Paul Bradley (fighter)

{{other people||Paul Bradley (disambiguation){{!}}Paul Bradley}}

{{Infobox martial artist

| name = Paul Bradley

| other_names = The Gentleman (aka Sabertooth)

| image =

| image_size =

| alt =

| caption =

| birth_name =

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1983|06|13}}

| birth_place = Tama, Iowa, United States

| death_date =

| death_place =

| death_cause =

| residence =

| nationality =

| height = {{height|ft=5|in=9}}

| weight = {{convert|170|lb|kg st|abbr=on}}

| weight_class = Welterweight (170 lb)
Middleweight (185 lb)

| reach_in = 72

| style =Freestyle Wrestling

| stance =

| fighting_out_of = San Diego, CA, United States

| team = Alliance MMA (2013–2019)
Minnesota Martial Arts Academy (2009–2012)

| rank =

| wrestling = NCAA Division I Wrestling

| years_active = 2006–present

| mma_kowin = 8

| mma_subwin = 7

| mma_decwin = 8

| mma_koloss = 3

| mma_subloss =

| mma_decloss = 7

| mma_draw =

| mma_nc = 2

| university = University of Iowa

| school = South Tama High School

| url =

| sherdog = 19726

| footnotes =

| updated =

}}

Paul Bradley (born June 13, 1983) is a retired American mixed martial artist who competed mostly in the Welterweight division. A professional competitor since 2006, Bradley has also fought in the Bellator MMA, UFC, Strikeforce, Shark Fights, King of the Cage, PFL, and was a contestant on The Ultimate Fighter: Team Rampage vs. Team Forrest.

Background

Born and raised in Tama, Iowa, Bradley competed in wrestling at South Tama High School where he was a state champion in his senior season, in addition to runner-up finishes as a junior and sophomore. Bradley was also a Cadet National Champion as a freshman, and earned in two letters in football as well as one in baseball. In football, Bradley won All-Conference honors as a senior and compiled an overall record in wrestling of 168-18 before continuing his career at the University of Iowa.{{Cite web |url=http://www.hawkeyesports.com/sports/m-wrestl/mtt/bradley_paul00.html |title=Paul Bradley Bio - Hawkeye Sports Official Athletic Site |access-date=2013-08-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140821091342/http://www.hawkeyesports.com/sports/m-wrestl/mtt/bradley_paul00.html |archive-date=2014-08-21 |url-status=dead }} At Iowa, Bradley was a two-time All-American and finished as high as fourth at the NCAA Championships.{{Cite web |url=http://www.hawkeyesports.com/sports/m-wrestl/mtt/bradley_paul00.html |title=Paul Bradley Bio - Hawkeye Sports Official Athletic Site |access-date=2013-08-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140821091342/http://www.hawkeyesports.com/sports/m-wrestl/mtt/bradley_paul00.html |archive-date=2014-08-21 |url-status=dead }} After graduating, Bradley coached wrestling at the University of Buffalo and Indiana University before transitioning into mixed martial arts.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ufc.com/athlete/paul-bradley|title = Paul Bradley|date = September 14, 2018}}

Mixed martial arts career

=Early career=

Bradley started his career in 2006. He fought mainly for Indiana's promotion Legends of Fighting Championship. In March 2008, Bradley was announced as a cast member of The Ultimate Fighter.[http://www.mmajunkie.com/news/2008/03/the-ultimate-fighter-7-complete-cast-revealed "The Ultimate Fighter 7" Complete Cast Revealed] by Dann Stupp (MMAJunkie.com) on March 7, 2008

=The Ultimate Fighter=

Bradley was a contestant in The Ultimate Fighter: Team Rampage vs. Team Forrest. He defeated Reggie Orr during the entry via unanimous decision.[http://www.mmajunkie.com/news/2008/04/the-ultimate-fighter-7--episode-1-recap "The Ultimate Fighter 7 " -- Episode 1 Recap] by Dann Stupp (MMAJunkie.com) on April 2, 2008

He was picked to be a member of Team Rampage, but had to leave the house due to a neck rash caused by herpes gladiatorum, which could possibly be transmitted to the other fighters.[http://www.mmajunkie.com/news/2008/04/the-ultimate-fighter-7--episode-3-recap "The Ultimate Fighter 7 " -- Episode 3 Recap] by Dann Stupp (MMAJunkie.com) on April 16, 2008{{cite web |title=Paul Bradley discusses "TUF" departure |url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2008/04/paul-bradley-discusses-tuf-departure |website=mmajunkie.usatoday.com |access-date=January 18, 2025 |date=April 17, 2008}}

=Strikeforce=

Bradley made his debut against Levi Avera on September 25, 2009, at Strikeforce Challengers: Kennedy vs. Cummings. He won via unanimous decision.[http://www.mmajunkie.com/news/2009/09/strikeforce-challengers-kennedy-vs-cummings-play-by-play-and-official-results "Strikeforce Challengers: Kennedy vs. Cummings" play by play and official results] by John Morgan (MMAJunkie.com) on September 25, 2009

