Tony Bonello

Last updated

Tony Bonello
BornAnthony Bonello
1972/1973 (age 47)
Bondi Beach, New South Wales, Australia
Other namesThe Gun
Nationality Australian
Height6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight222 lb (101 kg; 15 st 12 lb)
Division Light heavyweight (205 lb)
Heavyweight (265 lb)
Middleweight (185 lb)
Fighting out of Bangkok, Thailand
TeamThe Gun Fight Club
Ralph Gracie Jiu-Jitsu
RankThird degree black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu
Years active2001-2008, 2010, 2012, 2014
Mixed martial arts record
Total21
Wins16
By knockout1
By submission14
By decision1
Losses3
By knockout2
By submission1
Draws1
No contests1
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Anthony "Tony" Bonello is an Australian former professional mixed martial artist and grappler. A professional competitor since 2000, he competed for EliteXC, King of the Cage and Pancrase. Bonello is the former King of the Cage Middleweight Superfight Champion, the former King of the Cage Light Heavyweight Champion, and the former King of the Cage Cruiserweight Champion.

Contents

Background

Bonello has had martial arts history in many different countries around the world. He lived in Asia for over 10 years studying traditional martial arts in Japan and then studied Muay Thai in Thailand. He lived in Brazil and studied with Carlson Gracie, Ralph Gracie and the Brazilian Top Team. He eventually met Paulo Guimaraes, a second generation black belt under Rickson Gracie and helped Paulo move to Australia permanently to teach Bonello Brazilian jiu-jitsu. After 10 years of Tony training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu in different countries around the world, he received his black belt in 2002 from Paulo Guimaraes.

Bonello received his first and second degrees and title of Professor of Brazilian jiu-jitsu from Ralph Gracie. Bonello also owned and operated the Ralph Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Texas for 3 years and then sold it to one of his students in December 2011.

Some of the people and places he has trained are; Sitpholek Gym in Thailand, k-1 Gym in Japan, Carlson Gracie gym in Brazil, Renato Laranja in Brazil, Vos Gym in Amsterdam, Master Toddy's in Las Vegas, Chuck Fai and Jeff Fenech in Australia, Tommy Morrison in Las Vegas, Roberto Durán in Panama, roots jiu-jitsu in Australia, Ralph Gracie in America. Tony occasionally visits Waco,Texas to train with long time friend and owner of SilverBack jiu-jitsu/Muay Thai Chris Gonzales and top student Eric Zapata.

In January 2012 he departed Texas and went back to Thailand to study & fight Muay Thai.

Mixed martial arts career

Tony Bonello is a Professional mixed martial arts World Champion Fighter with a record of 16 wins, 1 loss and 1 draw. Owner & founder of "King of the Cage" Terry Trebilcock said he is the highest paid professional MMA fighter to have ever fought in the "King of the Cage" organization.

He was the first Australian Fighter to ever win a professional MMA World Championship belt on American soil. He accomplished this on 2 November 2003 when he won the KOTC Middleweight Superfight Championship by defeating Olympic freestyle wrestler stylist Mansour Heidari via Triangle Choke at KOTC 30 "The Pinnacle" in Pala, CA.

He then won his 2nd World Championship belt in a second weight class when he won the KOTC Light heavyweight Championship by defeating Edwin Aguilar on 14 February 2005 via Heel Hook.

7 February 2007, Bonello defeated 7 time World Champion and Muay Thai "King’s Cup" Champion, Wayne Parr, via Rear Naked Choke in Sydney, Australia at KOTC "Lords of War".

13 October 2007, Bonello fought against KOTC Heavyweight Champion Tony Lopez, Bonello won a unanimous decision. in Albuquerque, New Mexico at KOTC Hierarchy. This made Tony the 1st ever Middleweight World Champion to defeat a Heavyweight World Champion in "King of the Cage" History.

On 17 November 2007 Bonello fought against Ryan Sturdy it ended in a draw.

He then signed with ProElite and 14 June 2008, he fought former EliteXC Middleweight Champion Murilo Rua at EliteXC: Return of the King. He was defeated via TKO in round one, giving him his first loss of his career.

