K.J. Noons | |
---|---|
Born | Karl James Noons December 7, 1982 Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, U.S. |
Other names | King |
Height | 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) |
Weight | 168 lb (76 kg; 12 st 0 lb) |
Division | Lightweight Welterweight Middleweight |
Reach | 72 in (180 cm) [1] |
Style | Boxing, Kickboxing, Sanda |
Stance | Orthodox |
Fighting out of | San Diego, California, United States |
Team | Alliance MMA City Boxing [2] |
Rank | Black belt in Kenpō Karate under Ed Parker [3] |
Years active | 2000–2016 |
Professional boxing record | |
Total | 13 |
Wins | 11 |
By knockout | 5 |
Losses | 2 |
Kickboxing record | |
Total | 14 |
Wins | 12 |
By knockout | 9 |
Losses | 2 |
Mixed martial arts record | |
Total | 23 |
Wins | 13 |
By knockout | 9 |
By decision | 4 |
Losses | 9 |
By knockout | 1 |
By submission | 2 |
By decision | 6 |
No contests | 1 |
Other information | |
Spouse | Melany (2011–present) |
Children | Karl James Jr. (b. 2012) |
Notable school(s) | Clements High School |
Boxing record from BoxRec | |
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog |
Medal record | ||
---|---|---|
Representing United States | ||
Men's Karate | ||
Long Beach International Karate Championships | ||
1997 | 17 and under Kenpō (Black) |
Karl James Noons (born December 7, 1982) is a retired American professional mixed martial artist, as well as a former professional boxer and kickboxer. Noons competed for UFC, Strikeforce, DREAM and EliteXC. He is the former EliteXC Lightweight Champion.
KJ Noons is hapa—mixed ethnicity of native Hawaiian (from his mother's side) and European-American (from his father's side). [4] Born and raised in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, Noons comes from a family history of fighting. His father Karl was a professional kickboxer and was a top contender during the time he fought. Karl's passion for fighting and competing in combat sports influenced him to introduce his son to martial arts at a young age. At the age of five, Noons started training in martial arts. Often getting disqualified for fighting too hard in karate tournaments, Noons eventually started training in boxing and Muay Thai at the age of eight out of interest for full contact fighting. [3] Noons competed as an amateur fighter and became the first student in the state of Hawaii to earn a junior black belt under Ed Parker at the age of 11. During his high school years, Noons moved to Houston, Texas, due to the location of his father's job. While continuing to compete as a fighter, he also started playing football at Clements High School. At age 17, Noons won the ISKA Super Middleweight International Championship as an amateur in Sanshou. After winning the title and graduating from Clements High School, K.J. decided to pursue a career in combat sports, rather than go to college and continue with football. [3]
In 2005, Noons won the PRIDE Fighting Championship's "Best Striker" auditions. Although, he never fought for the promotion, he fought for PRIDE's subleased promotion called SuperBrawl. Noons chose not to fight for PRIDE Fighting Championships because the promoters wanted to feature him in bouts against the top lightweights in the world, such as PRIDE's reigning Lightweight Champion, Takanori Gomi, and top contender, Joachim Hansen. Noons felt he was not ready to compete at the highest level that early in his career and chose a more conservative route. After three combined wins under the ICON Sport and SuperBrawl banner, Noons would move on to compete in bigger promotions. [5]
In 2006, Noons signed a deal with promoter Gary Shaw that allowed him to participate in both boxing and mixed martial arts. Soon after, Noons was set to face former PRIDE veteran Charles Bennett in EliteXC's inaugural event in February 2007. Bennett won the bout via KO three minutes and forty-three seconds into round one, giving Noons only the second loss of his professional mixed martial arts career.
Noons rebounded from his loss to Bennett with a KO win over James Edson Berto at EliteXC's first ShoXC event. He then faced Nick Diaz for the promotion's first ever lightweight championship at EliteXC: Renegade. Noons dominated the fight using his outstanding boxing and striking against the Brazilian jiu-jitsu expert. Diaz attempted to take the fight to the ground but was unsuccessful with his takedown attempts and was also countered with a knee strike to the face on one occasion. Midway through the first round, Diaz was finally successful with a take down, but Noons got back to his feet instantly. Moments later, the referee would halt the fight and send Diaz to his corner to check on his cuts over his right eye. Diaz was given the o.k. and continued to fight. Noons would keep the fight standing and dropped Diaz with a straight right punch around the 2:07 mark of the round. After round one ended, the doctors in Diaz's corner stopped the fight due to how badly his face was cut. Noons was then declared the winner of the fight by way of TKO due to cuts, and would become the new EliteXC Lightweight Champion.
