorated amateur wrestler and current Bellator Heavyweight Champion Cole Konrad at Bellator 48 on August 20, 2011. He lost the bout via unanimous decision.

On March 31, 2012, Buentello faced former Shark Fights Heavyweight Champion, and The Ultimate Fighter 10 alumni Darrill Schoonover WMMA 1: McCorkle vs. Heden. Buentello lost by unanimous decision.

Buentello was scheduled to face Marcus Sursa at Legacy Fighting Championship 22 on August 23, 2013, however, the bout was scrapped after Sursa was denied a license by the Texas Department of Licensing and Registration. [16] He instead faced James McSweeney at the event. [17] He won the fight via TKO in the second round.

Buentello faced independent prospect Myron Dennis on March 15, 2014, at Legacy FC 29 for their vacant Light heavyweight championship. [18] Buentello lost the back-and-forth fight by split decision. [19]

Buentello fought Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou in the Heavyweight class on October 3, 2015 in Abu Dhabi, UAE at Abu Dhabi Warriors Fighting Championship 3. Buentello won the fight via KO with punches in the third round. [20]

Absolute Championship Berkut

Buentello faced Denis Goltsov at ACB 41: Path to Triumph on July 15, 2016. [21] He lost the fight via knockout in the first round. [22]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
52 matches35 wins17 losses
By knockout258
By submission64
By decision45
Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Loss35–17 Denis Goltsov KO (head kick) ACB 41: The Path to Triumph July 15, 201613:07 Sochi, Krasnodar krai, Russia
Win35–16 Eric Prindle KO (punch)Abu Dhabi Warriors 4May 24, 201611:04Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Win34–16 Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou KO (punch)Abu Dhabi Warriors 3October 3, 201533:12 Abu Dhabi, United Arab EmiratesReturn to Heavyweight.
Loss33–16Myron DennisDecision (split)Legacy FC 29March 15, 201435:00 Albuquerque, New Mexico, United StatesFor the Legacy FC Light Heavyweight Championship.
Win33–15 James McSweeney TKO (punches to the body)Legacy FC 22August 23, 201322:44 Lubbock, Texas, United States Light heavyweight debut.
Win32–15Igor KostinDecision (unanimous)Federation of MMA of Russia: Star Fight 15May 30, 201335:00 Vladikavkaz, Russia
Win31–15Mike CookKO (punch)IFC: Warriors Challenge 29December 8, 201222:08 Oroville, California, United States
Win30–15Igor KostinKO (punches)Vologda Fight Festival: Head HuntingOctober 12, 201230:56 Vologda, Russia
Loss29–15 Darrill Schoonover Decision (unanimous)WMMA 1: McCorkle vs. HedenMarch 31, 201235:00 El Paso, Texas, United States
Loss29–14 Cole Konrad Decision (unanimous) Bellator 48 August 20, 201135:00 Uncasville, Connecticut, United StatesNon-title bout.
Win29–13 Kerry Schall Decision (unanimous) Nemesis Fighting: MMA Global Invasion December 10, 201035:00 Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Loss28–13 Tim Sylvia KO (punch)Powerhouse World Promotions: War on the MainlandAugust 14, 201024:57 Irvine, California, United StatesFor the PWP Heavyweight Championship.
Win28–12Bryan HumesDecision (unanimous) Shark Fights 11: Humes vs Buentello May 22, 201035:00 Odessa, Texas, United States
Loss27–12 Cheick Kongo TKO (submission to elbows to the legs) UFC Live: Vera vs. Jones March 21, 201031:16 Broomfield, Colorado, United States
Loss27–11 Stefan Struve Decision (majority) UFC 107 December 12, 200935:00 Memphis, Tennessee, United States
Win27–10 Kirill Sidelnikov TKO (doctor stoppage) Affliction: Day of Reckoning January 24, 200934:18 Anaheim, California, United States
Win26–10 Gary Goodridge Decision (unanimous) Affliction: Banned July 19, 200835:00 Anaheim, California, United States
Loss25–10 Alistair Overeem TKO (submission to knee to the body) Strikeforce: Four Men Enter, One Man Survives November 16, 200723:42 San Jose, California, United StatesFor the inaugural Strikeforce Heavyweight Championship.
