Steve Berger

Last updated
Steve Berger
BornStephen Richard Berger
(1973-05-20) May 20, 1973 (age 50)
St. Louis, Missouri, United States
Other namesThe Red Nose Pitbull
Nationality American
Height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight170 lb (77 kg; 12 st)
Division Welterweight
Lightweight
Stance Southpaw
TeamRed Nose MMA
Years active1998–2012
Mixed martial arts record
Total47
Wins20
By knockout2
By submission14
By decision4
Losses23
By knockout8
By submission1
By decision14
Draws2
No contests2
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Stephen Richard Berger (born May 20, 1973) [1] is an American retired professional mixed martial artist who competed in the Welterweight division. Berger is probably best known for fighting in the UFC, most notably participating in the first mixed martial arts fight aired on US cable television against Robbie Lawler at UFC 37.5. [2]

Contents

Background

Berger was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. According to him, he had serious anxiety that he tried to relieve by getting into fights in his youth. Berger wrestled in high school, and started boxing at the age of 17. After having boxing for a few years, Berger picked up judo and Brazilian jiu-jitsu as well. [3]

Personal life

Berger and his wife have a son. [3]

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
47 matches20 wins23 losses
By knockout28
By submission141
By decision414
Draws2
No contests2
Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Loss20–23–2 (2) Scott Cleve Submission (guillotine choke)CC 37 - Cage Championships 37April 7, 201211:02 Washington, Missouri, United States
Loss20–22–2 (2)Chris TickleTKO (punches)PCL - Cage MadnessMarch 26, 201120:56 Glen Carbon, Illinois, United States
Loss20–21–2 (2) Ferrid Kheder TKO (punches)Mixed Fight League 3September 25, 201021:26 Montreal, Quebec, CanadaCatchweight (175 lb) bout.
Win20–20–2 (2)Sal WoodsSubmission (guillotine choke)Premier Combat League 1: Bad IntentionsAugust 21, 201031:13 Glen Carbon, Illinois, United States
Loss19–20–2 (2) Waylon Lowe KO (punches) KOTC: Bad Boys II April 16, 201012:18 Detroit, Michigan, United States
Win19–19–2 (2)Ryan ScheeperSubmission (arm-triangle choke)Take That Promotions: Warriors CollideOctober 3, 200912:10 Glen Carbon, Illinois, United States
Loss18–19–2 (2)Ray SteinbeissDecision (unanimous)Evolution MMAOctober 4, 200835:00 Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Loss18–18–2 (2)Eddy EllisDecision (unanimous) Strikeforce: At The Dome February 23, 200835:00 Tacoma, Washington, United States
Loss18–17–2 (2)Diego GonzalezDecision (unanimous)Bodog Fight - VancouverAugust 24, 200735:00 British Columbia, Canada
Win18–16–2 (2)Piotr JakaczynskiDecision (split)Bodog Fight - Costa RicaFebruary 16, 200735:00Costa Rica
Loss17–16–2 (2) Jorge Masvidal Decision (unanimous)Bodog Fight - St. PetersburgDecember 15, 200635:00 St. Petersburg, Russia
Loss17–15–2 (2) Jake Shields TKO (punches)FCP: Malice at Cow PalaceSeptember 9, 200621:36Cow Palace, San Francisco, CA.
Loss17–14–2 (2)Victor MorenoTKO (doctor stoppage)Diesel Fighting Championships 1June 30, 200613:00 Texas, United States
Win17–13–2 (2)Mark LongTKO (punches)TFC 4: Memorial MayhemJune 9, 200611:38 Kansas, United States
Loss16–13–2 (2)Nuri ShakurDecision (unanimous)APEX: UndisputedSeptember 3, 200535:00 Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Loss16–12–2 (2) Heath Sims TKO (cut)SF 9: RespectMarch 26, 200531:23 Oregon, United States
Loss16–11–2 (2) Keith Wisniewski Decision (unanimous)Combat - Do Fighting Challenge 1October 23, 200435:00 Illinois, United States
