Ray Sefo

Last updated

Ray Sefo
RaySefoXtremeCouture.jpg
Born (1971-02-15) 15 February 1971 (age 54)
Auckland, New Zealand
Other namesSugarfoot
Height1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Weight120 kg (265 lb; 18 st 13 lb)
Division Light Heavyweight
Cruiserweight
Heavyweight
Reach75 in (191 cm)
Style Kickboxing
Stance Orthodox
Fighting out of Las Vegas, Nevada, US
Team Xtreme Couture
Ray Sefo's Fight Academy
Years active1989–2012 (Kickboxing)
1989–2012 (Muay Thai)
1994–2001 (Boxing)
2005–2013 (MMA)
Professional boxing record
Total6
Wins5
By knockout4
Losses1
Kickboxing record
Total79
Wins56
By knockout38
Losses22
By knockout11
Draws1
Mixed martial arts record
Total4
Wins2
By knockout2
Losses2
By knockout1
By submission1
Other information
Notable relatives Afioga Valelia Sefo “mother”, Ioane Leilua Sefo “father”, Rony Sefo, brother Selestina Brown Soifua “sister”,
Antz Nansen, cousin
Baby Nansen, cousin
Boxing record from BoxRec
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Last updated on: 11 May 2011

Ray Sefo (born 15 February 1971) is a New Zealand fight promoter and retired [1] kickboxer, boxer, and mixed martial artist. [2] [3] He was the K-1 World Grand Prix 2000 Runner-up, is a six-time Muay Thai World Champion, [4] and was an eight time K-1 World Grand Prix Finals tournament participant. He is the president of MMA promotion Professional Fighters League. [5] In kickboxing, he defeated world champions Jerome Le Banner, Peter Aerts, Stefan Leko, Mike Bernardo, and Mark Hunt. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest heavyweight kickboxers to have never won the K-1 World Grand Prix. As mixed martial artist, he most notably competed in the now defunct Strikeforce in 2009 and 2011.

Contents

Background

Training in Kung Fu as a youth, Sefo moved to Muay Thai under Thai fighting legend Kiosot, then continued training under Lollo Heimuli at the infamous Balmoral Lee Gar Gym.

Career

Early career

Sefo had an impressive unbeaten record as an amateur and a professional in the Oceania kickboxing league. Early in his career, he trained at Balmoral Lee Gar gym alongside Jason Suttie, Jayson Vemoa, Doug Viney, John Conway, and his brother, Rony Sefo. In 1996, Ray Sefo fought Andre Mannaart in a kickboxing match and overwhelmed Manaart with devastating speed and elusive footwork, knocking him down on numerous occasions. In the ring after the fight, Mannaart took the microphone and said, "...you should call him Sugarfist, not Sugarfoot..." Sefo's first major breakthrough was becoming a WKA Cruiserweight Champion. He also acted as a sparring partner for fellow New Zealander David Tua, when Tua first returned to New Zealand for a fight after turning pro.

K-1

Sefo made his K-1 debut against future four-time World Grand Prix Champion, Ernesto Hoost. Sefo held his own against the much more experienced Hoost but was finally knocked out in the 4th round by a leg kick. Sefo gained respect for standing up to such an elite fighter in just his first fight. Sefo gained more respect in his third K-1 fight where he knocked out K-1 legend Jerome Lebanner in the 1st round. Sefo's hard right hand was enough to break the Frenchman's jaw in four places.[ citation needed ]

Sefo had an up and down first few years in K-1, unable to make it past the quarter-finals in the K-1 World Grand Prix against the likes of Sam Greco and Andy Hug. In 2000, he made it to the WGP final after knocking out Japanese star Musashi and French kickboxer Cyril Abidi, before losing again to Hoost. In 2002, Sefo defeated Dutch legend Peter Aerts in the quarter-finals but lost again to his nemesis Hoost in the semi-finals.

In 2007, Sefo was thought to be a legitimate challenger to dethrone four-time World Grand Prix Champion Semmy Schilt for the new Super Heavyweight title. In the 1st round, Sefo became only the second man in history to knock Schilt down. However, he would go on to lose by KO in the second round. He went on to lose five more fights and would not find the winners circle again until he beat Choi Hong-man, Yosuke Nishijima, and Ionut Iftimoaie, all by decision.

