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Jeff Curran

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For the footballer, see Jeff Curran (footballer).

Jeff Curran
Born (1977-09-02) September 2, 1977 (age 47)
Crystal Lake, Illinois, U.S.
Other namesBig Frog
Height5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)
Weight135 lb (61 kg; 9.6 st)
DivisionFlyweight
Bantamweight
Featherweight
Lightweight
Reach69 in (175 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Fighting out ofCrystal Lake, Illinois, U.S.
TeamTeam Curran
RankFifth degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Pedro Sauer[1]
Years active1998–2016
Professional boxing record
Total5
Wins2
By knockout2
Losses2
Draws1
Mixed martial arts record
Total55
Wins36
By knockout1
By submission21
By decision14
Losses18
By knockout3
By submission3
By decision12
Draws1
Other information
Notable relativesPat Curran, cousin
Boxing record from BoxRec
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Jeff Curran (born September 2, 1977) is an American retired professional mixed martial artist. A professional competitor from 1998 to 2016, Curran fought at a number of different weight classes for a large number of promotions including Bellator, the UFC, Strikeforce, PRIDE Fighting Championships, WEC, IFL, the RFA, and KOTC.

Background

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Curran started his path towards mixed martial arts with Karate and Tae Kwon Do when he was five years old. Curran has trained for 16 years and has fought for 5 years. He began Wrestling in the fourth grade and did that until his freshman year when he began Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He graduated from Woodstock High School (Illinois) in 1995.[2] Curran also says that as a teen he would box with his grandfather.[citation needed] Curran holds a rank of fourth-degree black belt under Pedro Sauer.[1] Curran is also known as one of the most technical instructors in the Pedro Sauer Jiu-Jitsu Association.[citation needed]

Curran is president and head instructor of Curran Martial Arts Academy (CMA),[3] and owner and promoter of Xtreme Fighting Organization. Curran appeared on the television series Tapout on Versus with fellow Team Curran pro fighter Matt Fiordirosa.

World Extreme Cagefighting

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After fifteen victories in sixteen fights, Curran fought Urijah Faber for the WEC featherweight championship. Faber retained his title by defeating Curran via guillotine choke. Curran then lost a pair of unanimous decisions, first to former WEC Featherweight Champion Mike Brown and then his Bantamweight debut to Joseph Benavidez at WEC 40.[4] His most recent WEC fight was against Takeya Mizugaki on August 9, 2009, WEC 42; he lost by a split decision, and was subsequently released from the promotion for good.[5]

Independent promotions

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After losing four consecutive fights in the WEC, it was announced on October 20, 2009, that Curran had signed a two-fight contract with North American promotion Strikeforce. He maintained that his ultimate goal was to return to the WEC, but was glad to still be able to fight on major cards for the time being. He made his debut for the organization as a part of the preliminary card on their November 7 event, Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers, in Chicago, winning over Dustin Neace by submission in the first round.[6] Curran later defeated Tomohiko Hori via unanimous decision at XFO 34.[7] Curran went on to lose a unanimous decision to Bryan Goldsby in a non-tournament bantamweight bout at Bellator 14.

Curran announced that he will be featured in a documentary entitled "This is the Fight". It was expected to be released in early fall 2010. The film will be about his difficult road to try to make it back to the WEC after 4 consecutive losses to, at the time, top 5 fighters in his weight class.[citation needed]

Curran faced David Love at XFO 37 on December 4, 2010. Although breaking his right forearm towards the end of the fight, he won the fight by unanimous decision. He underwent surgery for the injury on New Year's Day 2011.[8]

Curran was scheduled to headline XFO 39 on May 13 at the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates, Illinois.[9] He took on late replacement Billy Vaughan[10] and won via unanimous decision.[11]

UFC return

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Curran in July 2011 signed a new multi-fight contract to return to the UFC.[12] His first fight back was against Scott Jorgensen,[13] who was ranked the No. 4 bantamweight in the world by MMAWeekly.com at the time that Curran returned to the promotion.[14] Curran lost by unanimous decision.[15]

