Brian Bowles (born June 22, 1980) is a retired American mixed martial artist who most recently competed in the Bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. A professional competitor from 2006 to 2013, Bowles is also the former WEC Bantamweight Champion.
| Brian Bowles | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Brian David Bowles June 22, 1980 Charleston, West Virginia, United States |
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) |
| Weight | 135 lb (61 kg; 9.6 st) |
| Division | Bantamweight |
| Reach | 70+1⁄2 in (179 cm) [1] |
| Fighting out of | Athens, Georgia, United States |
| Team | The HardCore Gym (now SBG Athens) |
| Trainer | Adam Singer & Rory Singer |
| Rank | Black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu |
| Years active | 2006–2013 |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 13 |
| Wins | 10 |
| By knockout | 3 |
| By submission | 6 |
| By decision | 1 |
| Losses | 3 |
| By knockout | 2 |
| By submission | 1 |
| Website | [1] |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
Background
editBowles was born in Charleston, West Virginia and raised in the small town of Chesapeake, West Virginia by his single mother. Bowles' father, who was largely absent from his life, died when Bowles was 11 years old. In the tenth grade, Bowles moved to Jackson County, Georgia, attending Jackson County Comprehensive High School where he competed in wrestling for three years. Bowles was later introduced to mixed martial arts by a former teammate after graduating, and began training at The HardCore Gym which has since been renamed to SBG Athens.[2][3]
Mixed martial arts career
editEarly career
editBowles compiled an undefeated 7-0 amateur record and began his professional career in regional promotions, earning two first-round stoppages and amassing an undefeated record of 3-0.
World Extreme Cagefighting
editIn his first two fights in the organization, he submitted Charlie Valencia with a rear-naked choke and knocked out Marcos Galvao at WEC 31 with a flurry that stunned his opponent and a strong right hook to finish, both ending within minutes of the second round, showcasing his proficiency in striking and submission offense (with a primarily wrestling base).
At WEC 35 he finished fellow Bantamweight contender Damacio Page with an impressive first-round guillotine choke he locked in while his opponent was still standing. It was near the end of 2008 where Bowles would have his most notable victory in the organization yet, defeating Will Ribeiro (who was 10-1 at that time) in the third round via another guillotine choke, on the WEC 37 main card. He was then scheduled to headline WEC 40 in a bout with Miguel Torres, but was forced to withdraw due to a back injury weeks before the event, and was replaced by top ten bantamweight Takeya Mizugaki. Torres successfully defended his belt against Mizugaki.
Torres and Bowles headlined WEC 42 on August 9, 2009 at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. Bowles defeated Torres via first-round KO to become the new WEC Bantamweight Champion.
Bowles made his first title defense against Dominick Cruz on March 6, 2010 at WEC 47.[4] Bowles lost via TKO (doctor stoppage) at the end of the second round with a broken hand.
Bowles was expected to face Wagnney Fabiano on November 11, 2010 at WEC 52.[2] However, Bowles was forced off the card with a foot injury.[3]
Ultimate Fighting Championship
editOn October 28, 2010, World Extreme Cagefighting merged with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. As part of the merger, all WEC fighters were transferred to the UFC.[5]
Bowles faced former opponent Damacio Page on March 3, 2011 at UFC Live: Sanchez vs. Kampmann.[6] In what Joe Rogan described as " a comet that comes around every 1,000 years," Bowles defeated Page by guillotine choke at 3:30 of the first round, the same method and exact time that he defeated Page in their first meeting.[7]
Bowles faced Takeya Mizugaki on July 2, 2011 at UFC 132.[8] He won the fight via unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, and 29–28), making this the first time he has gone to a decision in his career.[9]
Bowles faced off against Urijah Faber on November 19, 2011 at UFC 139.[10] He lost the fight by submission (guillotine choke) in the second round.[11]
Bowles returned from an extended 18-month layoff and faced George Roop on May 25, 2013 at UFC 160.[12][13] He lost the fight via TKO in the second round.[14]
Bowles failed his UFC 160 drug test with an elevated testosterone-to-epitestosterone (T/E) ratio. The NSAC allows a T/E Ratio of 6:1 and Bowles was over 20:1.[15] Bowles did not appeal the result and was subsequently suspended for nine months and fined $5,700.[16]
Bowles was released from the UFC on March 2, 2015.[17]
Arrest
editOn January 14, 2015, Bowles along with Rhomney Marie Moon, were arrested and face multiple felony charges in Arcade, Georgia.[18]
Championships and awards
edit- World Extreme Cagefighting
- WEC Bantamweight Championship (One time)
- Knockout of the Night (One time)
- Submission of the Night (Two times)
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- Submission of the Night (One time)
Mixed martial arts record
edit| 13 matches | 10 wins | 3 losses |
| By knockout | 3 | 2 |