Sefo was then asked to fight at the K-1 World Grand Prix 2010 in Seoul Final 16 on ten days notice against Tyrone Spong. Sefo put up a decent fight on short preparation but was beaten by decision.

Sefo is one of the first Samoans to appear in a video game, featuring in K1 Premium 2004 Dynamite!! for PlayStation 2. [6]


MMA and retirement

In mid-February 2011, Sefo, possessing and undefeated record of 2-0, had his third MMA fight in a reserve fight for the Strikeforce Heavyweight tournament. He fought Valentijn Overeem, brother of Alistair Overeem, the 2010 K-1 World Grand Prix champion. Overeem had 50 MMA fights behind him and beat Sefo by submission in the first round. Sefo's striking on the feet looked average, and as an inexperienced grappler, he lost early on by neck crank.

On 12 June 2013, Sefo announced that he would return to fighting. [7] At WSOF 3, Sefo announced that he would be facing Dave Huckaba. [8] The two fought at World Series of Fighting 4 on 10 August 2013. Sefo lost the fight via TKO in the second round. In an interview in April 2015, Sefo said, "I actually made a promise to myself that this year will be my last year." He did not fight again after losing against Huckaba. [9] While he considered fighting again, Sefo officially announced his retirement in 2018. [1]

Executive career

Sefo is the current president of MMA promotion Professional Fighters League. [5] He was named president when the promotion was still known as World Series of Fighting. He helped the promotion ink a deal with NBC Sports to air 8 to 10 events on its network.

Titles

Personal life

Sefo lives in Las Vegas, Nevada, and continues to train out of Xtreme Couture Mixed Martial Arts. [10]

Kickboxing record (incomplete)