On June 14, 2008, Noons was successful in his first and only title defense with a TKO win over Yves Edwards in Hawaii at EliteXC: Return of the King. [6] Following the fight, Nick Diaz, who fought on the event's co-main event, stepped into the cage to confront Noons for a rematch during K.J.'s post-fight interview with Bill Goldberg. After Noons asked the fans if Diaz deserved the rematch, Diaz grabbed a hold of Goldberg's microphone and said "Don't be scared homie", which resulted in an in-cage brawl. [7] About two months later, Noons would be stripped of the title for refusing to rematch with Diaz. [8] The promotion would then go defunct before a new champion could be crowned.
On December 2, 2009, Noons signed with mixed martial arts promotion, Strikeforce. [9] While Noons was still competing in professional kickboxing as a teenager, he previously fought for Strikeforce on their kickboxing fight cards before Strikeforce became a mixed martial arts promotion in 2006. [10]
In March 2010, Noons made his Japanese debut as he represented Strikeforce at DREAM 13. In his first MMA fight in nearly two years, Noons defeated Andre Amade via unanimous decision. Noons was the aggressor for the duration of the fight, and was visibly frustrated with Amade's uncharacteristically tentative fighting style throughout the fight, which seemed to be based on a counter punching technique.
Noons was set to make his Strikeforce debut against undefeated prospect Billy Evangelista at Strikeforce: Miami, but the fight was withdrawn after Evangelista suffered an undisclosed injury during training. [11]
Noons would then be scheduled to compete in a rematch against Charles Bennett at Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Werdum. [12] After Bennett pulled out of the fight due to scheduling conflicts, Noons was rescheduled to face Conor Heun at Strikeforce: Los Angeles in a catchweight bout of 160 pounds, which would take place ten days before the date he was originally set to rematch Bennett. [13] Noons would go on to win a closely contested fight by split decision.
Noons next faced Jorge Gurgel on August 21, 2010, at Strikeforce: Houston. At the weigh-ins, the day before the bout with Gurgel, Noons weighed in at 156.25 pounds, a quarter of a pound over the maximum weight limit. Gurgel accepted the fight and waived off the extra weight, so the fight was continued as a lightweight bout. [14] As the final seconds of the first round were coming to an end, Gurgel threw a flurry of punches while Noons responded with a left hook that landed and dropped Gurgel just a split second after the bell sounded at the end of the round. The crowd reacted to what appeared to be a late punch while a wobbled Gurgel was struggling to find his corner. Right at the opening bell for round two, Noons landed a right hand followed by a left hook that dropped Gurgel to the canvas once again. Noons looked to the referee expecting a stoppage and received no response. As Noons then continued to land punches on Gurgel, he threw a knee that appeared to land to the head of a still downed opponent, finally prompting the referee to stop the fight. Replay showed that the knee Noons threw did not land, although Noons's foot tapped Gurgel on the chin as it followed through. Noons was declared the winner by TKO at 0:19 of round two.
Noons moved up one weight class to fight Nick Diaz in a grudge rematch for the Strikeforce Welterweight Championship on October 9, 2010. Noons and Diaz previously fought at EliteXC: Renegade where Noons won by TKO due to cuts. [15] Noons lost by unanimous decision (48–47, 49–47, 49–46), giving Noons his third career loss and first loss by decision, and beginning a losing streak for years to come. After the fight Noons revealed that he had sustained a broken jaw in the first round and a broken hand in the second. [16]
Noons faced Jorge Masvidal at Strikeforce: Overeem vs. Werdum. [17] Noons-Masvidal was set as a lightweight title eliminator, which would grant the winner of the bout a title shot against reigning Strikeforce Lightweight Champion, Gilbert Melendez. Originally headlining the preliminary card on HDNet, the bout was promoted to the Showtime portion of the main card after women's MMA superstar, Gina Carano, was pulled from the card. Noons went on to lose a unanimous decision. [18]
Noons then faced Billy Evangelista at Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Masvidal in December 2011. [19] He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Noons next faced Josh Thomson in the co-main event at Strikeforce: Tate vs. Rousey in March 2012. [20] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.