| By submission | 6 | 1 |
| By decision | 1 | 0 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 10–3 | George Roop | TKO (punches) | UFC 160 | May 25, 2013 | 2 | 1:43 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Bowles tested positive for elevated testosterone levels. |
| Loss | 10–2 | Urijah Faber | Submission (guillotine choke) | UFC 139 | November 19, 2011 | 2 | 1:27 | San Jose, California, United States | UFC Bantamweight title eliminator. |
| Win | 10–1 | Takeya Mizugaki | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 132 | July 2, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 9–1 | Damacio Page | Technical Submission (guillotine choke) | UFC Live: Sanchez vs. Kampmann | March 3, 2011 | 1 | 3:30 | Louisville, Kentucky, United States | Submission of the Night. |
| Loss | 8–1 | Dominick Cruz | TKO (doctor stoppage) | WEC 47 | March 6, 2010 | 2 | 5:00 | Columbus, Ohio, United States | Lost the WEC Bantamweight Championship. Doctor stoppage due to broken hand. |
| Win | 8–0 | Miguel Torres | KO (punches) | WEC 42 | August 9, 2009 | 1 | 3:57 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Won the WEC Bantamweight Championship. Knockout of the Night. |
| Win | 7–0 | Will Ribeiro | Submission (guillotine choke) | WEC 37: Torres vs. Tapia | December 3, 2008 | 3 | 1:11 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Submission of the Night. |
| Win | 6–0 | Damacio Page | Submission (guillotine choke) | WEC 35: Condit vs. Miura | August 3, 2008 | 1 | 3:30 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Submission of the Night. |
| Win | 5–0 | Marcos Galvão | KO (punch) | WEC 31 | December 12, 2007 | 2 | 2:09 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 4–0 | Charlie Valencia | Submission (rear-naked choke) | WEC 28 | June 3, 2007 | 2 | 2:33 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 3–0 | Shane Weinischke | Submission (rear-naked choke) | ISCF: Invasion | February 9, 2007 | 1 | 1:38 | Atlanta, Georgia, United States | |
| Win | 2–0 | Charles Nutt | TKO (punches) | Wild Bill's Fight Night 4 | September 8, 2006 | 1 | 4:28 | Duluth, Georgia, United States | |
| Win | 1–0 | Tim Honeycutt | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Wild Bill's Fight Night 2 | May 12, 2006 | 3 | 4:55 | Duluth, Georgia, United States |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Brian Bowles Fight! Magazine Stats". Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved October 4, 2009.
- ^ a b "Archived copy". Archived from the original on May 20, 2015. Retrieved September 1, 2010.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ a b "Injured Brian Bowles out of WEC 52, replacement search underway". Mmajunkie.com. October 7, 2010. Archived from the original on October 9, 2010. Retrieved October 6, 2010.
- ^ "Brian Bowles defends bantamweight title against Dominick Cruz at WEC 47 on March 6". Mmajunkie.com. December 11, 2009. Archived from the original on December 15, 2009.
- ^ "UFC and WEC set to merge in 2011; events to air on Versus and Spike TV". Mmajunkie.com. October 28, 2010. Archived from the original on October 31, 2010.
- ^ "Brian Bowles vs. Damacio Page II in the works for UFC on Versus 3". Mmajunkie.com. December 17, 2010. Archived from the original on December 23, 2010.
- ^ Thomas, Luke (March 3, 2011). "UFC On Versus 3 Results: Brian Bowles Chokes Out Damacio Page Again". sbnation.com. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
- ^ "Brian Bowles and Takeya Mizugaki agree to meet at UFC 132 in Las Vegas". Mmajunkie.com. April 19, 2011. Archived from the original on April 21, 2011.
- ^ Roling, Leland (July 2, 2011). "UFC 132 Results: Brian Bowles Defeats Takeya Mizugaki by Unanimous DecisionUFC 132 Results: Brian Bowles Defeats Takeya Mizugaki by Unanimous Decision". bloodyelbow.com. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
- ^ "Brian Bowles draws Urijah Faber at November's UFC 139 event". Mmajunkie.com. July 22, 2011. Archived from the original on July 24, 2011.
- ^ Martin, Josh (November 20, 2011). "UFC 139 Results: Urijah Faber Flattens Brian Bowles to Earn Rematch with Cruz". bleacherreport.com. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
- ^ Matt Erickson (March 28, 2013). "George Roop meets former bantamweight champ Brian Bowles at UFC 160". Mmajunkie.com. Archived from the original on March 31, 2013. Retrieved March 28, 2013.
- ^ Mike Chiapetta (May 7, 2013). "After lengthy absence due to injury, apathy, Brian Bowles rediscovers love for MMA". Mmafighting.com.
- ^ Ribeiro, Vicente (May 26, 2013). "George Roop escapa de finalização e nocauteia Brian Bowles no UFC 160". mg.superesportes.com.br. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
- ^ Steven Marrocco (June 7, 2013). "Brian Bowles fails UFC 160 drug test due to elevated T/E levels". Mmajunkie.com. Retrieved June 7, 2013.
- ^ "NSAC suspends Brian Bowles nine months, issues $5,700 fine for UFC 160 failure". Mmajunkie.com. August 15, 2013. Retrieved October 28, 2013.
- ^ Zane Simon (May 3, 2015). "Report: Former WEC champ among four fighters cut from UFC". Bloodyelbow.com.
- ^ Ken Pishna (January 28, 2015). "Former WEC Champ Brian Bowles Arrested on Drug and Weapons Charges". Mmaweekly.com | Ufc and Mma News, Results, Rumors, and Videos. Retrieved January 28, 2015.