Bryan Baker (fighter)

Bryan Baker (born October 13, 1985) is an American former professional mixed martial artist who competed in the Middleweight division. A professional MMA competitor since 2007, Baker fought in various promotions, most notably World Extreme Cagefighting and Bellator. Baker was also a competitor in the second season of Bellator's Middleweight Tournament in 2010, reaching the final against Alexander Shlemenko.

Bryan Baker
Born (1985-10-13) October 13, 1985
Other namesThe Beast
NationalityAmerican
Height6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight170 lb (77 kg; 12 st)
DivisionWelterweight
Middleweight
Reach77 in (196 cm)
Fighting out ofWest Covina, California, United States
TeamTeam Wildman Vale Tudo
Years active2007–2013
Mixed martial arts record
Total23
Wins18
By knockout8
By submission3
By decision7
Losses5
By knockout3
By submission1
By decision1
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Baker began his professional mixed martial arts career in early 2007 for the Cage of Fire promotion in Mexico. His first fight was against Scott Rose, who Baker finished off quickly, in just over a minute, due to submission.

In April 2007, Baker faced Jesse Juarez and defeated him via third round submission (rear-naked choke). Baker then followed this up with two TKO victories, both in the first round, against Geoff Hawks and Reggie Orr.

World Extreme Cagefighting

Baker then signed for World Extreme Cagefighting and made his debut at WEC 30 against Jesse Forbes. Baker was dropped early in the first round and was also subject to Forbes' slams. Whilst on the ground, Baker was able to get top position, which prompted Forbes to give his back. Baker continued to strike and the fight was stopped after 4:15 of the first round, due to TKO (punches).[1]

Bryan was next scheduled to fight Nissen Osterneck[2] at WEC 31, but this bout was replaced by a bout with Eric Schambari due to an injury to Osterneck. In a three round bout, Bryan won via split decision.[3]

This led to a future bout against Logan Clark being scheduled at WEC 33. At the same card, Chael Sonnen was scheduled to fight Paulo Filho in a middleweight title rematch. However, this fight was cancelled after Filho had to check himself into a rehabilitation center and Baker was offered to chance to fill in Filho, against Sonnen.[3]

Baker accepted[4] and stepped into the bout with less than two weeks notice and suffered his first ever MMA loss. Sonnen dominated the fight with multiple takedowns and was able to shrug off many submission attempts by Baker. Sonnen pulled off the unanimous decision with scores of 30-26, 30-25 and 30-25.[5]

Post-WEC

Baker's first appearance after WEC, was at a charity event against Gary Padilla. In a strong showing of striking ability,[6] Baker pulled off the unanimous decision victory.

Baker then stepped in at short notice once again, this time, against Spencer Canup for the CFP Middleweight Championship.[7] Baker won via first round TKO (punch).

Baker then signed for Maximum Fighting Championship.[8] In his promotion debut, Baker beat Ultimate Fighter 3 alumni Rory Singer via first round TKO via punches, just seconds before the end of the first round.

Bellator Fighting Championships

Baker made his Bellator debut against IFL and Ultimate Fighting Championship alumni Matt Horwich at Bellator 10. Baker was victorious via unanimous decision.[9]

Baker then returned to MFC and was scheduled to fight former UFC Middleweight title contender, Thales Leites.[10] Baker instead faced Art Santore[11] and won via unanimous decision.

Baker then signed with Bellator to take part in their middleweight tournament in the second Bellator season.[12]

In the first round of the tournament, Baker defeated Sean Loeffler via TKO at Bellator 16.[13]

In the semi-final round, Baker faced Eric Schambari for the second time in his career. After 2:29 of the first round, Baker managed to submit his opponent with a triangle choke, which advanced him to the final of the middleweight tournament.

Baker faced Alexander Shlemenko in the Bellator Middleweight tournament final on June 24, 2010, at Bellator 23. Coming into the fight, Baker had recorded two opening-round finishes, but on this occasion, he was on the losing side of an opening-round finish, as he suffered a TKO loss after just 2:45.[14] After early exchanges between the two fighters, Shlemenko hit Baker with a strong liver shot, followed by a combination that dropped him. Shlemenko then continued his attack until the referee stopped the fight.[14]

On September 21, 2010, it was revealed that Baker was battling chronic myelogenous leukemia and had only gone into remission three weeks prior.[15] Two days later, Baker faced the veteran Jeremy Horn at Bellator 30. The fight was "a grinding affair" with Horn attempting takedowns and a guillotine choke. Baker survived and ended the opening round with a few strikes.[16] The next two rounds saw Horn become somewhat lethargic, giving Baker the opportunity to attempt a triangle armbar.[16] After escaping the submission attempt, Horn's response was somewhat tame and at the end of three rounds, Baker was declared the winner via unanimous decision (30–27, 29–28, 29–28).[15]

Baker defeated Joe Riggs by second round KO at Bellator 43. Post-fight, he proposed to his girlfriend and she immediately embraced him and said yes. They were married soon after.

