Sam Oropeza

Sam Oropeza
Born	(1985-06-17) June 17, 1985 (age 39) Briarcliffe, Pennsylvania, United States
Other names	Sammy O
Nationality	American
Height	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight	185 lb (84 kg; 13.2 st)
Division	Welterweight (170 lb) Middleweight (185 lb) Cruiserweight (199 lb)
Reach	72.5 in (184 cm) [1]
Stance	Southpaw
Fighting out of	Briarcliffe, Pennsylvania, United States
Team	Philadelphia Fight Factory, Team Balance
Rank	brown belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu
Years active	2008–2017
Mixed martial arts record
Total	16
Wins	13
By knockout	8
By submission	5
Losses	3
By submission	2
By decision	1
Amateur record
Total	2
Wins	2
By knockout	1
By submission	1
Other information
Notable school(s)	Monsignor Bonner High School
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Sam Oropeza
Other names	Sammy O
Statistics
Weight(s)	Cruiserweight
Height	6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Reach	73 in (185 cm)
Stance	Southpaw
Boxing record
Total fights	2
Wins	2
Wins by KO	1
Losses	0

Sam Oropeza (born June 17, 1985) is a former American mixed martial artist, coach, manager, boxer, and politician who most notably competed in Bellator's middleweight and welterweight divisions. Oropeza had 16 professional MMA fights racking up a 13-3 record. Oropeza competed professionally as a boxer where he competed as a cruiserweight and was undefeated in 2 fights.

Oropeza was a candidate for a at-large seat on Philadelphia City Council in 2023 ^[2]

Background

Oropeza was born in Briarcliffe, Pennsylvania, as the youngest of six children. At the age of 10, Oropeza lost his father to liver failure. During his youth, Oropeza wrestled at Monsignor Bonner High School. In 2006, he started to practice Brazilian jiu-jitsu and in 2008 he earned a purple belt. In the same year, he fought as an amateur in mixed martial arts for the first time. ^{[3] [4]}

Mixed martial arts career

King of the Cage and Strikeforce

Oropeza rattled off 2 amateur finishes for New Breed Fighters in late 2008 before turning pro in 2009. He made his professional debut on June 6, 2009, against Mitch Filer at World Cage Fighting Alliance in Atlantic City, New Jersey and defeated him via rear naked choke in the first round. From 2009 to 2010, he was victorious against Dustin Collins via submission, Dave Concepcion via head kick knockout, and Koa Ramos via guillotine choke at KOTC: Honor ^[5] Oropeza's first defeat was against fellow undefeated prospect Myles Jury at KOTC: No Mercy. ^[6] He bounced back on the biggest stage of his career up to that point by submitting Don Carlo-Clauss in front of 11,287 fans at Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Silva. ^[7]

TV appearances

In 2010 Sam Oropeza was selected to do a taping for the MTV show Bully Beatdown. The premise of this show was to put 'real life bullies' in the cage to fight professional mma fighters. If the bully is defeated, the bully's victims can receive up to $10,000. If the bully defeats the Fighter, he earns $10,000. The episode aired on MTV2 in 2012 and was titled David: Tears of A Clown. ^[8] Oropeza made the bully tap out 5 times in round 1 and stopped the fight with a TKO in round 2, earning the bully's victims $10,000.

Oropeza also appeared on Kevin Smith's show, Comic Book Men, on AMC. Oropeza was seen portraying Jay from the Jay and Silent Bob duo in a staged fight between the 2 cult heroes.

