View source for Kevin Randleman

{{Short description|American mixed martial artist (1971–2016)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox martial artist
| name            = Kevin Randleman
| other_names     = The Monster
| image           = Kevin Randleman.jpg
| alt             =
| caption         = Randleman in 2006
| birth_name      = Kevin Christopher Randleman<ref name=fullname>[http://boxing.nv.gov/uploadedFiles/boxingnvgov/content/results/2006_Results/10-21-06MMA.pdf Mixed martial arts show results Date: October 21, 2006]</ref>
| birth_date      = {{Birth date|1971|8|10}}<ref name="kevinrandleman.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.kevinrandleman.com/kevin.html |title = Official Website for Kevin Randleman - MMA Fighter}}</ref>
| birth_place     = [[Sandusky, Ohio]], U.S.<ref name="kevinrandleman.com"/>
| death_date      = {{Death date and age|2016|02|11|1971|8|10}}
| death_place     = [[San Diego]], California, U.S.
| residence       =
| nationality     = American
| height          = {{height|ft=5|in=10}}
| weight_lb       = 205
| weight_class    = [[Light heavyweight (MMA)|Light Heavyweight]] (2001–2003, 2005–2011) <br /> [[Heavyweight (MMA)|Heavyweight]] (1996–2001, 2004–2005)
| reach_in        = 70
| style           = [[Wrestling]]
| stance          =
| fighting_out_of = [[Columbus, Ohio]], U.S.
| team            = [[Team Hammer House]] <br /> [[Xtreme Couture]]
| rank            = 
| wrestling       = [[NCAA Division I]] [[NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships#1987–1998|Wrestling Champion]]
| years_active    = 1996–2011 ([[MMA]])
| mma_kowin       = 9
| mma_subwin      = 
| mma_decwin      = 8
| mma_koloss      = 4
| mma_subloss     = 8
| mma_decloss     = 4
| mma_draw        = 
| mma_nc          =
| university      = [[Ohio State University]] <br /> [[Lindenwood University]]<ref name=ufc21 />
| school          = [[Sandusky High School]]
| url             =
| sherdog         = 162
| footnotes       =
| updated         = {{start date|2011|09|15}}
| medaltemplates =
{{MedalSport | [[Collegiate wrestling]]}}
{{MedalCountry | the [[Ohio State Buckeyes wrestling|Ohio State Buckeyes]] }}
{{MedalCompetition|[[NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships|NCAA Division I Championships]]}}
{{MedalGold|1992 Oklahoma City|177 lb}} 
{{MedalGold|1993 Ames|177 lb}}
{{MedalSilver|1991 Iowa City|167 lb}} 
{{MedalCompetition|[[Big Ten Conference|Big Ten Championships]]}}
{{MedalGold|1991 Illinois|177 lb}} 
{{MedalGold|1992 Wisconsin|177 lb}} 
{{MedalGold|1993 Ohio State|177 lb}}
}}

'''Kevin Christopher Randleman'''<ref name=fullname /> (August 10, 1971 – February 11, 2016) was an American [[mixed martial artist]], [[wrestling|amateur]] and [[professional wrestler]], and former [[UFC Heavyweight Championship|UFC Heavyweight Champion]]. Randleman's background was in [[collegiate wrestling]], in which he became a two-time [[NCAA Division I]] and a three-time [[Big Ten Conference|Big Ten]] wrestling champion out of [[Ohio State University]]. Randleman competed in the [[Heavyweight (MMA)|heavyweight]] and [[Light heavyweight (MMA)|light heavyweight]] classes in MMA. In addition to competing in the [[Ultimate Fighting Championship|UFC]], Randleman also fought for other organizations such as [[Pride Fighting Championships|PRIDE]], [[World Victory Road|WVR]], and [[Strikeforce (mixed martial arts)|Strikeforce]].  He was previously associated with [[Mark Coleman]]'s [[Team Hammer House]], before training at [[Randy Couture]]'s gym in [[Las Vegas]], [[Nevada]].<ref name="nok">{{cite web
 |url         = http://www.nokaut.com/?id=38&solo_news=974&lang=e&cur=eur
 |title       = Kevin Randleman: Return of the Monster
 |last        = Carpinello
 |first       = Dave
 |date        = August 4, 2007
 |access-date  = August 4, 2007
 |publisher   = Nokaut
 |url-status  = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20070927222834/http://www.nokaut.com/?id=38&solo_news=974&lang=e&cur=eur
 |archive-date = September 27, 2007
}}</ref> On May 16, 2020, the UFC announced that Randleman would be inducted into the pioneer wing of the [[UFC Hall of Fame]].<ref name=randlemanhof>{{cite web|url=https://www.mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/05/kevin-randleman-inducted-ufc-hall-of-fame-mma/amp|title=Former UFC champion Kevin Randleman to be inducted into UFC Hall of Fame|work=MMAJunkie.com|author=Danny Segura|date=May 16, 2020|access-date=May 16, 2020|archive-date=May 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200522175106/https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/05/kevin-randleman-inducted-ufc-hall-of-fame-mma/amp|url-status=dead}}</ref> Randleman is the first fighter to be posthumously inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame.