Bonello then fought at KOTC: Vengeance, defeating Mike Bourke in the first round by submission to win the KOTC Cruiserweight Championship.

In October, 2008, Tony won two gold medals at the American national Brazilian jiu-jitsu Championships in the adult Black Belt divisions for gi and no-gi. [1] [2]

In November 2008, 2009, and 2011, Tony competed in the IBJJF No-Gi Brazilian jiu-jitsu World Championships run by Carlos Gracie Jr. and won 3 silver medals in his age and weight division as a Black Belt. [3] [4] [5]

Bonello faced Rolles Gracie Jr. at ONE Fighting Championship: Pride of a Nation on 31 August 2012. Bonello received his second career loss to Rolles Gracie Jr. [6]

Media

In 2009, Tony starred in two episodes of the MTV TV Show, Bully Beatdown .

Jiu-Jitsu & MMA accomplishments

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
21 matches16 wins3 losses
By knockout12
By submission141
By decision10
Draws1
No contests1
Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Loss16–3–1 (1)Guram GugenishviliTKO (punches)Inoki Genome Fight 14 April 201413:34 Tokyo, Japan
Loss16–2–1 (1) Rolles Gracie Jr. Submission (rear naked choke) ONE FC: Pride of a Nation 31 August 201231:33 Manila, Philippines
Win16–1–1 (1)Mike BourkeSubmission (triangle choke) KOTC: Vengeance 12 February 201010:54 Mescalero, New Mexico, United States Won the KOTC Cruiserweight Championship.
Loss15–1–1 (1) Murilo Rua TKO (punches) EliteXC: Return of the King 14 June 200813:15 Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
Draw15–0–1 (1)Ryan SturdyDraw KOTC: Damage Inc. 17 November 200725:00 Rockford, Illinois, United States
Win15–0 (1)Tony LopezDecision (unanimous) KOTC: Hierarchy 13 October 200725:00 Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
Win14–0 (1)Kyle WilliamsSubmissionX-plosion18 August 20061N/A Sydney, Australia
Win13–0 (1) Bobby Hoffman Submission (strikes) KOTC: Unfinished Business 28 April 20061N/A Sydney, Australia
NC12–0 (1) Bobby Hoffman No contest KOTC: Gunfather 10 February 200612:28 Sydney, Australia
Win12–0Ben DaleySubmission (armbar)Kumite 211 November 20051N/A Sydney, Australia
Win11–0Edwin AguilarSubmission (heel hook) KOTC: Australia 4 February 200511:49 Sydney, Australia Won the KOTC Light Heavyweight Championship.
Win10–0Sasha NanchoukiSubmission (rear naked choke)Main Event: Boxing13 October 200410:45 Carrara, Australia
Win9–0 Mike Seal Submission (rear naked choke)Xtreme Fighting Championship 5: When Worlds Collide13 August 20041N/A Queensland, Australia
Win8–0 Dan Severn Submission (rear naked choke)Xtreme Fighting Championship 4: Australia v.s. The World19 March 200411:36 Queensland, Australia
Win7–0Mansour HeidariSubmission (triangle choke) KOTC 30: The Pinnacle 2 November 200310:29 Pala, California, United States Won the KOTC Middleweight Superfight Championship.
Win6–0Gumgor GumgorSubmission (armbar)Xtreme Fighting Championship 230 October 200310:35 Queensland, Australia
Win5–0T-BoneSubmission (rear-naked choke) KOTC 22: Steel Warrior 23 March 200310:39 San Jacinto, California, United States
Win4–0Keigo KuniharaSubmission (choke)Thunderdome21 February 200310:25 Perth, Australia
Win3–0Mike LingskogSubmission (rear naked choke)Xtreme Fight Night27 September 200210:36 Sydney, Australia
Win2–0John MooreDecision (unanimous)Real Streetfighting: Mayhem in Myers29 December 200135:00 Ft. Myers, Florida, United States
Win1–0Ken FullerTKO (corner stoppage) Pancrase: Australia 16 October 200111:15 Sydney, Australia

See also

Related Research Articles

José Mário Sperry is a Brazilian heavyweight mixed martial artist. His specialty is Brazilian jiu-jitsu, grappling and ground fighting. He is also one of the founders of the Brazilian Top Team, where he trained fighters such as Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira, Antônio Rogério Nogueira, Ricardo Arona, and Paulo Filho, among others.