Curran faced Johnny Eduardo on May 15, 2012, at UFC on Fuel TV: Korean Zombie vs. Poirier.[16] He lost the bout via unanimous decision and was subsequently released from the promotion.[17]

Resurrection Fighting Alliance

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On April 29, 2013, it was announced that Resurrection Fighting Alliance (RFA) next card would headline Jeff Curran and Sergio Pettis for the inaugural RFA flyweight championship. However, in the days leading up to the event, Curran was forced out for personal reasons and was replaced by Dillard "Joe" Pegg.[18]

On July 20, 2013, it was announced that Keoni Koch was injured and pulled from the main event of RFA 9; Curran was then set to face Pedro Munhoz at RFA 9 on August 16, 2013, in the main event for the RFA Bantamweight Championship.[19] Curran lost the bout via split[20] decision and announced his retirement.[21]

Titan Fighting Championship

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On January 28, 2014, it was announced that Curran would return from his retirement to fight for Titan Fighting Championship; he was to take on fellow UFC vet Iliarde Santos in April.[22]

Grappling career

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Curran was scheduled to compete in a rematch against Urijah Faber under Combat Jiu-Jitsu rules at A1 Combat 21 on May 25, 2024.[23] Curran withdrew from the match due to undisclosed reasons and was replaced by Jeff Glover.[24]

Personal life

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Jeff and his wife Sarah have two sons.[25][26] Jeff opened up his own gym facility in 2018, where he was coaching Felice Herrig for her comeback but was forced to close it in 2020 due to financial complications resulting from COVID-19.[27]

Championships and accomplishments

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  • Ironheart Crown
    • IHC Featherweight Championship (1 Time, First, Last)[28]
  • Shooto
    • Shooto Americas Lightweight Championship (1 Time)[29]

