Mike Pyle (fighter)

Mike Pyle
Born Michael Wayne Pyle
(1975-09-18) September 18, 1975
Dresden, Tennessee, United States
Other names Quicksand
Nationality American
Height 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)[1]
Weight 170 lb (77 kg; 12 st 2 lb)
Division Welterweight (170 lb)
Reach 74.0 in (188 cm)[2]
Fighting out of Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Team Syndicate MMA
Rank Black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu[3]
Years active 1999–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total 40
Wins 27
By knockout 7
By submission 16
By decision 4
Losses 12
By knockout 6
By submission 4
By decision 2
Draws 1
Other information
Website http://www.mikepyle.tv/
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Michael Wayne Pyle (born September 18, 1975) is an American professional mixed martial artist who competes in the welterweight division of the UFC. A professional competitor since 1999, Pyle is a former WEC Welterweight Champion, and has also competed in Strikeforce, Elite XC, Affliction, M-1 Global, and for the Los Angeles Anacondas of the IFL.

Background

Pyle was born and raised in Dresden, Tennessee until the age of 17 when he moved to Birmingham, Alabama. It was there that he began studying Taekwondo. One of his training partners told him, "Man you gotta check out this cage fighter stuff they got going on. There's this guy who lays on the ground and breaks peoples arms ..." The cage fighting they were talking about was the UFC. The man they were talking about was Royce Gracie, the masterful practitioner of the martial arts discipline known as Brazilian jiu-jitsu who won the tournaments at UFC 1, UFC 2 and UFC 4. Pyle created a gym in a 13 x 15-foot shed behind his mother's home in Dresden, searching for any instructional videos for Brazilian jiu-jitsu he could get his hands on as well attending seminars put together by the Gracie family, whenever they were close enough for him to make the drive. Despite having no formal Brazilian jiu-jitsu training, Pyle would go on to be a successful submission grappler in mixed martial arts, the large majority of his wins coming by submission.[4]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Pyle's first sanctioned amateur MMA fight was in 1999 against future UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Quinton Jackson. The bout was on ISCF MMA & IKF Kickboxing Promoter Jeff Mullen's November 13 event at the New Daisey Theatre in Memphis, Tennessee, (Jackson's hometown). Pyle and Jackson were to be the Main Event and was supposed to be for the ISCF Amateur Mid-South Regional Middleweight Title. However, Jackson weighed in 25 lbs heavy (200 lb.) for the title so technically, Pyle (175 lb.) won by forfeit. But this could not keep these two from going for it in the ring. The young Pyle, who tried various different submissions during the fight, was thrown and slammed several times, at one point being actually throw out of the ring by the future PRIDE veteran. In the end, Jackson won by unanimous decision but Pyle, who had also fought with two broken fingers, felt that he had won and was quick to ask for a rematch. From this fight, Pyle learned that "just jiu-jitsu wasn't going to be able to cut it." [4]

World Extreme Cagefighting

On October 14, 2005, Pyle became the WEC Welterweight Champion by defeating Bret Bergmark. He successfully defended the title against veteran Shonie Carter on January 13, 2006. He defeated Carter by triangle choke submission in the first round.

Pyle then left the WEC for the IFL and was stripped of the title in December 2006.

The IFL and Affliction

Pyle fought three times in the IFL fights as a member of Bas Rutten’s Los Angeles Anacondas. He also fought for Elite XC, Strikeforce, and he was featured on the preliminary card of the first event co-promoted by Affliction Clothing and Adrenaline MMA: Affliction: Banned.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Pyle then signed with the UFC as a replacement for Chris Wilson, fighting Brock Larson at UFC 98. Pyle took the fight on just one week's notice.[5] Pyle lost in the first round via arm-triangle choke.

