Ok fight fans, every few weeks I will profile a Mixed Martial Artist, be it, passed or present. For my first choice, I've decided to pick on of MMA's premier legends. A man who really needs no introduction. Dan "The Beast" Severn.
Severn was born June 8, 1958 and from the jump had wrestling and combat sports in his blood. He entered his first MMA event, when it was still known as NHB (No Holds Barred) in 1994, when he entered UFC IV (4): Revenge of the Warriors. Severn won his first 2 bouts with ease submitting both Anthony Macias and Marcus Bossett in a combined 2 minutes and 37 seconds. This set up a showdown in the finals with 2 time UFC Champion, Royce Gracie. Gracie had made his way back to the UFC finals after having to withdraw after his semifinal win at UFC III against Kimo with a broken hand. Most fans didn't give Severn a chance. However, Severn used his wrestling to negate the Brazillian Jiu Jitsu wizard and took Gracie further than any fighter had up to that point. Finally at the 15mnute 49 second mark, Gracie finally prevailed by submitting Severn with a Triangle Choke. However, this fight thrust Severn's name into the spotlight.
I have tried to search as much on Severn's High School career, but could only find that he graduated from Montrose Hill - McCloy High School in Montrose Michigan. He amassed 37 consecutive falls (pins) his senior year. His high school performance helped pave his way to Arizona State University where he would go on to become a 4 time NCAA All American in Wrestling. Severn also coached at his alma mater of Arizona State and eventually at Michigan State University. He attempted to make the US Olympic team twice in 1984 and 1988, but missed out both times. He did make the final in 1988 making him an Olympic alternate, an honor he also garnered in 1984. Perhaps Severn's most notable wrestling achievement came during a 16 year run where he won the most
wrestling matches by fall (pin) than any other wrestler between the years of 1976 to 1992.
UFC IV (4) stoked Severn's fire to return to the fabled Octogon and he did so in 1995 at UFC V: Return of The Beast. This time Severn came in as a professional wrestling champion holding the NWA World's Heavyweight Championship. This marked the first time a professional wrestling title holder had entered into the UFC. Severn's first bout was a breeze as he choked out Joe Charles in 1:38. The second round had some fans wondering how Severn would do as he drew the heralded Sambo wrestler, Oleg Taktarov. Severn basically beat up Taktarov and opened up a nasty cut above his eye calling for the cageside doctor to stop the fight, putting Severn into his second consecutive UFC final. This time around, Royce Gracie was not in the maindraw, but had been entered into the UFC's first "Superfight" against Ken Shamrock. In the finals, Severn drew tough Canadian wrestler Dave Beneteau. 3 minutes later, Severn accomplished his goal and won the UFC tournament making him the first and only man to ever hold a Professional Wrestling championship and a Mixed Martial Arts championship.
Severn would not have a chance to defend his UFC tournament champioship as at UFC 6, he was matched up in the UFC's second Superfight against Ken Shamrock to determine the first official UFC Heavyweight Champion. Shamrock defeated Severn with a Guilltine choke to win the title. Later on in 1995, SEG Sports, the parent company of the UFC at the time, wanted to put together a tournament of the best of the best, and came up with The Ultimate Ultimate 95, consisting of past champions and runners up. The night of the UU 95, Severn would fight for almost 50 minutes between 3 fights. He defeated Paul Varerlans in the first round via Arm-Triangle. In the second round, he defeated the very game (at the time) Tank Abbott by decision after 18 minutes. In the finals, Severn would face a familiar foe in Oleg Taktarov. The two battled for 30 minutes before Severn won via decision. Winning this tournament gave Severn his second UFC championship.
Severn did not compete in UFC 7, but did manage Don Frye at UFC 8. A tournament in which Frye won. Finally at UFC 9, Severn got his rematch with UFC Superfight Heavyweight Champion Ken Shamrock. In his home state of Michigan, Severn won a decision capturing his 3rd UFC title, and became the only man in UFC history to win the UFC "Triple Crown". A regular draw tournament win, and Ultimate Ultimate tournament win, and the Heavyweight Championship.
