Rudy Bears

Last updated
Rudy Bears
BornRudy Bears
(1978-11-12) November 12, 1978 (age 45)
Independence, Missouri, U.S.
Other namesBad News
Residence Independence, Missouri, U.S.
Nationality American
Height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight172.5 lb (78.2 kg; 12.32 st)
Division Welterweight
Middleweight
Reach71 in (180 cm)
Fighting out of Kansas City, Missouri, United States
TeamCaveman Crew
RankBlack Belt in Kenpo Karate
Black Belt in American Jiu-Kitsu
Orange Belt in Judo
Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Years active2007-2016
Mixed martial arts record
Total31
Wins16
By knockout5
By submission8
By decision3
Losses15
By knockout5
By submission8
By decision2
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Rudy Bears (born November 12, 1978) is an American former professional mixed martial artist, who competed in the Welterweight division. A professional competitor who started his career in 2007, Bears has formerly competed for Bellator, Strikeforce, Titan Fighting Championships and M-1 Global. [1]

Contents

Background

Bears is from Independence, Missouri and had a troubled upbringing, involving himself with street gangs and crime. He originally attended Van Horn High School but was caught trying to steal a car and as a result, was placed in jail for one month while looking at seven years in the penitentiary. It was during this time in jail, at the age of 17, that Bears decided to turn his life around. He wrote a heartfelt letter to the judge, who gave the young Bears a second chance. The judge released Bears on probation while in exchange Bears would have to finish high school and stay out of trouble, Bears then graduated from Truman High School and began practicing the martial arts. [2]

Mixed martial arts career

International Sport Combat Federation

Before competing in professional mixed martial arts, Bears competed as an amateur in the International Combat Sport Federation, primarily as a Middleweight, and won three ICSF titles. [1]

Early professional career

Bears made his professional debut against future Strikeforce veteran and current UFC Lightweight, Isaac Vallie-Flagg. Bears won the bout in the first round via rear-naked choke submission. Bears then compiled a record of 10-3 with one-fight stints in the Titan Fighting Championships and M-1 Global organizations, winning both by TKO. After the TKO win for M-1 Global, in a catchweight bout of 175 lbs. Bears was invited to compete in Strikeforce. [1]

Strikeforce

Bears made his Strikeforce and Welterweight debut against then-undefeated future UFC veteran, Tyron Woodley in the main event, Strikeforce Challengers: Woodley vs. Bears on November 20, 2009. Bears lost the fight via arm-triangle choke submission and would not return to Strikeforce, as Bears then signed with the Bellator Fighting Championships. [1]

Bellator

Bears made his Bellator debut at Bellator 16 against Brent Weedman and was knocked out in the first round, the first knockout loss of Bear's career. He then appeared three more times for the organization, going 2-1 in his next three fights with the loss being a rematch with Zak Cummings, who had defeated Bears early in his career. [1]

Titan Fighting Championships

After his stint in Bellator, Bears signed with the Titan Fighting Championships and made his debut for the organization against former UFC Welterweight, Jason High. Bears lost the bout via technical submission 51 seconds into the fight after refusing to tap out due to a guillotine choke submission. [1]

After bouncing back with a win via rear-naked choke submission, Bears has lost six of his last eight fights competing for both Bellator and Titan FC. [1]

Shamrock Fighting Championships

Following a win over Zak Bucia, Bears defeated Josh Weston via rear-naked choke submission on January 17, 2015 at Shamrock FC: Shock to earn himself the promotion's vacant Welterweight title and a Bellator contract. [3]

Return to Bellator

Bears faced Michael Page at Bellator 140 on July 17, 2015. [4] He lost the fight via knockout in the first round.

Bears next faced Neiman Gracie at Bellator 163 on November 4, 2016. He lost the fight via submission in the first round.

