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Bobby Hoffman

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Bobby Hoffman
Born (1966-10-28) October 28, 1966 (age 58)
Centerville, Iowa, United States
Other namesThe Truth
Height6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight245 lb (111 kg; 17 st 7 lb)
DivisionHeavyweight
StanceOrthodox
Fighting out ofBettendorf, Iowa, United States
TeamUniversal Grappling Academy
Miletich Fighting Systems (1999–2001)[1][2]
Years active1998–2006
Mixed martial arts record
Total49
Wins36
By knockout23
By submission6
By decision7
Losses10
By knockout1
By submission5
By decision4
Draws1
No contests2
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Bobby "The Truth" Hoffman (born October 28, 1966) is a retired American mixed martial artist who competed in the heavyweight division.[3] He is the former King of the Cage super heavyweight champion as well as the former King of the Cage heavyweight champion. Having made his professional debut in 1998, Hoffman has also formerly competed for the UFC, RINGS, and Jungle Fight.[4] During his career, Hoffman defeated world champions Alistair Overeem and Ricco Rodriguez.

Background

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Hoffman found mixed martial arts, then known as "shootfighting", after being released from jail, spending 92 consecutive days in solitary confinement for assault charges. Hoffman, a talented wrestler and football player, attended Ellsworth Community College and the University of Akron before leaving college a year early to compete in the NFL for the Cleveland Browns. Hoffman spent half of a season with the team before being released. Two days out of jail, Hoffman attended a local fight and after the originally scheduled fighter did not show up, spectators were asked if they wanted to step in for the absent fighter. Hoffman accepted the challenge, and won the bout.[citation needed]

Mixed martial arts

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Early career

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Hoffman compiled a professional record of 8-1 before making his debut for the SuperBrawl organization in Hawaii on September 7, 1999. After knocking out future UFC heavyweight champion, Ricco Rodriguez and defeating future Pride Heavyweight Championship contender, Heath Herring, via unanimous decision, Hoffman lost to future UFC heavyweight champion Josh Barnett by unanimous decision. Hoffman had suffered a broken arm in the win over Herring, but ignored the doctor's advice and fought Barnett in the final. After following this up with two more wins, Hoffman was invited to compete for the RINGS organization in Japan.[4]

RINGS

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Hoffman made his RINGS debut, which was also his overseas debut, on February 26, 2000 in Tokyo, Japan at the RINGS: King of Kings 1999 final. Hoffman faced Georgia Olympic freestyle wrestling competitor, Zaza Tkeshelashvili, whom Hoffman defeated via knockout only 34 seconds into the fight. After compiling two more wins, Hoffman fought future Dream heavyweight champion, Strikeforce heavyweight champion, and K-1 World Grand Prix champion, Alistair Overeem at RINGS: Millennium Combine 2. Hoffman won via knockout at 9:39 of the first round. After winning his next four fights, two of which in the RINGS organization, Hoffman was invited to compete for the UFC.[4]

UFC

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Hoffman made his UFC debut against former UFC heavyweight champion, Maurice Smith at UFC 27 on September 22, 2000. Hoffman, who seemed to lack cardio and conditioning, lost the bout via unanimous decision. Eight days later, Hoffman won the RINGS USA: Rising Stars Tournament and then had two more fights with the Japan-based organization before returning to the UFC at UFC 30. Hoffman faced South African Mark Robinson and originally won the bout via knockout at 3:27 of the first round, but the decision was later changed to a no-contest as it was revealed that Hoffman failed a drug test for marijuana.[4]

Hoffman went 5-0-1 in his next six fights with wins in the RINGS organization against Mikhail Ilyukhin and Ryushi Yanagisawa, and also became the King of the Cage super heavyweight champion on June 23, 2001, after defeating Kauai Kupihea via submission due to punches. Hoffman was later stripped of his title after leaving the promotion, with the win over Ilyukhin being his next fight. After returning to King of the Cage and defeating wrestling star Tim Catalfo via submission due to punches, Hoffman returned to fight for the UFC at UFC 34 against Josh Barnett, who had defeated Hoffman earlier in his career via unanimous decision. Hoffman lost the bout via TKO at 4:25 of the second round in what was the first TKO/KO loss of his career. Both Hoffman and Barnett failed drug tests for the fight, Hoffman for marijuana, as he admittedly smoked it only hours before the fight, and Barnett for multiple banned substances. This would be Hoffman's last fight for the organization and Barnett would become the new UFC heavyweight champion before having his title stripped for another failed drug test.[5]

Post-UFC

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After spending over a year in prison for domestic abuse, Hoffman returned to mixed martial arts competition for the King of the Cage organization. Hoffman became the first King of the Cage heavyweight champion in his second fight back after a TKO win over Jason Godsey and then defended his title against Paul Buentello via unanimous decision. Hoffman then lost a rematch with Buentello, also losing his title, but would bounce back with two wins before being handed his next loss against Carlos Barreto in Hoffman's debut for the Jungle Fight organization in Brazil at Jungle Fight 2. Hoffman fought again for King of the Cage, against veteran Ruben "Warpath" Villareal, and won via armbar submission before returning to Brazil for a bout in Jungle Fight 3, which he lost via triangle-choke submission.