Noons returned to face Ryan Couture at the final Strikeforce event, Strikeforce: Marquardt vs. Saffiedine, on January 12, 2013. Noons lost the fight via highly controversial split decision. All but one media outlet scored the fight for Noons, [21] with a majority giving him every round. Couture admitted to being surprised by the verdict. [22] Despite the loss, Noons still moved over to the UFC.
In January 2013, the Strikeforce organization was closed by its parent company Zuffa. A list of fighters scheduled to be brought over to the Ultimate Fighting Championship was released in mid-January and Noons was one of the fighters listed. [23]
In his UFC debut, Noons faced Donald Cerrone on May 25, 2013, at UFC 160. [24] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.
In his second UFC fight, Noons faced George Sotiropoulos on October 19, 2013, at UFC 166. [25] He won via unanimous decision, earning his first win under the UFC banner.
Noons faced Sam Stout in a welterweight bout on April 16, 2014, at The Ultimate Fighter Nations Finale. [26] [27] Noons won the fight via knockout in the first round, earning him his first Performance of the Night bonus award. [28]
Noons next faced Daron Cruickshank on December 12, 2014, at The Ultimate Fighter 20 Finale. [29] After a back-and-forth first round, the fight was stopped in the second round when Cruickshank received a second inadvertent eye poke from Noons and was unable to continue. Because they had not reached the third round, the fight was declared a No Contest. [30]
Noons was expected to face Yan Cabral at UFC Fight Night 67. [31] However, Cabral was forced out of the bout after contracting Dengue Fever and replaced by Alex Oliveira. [32] Noons lost the fight via submission in the first round. [33]
Noons faced Josh Burkman on February 6, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 82. [34] He lost the fight by unanimous decision. [35]
Noons was released by the company on April 14, 2016.
Noons is married to professional model, Melany Lorenzo. [36]
Noons' first name comes from his father's first name, while his middle name comes from his grandfather's middle name. [37]
In 2010 Noons participated in a PETA ad campaign speaking out against animal cruelty and encouraging people to report animal abuse to authorities. [38]
23 matches | 13 wins | 9 losses |
By knockout | 9 | 1 |
By submission | 0 | 2 |
By decision | 4 | 6 |
No contests | 1 |
Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Loss | 13–9 (1) | Josh Burkman | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Hendricks vs. Thompson | February 6, 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
Loss | 13–8 (1) | Alex Oliveira | Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFC Fight Night: Condit vs. Alves | May 30, 2015 | 1 | 2:51 | Goiânia, Brazil | Welterweight bout. |
NC | 13–7 (1) | Daron Cruickshank | NC (accidental eye poke) | The Ultimate Fighter: A Champion Will Be Crowned Finale | December 12, 2014 | 2 | 0:25 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Cruickshank was rendered unable to continue. |
Win | 13–7 | Sam Stout | KO (punches) | The Ultimate Fighter Nations Finale: Bisping vs. Kennedy | April 16, 2014 | 1 | 0:30 | Quebec City, Quebec, Canada | Welterweight bout. Performance of the Night. |
Win | 12–7 | George Sotiropoulos | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 166 | October 19, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Houston, Texas, United States | |
Loss | 11–7 | Donald Cerrone | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 160 | May 25, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
Loss | 11–6 | Ryan Couture | Decision (split) | Strikeforce: Marquardt vs. Saffiedine | January 12, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States | |
Loss | 11–5 | Josh Thomson | Decision (unanimous) | Strikeforce: Tate vs. Rousey | March 3, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Columbus, Ohio, United States | Strikeforce Lightweight title eliminator. |
Win | 11–4 | Billy Evangelista | Decision (unanimous) | Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Masvidal | December 17, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | San Diego, California, United States | |
Loss | 10–4 | Jorge Masvidal | Decision (unanimous) | Strikeforce: Overeem vs. Werdum | June 18, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Dallas, Texas, United States | Strikeforce Lightweight title eliminator. |
