Jimi Manuwa

Jimi Manuwa
Born Samuel Babajimi Manuwa
(1980-02-18) 18 February 1980
Sacramento, California, United States[1]
Other names Poster Boy
Nationality English
Height 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)[2]
Weight 205 lb (93 kg; 14.6 st)
Division Light Heavyweight
Reach 79 in (201 cm)[3]
Fighting out of London, England
Team Allstars Training Center[4]
Lions Pride MMA
Keddles Gym
Nova Forca UK
Rank Purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Ricardo da Silva[5]
Years active 2008-present
Mixed martial arts record
Total 18
Wins 16
By knockout 14
By submission 1
By decision 1
Losses 2
By knockout 2
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Samuel Babajimi Manuwa (born 18 February 1980) is an English mixed martial artist, who competes in the light heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. As of 11 April 2015, he is #5 in official UFC light heavyweight rankings.[6]

Mixed martial arts career

Manuwa began training in mixed martial arts in 2007 following a weight lifting injury where he ruptured a chest muscle. He currently trains at Keddles Gym with Alan Keddle and Dino Miringou and at Nova Forca BJJ with Ricardo Da Silva.

UCMMA

Manuwa fought for the UCMMA name since his third fight, becoming the promotion's champion in his third fight under them. He has successfully defended his title 5 times, more than any other champion in the company, past or present.

During this time period, Manuwa famously turned down a contract offer from the Ultimate Fighting Championship, feeling it wasn't the right time in his career to accept it. He did state that reaching the UFC was his "ultimate goal" in the future.[7] He was then offered to fight at the UFC 138 event, but also refused that one, citing that he hasn't competed since summer of 2010, and that "If he fought on the October card that would have been after a fifteen month layoff, which is not ideal under any circumstances. You do need to be fighting regularly to stay sharp..."[8]

He successfully defend his title for the 5th time at UCMMA 24: Hands of War against Nick Chapman.[9]

BAMMA

After defending his title a record 5th time, Manuwa signed a four-fight exclusive contract with BAMMA. He made his debut at BAMMA 8.[10] He faced Frenchman Antony Rea and won the fight via TKO.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

After turning down a UFC contract a few years ago, Manuwa signed with the promotion in July 2012.

Manuwa made his UFC debut against TUF 8 contestant Kyle Kingsbury at UFC on Fuel TV 5, winning after 2 rounds by TKO due to doctor stoppage.[11] The stoppage was declared after Kingsbury's left eye had swollen shut.

For his second fight with the promotion, Manuwa faced Cyrille Diabaté on 16 February 2013 at UFC on Fuel TV: Barao vs. McDonald. Manuwa was declared the winner (TKO) after Diabaté was unable to continue after tearing a calf muscle near the end of the first round.[12]

Manuwa returned to face Ryan Jimmo on 26 October 2013 at UFC Fight Night 30.[13] For the second time in a row, Manuwa's opponent injured his leg during the fight and this resulted in a TKO victory for Manuwa.[14]

Manuwa faced former title challenger Alexander Gustafsson in the main event at UFC Fight Night 37 on 8 March 2014 in London.[15] He lost the fight via TKO in the second round, resulting in the first loss of his professional career. Despite the defeat, Manuwa earned his first Fight of the Night bonus for the fight.[16]

Manuwa was expected to face Maurício Rua at UFC Fight Night 56 on 8 November 2014 in Brazil.[17] However, on 29 October, it was announced that Manuwa had pulled out of the fight due to an injury, and that Ovince St. Preux would replace him against Rua.[18]

After over a year away from the sport, Manuwa returned to face Jan Błachowicz on 11 April 2015 at UFC Fight Night 64.[19] Manuwa won the fight via unanimous decision, this is the first time Manuwa has gone the distance in his MMA career.[20]

Manuwa faced Anthony Johnson on 5 September 2015 at UFC 191.[21] He lost the fight via knockout early in the second round.[22]

Manuwa was briefly linked to a matchup with Nikita Krylov on 27 February 2016 at UFC Fight Night 84.[23] However, Manuwa was scratched from the contest with an undiclosed injury in late December and the bout cancelled.[24]