Hoffman lost a rematch with Eric Pele via TKO before facing Tony Bonello in Australia. After the first bout ended in a no-contest, the two had a rematch two months later again in Bonello's home-country of Australia which Bonello won via submission due to punches. Hoffman then bounced back with a win via triangle-choke submission a month later, before winning his last mixed martial arts fight via TKO only eight seconds into the first round.

Personal life

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Hoffman was dropped by manager Monte Cox after reportedly threatening to kill Cox's wife and children while Hoffman was fighting in Japan.[6]

Hoffman and his girlfriend, Patricia, wed the night after Hoffman's UFC 34 loss to Barnett. Weeks later on the night of their honeymoon, Hoffman, under the influence of alcohol and Vicodin, severely beat his wife. He was later arrested and spent over a year in a maximum-security prison in Shafter, California, for his actions. His wife, who was only 20 years old at the time and around 125 pounds, almost died as a result of her injuries and the two later divorced.[5]

Championships and accomplishments

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Mixed martial arts record

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Professional record breakdown
49 matches 36 wins 10 losses
By knockout 23 4
By submission 6 2
By decision 7 4
Draws 1
No contests 2
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 36–10–1 (2) Chuck Grigsby TKO (punches) Mainstream MMA: Inferno August 12, 2006 1 1:47 Cedar Rapids, Iowa, United States
Win 35–10–1 (2) Paul O'Keefe Submission (arm-triangle choke) KOTC: Predator May 13, 2006 1 1:29 Globe, Arizona, United States
Loss 34–10–1 (2) Tony Bonello TKO (submission to punches) KOTC: Unfinished Business April 28, 2006 1 1:48 Sydney, Australia
NC 34–9–1 (2) Tony Bonello NC (overturned) KOTC: Gunfather February 10, 2006 1 2:28 Australia Controversial stoppage, overturned later after appeal.[9]
Loss 34–9–1 (1) Eric Pele TKO (punches) KOTC: Mortal Sins May 7, 2005 2 2:55 Primm, Nevada, United States
Loss 34–8–1 (1) Leopoldo Montenegro Submission (triangle choke) Jungle Fight 3 October 23, 2004 1 2:59 Manaus, Brazil
Win 34–7–1 (1) Ruben Villareal Submission (armbar) KOTC 39: Hitmaster August 6, 2004 1 4:02 San Jacinto, California, United States
Loss 33–7–1 (1) Carlos Barreto TKO (submission to punches) Jungle Fight 2 May 15, 2004 2 N/A Manaus, Brazil
Win 33–6–1 (1) Mike Wolmack KO (knee) GC 25: Gladiator Challenge 25 April 20, 2004 1 1:00 Porterville, California, United States
Win 32–6–1 (1) Ladislav Zak Decision (split) 2H2H: 2 Hot 2 Handle February 22, 2004 3 5:00 Amsterdam, Netherlands
Loss 31–6–1 (1) Paul Buentello Submission (verbal) KOTC 30: The Pinnacle November 2, 2003 2 N/A San Jacinto, California, United States Lost the KOTC Heavyweight Championship.
Win 31–5–1 (1) Paul Buentello Decision (unanimous) KOTC 27: Aftermath August 10, 2003 3 5:00 San Jacinto, California, United States Defended the KOTC Heavyweight Championship.
Win 30–5–1 (1) Jason Godsey TKO (punches) KOTC 21: Invasion February 21, 2003 1 1:56 Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States Won the inaugural KOTC Heavyweight Championship.
Win 29–5–1 (1) Sam Sotello TKO (injury) 2 0:23
Loss 28–5–1 (1) Josh Barnett TKO (punches) UFC 34 November 2, 2001 2 4:25 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 28–4–1 (1) Tim Catalfo TKO (submission to strikes) KOTC 11: Domination September 29, 2001 1 3:56 San Jacinto, California, United States
Win 27–4–1 (1) Mikhail Ilyukhin TKO (corner stoppage) Rings: 10th Anniversary August 11, 2001 2 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 26–4–1 (1) Kauai Kupihea TKO (submission to punches) KOTC 9: Showtime June 23, 2001 2 4:00 San Jacinto, California, United States Won the vacant KOTC Super Heavyweight Championship.
Draw 25–4–1 (1) Bob Schrijber Draw RINGS Holland: No Guts, No Glory June 10, 2001 2 5:00 Amsterdam, Netherlands
Win 25–4 (1) Ryushi Yanagisawa Decision (unanimous) RINGS: World Title Series 1 April 20, 2001 2 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 24–4 (1) Zane Frazier Submission (armbar) RINGS USA: Battle of Champions March 17, 2001 1 1:34 Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States