Kickboxing record (Incomplete)
56 Wins (38 (T)KO's, 18 Decisions), 22 Losses (11 (T)KO's, 11 Decisions), 1 Draw
DateResultOpponentEventLocationMethodRoundTimeRecord
2012-03-10Loss Flag of Croatia.svg Mirko Cro Cop Cro Cop Final Fight Zagreb, Croatia Decision (unanimous)33:0056-22-1
2010-10-02Loss Flag of Suriname.svg Tyrone Spong K-1 World Grand Prix 2010 in Seoul Final 16 Seoul, South Korea Decision (unanimous)33:0056-21-1
Fails to qualify for K-1 World Grand Prix 2010 final.
2010-05-21Win Flag of Romania.svg Ionuţ Iftimoaie K-1 World Grand Prix 2010 in Bucharest Bucharest, Romania Decision (unanimous)33:0056-20-1
2009-12-31Win Flag of Japan.svg Yosuke Nishijima Dynamite!! 2009 Saitama, Japan Decision (unanimous)33:0055-20-1
2008-12-06Win Flag of South Korea.svg Choi Hong-man K-1 World Grand Prix 2008 Final Yokohama, Japan Decision (unanimous)33:0054-20-1
2008-09-27Loss Flag of Turkey.svg Gokhan Saki K-1 World Grand Prix 2008 in Seoul Final 16 Seoul, Korea Ext.R decision43:0053-20-1
Fails to qualify for K-1 World Grand Prix 2008 final.
2008-07-13Loss Flag of Azerbaijan.svg Zabit Samedov K-1 World Grand Prix 2008 in Taipei Taipei City, Taiwan 2nd Ext.R decision (split)53:0053-19-1
2008-04-13Loss Flag of Morocco.svg Badr Hari K-1 World Grand Prix 2008 in Yokohama Yokohama, Japan TKO (referee stoppage)12:4353-18-1
2007-09-29Loss Flag of the Netherlands.svg Peter Aerts K-1 World Grand Prix 2007 in Seoul Final 16 Seoul, South Korea TKO (corner stoppage)13:0053-17-1
Fails to qualify for K-1 World Grand Prix 2007 final.
2007-08-11Loss Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Bjorn Bregy K-1 World Grand Prix 2007 in Las Vegas Las Vegas, Nevada, USA Decision (split)33:0053-16-1
2007-03-04Loss Flag of the Netherlands.svg Semmy Schilt K-1 World Grand Prix 2007 in Yokohama Yokohama, Japan KO (punch)20:2653-15-1
Fight was for K-1 Super Heavyweight Title.
2006-12-02Win Flag of the Netherlands.svg Melvin Manhoef K-1 World Grand Prix 2006 Final Tokyo, Japan KO (right hook)10:4053-14-1
2006-09-30Loss Flag of Germany.svg Stefan Leko K-1 World Grand Prix 2006 in Osaka opening round Osaka, Japan Ext.R decision (unanimous)43:0052-14-1
Loses fight but invited to K-1 World Grand Prix 2006 Final as Reservist.
2006-08-12Win Flag of Albania.svg Azem Maksutaj K-1 World Grand Prix 2006 in Las Vegas II Las Vegas, Nevada, USA TKO (referee stoppage)32:0252-13-1
2006-06-03Win Flag of Russia.svg Ruslan Karaev K-1 World Grand Prix 2006 in Seoul Seoul, South Korea KO (right hook)11:4251-13-1
2006-03-05Win Flag of South Africa.svg Francois Botha K-1 World Grand Prix 2006 in Auckland Auckland, New ZealandDecision (unanimous)33:0050-13-1
2005-11-19Loss Flag of the Netherlands.svg Semmy Schilt K-1 World Grand Prix 2005 Final Tokyo, Japan Decision (unanimous)33:0049-13-1
2005-09-23Win Flag of Thailand.svg Kaoklai Kaennorsing K-1 World Grand Prix 2005 in Osaka – final elimination Osaka, Japan Decision (unanimous)33:0049-12-1
Qualifies for K-1 World Grand Prix 2005 final.
2005-06-14Win Flag of Russia.svg Ruslan Karaev K-1 World Grand Prix 2005 in Hiroshima Hiroshima, Japan TKO (referee stoppage)10:3748-12-1
2004-12-31Win Flag of Trinidad and Tobago.svg Gary Goodridge K-1 PREMIUM 2004 Dynamite!! Osaka, Japan KO (right Uppercuts)10:2447-12-1
2004-11-04Loss Flag of Japan.svg Musashi K-1 World Grand Prix 2004 Final Tokyo, Japan Ext.R decision (unanimous)43:0046-12-1
2004-09-25Win Flag of Japan.svg Hiromi Amada K-1 World Grand Prix 2004 final elimination Tokyo, Japan Decision (unanimous)33:0046-11-1
Qualifies for K-1 World Grand Prix 2004 final.
2004-08-07Win Flag of the United States.svg Marvin Eastman K-1 World Grand Prix 2004 in Las Vegas II Las Vegas, Nevada, USA TKO (referee stoppage)11:3245-11-1
2004-06-26Win Flag of the United States.svg Bob Sapp K-1 Beast 2004 in Shizuoka Shizuoka, Japan KO20:2944-11-1
2003-12-06Loss Flag of Japan.svg Musashi K-1 World Grand Prix 2003 Final Tokyo, Japan Decision (unanimous)33:0043-11-1
2003-10-11Win Flag of the United States.svg Carter Williams K-1 World Grand Prix 2003 final elimination Osaka, Japan Decision (majority)33:0043-10-1
Qualifies for K-1 World Grand Prix 2003 final.
2003-07-13Win Flag of Japan.svg Tatsufumi Tomihira K-1 World Grand Prix 2003 in Fukuoka Fukuoka, Japan TKO (corner stoppage)52:1542-10-1
2003-03-30Win Flag of England.svg Pelé Reid K-1 World Grand Prix 2003 in Saitama Saitama, Japan TKO (corner stoppage)31:1541-10-1
2002-12-07Loss Flag of the Netherlands.svg Ernesto Hoost K-1 World Grand Prix 2002 Final Tokyo, Japan TKO (Shin Injury)11:4940-10-1
2002-12-07Win Flag of the Netherlands.svg Peter Aerts K-1 World Grand Prix 2002 Final Tokyo, Japan Decision (split)33:0040-9-1