Baker entered the Bellator Season Five Middleweight tournament. In the quarter-finals, he faced Bellator Season One Middleweight tournament finalist Jared Hess. He won by TKO in the third round after landing vicious ground and pound from the top.

In the semi-finals, Baker faced Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion, Vitor Vianna. He lost the fight via TKO in the first round. Believing that Vianna had no striking skills, Baker threw wild shots at him and his recklessness cost him the fight as he was caught with an overhand right and against the cage Vianna hit him with continuous hammerfists until the referee stopped the fight.

In 2012, Baker elected to drop down a weight class to the welterweight division. He was featured Bellator Season 6 Welterweight Tournament. He faced Carlos Alexandre Pereira in the opening round of the tournament at Bellator 63 and won via split decision. In the semifinals, Baker faced Ben Saunders at Bellator 67 and won again via decision. He faced Karl Amoussou on July 20, 2012 in the finals at Bellator 72.[17] He lost the fight via submission in the first round.

Baker then faced Douglas Lima at Bellator 86 on February 21, 2013. Baker would fill in for the injured Brent Weedman in the Season Eight Welterweight Tournament Semi-Finals. He lost via KO 2:34 into the first round.

In August 2014, Baker was among thirteen fighters that were released from the promotion.[18]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown
23 matches 18 wins 5 losses
By knockout 8 3
By submission 3 1
By decision 7 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 18–5 Douglas Lima KO (punch) Bellator 90 February 21, 2013 1 2:34 West Valley City, Utah, United States Bellator Season 8 Welterweight Tournament Semifinal.
Loss 18–4 Karl Amoussou Submission (inverted heel hook) Bellator 72 July 20, 2012 1 0:56 Tampa, Florida, United States Bellator Season 6 Welterweight Tournament Final.
Win 18–3 Ben Saunders Decision (unanimous) Bellator 67 May 4, 2012 3 5:00 Rama, Ontario, Canada Bellator Season 6 Welterweight Tournament Semifinal.
Win 17–3 Carlos Alexandre Pereira Decision (split) Bellator 63 March 30, 2012 3 5:00 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Bellator Season 6 Welterweight Tournament Quarterfinal.
Loss 16–3 Vitor Vianna TKO (punches) Bellator 54 October 15, 2011 1 0:54 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Bellator Season 5 Middleweight Tournament Semifinal.
Win 16–2 Jared Hess TKO (punches) Bellator 50 September 17, 2011 3 2:52 Hollywood, Florida, United States Bellator Season 5 Middleweight Tournament Quarterfinal.
Win 15–2 Joe Riggs KO (punch) Bellator 43 May 7, 2011 2 3:53 Newkirk, Oklahoma, United States
Win 14–2 Jeremy Horn Decision (unanimous) Bellator 30 September 23, 2010 3 5:00 Louisville, Kentucky, United States
Loss 13–2 Alexander Shlemenko TKO (punches) Bellator 23 June 24, 2010 1 2:45 Louisville, Kentucky, United States Bellator Season 2 Middleweight Tournament Final.
Win 13–1 Eric Schambari Submission (triangle choke) Bellator 20 May 27, 2010 1 2:29 San Antonio, Texas, United States Bellator Season 2 Middleweight Tournament Semifinal.
Win 12–1 Sean Loeffler TKO (punches) Bellator 16 April 29, 2010 1 2:43 Kansas City, Missouri, United States Bellator Season 2 Middleweight Tournament Quarterfinal.
Win 11–1 Art Santore Decision (unanimous) MFC 23 December 4, 2009 3 5:00 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Win 10–1 Matt Horwich Decision (unanimous) Bellator 10 June 5, 2009 3 5:00 Ontario, California, United States
Win 9–1 Rory Singer TKO (punches) MFC 20 February 20, 2009 1 4:56 Enoch, Alberta, Canada
Win 8–1 Spencer Canup KO (punches) Carolina Fight Promotions: The Carolina Crown October 11, 2008 1 0:59 Raleigh, North Carolina, United States
Win 7–1 Gary Padilla Decision (unanimous) JG and TKT Promotions: Fighting 4 Kidz August 30, 2008 3 5:00 Santa Monica, California, United States
Loss 6–1 Chael Sonnen Decision (unanimous) WEC 33: Marshall vs. Stann March 26, 2008 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 6–0 Eric Schambari Decision (split) WEC 31 December 12, 2007 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 5–0 Jesse Forbes TKO (punches) WEC 30 September 5, 2007 1 4:15 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 4–0 Reggie Orr TKO (punches) KOTC: Collision Course August 5, 2007 1 2:53 San Jacinto, California, United States
Win 3–0 Geoff Hawks TKO (punches) Total Fighting Alliance 6 April 28, 2007 1 2:10 Santa Monica, California, United States
Win 2–0 Jesse Juarez Submission (rear-naked choke) Chaos in the Cage 2 April 6, 2007 3 1:38 San Bernardino, California, United States
Win 1–0 Scott Rose Submission (punches) Cage of Fire 5 January 27, 2007 1 1:14 Tijuana, Mexico
gollark: Correction: five.
gollark: Technically that's apioform revision 6.
gollark: I have a ton of unfinished abandoned versions sitting around.
gollark: About one.
gollark: observe my highly amazing UI skillz.