NC 23–4 (1) Mark Robinson NC (overturned) UFC 30 February 23, 2001 1 3:27 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Originally a KO win for Hoffman; overturned due to Hoffman failing drug test.
Loss 23–4 Magomedkhan Gamzatkhanov Decision (unanimous) Rings: King of Kings 2000 Block B December 22, 2000 3 5:00 Osaka, Japan
Win 23–3 Joop Kasteel KO (punches) 1 0:43
Win 22–3 Aaron Brink TKO (submission to punches) Rings USA: Rising Stars Final September 30, 2000 1 1:34 Moline, Illinois, United States
Win 21–3 Eric Pele Decision (unanimous) 3 5:00
Loss 20–3 Maurice Smith Decision (majority) UFC 27 September 22, 2000 3 5:00 New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
Win 20–2 Greg Wikan TKO (knees) EC 36: Extreme Challenge 36 August 26, 2000 1 3:43 Davenport, Iowa, United States
Win 19–2 Aaron Brink Submission (neck crank) Rings USA: Rising Stars Block A July 15, 2000 1 3:12 Orem, Utah, United States
Win 18–2 Victor Burtsev TKO (punches) 1 3:13
Win 17–2 Sam Adkins TKO (doctor stoppage) Extreme Challenge 35 June 29, 2000 1 2:25 Davenport, Iowa, United States
Win 16–2 Alistair Overeem KO (punch) Rings: Millennium Combine 2 June 15, 2000 1 9:39 Tokyo, Japan
Win 15–2 Kerry Schall Decision (unanimous) WEF 9: World Class May 13, 2000 4 3:00 Evansville, Indiana, United States
Win 14–2 Borislav Jeliazkov KO (punch) Rings: Millennium Combine 1 April 20, 2000 1 8:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 13–2 Zaza Tkeshelashvili KO (punch) Rings: King of Kings 1999 Final February 26, 2000 1 0:34 Tokyo, Japan
Win 12–2 Alex Paz TKO (submission to punches) WEF 8: Goin' Platinum January 15, 2000 2 1:39 Rome, Georgia, United States
Win 11–2 Paul Wells TKO CC 5: Cage Combat 5 October 24, 1999 1 12:51 Burlington, Iowa, United States
Loss 10–2 Josh Barnett Decision (unanimous) SuperBrawl 13 September 7, 1999 3 5:00 Honolulu, Hawaii, United States SuperBrawl 13 Heavyweight Tournament Finals.
Win 10–1 Heath Herring Decision (unanimous) 2 5:00 SuperBrawl 13 Heavyweight Tournament Semifinals.
Win 9–1 Ricco Rodriguez KO (punches) 1 3:13 SuperBrawl 13 Heavyweight Tournament Quarterfinals.
Win 8–1 Tommy Sauer Submission (guillotine choke) Extreme Challenge 27 August 21, 1999 1 4:46 Davenport, Iowa, United States
Win 7–1 Ahmad Ahmad TKO (punches) 1 1:14
Win 6–1 Theo Brooks TKO (exhaustion) Cage Combat 2 May 30, 1999 1 7:47 Ottumwa, Iowa, United States
Win 5–1 Rocky Batastini Decision (unanimous) Extreme Challenge 24 May 15, 1999 1 1:12 Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
Win 4–1 Joe Campenella Submission (keylock) 1 1:12
Win 3–1 Mark Tullius TKO (submission to punches) Extreme Challenge 20 August 22, 1998 1 11:55 Davenport, Iowa, United States
Win 2–1 Brad Jones TKO (referee stoppage) Extreme Challenge 16 March 26, 1998 1 7:22 Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States
Loss 1–1 Mike Delaney Decision RnB 2: Bare Knuckle Brawl February 20, 1998 1 15:00 Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Win 1–0 Rick Graveson TKO (submission to punches) 1 3:00

References

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  1. ^ "Hoffman Headlines Extreme 35 Event". fcfighter.com. June 20, 2000.
  2. ^ Scott Newman (September 25, 2004). "MMA Review: #28: UFC 34: High Voltage". the-oratory.com. Archived from the original on December 10, 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  3. ^ "MMA Mixed Martial Arts News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos". sports.yahoo.com.
  4. ^ a b c d "Bobby Hoffman | UFC". www.ufc.com. 14 September 2018.
  5. ^ a b "Escaping the Dark Shadow". Sherdog.
  6. ^ "Monte Cox Interview - MMA News". Archived from the original on 2009-06-12. Retrieved 2013-09-12.
  7. ^ a b "Pro Wrestling History". www.prowrestlinghistory.com.
  8. ^ "Wrestlingdata.com - The World's Largest Wrestling Database". www.wrestlingdata.com.
  9. ^ "KOTC - Gunfather - Bonello V Hoffman why was it a no contest ? - Sherdog Mixed Martial Arts Forums". Archived from the original on 2012-03-23. Retrieved 2011-09-04.
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