2002-10-05Win Flag of Sweden.svg Martin Holm K-1 World Grand Prix 2002 final elimination Saitama, Japan Decision (majority)33:0039-9-1
Qualifies for K-1 World Grand Prix 2002 final.
2002-07-14Win Flag of the Netherlands.svg Gilbert Yvel K-1 World Grand Prix 2002 in Fukuoka Fukuoka, Japan KO (Low Kicks)22:0738-9-1
2002-06-02Win Flag of Brazil.svg Julio Cesar Santana K-1 Survival 2002 Toyama, Japan KO (right hook)10:3737-9-1
2002-03-03Win Flag of South Africa.svg Mike Bernardo K-1 World Grand Prix 2002 in Nagoya Nagoya, Japan Decision (unanimous)53:0036-9-1
2001-10-08Win Flag of New Zealand.svg Mark Hunt K-1 World Grand Prix 2001 in Fukuoka Fukuoka, Japan Decision (unanimous)33:0035-9-1
2001-06-24Loss Flag of the Netherlands.svg Remy Bonjasky K-1 Survival 2001 Sendai, Japan Ext.R TKO (corner stoppage)43:0034-9-1
2001-04-29Win Flag of Australia (converted).svg Adam Watt K-1 World Grand Prix 2001 in Osaka Osaka, Japan TKO (right hook)12:2034-8-1
2001-03-17Win Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Michael McDonald K-1 Gladiators 2001 Yokohama, Japan KO (right hook)11:5633-8-1
2000-12-10Loss Flag of the Netherlands.svg Ernesto Hoost K-1 World Grand Prix 2000 Final Tokyo, Japan Decision (unanimous)33:0032-8-1
Fight was for K-1 World Grand Prix 2000 title.
2000-12-10Win Flag of France.svg Cyril Abidi K-1 World Grand Prix 2000 Final Tokyo, Japan TKO (referee stoppage)11:4532-7-1
2000-12-10Win Flag of Japan.svg Musashi K-1 World Grand Prix 2000 Final Tokyo, Japan TKO (referee stoppage)11:3831-7-1
2000-08-20Loss Flag of France.svg Cyril Abidi K-1 World Grand Prix 2000 in Yokohama Yokohama, Japan TKO (corner stoppage)23:0030-7-1
2000-08-20Win Flag of Germany.svg Frank Otto K-1 World Grand Prix 2000 in Yokohama Yokohama, Japan TKO (referee stoppage)12:2430-6-1
2000-08-20Loss Flag of the Netherlands.svg Peter Aerts K-1 The Millennium Osaka, Japan KO (right low kick)32:2429-6-1
1999-12-05Loss Flag of Australia (converted).svg Sam Greco K-1 World Grand Prix 1999 Final quarter-finals Tokyo, Japan Decision (unanimous)33:0029-5-1
1999-10-03Win Flag of Morocco.svg Samir Benazzouz K-1 World Grand Prix '99 opening round Osaka, Japan TKO (referee stoppage)12:1429-4-1
Qualifies for K-1 World Grand Prix 1999 final.
1999-06-06Win Flag of the United States.svg Jim Mullen K-1 Survival '99 Sapporo, Japan KO (right hook)20:4528-4-1
1999-04-25Loss Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Andy Hug K-1 Revenge '99 Yokohama, Japan TKO (corner stoppage)43:0027-4-1
1998-12-13Loss Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Andy Hug K-1 World Grand Prix 1998 Final quarter-finals Tokyo, Japan TKO (referee Stoppage/Two Knockdowns)22:2827-3-1
1998-09-27Win Flag of Germany.svg Stefan Leko K-1 World Grand Prix '98 opening round Osaka, Japan Decision (unanimous)53:0027-2-1
Qualifies for K-1 World Grand Prix 1998 final.
1998-05-24Loss Flag of England.svg Matt Skelton K-1 Braves '98 Fukuoka, Japan TKO (corner stoppage)23:0026-2-1
1998-04-09Draw Flag of Brazil.svg Francisco Filho K-1 Kings '98 Yokohama, Japan Draw53:0026-1-1
1998-01-23Win Flag of France.svg Stephane ReveillonN/AN/AKO2N/A26-1
Won WKBF Super Heavyweight title.
1997-10-00Win Flag of the United States.svg Jean-Claude Leuyer N/AN/ADecision53:0025-1
1997-07-20Win Flag of the United States.svg Jean-Claude Leuyer K-1 Dream '97 Nagoya, Japan Decision (unanimous)73:0024-1
Won WKBA Super Heavyweight title.
1997-04-29Win Flag of France.svg Jérôme Le Banner K-1 Braves '97 Fukuoka, Japan KO (right hook)11:3123-1
1997-03-16Win Flag of Croatia.svg Petar Majstorovic K-1 Kings '97 Yokohama, Japan TKO (referee stoppage)41:3622-1
1996-12-08Loss Flag of the Netherlands.svg Ernesto Hoost K-1 Hercules '96 Nagoya, Japan KO (Low Kicks)40:2521-1
1996-09-09Win Flag of England.svg Kirkwood WalkerN/A Hong Kong KON/AN/A21-0
Won WMTF World Heavyweight title.
1996-08-01Win Flag of England.svg Lee SwaneyNew Zealand vs England Auckland, New ZealandKON/AN/A20-0
1996-02-25Win Flag of the Netherlands.svg Andre Mannaart NZ - AUS - HOL Auckland, New ZealandKO (punches)4N/A19-0
Wins I.S.K.A. Super Cruiserweight World title.
1995-08-25Win Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Michael McDonald N/A Auckland, New ZealandKO (right hook)3N/A18-0
For I.S.K.A. World Light Cruiserweight title.
1995-04-27Win Flag of the United States.svg Rob MartinN/A Auckland, New ZealandKO (left hook)1N/A
Won WMTF Light Heavyweight title.
1995Win Flag of New Zealand.svg Alex Hooker Auckland, New ZealandDecisionN/A
1994-07Win Flag of New Zealand.svg Dan Wilson Auckland, New ZealandDecisionN/A
1995Win Flag of New Zealand.svg Aj Wilson Auckland,New ZealandDecisionN/A
1994-07Win Flag of New Zealand.svg Dan Wilson Auckland, New ZealandTKO1N/A

