Chad Griggs

Chad Griggs (born May 15, 1978) is an American mixed martial artist who most recently competed in the UFC's Light Heavyweight division. A professional competitor since 2005, he has also formerly competed for the Tucson Scorpions of the IFL and Strikeforce.

Chad Griggs
Born (1978-05-15) May 15, 1978
Tucson, Arizona, United States
Other namesThe Grave Digger
NationalityAmerican
Height6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight205 lb (93 kg; 14 st 9 lb)
DivisionHeavyweight (265 lb)
Light Heavyweight (205 lb)
Reach73 in (185 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Fighting out ofTucson, Arizona, United States
TeamApex MMA/Fight Legion
Years active2005-present
Mixed martial arts record
Total14
Wins11
By knockout11
Losses3
By submission3
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Background

Griggs is from Tucson, Arizona and attended Sahuaro High School. He was introduced to mixed martial arts when he began training and frequently sparring with legendary fighter Don Frye. Griggs attended college, where he received his EMT and paramedic certification.[1]

Early career

Griggs won his lone amateur fight via knockout in 13 seconds, and then made his professional debut in December 2005, on the first Total Fighting Alliance card.[2] He fought and quickly defeated Johnathan Tsosie, an 0-3 fighter at the time, only eighteen seconds into round one. In April 2006, Griggs took his second fight against UFC veteran Homer Moore, on a Rage in the Cage card. Griggs again won via TKO.

Only a month after his second fight, Griggs fought Johnathan Tsosie in a rematch from their December fight. Griggs again came out victorious, winning via submission due to punches. He won another fight before signing with upstart promotion, the International Fight League.

International Fight League

Griggs signed with the IFL in 2007, and was picked to be a part of the Tucson Scorpions, coached by Don Frye. He made his promotional debut at IFL: Houston that took place on February 2, 2007. His opponent was PRIDE and UFC veteran, John Marsh. Griggs won the fight by TKO in the third round.

At that time undefeated, he then fought at IFL: Connecticut against Shane Ott. Ott defeated Griggs with a kimura submission early in round one. Griggs was released from the promotion, despite the loss being the first of his career.

Regional circuits

Griggs won two fights after being released from the IFL. After his second win, he took a year and a half off from competition. He returned in April 2009, winning against Jon Alexander at Ultimate Style Fighting: Rumble in Wyoming.

Strikeforce

Griggs made his debut for Strikeforce at Strikeforce: Houston on August 21, 2010 against former professional wrestling star and standout collegiate wrestler Bobby Lashley.[3] Griggs defeated Lashley by TKO when Lashley was unable to return to his corner at the end of the 2nd round after Griggs landed a flurry of strikes.

Griggs next fight for Strikeforce came against promotional newcomer Gian Villante at Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Silva. Griggs won the fight in the first round via TKO. The fight served as a reserve bout for the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix.[4]

Griggs' next fight was against Valentijn Overeem at Strikeforce: Overeem vs. Werdum on June 18, 2011, in Dallas, Texas.[5] He won the fight via submission to strikes in the first round.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

With the elimination of the Strikeforce Heavyweight division, Griggs moved to the UFC in 2012 and faced Travis Browne on April 21, 2012 at UFC 145.[6] He lost the bout in the first round via submission due to an arm-triangle choke.

Griggs was expected to face Phil Davis in his Light Heavyweight debut on August 4, 2012 at UFC on FOX 4.[7] However, Griggs was forced out of the bout with an injury and replaced by promotional newcomer Wagner Prado.[8]

After moving down to Light Heavyweight, Griggs lost to Cyrille Diabaté via first round rear-naked choke submission on November 17, 2012 at UFC 154.[9] He was released from the UFC on January 18, 2013.[10]

Personal life

Griggs and his wife Julie have two children.[11] Griggs also works as a full-time firefighter and a paramedic with the Tucson Fire Department.

Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown
14 matches 11 wins 3 losses
By knockout 11 0
By submission 0 3
By decision 0 0
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 11–3 Cyrille Diabaté Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC 154 November 17, 2012 1 2:24 Montreal, Quebec, Canada Light Heavyweight debut.
Loss 11–2 Travis Browne Submission (arm-triangle choke) UFC 145 April 21, 2012 1 2:29 Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Win 11–1 Valentijn Overeem TKO (submission to punches) Strikeforce: Overeem vs. Werdum June 18, 2011 1 2:08 Dallas, Texas, United States Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix Reserve Bout.
Win 10–1 Gian Villante TKO (punches) Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Silva February 12, 2011 1 2:49 East Rutherford, New Jersey, United States Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix Reserve Bout.
Win 9–1 Bobby Lashley TKO (doctor stoppage) Strikeforce: Houston August 21, 2010 2 5:00 Houston, Texas, United States
Win 8–1 Jon Alexander KO (elbows) USF: Rumble in Wyoming April 25, 2009 1 1:13 Casper, Wyoming, United States
Win 7–1 Eric Garcia TKO (punches) All Power Combat 1 November 17, 2007 1 1:02 Arizona, United States
Win 6–1 Steve Sayegh TKO (punches) Rage in the Cage 101 October 6, 2007 1 2:28 Fountain Hills, Arizona, United States
Loss 5–1 Shane Ott Submission (kimura) IFL: Connecticut April 13, 2007 1 1:09 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Win 5–0 John Marsh TKO (punches) IFL: Houston February 2, 2007 3 2:32 Houston, Texas, United States
Win 4–0 Tony Mendoza TKO (punches) WFC: Rumble in the Rockies September 2, 2006 1 2:41 Loveland, Colorado, United States
Win 3–0 Johnathan Tsosie TKO (submission to punches) Rage in the Cage 82 May 26, 2006 1 0:43 Tucson, Arizona, United States
Win 2–0 Homer Moore TKO (punches) Rage in the Cage 81 April 29, 2006 3 0:30 Mesa, Arizona, United States
Win 1–0 Johnathan Tsosie TKO (punches) Total Fighting Alliance 1 December 10, 2005 1 0:18 Campo, California, United States
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See also

References
  1. "Chad "The Grave Digger" Griggs - Official UFC® Fighter Profile". Ufc.com. Retrieved 2017-08-15.
  2. "Chad "The Grave Digger" Griggs - Official UFC® Fighter Profile". Ufc.com. Retrieved 2017-08-15.
  3. "Chad Griggs named as next opponent for Bobby Lashley". LASVEGASSUN.com. 2010-07-16. Retrieved 2010-07-16.
  4. Strikeforce Event Replays Marquardt vs Saffiedine. "Strikeforce". Strikeforce. Retrieved 2017-08-15.
  5. "Strikeforce in Dallas Gets Gina Carano, Overeem vs. Griggs, and Del Rosario vs. Cormier". MMAWeekly.com. 2011-04-09. Retrieved 2010-11-05.
  6. "UFC 145; seven bouts shift to Atlanta". mmajunkie.com. January 20, 2012.
  7. "Phil Davis vs. Chad Griggs added to August's UFC on FOX 4 event". mmajunkie.com. May 14, 2012. Archived from the original on 2012-06-16.
  8. "Phil Davis now meets undefeated newcomer Wagner Prado at UFC on FOX 4". mmajunkie.com. May 30, 2012. Archived from the original on 2012-06-04.
  9. Staff (2012-09-19). "Chad Griggs vs. Cyrille Diabate joins Montreal's UFC 154 lineup". MMAjunkie.com. Archived from the original on 2012-09-21. Retrieved 2012-09-19.
  10. Mookie Alexander (January 18, 2013). "UFC releases nine fighters from their roster, including Chad Griggs, Jeff Hougland, and Marcus LeVesseur". bloodyelbow.com.
  11. "Tucsonan set for big stage tonight when he fights on Strikeforce". AZSTARNET.com. 2010-08-21. Retrieved 2010-08-22.
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