==Background==
Randleman was born in [[Sandusky, Ohio]], and was one of eleven children.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ufc.com/news/kevin-randleman-1970-2016|title=Kevin Randleman 1970-2016|date=February 12, 2016|author=Thomas Gerbasi}}</ref> He had a humble upbringing and often engaged in street fights during childhood.{{citation needed|date=March 2020}} Randleman attended [[Sandusky High School]], started all four years on the football team, ran track in which he qualified for the state finals, and had a 122–11 record while on the [[wrestling]] team, including winning the state championship in 1989.<ref name=sr16>{{cite web|url=https://sanduskyregister.com/news/77601/sandusky-grad-kevin-randleman-former-osu-wrestler-and-ufc-star-dead-at-age-44/|title=Sandusky grad Kevin Randleman — former OSU wrestler and UFC star — dead at age 44|date=February 11, 2016|publisher=sanduskyregister.com}}</ref> Randleman then went to wrestle for [[Ohio State University]]. His redshirt freshman year he had a string of 42 victories and a first-place finish in the [[Big Ten]] Tournament, earned [[All-American]] status, and dominated in the [[NCAA]] tournament, before losing in the tournament final to Mark Reiland of [[University of Iowa|Iowa]].<ref name=sr16 /> Randleman then went undefeated during his sophomore year, and won the NCAA tournament.<ref name=sr16 /> Randleman again won the NCAA tournament in his junior year, despite having his jaw dislocated during the actual tournament.<ref name=sr16 /> His final collegiate wrestling record was 108 wins and 7 losses, with 28 pins. Despite having some of the most successful three years in the history of collegiate wrestling, including compiling the third best winning percentage in Ohio State wrestling history, Randleman became ineligible to wrestle in his senior year because of academic issues.{{citation needed|date=March 2020}} After leaving Ohio State, Randleman attended [[Lindenwood University]].<ref name=ufc21>{{cite web|url=https://www.ufc.com/news/lindenwood-university-wrestling-ufc-pipeline-ufc-fight-pass-read|title=The Lindenwood University Wrestling To UFC Pipeline|date=July 22, 2021|work=[[Ultimate Fighting Championship]]|author=Walker Van Wey}}</ref> However in 2002 Randleman was nominated as the Ohio State University Wrestler of the Century.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ohiostatebuckeyes.com/buckeye-wrestlers-head-to-ncaa-championships-3/|title=Buckeye Wrestlers Head To NCAA Championships|date=March 19, 2002}}</ref>

Kevin supported the [[United States Army]] troops whenever he could. While in [[Iraq]] in 2008, Kevin traveled with other UFC fighters to visit the troops at the [[4th Infantry Division (United States)|4th Infantry Division]]'s Modern Army Combatives tournament at [[Camp Liberty]]. He quickly got down on the mats and gave an impromptu ground demonstration. Kevin eagerly posed for pictures and signed autographs for anyone who asked.<ref>[https://www.dvidshub.net/image/125902/multi-national-division-baghdad-soldiers-receive-halloween-treat-mixed-martial-arts-fighters Multi-National Division - Baghdad Soldiers receive Halloween treat from mixed martial arts fighters]</ref>

==Mixed martial arts career==
Randleman entered mixed martial arts in 1996 when [[Mark Coleman]], one of Randleman's coaches at Ohio State, offered him a spot in the Universal Vale Tudo Fighting 4 in Brazil. Randleman accepted and joined Coleman in what would be known as [[Team Hammer House]].<ref name=shadow16>{{cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2016/5/27/11719628/in-the-shadow-of-the-monster-kevin-randleman-ufc|title=In the Shadow of The Monster|author=Shaun Al-Shatti|date=May 27, 2016 |publisher=mmafighting.com}}</ref>

===Universal Vale Tudo Fighting===
Cornered by Coleman, Randleman made his debut on October 22, 1996 at Universal Vale Tudo Fighting 4 against Luiz Carlos Maciel, stopping him with punches in five minutes. He advanced to the next round to meet Canadian fighter Geza Kalman, who outweighed him by 40 pounds, and defeated him the same way in only 2 minutes more. Randleman reached the finals, where he encountered [[Dan Severn]]'s trainee [[Dan Bobish]]. The latter controlled the first minutes from the [[Clinch (grappling)|clinch]], attempting [[neck crank]]s and landing several punches, but Randleman skillfully escaped. The two then exchanged hard strikes, with Bobish getting the better of it, but Randleman scored a [[Takedown (grappling)|takedown]] and [[Mount (grappling)|mounted]] him, from where he landed several strikes for the tournament win.<ref name=Inf>[https://www.sherdog.com/news/articles/6/PRIDE-27-INFERNO-Preview-1414 PRIDE 27 Inferno Preview - Igor Vovchanchyn vs Dan Bobish]</ref>

In March 1997, Randleman returned to the promotion for UVF 6, in finding a difficult opponent in the first round in [[luta livre]] veteran [[Ebenezer Fontes Braga]]. The American controlled the takedowns, but the Brazilian defended solidly with strikes both standing and from his [[Guard (grappling)|guard]] every time, with Randleman attempting to sneak in [[ground and pound]] through the latter. The bout soon turned controversial, however, as Braga would end up exiting the ring beneath the ropes several times, at some points even being externally helped by his team.<ref name=Crit>[https://www.sherdog.com/news/articles/2/PRIDE-Grand-Prix-2004-Critical-Countdown-1757 PRIDE Grand Prix 2004 Critical Countdown Preview]</ref> Later in the bout, Braga scored several kicks and knees over a gradually fatigued Randleman, but Randleman was still able to control the fight, and later landed a striking combo that sent Braga out of the ring. After 20 minutes of fighting, a unanimous decision was given to Randleman, who acknowledged Braga's effort too.<ref name=Crit/>

Randleman's next opponent was acclaimed [[Brazilian jiu-jitsu]] fighter Mario "Sukata" Neto. The fight was shorter than the previous, but the situation repeated itself, as Neto dragged the match out by escaping the ring and even hitting him from outside.<ref name=bio>[http://www.fcfighter.com/ufc20bio.htm UFC XX: Battle for the Gold Fighter Bios]</ref> After managing to finish him with punches, Randleman advanced the finals to meet [[Carlson Gracie]]'s trainee [[Carlos "Carlao" Barreto]], another famous BJJ fighter. The fight started with a lengthy clinch battle, but Barreto pulled [[Guard (grappling)|guard]] and attacked him with upkicks and strikes. The Brazilian remained on the ground, where Randleman attacked with ground and pound, but fatigue eventually caught with him, and Barreto was finally capable to lock a [[triangle choke]] for the win. The stoppage was disputed by Coleman, who wound up arguing with Gracie and his team.<ref name=Crit/>