Manuwa faced Ovince Saint Preux on 8 October 2016 at UFC 204.[25] He won the fight via knockout in the second round and was awarded a Performance of the Night bonus.[26][27]

Manuwa is expected to face Glover Teixeira on 21 January 2017 at UFC 208.[28]

Personal life

Manuwa is of Nigerian descent. MTV UK did a documentary on MMA in the UK, with Manuwa, Jack Marshman and Cory Tait being filmed in the build-ups of their fights and the training and lifestyles involved.[29] He is a supporter of West Ham United.[30] In 2014, Manuwa showed off his tattoos for PETA's anti-fur "Ink Not Mink" ad campaign.[31] Jimi was imprisoned in 2002 for conspiracy to burgle and released in 2003. [32]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

Mixed martial arts record

Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 16–2 Ovince Saint Preux KO (punches) UFC 204 October 8, 2016 2 2:38 Manchester, England Performance of the Night.
Loss 15–2 Anthony Johnson KO (punches) UFC 191 September 5, 2015 2 0:28 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 15–1 Jan Błachowicz Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Gonzaga vs. Cro Cop 2 April 11, 2015 3 5:00 Kraków, Poland
Loss 14–1 Alexander Gustafsson TKO (knee and punches) UFC Fight Night: Gustafsson vs. Manuwa March 8, 2014 2 1:18 London, England Fight of the Night.
Win 14–0 Ryan Jimmo TKO (leg injury) UFC Fight Night: Machida vs. Munoz October 26, 2013 2 4:41 Manchester, England
Win 13–0 Cyrille Diabaté TKO (leg injury) UFC on Fuel TV: Barao vs. McDonald February 16, 2013 1 5:00 London, England
Win 12–0 Kyle Kingsbury TKO (doctor stoppage) UFC on Fuel TV: Struve vs. Miocic September 29, 2012 2 5:00 Nottingham, England
Win 11–0 Antony Rea TKO (retirement) BAMMA 8: Manuwa vs. Rea December 10, 2011 1 5:00 Nottingham, England
Win 10–0 Nick Chapman TKO (knees) UCMMA 24 October 22, 2011 1 2:14 London, England Defended the UCMMA Light Heavyweight Championship.
Win 9–0 Valentino Petrescu KO (punch) UCMMA 14: Invincible August 7, 2010 1 3:08 London, England Defended the UCMMA Light Heavyweight Championship.
Win 8–0 Reza Meldavian TKO (punches) UCMMA 12: Never Back Down May 8, 2010 1 3:19 London, England Defended the UCMMA Light Heavyweight Championship.
Win 7–0 Shaun Lomas TKO (punches) UCMMA 9: Fighting for Heroes December 5, 2009 1 3:58 London, England Defended the UCMMA Light Heavyweight Championship.
Win 6–0 Luke Blythe KO (punch) UCMMA 6: Payback August 22, 2009 2 4:22 London, England Defended the UCMMA Light Heavyweight Championship.
Win 5–0 Ryan Robinson TKO (punches) UCMMA 4: Relentless May 9, 2009 1 2:03 London, England Won the UCMMA Light Heavyweight Championship.
Win 4–0 Jamie Hearn Submission (guillotine choke) UCMMA 2: Unbreakable February 7, 2009 1 1:49 London, England
Win 3–0 Chris Greig TKO (punches) UCMMA 1 December 6, 2008 2 1:35 London, England
Win 2-0 Dave Rintoul TKO (punch) FX3 9 September 13, 2008 1 3:10 Reading, England
Win 1–0 Tom King TKO (punches) FCFN 8 July 26, 2008 1 4:25 Portsmouth, England