Win16–10–2 (2)Fritz PaulTKO (submission to punches)APEX: GenesisSeptember 5, 200414:46 Montreal, Quebec, Canada Middleweight bout.
Loss15–10–2 (2)Phil JohnsDecisionRSF - Shooto Challenge 2January 2, 200435:00 Illinois, United States
Loss15–9–2 (2) Din Thomas Decision (unanimous)Absolute Fighting Championships 4July 19, 200335:00 Florida, United States
Win15–8–2 (2)Nuri ShakurSubmission (guillotine choke)USMMA 2: Ring of FurySeptember 21, 200214:59 Massachusetts, United StatesWon the vacant USMAA Welterweight Championship.
Loss14–8–2 (2) Robbie Lawler TKO (punches) UFC 37.5 June 22, 200220:27 Nevada, United States
NC14–7–2 (2) Benji Radach No Contest (Overturned by State Commission) UFC 37 May 10, 200210:27 Louisiana, United StatesRadach was declared the winner by TKO at 0:27 of the first round, but the fight was later ruled a No Contest by the Louisiana State Athletic Commission.
Win14–7–2 (1) Pete Spratt TKO (cut)UA 1: The GenesisJanuary 27, 200212:14 Indiana, United States
Loss13–7–2 (1) Chris Brennan Decision (unanimous) KOTC 11 - Domination September 29, 200135:00 California, United States Middleweight bout; for the King of the Cage Middleweight Championship.
Win13–6–2 (1) Seichi Ikemoto Submission (triangle/armbar) Shooto - To The Top 7 August 26, 200132:09 Osaka, Japan
Loss12–6–2 (1) Tony DeSouza Decision (unanimous) UFC 31 May 4, 200135:00 New Jersey, United StatesReturn to Welterweight.
Win12–5–2 (1)Nick CardenezSubmission (armbar)TPA - Tom Proctor's AbsoluteFebruary 16, 200111:10United States
Loss11–5–2 (1)Karl SchmidtTKO (cut)Reality Submission Fighting 2January 5, 2001122:38 Belleville, Illinois, United States Welterweight bout.
Win11–4–2 (1) Rich Clementi Submission (armbar)Dangerzone - Insane In Ft. WayneNovember 25, 200013:14 Fort Wayne, Indiana, United States Lightweight debut.
Draw10–4–2 (1) Jutaro Nakao DrawHOOKnSHOOT: FusionNovember 18, 200035:00 Evansville, Indiana, United States
Win10–4–1 (1)Riley McIlhonSubmission (armbar)Reality Submission Fighting 1October 6, 200011:12 Belleville, Illinois, United States
Win9–4–1 (1) Shonie Carter Submission (rear-naked choke)12:41
Win8–4–1 (1)Brian GeraghtySubmission (armbar)Submission Fighting Championships 11August 23, 200012:01 Collinsville, Illinois, United States
Loss7–4–1 (1) Aaron Riley DecisionHOOKnSHOOT: TriumphAugust 19, 200035:00 Evansville, Indiana, United States
Loss7–3–1 (1) Jason Black Decision (split)Extreme Challenge 32May 21, 2000115:00 Springfield, Illinois, United States
Draw7–2–1 (1)Andy SandersDrawHOOKnSHOOT - Double Fury 2March 18, 2000N/A Evansville, Indiana, United States
Win7–2 (1) Shannon Ritch Submission (guillotine)Submission Fighting Championships 9January 28, 200011:30 Belleville, Illinois, United States
Win6–2 (1)Jason GlabusDecisionIronheart Crown 1 - GenesisNovember 6, 199922:00 Chicago, Illinois, United StatesWon the Ironheart Crown 4-man tournament. [3]
Win5–2 (1) Shonie Carter Decision (split)22:00
Loss4–2 (1)Ben HarrisonDecisionHOOKnSHOOT: BeyondSeptember 10, 1999115:00
Win4–1 (1)James WadeSubmission (triangle choke)Submission Fighting Championships 8August 7, 19991 Belleville, Illinois, United States
Loss3–1 (1) Jeremy Horn Decision (unanimous)Submission Fighting Championships 5January 31, 1999124:00 Belleville, Illinois, United States
NC3–0 (1)Greg JamesNo ContestUCC - Universal Challenge ChampionshipMay 2, 199810:38
Win3–0David BeasonSubmission (front choke)18:58
Win2–0James WadeDecisionSubmission Fighting Championships 2April 28, 1998N/A Collinsville, Illinois, United States
Win1–0Ryan McBrideSubmission (armbar)Submission Fighting Championships 1January 15, 1998N/A Collinsville, Illinois, United States