Loss | 10–3 | Nick Diaz | Decision (unanimous) | Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Noons II | October 9, 2010 | 5 | 5:00 | San Jose, California, United States | For the Strikeforce Welterweight Championship. |
Win | 10–2 | Jorge Gurgel | TKO (punches) | Strikeforce: Houston | August 21, 2010 | 2 | 0:19 | Houston, Texas, United States | |
Win | 9–2 | Conor Heun | Decision (split) | Strikeforce: Los Angeles | June 16, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | Los Angeles, United States | Catchweight (160 lbs) bout. |
Win | 8–2 | Andre Amade | Decision (unanimous) | DREAM 13 | March 22, 2010 | 2 | 5:00 | Yokohama, Japan | Catchweight (72 kg) bout. |
Win | 7–2 | Yves Edwards | TKO (punches and elbows) | EliteXC: Return of the King | June 14, 2008 | 1 | 0:48 | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States | Defended the EliteXC Lightweight Championship. |
Win | 6–2 | Nick Diaz | TKO (doctor stoppage) | EliteXC: Renegade | November 10, 2007 | 1 | 5:00 | Corpus Christi, Texas, United States | Won the inaugural EliteXC Lightweight Championship. |
Win | 5–2 | James Edson Berto | KO (knee) | ShoXC: Elite Challenger Series | July 27, 2007 | 3 | 0:45 | Santa Ynez, California, United States | |
Loss | 4–2 | Charles Bennett | KO (punch) | EliteXC: Destiny | February 10, 2007 | 1 | 3:43 | Southaven, Mississippi, United States | |
Win | 4–1 | Harris Sarmiento | TKO (punches) | ICON Sport 44 | October 28, 2005 | 3 | 4:37 | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States | |
Win | 3–1 | Bryson Kamaka | KO (head kick) | SuperBrawl 41 | July 23, 2005 | 1 | 1:20 | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States | Catchweight (165 lbs) bout. |
Win | 2–1 | Malik Williams | TKO (punches) | SuperBrawl 39 | April 9, 2005 | 1 | 2:43 | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States | |
Loss | 1–1 | Buddy Clinton | Submission (heel hook) | REF 11 | October 12, 2002 | 1 | 0:25 | Houston, Texas, United States | REF 2002 Lightweight Tournament Final. |
Win | 1–0 | Raul Guerra | TKO (corner stoppage) | REF 11 | October 12, 2002 | 2 | N/A | Houston, Texas, United States | REF 2002 Lightweight Tournament Semifinal. |
12 Wins (9 (T)KO's, 3 decisions), 2 Losses, 0 Draws | ||||||||
Date | Result | Opponent | Event | Location | Method | Round | Time | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
September 24, 2004 | Win | Cruz Chacon | Ring of Fire 13: Bring the Heat | Castle Rock, Colorado | UD | 5 | 3:00 | |
November 2, 2002 | Win | Ruslan Andrechyensko | Art of War: K. Superstar USA Finals | Biloxi, Mississippi | UD | 5 | 3:00 | |
September 28, 2002 | Win | Travis Johnson | Strikeforce | San Jose, California | KO | 2 | N/A | |
March 17, 2000 | Loss | Rudi Ott | ICMAC: Full Contact War | St. Petersburg, Florida | UD | 5 | 3:00 | |
For vacant ISKA Sanshou U.S. Super Middleweight Championship. | ||||||||
Legend: Win Loss Draw/No contest Notes |
Noons made his film debut in the 2014 comedy Mantervention playing himself. [39] [40]
Tatsuya Kawajiri is a Japanese mixed martial artist who competes in the Bantamweight division. He is a former Shooto Lightweight Champion, and has also competed in the UFC, PRIDE, DREAM, Strikeforce, ONE FC, and Rizin Fighting Federation. Kawajiri also participated in the Yarennoka! event as well as Dynamite!! 2009 and Dynamite!! 2010, representing DREAM in both events.
Robert Glenn Lawler is an American former 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.
Nickolas Robert Diaz is a retired American professional boxer and 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.
Jorge Valente Gurgel is a retired Brazilian mixed martial artist who competed in the Lightweight division. A professional competitor from 2002 to 2014, Gurgel is best known as a contestant on The Ultimate Fighter 2 and for his career with the Ultimate Fighting Championship and Strikeforce.
Yves Edwards is a Bahamian retired mixed martial artist, who is best known for competing in the UFC's Lightweight division, fighting 21 times in the promotion. A professional competitor since 1997, he also competed for PRIDE, the WEC, Strikeforce, Bellator, EliteXC, King of the Cage, BodogFIGHT, the MFC, and HDNet Fights. For a period of time (2004), Edwards was ranked as the #1 Lightweight in the world.