The end of Randleman's tenure in Brazil was at Brazil Open-'97 in June 1997. He beat Gustavo Homem de Neve in under two minutes, but he was then pitted against another decorated American wrestler, RAW team member [[Tom Erikson]]. Randleman attempted to push the 50 pounds heavier Erikson into the fence, but he was caught with a right hook, and then Erikson unloaded a series of big shots for the knock out. The Hammer House fighter had to be stretchered out with the help of Erikson himself. Randleman claimed he had befriended Erikson before the match and it was difficult for him to fight him.<ref name=bio/>

===Ultimate Fighting Championship===
Randleman fought in the UFC heavyweight and light heavyweight divisions at [[UFC 19]], [[UFC 20]], [[UFC 23]], [[UFC 26]], [[UFC 28]], [[UFC 31]], and [[UFC 35]]. Beating [[Maurice Smith (kickboxer)|Maurice Smith]] to become a top contender at [[UFC 19]], he fought [[Bas Rutten]] for the [[UFC Heavyweight Championship]] at [[UFC 20]], which was previously vacated by [[Randy Couture]]. Randleman lost via a decision to Rutten, even though Randleman maintained positional superiority with takedowns, it was judged that Rutten was the more active fighter with strikes. This fight became infamous due to [[Mark Coleman]]'s instructions before the second overtime that Randleman "smear the blood" from the cut he had created above Rutten's nose into his eye, so his opponent would not be able to see. This was a very controversial loss at the time, so much that the judges official criteria for how fights are scored and tallied was changed as a consequence.

Randleman achieved his goal to become the [[List of UFC champions#Heavyweight Championship|UFC Heavyweight Champion]] on November 19, 1999, beating [[Pete Williams (mixed martial artist)|Pete Williams]] at [[UFC 23]] for the title which was vacated upon Rutten's retirement.

Before his scheduled fight as the main event at [[UFC 24]], Randleman slipped on some pipes and fell on the concrete floor, which rendered him unconscious.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ufc.com/news/16-bizarre-moments-ufc-history|title=16 Bizarre Moments in UFC History|author=Thomas Gerbasi|date=March 26, 2013|work=[[Ultimate Fighting Championship]]}}</ref> As a result, he was pulled from the card.  He was later diagnosed with a concussion. The UFC did not announce that his main event fight was cancelled until right before it was to take place.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/ufc-24-no-main-event-171200527--mma.html|title=UFC 24: No main event|work=[[Yahoo! Sports]]|date=April 26, 2009}}</ref>  As a result, there was no main event to this card. His fight, scheduled with [[Pedro Rizzo]], ended up taking place at [[UFC 26]], Randleman won via unanimous decision.

However, he later lost the title to [[Randy Couture]] at [[UFC 28]] via TKO. After losing the title, he moved down to [[Light Heavyweight (MMA)|light heavyweight]], feeling it was a more natural weight for his body, but suffered a setback, losing to [[Chuck Liddell]] at [[UFC 31]] in his first fight at [[Light Heavyweight (MMA)|light heavyweight]] before beating [[Renato Sobral|Renato "Babalu" Sobral]] by unanimous decision in his final fight with the UFC.

===PRIDE FC===
On September 29, 2002, Randleman made his debut in [[Pride Fighting Championships]], taking on Japanese wrestler [[Michiyoshi Ohara]]. Randleman acquired an easy victory, as Ohara appeared to have no intention of trying to fight Randleman right from the outset, and even tried to flee and grab the ropes several times in an attempt to avoid damage from Randleman. This match was panned by the audience and Randleman himself, who left the ring before being awarded his trophy, was visibly angry.

Throughout the course of 2002, Randleman gained victories over [[Kenichi Yamamoto (mixed martial artist)|Kenichi Yamamoto]] via TKO after vicious knee strikes from [[north-south position]] and [[Murilo Rua|Murilo "Ninja" Rua]] via TKO by cutting Rua with a counter left hook. This winning streak would eventually put him in the spot of contender for the [[Pride Middleweight Championship|Pride Middeweight Championship]], held by [[Wanderlei Silva]]. At [[Pride 25]], Randleman faced another Middleweight contender, fellow American wrestler [[Quinton Jackson|Quinton "Rampage" Jackson]], in a match that determined the number one contender for Silva's belt. In the first round Randleman suffered his first loss in PRIDE, after an incredible [[Knee (strike)|knee]]-[[uppercut]] combination from Jackson knocked Randleman down. The referee stopped the fight after Rampage got dominant position and began landing strikes on Randleman.

Randleman faced [[Kazushi Sakuraba]] for his last match in 2003. Just three months before the fight with Sakuraba, Randleman was involved in a severe car accident in which he seized while driving his SUV. He hit a truck and was almost decapitated, but survived with a horrible head wound that required 180 stitches.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://theclassical.org/articles/rip-kevin-randleman-who-kept-getting-up |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304012612/http://theclassical.org/articles/rip-kevin-randleman-who-kept-getting-up |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |title=RIP Kevin Randleman, Who Kept Getting Up {{!}} The Classical}}</ref> However, he took an EKG test and several physical tests by a doctor which determined that he was medically okay to leave, and that there was essentially no issues other than the large skin wound. Randleman lost the fight to Sakuraba via a third-round [[armbar]] submission.