Severn would not return to the UFC until UFC 12. During his offtime he was still defending his NWA World's Heavyweight Championship, a title he held for the better part of 4 years (currently the NWA's 4th longest reign), and won 5 other MMA bouts for various promotions, including a bout against Japanese Harcore legend, Mitsuhiro Matsunaga. At UFC 12, Severn faced off against another up and coming wrestler, Mark "The Hammer" Coleman. Coleman entered the fight 5-0 and had defeated Severn's protege, Don Frye. Severn lost his title in under 3 minutes to Coleman who would go on to win the UFC Heavyweight Championship.
After the fight, Severn quietly left the UFC and continue his professional wrestling and MMA career for various promotions. Severn also entered into the World Wrestling Federation during this time, carrying the NWA World Title. He had a modest run, entering the Brawl for All and King of the Ring tournaments. He also had a short run against pro wrestling legend, Owen Hart. Later in 2001, Severn would win his second NWA World's Heavyweight title from Shinya Hashimoto in Japan. He later forfeited the championship when he could not appear for NWA-TNA's innagural event, in which Ken Shamrock won the NWA World's Heavyweight Championship.
When he wasn't wrestling professionally, Severn continued his Mixed Martial Arts career, fighting all over the world for various promotions such as King of the Cage, Extreme Challenge, International Fighting Championships, SuperBrawl, International Vale Tudo Championships, Rage In The Cage, and even the first ever WEC. He only made one more UFC appearance at UFC 27: Ultimate Bad Boyz, where he lost in under 2 minutes to Pedro Rizzo.
Severn has fought in 117 Mixed Martial Arts contests, amassing a 94-16-7 record, and yes, he's still fighting. On April 16, 2005 during UFC 52, Severn was honored as being only the 3rd man to be enshrined into the UFC Hall of Fame. Severn is an Arizona State University wrestling Hall of Famer as well. A 2 time US Olympic Wrestling team Alternate in 1984, and 1988. He won 13 AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) Championships between the years of 1982 and 1994. Severn was the 1985 Canada Cup Wrestling Gold Medalist. Severn currently holds 2 Mixed Martial Arts Superheavyweight Championships for the Continental FreeFighting Alliance and Gladiator Challenge promotions. Severn is undefeated in Danger Zone MMA single bout competition. His UFC accomplishments are as followed: UFC IV Runner Up, UFC V Tournament Champion, UFC Ultimate Ultimate 95 Tournament Champion, UFC Superfight HW Champion, and UFC Hall of Fame Inductee.
Severn is versed in many combat sports. Here is a list of other highlights of The Beasts career:
One Year of Semi-Pro Football
1st Degree Black Belt in Combat Sambo
3rd Degree Black Belt in Judo
3rd Degree Black Belt in Brazillian Jiu Jitsu
Numerous National Greco-Roman, Freestyle, and Sambo wrestling championships
At one point or another, Severn has held or currently still holds over 90 State, National, and International records/titles for Greco-Roman wrestling, Freestlye wrestling, Sambo wrestling, and Judo.
Severn also trains and promotes professional wrestlers and MMA fighters for his Price of Glory Wrestling promotion, and his Danger Zone MMA promotion. Severn truly is a legend in combat sports of all types. Im proud to say this man comes from my home state, and Im also proud to say that in July of 1996, while attending Michigan State wrestling camp, I got to wrestle this man for 6 minutes, as he was an assisstant wrestling coach at MSU at the time. I can attest to the man's brute strength and extreme approachability. If you ever get the chance to meet him, I can assure you, you will meet one of the finest human beings God has ever placed on this Earth.
