Joe Warren (fighter)

Joseph Ryan Warren (born October 31, 1976) is an American Greco-Roman wrestler and mixed martial artist who most recently competed for Bellator MMA.[2] In Bellator, Warren became the first fighter in the promotions history to become world champion in 2 divisions, winning the Bellator Featherweight World Championship in 2010 and the Bantamweight World Championship in 2014. As a Greco-Roman wrestler, he won the 2006 Pan American and World Championship and was a favorite for the 2008 Olympics. He later participated in and won the Gold Medal at the 2007 World Cup.

Joe Warren
BornJoseph Ryan Warren
(1976-10-31) October 31, 1976
Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States
Other namesThe Baddest Man on the Planet
ResidenceDenver, Colorado
NationalityAmerican
Height5 ft 6 in (168 cm)
Weight135 lb (61 kg; 9 st 9 lb)
DivisionBantamweight (2012–present)
Featherweight (2009–2012)
Reach69 in (175 cm)[1]
StyleGreco-Roman Wrestling, Boxing
StanceOrthodox
Fighting out ofDenver, Colorado
TeamFactory X
WrestlingNCAA Division I Wrestling
Years active2009–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total23
Wins15
By knockout3
By submission2
By decision10
Losses8
By knockout3
By submission3
By decision2
UniversityUniversity of Michigan
SpouseChristy Cech
Children2
Notable club(s)The New York Athletic Club
Notable school(s)East Kentwood High School
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Joe Warren
Medal record
Men's Greco-Roman wrestling
Representing  United States
World Championships
2006 Guangzhou -60 kg
World Cup
2007 Antalya-60 kg
Pan American Championships
2006 Rio de Janeiro-60 kg
United States Championships
2007 Las Vegas-60 kg
2006 Las Vegas-60 kg
2005 Las Vegas-60 kg
2004 Las Vegas-60 kg

During the end of 2008 Warren started transitioning to mixed martial arts, and on March 8, 2009, he made his professional debut. He has competed for Bellator MMA, and Dream in Japan. He is a former Bellator Bantamweight Champion and former Bellator Featherweight Champion. Warren is currently ranked as the #24 Bantamweight in the world by fightmatrix.com.[3]

Greco-Roman wrestling career

Warren practiced freestyle wrestling before switching to Greco-Roman.[4] He began his career at East Kentwood High School where he placed 3 times in Division one with one state championship coming during his senior year and held the national takedown record. He wrestled for the University of Michigan.[4]

He won the 60 kilograms (130 lb) division of men's Greco-Roman wrestling at the 2006 FILA Wrestling World Championships and was a favorite for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. Other accomplishments include 6th at the 2000 World University Championship at 63 kilograms (139 lb), 9th at the 2005 FILA Wrestling World Championships, 1st at the 2006 Pan American Championship and 1st at the 2007 World Cup all at 60 kg.[5] In 2007 he missed Pan American Games at Rio de Janeiro because of positive test for cannabis.[6] In 2008 he got 2 years ban from international wrestling competition and missed 2008 Summer Olympics.

On December 18, 2010, it was reported that Warren would be making a return to wrestling, to try to qualify for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.[7] This did not occur.

Mixed martial arts career

DREAM

Joe Warren started a transition to MMA in 2008 and joined up with Team Quest where he got to train with fellow Greco-Roman wrestler and Pride Fighting Championship Champion Dan Henderson.[8] His MMA debut was on March 8, 2009, at Dream.7, where he defeated former WEC Bantamweight Champion Chase Beebe by TKO (doctor stoppage) after the first round due to a cut Beebe received over his right eye.[9] In the second round of the tournament, at Dream.9 on May 26, 2009, he was matched up with and defeated former K-1 Hero's Lightweight Grand Prix Champion, and formerly 17–1,[10] Norifumi Yamamoto in his first fight after a 512-day layoff officially due to elbow and knee injuries.[4][11] In preparation for the bout Warren trained with former WEC Featherweight Champion Urijah Faber and his Team Alpha Male after Faber called Warren and told him he knew how to defeat Yamamoto.[4] Faber had previously prepared Joseph Benavidez to fight Yamamoto in July 2008, but the fight did not happen as Yamamoto pulled out three days before the fight. Warren's fight happened as planned though, and after going the allotted 15 minutes Warren was awarded a split decision victory.[11][12]