Mixed martial arts record

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Professional record breakdown
55 matches 36 wins 18 losses
By knockout 1 3
By submission 21 3
By decision 14 12
Draws 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 36–18–1 Raufeon Stots Decision (unanimous) VFC 53: Curran vs. Stots November 23, 2016 3 5:00 Waterloo, Iowa, United States
Loss 36–17–1 Melvin Blumer KO (backfist) RFA 24: Smith vs. Romero March 6, 2015 1 4:58 Prior Lake, Minnesota, United States
Loss 36–16–1 Pedro Munhoz Decision (split) RFA 9: Munhoz vs. Curran August 16, 2013 5 5:00 Los Angeles, California, United States For the RFA Bantamweight Championship.
Win 36–15–1 Josh Killion Decision (unanimous) Extreme Challenge 227 May 3, 2013 3 5:00 Bettendorf, Iowa, United States Flyweight Debut.
Loss 35–15–1 Johnny Eduardo Decision (unanimous) UFC on Fuel TV: Korean Zombie vs. Poirier May 15, 2012 3 5:00 Fairfax, Virginia, United States
Loss 35–14–1 Scott Jorgensen Decision (unanimous) UFC 137 October 29, 2011 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 35–13–1 Billy Vaughan Decision (unanimous) Xtreme Fighting Organization 39 May 13, 2011 3 5:00 Hoffman Estates, Illinois, United States
Win 34–13–1 David Love Decision (unanimous) Xtreme Fighting Organization 37 December 4, 2010 3 5:00 Lakemoor, Illinois, United States
Loss 33–13–1 Bryan Goldsby Decision (unanimous) Bellator 14 April 15, 2010 3 5:00 Chicago, Illinois, United States Bantamweight bout.
Win 33–12–1 Tomohiko Hori Decision (unanimous) XFO 34: Curran vs. Hori December 5, 2009 3 5:00 Lakemoor, Illinois, United States
Win 32–12–1 Dustin Neace Submission (rib injury) Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers November 7, 2009 1 1:39 Hoffman Estates, Illinois, United States Lightweight bout.
Loss 31–12–1 Takeya Mizugaki Decision (split) WEC 42 August 9, 2009 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 31–11–1 Joseph Benavidez Decision (unanimous) WEC 40 April 5, 2009 3 5:00 Chicago, Illinois, United States Bantamweight debut.
Loss 31–10–1 Mike Brown Decision (unanimous) WEC 34: Faber vs. Pulver June 1, 2008 3 5:00 Sacramento, California, United States
Loss 31–9–1 Urijah Faber Submission (guillotine choke) WEC 31 December 12, 2007 2 4:34 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States For WEC Featherweight Championship.
Win 31–8–1 Stephen Ledbetter Decision (unanimous) WEC 29 August 5, 2007 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 30–8–1 John Mahlow Decision (split) KOTC: Damage Control May 26, 2007 3 5:00 Chicago, Illinois, United States Lightweight bout.
Win 29–8–1 Kevin English Submission (guillotine choke) IFL: Moline April 7, 2007 2 1:12 Moline, Illinois, United States
Win 28–8–1 Donny Walker Submission (rear-naked choke) KOTC: Hard Knocks January 19, 2007 3 3:23 Rockford, Illinois, United States
Win 27–8–1 Raphael Assunção Decision (majority) XFO 13: Operation Beatdown November 11, 2006 3 5:00 Hoffman Estates, Illinois, United States
Win 26–8–1 Wagnney Fabiano Decision (split) APEX: A Night of Champions October 14, 2006 3 5:00 Gatineau, Quebec, Canada
Loss 25–8–1 Hatsu Hioki Decision (unanimous) Pride - Bushido 12 August 26, 2006 2 5:00 Nagoya, Japan
Win 25–7–1 Charles Bennett Submission (armbar) KOTC: Redemption on the River February 17, 2006 1 3:23 Moline, Illinois, United States
Win 24–7–1 Antonio Carvalho Decision (majority) IHC 9: Purgatory November 19, 2005 3 5:00 Hammond, Indiana, United States Won Shooto Americas Lightweight Championship
Win 23–7–1 Steve Kinnison Submission (rear-naked choke) XFO 6: Judgement Day June 25, 2005 3 1:47 Lakemoor, Illinois, United States
Win 22–7–1 Luke Spencer Submission (rear-naked choke) SuperBrawl 40 April 30, 2005 2 2:34 Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