Stay tuned fight fans to see who get's profiled next month. And if there's any fighter someone would like to see in particular, PM me, and I will do my best to accomodate.tState, National and International Records/Titles for Greco-Roman-Freestyle-Sambo-Judoate, National and International Records/Titles for Greco-Roman-Freestyle-Sambo-Judo
Severn was born June 8, 1958 and from the jump had wrestling and combat sports in his blood. He entered his first MMA event, when it was still known as NHB (No Holds Barred) in 1994, when he entered UFC IV (4): Revenge of the Warriors. Severn won his first 2 bouts with ease submitting both Anthony Macias and Marcus Bossett in a combined 2 minutes and 37 seconds. This set up a showdown in the finals with 2 time UFC Champion, Royce Gracie. Gracie had made his way back to the UFC finals after having to withdraw after his semifinal win at UFC III against Kimo with a broken hand. Most fans didn't give Severn a chance. However, Severn used his wrestling to negate the Brazillian Jiu Jitsu wizard and took Gracie further than any fighter had up to that point. Finally at the 15mnute 49 second mark, Gracie finally prevailed by submitting Severn with a Triangle Choke. However, this fight thrust Severn's name into the spotlight.
I have tried to search as much on Severn's High School career, but could only find that he graduated from Montrose Hill - McCloy High School in Montrose Michigan. He amassed 37 consecutive falls (pins) his senior year. His high school performance helped pave his way to Arizona State University where he would go on to become a 4 time NCAA All American in Wrestling. Severn also coached at his alma mater of Arizona State and eventually at Michigan State University. He attempted to make the US Olympic team twice in 1984 and 1988, but missed out both times. He did make the final in 1988 making him an Olympic alternate, an honor he also garnered in 1984. Perhaps Severn's most notable wrestling achievement came during a 16 year run where he won the most
wrestling matches by fall (pin) than any other wrestler between the years of 1976 to 1992.
UFC IV (4) stoked Severn's fire to return to the fabled Octogon and he did so in 1995 at UFC V: Return of The Beast. This time Severn came in as a professional wrestling champion holding the NWA World's Heavyweight Championship. This marked the first time a professional wrestling title holder had entered into the UFC. Severn's first bout was a breeze as he choked out Joe Charles in 1:38. The second round had some fans wondering how Severn would do as he drew the heralded Sambo wrestler, Oleg Taktarov. Severn basically beat up Taktarov and opened up a nasty cut above his eye calling for the cageside doctor to stop the fight, putting Severn into his second consecutive UFC final. This time around, Royce Gracie was not in the maindraw, but had been entered into the UFC's first "Superfight" against Ken Shamrock. In the finals, Severn drew tough Canadian wrestler Dave Beneteau. 3 minutes later, Severn accomplished his goal and won the UFC tournament making him the first and only man to ever hold a Professional Wrestling championship and a Mixed Martial Arts championship.
Severn would not have a chance to defend his UFC tournament champioship as at UFC 6, he was matched up in the UFC's second Superfight against Ken Shamrock to determine the first official UFC Heavyweight Champion. Shamrock defeated Severn with a Guilltine choke to win the title. Later on in 1995, SEG Sports, the parent company of the UFC at the time, wanted to put together a tournament of the best of the best, and came up with The Ultimate Ultimate 95, consisting of past champions and runners up. The night of the UU 95, Severn would fight for almost 50 minutes between 3 fights. He defeated Paul Varerlans in the first round via Arm-Triangle. In the second round, he defeated the very game (at the time) Tank Abbott by decision after 18 minutes. In the finals, Severn would face a familiar foe in Oleg Taktarov. The two battled for 30 minutes before Severn won via decision. Winning this tournament gave Severn his second UFC championship.
Severn did not compete in UFC 7, but did manage Don Frye at UFC 8. A tournament in which Frye won. Finally at UFC 9, Severn got his rematch with UFC Superfight Heavyweight Champion Ken Shamrock. In his home state of Michigan, Severn won a decision capturing his 3rd UFC title, and became the only man in UFC history to win the UFC "Triple Crown". A regular draw tournament win, and Ultimate Ultimate tournament win, and the Heavyweight Championship.