Bradley faced Luke Rockhold on February 26, 2010, at Strikeforce Challengers: Kaufman vs. Hashi. He lost via TKO in the first round.[http://www.mmajunkie.com/news/2010/02/strikeforce-challengers-vi-kaufman-vs-hashi-play-by-play-and-live-results "Strikeforce Challengers VI: Kaufman vs. Hashi" play by play and live results] MMAJunkie.com (February 26, 2010)

=Ultimate Fighting Championship=

Bradley made his debut on short notice[http://www.mmajunkie.com/news/2011/07/ufc-133-line-up-again-complete-bradley-natal-official-rivera-philippou-on-main-card UFC 133 line up again complete; Bradley-Natal official, Rivera-Philippou on main card] MMAJunkie.com (July 26, 2011) against Rafael Natal on August 6, 2011, at UFC 133. He lost via unanimous decision.[http://www.mmaweekly.com/ufc-133-facebook-prelims-results-experience-reigns-for-menjivar UFC 133 facebook prelims results: experience reigns for Menjivar] by Ken Pishna (MMAWeekly.com) on August 6, 2011

Bradley had a rematch against Mike Pierce on November 12, 2011, at UFC on Fox: Velasquez vs. dos Santos. He lost via split decision[http://losangeles.sbnation.com/2011/11/12/2557596/ufc-on-fox-1-preliminary-fight-results-ricardo-lamas-cub-swanson UFC On FOX 1: preliminary fight results] by Bill Hanstock (Losangeles.SBNation.com) on November 12, 2011 and was subsequently released from the promotion.[http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1122193-paul-bradley-im-not-messing-around-anymore Paul Bradley: 'I'm getting back to the UFC and staying there'] Bleacherreport.com (March 28, 2012)

=Bellator MMA=

Bradley made his promotional debut against Karl Amoussou on October 18, 2013, at Bellator 104.[http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Bellator-104-Main-Card-to-Feature-Season-9-Welterweight-Semifinals-UFC-Vet-Kendall-Grove-56989 Bellator 104 main card feature season 9 welterweight semifinals, UFC vet Kendall Grove] by Tristen Critchfield (Sherdog.com) on September 30, 2013 He won the fight via unanimous decision.

In March 2014, he entered into the Bellator Season 10 Welterweight Tournament. He faced Nathan Coy in the opening round on March 14, 2014, at Bellator 112 and lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Bradley faced Josh Neer in the main event at Bellator 129 on October 17, 2014.{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2014/09/bellator-129-to-feature-paul-bradley-josh-neer-houston-alexander-james-thompson|title=Bellator 129 to feature Paul Bradley-Josh Neer, Houston Alexander-James Thompson|publisher=mmajunkie.com|date=September 22, 2014}} He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Bradley faced Chris Honeycutt at Bellator 140 on July 17, 2015.{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2015/04/chris-honeycutt-vs-paul-bradley-added-to-bellator-140|title=Chris Honeycutt vs. Paul Bradley added to July's Bellator 140 in Connecticut|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Staff|date=April 22, 2015}} The fight ended midway through the second round after an accidental clash of heads between the two fighters, resulting in a cut on Bradley that the doctor deemed too bad to allow the fighter to continue. The official result was a No Contest. A rematch with Honeycutt was held on January 29, 2016, at Bellator 148. Despite again being the betting underdog, Bradley won the bout via TKO early in the first round.

Championships and accomplishments

=[[Amateur wrestling]]=

National Collegiate Athletic Association[http://www.hawkeyesports.com/sports/m-wrestl/mtt/bradley_paul00.html Paul Bradley's profile] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140821091342/http://www.hawkeyesports.com/sports/m-wrestl/mtt/bradley_paul00.html |date=2014-08-21 }} Hawkeyesports.com
NCAA Division I All-American out of University of Iowa (2003–04)
NCAA Division I 184 lb: Fourth place out of University of Iowa (2003)
NCAA Division I 184 lb: Fifth place out of University of Iowa (2004)
Big Ten Conference 184 lb: Runner-up out of University of Iowa (2003)
Big Ten Conference 184 lb: Fourth place out of University of Iowa (2004)
Big Ten Conference 184 lb: Seventh place out of University of Iowa (2005)

=[[Mixed martial arts]]=

Ring of Combat
ROC Middleweight Championship (One time)[http://www.mixedmartialarts.com/mma.cfm?go=stats.fightCard&eid=7bb38787-8c43-40fd-a1e3-1e1a5f1673f0#fight_83397 Ring of Combat XXII official results] Mixedmartialarts.com

Mixed martial arts record

{{MMArecordbox

| draws=

| nc= 2

| ko-wins= 8

| ko-losses= 3

| sub-wins= 7

| sub-losses=

| dec-wins= 8

| dec-losses= 7

| dq-wins=

| dq-losses=

| other-wins=

| other-losses=

}}

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center| {{nowrap|23–10 (2)}}

|Handesson Ferreira

|TKO (punches)

|PFL 7

|{{dts|2018|August|30}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|0:20

|Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center| 23–9 (2)

|João Zeferino

|TKO (punches)

|PFL 3

|{{dts|2018|July|5}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|1:58

|Washington, DC, United States

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center| 23–8 (2)

|Alexander Shlemenko

|Decision (unanimous)

|M-1 Challenge 75 - Shlemenko vs. Bradley

|{{dts|2017|March|3}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Moscow, Russia

|{{small|Middleweight bout}}

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center| 23–7 (2)

|Yushin Okami

|Decision (split)

|WSOF 34

|{{dts|2016|December|31}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|New York City, New York, United States

