It came as a surprise to all the fighters who knew him and saw his fights. Former UFC champion, Pride FC veteran Kevin died in hospital due to heart failure while battling pneumonia, leaving behind a wife and three children.
Dana White:
“It is sad to hear that the legendary Kevin Rendleman has passed away. Rest in Peace Kevin "Monster" Randleman."
I'm so sorry to hear about the passing of the legend Kevin Randleman. RIP Kevin "The Monster" Randleman pic.twitter.com/MTC4nFAF29
Dana White (@danawhite) February 12, 2016
Bas Rutten:“I heard that the news was confirmed. Kevin has passed away. This is the worst news. Condolences to Elizabeth and her children. Rest in peace, my friend."
Harry Goodridge: UFC legend Kevin Randleman has passed away at the age of 44. I can't believe my friend has passed away. Second in two months.
Frank Trigg:"Kevin Randleman. An amazing competitive spirit and an excellent athlete. He sincerely believed that he could achieve what he believed in.
Tyson Griffin:“It’s hard to realize that I will never see him again, his smile, I won’t feel the energy around him ... Last year at the MMA Awards, I was lucky enough to be with him for the last time. My thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, children and family. I will never forget my time with Kevin "The Monster" Rendleman. Rest in peace, brother! You will remain forever in the hearts of those whose attention you have attracted!!!”
James Te Huna:“Very sad to hear that Kevin Rendleman has passed. At one time, one of the coolest guys on the planet. I became a fan of his as soon as I saw his aggressive fighting style in the octagon and humility outside the cage."
Justin Fuchs (FoxSports journalist):“I was close to Mark Hunt when I heard the news about Kevin. "Can't he be dead? Wow, said Mark Hunt. - This is sad news. I remember the days when we played Pride tournaments. It was me, Kevin and Mark Coleman in the elevator. The fight melody started playing and Kevin began to dance. He was energized... Very sad news. We will all die sooner or later.”
Antonio Silva:"Rest in Peace, Kevin Rendleman."
Lance Palmer:“Legendary wrestler and UFC and Pride veteran, husband, father and wonderful person! I have always looked up to Kevin as a wrestler and as a fighter. Rest in peace, my friend."
Scott Jurgenson:“Just found out about Kevin. I looked up to him long before I decided to connect my life with MMA. I knew Kevin personally and trained with him. He was a giant, but it was always a pleasure to train with him. His energy was infectious."
Uriah Faber:“This guy was cool! I remember how he went into the room where we were, several young fighters. He pointed to the three of us and said, “You will become rich. You will also become rich. And you will become rich. Sports are developing at an explosive pace. So... Who's gonna take the fifty?" We all laughed and then he started wrestling Mark Colman in a friendly way on the marble floor."
Roy Nelson:“My heart goes out to Kevin Rendleman's family. I was lucky to train with him, to know personally and to see the fights of one of the pioneers of the sport.”
Michael Bisping:“Very sad to hear that Kevin Rendleman has passed away. I met him only a few times, but during this time I saw in him a great man and one of the true pioneers. Rest in peace".
Chuck Liddell:"Damn. I was the cornerman in that fight [Kevin and Mirko Filipović]. It's sad to hear such news."
Rodrigo Nogueira:“I have a lot of respect for Kevin Randleman for what he has done in the sport. rest in peace warrior!!”
Dan Henderson:“Very sad to hear of the passing of Kevin Randleman. A true legend of wrestling and MMA. My condolences to his family, friends and all who were fortunate enough to know him."
Quinton Jackson:"Rest in peace, Kevin."
John Jones: "It is very sad. I met him once, he was a gentleman."
John Fitch:“Today would be Evan Tanner's birthday. And today we lost the Monster. Time is fleeting and takes many of us."
Ray Sefo:“A sad day for the world of MMA, we have lost one of the pioneers of the sport. Rest in peace my friend!!”
Jasmine
Kevin Christopher Randleman(August 10, Sandusky, Ohio - February 11, San Diego, California) is an American mixed martial artist and wrestler. He held the Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight title from 1999 to 2000. In addition, Randleman competed in tournaments under the auspices of Pride Fighting Championships, Sengoku and Strikeforce in the heavy and light heavyweight categories.
He gained fame among MMA fans due to his outstanding physical data and strength. Fans especially remember the deflection throw performed by Randleman in a duel against Fedor Emelianenko. The list of fighters defeated by Kevin includes Murilu Rua, Mirko Filipovic, Pedro Rizzo, Renato Sobral.
early years
In October 2006 on Pride 32 Randleman lost by submission to Brazilian Mauricio Rua in his last fight in Pride.
Sengoku
After a break of more than a year and a half due to kidney treatment and a staph infection, Randleman returned to the ring with a unanimous decision victory over Ryo Kawamura in May 2008 at the Sengoku 2 hosted by World Victory Road. In the future, Kevin's fight was planned against the American Jeff Monson, but Randleman injured his shoulder and could not take part in this fight.