Boxing Record

Boxing record
5 Wins (4 (T)KO's, 1 Decision), 1 Loss (1 (T)KO)
DateResultOpponentLocationMethodRoundTimeRecord
2001-09-02Loss Flag of the United States.svg Chester Hughes Elgin, Illinois, USA KO1N/A5–1
2001-06-03Win Flag of the United States.svg Joe Lenhart Elgin, Illinois, USA TKO1N/A5–0
2001-02-11Win Flag of the United States.svg Steve Griffin Elgin, Illinois, USA TKO1N/A4–0
1996-10-05Win Flag of New Zealand.svg Nicky Faamata Auckland, New ZealandTKO3N/A3–0
1995-03-16Win Flag of New Zealand.svg Paul Baker Auckland, New ZealandPTS4N/A2–0
1994-11-24Win Flag of New Zealand.svg Alex Katu Auckland, New ZealandTKO1N/A1–0
Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw/No contest   Notes

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
4 matches2 wins2 losses
By knockout21
By submission01
Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Loss2–2Dave HuckabaTKO (punches) WSOF 4 August 10, 201324:32 Ontario, California, United States
Loss2–1 Valentijn Overeem Submission (neck crank) Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Silva February 12, 201111:37 East Rutherford, New Jersey, United States
Win2–0 Kevin Jordan TKO (knee injury) Strikeforce Challengers: Kennedy vs. Cummings September 25, 200920:24 Bixby, Oklahoma, United States
Win1–0 Kim Min-soo KO (head kick)Hero's 2July 6, 200520:30 Tokyo, Japan

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "PFL executive Ray Sefo officially announces retirement from fighting". mmafighting.com. 4 June 2018.
  2. "Kickboxing: Fighting among friends". The New Zealand Herald. 17 February 2006. Retrieved 27 February 2010.
  3. Jessup, Peter (8 October 2005). "Kickboxing: Sefo makes his presence felt". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 27 February 2010.
  4. "Kickboxer Sefo battles bankruptcy". Sunday News. 13 December 2008. Archived from the original on 8 March 2009. Retrieved 27 February 2010.
  5. 1 2 "WSOF President Ray Sefo". MMAJunkie.com. 25 July 2016. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
  6. https://www.giantbomb.com/k-1-premium-2004-dynamite/3030-29912/characters/
  7. "WSOF Pres. Ray Sefo Fighting on Aug. 10th Card". mmafrenzy.com.
  8. "Company President Ray Sefo Set to Fight at World Series of Fighting 4 in August". mmaweekly.com. 16 June 2013.
  9. "WSOF Boss Ray Sefo". MMAJunkie.com. 21 April 2015. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
  10. "Ray Sefo Recalls Fight With Mark Hunt". Stuff.co.nz. 7 August 2016. Retrieved 26 November 2016.