Paul Buentello | |
---|---|
Born | Amarillo, Texas, United States | January 16, 1974
Other names | The Headhunter |
Height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
Weight | 205 lb (93 kg; 15 st) |
Division | Heavyweight Light heavyweight |
Reach | 76.0 in (193 cm) [1] |
Fighting out of | San Jose, California, United States |
Team | Grudge Training Center |
Years active | 1997–2017 |
Mixed martial arts record | |
Total | 52 |
Wins | 35 |
By knockout | 25 |
By submission | 6 |
By decision | 4 |
Losses | 17 |
By knockout | 8 |
By submission | 4 |
By decision | 5 |
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.
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.
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]
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.
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]
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]
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]
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]
52 matches | 35 wins | 17 losses |
By knockout | 25 | 8 |
By submission | 6 | 4 |
By decision | 4 | 5 |
Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Loss | 35–17 | Denis Goltsov | KO (head kick) | ACB 41: The Path to Triumph | July 15, 2016 | 1 | 3:07 | Sochi, Krasnodar krai, Russia | |
Win | 35–16 | Eric Prindle | KO (punch) | Abu Dhabi Warriors 4 | May 24, 2016 | 1 | 1:04 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | |
Win | 34–16 | Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou | KO (punch) | Abu Dhabi Warriors 3 | October 3, 2015 | 3 | 3:12 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | Return to Heavyweight. |
Loss | 33–16 | Myron Dennis | Decision (split) | Legacy FC 29 | March 15, 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States | For the Legacy FC Light Heavyweight Championship. |
Win | 33–15 | James McSweeney | TKO (punches to the body) | Legacy FC 22 | August 23, 2013 | 2 | 2:44 | Lubbock, Texas, United States | Light heavyweight debut. |
Win | 32–15 | Igor Kostin | Decision (unanimous) | Federation of MMA of Russia: Star Fight 15 | May 30, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Vladikavkaz, Russia | |
Win | 31–15 | Mike Cook | KO (punch) | IFC: Warriors Challenge 29 | December 8, 2012 | 2 | 2:08 | Oroville, California, United States | |
Win | 30–15 | Igor Kostin | KO (punches) | Vologda Fight Festival: Head Hunting | October 12, 2012 | 3 | 0:56 | Vologda, Russia | |
Loss | 29–15 | Darrill Schoonover | Decision (unanimous) | WMMA 1: McCorkle vs. Heden | March 31, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | El Paso, Texas, United States | |
Loss | 29–14 | Cole Konrad | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 48 | August 20, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | Non-title bout. |
Win | 29–13 | Kerry Schall | Decision (unanimous) | Nemesis Fighting: MMA Global Invasion | December 10, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | Punta Cana, Dominican Republic | |
Loss | 28–13 | Tim Sylvia | KO (punch) | Powerhouse World Promotions: War on the Mainland | August 14, 2010 | 2 | 4:57 | Irvine, California, United States | For the PWP Heavyweight Championship. |
Win | 28–12 | Bryan Humes | Decision (unanimous) | Shark Fights 11: Humes vs Buentello | May 22, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | Odessa, Texas, United States | |
Loss | 27–12 | Cheick Kongo | TKO (submission to elbows to the legs) | UFC Live: Vera vs. Jones | March 21, 2010 | 3 | 1:16 | Broomfield, Colorado, United States | |
Loss | 27–11 | Stefan Struve | Decision (majority) | UFC 107 | December 12, 2009 | 3 | 5:00 | Memphis, Tennessee, United States | |