The final two rounds of the tournament took place at Dream 11 which took place on October 6, 2009. In his scheduled semi-final bout Warren fought Brazilian jiu-jitsu expert Bibiano Fernandes,[13] where he quickly lost due to a controversial first-round armbar after securing a takedown.

2010

On February 1, 2010, Warren officially announced that he signed with Bellator Fighting Championships, and that he would compete in the Featherweight tournament during Bellator's Season 2.

At Bellator 13, Warren fought in a quarter-final bout against Eric Marriott. Warren dominated the fight with his wrestling and took the fight on all three judges score cards, giving him the unanimous decision win. Warren advanced to the semi-final round where he defeated Georgi Karakhanyan via unanimous decision at Bellator 18.

On June 24, 2010, Warren won the Bellator featherweight tournament by claiming a split-decision over Patricio Freire. Joe was both dropped and caught in a rear-naked choke in the first round. He came back in rounds 2 and 3 by scoring takedowns followed by a ground and pound attack. The official scores were (29–28), (28–29), and (29–28). After the fight, Bellator Fighting Championships Featherweight Champion Joe Soto came into the ring and the two exchanged words, with Warren telling Soto "you've got my belt" and Soto promising to hold onto the title.

The title fight took place on September 2, 2010 at Bellator 27 in the third season of Bellator Fighting Championships. This was Warren's first title shot. Following a dominant opening round by Soto, Warren won the fight via KO (strikes) in the opening minute of the second round to become the new Bellator Featherweight champion.

2011

Warren faced Marcos Galvão in a non-title fight on April 16, 2011 at Bellator 41. In the fight Galvão negated a majority of Warren's offense for the first two rounds by showing strong takedown defense, taking down Warren multiple times, taking Warren's back, and executing good knees from the clinch. In the third round he was taken down by Warren and controlled throughout the round. At the end of the fight, Bellator color commentator, Jimmy Smith, believed Galvão won the fight 29–28. Along with Smith, many top MMA sites, (MMAJunkie, Sherdog, MMAFighting, MMASpot), all believed that Galvão won the fight by 29–28. It was then announced that Warren had won the fight via unanimous decision (30–27, 29–28, 29–28).[14]

Warren was expected to put his title on the line versus Patricio Freire at Bellator 47 on July 23, 2011, but had to be postponed due to Pitbull's unexpected injury.[15]

In the fall of 2011, Warren was entered the Bellator Season 5 bantamweight tournament. He was hoping to become the promotion's first two division champion.[16] Warren faced fellow amateur wrestling world champion, Alexis Vila, at Bellator 51, in the quarterfinal round of Bellator's season five bantamweight tournament.[17] He lost the fight via KO in the first round.

2012

Warren fought Pat Curran on March 9, 2012 at Bellator 60 in the first defense of his Bellator Featherweight Championship.[18] He lost the fight via KO in the third round.[19]

After losing the title, Warren returned and faced Owen Evinger on November 9, 2012 at Bellator 80. He won the fight via unanimous decision.[20]

2013

On February 5, 2013, it was announced that Warren would be one of the four coaches to appear on the promotion's reality series titled Fight Master: Bellator MMA.[21]

Joe Warren was set to fight Nick Kirk at Bellator 98 in the semifinal match of Bellator season nine bantamweight tournament, however he was not cleared to fight because he was knocked out in a sparring session prior to the fight. The fight was then rescheduled for Bellator 101 on September 27, 2013.[22] Warren won via submission in the second round.[23]

Warren faced Travis Marx in the finals on November 8, 2013 at Bellator 107.[24] He won via TKO in the second round to win the Bellator season nine Bantamweight tournament.