Next, he fought and defeated Wilson at UFC Fight Night: Diaz vs. Guillard by submission due to a guillotine choke in the third round.[6]

Pyle was defeated by Jake Ellenberger via second round TKO on January 2, 2010 at UFC 108.[7]

Pyle defeated Jesse Lennox at UFC 115 on June 12, 2010.[8] Pyle largely controlled the bout and won via technical submission, when his opponent passed out in a triangle choke late in the third round.[9]

Pyle gave John Hathaway his first professional MMA loss via unanimous decision on October 16, 2010 at UFC 120, replacing an injured Dong Hyun Kim.[10] He controlled the fight for all three rounds, out-striking and out-grappling Hathaway, even going as far as putting Hathaway in a modified crucifix-triangle choke hold and raining down unanswered strikes.[11]

Pyle faced Ricardo Almeida on March 19, 2011 at UFC 128.[12] Pyle won the fight via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28).[13]

Pyle next faced Rory MacDonald on August 6, 2011 at UFC 133.[14] He lost the fight via TKO in the first round.[15]

Pyle was expected to face Paulo Thiago on January 14, 2012 at UFC 142.[16] However, Thiago was forced out of the bout with an injury and replaced by Ricardo Funch.[17] Pyle won the bout via TKO in the first round.[18]

Pyle faced Josh Neer on June 8, 2012 at UFC on FX 3.[19] Pyle defeated Neer via first round KO, earning Knockout of the Night honors.[20][21]

Pyle was then matched up against James Head on December 15, 2012 at The Ultimate Fighter: Team Carwin vs. Team Nelson Finale.[22] He won the fight via TKO in the first round.[23]

Pyle was expected to face Gunnar Nelson on May 25, 2013 at UFC 160.[24] However, Nelson pulled out of the bout citing an injury and was replaced by Rick Story.[25] Although he got knocked down in the end of the first round, Pyle withstood Story's attack and recovered in the second round, coming close to submitting his opponent with a kimura. In the third round Pyle came on strong, landing numerous knees and elbows and hurting Story. Pyle won the fight via split decision.[26]

Pyle next faced Matt Brown on August 17, 2013 at UFC Fight Night 26.[27] Brown defeated Pyle via first round knockout.[28]

Pyle faced TJ Waldburger on February 22, 2014 at UFC 170.[29] He won via TKO in the third round, after hurting Waldburger with two elbows and a knee.[30]

Pyle was expected to face Demian Maia on August 23, 2014 at UFC Fight Night 49.[31] However, Maia pulled out of the fight with an injury and was replaced by Jordan Mein.[32] He lost the fight via TKO in the first round.[33]

Pyle was expected to face Sean Spencer on May 23, 2015 at UFC 187.[34] However, on April 23, Spencer pulled out of the fight with an undisclosed injury and was replaced by Colby Covington.[35] Pyle lost the fight via unanimous decision.[36]

The bout with Spencer was rescheduled and eventually took place on February 6, 2016 at UFC Fight Night 82.[37] Pyle won the back-and-forth fight via TKO in the third round, after landing a spinning elbow and following up with punches, elbows and knees.[38] Pyle was also awarded his first Fight of the Night bonus award.[39]

Pyle next faced Alberto Mina on July 7, 2016 at UFC Fight Night 90.[40] He lost the fight via knockout in the second round.[41]

Pyle is expected to face Alex Garcia on December 30, 2016 at UFC 207.[42]

Personal life

Pyle and his girlfriend were married in October 2009.[43]

Pyle played the role of Capt. Kevin Burke in the movie Universal Soldier: Regeneration starring Jean-Claude Van Damme, Dolph Lundgren and fellow MMA fighter Andrei Arlovski.

Pyle played a small part in the 2012 blockbuster Men In Black III starring Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones.