Win | 27–10 | Kirill Sidelnikov | TKO (doctor stoppage) | Affliction: Day of Reckoning | January 24, 2009 | 3 | 4:18 | Anaheim, California, United States | |
Win | 26–10 | Gary Goodridge | Decision (unanimous) | Affliction: Banned | July 19, 2008 | 3 | 5:00 | Anaheim, California, United States | |
Loss | 25–10 | Alistair Overeem | TKO (submission to knee to the body) | Strikeforce: Four Men Enter, One Man Survives | November 16, 2007 | 2 | 3:42 | San Jose, California, United States | For the inaugural Strikeforce Heavyweight Championship. |
Win | 25–9 | Carter Williams | TKO (punches) | Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Baroni | June 22, 2007 | 2 | 0:10 | San Jose, California, United States | |
Win | 24–9 | Ruben Villareal | TKO (corner stoppage) | Strikeforce: Triple Threat | December 8, 2006 | 2 | 3:57 | San Jose, California, United States | |
Win | 23–9 | Tank Abbott | KO (punch) | Strikeforce: Tank vs. Buentello | October 7, 2006 | 1 | 0:43 | Fresno, California, United States | |
Win | 22–9 | Gilbert Aldana | TKO (punches) | UFC 57 | February 4, 2006 | 2 | 2:27 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
Loss | 21–9 | Andrei Arlovski | KO (punch) | UFC 55 | October 7, 2005 | 1 | 0:15 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | For the UFC Heavyweight Championship. |
Win | 21–8 | Kevin Jordan | Submission (guillotine choke) | UFC 53 | June 4, 2005 | 1 | 4:00 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
Win | 20–8 | Justin Eilers | KO (punch) | UFC 51 | February 5, 2005 | 1 | 3:34 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
Win | 19–8 | Bo Cantrell | KO (punches) | KOTC 44 | November 14, 2004 | 1 | 0:45 | San Jacinto, California, United States | Defended the King of the Cage Heavyweight Championship. |
Win | 18–8 | Lloyd Marshbanks | TKO (punches) | EP: XXXtreme Impact | December 28, 2003 | 1 | 2:57 | Tijuana, Mexico | |
Win | 17–8 | Bobby Hoffman | Submission (verbal) | KOTC 30 | November 2, 2003 | 2 | N/A | Pala, California, United States | Won the King of the Cage Heavyweight Championship. |
Win | 16–8 | Andy Montana | KO (head kick) | Rumble on the Rock 4 | October 10, 2003 | 1 | 2:09 | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States | |
Loss | 15–8 | Bobby Hoffman | Decision (unanimous) | KOTC 27 | August 10, 2003 | 3 | 5:00 | San Jacinto, California, United States | For the King of the Cage Heavyweight Championship. |
Win | 15–7 | Mike Kyle | KO (punches) | KOTC 18 | November 1, 2002 | 2 | 1:24 | Reno, Nevada, United States | |
Win | 14–7 | Roger Neff | KO (head kick) | KOTC 14 | June 19, 2002 | 1 | 3:04 | Bernalillo, New Mexico, United States | |
Win | 13–7 | Jimmy Westfall | TKO (punches) | USWF 19 | September 25, 2001 | 1 | N/A | Amarillo, Texas, United States | |
Win | 12–7 | Gary Marshall | TKO (punches) | IFC Warriors Challenge 15 | August 31, 2001 | 1 | 4:53 | Oroville, California, United States | |
Loss | 11–7 | Nate Schroeder | Submission (heel hook) | IFC Warriors Challenge 13 | June 15, 2001 | 1 | 4:10 | California, United States | |
Loss | 11–6 | Sam Sotello | TKO (submission to punches) | IFC Warriors Challenge 12 | April 11, 2001 | 3 | 3:22 | Friant, California, United States | |
Loss | 11–5 | Ricco Rodriguez | Submission (kneebar) | KOTC 7 | February 24, 2001 | 2 | 4:21 | San Jacinto, California, United States | For the King of the Cage Openweight Superfight Championship. |
Win | 11–4 | Larry Parker | TKO (punches) | IFC Warriors Challenge 8 | June 14, 2000 | 1 | 5:06 | Friant, California, United States | |
Loss | 10–4 | Gan McGee | TKO (submission to punches) | IFC Warriors Challenge 7 | May 3, 2000 | 1 | 2:44 | Fresno, California, United States | IFC WC 7 Tournament Finals |