November Sengoku 6 the American was opposed by the Bulgarian Stanislav Nedkov. Both fighters fought actively and acted a lot both in the stance and on the ground. Following the results of three rounds, the victory was awarded to Nedkov by a separate decision.
Strike force
At the press conference before the tournament Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Diaz it was announced that Randleman had signed with Strikeforce.
Kevin's debut took place in June 2009 against Mike Whitehead at the tournament . The first two rounds were left to Whitehead, who successfully carried out takedowns, which, however, did not bring any serious damage to Randleman. In the third round, Kevin was forced to start more aggressive actions in order to finish the fight ahead of schedule. He managed to knock down the opponent and unleash many blows on the fallen opponent, but Randleman could not knock out Whiteman or force him to surrender and lost by decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28).
In May 2010 at the tournament Strikeforce: Heavy Artillery Randleman acted as a "gatekeeper" (from the English gate keeper - "keeper of the gates") for Roger Gracie, who recently signed a contract with the organization. Their duel ended with the victory of the Brazilian by rear naked choke.
Thus, Randleman lost 10 of the last 13 fights.
professional wrestling
Randleman took part in several wrestling shows. He first participated in a party held by the Japanese organization HUSTLE in January 2004. And five years later - in February 2009 - on the show Absolute Wrestling Radio challenged Kofi Kingston of the WWE organization.
Death
He died on February 11, 2016 in the hospital, where he had previously been taken with pneumonia. The cause of death was heart failure.
Titles and achievements
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- Fifth UFC Heavyweight Champion
- Universal Vale Tudo Fighting
- Tournament winner Universal Vale Tudo Fighting 4
- Tournament finalist Universal Vale Tudo Fighting 6
Performance tables
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17 Wins(5 by KO, 8 by decision) 16 Losses (4 by knockout, 4 by decision)
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This year, they literally shuddered when they learned that one of the "pioneers" of MMA, American fighter Kevin Rendelman, had died. The disease brought this fighter to the grave almost instantly, and this fact became even more horror for the public. Until now, many of his fans can’t get used to the idea that their idol has already left, and now for sure forever. But his memory will live on for a long time, so let's look at his life in as much detail as possible.
Birth
August 10, 1971 Kevin Rendelman was born. sickness for him childhood was something unknown, since he was originally healthy and strong. The future champion was born in the city of Sandusky. He got into sports while still a student at the university, where he was actively involved and even twice won the championship among students.
Sports career in the UFC
(illness for him in the early years of performances was a rarity) was one of those who were in the forefront in the world's best MMA promotion. He competed in both light heavyweight and heavyweight. In 1999, the American fought for the championship title with the Dutchman Bas Ruthen, but after all five rounds he still lost by a judicial decision. Soon, Bas ended his career, and Kevin again became a participant in the battle for the belt. This time he fought with Pete Williams. The fight again went the whole distance, but with a positive result for the “Monster” (Rendelman's sports nickname).
In the summer of 2000, Kevin defended his title in a fight with the Brazilian Pedro Rizzo, but during the second defense he lost to Randy Couture by knockout. This defeat prompted our hero to move to a lower category. In the new division, Kevin started with a loss to Chuck Liddell. However, already in next fight he rehabilitated and defeated Renato Sobralla.
Combat in Pride
The Japanese promotion, which had sunk into oblivion, was for the American something like a swing. He won, then he lost again. Kevin had his first fight in this organization in September 2002. The debut turned out to be successful. In the same year, he won two more victories, after which he received the status of an official contender for the title. At that time, Wandreley Silva was the champion. But the leadership decided otherwise: it brought Rendelman with In this fight, "Taran" knocked out "Monster" in the seventh minute.
After this fight, Kevin Rendelman (the disease was already showing the first signs at that time) suffered another defeat from Kazushi Sakuraba. After that, the American returns to heavyweight again and takes part in the Grand Prix. In the very first fight, Kevin met with the favorite - Mirko Filipovich. The result of the fight - the Croat was knocked out in the second minute.
In the next round of the tournament, Rendelman met with the Russian Emelianenko, whom he lost with a painful hold on his arm. It was in this fight that Kevin made just a crazy throw, which to this day is included in many video cuts. mixed martial arts. As it turned out later, Fedor received a fracture of the ribs after the fall, but still managed to win the fight.
These losses spawned a whole chain of subsequent defeats of the "Monster". Last loss in the promotion he received in October 2006. The Brazilian Mauricio Hua acted as his offender.
Performances at Sengoku
For almost a year and a half, Kevin Rendelman was forced to rest from fighting. The disease, the causes of which are the use of a colossal amount of anabolics and other chemicals, did not allow him to train and perform at full strength. But, nevertheless, in May 2008 he defeated Ryo Kawamura by unanimous decision. Subsequently, a duel of "Monster" against Monson was scheduled, but due to Kevin's shoulder injury, the fight never took place.