See also

References
  1. John Chandler. "WEC 30: McCullough vs Crunkilton Live Blog". MMA on Tap.
  2. John Chandler. "Report: Filho, Marshall to Defend Belts in March". MMA on Tap.
  3. John Chandler. "Exclusive: Baker Offered Sonnen at WEC 33". MMA on Tap.
  4. "Bryan Baker vs. Chael Sonnen at March 26 WEC". MMAjunkie. Archived from the original on 2010-02-10. Retrieved 2010-03-13.
  5. Bill Reger. "WEC 33 Recap and Thoughts". MMA on Tap.
  6. John Chandler. "Kyle, Baker Win Decisions at Fighting 4 Kidz". MMA on Tap.
  7. "MMA in North Carolina – Carolina Crown Results". Pro MMA Now. Archived from the original on 2011-05-06. Retrieved 2010-03-13.
  8. John Chandler. "UFC and WEC Veterans to Bolster MFC Middleweight Division". MMA on Tap.
  9. "Friday's featherweight tournament winner crowned first Bellator champion". Archived from the original on 2010-02-03. Retrieved 2010-03-13.
  10. Jacob Camargo. "Former UFC middleweight title contender Thales Leites to make MFC debut against Bryan Baker on Dec. 4". Five Knuckles. Archived from the original on 2011-05-07.
  11. "Dean Lister vs. Thales Leites headlines "MFC 23: Unstoppable" on Dec. 4". Pro MMA Now. Archived from the original on 2010-12-19. Retrieved 2010-03-13.
  12. "WEC vet Bryan Baker added to Bellator's second middleweight tourney". MMAjunkie. Archived from the original on 2010-02-08. Retrieved 2010-03-13.
  13. Dann Stupp. "Sean Loeffler joins Bellator's middleweight tourney, meets Bryan Baker at Bellator 16". MMAjunkie. Archived from the original on 2010-03-13. Retrieved 2010-03-13.
  14. "Bellator 23 recap: Warren survives first round barrage, claims split win and tourney title". mmajunkie.com. June 24, 2010. Archived from the original on 2010-08-08. Retrieved 2010-11-14.
  15. "Cancer Survivor Baker beats Horn at Bellator 30". sherdog.com. September 23, 2010.
  16. "Bellator 30 recap: Baker bests Horn, Makovsky vs. West set for bantamweight final". mmajunkie.com. September 23, 2010. Archived from the original on 2010-09-27. Retrieved 2010-11-14.
  17. "Bellator 72 heads to Tampa July 20 with Amoussou-Baker, Spiritwolf-Zaromskis III". mmajunkie.com. 2012-06-02. Archived from the original on 2012-06-05. Retrieved 2012-06-02.
  18. "Bellator releases Attila Vegh, Shahbulat Shamhalaev and eleven other fighters". mmafighting.com. August 25, 2014.
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