2014

Warren was scheduled to face Bellator Bantamweight champion Eduardo Dantas at Bellator 118. However, on April 26, 2014 it was revealed that Dantas was injured head and withdrew from the fight. Warren was to face Rafael Silva in an Interim Bantamweight title fight. Silva, however, missed weight and the promotion made the interim title available only if Warren were to win.[25] Warren won the fight via unanimous decision to become the Bellator Interim Bantamweight champion.

Warren faced Eduardo Dantas in a title unification bout on October 10, 2014 at Bellator 128.[26] He won the fight via unanimous decision to become the undisputed Bellator Bantamweight Champion.

2015

Warren made his first bantamweight title defense against Marcos Galvão in a rematch on March 27, 2015 at Bellator 135.[27] He lost the fight and the title via verbal submission due to a kneebar in the second round.

Warren faced WEC and Bellator veteran L.C. Davis in the main event of Bellator 143 on September 25, 2015.[28] He won the fight via unanimous decision.

2016

Warren next faced undefeated prospect Darrion Caldwell in a title eliminator in the main event at Bellator 151 on March 4, 2016. He lost the fight via technical submission due to a rear-naked choke in the first round.

Warren faced Sirwan Kakai at Bellator 161 on September 16, 2016. He won the fight via guillotine choke submission in the third round.[29]

Warren faced Eduardo Dantas in a rematch at Bellator 166 on December 2, 2016, for the Bellator bantamweight championship.[30] He lost the fight via majority decision.

2017

Warren faced prospect Steve Garcia at Bellator 181 on July 14, 2017. He won the fight by unanimous decision.[31]

2018

Warren faced Joe Taimanglo at Bellator 195 on March 2, 2018.[32] He lost the fight via split decision.[33]

Warren next faced Shawn Bunch on November 30, 2018 at Bellator 210. He lost the bout via first round technical knockout.

Departure

After 2 years of inactivity, Bellator MMA announced on October 27, 2020, that Warren had been released from the promotion.[34]

Personal life

Warren and his wife have a son who was born July 5, 2008[4] and a girl, Maddox Reese Warren, who was born March 4, 2010.[35] On October 29th 2019 Joe started a Go Fund Me so he can make a run for a return to the mat at the 2020 Olympics, but he did not receive any donations.

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

Professional wrestling

Amateur wrestling
  • International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles
    • 2007 World Cup Senior Greco-Roman Gold Medalist
    • 2007 Dave Schultz Memorial International Open Senior Greco-Roman Silver Medalist
    • 2006 FILA Wrestling World Championships Senior Greco-Roman Gold Medalist
    • 2006 Pan American Championships Senior-Greco Roman Gold Medalist
    • 2005 Sunkist Kids/ASU International Open Senior Greco-Roman Gold Medalist
    • 2005 Dave Schultz Memorial International Open Senior Greco-Roman Gold Medalist
    • 2004 Henri Deglane Challenge Senior Greco-Roman Bronze Medalist
    • 2004 Dave Schultz Memorial International Open Senior Greco-Roman Silver Medalist
    • 2003 NYAC Christmas International Open Senior Greco-Roman Gold Medalist
    • 2003 Henri Deglane Challenge Senior Greco-Roman Silver Medalist
    • 2003 Sunkist Kids International Open Senior Greco-Roman Gold Medalist
    • 2002 Henri Deglane Challenge Senior Greco-Roman Silver Medalist
    • 2002 Dave Schultz Memorial International Open Senior Greco-Roman Silver Medalist
  • USA Wrestling
    • FILA World Team Trials Senior Greco-Roman Winner (2005, 2006, 2007)
    • USA Senior Greco-Roman National Championship (2005, 2006, 2007)
    • USA Senior Greco-Roman National Championship 3rd Place (2004)
    • USA Wrestling Greco-Roman Wrestler of the Year (2006)
    • USA University Greco-Roman National Championship (1998)
    • 2005 NYAC Holiday Tournament Senior Greco-Roman Gold Medalist
    • 2004 NYAC Christmas Championships Senior Greco-Roman Gold Medalist
    • 2004 USA Olympic Team Trials Senior Greco-Roman Runner-up
    • 2002 NYAC Christmas Classic Senior Greco-Roman Silver Medalist
  • National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum
    • Alan and Gloria Rice Greco-Roman Hall of Champions Inductee (2009)
  • National Collegiate Athletic Association
  • Michigan High School Athletic Association
    • MHSAA Class A High School State Championship (1995)
    • MHSAA Class A High School State Championship 3rd Place (1994)
    • MHSAA Class A All-State (1993, 1994, 1995)

