Mike Whitehead

For the Canadian wheelchair rugby player, see Mike Whitehead (wheelchair rugby). For the American football tackle, see Mike Whited.

Michael Joe Whitehead (born June 29, 1981) is a former professional mixed martial artist. He competed in the Light Heavyweight and Heavyweight weight classes for the Ultimate Fighting Championship, IFL, Affliction, and Strikeforce.

Mike Whitehead
Born	(1981-06-29) June 29, 1981 (age 44) Medford, Oregon, United States
Other names	Iron Mike
Nationality	American
Height	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight	261 lb (118 kg; 18.6 st)
Division	Heavyweight Light Heavyweight
Reach	74.0 in (188 cm)
Fighting out of	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Team	Wand Fight Team
Years active	2000–2012
Mixed martial arts record
Total	35
Wins	27
By knockout	8
By submission	12
By decision	6
Unknown	1
Losses	8
By knockout	4
By decision	4
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Mixed martial arts career

At Crater High School, Mike was a state champion wrestler in the 189lb division in 1999 and played defensive lineman in football.

Mike Whitehead started wrestling at North Idaho College, Southern Oregon University, and the University of Missouri. He is a 3 time All American Wrestler and Abu Dhabi qualifier. In 2005, he participated in the reality series The Ultimate Fighter 2 on Spike TV.^[1]

Prior to his fight with Renato Sobral, he was on a 13 fight win streak, including five straight victories in the IFL. He has proven himself dangerous standing and striking, as well as with wrestling and submission grappling.

He has also competed in the standup only fight organization Xtreme Fighting Association where he defeated Ethen Cox by unanimous decision.^[2]

Championships and accomplishments

• Icon Sport
  • SuperBrawl 24: Return of the Heavyweights Tournament Runner Up^[3]
• International Fighting Championship
  • IFC Heavyweight Championship (One time)

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown

34 matches	27 wins	7 losses
By knockout	8	4
By submission	12	0
By decision	6	3
Unknown	1	0