Randleman became one of the sixteen participants in the [[List of Pride events|PRIDE 2004 Heavyweight Tournament]], alongside teammate [[Mark Coleman]]. His first round match up at [[PRIDE Total Elimination 2004]] was against former [[K-1]] [[kickboxing|kickboxer]] [[Mirko Cro Cop]], a participant heavily favored to win the entire tournament. Randleman knocked out Cro Cop by [[ground and pound]] following a left hook that surprised and knocked him down. In the second round, at [[PRIDE Critical Countdown 2004]], Randleman faced off against the reigning [[List of Pride champions|PRIDE Heavyweight Champion]] [[Fedor Emelianenko]]. Again a heavy underdog, in a short bout he managed to [[suplex]] Fedor onto his head, landing in [[north-south position]]. This maneuver failed to damage Fedor, who quickly capitalized on Randleman's characteristic failure to inflict damage upon opponents from a dominant position by reversing him and submitting him with a [[Armlock#Kimura|kimura]], thereby eliminating him from the tournament.

With his tournament journey over, Randleman went on to square off against friend and fellow American wrestler [[Ron Waterman]] at [[PRIDE Final Conflict 2004]]. Randleman picked up and slammed much bigger Waterman, and was ahead on the scorecards but made one mistake and lost by [[Armlock#Keylocks|americana]] in the first round. At [[PRIDE Shockwave 2004]] Randleman offered a rematch to [[Mirko Cro Cop]]. Cro Cop submitted Randleman in the first round via [[guillotine choke]], avenging his loss and adding another loss to Randleman's losing streak in the process. In the [[PRIDE Total Elimination 2005|Opening Round of PRIDE's 2005 Middleweight Grand Prix]], Kevin Randleman lost to [[Kazuhiro Nakamura]] via decision. In November 2005, Randleman appeared in Bushido Europe: Rotterdam Rumble, Europe's first Bushido event, and defeated [[Fatih Kocamis]] via decision, ending his losing streak, and giving him his first win in nearly a year.

Randleman was taken ill with a serious fungal lung infection after his [[Rotterdam]] bout that had unknowingly been present for some time.<ref name="mmw">{{cite web
 |url=http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/dailynews.asp?articleid=1797&zoneid=13 
 |title=Randleman Resurrected 
 |author=MMAWeekly Radio – Jeff Cain 
 |date=March 27, 2006 
 |publisher=MMAWeekly 
 |url-status=dead 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929111331/http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/dailynews.asp?articleid=1797&zoneid=13 
 |archive-date=September 29, 2007 
}}
</ref> He underwent a successful surgery to have the infection removed. After recovering, he was scheduled to fight against [[Vitor Belfort]] at a Strikeforce event in [[San Jose, California]] on June 9, 2006, but was unable to, due to a recurrence of the infection. Belfort instead fought, and lost to, [[Alistair Overeem]], by unanimous decision.{{Citation needed|date=August 2007}}

Kevin Randleman returned to PRIDE for their first show on American soil, [[Pride 32|Pride 32: The Real Deal]] on October 21, 2006, where he was quickly submitted with a [[toe hold]] in the first round by 2005 Middleweight Grand Prix Champion [[Maurício Rua|Maurício "Shogun" Rua]]. This match-up was made partly to capitalize on an incident where [[Mark Coleman]] fought Rua and broke his arm with a trip takedown. After the referee stopped the fight, a brawl ensued. [[Chute Boxe]] and [[Team Hammer House|Hammer House]] members then entered the ring, clashing verbally and physically, creating bad blood between the two teams.

===Controversy, illness and suspension from fighting===
After the bout with Rua, Randleman failed a drug test administered by the Nevada Athletic Commission.<ref>Ivan Trembow [https://web.archive.org/web/20080622171612/http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/dailynews.asp?articleid=3608&zoneid=13 UFC FIGHTERS PASS DRUG TESTS]. MMAWeekly.com. March 16, 2007</ref> Randleman submitted a urine sample lacking any hormones to the [[Nevada State Athletic Commission]]. This indicated that the sample was fake.<ref name="wo">{{cite web| url=http://www.wrestlingobserver.com/wo/news/headlines/default.asp?aID=17838
| title=Fraudulent Drug Test Likely to Lead to Suspension | last=Meltzer | first=Dave | date=November 7, 2006 | publisher=Wrestling Observer
}}</ref> On January 19, 2007, Randleman was hospitalized due to serious damage to his kidneys.<ref name="mma">{{cite web | url=http://www.mmaweekly.com/kevin-randleman-at-a-crossroads-2 | title=Kevin Randleman at a crossroads | date=February 18, 2007 | publisher=MMAWeekly}}</ref> In an interview with MMAWeekly, he stated he failed to submit a urine sample due to his use of painkillers and [[antibiotic]]s after his previous surgeries that may have prevented him from being cleared to fight, and his health issues were a result of the cumulative effects of his surgeries, medication and fighting on his body.

The Nevada Athletic Commission met on February 16, 2007, to discuss the fake sample and revoked Randleman's license to fight. He was able to reapply for a license after October 21, 2007, a year from the date of his loss to [[Maurício Rua]].<ref name="sher">{{cite web | url=http://www.sherdog.com/news/news.asp?n_id=6780 | title=License to Fight: Busy Morning for NSAC | date=February 16, 2007 | publisher=Sherdog}}</ref>

In 2007, Randleman was sidelined for more than a year when a staph infection under his arm leaked into his bloodstream. The infection nearly killed him; it left a gaping hole under his arm, shut down his liver and kidney and left him in a coma.

He was quoted as saying "It looked like someone had taken a shotgun and shot me up close," says Randleman. After dismissing his symptoms for five weeks, he was admitted to the hospital in septic condition. Doctors were forced to remove portions of Randleman's lateral and pectoral muscles in an attempt to eradicate the staph bacteria from his body.

