Lorenz Larkin

Lorenz Larkin
Born September 3, 1986
Riverside, California, United States
Other names The Monsoon
Nationality American
Height 5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight 170 lb (77 kg; 12 st 2 lb)
Division Light heavyweight (205 lb)
Middleweight (185 lb)
Welterweight (170 lb)
Reach 72.0 in (183 cm)[1]
Fighting out of Riverside, California, United States
Team Team Monsoon
Rank Purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu[2][3]
Years active 2009–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total 20
Wins 15
By knockout 9
By decision 6
Losses 4
By knockout 1
By decision 3
No contests 1
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Lorenz Larkin (born September 3, 1986) is an American mixed martial artist, currently competing in the Welterweight division for the Ultimate Fighting Championship. A professional competitor since 2009, Larkin formerly competed for Strikeforce.

Background

Larkin was born and raised in Riverside, California as one of nine siblings. Larkin began training in boxing at a young age and also played football, but soon gave it up because he did not excel at it or other team sports. Afterwards, he continued boxing but was not able to compete as much as he would like to, due to his father's objections. Larkin also felt that he was too short to be a professional boxer in the Heavyweight division, so he took up kickboxing and Brazilian jiu-jitsu which led him to mixed martial arts. Prior to his career in mixed martial arts, Larkin also trained in Kung Fu. In an interview, Larkin stated he enjoyed the martial arts movies that were ever so popular around the time he was growing up and wanted to be a kung fu fighter.[4][5]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Larkin holds records of 5-0 and 10-0 in amateur boxing and amateur mixed martial arts, respectively, with one of those wins coming against Heavyweight prospect Walt Harris. Making his professional MMA debut in August 2009, he compiled an undefeated record of 9-0

Strikeforce

Larkin made his debut in the Strikeforce promotion on April 1, 2011 against kickboxer Scott Lighty at Strikeforce Challengers: Wilcox vs. Damm, replacing Satoshi Ishii on a week's notice.[6] Larkin won the fight via technical knockout in the second round and earned praise for his impressive performance against a veteran fighter, while being largely unheard of himself.[7]

Larkin returned to the promotion in June 2011. He faced Gian Villante and won the fight via unanimous decision. Villante controlled the first round from top position but Larkin turned it around in the second round by keeping the fight on the feet and landing many strong kicks to the legs of his opponent. Larkin kept this up in the third round while also scoring an unexpected takedown in the last ten seconds.

Larkin was originally scheduled to headline the next challengers event against Virgil Zwicker but Zwicker pulled out due to an injury.[8] Larkin instead faced Nick Rossborough and won the fight via unanimous decision.

Larkin next faced Muhammed Lawal at Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Jardine. He lost the fight via KO in the second round, the first loss of his professional career. However, the result was overturned and changed to a No Contest after Lawal tested positive for steroids (Drostanolone).[9]

For his next fight, Larkin dropped down to Middleweight division. He faced heavy-handed Robbie Lawler on July 14, 2012, at Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Kennedy.[10] He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Larkin was to challenge Luke Rockhold for the championship on November 3, 2012 at Strikeforce: Cormier vs. Mir. The event was to be held at the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma,[11] but was cancelled in October 2012.[12] The fight was rescheduled and set to take place on January 12, 2013.[13] However, Rockhold once again pulled out of the fight due to injury.[14] Larkin was then scheduled to face Ronaldo Souza,[15] but the fight never materialized.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

In January 2013, the Strikeforce organization was closed by its parent company Zuffa. A list of fighters scheduled to be brought over to the Ultimate Fighting Championship was released in mid-January and Larkin was one of the fighters listed.[16]

On February 9, 2013, the UFC announced that Larkin would make his debut against Francis Carmont at UFC on Fox: Henderson vs. Melendez in San Jose, California.[17] He lost the fight due to a controversial unanimous decision with many major MMA media scoring the fight as a win for Larkin.[18][19][20][21]

For his second UFC appearance, Larkin faced Chris Camozzi on November 6, 2013 at UFC Fight Night 31.[22] He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Larkin faced Brad Tavares on January 15, 2014 at UFC Fight Night 35. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Larkin faced Costa Philippou at UFC Fight Night 40.[23] He lost the back-and-forth fight via knockout in the first round.