Win 21–7–1 David Douglas Submission (rear-naked choke) IFC: Eve Of Destruction March 5, 2005 1 1:39 Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
Win 20–7–1 Jason Dent Decision (unanimous) Xtreme Fighting Organization 3 October 2, 2004 3 5:00 McHenry, Illinois, United States
Win 19–7–1 Masahiro Oishi Technical Submission (guillotine choke) Zst 6 September 12, 2004 1 0:44 Tokyo, Japan
Win 18–7–1 Kimihito Nonaka Submission (rear-naked choke) SuperBrawl 35 April 16, 2004 3 4:35 Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
Win 17–7–1 Dan Swift Submission (triangle choke) XFO 1: The Kickoff March 14, 2004 3 0:44 Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, United States
Loss 16–7–1 Matt Serra Decision (unanimous) UFC 46 January 31, 2004 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Lightweight bout.
Loss 16–6–1 Norifumi Yamamoto Decision (unanimous) SuperBrawl 29 May 9, 2003 3 5:00 Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
Win 16–5–1 Todd Lally Submission (triangle choke) WFA 3: Level 3 November 23, 2002 1 4:49 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 15–5–1 Ryan Ackerman Decision (unanimous) IHC 5: Tribulation October 26, 2002 3 5:00 Hammond, Indiana, United States Won IHC Featherweight Championship
Win 14–5–1 Baret Yoshida KO (punch) UCC Hawaii: Eruption in Hawaii September 17, 2002 2 2:08 Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
Win 13–5–1 Bao Quach Decision (majority) WEC 4 August 31, 2002 3 5:00 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Loss 12–5–1 Ivan Menjivar Decision (unanimous) UCC 10: Battle for the Belts 2002 June 15, 2002 3 5:00 Hull, Quebec, Canada
Win 12–4–1 Max Marin Submission (triangle choke) UA 1: The Genesis January 27, 2002 2 3:46 Hammond, Indiana, United States
Loss 11–4–1 Anthony Hamlett KO (elbow) HOOKnSHOOT: Kings 2 November 18, 2001 1 0:11 Evansville, Indiana, United States For vacant HnS Featherweight Championship.[30]
Draw 11–3–1 Ryoji Yoshizawa Draw HOOKnSHOOT: Quake March 10, 2001 2 5:00 Evansville, Indiana, United States
Win 11–3 Jamie Webb Submission (punches) Freestyle Combat Challenge 3 January 6, 2001 1 2:44 N/A
Win 10–3 Tony DeDolph Decision (split) Extreme Challenge 31 March 24, 2000 3 5:00 Kenosha, Wisconsin, United States
Win 9–3 Ron Matthews Submission (triangle choke) Bangkok Brawl March 20, 2000 N/A N/A Chicago, Illinois, United States
Win 8–3 Sam Wells Submission (triangle choke) Midwest Absolute Challenge December 4, 1999 1 16:04 McHenry, Illinois, United States
Loss 7–3 Phil Johns Submission (strikes) Cage Combat 4 September 26, 1999 1 0:31 Green Bay, Wisconsin, United States
Win 7–2 Jeremy Bolt Submission (triangle choke) ECC: Extreme Combat Challenge August 17, 1999 1 4:30 Illinois, United States
Loss 6–2 Phil Johns KO (punches) HOOKnSHOOT: Rising June 12, 1999 1 N/A Evansville, Indiana, United States
Win 6–1 Charles Barron Submission (armbar) Chicago Challenge 6 May 22, 1999 1 N/A Chicago, Illinois, United States
Win 5–1 Sam Wells Decision Freestyle Combat Challenge 1 April 19, 1999 1 15:00 N/A
Win 4–1 Jeff Rick Submission (rear-naked choke) HOOKnSHOOT: Trial January 30, 1999 1 0:44 Evansville, Indiana, United States
Win 3–1 Larry Koneizka Submission (armbar) Chicago Challenge 5 November 1, 1998 1 N/A Chicago, Illinois, United States
Win 2–1 Jason Chambers Submission (front choke) Chicago Challenge 4 May 30, 1998 1 N/A Chicago, Illinois, United States
Win 1–1 Mike Haltom Submission (armbar) Extreme Challenge 17 April 11, 1998 1 2:58 Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
Loss 0–1 Henry Matamoros Submission Extreme Challenge 13 January 16, 1998 1 11:13 Kenosha, Wisconsin, United States