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
31 matches16 wins15 losses
By knockout55
By submission88
By decision32
Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Loss16–15 Neiman Gracie Submission (armbar) Bellator 163 November 4, 201614:39 Uncasville, Connecticut, United StatesCatchweight (175 lbs) bout.
Loss16–14 Michael Page KO (punch) Bellator 140 July 17, 201511:05 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Win16–13Josh WestonSubmission (rear-naked choke)Shamrock FC: ShockJanuary 17, 201521:40 Kansas City, Missouri, United StatesWon the vacant SFC Welterweight Championship.
Win15–13 Zak Bucia Decision (unanimous)Shamrock Promotions: ImpactJuly 26, 201435:00 Kansas City, Missouri, United States
Loss14–13 Ryan Jensen TKO (punches)Victory Fighting Championship 39March 30, 201311:01 Ralston, Nebraska, United States
Loss14–12Igor FernandesSubmission (anaconda choke)Show Fighting Enterprise 1March 1, 201312:51 Quito, Ecuador
Loss14–11 Paul Daley TKO (punches) Bellator 72 July 20, 201212:45 Tampa, Florida, United States
Win14–10Nick NolteSubmission (punches) Titan FC 22 May 25, 201213:58 Kansas City, Kansas, United StatesCatchweight (175 lbs) bout.
Loss13–10 Marcio Navarro Decision (split) Bellator 56 October 29, 201135:00 Kansas City, Kansas, United States
Loss13–9 A.J. Matthews Decision (unanimous) Bellator 53 October 8, 201135:00 Miami, Oklahoma, United StatesCatchweight (175 lbs) bout.
Loss13–8 Forrest Petz TKO (punches)C3 Fights: Great Plains Sizzling SlamfestJuly 30, 201112:55 Newkirk, Oklahoma, United States
Win13–7Darryl CobbSubmission (rear-naked choke) Titan FC 18 May 27, 201113:30 Kansas City, Kansas, United StatesMiddleweight bout.
Loss12–7 Jason High Technical Submission (guillotine choke) Titan FC 16 January 29, 201110:51 Kansas City, Kansas, United States
Win12–6Chad ReinerKO (punch) Bellator 32 October 14, 201011:29 Kansas City, Missouri, United StatesCatchweight (180 lbs) bout.
Loss11–6 Zak Cummings Submission (D'arce choke) Bellator 26 August 26, 201011:27 Kansas City, Missouri, United StatesMiddleweight bout.
Win11–5Brian GreenSubmission (rear-naked choke) Bellator 22 June 17, 201013:29 Kansas City, Missouri, United StatesCatchweight (180 lbs) bout.
Loss10–5 Brent Weedman KO (punches) Bellator 16 April 29, 201014:19 Kansas City, Missouri, United StatesCatchweight (173 lbs) bout.
Loss10–4 Tyron Woodley Submission (arm-triangle choke) Strikeforce Challengers: Woodley vs. Bears November 20, 200912:52 Kansas City, Kansas, United StatesWelterweight debut
Win10–3Brendan SeguinTKO (punches) M-1 Global: Breakthrough August 28, 200921:01 Kansas City, Missouri, United StatesCatchweight (175 lbs) bout.
Win9–3Ted WorthingtonDecision (unanimous)Extreme Fight ProductionJune 12, 200935:00 Kansas City, Missouri, United States
Win8–3Charles JonesTKO (punches)C3 FightsFebruary 28, 200922:47 Newkirk, Oklahoma, United States
Win7–3Dominic BrownTKO (punches) Titan FC 12 December 19, 200821:39 Kansas City, Missouri, United States
Win6–3Chris EasterKO (punch)Havic Prizefighting: Downtown Throwdown 2November 22, 200812:18 Wichita, Kansas, United States
Win5–3Jake ShortDecision (split)C3 Fights: Showdown 2August 16, 200835:00 Cherokee, North Carolina, United States
Loss4–3Joey GorczynskiSubmission (guillotine choke)Freestyle Cage Fighting 21July 26, 200810:54 Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States
Win4–2Tom JonesSubmission (rear-naked choke)Freestyle Cage Fighting 20June 14, 200811:33 Shawnee, Oklahoma, United States
Win3–2Nate JamesSubmission (rear naked choke)CCCF: Battle on the BorderMarch 29, 200810:39 Newkirk, Oklahoma, United States
Loss2–2 Zak Cummings Submission (choke)FM: ProductionsFebruary 1, 200832:08 Rolla, Missouri, United States
Win2–1Ruben EscamillaSubmission (triangle choke)CCCF: ContendersJanuary 19, 200821:21 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
Loss1–1Leonardo PecanhaSubmission (armbar) Titan FC 9 September 22, 200710:38 Kansas City, Kansas, United States
Win1–0 Isaac Vallie-Flagg Submission (rear-naked choke)FW 15: Rumble at Rt. 66 CasinoJuly 28, 200714:00 Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Rudy Bears Sherdog Record". sherdog.com. July 10, 2012.
  2. ↑ "Troubled youth led Bellator 72's Rudy Bears to life of MMA, Paul Daley fight | News – MMAjunkie.com". www.mmajunkie.com. Archived from the original on 3 April 2013. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  3. ↑ Alex Silvius. "Shamrock FC: Shock - Recap". knucklejunkies.com.
  4. ↑ Staff (April 24, 2015). "Michael Page vs. Rudy Bears set for Bellator 140". mmajunkie.com.
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