In October 2007, he was quoted as saying of the staph infection "I was in critical condition for almost three weeks and I am two weeks out of the hospital now ... pain is just part of the healing, and it hurts a lot.... I had two organs shut down again. I think what I need to do is stop enduring the pain and go see the doctors earlier."

=== World Victory Road: Sengoku ===
After one year and seven months of lay off due to kidney problems, a [[staph infection]] and suspension, Randleman came back with a unanimous decision over [[Ryo Kawamura]] on May 18, 2008, at [[Sengoku 2]].

Randleman's next fight was scheduled to be on June 21, 2008, against [[Jeff Monson]] at the Godz of War; however, Randleman injured his shoulder while training. [[Ricco Rodriguez]] replaced him and fought Monson, losing a unanimous decision.

Randleman said that he would fight at [[Sengoku 6]] in November, but did not. Later, he explained that he injured his shoulder very seriously in his comeback fight against [[Ryo Kawamura]], so he took a long rest.

On November 7, 2009, Randleman fought Bulgarian prospect [[Stanislav Nedkov]] at [[Sengoku 11]]. Randleman started the fight with a good left leg kick and takedown. He used elevators and reversals to avoid damage from Nedkov, when Nedkov made a few takedowns. In the 3rd round Randleman repeated his strong left leg kick and used his new blue belt [[Brazilian jiu-jitsu]] skills to avoid bottom positions and back immediately to the top positions on the ground. After three rounds the judges rendered a controversial split decision, with one judge for Randleman and two judges for Nedkov.

===Strikeforce===
At the [[Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Diaz]] press conference it was announced that he had finalised the signing of a contract with [[Strikeforce (mixed martial arts)|Strikeforce]].

Randleman's Strikeforce debut was on June 6 against journeyman and [[International Fight League|IFL]] standout [[Mike Whitehead]] at [[Strikeforce: Lawler vs. Shields]]. Randleman looked to grapple immediately in the fight, whilst Whitehead controlled the fight on the feet. Whitehead won the first two rounds using takedowns but Randleman employed the use of reversals very competently to avoid significant damage. In the third round Randleman, having seemingly lost the previous rounds, threw caution to the wind and loosened his arms, becoming reckless with his strikes, but knocking his opponent down with a left hook to the chin. Randleman charged in to finish Whitehead and landed a few shots to Whitehead's head, but was unable to capitalize effectively on the knock-down. All three judges scored the bout 29–28 in favor of Whitehead.

Randleman lost to Strikeforce newcomer [[Roger Gracie]] via a [[rear-naked choke]] submission in the second round of their [[Light heavyweight (MMA)|light heavyweight]] bout on May 15, 2010, at [[Strikeforce: Heavy Artillery]].<ref name="mmajunkie.com">[http://mmajunkie.com/news/18853/randleman-vs-gracie-villasenor-vs-jacare-official-for-may-15-strikeforce-event.mma Randleman vs. Gracie, Villasenor vs. "Jacare" official for May 15 Strikeforce event] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100426113704/http://mmajunkie.com/news/18853/randleman-vs-gracie-villasenor-vs-jacare-official-for-may-15-strikeforce-event.mma |date=April 26, 2010 }}. MMAjunkie.com (April 23, 2010). Retrieved on 2012-05-05.</ref> He lost 10 out of his last 13 fights. Following the loss to Russian [[black belt (martial arts)|black belt]] [[judo]]ka, Baga Agaev with Agaev submitting Randleman with a modified [[armbar]] and dislocating his elbow, Randleman had decided to retire.

==Professional wrestling career==
{{Infobox professional wrestler
|name        = Kevin Randleman
|image       =
|caption     =
|alt         =
|birthname   = 
|names       = Kevin Randleman<br>Randleman
|height      = {{height|ft=5|in=10}}<ref name="cagematch.net">{{cite web|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=3967|title=Kevin Randleman « Wrestlers Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database|first=Philip|last=Kreikenbohm|website=www.cagematch.net|access-date=May 10, 2017}}</ref>
|weight      = {{convert|205|lb|kg|abbr=on}}<ref name="cagematch.net"/>
|family = 
|birth_date = {{Birth date|1971|8|10}}
|birth_place = 
|death_date  = {{Death date and age |2016|02|11|1971|8|10}}
|death_place = [[San Diego]], California
|resides     =
|billed      = [[Columbus, Ohio]]
|trainer     = 
|debut       = November 17, 2002
|retired = September 13, 2007
}}

===All Japan Pro Wrestling (2002)===
Randleman debuted in [[professional wrestling]] in 2002 as part of [[All Japan Pro Wrestling]]'s [[Wrestle-1]] project, which brought several mixed martial artists and kickboxers to take part in wrestling matches. Teaming up with [[Mark Coleman]], Randleman wrestled [[Hiroshi Hase]] and [[Satoshi Kojima]] in a losing effort.<ref name=All>{{cite web|url=http://www.puroresucentral.com/defunctWrestle1Review-11.17.02.html|title=All Japan Wrestle-1|publisher=Puroresu Central|access-date=December 18, 2013}}</ref> They returned for the next Wrestle-1 event, defeating the masked tag team of [[Jan Nortje|Jan the Giant Convict]] and [[The Great Khali|Singh the Giant Convict]].

===Pro Wrestling Zero1 (2003–2004)===
In July 2003, Randleman started working for [[Pro Wrestling Zero1|Pro Wrestling Zero-One]], teaming up with [[Sylvester Terkay|The Predator]] to take part in the OH Tag Festival tournament. They performed well, eliminating [[Yoshiaki Fujiwara]] and Yuki Ishikawa at the first round and Emblem ([[Masato Tanaka]] and [[Shinjiro Otani]]) at the second, but they lost in the finals to [[Naoya Ogawa]] and [[Katsuhisa Fujii]].