Win | 10–3 | Rocky Batastini | Submission (armbar) | IFC Warriors Challenge 7 | May 3, 2000 | 1 | 3:47 | Fresno, California, United States | IFC WC 7 Tournament Semifinals |
Win | 9–3 | Jason Godsey | TKO (submission to punches) | IFC Warriors Challenge 7 | May 3, 2000 | 1 | 6:06 | Fresno, California, United States | IFC WC 7 Tournament Quarterfinals |
Win | 8–3 | Jimmy Westfall | TKO (corner stoppage) | Amarillo Fights | December 4, 1999 | 1 | 0:59 | Amarillo, Texas, United States | |
Win | 7–3 | Denny Mathias | TKO (submission to punches) | World Class Shootfighting | November 20, 1999 | 1 | N/A | McKinney, Texas, United States | |
Win | 6–3 | Gilbert Duran | TKO (submission to punches) | World Class Shootfighting | November 20, 1999 | 1 | N/A | McKinney, Texas, United States | |
Loss | 5–3 | Todd Broadaway | TKO (doctor stoppage) | Extreme Challenge 24 | May 15, 1999 | 1 | 6:00 | Salt Lake City, Utah, United States | |
Win | 5–2 | Larry Parker | KO (knee) | USWF 9 | June 20, 1998 | 1 | 0:30 | Amarillo, Texas, United States | |
Win | 4–2 | Shane Saavedra | TKO (punches) | USWF 9 | June 20, 1998 | 1 | 2:15 | Amarillo, Texas, United States | |
Win | 3–2 | Dustin Heronemus | Submission (rear-naked choke) | USWF 9 | June 20, 1998 | 1 | 0:48 | Amarillo, Texas, United States | |
Loss | 2–2 | Dan Severn | Submission (headlock) | USWF 6 | August 16, 1997 | 1 | 2:55 | Amarillo, Texas, United States | |
Loss | 2–1 | Evan Tanner | Submission (rear-naked choke) | USWF 4 | April 12, 1997 | 1 | 2:20 | Amarillo, Texas, United States | |
Win | 2–0 | David Davis | Submission (choke) | USWF 4 | April 12, 1997 | 1 | 7:35 | Amarillo, Texas, United States | |
Win | 1–0 | Derek McGill | Submission (choke) | USWF 4 | April 12, 1997 | 1 | 6:00 | Amarillo, Texas, United States |
Francisco Santos Mir, is an American retired mixed martial artist who last competed in the Heavyweight division. He formerly competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) for sixteen years, and Bellator MMA. A former UFC Heavyweight Champion, he holds the record for the most finishes and the most submission victories in UFC Heavyweight history. Mir possessed the longest uninterrupted tenure of any fighter in UFC history, competing for the company from 2001 to 2016. He was the first man to knock out and the first to submit Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira.
Andrei Arlovski is a Belarusian-American professional mixed martial artist and actor, who is currently a free agent. A former UFC Heavyweight Champion, he competed in the heavyweight division for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and holds the record for most wins (23) in UFC heavyweight history. Arlovski has also competed for Strikeforce, WSOF, Affliction, EliteXC, ONE FC and M-1 Challenge.
Alistair Cees Overeem is a Dutch former professional mixed martial artist and kickboxer. He is a former Strikeforce Heavyweight Champion, Dream Heavyweight Champion, K-1 World Grand Prix Champion, and was the first fighter to hold world titles in MMA and K-1 kickboxing at the same time. Overeem is also a one-time challenger for the UFC Heavyweight Championship.
Renato Sobral da Cunha, also known as "Babalu", is a retired Brazilian Luta Livre submission grappler, mixed martial artist, and was the former Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion. Sobral previously fought in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, where he posted a 6–4 record and has also competed for Bellator, RINGS, Jungle Fight, Cage Rage, Affliction, and ONE Championship. He is the Head Instructor of Babalu's Iron Gym Cerritos and has a Luta Livre black belt under Marco Ruas and also a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt under Carlos Gracie Jr.