Submission grappling record

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1 Match, 1 Loss
Result Rec. Opponent Method Event Division Date Location
Lose 0–1 United States Ryan Hall Points ADCC 2009 –66 kg 2009 Spain Spain

Professional boxing record

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5 fights 2 wins 2 losses
By knockout 2 0
By decision 0 2
Draws 1
No. Result Record Opponent Method Round, time Date Location Notes
5 Win 2–2–1 Mexico Miguel Angel Figueroa TKO 3 (4), 1:38 Sep 19, 2008 United States Cicero Stadium, Cicero, Illinois
4 Loss 1–2–1 United States Guadalupe Diaz MD 4 May 11, 2007 United States Cicero Stadium, Cicero, Illinois
3 Loss 1–1–1 United States Raul García UD 4 Jul 21, 2006 United States Aragon Ballroom, Chicago, Illinois
2 Draw 1–0–1 Mexico Emanuel Hernandez PTS 6 Apr 21, 2006 United States Cicero Stadium, Cicero, Illinois
1 Win 1–0 United States Alexis Rubin TKO 4 (4), 2:31 Apr 20, 2005 United States Bourbon Street, Merrionette Park, Illinois Professional debut

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Professor Jeff Curran". teamcurran.com.
  2. ^ "Curran works for another shot at world title". www.nwherald.com. July 19, 2012.
  3. ^ "Team Curran MMA - Mixed Martial Arts in Crystal Lake, IL". Team Curran MMA. Retrieved January 8, 2018.
  4. ^ Dave Doyle (March 1, 2009). "WEC notes: Karalexis heeds wake-up call". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved March 2, 2009.
  5. ^ Hunt, Kelvin (August 11, 2009). "WEC 42 Review: Jeff Curran Thinks He Was Robbed Against Takeya Mizugaki". mmaforreal.com. Retrieved February 19, 2022.
  6. ^ "Nothing found for Absolutenm Templates Dailynews Asp". MMAWeekly.com. Retrieved January 8, 2018.[permanent dead link‍]
  7. ^ "Jeff Curran Stomps Tomohiko Hori". sherdog.com. December 8, 2009. Retrieved February 19, 2022.
  8. ^ "XFO 37 results – Jeff Curran picks up win & Felice Herrig vs. Amanda LaVoy fight video". ULTIMMA.com. December 6, 2010. Archived from the original on September 26, 2015. Retrieved December 6, 2010.
  9. ^ "Jeff Curran Headlines XFO 39". MMARecap.com. Archived from the original on March 18, 2011.
  10. ^ MMA Recap. "MMA Recap". Archived from the original on May 14, 2011. Retrieved May 18, 2011.
  11. ^ MMA Recap. "MMA Recap". MMA Recap. Archived from the original on May 15, 2011. Retrieved May 13, 2011.
  12. ^ "The Big Frog Is Back: Jeff Curran Signs New Deal with UFC". MMAWeekly.com. July 26, 2011.
  13. ^ "Scott Jorgensen Welcomes Jeff Curran Back to the Octagon at UFC 137". MMAWeekly.com. July 26, 2011.
  14. ^ "MMAWeekly Bantamweight MMA Top 10". MMAWeekly.com. July 26, 2011.
  15. ^ G.D. (October 30, 2011). "UFC 137 Results: What we Learned from Scott Jorgensen vs. Jeff Curran". bleacherreport.com. Retrieved February 19, 2022.
  16. ^ "UFC on Fuel TV: Korean Zombie vs. Poirier". ufc.com. March 12, 2012.
  17. ^ Anton Tabuena (June 4, 2012). "UFC Releases Several Fighters From Their Roster". bloodyelbow.com.
  18. ^ "Jeff Curran Out of RFA 8 Main Event; Sergio Pettis Gets New Opponent | MMAWeekly.com". June 12, 2013.
  19. ^ "Keoni Koch Injured, Jeff Curran Steps into RFA 9 Main Event Title Fight | MMAWeekly.com". July 20, 2013.
  20. ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: "Fight of the Week: Pedro Munhoz vs. Jeff Curran RFA 9 ~~~". YouTube.
  21. ^ "MMA vet Jeff Curran retires following RFA 9 title loss". Archived from the original on August 20, 2013.
  22. ^ Jamie Penick (January 28, 2014). "UFC vets Dave Herman, Jeff Curran sign with Titan FC, debut in April on CBS Sports Network". mmatorch.com. Retrieved January 29, 2014.
  23. ^ Jones, Phil (March 31, 2024). "Urijah Faber And Jeff Curran Set For Combat Jiu-Jitsu Rematch". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
  24. ^ Blackett, Todd (April 16, 2024). "Jeff Glover Steps In To Face Urijah Faber In Combat Jiu-Jitsu Match". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  25. ^ "Ty Curran - Little Frog Born: March 19th, 2007 10:52pm". JeffCurran.tv. Retrieved January 8, 2018.
  26. ^ "There must be something in the water". Suckerpunchent.com. December 27, 2008. Retrieved January 1, 2009.
  27. ^ Martin, Damon (July 4, 2020). "UFC vet Jeff Curran brought to tears after being forced to close his gym due to coronavirus pandemic". MMA Fighting. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  28. ^ Saalbach, Axel. "Wrestlingdata.com - The World's Largest Wrestling Database". WrestlingData.com. Retrieved January 8, 2018.
  29. ^ Saalbach, Axel. "Wrestlingdata.com - The World's Largest Wrestling Database". WrestlingData.com. Retrieved January 8, 2018.
  30. ^ "Gladiator Challenge #8at Saboba Casino (results)". FCFighter.com. Retrieved January 8, 2018.
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