Bellator Fighting Championships, Matrix Fights and Xtreme Fight Events

Boasting a 5–1 record, Oropeza made his Bellator debut against Giedrius Karavackas on May 14, 2011, at Bellator 44. The fight was televised live nationally on MTV2. He was defeated via submission due to a scarf hold armlock in the third round. ^[9]

After an extended break from competition, Oropeza returned to face Aung La Nsang on March 16, 2012, at Matrix Fights 5. He won via submission due to a triangle choke in the second round. ^[10]

Oropeza faced Richard Rigmaden on October 13, 2012, at XFE: Cage Wars 18. He won via submission due to an armbar early in the first round. ^[11]

In February 2013, it was announced that Oropeza has signed a long-term contract with Bellator. ^[12]

Bellator return

Oropeza returned to the Bellator cage 2 years after he debuted to face Shedrick Goodridge on April 4, 2013, at Bellator 95. He won via TKO in the second round. It was later revealed Oropeza finished his opponent despite having suffered a broken tibia in the round. ^[13]

On September 20, 2013, at Matrix Fights 8, in front of a home town crowd in South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Oropeza defeated Brett Oteri via TKO in the first round.

Oropeza faced Chip Moraza-Pollard on November 15, 2013, at Bellator 108. He won via TKO early in round one. ^[14]

Oropeza was expected to face Fight Master winner Joe Riggs in the quarterfinal match of Bellator season ten welterweight tournament on March 14, 2014, at Bellator 112. ^[15] Riggs, however, pulled out of the bout and was replaced by Cristiano Souza. ^[16] The Fight was televised live nationally on Spike TV. Oropeza won the fight via TKO in the first round.

Move to Middleweight

Oropeza was unable to make weight for the rescheduled semi-final bout of the Bellator Season 10 Welterweight Tournament against Andrey Koreshkov. It is expected he will be making a move up in weight after difficulties with weight cutting. Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney stated “he got within 1.7 pound this time but then he just said I’m done. I am going to end up going to the hospital. I am finished but last time he was seven or eight over. Last time he was clearly missing and this time he could have conceptually made it, but you get to that point where you say stop because you are going to end up in the hospital and he did. One seventy is just to small for him.” ^[17]

Oropeza made his middleweight return against Gary Tapusoa on October 24, 2014, at Bellator 130. ^[18] He won the fight via TKO in the first round.

Global Proving Ground

After 4 straight first-round TKO wins, 3 under the Bellator banner, Oropeza asked for and was granted his release from Bellator MMA. Oropeza was very open about his desire to fight in the UFC and hoped to sign a contract with the UFC before the end of 2015. Oropeza fought on January 17, 2015, for Global Proving Ground and defeated Timothy Woods in the first round in the main event at Global Proving Ground 17. His victory was changed to a No Contest.

Caged Fury Fighting Championships

Oropeza next signed a multi-fight deal with Caged Fury Fighting Championships a contract which includes a UFC clause allowing him to leave CFFC if the UFC offers him a fight. ^[19] Oropeza was scheduled to fight at CFFC 52 on Halloween 10/31/2015 at the Borgata Casino Hotel, in Atlantic City, New Jersey. This would be his official CFFC debut. His opponent was scheduled to be Levon Maynard. The fight was a 175lb Catchweight fight. Maynard defeated Oropeza by unanimous decision.

Hiatus from MMA

After his first ever loss by decision Oropeza announced he was taking time off from professional MMA for personal reasons. He then transitioned from mixed martial arts to professional boxing. Oropeza has not been in the cage since Halloween 2015 however he has recently teased a return. It is rumored he will be fighting in the spring or summer of 2018

Return to the Cage

Oropeza officially announced he will return to the cage on May 18, 2018, at Art Of War 7 at the 2300 Arena in south Philadelphia, PA. It has been announced that Oropeza will be the Main Event and face Nick Wagner (7-6-1 MMA Record according to sherdog.com) in a 185LB Middeweight bout. Nick Wagner pulled out of the fight for undisclosed reasons. Sharif Jones (3-3 MMA Record according to sherdog.com and Tapology) stepped in on short notice. https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/fighters/25096-sharif-jones Jones most Notably lost a split decision to MMA veteran Will Martinez (13-3 MMA record according to sherdog.com) This fight was cancelled due to Sharif Jones medical work not being submitted by the deadline.