Larkin was expected to face Derek Brunson at UFC 176.[24] However, after UFC 176 was cancelled, Larkin/Brunson was rescheduled and eventually took place on August 30, 2014 at UFC 177.[25] Larkin lost the fight by unanimous decision.

For his next fight, Larkin moved down to the welterweight division. He faced John Howard on January 18, 2015 at UFC Fight Night 59.[26] Larkin won the fight via TKO in the first round. The performance also earned Larkin his first Performance of the Night bonus award.[27]

Larkin is expected to face Santiago Ponzinibbio on June 27, 2015 at The Ultimate Fighter Brazil 4 Finale.[28]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts record

Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 15–4 (1) John Howard TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: McGregor vs. Siver January 18, 2015 1 2:17 Boston, Massachusetts, United States Welterweight debut. Performance of the Night.
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 14–4 (1) Derek Brunson Decision (unanimous) UFC 177 August 30, 2014 3 5:00 Sacramento, California, United States
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 14–3 (1) Costas Philippou KO (punch) UFC Fight Night: Brown vs. Silva May 10, 2014 1 3:47 Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 14–2 (1) Brad Tavares Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Rockhold vs. Philippou January 15, 2014 3 5:00 Duluth, Georgia, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 14–1 (1) Chris Camozzi Decision (unanimous) UFC: Fight for the Troops 3 November 6, 2013 3 5:00 Fort Campbell, Kentucky, United States
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 13–1 (1) Francis Carmont Decision (unanimous) UFC on Fox: Henderson vs. Melendez April 20, 2013 3 5:00 San Jose, California, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 13–0 (1) Robbie Lawler Decision (unanimous) Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Kennedy July 14, 2012 3 5:00 Portland, Oregon, United States Middleweight debut
style="background-color: #c5d2ea; text-align:center" |NC 12–0 (1) Muhammed Lawal NC (overturned by NSAC) Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Jardine January 7, 2012 2 1:32 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States KO loss overturned as Lawal tested positive for Drostanolone.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 12–0 Nick Rossborough Decision (unanimous) Strikeforce Challengers: Larkin vs. Rossborough September 23, 2011 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 11–0 Gian Villante Decision (unanimous) Strikeforce Challengers: Fodor vs. Terry June 24, 2011 3 5:00 Kent, Washington, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 10–0 Scott Lighty TKO (punches) Strikeforce Challengers: Wilcox vs. Damm April 1, 2011 2 3:15 Stockton, California, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 9–0 Mike Cook TKO (punches) MEZ Sports: Pandemonium 4 February 25, 2011 2 3:32 Riverside, California, United States Non-title bout.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 8–0 Hector Carrillo KO (head kick and punches) MEZ Sports: Pandemonium 3 November 19, 2010 1 2:57 Los Angeles, California, United States Won MEZ Sports Light Heavyweight Championship.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 7–0 Rick Slaton KO (punches) MEZ Sports: Pandemonium 2 September 11, 2010 1 1:06 Riverside, California, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 6–0 Joao Assis KO (slam) Respect in the Cage July 24, 2010 1 1:43 Hollywood, California, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 5–0 Scott Carson KO (punches) MEZ Sports: Pandemonium at the Palladium June 12, 2010 1 2:54 Los Angeles, California, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 4–0 Rick Guillen KO (punches) Champion Promotions: Clash of the Gladiators 2 May 8, 2010 1 2:30 Palm Springs, California, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 3–0 Mychal Clark Decision (split) Respect in the Cage 4 April 17, 2010 3 5:00 Pomona, California, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 2–0 Giovanni Sarran Decision (unanimous) Chaos in the Cage 6 February 27, 2010 3 5:00 Lancaster, California, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 1–0 Lateef Williams KO (elbow) Fist Series: SummerFist III August 15, 2009 1 0:40 Irvine, California, United States