===Hustle (2004–2007)===
The next year, Randleman started appearing in Zero-One's partner promotion [[Hustle (professional wrestling)|Hustle]]. Introduced as a member of [[Heel (professional wrestling)|heel]] faction Takada Monster Army and managed by Takada's secretary Ute Werner, Randleman had his first singles match against [[Wataru Sakata]], but he lost despite Werner trying to intervene in his favor.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://411mania.com/wrestling/the-furious-flashbacks-hustle-4/|title=The Furious Flashbacks – Hustle-4|author=Arnold Furious|date=June 22, 2007|website=411mania.com}}</ref> Due to the loss, he was expelled from the Monster Army, so he sought refuge in [[BabyFace (professional wrestling)|babyface]] faction Hustle Army, led by Naoya Ogawa.

After two years of inactivity, Kevin returned to Hustle in June 2007, adopting the masked [[superhero]] persona of "Randleman" and teaming up with fellow superheroes [[Kintaro Kanemura|Kintaman]] and [[Tetsuhiro Kuroda|Kurodaman]]. His former partner Mark Coleman also joined the team, making it a quartet. In September 2007, Randleman made his last appearance in Hustle, defeating [[Kohei Sato]] and Piranha Monster alongside Coleman.

In February 2009, Randleman made a challenge to [[WWE]] pro-wrestler [[Kofi Kingston]] on a [[St. Louis]] [[FOX Sports]] MMA show called Absolute Wrestling Radio!

==Personal life==
Kevin married Barbara on August 28, 2000. After hardships, they divorced on May 26, 2005. Kevin married his longtime girlfriend and publicist, Elizabeth Broglia, on April 25, 2009. He had four children: Calvin, Jasmine, Madolyn, and Santino.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.combatlifestyle.com/pics/view_album.php?id=1717 |title=Kevin Randleman's Wedding |access-date=June 6, 2009 |publisher=CombatLifestyle.com |date=April 25, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090601033614/http://www.combatlifestyle.com/pics/view_album.php?id=1717 |archive-date=June 1, 2009 }}</ref>

After his professional fighting career, Randleman founded a non-profit program called ''Monster Wrestling Academy'' at [[Coronado High School (California)|Coronado High School]] in which he taught wrestling to kids alongside other volunteer coaches like [[Phil Baroni]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/mma-ufc/former-ufc-heavyweight-champ-randleman-dies-at-44/|title=Former UFC heavyweight champ Randleman dies at 44|author=Adam Hill|publisher=reviewjournal.com|date=February 12, 2016}}</ref><ref name=shadow16 />

==Death==
Randleman died while traveling for business on February 11, 2016; complications of pneumonia were the cause of death.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mmaweekly.com/kevin-randleman-enshrined-forever-the-man-the-myth-the-legend|title=Kevin Randleman enshrined forever: The man, the myth, the legend|author=Ed Theisen|date=May 20, 2020|publisher=mmaweekly.com}}</ref> He was 44 years old.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Former-UFC-Champ-Pride-Veteran-Kevin-Randleman-Dies-at-44-100141|title=Former UFC Champ, Pride Veteran Kevin Randleman Dies at 44|publisher=sherdog.com|author=Tristen Critchfield|date=February 11, 2016|access-date=February 11, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2016/02/former-ufc-heavyweight-champion-kevin-randleman-reportedly-dead-at-44|title=Former UFC heavyweight champion Kevin Randleman reportedly dead at 44|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Brent Brookhouse|date=February 11, 2016|access-date=February 11, 2016}}</ref>

== Championships and accomplishments ==

=== Mixed martial arts ===
* '''[[Ultimate Fighting Championship]]'''
** [[UFC Hall of Fame]] (Pioneer Wing, Class of 2020)<ref name=randlemanhof />
** [[UFC Heavyweight Championship]] (One time; former)
*** One successful title defense
** [[UFC 20|UFC Road To The Heavyweight Title Tournament Runner-Up]] (1999)
**'''[[List_of_UFC_encyclopedia_award_recipients|UFC Encyclopedia Awards]]'''
***[[List_of_UFC_encyclopedia_award_recipients|Fight of the Night]] (One time) {{small|vs. [[Randy Couture]]}}<ref>{{cite book |last= Gerbasi|first= Thomas|date= 2011-10-17|title= UFC Encyclopedia - The Definitive Guide to the Ultimate Fighting Championship|location= New York|publisher= DK|page= 183|isbn=978-0756683610}}</ref>
* '''Universal Vale Tudo Fighting'''
** UVTF 4 Tournament Champion
** UVTF 6 Tournament Finalist
*'''Brazil Open'''
**Brazil Open '97 Heavyweight Tournament Runner-Up
* '''Fight Matrix'''
** Knockout of the Year (2004) <small>vs. [[Mirko Cro Cop]] on April 25</small><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fightmatrix.com/fightmatrix-awards/ |title=Fight Matrix Awards |access-date=May 5, 2012}}</ref>
* '''FIGHT! Magazine'''
** Knockout of the Year (2004)<small> vs. [[Mirko Cro Cop]] on April 25</small><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fightmagazine.com/mma-magazine/mma-article.asp?aid%3D231%26issid%3D9 |title=2007 FIGHT! Awards &#124; FIGHT! Magazine |access-date=August 22, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004162754/http://www.fightmagazine.com/mma-magazine/mma-article.asp?aid=231&issid=9 |archive-date=October 4, 2011 }}</ref>
* '''MMA Fighting'''
** Most Lopsided Upset of the Year (2004)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fightmatrix.com/fightmatrix-awards/ |title = MMA Awards - Fight Matrix}}</ref>