Res.	Record	Opponent	Method	Event	Date	Round	Time	Location	Notes
Loss	27–8	Brian Heden	Decision (unanimous)	Dakota FC / Ultimate Productions: Winter Brawl	December 5, 2015	3	5:00	Fargo, North Dakota, United States
Win	27–7	Jojo Thompson	Submission (neck crank)	RITC: Rage in the Cage 156	October 22, 2011	1	1:58	Chandler, Arizona, United States
Win	26–7	Eddie Sanchez	Decision (split)	PFC: Pure Fighting Championships 6	December 10, 2010	3	5:00	Red Deer, Alberta, Canada
Win	25–7	Chase Gormley	TKO (punches)	IFC: Extreme Challenge	July 10, 2010	4	2:22	Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, United States	Won the IFC Heavyweight Championship.
Loss	24–7	Muhammed Lawal	KO (punches)	Strikeforce: Evolution	December 19, 2009	1	3:08	San Jose, California, United States
Win	24–6	Kevin Randleman	Decision (unanimous)	Strikeforce: Lawler vs. Shields	June 6, 2009	3	5:00	St. Louis, Missouri, United States	Light heavyweight bout.
Win	23–6	Leo Pla	Submission (guillotine choke)	M-1 Challenge 8: USA	October 29, 2008	1	1:20	Kansas City, Missouri, United States
Loss	22–6	Renato Sobral	Decision (unanimous)	Affliction: Banned	July 19, 2008	3	5:00	Anaheim, California, United States
Win	22–5	Zak Jensen	Submission (armbar)	Beatdown: 4 Bears Casino	May 10, 2008	1	2:06	North Dakota, United States
Win	21–5	Soakai Pulu	Submission (keylock)	Throwdown Showdown 1: Showdown	April 18, 2008	1	0:59	Orem, Utah, United States
Win	20–5	Daniel Sarafian	Decision (unanimous)	PFP: Ring Of Fire	December 9, 2007	3	5:00	Manila, Philippines
Win	19–5	Vernon White	TKO (punches)	IFL: Las Vegas	June 16, 2007	2	0:54	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win	18–5	Wojtek Kaszowski	TKO (punches)	IFL: Connecticut	April 13, 2007	1	2:43	Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Win	17–5	Krzysztof Soszynski	Decision (unanimous)	IFL: World Championship Final	December 29, 2006	3	4:00	Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Win	16–5	Mark Kerr	TKO (punches)	IFL: World Championship Semifinals	November 2, 2006	1	2:40	Portland, Oregon, United States
Win	15–5	Michael Buchkovich	TKO (submission to punches)	CFC2: Combat Fighting Championship	September 23, 2006	1	4:04	Orlando, Florida, United States
Win	14–5	Ruben Villareal	Submission (keylock)	Valor Fighting: Showdown At Cache Creek II	September 15, 2006	1	1:02	Brooks, California, United States
Win	13–5	Rich Beecroft	Submission (keylock)	RITC 85: Xtreme Cage Fighting	August 5, 2006	1	1:17	Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Win	12–5	Rocky Batastini	Submission (kimura)	RITC 83: Rampage	June 10, 2006	1	0:14	Arizona, United States
Win	11–5	Mike Bourke	TKO (retirement)	UAGF: Kaos on the Kampus	May 20, 2006	3	N/A	Los Angeles, California, United States
Win	10–5	Robert Beraun	Submission (kimura)	RITC 80: Fight Night at The Fort	March 18, 2006	1	2:57	Fountain Hills, Arizona, United States
Loss	9–5	Keith Jardine	Decision (unanimous)	UFC 57	February 4, 2006	3	5:00	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win	9–4	Travis Fulton	Submission (bulldog choke)	EC 61: Extreme Challenge 61	April 22, 2005	1	1:30	Osceola, Iowa, United States
Win	8–4	Aaron Brink	Decision (unanimous)	UAGF: Clover Combat	March 25, 2005	3	5:00	California, United States
Win	7–4	Matt Bear	TKO (submission to strikes)	VFC 9: Madness	March 5, 2005	2	0:54	Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States
Loss	6–4	Brandon Vera	TKO (doctor stoppage)	WEC 13: Heavyweight Explosion	January 22, 2005	2	1:12	Lemoore, California, United States
Win	6–3	Terrell Dees	Submission (neck crank)	WEC 13: Heavyweight Explosion	January 22, 2005	1	3:43	Lemoore, California, United States
Win	5–3	Demian Decorah	TKO (punches)	EC 59: Extreme Challenge 59	September 24, 2004	1	3:25	Medina, Minnesota, United States
Win	4–3	Brian Stromberg	Submission	SF 5: Stadium	August 28, 2004	2	N/A	Gresham, Oregon, United States
Win	3–3	Karl Knothe	Submission (neck crank)	EC 58: Extreme Challenge 58	June 11, 2004	1	1:17	Medina, Minnesota, United States
Loss	2–3	Alex Paz	Decision (split)	HOOKnSHOOT: Absolute Fighting Championships 2	March 28, 2003	2	5:00	Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States
Loss	2–2	Tim Sylvia	TKO (knee and punches)	SB 24: Return of the Heavyweights 2	April 27, 2002	1	2:38	Honolulu, Hawaii, United States	SuperBrawl Return of the Heavyweights Finals.
Win	2–1	Ben Rothwell	Decision (unanimous)	SB 24: Return of the Heavyweights 2	April 27, 2002	2	5:00	Honolulu, Hawaii, United States	SuperBrawl Return of the Heavyweights Semifinals.
Loss	1–1	Tim Sylvia	TKO (punches)	SB 24: Return of the Heavyweights 1	April 26, 2002	1	3:46	Honolulu, Hawaii, United States	SuperBrawl Return of the Heavyweights Quarterfinals.
Win	1–0	Kim Bower	TKO (punches)	GVT: Gladiators Vale Tudo	March 10, 2001	1	N/A	Worley, Idaho, United States

Kickboxing record

Kickboxing record

1 win (0 KOs), 0 losses, 0 draws
Date	Result	Opponent	Event	Location	Method	Round	Time	Record
2008-03-22	Win	Ethen Cox	XFA 1	Las Vegas, Nevada, USA	Decision (unanimous)	3	3:00	1-0
Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw/No contest   Notes