Timothy Deane Sylvia is an American retired mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter, professional wrestler, and a former two-time UFC Heavyweight Champion. He has competed as a Super Heavyweight and Heavyweight. While he is best known for competing in the UFC, Sylvia has also fought for Affliction, the International Fighting Championships (IFC), and ONE FC.
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.
Ben Rothwell is an American mixed martial artist and Bare-Knuckle boxer who competes as a Heavyweight. He most notably had a 17 bout stint in the Ultimate Fighting Championship and competed for the Quad Cities Silverbacks of the IFL where he held an undefeated 9–0 record before leaving the promotion due to a contract dispute. He has also had one-fight stints in Affliction, M-1 Global, and King of the Cage.
Antônio Silva is a Brazilian retired professional mixed martial artist and kickboxer who formerly competed in the Heavyweight division. Silva has competed for the UFC, Strikeforce, EliteXC, Cage Rage, Fight Nights Global, World Victory Road, K-1 HERO'S, and Cage Warriors. He is the former EliteXC Heavyweight Champion, Cage Rage World Heavyweight Champion, and Cage Warriors Super Heavyweight Champion.
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, and King of the Cage. He is the former WEC Heavyweight Champion and King of the Cage Light Heavyweight Champion.
Affliction: Banned was a mixed martial arts event co-promoted by Affliction Clothing and Adrenaline MMA. It took place on July 19, 2008 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. The card at Banned featured many of the top MMA heavyweight fighters.
Affliction: Day of Reckoning was a mixed martial arts event promoted by Affliction Entertainment on January 24, 2009, in Anaheim, California at the Honda Center. It was originally scheduled for October 11, 2008, at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada with a different fight card.
Affliction Entertainment was an American mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion company created by Affliction Clothing in 2008. The UFC prohibited its fighters from wearing Affliction clothing after learning Affliction was applying to become an MMA fight promoter. Although the promotion company bore the Affliction name, it was run independently of Affliction Clothing.
Stefan Struve is a Dutch former mixed martial artist who competed as a heavyweight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). At 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m), he is the tallest fighter in the history of the UFC.
Todd Duffee is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Heavyweight division of Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki (KSW). He trains predominantly with the Combat Sports Academy and the American Kickboxing Academy in California. Duffee has also competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Super Fight League in India, Jungle Fight in Brazil, and Dynamite!! 2010 in Japan. In addition to his mixed martial arts career he had a role in the 2011 film Never Back Down 2: The Beatdown as well as minor roles in both film and television. Duffee has also appeared on the front cover of Muscle & Fitness magazine.
UFC 107: Penn vs. Sanchez was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) on December 12, 2009 in Memphis, Tennessee at the FedExForum.
James Adam McSweeney is a British retired kickboxer and mixed martial artist. A professional MMA competitor since 2005, McSweeney is well known for being a cast member of Spike TV's The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights and competing in the UFC, but he has also competed in major European promotions such as KSW, Cage Rage and BAMMA.
Philip De Fries is a British mixed martial artist currently competing in the Heavyweight division of Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki, where he is the current KSW Heavyweight Champion. He holds the most title defences and is the longest reigning KSW Champion in the organisations history. A professional competitor since 2009, De Fries has formerly competed for the UFC, Bellator, and M-1 Global.
Luiz Philipe Lins Pimentel do Amaral is a Brazilian mixed martial artist, who formerly competed in the light heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He won the 2018 Professional Fighters League heavyweight tournament.
Marcos Rogério de Lima is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who competes in the heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. A professional since 2009, he formerly competed for Strikeforce, Shooto, and was a contestant on The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 3. As of November 19, 2024, he is #12 in the UFC heavyweight rankings.
Chase Gormley is an American professional mixed martial artist and bare-knuckle boxer, currently competing in the Heavyweight division of the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC). A professional competitor since 2007, he has competed for the UFC, Bellator, the MFC, the RFA, King of the Cage, the XFC, Absolute Championship Berkut, and Titan FC, where he was Heavyweight Champion.