=== Collegiate wrestling ===
*'''[[National Collegiate Athletic Association]]'''
**[[NCAA]] [[Division I (NCAA)|Division I]] 177&nbsp;lb – Champion <small>out of [[Ohio State University]]</small> (1992, 1993)
**[[NCAA]] [[Division I (NCAA)|Division I]] 167&nbsp;lb – Runner-up <small>out of [[Ohio State University]]</small> (1991)
**[[Division I (NCAA)|NCAA Division I]] [[All-American#Wrestling|All-American]] <small>out of [[Ohio State University]]</small> (1991, 1992, 1993)
**[[Ohio State University]] Wrestler of the Century (20th Century)
*'''[[Big Ten Conference]]'''
**[[Big Ten Conference|Big Ten]] 177&nbsp;lb – Champion <small>out of [[Ohio State University]]</small> (1991, 1992, 1993)

== Mixed martial arts record ==
{{MMArecordbox
| draws= 
| nc= 
| ko-wins= 9
| ko-losses= 4
| sub-wins= 
| sub-losses= 8
| dec-wins= 8
| dec-losses= 4
| dq-wins= 
| dq-losses= 
| other-wins= 
| other-losses= 
}}
{{MMA record start}}
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 17–16
| Baga Agaev
| Submission (armbar)
| FEFoMP - Mayor's Cup 2011
| {{dts|2011|May|07|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 4:05
| [[Khabarovsk]], Russia
| 
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 17–15
| [[Roger Gracie]]
| Submission (rear-naked choke)
| [[Strikeforce: Heavy Artillery]]
| {{dts|2010|May|15|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 2
| align=center| 4:10
| [[St. Louis]], Missouri, United States
| 
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 17–14
| [[Stanislav Nedkov]]
| Decision (split)
| [[World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku 11]]
| {{dts|2009|November|07|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 5:00
| [[Tokyo]], Japan
| 
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 17–13
| [[Mike Whitehead]]
| Decision (unanimous)
| [[Strikeforce: Lawler vs. Shields]]
| {{dts|2009|June|06|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 5:00
| [[St. Louis]], Missouri, United States
| 
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 17–12
| [[Ryo Kawamura]]
| Decision (unanimous)
| [[2008 in World Victory Road#World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku 2|World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku 2]]
| {{dts|2008|May|18|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 5:00
| [[Tokyo]], Japan
| 
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 16–12
| [[Maurício Rua]]
| Submission (kneebar)
| [[Pride 32|Pride 32 - The Real Deal]]
| {{dts|2006|October|21|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 2:35
| [[Las Vegas]], Nevada, United States
| {{small|Subsequently suspended following post-fight drug test failure.}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 16–11
| [[Fatih Kocamis]]
| Decision (unanimous)
| Bushido Europe: Rotterdam Rumble
| {{dts|2005|October|09|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 2
| align=center| 5:00
| [[Rotterdam]], Netherlands
| 
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center|15–11
| [[Kazuhiro Nakamura]]
| Decision (unanimous)
| [[PRIDE Total Elimination 2005]]
| {{dts|2005|April|23|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 5:00
| [[Osaka]], Japan
| {{small|Return to Light Heavyweight. PRIDE 2005 Middleweight Grand Prix Opening Round.}}
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 15–10
| [[Mirko Cro Cop]]
| Submission (guillotine choke)
| [[PRIDE Shockwave 2004]]
| {{dts|2004|December|31|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 0:42
| [[Saitama, Saitama|Saitama]], Japan
| 
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 15–9
| [[Ron Waterman]]
| Submission (americana)
| [[PRIDE Final Conflict 2004]]
| {{dts|2004|August|15|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 7:44
| [[Saitama, Saitama|Saitama]], Japan
| 
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 15–8
| [[Fedor Emelianenko]]
| Submission (kimura)
| [[PRIDE Critical Countdown 2004]]
| {{dts|2004|June|20|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 1:33
| [[Saitama, Saitama|Saitama]], Japan
| {{small|PRIDE 2004 Heavyweight Grand Prix Quarterfinal.}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 15–7
| [[Mirko Cro Cop]]
| KO (punches)
| [[PRIDE Total Elimination 2004]]
| {{dts|2004|April|25|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 1:57
| [[Saitama, Saitama|Saitama]], Japan
| {{small|Return to Heavyweight. PRIDE 2004 Heavyweight GP Opening Round. Knockout of the Year (2004). Upset of the Year (2004).}}
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 14–7
| [[Kazushi Sakuraba]]
| Submission (armbar)
| [[PRIDE Final Conflict 2003]]
| {{dts|2003|November|09|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 2:36
| [[Tokyo]], Japan
| 
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 14–6
| [[Quinton Jackson]]
| KO (knee and punches)
| [[PRIDE 25]]
| {{dts|2003|March|16|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 6:58
| [[Yokohama]], Japan
| {{small|[[Pride Middleweight Championship|PRIDE Middleweight]] title eliminator.}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 14–5
| [[Murilo Rua]]
| TKO (doctor stoppage)
| [[PRIDE 24]]
| {{dts|2002|December|23|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 0:20
| [[Fukuoka]], Japan
| 
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 13–5
| [[Kenichi Yamamoto (mixed martial artist)|Kenichi Yamamoto]]
| TKO (knees)
| [[PRIDE 23]]
| {{dts|2002|November|24|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 1:16
| [[Tokyo]], Japan
| 
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 12–5
| [[Michiyoshi Ohara]]
| Decision (unanimous)
| [[PRIDE 22]]
| {{dts|2002|September|29|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 5:00
| [[Nagoya]], Japan
| 
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 11–5
| Brian Foster
| KO (punch)
| RFC: The Beginning
| {{dts|2002|July|13|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 0:20
| [[Las Vegas]], Nevada, United States
| 
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 10–5
| [[Renato Sobral]]
| Decision (unanimous)
| [[UFC 35]]
| {{dts|2002|January|11|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 5:00
| [[Uncasville]], [[Connecticut]], United States
| 
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 9–5
| [[Chuck Liddell]]
| KO (punches)
| [[UFC 31]]
| {{dts|2001|May|04|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 1:18
| [[Atlantic City]], [[New Jersey]], United States
| {{small|Light Heavyweight debut.}}
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 9–4
| [[Randy Couture]]
| TKO (punches)
| [[UFC 28]]
| {{dts|2000|November|17|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 4:13
| [[Atlantic City]], [[New Jersey]], United States
| {{small|Lost the [[UFC Heavyweight Championship]].}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 9–3
| [[Pedro Rizzo]]
| Decision (unanimous)
| [[UFC 26]]
| {{dts|2000|June|09|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 5
| align=center| 5:00
| [[Cedar Rapids, Iowa]], United States
| {{small|Defended the [[UFC Heavyweight Championship]].}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 8–3
| [[Pete Williams (fighter)|Pete Williams]]
| Decision (unanimous)
| [[UFC 23]]
| {{dts|1999|November|19|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 5
| align=center| 5:00
| [[Urayasu, Chiba|Urayasu]], Japan
| {{small|Won the vacant [[UFC Heavyweight Championship]].}}
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 7–3
| [[Bas Rutten]]
| Decision (split)
| [[UFC 20]]
| {{dts|1999|May|07|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 21:00
| [[Birmingham, Alabama]], United States
| {{small|For the vacant [[UFC Heavyweight Championship]]. Road To The Heavyweight Title Tournament Finals.}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 7–2
| [[Maurice Smith (kickboxer)|Maurice Smith]]
| Decision (unanimous)
| [[UFC 19]]
| {{dts|1999|March|05|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 15:00
| [[Bay St. Louis, Mississippi]], United States
| {{small|Road to the Heavyweight Title Tournament Semifinals.}}
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 6–2
| [[Tom Erikson]]
| KO (punches)
| rowspan=2|Brazil Open-'97
| rowspan=2| {{dts|1997|June|15|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 1:11
| rowspan=2|Brazil
| {{small|Brazil Open '97 Finals.}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 6–1
| Gustavo Homem de Neve
| TKO (submission to elbow)
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 2:21
| {{small|Brazil Open '97 Semifinals.}}
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 5–1
| [[Carlos "Carlão" Barreto|Carlos Barreto]]
| Technical Submission (triangle choke)
| rowspan=3|Universal Vale Tudo Fighting 6
| rowspan=3| {{dts|1997|March|03|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 22:24
| rowspan=3|Brazil
| {{small|UVTF 6 Tournament Finals.}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 5–0
| Mário Neto
| TKO (submission to punches)
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 11:24
| {{small|UVTF 6 Tournament Semifinals.}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 4–0
| [[Ebenezer Fontes Braga]]
| Decision 
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 20:00
| {{small|UVTF 6 Tournament Quarterfinals.}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 3–0
| [[Dan Bobish]]
| TKO (submission to punches)
| rowspan=3|Universal Vale Tudo Fighting 4
| rowspan=3| {{dts|1996|October|22|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 5:50
| rowspan=3|Brazil
| {{small|Won the UVTF 4 Tournament.}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 2–0
| Geza Kalman
| TKO (punches)
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 7:37
| {{small|UVTF 4 Tournament Semifinals.}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 1–0
| Luiz Carlos Maciel
| TKO (submission to punches)
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 5:14
| {{small|UVTF 4 Tournament Quarterfinals.}}
{{end}}