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mixed martial arts</span> Full-contact combat sport

Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a full-contact combat sport based on striking, grappling and ground fighting, incorporating techniques from various combat sports from around the world. The first documented use of the term mixed martial arts was in a review of UFC 1 by television critic Howard Rosenberg in 1993.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Johny Hendricks</span> American sport wrestler and mixed martial artist (born 1983)

Johny Hendricks is an American former mixed martial artist and collegiate wrestler. He competed in the welterweight and middleweight divisions of the Ultimate Fighting Championship and is a former UFC Welterweight Champion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Miletich Fighting Systems</span> Mixed martial arts training organization

Miletich Fighting Systems (MFS) was a mixed martial arts (MMA) training organization. It was recognized as an excellent training camp. It has been the training camp for fighters such as Matt Hughes, Tim Sylvia, Jens Pulver, Robbie Lawler, and Jeremy Horn. MFS is widely regarded as one of the most successful MMA camps of all time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pat Miletich</span> American mixed martial arts fighter

Patrick Jay Miletich is a retired American mixed martial artist and former sports commentator. He is known for his fights in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, where he became the first UFC Welterweight Champion and UFC 16 Welterweight Tournament Winner. Miletich is also known as a highly successful trainer and coach, having founded Miletich Fighting Systems. This camp is considered one of the most successful in MMA history and has produced several world champions. On July 6, 2014, he was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robbie Lawler</span> American mixed martial artist

Robbie Lawler is an American retired professional mixed martial artist who competed between 2001 and 2023. He is a former UFC Welterweight Champion, former EliteXC Middleweight Champion, and has formerly competed in Strikeforce, PRIDE, and the IFL. Nicknamed "Ruthless", he is known for his aggressive fighting style, and was considered a fan favorite. Three of Lawler's title bouts, against Johny Hendricks, Rory MacDonald, and Carlos Condit earned numerous awards for the Fight of the Year in their respective years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nick Diaz</span> American mixed martial artist

Nickolas Robert Diaz is a retired American professional mixed martial artist who competed in the welterweight and middleweight divisions of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Diaz is a former Strikeforce, WEC and IFC welterweight champion and a UFC title challenger. He also notably competed in PRIDE, EliteXC, DREAM, and Shooto. Nick is the older brother of former UFC fighter Nate Diaz, with the pair of brothers being one of the biggest influences in the sport of MMA.

Pete Spratt is an American former professional mixed martial artist who competed in the Welterweight division. A professional competitor since 1999, Spratt has formerly competed for the UFC, the MFC, Legacy FC, Strikeforce, HDNet Fights, and Shark Fights.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ben Askren</span> American Olympic wrestler and mixed martial artist (born 1984)

Ben Askren is an American retired professional mixed martial artist and former Olympic wrestler.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">UFC 37.5</span> UFC mixed martial arts event in 2002

UFC 37.5: As Real As It Gets was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship at the Bellagio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada on June 22, 2002.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Travis Fulton</span> American boxer and mixed martial artist (1977–2021)