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts record

Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 27–12–1 Alberto Mina KO (flying knee and punches) UFC Fight Night: dos Anjos vs. Alvarez July 7, 2016 2 1:17 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 27–11–1 Sean Spencer TKO (elbows and knees) UFC Fight Night: Hendricks vs. Thompson February 6, 2016 3 4:25 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Fight of the Night.
Loss 26–11–1 Colby Covington Decision (unanimous) UFC 187 May 23, 2015 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 26–10–1 Jordan Mein TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. dos Anjos August 23, 2014 1 1:12 Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States
Win 26–9–1 TJ Waldburger TKO (elbows and punches) UFC 170 February 22, 2014 3 4:03 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 25–9–1 Matt Brown KO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Shogun vs. Sonnen August 17, 2013 1 0:29 Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Win 25–8–1 Rick Story Decision (split) UFC 160 May 25, 2013 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 24–8–1 James Head TKO (knee and punches) The Ultimate Fighter: Team Carwin vs. Team Nelson Finale December 15, 2012 1 1:55 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 23–8–1 Josh Neer KO (punch) UFC on FX: Johnson vs. McCall June 8, 2012 1 4:56 Sunrise, Florida, United States Knockout of the Night.
Win 22–8–1 Ricardo Funch TKO (knee and punches) UFC 142 January 14, 2012 1 1:22 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Loss 21–8–1 Rory MacDonald TKO (punches) UFC 133 August 6, 2011 1 3:54 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Win 21–7–1 Ricardo Almeida Decision (unanimous) UFC 128 March 19, 2011 3 5:00 Newark, New Jersey, United States
Win 20–7–1 John Hathaway Decision (unanimous) UFC 120 October 16, 2010 3 5:00 London, England
Win 19–7–1 Jesse Lennox Technical Submission (triangle choke) UFC 115 June 12, 2010 3 4:44 Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Loss 18–7–1 Jake Ellenberger TKO (punches) UFC 108 January 2, 2010 2 0:22 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 18–6–1 Chris Wilson Submission (guillotine choke) UFC Fight Night: Diaz vs. Guillard September 16, 2009 3 2:15 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
Loss 17–6–1 Brock Larson Submission (arm-triangle choke) UFC 98 May 23, 2009 1 3:06 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 17–5–1 Brian Gassaway Submission (armbar) SuperFights MMA: Night of Combat 2 October 11, 2008 1 4:21 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 16–5–1 J.J. Ambrose Submission (rear-naked choke) Affliction: Banned July 19, 2008 1 2:51 Anaheim, California, United States
Win 15–5–1 Dan Hornbuckle Submission (triangle choke) World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku 2 May 18, 2008 1 4:52 Tokyo, Japan
Win 14–5–1 Damir Mirenic Submission (kimura) HCF: Destiny February 1, 2008 2 1:24 Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Loss 13–5–1 Jake Shields Submission (rear-naked choke) EliteXC: Renegade November 10, 2007 1 3:39 Corpus Christi, Texas, United States
Win 13–4–1 Aaron Wetherspoon Decision (unanimous) Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Baroni June 22, 2007 3 5:00 San Jose, California, United States
Win 12–4–1 Ross Ebañez Submission (rear-naked choke) EliteXC: Destiny February 10, 2007 1 1:55 Southaven, Mississippi, United States
Loss 11–4–1 Matt Horwich Submission (rear-naked choke) IFL: World Championship Semifinals November 2, 2006 2 1:02 Portland, Oregon, United States
Win 11–3–1 John Cole Technical Submission (guillotine choke) IFL: Portland September 9, 2006 1 0:17 Portland, Oregon, United States
Loss 10–3–1 Rory Markham KO (punch) IFL: Legends Championship 2006 April 29, 2006 1 0:44 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win 10–2–1 Gustavo Machado TKO (punches) GFC: Team Gracie vs. Team Hammer House March 3, 2006 1 1:20 Columbus, Ohio, United States