Win25–9Carter WilliamsTKO (punches) Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Baroni June 22, 200720:10 San Jose, California, United States
Win24–9Ruben VillarealTKO (corner stoppage) Strikeforce: Triple Threat December 8, 200623:57 San Jose, California, United States
Win23–9 Tank Abbott KO (punch) Strikeforce: Tank vs. Buentello October 7, 200610:43 Fresno, California, United States
Win22–9Gilbert AldanaTKO (punches) UFC 57 February 4, 200622:27 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss21–9 Andrei Arlovski KO (punch) UFC 55 October 7, 200510:15 Uncasville, Connecticut, United StatesFor the UFC Heavyweight Championship.
Win21–8 Kevin Jordan Submission (guillotine choke) UFC 53 June 4, 200514:00 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win20–8 Justin Eilers KO (punch) UFC 51 February 5, 200513:34 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win19–8Bo CantrellKO (punches) KOTC 44 November 14, 200410:45 San Jacinto, California, United StatesDefended the KOTC Heavyweight Championship.
Win18–8Lloyd MarshbanksTKO (punches)EP: XXXtreme ImpactDecember 28, 200312:57 Tijuana, Mexico
Win17–8 Bobby Hoffman Submission (verbal) KOTC 30 November 2, 20032N/A Pala, California, United StatesWon the KOTC Heavyweight Championship.
Win16–8Andy MontanaKO (head kick)Rumble on the Rock 4October 10, 200312:09 Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
Loss15–8 Bobby Hoffman Decision (unanimous) KOTC 27 August 10, 200335:00 San Jacinto, California, United StatesFor the KOTC Heavyweight Championship.
Win15–7 Mike Kyle KO (punches) KOTC 18 November 1, 200221:24 Reno, Nevada, United States
Win14–7Roger NeffKO (head kick) KOTC 14 June 19, 200213:04 Bernalillo, New Mexico, United States
Win13–7Jimmy WestfallTKO (punches)USWF 19September 25, 20011N/A Amarillo, Texas, United States
Win12–7Gary MarshallTKO (punches)IFC Warriors Challenge 15August 31, 200114:53 Oroville, California, United States
Loss11–7Nate SchroederSubmission (heel hook)IFC Warriors Challenge 13June 15, 200114:10 California, United States
Loss11–6Sam SotelloTKO (submission to punches)IFC Warriors Challenge 12April 11, 200133:22 Friant, California, United States
Loss11–5 Ricco Rodriguez Submission (kneebar) KOTC 7 February 24, 200124:21 San Jacinto, California, United StatesFor the KOTC Openweight Superfight Championship.
Win11–4Larry ParkerTKO (punches)IFC Warriors Challenge 8June 14, 200015:06 Friant, California, United States
Loss10–4 Gan McGee TKO (submission to punches)IFC Warriors Challenge 7May 3, 200012:44 Fresno, California, United StatesIFC WC 7 Tournament Finals
Win10–3Rocky BatastiniSubmission (armbar)IFC Warriors Challenge 7May 3, 200013:47 Fresno, California, United StatesIFC WC 7 Tournament Semifinals
Win9–3Jason GodseyTKO (submission to punches)IFC Warriors Challenge 7May 3, 200016:06 Fresno, California, United StatesIFC WC 7 Tournament Quarterfinals
Win8–3Jimmy WestfallTKO (corner stoppage)Amarillo FightsDecember 4, 199910:59 Amarillo, Texas, United States
Win7–3Denny MathiasTKO (submission to punches)World Class ShootfightingNovember 20, 19991N/A McKinney, Texas, United States
Win6–3Gilbert DuranTKO (submission to punches)World Class ShootfightingNovember 20, 19991N/A McKinney, Texas, United States
Loss5–3Todd BroadawayTKO (doctor stoppage)Extreme Challenge 24May 15, 199916:00 Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
Win5–2Larry ParkerKO (knee)USWF 9June 20, 199810:30 Amarillo, Texas, United States
Win4–2Shane SaavedraTKO (punches)USWF 9June 20, 199812:15 Amarillo, Texas, United States
Win3–2Dustin HeronemusSubmission (neck crank)USWF 9June 20, 199810:48 Amarillo, Texas, United States
Loss2–2 Dan Severn Submission (headlock)USWF 6August 16, 199712:55 Amarillo, Texas, United States
Loss2–1 Evan Tanner Submission (rear-naked choke)USWF 4April 12, 199712:20 Amarillo, Texas, United States
Win2–0David DavisSubmission (choke)USWF 4April 12, 199717:35 Amarillo, Texas, United States
Win1–0Derek McGillSubmission (choke)USWF 4April 12, 199716:00 Amarillo, Texas, United States