Boxing career

Oropeza is 2-0 as a professional boxer. He made his return to professional combat sports on March 11, 2017, after a lengthy hiatus and knocked out his opponent Joe Parkinson (0-1) in 35 seconds. The fight took place at the Sugar House casino in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for King's Promotions. Oropeza has plans to continue his fighting career as a boxer.

Oropeza returned to the squared circle on May 12, 2017, once again for King's Promotions. He faced Kyle Mcnutt in a cruiserweight tilt. Oropeza scored knockdowns in the 1st and 4th rounds on his way to a unanimous decision victory.

Political career

Oropeza was nominated by Republicans for a special election to the Pennsylvania Senate's 5th district in 2022. ^[20]

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown

16 matches	13 wins	3 losses
By knockout	8	0
By submission	5	2
By decision	0	1
No contests	0

Res.	Record	Opponent	Method	Event	Date	Round	Time	Location	Notes
Loss	13–3	Levon Maynard	Decision (Unanimous)	CFFC 52	October 31, 2015	3	5:00	Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States	Catchweight (175 lb) bout.
Win	13–2	Timothy Woods	KO (Slam)	Global Proving Ground	January 17, 2015	1	0:51	Pennsauken, New Jersey, United States
Win	12–2	Gary Tapusoa	TKO (punches)	Bellator 130	October 24, 2014	1	2:31	Mulvane, Kansas, United States
Win	11–2	Cristiano Souza	TKO (punches)	Bellator 112	March 14, 2014	1	3:07	Hammond, Indiana	Bellator Season Ten Welterweight Tournament Quarterfinal.
Win	10–2	Chip Moraza-Pollard	TKO (punches)	Bellator 108	November 15, 2013	1	0:37	Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States	Catchweight (174 lb) bout; Oropeza missed weight. [21]
Win	9–2	Brett Oteri	TKO (punches)	Matrix Fights 8	September 20, 2013	1	3:32	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States	Middleweight debut. [22]
Win	8–2	Shedrick Goodridge	TKO (punches)	Bellator 95	April 4, 2013	2	4:22	Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States	Catchweight (173 lb) bout; Goodridge missed weight. [23]
Win	7–2	Richard Rigmaden	Submission (armbar)	XFE: Cage Wars 18	October 13, 2012	1	1:31	Chester, Pennsylvania, United States
Win	6–2	Aung La Nsang	Submission (triangle choke)	Matrix Fights 5	March 16, 2012	2	0:56	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Loss	5–2	Giedrius Karavackas	Submission (scarf-hold armlock)	Bellator 44	May 14, 2011	3	3:59	Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win	5–1	Don Carlo-Clauss	TKO (submission to punches)	Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Silva	February 12, 2011	1	4:10	East Rutherford, New Jersey, United States
Loss	4–1	Myles Jury	Submission (standing rear-naked choke) [24]	KOTC: No Mercy	September 17, 2010	1	2:55	Mashantucket, Connecticut, United States
Win	4–0	Koa Ramos	Submission (guillotine choke)	KOTC: Honor	May 14, 2010	1	0:50	Mescalero, New Mexico, United States
Win	3–0	Dave Concepción	KO (head kick)	Adrenaline: New Breed	February 26, 2010	1	0:09	Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win	2–0	Dustin Collins	Submission (armbar)	Arena Rumble: Horn vs. Guida	September 12, 2009	2	4:19	Spokane, Washington, United States
Win	1–0	Mitch Filer	Submission (rear-naked choke)	WCA: Caged Combat	June 6, 2009	1	0:47	Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States

Boxing record

Professional record breakdown

2 matches	2 wins	0 losses
By knockout	1	0
By decision	1	0

Res.	Record	Opponent	Method	Event	Date	Round	Time	Location	Notes
Win	2–0	Kyle Mcnutt	Decision (Unanimous)	Kings Promotions	May 12, 2017	4	12:00	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States	199 lb cruiserweight fight
Win	1-0	Joe Parkinson	KO	Kings Promotions	March 11, 2017	1	0:35	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States	Pro Debut