Joshua Joseph Thomson is an American mixed martial arts podcaster, commentator, analyst and former mixed martial artist. A professional competitor since 2001, Thomson has competed in Bellator MMA, PRIDE, Strikeforce, UFC, the World Fighting Alliance, and appeared at Dynamite!! 2010. Thomson is a former Strikeforce World Lightweight Champion and former Strikeforce U.S. Lightweight Champion.
Gilbert Melendez is an American mixed martial artist who formerly competed in the Lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He is a two-time Strikeforce Lightweight Champion and a former WEC Lightweight Champion. He also competed in PRIDE FC, Shooto and Rumble on the Rock.
Nathan Donald Diaz is an American mixed martial artist and professional boxer who is currently a free agent. Diaz is most known for his time spent fighting in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he fought for over 15 years after winning The Ultimate Fighter 5. Prior to signing with the UFC, Diaz competed in World Extreme Cagefighting, Strikeforce, and Pancrase. Diaz has the third most UFC bonus awards, with 16 in total.
Jorge Masvidal is an American professional boxer and former professional mixed martial artist who competed in the Welterweight and Lightweight divisions. Masvidal competed professionally for 20 years from 2003 until 2023, having fought in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), Bellator, Strikeforce, Shark Fights, and World Victory Road. He holds the record for the fastest knockout in UFC history at five seconds, and won the symbolic UFC "BMF" Championship belt.
Paul Anthony Daley is a British former mixed martial artist and kickboxer. A professional competitor from 2003 to 2022, Daley competed for the UFC, Bellator MMA, Cage Rage, Final Fight Championship, Strikeforce, EliteXC, ShoXC, BAMMA, Cage Warriors, Cage Contender, Shark Fights, Pancrase, and Impact FC. Daley is a former Cage Rage World Welterweight Champion and Cage Rage British Welterweight Champion.
Ryan Duane Couture is an American professional mixed martial artist who most recently competed in the Welterweight division of Bellator MMA. A professional competitor since 2009, he has formerly competed for the UFC and Strikeforce. He is the son of UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture.
Conor Heun is a retired American mixed martial artist. A professional from 2006 until 2012, he competed for Strikeforce, EliteXC, and the Los Angeles Anacondas of the International Fight League.
Benson Henderson is an American former professional mixed martial artist, who most recently competed in the Lightweight division for Bellator MMA. He is a former UFC Lightweight Champion and WEC Lightweight Champion. He is considered one of the greatest lightweight MMA fighters of all time and is tied with BJ Penn and Khabib Nurmagomedov for most UFC lightweight title defences.
Mizuto Hirota is a Japanese mixed martial artist currently competing in the Featherweight division of the Rizin Fighting Federation. A professional competitor since 2005, he appeared in the Japanese MMA event Dynamite!! 2009 event and has also competed for Ultimate Fighting Championship, Shooto, and Strikeforce.
Patrick "Pat" Healy is an American professional retired mixed martial artist who last competed in the Lightweight division of ACB. A professional competitor since 2001, Healy has also formerly competed for the UFC, Strikeforce, the WEC, the IFL, the MFC, King of the Cage, Titan FC and Shark Fights. His twin brother, Ryan, is also a professional mixed martial artist. Healy holds notable wins over Dan Hardy, Paul Daley, and Carlos Condit.
Bobby Green is an American professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Lightweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A professional competitor since 2008, Green is the former King of the Cage Lightweight Champion and Junior Welterweight Champion, and in addition he has also competed in Tachi Palace Fights, Strikeforce, and Affliction. As of April 16, 2024, he is #15 in the UFC lightweight rankings.
Yancy Medeiros Jr. is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Lightweight division of Bellator MMA. A professional competitor since 2007, he has competed for the Ultimate Fighting Championship and Strikeforce.
Lorenz Larkin is an American professional mixed martial artist currently competing in the Welterweight division of Bellator MMA. A professional competitor since 2009, Larkin formerly competed for Strikeforce and the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
Mike Ricci is a Canadian former mixed martial artist who competed for the Ultimate Fighting Championship and has also fought in Bellator MMA.
Keith Berry is an American mixed martial artist who competed in Bellator's Middleweight division. A professional fighter since 2005, Berry has formerly fought for the WEC, Strikeforce, King of the Cage and Elite XC ShoXC. Berry is the former 2x King of the Cage Middleweight Champion.