Emanuel Newton

Emanuel Newton (born January 2, 1984) is an American mixed martial artist who competes in Bellator's Light Heavyweight division. He has also competed for WEC, King of the Cage, International Fight League, and MFC. He is also a former MFC Light Heavyweight Champion.

Background

Newton was born in Inglewood, California, and grew up in Torrance, California. Growing up, Newton had an interest in swimming, surfing, and lifeguarding. Newton's father had done some boxing and Muay Thai training, but passed away when Newton was ten years old. Newton wrestled and played football, as a defensive end in high school. Then, six years later, Newton's mother died and Newton lost interest in his schoolwork. His poor grades did not allow him to continue playing football, but he had improved enough by the start of the wrestling season to continue in that sport. Out of high school, Newton began training with former UFC fighter Paul Herrera, who has also trained former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Tito Ortiz.^[2]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career: World Extreme Cagefighting and King of the Cage

Newton started his MMA career in 2003. Despite having lost his first two bouts against Brian Ebersole and Tim McKenzie respectively, he has fought for WEC once on August 20, 2004 against André Mussi, getting then his first victory via unanimous decision after three rounds.^[3]

Newton also fought for KOTC, obtaining a draw against the UFC veteran Hector Ramirez and a victory over the WEC veteran Richard Montoya.^[4][5]

After his win over Jeff Quinlan in IFL, Newton celebrated by buying a motorcycle. Unfortunately, Newton was involved in a crash while driving at 152 miles per hour on a highway in California. He was hit by a car and fell onto the pavement at an estimated 140 mph. He had never broken any bones before but had broken his arm from this accident. He had to have five surgeries on his arm, and developed a staph infection. The infection was so bad that he was in danger of having the arm amputated. Fortunately, the infection died down but Newton received a space between two of the bones in his arm.^[2]

Maximum Fighting Championship title and Shark Fights

With a record of 10–3–1, Newton signed with MFC.

Newton faced former UFC fighter David Heath on his debut for the title shot of the light heavyweight division. He won via submission in the second round.^[6]

Newton faced Roger Hollett for the title on December 5, 2008 at MFC 19. He won via unanimous decision and became the new MFC light heavyweight champion.^[7]

Newton faced Trevor Prangley on May 15, 2009 at MFC 21. He lost his title via unanimous decision.^[8]

Newton also faced Ryan Jimmo, Dwayne Lewis, and Rodney Wallace on MFC. He lost his bout against Jimmo^[9] and won his last two bouts for MFC.^[10][11][12]

Newton was expected to face Ryan Jimmo again on April 8, 2011 at MFC 29 for the light heavyweight title. However, he was replaced by Zak Cummings due to injury.^[13]

On his two bouts for Shark Fights, he defeated Ilir Latifi and Ricky Shivers. In late 2011 he defeated UFC and K-1 veteran James McSweeney for Superior Cage Combat and closing a sequence of five consecutive victories, he signed with Bellator.^[14]

Bellator Fighting Championships

Newton made his debut on June 22, 2012 at Bellator 71 against Roy Boughton in the quarterfinal match of Bellator 2012 summer series light heavyweight tournament. He won via submission in the second round and advanced to the semifinals.^[15]

On July 20, 2012 at Bellator 72 in the semifinals of the tournament he faced Attila Vegh. He lost via split decision.^[16]

Newton faced Atanas Djambazov on January 17, 2013 at Bellator 85 in the quarterfinal match of Bellator season eight light heavyweight tournament. He won via submission in the second round and advanced to the semifinals.^[17]

In the semifinals, Newton defeated former Strikeforce light heavyweight champion Muhammed Lawal on February 21, 2013 at Bellator 90 via KO due to a spinning back fist.^[18]

In the finals at Bellator 94, Newton faced Mikhail Zayats and won via unanimous decision.^[19]

He was expected to face Bellator light heavyweight champion Attila Vegh on November 2, 2013 at Bellator 106. However, due to Vegh getting injured, Newton instead had a rematch against Muhammed Lawal for the Bellator interim Light Heavyweight title.^[20] He won the fight via unanimous decision to become the Interim Bellator Light Heavyweight Champion.

Newton is slated to face current Bellator Light Heavyweight champion Attila Vegh at Bellator 113 for a title unification bout on March 21, 2014.^[21]

Championships and accomplishments

• Bellator Fighting Championships
  • Interim Bellator Light Heavyweight Championship (One time, Current)
  • Bellator Season 8 Light Heavyweight Tournament Winner

• Maximum Fighting Championship
  • MFC Light Heavyweight Championship (One time)

• Gladiator Challenge
  • GC Light Heavyweight Championship (One time)

Mixed martial arts record

References