Travis Jon Fulton was an American mixed martial artist and a professional boxer in the heavyweight division of both sports. Known as a longtime veteran in mixed martial arts, he competed in over 300 sanctioned bouts and while he was perhaps best known for competing in smaller US-based promotions, he also competed in the UFC, the USWF, the WEC, Pancrase, M-1 Global, the Chicago Red Bears of the IFL, King of the Cage, RINGS, and Oktagon MMA. He also holds the record for the most sanctioned mixed martial arts bouts, with 320 bouts; in addition to that, he also holds the most wins in mixed martial arts history (255).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joey Villaseñor</span> American mixed martial arts fighter

Joey Simon Villaseñor is an American former professional mixed martial artist. A professional competitor from 1999 until 2012, Villasenor competed for the PRIDE Fighting Championships, Strikeforce, EliteXC, King of the Cage, DEEP, Shark Fights, BAMMA, and the World Fighting Alliance. Villasenor is the former King of the Cage Middleweight Champion, and defended this title seven times before vacating it to sign with PRIDE.

Benji Russell Radach is an American professional mixed martial artist currently competing in the middleweight division of Bellator MMA. A professional competitor since 2001, Radach has also formerly competed for the UFC, the WEC, Strikeforce, and the Los Angeles Anacondas of the IFL.

Aaron Riley is a retired American mixed martial artist who most recently competed in the Lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. A professional competitor from 1997 to 2013, he has also formerly competed in PRIDE, the IFL, Shooto, and BodogFIGHT. Aside from mixed martial arts, Riley has also competed in boxing and wrestling.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rory MacDonald (fighter)</span> Canadian mixed martial artist (born 1989)

Rory MacDonald is a Canadian former mixed martial artist who most recently competed in the welterweight division of the Professional Fighters League (PFL). Prior to signing with the PFL, MacDonald competed for Bellator MMA, where he is a former Bellator Welterweight World Champion. Having been a professional competitor since 2005, MacDonald was a top contender in the UFC with an overall UFC record of 9–4, and challenged for the UFC Welterweight Championship at UFC 189 in against then-champion Robbie Lawler. He is also a former King of the Cage Lightweight Champion.

Robert "Bobby" James Voelker is an American professional mixed martial artist competing in their Welterweight division. A professional competitor since 2006, Voelker has formerly competed for the UFC, Bellator MMA, Strikeforce, M-1 Global, and Titan FC.

Adlan Mairbekovich Amagov is a Russian mixed martial artist and kickboxer who most recently competed in the welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. A professional competitor from 2007 to 2014, Amagov also formerly competed for Strikeforce and is the former Unifight World Champion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">UFC 189</span> UFC mixed martial arts event in 2015

UFC 189: Mendes vs. McGregor was a mixed martial arts event held on July 11, 2015, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Colby Covington</span> American mixed martial artist (born 1988)

Colby Covington is an American professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he is a former Interim UFC Welterweight Champion. As of March 12, 2024, he is #4 in the UFC welterweight rankings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">UFC 193</span> UFC mixed martial arts event in 2015

UFC 193: Rousey vs. Holm was a mixed martial arts event held on 14 November 2015, at Etihad Stadium in Melbourne, Australia. It was the most attended UFC event in the history of the company at the time, with 56,214 people filling the stadium. Although Ronda Rousey was heavily favored to defeat Holly Holm, Holm gave Rousey her first career defeat.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">UFC on ESPN: Ngannou vs. dos Santos</span> UFC mixed martial arts event in 2019

UFC on ESPN: Ngannou vs. dos Santos was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that was held on June 29, 2019, at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.

References

  1. Mixed Martial Arts show results date: June 22, 2002
  2. Hernandez, Sergio (Aug 28, 2011). "History in the Making: Before UFC on Fox, there was UFC 37.5 and Robbie Lawler" . Retrieved 26 September 2018.
  3. 1 2 3 Adam Meredith (June 17, 2019). "#87 - Steve Berger: The Early Days of MMA & Being Apart of History" (Podcast).