Renzo Gracie Brazilian Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner and mixed martial arts fighter.

Renzo Gracie is a Brazilian mixed martial artist and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner. A member of the Gracie family of Brazil, Renzo is a 6th Degree Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Carlos Gracie Jr. He is the son of Robson Gracie, grandson of Carlos Gracie, nephew of Carlos Gracie, Jr. grandnephew of Helio Gracie, and the 1st cousin once removed of Royce Gracie. In mixed martial arts, Renzo has competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Pride Fighting Championships, K-1, RINGS, and International Fight League. He holds notable victories over five former UFC Champions: Frank Shamrock, Carlos Newton, Pat Miletich, Maurice Smith, and Oleg Taktarov

Marco Ruas Brazilian mixed martial artist

Marco Antônio de Lima Ruas is a Brazilian retired mixed martial arts fighter, Brazilian Submission Wrestler and instructor. Ruas was the UFC 7 Tournament Champion, and also competed for PRIDE Fighting Championships and the IFL.

The Brazilian Top Team (BTT) is an academy specialized in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and mixed martial arts. It established in April 2000 by Murilo Bustamante, Ricardo Libório, Mário Sperry and Luis Roberto Duarte, former members of the Carlson Gracie Academy, to develop and create new training techniques for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, submission grappling and mixed martial arts.

Carlos Newton Canadian mixed martial artist

Carlos Newton is an Anguillian-born Canadian retired mixed martial artist. He is a former UFC Welterweight Champion and Pride FC Japan MMA Legend. Known as "The Ronin", he competed worldwide in the biggest MMA organizations including UFC, Pride FC, IFL, K-1, Shooto and most recently W-1. He is a 3rd Degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt alongside his coach Terry Riggs under Renzo Gracie, at Warrior MMA in Newmarket, Ontario. Newton has always been considered a fan favourite and a "Submission Master" and has dubbed his personal fighting style — an amalgam of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, judo, wrestling and boxing — as "Dragon Ball Jiu-Jitsu" in tribute to Dragon Ball, a Japanese manga and anime franchise. As a testament to his worldwide popularity, Newton is one of only a few MMA athletes to ever be allowed to compete in the UFC and Pride FC at the same time. In Canada he is respected as a mixed martial arts pioneer, he was the first Canadian UFC Champion at UFC 31 (Welterweight) defeating Pat Miletich.

Roger Gracie Brazilian BJJ practitioner, and mixed martial arts fighter of the Gracie family member

Roger Gracie Gomes is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner and a retired mixed martial artist. A member of the Gracie family, he is the son of Reila Gracie and Mauricio Motta Gomes. Roger was awarded his black belt by his cousin Renzo Gracie at the behest of Carlos Gracie, Jr. whilst training in New York in 2003. He is currently a fourth degree black belt. Roger Gracie is the founder and head instructor at The Roger Gracie Academy located in Hammersmith, London, England. Notable Black belt promotions include Raymond Stevens, Nicolas Gregoriades and Kywan Gracie Behring. Roger is the former ONE World Cruiserweight Champion.

Dean Lister American mixed martial arts fighter

Dean Richard Lister is a retired American mixed martial artist. A professional from 2000 until 2015, he fought in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, PRIDE Fighting Championships, and California-based promotion King of the Cage, where he rose to prominence as a Middleweight Champion. Lister's sparring partner and former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, Tito Ortiz, invited him to be his assistant grappling coach on the third season of the Spike TV reality show, The Ultimate Fighter.

Jake Shields American mixed martial arts fighter

Jake Sequoyah Shields is an American mixed martial artist, currently fighting in the welterweight division of the PFL. He was the last Rumble on the Rock Welterweight Champion, the only Elite XC Welterweight Champion, a former Shooto Welterweight Champion and former Strikeforce Middleweight Champion. He also fought in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) challenging Georges St. Pierre for the Welterweight championship.