World Championships Matches
Res. Record Opponent Score Date Event Location Notes
2006 UWW world champion at 60kg
Win 7-2 David Bedinadze 1-1, 4-1, 2-1 2006-09-20 2006 World Wrestling Championships Guangzhou, China Gold Medal
Win 6-2 Eusebiu Diaconu 1-1, 2-1 2006-09-20 2006 World Wrestling Championships Guangzhou, China
Win 5-2 Vyacheslav Djaste 4-1, 2-0 2006-09-20 2006 World Wrestling Championships Guangzhou, China
Win 4-2 Ali Ashkani 2-1, 1-1 2006-09-20 2006 World Wrestling Championships Guangzhou, China
Win 3-2 Dilshod Aripov 2-3, 3-1, 3-1 2006-09-20 2006 World Wrestling Championships Guangzhou, China
2005 UWW world 9th at 60kg
Loss 2-2 Vahan Juharyan 0-2, 1-1 2005-09-30 2005 World Wrestling Championships Budapest, Hungary
Loss 2-1 Ali Ashkani 1-2, 0-7 2005-09-30 2005 World Wrestling Championships Budapest, Hungary
Win 2-0 Luis Liendo 9-5, 7-0 2005-09-30 2005 World Wrestling Championships Budapest, Hungary
Win 1-0 Eric Buisson Fall 2005-09-30 2005 World Wrestling Championships Budapest, Hungary

Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown
23 matches 15 wins 8 losses
By knockout 3 3
By submission 2 3
By decision 10 2
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 15–8 Shawn Bunch TKO (submission to punches) Bellator 210 November 30, 2018 1 1:42 Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States
Loss 15–7 Joe Taimanglo Decision (split) Bellator 195 March 2, 2018 3 5:00 Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States
Win 15–6 Steve Garcia Decision (unanimous) Bellator 181 July 14, 2017 3 5:00 Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States
Loss 14–6 Eduardo Dantas Decision (majority) Bellator 166 December 2, 2016 5 5:00 Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States For the Bellator Bantamweight World Championship.
Win 14–5 Sirwan Kakai Submission (guillotine choke) Bellator 161 September 16, 2016 3 1:04 Cedar Park, Texas, United States
Loss 13–5 Darrion Caldwell Technical Submission (rear-naked choke) Bellator 151 March 4, 2016 1 3:23 Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States
Win 13–4 L.C. Davis Decision (unanimous) Bellator 143 September 25, 2015 3 5:00 Hidalgo, Texas, United States
Loss 12–4 Marcos Galvão Verbal Submission (kneebar) Bellator 135 March 27, 2015 2 0:45 Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States Lost the Bellator Bantamweight World Championship.
Win 12–3 Eduardo Dantas Decision (unanimous) Bellator 128 October 10, 2014 5 5:00 Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States Won and unified Bellator Bantamweight World Championship.
Win 11–3 Rafael Silva Decision (unanimous) Bellator 118 May 2, 2014 5 5:00 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Won the Interim Bellator Bantamweight Championship.
Win 10–3 Travis Marx TKO (knee and punches) Bellator 107 November 8, 2013 2 1:54 Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States Won the Bellator Season 9 Bantamweight Tournament.
Win 9–3 Nick Kirk Submission (reverse triangle armbar) Bellator 101 September 27, 2013 2 3:03 Portland, Oregon, United States Bellator Season 9 Bantamweight Tournament Semifinal.
Win 8–3 Owen Evinger Decision (unanimous) Bellator 80 November 9, 2012 3 5:00 Hollywood, Florida, United States
Loss 7–3 Pat Curran KO (punches) Bellator 60 March 9, 2012 3 1:25 Hammond, Indiana, United States Return to Featherweight. Lost the Bellator Featherweight World Championship.
Loss 7–2 Alexis Vila KO (punch) Bellator 51 September 24, 2011 1 1:04 Canton, Ohio, United States Bantamweight debut. Bellator Season 5 Bantamweight Tournament Quarterfinal.
Win 7–1 Marcos Galvão Decision (unanimous) Bellator 41 April 16, 2011 3 5:00 Yuma, Arizona, United States Catchweight (137 lbs) bout.
Win 6–1 Joe Soto KO (knee and punches) Bellator 27 September 2, 2010 2 0:33 San Antonio, Texas, United States Won the Bellator Featherweight World Championship.
Win 5–1 Patricio Freire Decision (split) Bellator 23 June 24, 2010 3 5:00 Louisville, Kentucky, United States Won the Bellator Season 2 Featherweight Tournament.
Win 4–1 Georgi Karakhanyan Decision (unanimous) Bellator 18 May 13, 2010 3 5:00 Monroe, Louisiana, United States Bellator Season 2 Featherweight Tournament Semifinal.
Win 3–1 Eric Marriott Decision (unanimous) Bellator 13 Apr 8, 2010 3 5:00 Hollywood, Florida, United States Bellator Season 2 Featherweight Tournament Quarterfinal.
Loss 2–1 Bibiano Fernandes Submission (armbar) Dream 11 Oct 6, 2009 1 0:42 Yokohama, Japan Dream 2009 Featherweight Grand Prix Semifinal.
Win 2–0 Norifumi Yamamoto Decision (split) Dream 9 May 26, 2009 2 5:00 Yokohama, Japan Dream 2009 Featherweight Grand Prix Quarterfinal.
Win 1–0 Chase Beebe TKO (doctor stoppage) Dream 7 March 8, 2009 1 10:00 Saitama, Saitama, Japan Dream 2009 Featherweight Grand Prix Opening Round.

