Nicknamed Monster, Kevin Randleman is remembered by fans of mixed martial arts as a bright and ambitious fighter, able to defeat any, even the most powerful opponent. His incredible physical fitness and amazing wrestling skills have made him one of the most popular MMA fighters on the planet.
Carier start
Kevin The Monster Randleman was born in the United States, where he began to learn the basics of martial arts. He was involved in wrestling for a long time and achieved good results in it, playing for Ohio State University. The fight has become an excellent base for its further development. He gave him a colossal physical form, thanks to which he received his nickname. It was also thanks to the struggle that Kevin gained incredible explosive power, with the help of which he repeatedly threw the strongest people on the planet to the earth.
The future UFC star began in the homeland of mixed martial arts - in Brazil. There, Kevin took part in the battles called Vale Tudo, which resemble modern MMA tournaments, but their rules are somewhat more stringent, and the fight takes place on a hard wooden floor. He won several confident victories, but failed to earn the league title.
UFC
At the end of the last century, Vale Tudo fights moved to the United States of America, where they received the name UFC, or Ultimate Fighting Championship. Naturally, Kevin Randleman could not miss this event and returned to his homeland to take part in the battles. His first fight was at UFC 19, after which he began to appear regularly in the cage, having won a bunch of fans with his incredible fighting skills. Scarcely appearing in the UFC, Randleman defeated Maurice Smith, an impudent kickboxer who proved his strength in battles against other eminent fighters. However, after that, Kevin was unable to defeat Baz Ruthen in the battle for the UFC heavyweight title.
In 1999, the Monster got the coveted title after defeating Petey Williams. But the champion belt did not stay with him for long. MMA legend Randy Couture took the title from Randleman at UFC 28. After that, Kevin Randleman moved into the light heavyweight category, where he spent a couple more fights, after which his career in the UFC ended.
Pride
In 2002, Monster began to develop new hunting grounds, starting his performances at the Japanese Pride tournament. The beginning was a success - Kevin's rivals looked completely helpless, one by one he sent them to the floor, where he finished off with his huge hands. Many prophesied Randleman the champion belt, but he was stopped by another fighter from America - Quinton Jackson. His knee kick destroyed the hopes of an ambitious fighter.
Despite an unfortunate defeat, Kevin continued to perform and soon won a loud victory over MMA star Mirko Filipovich, knocking him out. However, then Randleman was waiting for a meeting with the champion in the heavyweight Pride - Fedor Emelianenko. At first, the battle looked absolutely equal, Kevin even managed to make a beautiful amplitude throw, but then the Last Emperor took control of the situation and carried out a painful arm. Kevin Randlman continued to perform in Japan, but he was waiting for a series of annoying defeats. Among them was a rematch with Mirko Filipovich, who managed to rehabilitate himself after the previous defeat, having won in the first round.
End of career
In 2005, Randleman managed to interrupt a series of setbacks by defeating Fatih Kotsamisa at a tournament in Rotterdam. However, after this, the life of a charismatic fighter went downhill. So began the sunset of a star named Kevin Randleman. A lung disease sent him to the hospital, where he underwent an operation that was successful and was supposed to correct the situation. But while preparing for the next battle, the disease again made itself felt. The athlete could not enter the ring, but did not give up hope to return to MMA. Already in 2006, Kevin again fought at the Pride tournament. He met Mauricio Rua, middleweight champion. Randleman could not defeat his titled opponent.
After this, Kevin was waiting for a series of scandals with the sports commission, as he passed someone else's urine at the doping control. Due to this unpleasant incident, the fighter lost his professional license, which put an end to his performances for at least a year. Later, he admitted that he used painkillers, trying to calm the pain after surgery. Randleman then went to the hospital again due to kidney problems. At that, the career of the great fighter ended, he no longer had a single fight.
The health problems experienced in this cruel sport haunted Kevin for the rest of his life. In 2015, Kevin Randleman died. He was hospitalized with suspected pneumonia and died right in the hospital. The reason is heart failure. Let the life of this bright person end, but he will forever remain in the memory of all MMA lovers.