Win 9–2–1 Shonie Carter Submission (triangle choke) WEC 18 January 13, 2006 1 2:06 Lemoore, California, United States Defended the WEC Welterweight Championship.
Win 8–2–1 Bret Bergmark Submission (triangle choke) WEC 17 October 14, 2005 1 3:36 Lemoore, California, United States Won the WEC Welterweight Championship.
Win 7–2–1 Tony Sanza Submission (rear-naked choke) SportFight 12 September 16, 2005 1 1:06 Portland, Oregon, United States
Win 6–2–1 Damian Hatch Submission (rear-naked choke) SportFight 10 May 28, 2005 1 2:07 Gresham, Oregon, United States
Win 5–2–1 Patrick Suhl KO (punches) Viking Fight 5 May 2, 2004 1 1:31 Copenhagen, Denmark Won the Viking Fight Middleweight Championship.[44]
Win 4–2–1 Petras Markevicius Submission (triangle choke) Viking Fight 5 May 2, 2004 2 0:55 Copenhagen, Denmark
Win 3–2–1 Arschak Dahabagian Submission (triangle choke) Viking Fight 4 February 1, 2004 2 3:39 Copenhagen, Denmark
Loss 2–2–1 Valdas Pocevicius Submission (guillotine choke) Shooto November 14, 2003 1 3:37 Vilnius, Lithuania
Draw 2–1–1 Andrei Semenov Draw M-1 MFC: Russia vs. the World 5 April 6, 2003 1 10:00 St. Petersburg, Russia Special rules bout; non-stoppage resulted in draw.
Win 2–1 Daan Kooiman Submission (rear-naked choke) Viking Fight 3 February 15, 2003 1 0:49 Aarhus, Denmark
Win 1–1 Jon Fitch Submission (rear-naked choke) Revolution Fighting Championship 1 July 13, 2002 1 2:35 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 0–1 Quinton Jackson Decision (unanimous) ISCF: Memphis November 13, 1999 3 5:00 Memphis, Tennessee, United States Catchweight (205 lbs) bout; Pyle weighted in at 175 lbs.[45]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Fight Card - UFC 187 Johnson vs. Cormier". UFC.com. Retrieved May 31, 2015.
  2. ↑ "Fight Card - UFC Fight Night Henderson vs. Dos Anjos". UFC.com. Retrieved August 24, 2014.
  3. ↑ "Mike Pyle - Official UFC Fighter Profile". UFC.com. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
  4. 1 2 Ben Fowlkes (December 23, 2010). "My First Fight: Mike Pyle". mmafighting.com.
  5. ↑ "Welterweight Mike Pyle tapped as "standby" fighter for UFC 98". mmajunkie.com. May 19, 2009.
  6. ↑ "UFC Fight Night 19: Chris Wilson vs Mike Pyle in the works for Sept. 16". mmamania.com. July 6, 2009.
  7. ↑ "Jake Ellenberger vs Mike Pyle on tap for Jan. 2". mmamania.com. October 27, 2009.
  8. ↑ "Mike Pyle vs. Jesse Lennox in the works for UFC 115 in Vancouver". mmajunkie.com. February 15, 2010.
  9. ↑ "Mike Pyle taps out Jesse Lennox in UFC 115 undercard in Vancouver". ngnews.ca. June 12, 2010.
  10. ↑ Mike Chiappetta. "Mike Pyle Replaces Injured Dong Hyun Kim, Will Face John Hathaway at UFC 120". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2010-07-20.
  11. ↑ Nate Wilcox. "UFC 120 Results: Mike Pyle dominates John Hathaway". bloodyelbow.com. Retrieved 2010-10-16.
  12. ↑ "Ricardo Almeida vs Mike Pyle Targeted for UFC 128 -- MMA Fighting". mmafighting.com. December 25, 2010.
  13. ↑ Leland Roling. "UFC 128 Results: Mike Pyle defeats Ricardo Almeida by unanimous decision". bloodyelbow.com. Retrieved 2011-03-19.
  14. ↑ "UFC 133: Welterweights Rory MacDonald vs. Mike Pyle Set for Aug. 6 in Philly". mmafrenzy.com. May 23, 2011.
  15. ↑ Michael David Smith (August 6, 2011). "UFC 133: Rory MacDonald Whips Mike Pyle". mmafighting.com.
  16. ↑ "Paulo Thiago vs. Mike Pyle at UFC 142". tatame.com. November 22, 2011.
  17. ↑ "Ricardo Funch In To Face Mike Pyle at UFC 142". mmaweekly.com. December 17, 2011. Retrieved December 17, 2011.
  18. ↑ Staff (2012-01-15). "UFC 142 results: Mike Pyle knocks TKOs Ricardo Funch in 82 seconds". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2012-01-15.
  19. ↑ "Mike Pyle: I'm fighting Josh Neer at UFC on FX 3 on June 8". mmamania.com. March 22, 2012.
  20. ↑ "UFC on FX 3 results: Mike Pyle knocks out Josh Neer with one punch". mmajunkie.com. June 9, 2012. Retrieved June 9, 2012.