== References ==
{{Reflist|35em}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Kevin Randleman}}
* {{Sherdog}}
* {{UFC|kevin-randleman}}
* [http://www.kevinrandleman.com Official website for Kevin Randleman]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090815121931/http://www.wrestlinghalloffame.org/wrestlers.php?wrestler=2010 Kevin Randleman at Wrestlinghalloffame.com]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070927222834/http://www.nokaut.com/?id=38&solo_news=974&lang=e&cur=eur August 2007 interview]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090223153019/http://www.chokehimout.com/index.cfm/Get/vart/ID/1127 January 2009 Interview]
* [http://mwr.podomatic.com/entry/February 9, 2009T22_16_34-08_00 January 2009 Interview with AWR]{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

{{S-start}}
{{S-vac|last=[[Bas Rutten]]}}
{{S-ttl|title=5th [[UFC Heavyweight Championship|UFC Heavyweight Champion]] |years=November 14, 1999 – November 17, 2000}}
{{S-aft|after=[[Randy Couture]]}}
{{End}}
{{UFC Hall of Fame}}
{{UFC Heavyweight Championship}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Randleman, Kevin}}
[[Category:1971 births]]
[[Category:2016 deaths]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Columbus, Ohio]]
[[Category:American male sport wrestlers]]
[[Category:American male mixed martial artists]]
[[Category:American male professional wrestlers]]
[[Category:American catch wrestlers]]
[[Category:African-American mixed martial artists]]
[[Category:Light heavyweight mixed martial artists]]
[[Category:Heavyweight mixed martial artists]]
[[Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing collegiate wrestling]]
[[Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing boxing]]
[[Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing Brazilian jiu-jitsu]]
[[Category:Ohio State University alumni]]
[[Category:Ultimate Fighting Championship champions]]
[[Category:American sportspeople in doping cases]]
[[Category:Doping cases in mixed martial arts]]
[[Category:Ohio State Buckeyes wrestlers]]
[[Category:Ultimate Fighting Championship male fighters]]
[[Category:American practitioners of Brazilian jiu-jitsu]]
[[Category:20th-century African-American sportsmen]]
[[Category:21st-century African-American sportsmen]]