In November of the same year, the Sengoku 6 tournament was held, in which the American lost to the Bulgarian Stanislav Nedkov by a judicial decision.
Transition to Strikeforce
By the time of signing the contract with this fighting organization best fights Kevin Rendelman was already behind. In the very first fight against Mike Whitehead, the American performed extremely unconvincingly. In the first two five-minute periods, "Monster" definitely lost, in the third he tried to take the initiative into his own hands and even managed to shock the opponent, but in the end he failed to finish off Mike. As a result, another defeat on points.
In May 2010, Kevin was confronted by Roger Gracie. The Brazilian was able to strangle the American, which drew a line under the latter's performances in MMA fights.
Wrestling
The biography of Kevin Rendelman says that he was a participant in several wrestling matches. He made his first performance in such shows back in 2004 under the auspices of the Japanese organization HUSTLE. In 2009, the American challenged WWE representative Kofi Kingston to a fight.
Family
In the spring of 2009, Kevin officially legalized his relationship with his girlfriend Elizabeth. The couple raised two children: son Calvin and daughter Jasmine.
Conclusion
To the great regret of many people, today there is no longer with us a man named Kevin Rendelman. The disease, whose name is Staphylococcus aureus, has done its detrimental deed and simply “ate” the athlete’s body. Long years internal organs fighter slowly ceased to work normally. Much of this was because Kevin was taking a lot of drugs that are on the banned list today. But in those days, there was no question of any full-fledged doping control, so each fighter survived as best he could.
According to the martial artist himself, he was hospitalized quite often, since any abrasion and bruise received as a result of training allowed the infection to become more active. It goes without saying that this state of affairs could not continue indefinitely. And as a result, on February 12, 2016, Kevin was admitted to the hospital with pneumonia, which provoked heart failure. It was she who caused the death of the famous athlete.
The news of the death literally blew up the fighting world. Many of his former "colleagues" expressed their condolences and spoke extremely respectfully of Kevin as a person, sincerely regretting that he is no longer with us. Even the head of the UFC - Dana White - said that Rendelman was one of those who created fights without rules as they are today, and can be considered one of the founders.
Name: Kevin Rendelman Nickname in the ring: "Monster" Date of birth: 08/10/1971 Place of birth: Columbus, USA Height: 176 cm. Weight: 93 kg. Style: Wrestling Championships: UFC, PRIDE, World Victory Road Achievements: Winner of the Universal Vale Tudo Fighting 4 Tournament Former UFC heavyweight winner Inducted into the Ohio Hall of Fame on September 11, 2004. Awarded the title of "Knockout of the Year" in 2004. Inducted into the Sandusky, Ohio High School Hall of Fame May 6, 2006 As of October 21, 2006, his MMA record is 16-12-0. Kevin Rendelman was born on August 10, 1971 in Sandusky, Ohio. Rendelman started out as a varsity wrestler. He became a two-time NCAA Division I champion. Early in his career, Kevin trained at Mark Colman's T. H. H.", but subsequently moved to the Randy Couture Club in Las Vegas, Nevada. Kevin Rendelman's MMA career began on October 22, 1996 with victories over Luis Carlos Maciala, Jezo Kalman and Dan Bobish in a tournament (Universal Vale Tudo Fighting 4). On March 3, 1997, at (Universal Vale Tudo Fighting 6), he defeated Ebenezer Fontes Braga and Mario Neto, but Carlos Barreto still defeated him. On June 15, 1997, at the tournament (Brazil Open Fight), Kevin turned off Homem de Neve with an elbow blow to the head, but in the next fight, Kevin was knocked out by Tom Erickson. Kevin Rendelman competed in the UFC as a heavyweight and light heavyweight at UFC 19, UFC 20, UFC 23, UFC 26, UFC 28, UFC 31 and UFC 35. After defeating Maurice Smith, he fought Bas Rutten for the heavyweight championship. And although Rendelman had the advantage in this fight, he still lost this fight on the basis of points. Kevin became UFC champion in heavyweight on November 19, 1999 - then he defeated Pete Williams at UFC 23, later this title was taken from him by Randy Couture at UFC 28. After losing the belt, Kevin Rendelman moves to light heavyweight weight class. In his first fight, he was defeated by Chuck Liddell. This happened before his victory over Renato Sobral in the final battle. In September 2002, Kevin Rendelman made his PRIDE debut against Japanese wrestler Michioshi Ohara. It was an easy win for Rendelman. In 2002, Kevin Rendelman defeated Kenishi Yamamamoto and Murilo Rua. After a string of victories, he came close to PRIDE champion Wanderlei Silva. At the PRIDE 25 tournament, Rendelman had to fight with a fighter from America, Quinton Jackson. The fight was to determine the number one contender for championship belt Silva. Kevin lost in the first round and it was his first loss in PRIDE. Despite losing to Kazushi Sakuraba in 2003, Rendelman, along with friend Mark Coleman, became one of the sixteen participants in the PRIDE 2004 tournament.