[25]

References

  1. ↑ "Paul "The Headhunter" Buentello's Profile". tapology.com. Retrieved January 1, 2015.
  2. ↑ "Paul Buentello".
  3. 1 2 http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Paul-Buentello-347 - Paul "The Headhunter" Buentello MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, Biography, and More - Sherdog.com
  4. ↑ "Affliction Releases Official Statement on Cancellation". The Fight Network. July 24, 2009. Retrieved July 24, 2009.
  5. ↑ "Affliction Owner Resigns". Sherdog. Retrieved November 4, 2009.
  6. ↑ "Multiple former Affliction fighters confirmed to the UFC during Dana White conference call". MMA Torch. Retrieved July 31, 2009.
  7. ↑ "Returning Paul Buentello to get heavyweight Todd Duffee at UFC 107 in December". Mmajunkie.com. September 20, 2009. Retrieved September 20, 2009.
  8. ↑ "Todd Duffee Off UFC 107; Struve, Russow Possible Opponents for Buentello". mmafrenzy.com. Retrieved November 3, 2009.
  9. ↑ "Stefan Struve replaces Todd Duffee, meets Paul Buentello on UFC 107 main card". mmajunkie.com. Archived from the original on November 14, 2009. Retrieved November 11, 2009.
  10. ↑ "Paul Buentello cut from UFC". fiveouncesofpain.com. Retrieved March 31, 2010.
  11. ↑ "UFC vet Paul Buentello dominates, wins in Shark Fights 11 main event". mmajunkie.com. Archived from the original on May 25, 2010. Retrieved May 24, 2010.
  12. ↑ "Tim Sylvia vs. Paul Buentello headlines "War on the Mainland"". 6th-round.com. August 9, 2010.
  13. ↑ "MMA 'Global Invasion' featuring Keith Jardine, Paul Buentello, Dean Lister and more on Nov. 13 in Punta Cana". October 5, 2010. Retrieved October 9, 2010.
  14. ↑ " @paulbuentello " on Twitter
  15. ↑ "Knoxx Gear".
  16. ↑ "the Sursa mystery why marcus was pulled from legacy fc 22". stephaniejoplin.com. May 5, 2013. Retrieved August 5, 2013.
  17. ↑ "James McSweeney Replaces Marcus Sursa, Faces Paul Buentello In Legacy FC 22 Main Event". sherdog.com. July 21, 2013. Retrieved August 5, 2013.
  18. ↑ "Buentello vs. Dennis title fight, Brookins vs. Fuller top Legacy FC 29 card". MMAJunkie.com. January 28, 2014.
  19. ↑ "Legacy FC 29 results: Myron Dennis wins light heavyweight title vs. Paul Buentello". mmajunkie.com. March 21, 2014. Retrieved March 22, 2014.
  20. ↑ "AD Warriors 3 - Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou Vs. Paul Buentello (Video)". arabsmma. October 4, 2015. Retrieved October 4, 2015.
  21. ↑ "Paul Buentello will face to Denis Goltsov". vesti.ru. July 11, 2016.
  22. ↑ "ACB's results". acbmma.com. July 15, 2016.
  23. ↑ Thomas Gerbasi (December 18, 2005). "Ten Best – The Top UFC Submissions of 2005 (archive link no longer loading as of Dec 2024 but Gerbasi personally provided the text of the article via @tgerbasi)". 10 - Paul Buentello WSub1 (4:00) Kevin Jordan – June 4 – UFC 53
  24. ↑ Thomas Gerbasi (December 18, 2009). "Ten Best – The Losses of 2009". Ultimate Fighting Championship .
  25. ↑ Sherdog.com. "Paul". Sherdog. Retrieved December 20, 2018.
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