  21. ↑ "UFC on FX 3 bonuses: Pyle, Silva, Wineland and Jorgensen earn $40K bonuses". mmajunkie.com. June 9, 2012. Retrieved June 9, 2012.
  22. ↑ "Mike Pyle says he's fighting James Head at The Ultimate Fighter 16 Finale". mmajunkie.com. 2012-09-24. Retrieved September 24, 2012.
  23. ↑ Luke Thomas (2012-12-15). "TUF 16 Finale Results: Mike Pyle stops James Head with strikes from the Thai clinch". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2012-12-15.
  24. ↑ John Morgan (February 28, 2013). "Gunnar Nelson meets Mike Pyle at May's UFC 160 in Las Vegas". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved February 28, 2013.
  25. ↑ Staff (April 10, 2013). "Rick Story replaces Gunnar Nelson, meets Mike Pyle at UFC 160". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved April 10, 2013.
  26. ↑ Steven Marrocco (2015-05-25). "UFC 160 results/photos: Mike Pyle beats Rick Story in close split decision". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2013-05-25.
  27. ↑ Mookie Alexander (2013-07-03). "Thiago Alves injured, Mike Pyle now fights Matt Brown at UFC on Fox Sports 1 in Boston". bloodyelbow.com. Retrieved 2013-07-03.
  28. ↑ Matt Erickson (2015-08-17). "UFC Fight Night 26 results and photos: Matt Brown tears through Mike Pyle". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2013-08-17.
  29. ↑ Jason Floyd (2013-12-11). "Mike Pyle vs. TJ Waldburger is the latest addition to UFC 170". themmareport.com. Retrieved 2013-12-11.
  30. ↑ Dallas Winston (2014-02-22). "UFC 170 Results: Mike Pyle thumps T.J. Waldburger, scores 3rd round TKO". bloodyelbow.com. Retrieved 2014-02-22.
  31. ↑ Staff (2014-07-02). "UFC Fight Night 49 adds Demian Maia vs. Mike Pyle". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-07-02.
  32. ↑ Jason Floyd (August 6, 2014). "Jordan Mein vs. Mike Pyle booked for UFC Fight Night 49 co-main event following injuries to Brandon Thatch and Demian Maia". themmareport.com. Retrieved August 6, 2014.
  33. ↑ Gene Mrosko (2014-08-23). "UFC Fight Night 49 results: Jordan Mein finishes Mike Pyle in the first round". mmamania.com. Retrieved 2014-08-23.
  34. ↑ Staff (2015-02-28). "Mike Pyle vs. Sean Spencer added to stacked UFC 187 lineup". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-02-28.
  35. ↑ Staff (2015-05-02). "Colby Covington replaces Sean Spencer, meets Mike Pyle at UFC 187". themmareport.com. Retrieved 2015-05-02.
  36. ↑ Ben Fowlkes (2015-05-23). "UFC 187 results: Colby Covington survives Mike Pyle's late rally to take decision". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-05-23.
  37. ↑ Staff (2015-12-13). "UFC Fight Night 82 adds Pyle-Spencer". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-12-13.
  38. ↑ Ben Fowlkes (2016-02-06). "UFC Fight Night 82 results: 40-year-old Mike Pyle takes out Sean Spencer in third". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-02-06.
  39. ↑ Tristen Critchfield (2016-02-07). "UFC Fight Night 82 Bonuses: Thompson, Pyle, Spencer, Rivas take home $50K". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2016-02-07.
  40. ↑ Staff (2016-05-03). "UFC Fight Night 90 adds number of new bouts, including Mike Pyle vs. Alberto Mina". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-05-03.
  41. ↑ Brent Brookhouse (2016-07-07). "UFC Fight Night 90 results: Alberto Mina blasts Mike Pyle with flying knee for second-round knockout". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-07-07.
  42. ↑ Adam Hill (2016-10-12). "2 fights added to December UFC cards in Las Vegas". reviewjournal.com. Retrieved 2016-10-12.
  43. ↑ "Mike Pyle ready to prove he belongs in the UFC". 2009-09-15. Retrieved 2009-09-18.
  44. ↑ http://www.foxsports.com/ufc/mike-pyle-fighter
  45. ↑ http://www.mmafighting.com/2010/12/23/my-first-fight-mike-pyle
Vacant
Title last held by
Karo Parisyan		 4th WEC Welterweight Champion
October 14, 2005 – December 11, 2006 		Vacant
Pyle signs with IFL
Title next held by
Carlos Condit
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