THE WORLD OF mixed martial arts is today mourning the death of Kevin Randleman.
Randleman’s family confirmed the sad news of his passing this morning via the former UFC champion’s Facebook page.
According to the statement, Randleman became ill while travelling on business and “un-exectedly passed due to complications from pneumonia”. Randleman, who was 44, is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, and four children.
A native of Ohio, Randleman was an NCAA Division One All-American wrestler and two-time national champion, before he turned to mixed martial arts. He had the first of 33 professional fights in October 1996 and last competed in MMA in May 2011.
Randleman defeated Pete Williams to win the vacant UFC heavyweight title in 1999 and successfully defended the belt against Pedro Rizzo. He was later dethroned by Randy Couture.
He is perhaps best remembered for his fights against Mirko ‘Cro Cop’ Filipovic and Fedor Emelianenko in the Pride Heavyweight Grand Prix in 2004. Randleman caused a massive upset when he knocked out Cro Cop in the first round.
He was eliminated in the next stage of the Grand Prix by Fedor Emelianenko but not before executing this massive suplex against the Russian legend.
“With saddened hearts, the Randleman family confirms the passing of Kevin ‘The Monster’ Randleman,” read the Randleman family’s statement.
“Behind the name, was a gentle soul & loyal friend whom will be missed by many who loved him beyond the cage. The Ohio State University, UFC, MMA, & Sandusky, Ohio communities share in the loss of Kevin’s passing.”
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That suplex on Emelianenko is stomach churning. How did something not snap!?
It would have snapped a lesser man in half. And Fedor still won that fight!
I’m a complete novice so genuine question… Is that legal?
Its a yellow card for sure , in my book anyway.
Tip tackle, red card, citing and a 12 week ban.
Exactly. I saw a video the other day of a pro soccer player in India that died from injuries sustained during a back flip goal celebration. This guy got nailed hard here
Was at that fight myself in Japan, absolutely the most memorable moment was that suplex on Fedor. The gasps in arena from the 40,000 strong Japanese audience when we all thought he was dead will always be with me I think. I paid crazy money to be there and brought a close friend whom I stayed with in Japan, I didn’t care the cost though, I was insanely into MMA at the time and was actually training under John Kavanagh back in Dublin, not as a cage fighter as such but certainly in the art of MMA… Thanks to Kevin, he made it something of a brilliant event along with the other great names on the card. Sakuaba, Rampage Jackson, Minatoro and course, CroCop and Fedor… Pretty sure I still have the fight day program knocking around somewhere.
Live by the sword die with the flu!