References

1. "Sam Oropeza's profile". Tapology.com. Retrieved January 14, 2014.
2. "Who's running for City Council in 2023? Here's the updated list". Billy Penn. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
3. Staff (May 12, 2011). "Fight Path: Late bloomer Sam Oropeza facing fears, fulfilling dreams". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved January 14, 2014.
4. Joe Arcidiacono (August 4, 2010). "Local fighter remains humble while racking up wins". Delconewsnetwork.com. Retrieved January 14, 2014.
5. Robert Sargent (May 14, 2010). "KOTC: "Honor" live play-by-play & results". MMArising.com. Retrieved January 14, 2014.
6. Robert Sargent (September 17, 2010). "KOTC: "No Mercy" live play-by-play & results". MMArising.com. Retrieved January 14, 2014.
7. Mike Whitman (February 12, 2011). "Strikeforce prelims: Cholish kneebars TUF 12 alum Stevens". Sherdog.com. Retrieved January 14, 2014.
8. List of Bully Beatdown episodes
9. Sam Genovese (May 15, 2011). "Karavackas taps Oropeza, Lentz wins on Bellator 44 undercard". Sherdog.com. Retrieved January 14, 2014.
10. Keith Mills (March 21, 2012). "Somewhat controversial win for Oropeza at Matrix 5". Adcombat.com. Retrieved January 14, 2014.
11. "Sam Oropeza comes out victorious at Cage Wars 18". Tristatemediaonline.com. October 14, 2012. Archived from the original on January 16, 2014. Retrieved January 14, 2014.
12. Ted Czech (February 8, 2013). "Pro welterweight Sam Oropeza inks deals with Binns Management and Bellator MMA". Yorkblog.com. Retrieved January 14, 2014.
13. Brian Knapp (April 4, 2013). "Pat Curran chokes Shahbulat Shamhalaev unconscious, keeps featherweight crown at Bellator 95". Sherdog.com. Retrieved January 14, 2014.
14. Brian Knapp (November 15, 2013). "'Rampage' Jackson wrecks Joey Beltran with last-second left hook at Bellator 108". Sherdog.com. Retrieved January 14, 2014.
15. Dann Stupp (January 13, 2014). "Daniel Straus vs. Pat Curran III headlines Bellator 112, War Machine returns". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved January 14, 2014.
16. "War Machine, Riggs, Scanlon out; Bradley, Coy, Souza in Bellator welterweight tournament". themmareport.com. March 8, 2014. Retrieved March 15, 2014.
17. Floyd, Jason (May 3, 2014). "Sam Oropeza was not on weight for initial fight against Andrey Koreshkov at Bellator 115 last month". themmareport.com. Retrieved May 19, 2014.
18. MMAjunkie Staff (September 30, 2014). "Emanuel Newton headlines Bellator 130 in title tilt with Linton Vassell". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved October 1, 2014.
19. http://www.mixedmartialarts.com/mma.cfm?go=stats.fightcard&eid=78871398-3328-4823-85C6-7B242A360729 ^{[ dead link ]}
20. Waring, Tom (January 22, 2022). "Republicans pick nominee for Senate special election". Northeast Times .
21. Staff (November 14, 2013). "Bellator 108 weigh-in results: 'Rampage'-Beltran set, heavyweight title fight official". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved January 14, 2014.
22. "Matrix Fights 8: Sam Oropeza vs. Brett Oteri". Tapology.com. Retrieved January 14, 2014.
23. Staff (April 3, 2013). "Bellator 95 weigh-in results: Curran, Shamhalaev set for 145 title (updated)". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved January 14, 2014.
24. ^[ dead link ]