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Late Bloomer". Sherdog.com. Retrieved 2016-04-28.
  2. ↑ "Fight Card - UFC 191 Johnson vs. Dodson 2". UFC.com. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  3. ↑ "Jimi Manuwa". tapology.com. Retrieved 2015-07-30.
  4. ↑ "Jimi Manuwa, now training with Gustafsson, no longer idolizing 'Shogun' - MMAjunkie". MMAjunkie.
  5. ↑ "Jimi Manuwa - Official UFC Fighter Profile". UFC.com. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  6. ↑ "Fighter Rankings - UFC ®". UFC.
  7. ↑ "Manuwa explains UFC offer". thefightlounge.co.uk. 2011-09-19.
  8. ↑
  9. ↑
  10. ↑ "BAMMA Signs Top British Light Heavyweight Fighter". mmaweekly.com. Retrieved 2011-10-24.
  11. ↑ "Manuwa Draws Kingsbury At UFC On Fuel 5". YourMMA.tv. 21 July 2012.
  12. ↑ Mike Bohn (2013-02-17). "Cyrille Diabate suffers torn right calf muscle in UFC on FUEL TV 7 defeat to Jimi Manuwa". mmamania.com. Retrieved 2013-02-17.
  13. ↑ Ariel Helwani (2013-08-09). "Jimi Manuwa vs. Ryan Jimmo targeted for UFC's return to England". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2013-08-09.
  14. ↑ Steven Marrocco. "UFC Fight Night 30 results: Ryan Jimmo injury results in TKO loss to Jimi Manuwa". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved 2013-10-26.
  15. ↑ Staff. "Jimi Manuwa meets Alexander Gustafsson when UFC returns to London in March". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved 2013-11-05.
  16. ↑ John Morgan (2014-03-08). "UFC Fight Night 37 bonuses: Alexander Gustafsson earns dual awards". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-03-08.
  17. ↑ Thomas Myers (2014-09-03). "Shogun Rua vs Jimi Manuwa fight targeted for UFC Fight Night 56 in Brazil". mmamania.com. Retrieved 2014-09-03.
  18. ↑ Staff (2014-10-29). "Jimi Manuwa out at UFC Fight Night 56, Ovince Saint Preux now meets 'Shogun' Rua". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-10-29.
  19. ↑ Staff (2015-01-23). "UFC Fight Night 64 heads to Poland with Cro Cop-Gonzaga II, Blachowicz-Manuwa". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-01-23.
  20. ↑ Ben Fowlkes (2015-04-11). "UFC Fight Night 64 results: Jimi Manuwa outstrikes Jan Blachowicz to take decision". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-04-11.
  21. ↑ Damon Martin (2015-07-30). "Anthony Johnson now faces Jimi Manuwa at UFC 191 in Las Vegas". foxsports.com. Retrieved 2015-07-30.
  22. ↑ Steven Marrocco (2015-09-05). "UFC 191 results: Anthony Johnson drills Jimi Manuwa for second-round knockout". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-09-05.
  23. ↑ Guilherme Cruz (2015-12-23). "Jimi Manuwa vs. Nikita Krylov added to London's UFC Fight Night 83". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2015-12-23.
  24. ↑ Tristen Critchfield (2015-12-31). "Jimi Manuwa injured; Bout vs. Nikita Krylov at UFC Fight Night London canceled". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2015-12-31.
  25. ↑ Ariel Helwani (2016-08-03). "Jimi Manuwa vs. Ovince Saint Preux targeted for UFC 204". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2016-08-03.
  26. ↑ Damon Martin (2016-10-08). "Jimi Manuwa crushes Ovince Saint Preux with highlight-reel KO". foxsports.com. Retrieved 2016-10-08.
  27. ↑ Tristen Critchfield (2016-10-08). "UFC 204 bonuses: Bisping, Henderson, Manuwa, Alcântara pocket $50K". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2016-10-09.
  28. ↑ Brett Okamoto (2016-11-28). "Glover Teixeira, Jimi Manuwa agree to UFC 208 fight". espn.com. Retrieved 2016-11-28.
  29. ↑ "Latest Music News, Charts, Playlists and Videos | MTV UK". Mtv.co.uk. 2014-04-29. Retrieved 2016-04-28.
  30. ↑ "Carlton Cole has West Ham fight club goal". Thesun.co.uk. 2006-05-24. Retrieved 2016-04-28.
  31. ↑ "Jimi 'Poster Boy' Manuwa in PETA's Ink Not Mink Campaign," FameMagazine.co.uk, 10 March 2014.
  32. ↑ http://www.croydonadvertiser.co.uk/cage-fighting-helped-turn-life/story-11372229-detail/story.html

External links

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