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 23–6 (2)

| Chris Honeycutt

|TKO (punches)

| Bellator 148

| {{dts|2016|January|29}}

| align=center| 1

| align=center| 0:40

| Fresno, California, United States

| {{nocontest}}NC

| align=center| 22–6 (2)

| Chris Honeycutt

| NC (accidental headbutt)

| Bellator 140

| {{dts|2015|July|17}}

| align=center| 2

| align=center| 2:47

| Uncasville, Connecticut, United States

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 22–6 (1)

| Josh Neer

| Decision (unanimous)

| Bellator 129

| {{dts|2014|October|17}}

| align=center| 3

| align=center| 5:00

| Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States

| {{no2}}Loss

| align=center| 21–6 (1)

| Nathan Coy

| Decision (unanimous)

| Bellator 112

| {{dts|2014|March|14}}

| align=center| 3

| align=center| 5:00

| Hammond, Indiana, United States

| Bellator Season 10 Welterweight Tournament Quarterfinal

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 21–5 (1)

| Karl Amoussou

| Decision (unanimous)

| Bellator 104

| {{dts|2013|October|18}}

| align=center| 3

| align=center| 5:00

| Cedar Rapids, Iowa, United States

| {{no2}}Loss

| align=center| 20–5 (1)

| Valdir Araújo

| Decision (split)

| CFA 8: Araújo vs. Bradley

| {{dts|2012|October|6}}

| align=center| 3

| align=center| 5:00

| Coral Gables, Florida, United States

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 20–4 (1)

| Keith Smetana

| TKO (punches)

| Downtown Showdown 6

| {{dts|2012|June|22}}

| align=center| 2

| align=center| 2:37

| Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 19–4 (1)

| Ryan Braun

| Submission (arm-triangle choke)

| Downtown Showdown 4

| {{dts|2012|April|7}}

| align=center| 2

| align=center| 2:11

| Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States

| {{no2}}Loss

| align=center| 18–4 (1)

| Mike Pierce

| Decision (split)

| UFC on Fox: Velasquez vs. dos Santos

| {{dts|2011|November|12}}

| align=center| 3

| align=center| 5:00

| Anaheim, California, United States

| Welterweight bout

| {{no2}}Loss

| align=center| 18–3 (1)

| Rafael Natal

| Decision (unanimous)

| UFC 133

| {{dts|2011|August|6}}

| align=center| 3

| align=center| 5:00

| Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

| Middleweight bout

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 18–2 (1)

| Eddie Larrea

| Submission (arm-triangle choke)

| Extreme Challenge 188

| {{dts|2011|July|23}}

| align=center| 1

| align=center| 2:54

| Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 17–2 (1)

| Kenneth Allen

| Submission (guillotine choke)

| Extreme Challenge 183

| {{dts|2011|May|14}}

| align=center| 1

| align=center| 0:45

| Black River Falls, Wisconsin, United States

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 16–2 (1)

| Anton Tomash

| TKO (punches)

| Meskwaki Mayhem

| {{dts|2011|May|7}}

| align=center| 1

| align=center| 1:27

| Tama, Iowa, United States

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 15–2 (1)

| Ted Worthington

| Submission (neck crank)

| CFX: Extreme Challenge on Target

| {{dts|2010|December|11}}

| align=center| 3

| align=center| 2:31

| Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 14–2 (1)

| Johnny Rees

| Submission (rear-naked choke)

| Shark Fights 13: Jardine vs Prangley

| {{dts|2010|September|11}}

| align=center| 1

| align=center| 4:28

| Amarillo, Texas, United States

| {{nocontest}}NC

| align=center| 13–2 (1)

| Sam Alvey

| No contest (rainfall)

| KOTC: Chain Reaction

| {{dts|2010|July|17}}

| align=center| N/A

| Lac du Flambeau, Wisconsin, United States

| {{no2}}Loss

| align=center| 13–2

| Luke Rockhold

| TKO (knees to the body)

| Strikeforce Challengers: Kaufman vs. Hashi

| {{dts|2010|February|26}}

| align=center| 1

| align=center| 2:24

| San Jose, California, United States

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 13–1

| Levi Avera

| Decision (unanimous)

| Strikeforce Challengers: Kennedy vs. Cummings

| {{dts|2009|September|25}}

| align=center| 3

| align=center| 5:00

| Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States

| 176 lb Catchweight bout[http://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/bouts/strikeforce-challengers-3-paul-bradley-vs-levi-avera Paul Bradley vs. Levi Avera] Tapology.com

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 12–1

| Leonardo Pecanha

| Decision (unanimous)

| UCFC: Rumble on the Rivers

| {{dts|2009|June|27}}

| align=center| 3

| align=center| 5:00

| Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

| {{no2}}Loss

| align=center| 11–1

| Mike Pierce