Severn would not return to the UFC until UFC 12. During his offtime he was still defending his NWA World's Heavyweight Championship, a title he held for the better part of 4 years (currently the NWA's 4th longest reign), and won 5 other MMA bouts for various promotions, including a bout against Japanese Harcore legend, Mitsuhiro Matsunaga. At UFC 12, Severn faced off against another up and coming wrestler, Mark "The Hammer" Coleman. Coleman entered the fight 5-0 and had defeated Severn's protege, Don Frye. Severn lost his title in under 3 minutes to Coleman who would go on to win the UFC Heavyweight Championship.
After the fight, Severn quietly left the UFC and continue his professional wrestling and MMA career for various promotions. Severn also entered into the World Wrestling Federation during this time, carrying the NWA World Title. He had a modest run, entering the Brawl for All and King of the Ring tournaments. He also had a short run against pro wrestling legend, Owen Hart. Later in 2001, Severn would win his second NWA World's Heavyweight title from Shinya Hashimoto in Japan. He later forfeited the championship when he could not appear for NWA-TNA's innagural event, in which Ken Shamrock won the NWA World's Heavyweight Championship.
When he wasn't wrestling professionally, Severn continued his Mixed Martial Arts career, fighting all over the world for various promotions such as King of the Cage, Extreme Challenge, International Fighting Championships, SuperBrawl, International Vale Tudo Championships, Rage In The Cage, and even the first ever WEC. He only made one more UFC appearance at UFC 27: Ultimate Bad Boyz, where he lost in under 2 minutes to Pedro Rizzo.
Severn has fought in 117 Mixed Martial Arts contests, amassing a 94-16-7 record, and yes, he's still fighting. On April 16, 2005 during UFC 52, Severn was honored as being only the 3rd man to be enshrined into the UFC Hall of Fame. Severn is an Arizona State University wrestling Hall of Famer as well. A 2 time US Olympic Wrestling team Alternate in 1984, and 1988. He won 13 AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) Championships between the years of 1982 and 1994. Severn was the 1985 Canada Cup Wrestling Gold Medalist. Severn currently holds 2 Mixed Martial Arts Superheavyweight Championships for the Continental FreeFighting Alliance and Gladiator Challenge promotions. Severn is undefeated in Danger Zone MMA single bout competition. His UFC accomplishments are as followed: UFC IV Runner Up, UFC V Tournament Champion, UFC Ultimate Ultimate 95 Tournament Champion, UFC Superfight HW Champion, and UFC Hall of Fame Inductee.
Severn is versed in many combat sports. Here is a list of other highlights of The Beasts career:
One Year of Semi-Pro Football
1st Degree Black Belt in Combat Sambo
3rd Degree Black Belt in Judo
3rd Degree Black Belt in Brazillian Jiu Jitsu
Numerous National Greco-Roman, Freestyle, and Sambo wrestling championships
At one point or another, Severn has held or currently still holds over 90 State, National, and International records/titles for Greco-Roman wrestling, Freestlye wrestling, Sambo wrestling, and Judo.
Severn also trains and promotes professional wrestlers and MMA fighters for his Price of Glory Wrestling promotion, and his Danger Zone MMA promotion. Severn truly is a legend in combat sports of all types. Im proud to say this man comes from my home state, and Im also proud to say that in July of 1996, while attending Michigan State wrestling camp, I got to wrestle this man for 6 minutes, as he was an assisstant wrestling coach at MSU at the time. I can attest to the man's brute strength and extreme approachability. If you ever get the chance to meet him, I can assure you, you will meet one of the finest human beings God has ever placed on this Earth.
Stay tuned fight fans to see who get's profiled next month. And if there's any fighter someone would like to see in particular, PM me, and I will do my best to accomodate.tState, National and International Records/Titles for Greco-Roman-Freestyle-Sambo-Judoate, National and International Records/Titles for Greco-Roman-Freestyle-Sambo-Judo