Pablo Popovitch Brazilian Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner

Pablo Popovitch born September 9, 1979 is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner, mixed martial artist and a 4th degree black belt under Jorge Popovitch.

Travis Lutter American mixed martial arts fighter

Travis Lutter is a retired American mixed martial artist who won The Ultimate Fighter 4 reality show. He is a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Carlos Machado.

Jean Jacques Machado is a Brazilian Jiu jitsu practitioner. He is one of the five Machado brothers. Machado is nephew of BJJ co-founder and Grandmaster Carlos Gracie, and learned the martial art from an early age.

Black House (MMA) MMA training facility in Brazil

Black House is a mixed martial arts fighting team and gym based out of Brazil. Opened on November 27, 2006, Black House was started by former Brazilian Top Team member and black belt Carlos "Carlão" Barreto, Jorge Guimaraes and Rogerio Camoes. Guimaraes acted as the team's manager and Camoes was in charge of the team's training.

Alberto Crane American mixed martial arts fighter

Alberto Lewis Crane is an American mixed martial artist. He currently fights as a lightweight. He has fought in the Ultimate Fighting Championship and is a former King of the Cage and Ring of Fire lightweight champion.

Braulio de Oliveira Estima is a 4th degree black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. He received his black belt from Carlos Gracie Jr. on January 4, 2004. Throughout his grappling career, he has won in many Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tournaments across the world, such as the Mundials, ADCC, Pan American Championship, and European Championship. His long list of accomplishments has made him well respected among other Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners, such that some consider him one of the top Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners in the world and one of the head coaches for Gracie Barra U.K.

Chris "The Westside Strangler" Brennan is an American mixed martial artist who last competed in the Welterweight division. A professional competitor from 1994 until 2012, he competed for the UFC, PRIDE, Cage Rage, King of the Cage and Shooto. He is a former King of the Cage Middleweight Champion and former King of the Cage Middleweight Superfight Champion. He is also one of 18 fighters to compete in the -77 kg division at the ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championships in 2005. Chris was also the founder of Nogi Industries, a Mixed martial arts clothing company. In 2014 Chris was inducted in to the Mixed Martial Arts Hall of Fame. Chris is the owner and founder of Next Generation MMA. After retiring from MMA competition Chris switched his focus back to grappling events and also entered and won the No-Gi Black Belt World Championships in 2013, 2014, and 2015. He was also the 2014 Nogi Pan American Champion.

David Avellan is an American grappler and professional mixed martial artist who has fought for World Extreme Cagefighting and Bodog Fight promotions. Past opponents include French journeyman Antony Rea and UFC contender Aaron Simpson.

Hillary Williams is an American grappler and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner.

Vítor Vianna is a Brazilian mixed martial artist, who has competed in mixed martial arts events in Brazil, Holland, and in the United States. He is ranked as the #69 Light Heavyweight fighter in the world by FightMatrix.com. This ranking is due to certain Catchweight fights he has participated in. He is also a highly decorated Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitor and is a; 2 time World Champion, 6 time Brazilian National Champion, 15 time State Champion, and ADCC NO GI Brazilian trials runner-up. Vianna is signed to the Bellator Fighting Championships.

Reuben Duran is an American professional mixed martial artist currently competing in the Flyweight division. A professional since 2006, he has competed for the UFC, Shooto, and King of the Cage. He is the current King of the Cage Light Flyweight Champion, as well as the former Interim Flyweight Champion.

Tom DeBlass is an American Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner, submission grappler and mixed martial artist currently signed to ONE Championship. He has competed in the middleweight division for Bellator and the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

References

  1. "NomeFaixaIdadePesoColocacaoAcademia". Usbjjf.org. Retrieved 2 March 2015.
  2. "NomeFaixaIdadePesoColocacaoAcademia". Usbjjf.org. Retrieved 2 March 2015.
  3. Archived 31 May 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  4. Archived 23 June 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  5. Archived 12 November 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  6. "One FC 5 results recap for 'Pride of a Nation' from the Philippines". MMAmania.com. Retrieved 2 March 2015.