See also

References
  1. "Joe Warren's profile". Tapology.com. Retrieved 2013-11-13.
  2. "Sherdog Fight Finder". Sherdog.com. Retrieved 2009-03-08.
  3. "Fight Matrix | Current MMA Rankings » Bantamweight". fightmatrix.com. July 9, 2018. Archived from the original on April 20, 2014. Retrieved July 9, 2018.
  4. "Joe Warren & Tyron Woodley". The Jordan Breen Show. Episode 180. May 21, 2009.
  5. "International Wrestling Database". Retrieved 2009-05-22.
  6. http://www.usada.org/wp-content/uploads/AAA-CAS-Decision-Joe-Warren-January-20081.pdf
  7. Morgan, John. (2010-12-18) Bellator champ Joe Warren returning to Greco-Roman roots, eyes Olympic gold Archived 2010-12-20 at the Wayback Machine. MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved on 2011-11-23.
  8. "Profile on DreamOfficial.com" (in Japanese). DreamOfficial.com. Retrieved 2009-05-22.
  9. "Dream 7 Play-by-Play". Sherdog.com. 2009-03-08. Retrieved 2009-03-08.
  10. "Sherdog Fight Finder – Norifumi Yamamoto". Retrieved 2009-05-27.
  11. "Warren pulls off the shocker over the 'Kid'". Yahoo! Sports. 2009-05-26. Retrieved 2009-05-26.
  12. Loiseleur, Tony (2009-05-27). "Warren Upsets 'Kid' at Dream 9". Retrieved 2009-05-27.
  13. "Joe Warren and Mike Easton". The Jordan Breen Show. Episode 215. October 1, 2009.
  14. "Bellator 41 results: Warren wins heated decision". mmajunkie.com. 2011-04-16. Archived from the original on 2011-04-20. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  15. "Patricio 'Pitbull' Injured; Bellator 47 Title Fight Postponed". sherdog.com. 2011-07-05.
  16. "Joe Warren vs. Patricio Pitbull at Bellator 47; Warren Shooting for Two Titles". MMAWeekly.com. 2011-05-24.
  17. "Bellator Sets Season 5 Bantamweight Quarterfinals for Sept. 24". Sherdog.com. 2011-06-28.
  18. "theScore and Bellator Announce Expanded Programming Partnership". Sherdog.com. 2012-02-03.
  19. Thomas Myers (2012-03-09). "Pat Curran absolutely annihilates Joe Warren at Bellator 60 with a vicious knockout to win the featherweight championship". mmamania.com. Retrieved 2012-03-09.
  20. Steven Marrocco (November 10, 2012). "Bellator 80 results: Warren rolls; Volkov, Martinez advance to tournament finals". mmajunkie.com.
  21. "Bellator's 'Fight Master' reality series set for summer debut on Spike TV". MMA Junkie. Archived from the original on 7 February 2013. Retrieved 5 February 2013.
  22. Mike Whitman (2013-09-21). "Joe Warren-Nick Kirk bantamweight semifinal rescheduled for Bellator 101 in Portland". Sherdog.com. Retrieved 2013-11-02.
  23. Brian Knapp (2013-09-27). "Joe Warren armbar submits Nick Kirk in bantamweight semifinal at Bellator 101". Sherdog.com. Retrieved 2013-11-02.
  24. Press release (2013-10-30). "Bellator 107: Cheick Kongo vs. Peter Graham and Joe Warren vs. Travis Marx set for Nov. 8". MMAmania.com. Retrieved 2013-11-02.
  25. "Bellator 118 official weigh-in results: Silva heavy for interim title fight".
  26. "Eduardo Dantas vs. Joe Warren title fight headlines Bellator 128". mmafighting.com. September 8, 2014.
  27. "Bellator 135 Fight Card". bellator.com. Archived from the original on 2014-12-29. Retrieved 2014-12-29.
  28. "Bellator 143 Official With Joe Warren Vs. L.C. Davis In Main Event". fightline.com. August 12, 2015.
  29. Mike Bohn (September 16, 2016). "Bellator 161 results: Kongo takes decision over Johnson, Warren submits Kakai". mmajunkie.com.
  30. Guilherme Cruz (October 10, 2016). "Eduardo Dantas vs. Joe Warren 2, Pat Curran vs. John Teixeira headline Bellator doubleheader in December". mmafighting.com.
  31. John Morgan (July 14, 2017). "Bellator 181 results: Derek Campos scores trilogy win over Brandon Girtz in blood-soaked instant classic". mmajunkie.com.
  32. Lee, Alexander K. (January 26, 2018). "Joe Warren vs. Joe Taimanglo booked for Bellator 195". MMAFighting.com.
  33. "Bellator 195 results: Joe Taimanglo tops ex-champion Joe Warren by split decision". MMAjunkie. 2018-03-03. Retrieved 2018-03-03.
  34. Damon Martin, Mike Heck (October 27, 2020). "Former two-division champion Joe Warren, Ricky Bandejas, Roy Nelson among slew of Bellator fighters no longer under contract". MMAFighting.com. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  35. "Q&A: Joe Warren". USATODAY.com. 2009-09-30. Retrieved 2010-02-06.
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