| Kamal Shalorus | |
|---|---|
| Born | Heris, Iran |
| Other names | The Prince of Persia World Class |
| Nationality | Iranian |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) |
| Weight | 155 lb (70 kg; 11.1 st) |
| Division | Lightweight |
| Reach | 68.0 in (173 cm) |
| Style | Boxing, Catch Wrestling, Freestyle Wrestling, Brazilian Jiu jitsu |
| Fighting out of | Austin, Texas, United States |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 10 |
| Wins | 7 |
| By knockout | 4 |
| By submission | 1 |
| By decision | 2 |
| Losses | 1 |
| By knockout | 1 |
| Draws | 2 |
| Other information | |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
Kamal Shalorus is an Iranian-British professional mixed martial artist. He currently fights in UFC's lightweight division.
Contents |
Born in the city of Khalkhal in northern Iran, Shalorus began wrestling as a teenager in Iran before beginning training in Turkey and Russia at the age of 17. During his wrestling career, he was granted British citizenship and then moved to Austin, Texas in 2006 with his American girlfriend. He began training in MMA upon his arrival in the United States.
Kamal is a decorated wrestler, representing Great Britain in an Olympic Qualification tournament where he placed 19th.[1]
He has also been very competitive in grappling tournaments. He has a notable win over Joachim Hansen in the European Abu Dhabi Combat Club (ADCC) Qualifiers.[2]
Kamal trains Brazilian Jiu Jitsu with WEC veteran and Relson Gracie Black Belt Phil Cardella.[3] He has also had in-person training with Relson Gracie in Hawaii, in addition to 5x BJJ World Champ Daniel Moraes.[4] Kamal also trains in catch wrestling and mma with Neil Melanson and Randy Couture at Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas.[5]
Kamal is a partner in (and official grappling instructor for) the American Combat Association and he certifies MMA schools in his fighting system SICS and conducts seminars focused on catch wrestling through the ACA.[6][7]
Kamal captured the welterweight title in the Austin Texas MMA promotion King of Kombat in April 2008, still undefeated.[8] He then won the welterweight title in the Supreme Warrior Challenge,[9] preparing his way into the WEC.
He was scheduled to make his WEC debut against Alex Karalexis on November 18, 2009 at WEC 44, but a broken hand forced Karalexis off the card.[10] Karalexis was replaced by WEC newcomer Will Kerr.[11] Shalorus defeated Kerr via TKO in the very first round.[12]
Shalorus defeated previously unbeaten Dave Jansen via unanimous decision on January 10, 2010 at WEC 46. Shalorus showed impressive striking, takedown offense and defense. It was also noted, by Frank Mir, that Shalorus would be a force to be reckoned with in the future.[13]
Shalorus was expected to face former WEC Lightweight Champion Jamie Varner on April 24, 2010 at WEC 48,[14] but Shalorus was forced off of the card with an injury.[15] Varner/Shalorus took place on June 20, 2010 at WEC 49.[16] The fight ended in a split draw (29-27, 27-29, 28-28), with Shalorus being deducted one point for multiple groin shots.
Kamal Shalorus was expected to face Bart Palaszewski on November 11, 2010 at WEC 52,[17] but the bout was moved to WEC 53 after Shalorus reinjured his hand that was broken during the bout with Varner.[18] Shalorus won the fight via split decision.
In October 2010, World Extreme Cagefighting merged with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. As part of the merger, all WEC fighters were transferred to the UFC.[19] Shalorus is the second Iranian born fighter to ever compete for the UFC; the first being Reza Nasri who fought at UFC 11.
In his UFC debut, Shalorus faced Jim Miller on March 19, 2011 at UFC 128.[20] He lost the fight via TKO in the third round, the first loss of his professional career.
Shalorus is expected to face promotional newcomer Habib Nurmagomedov on January 20, 2012 at UFC Fight Night 26.[21]
| Professional record breakdown | ||
| 10 matches | 7 wins | 1 loss |
| By knockout | 4 | 1 |
| By submission | 1 | 0 |
| By decision | 2 | 0 |
| Draws | 2 | |
| Result | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 7–1–2 | Jim Miller | TKO (knee and punches) | UFC 128 | March 19, 2011 | 3 | 2:15 | Newark, New Jersey, United States | |
| Win | 7–0–2 | Bart Palaszewski | Decision (split) | WEC 53 | December 16, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | Glendale, Arizona, United States | |
| Draw | 6–0–2 | Jamie Varner | Draw (split) | WEC 49 | June 20, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | Edmonton, Alberta, Canada | Shalorus was deducted one point in the 2nd round for accidental groin strikes. |
| Win | 6–0–1 | Dave Jansen | Decision (unanimous) | WEC 46 | January 10, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | Sacramento, California, United States | |
| Win | 5–0–1 | Will Kerr | TKO (punches) | WEC 44 | November 18, 2009 | 1 | 1:26 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 4–0–1 | Justin Miller | TKO (punches) | Supreme Warrior Championship 7: Discountenance | June 20, 2009 | 2 | 0:32 | Frisco, Texas, United States | |
| Draw | 3–0–1 | Mikel Bronzoulis | Draw (majority) | King of Kombat 6: Fists of Fury | April 25, 2009 | 5 | 5:00 | Austin, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 3–0 | Jonathan Evans | TKO (punches) | Extreme Challenge: War at the Shore | January 23, 2009 | 1 | 0:35 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
| Win | 2–0 | Edwyn Jones | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Supreme Warrior Championship 2: Battlegrounds | November 28, 2008 | 2 | 2:52 | Frisco, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 1–0 | Jeff Davis | TKO (punches) | King of Kombat 3 | April 5, 2008 | 1 | 1:06 | Austin, Texas, United States |