| Gianpiero Villante | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 18, 1985 Wantagh, New York, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Weight | 205.5 lb (93.2 kg; 14.7 st) |
| Division | Light Heavyweight (205 lb) Heavyweight (265 lb) |
| Reach | 75 in (191 cm) |
| Style | Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Kickboxing, Wrestling |
| Fighting out of | Bellmore, New York |
| Team | Bellmore Kickboxing Academy[1] Long Island MMA[2] |
| Rank | Blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu |
| Years active | 2009 - present |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 11 |
| Wins | 8 |
| By knockout | 5 |
| By submission | 2 |
| By decision | 1 |
| Losses | 3 |
| By knockout | 2 |
| By decision | 1 |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
Gianpiero Villante (born August 18, 1985 in Wantagh, New York) is an American mixed martial artist. He is currently the heavyweight champion for Lou Neglia's Ring of Combat promotion.[3] Fighting out of Long Island, New York, he trains at Bellmore Kickboxing Academy[1] under trainer Keith Trimble,[4] as well as Long Island MMA.[2] Prior to his fighting career, he projected as a linebacker prospect in the NFL.[5]
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Villante was born in Wantagh, New York. He graduated from General Douglas Macarthur High School Class of 2003. During his junior year, he placed 3rd in the New York State Wrestling Championships. He followed this up his senior year by winning the state championship. He was equally accomplished in football, in which he received the 2002 Thorpe Award winner as the top football player in Nassau County, also the Bill Piner Award as the top linebacker in Nassau County and was named to the High School Heisman All-Star team.[6] He attended Hofstra University from 2003-2007 where he continued his highly successful football and wrestling careers [7].. Having been named a 2004 1st Team Defensive I-AA All-American by The Sports Network, he was regarded as a potential NFL quality linebacker, the New York Giants, New York Jets, Indianapolis Colts, & Philadelphia Eagles all expressed interest in Villante.[8][9]
After defeating Strikeforce veteran Mike Cook in his last fight for the vacant Ring of Combat Heavyweight title, Villante will make his light heavyweight debut at Ring of Combat XXIX with aspirations on becoming a champion in two weight classes.[10] However Villante lost this fight due to breaking his elbow and has moved back up to Heavyweight.
Villante trains at Bellmore Kickboxing Academy in Bellmore, NY. He is a long-time friend and training partner of undefeated UFC middleweight Chris Weidman. [11]
On January 11, 2011, it was announced that Villante had signed a multi-fight deal with Strikeforce. For his debut, he face Chad Griggs in one of three heavyweight grand prix reserve bouts at Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Silva.[12] He lost the fight via TKO in the first round. Villante's next fight is against Trevor Smith on the preliminary card of Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Jardine on January 7, 2012. [13]
| Professional record breakdown | ||
| 11 matches | 8 wins | 3 losses |
| By knockout | 5 | 2 |
| By submission | 2 | 0 |
| By decision | 1 | 1 |
| Result | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 8-3 | Keith Berry | Decision (unanimous) | Strikeforce Challengers: Gurgel vs. Duarte | August 12, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Light Heavyweight Bout |
| Loss | 7-3 | Lorenz Larkin | Decision (unanimous) | Strikeforce Challengers: Terry vs. Fodor | June 24, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Kent, Washington, United States | Light Heavyweight Bout |
| Loss | 7–2 | Chad Griggs | TKO (punches) | Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Silva | February 12, 2011 | 1 | 2:49 | East Rutherford, New Jersey, United States | Heavyweight Grand Prix Reserve Bout |
| Win | 7–1 | Joseph Reyes | TKO (punches) | Ring of Combat XXXIII | December 3, 2010 | 1 | 1:03 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | Moves back up to heavyweight |
| Loss | 6–1 | Demetrius Richards | TKO (arm injury) | Ring of Combat XXIX | April 16, 2010 | 1 | 3:27 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | Light Heavyweight Debut |
| Win | 6–0 | Mike Cook | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Ring of Combat XXVIII | February 19, 2010 | 1 | 1:36 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | Won ROC Heavyweight Title |
| Win | 5–0 | Marcelo Pereira | KO (punch) | Ring of Combat XXVII | November 20, 2009 | 1 | 3:59 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
| Win | 4–0 | Rob Wince | KO (head kick) | Ring of Combat XXVI | September 11, 2009 | 2 | 1:25 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
| Win | 3–0 | Joe Abouata | TKO (punches) | Ring of Combat XXV | June 12, 2009 | 1 | 1:48 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
| Win | 2–0 | Paul White | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Ring of Combat XXIV | April 17, 2009 | 1 | 1:46 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
| Win | 1–0 | Randy Durant | TKO (cut) | Ring of Combat XXIII | February 20, 2009 | 1 | 0:35 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States |