See also

External links

References

  1. ↑ "Fight Card - UFC Fight Night Brown vs. Silva". UFC.com. Retrieved May 11, 2014.
  2. ↑ "Yess siiiiirr". Instagram. January 26, 2014. Retrieved August 30, 2014.
  3. ↑ "New purple belts baby". Instagram. January 26, 2014. Retrieved August 30, 2014.
  4. ↑ Monsoon Season
  5. ↑ http://www.pe.com/articles/larkin-680684-fight-mma.html
  6. ↑ Lorenz Larkin replaces Satoshi Ishii at Strikeforce Challengers 15
  7. ↑ Lorenz Larkin Shines At Strikeforce Challengers 15
  8. ↑ "Strikeforce Challengers 19 headliner Zwicker, prelim fighter Peoples forced out". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2011-09-13.
  9. ↑ "Strikeforce's 'King Mo' Lawal tests positive for anabolic steroid, fighter denies use". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2012-01-17.
  10. ↑ "Healy-Hirota, Mein-Stinson, High-Moore Added to Strikeforce ‘Rockhold vs. Kennedy’ Card". sherdog.com. May 30, 2012.
  11. ↑ "Luke Rockhold Expected to Face Lorenz Larkin at Strikeforce on Nov 3". MMA Weekly. September 4, 2012.
  12. ↑ Stupp, Dann (2012-10-12). "Strikeforce cancels Nov. 3 event in Oklahoma City, plans January return". MMAjunkie.com.
  13. ↑ "Luke Rockhold-Lorenz Larkin middleweight title fight targeted for Jan. 12 Strikeforce event". MMA Junkie. November 7, 2012.
  14. ↑ "Middleweight champ Luke Rockhold out of Jan. 12 Strikeforce event". MMA Junkie. November 25, 2012.
  15. ↑ "Strikeforce adds Jacare/Larkin and Healy/Masvidal to January card". The MMA Report. November 29, 2012.
  16. ↑ "UFC Reveals List of Strikeforce Fighters Making Jump to Octagon". sherdog.com. January 16, 2013.
  17. ↑ "Lorenz Larkin makes UFC debut vs. Francis Carmont at UFC on FOX 7 in San Jose". MMAjunkie.com. February 9, 2013.
  18. ↑ "UFC on Fox 7 Results & Live Play-by-Play". sherdog.com. April 20, 2013.
  19. ↑ "UFC on Fox 7 play by play and live results". mmajunkie.com. April 20, 2013.
  20. ↑ "UFC on FOX 7 Play-by-Play". Josh Gross, ESPN. April 20, 2013.
  21. ↑ "UFC on FOX 7 – Live Results". bloodyelbow.com. April 20, 2013.
  22. ↑ John Petit (August 23, 2013). "Chris Camozzi Meets Lorenz Larkin In Kentucky". fighters.com. Retrieved August 23, 2013.
  23. ↑ Staff (2014-03-02). "Lorenz Larkin vs. Constantinos Philippou slated for UFC Fight Night 40 in Cincinnati". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-03-02.
  24. ↑ Ken Pishna (2014-06-07). "Derek Brunson vs. Lorenz Larkin Added to UFC 176". mmaweekly.com. Retrieved 2014-06-07.
  25. ↑ Staff (2014-07-09). "Danny Castillo-Tony Ferguson, Derek Brunson-Lorenz Larkin moved to UFC 177". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-07-09.
  26. ↑ Staff (2014-11-03). "John Howard vs. Lorenz Larkin set for UFC Fight Night 59 in Boston". mmajunkie.net. Retrieved 2014-11-03.
  27. ↑ Staff (2015-01-19). "UFC Fight Night 59 bonuses: Of course Conor McGregor nabbed one of the $50K awards". mmajunkie.com.
  28. ↑ Marc Raimondi (2015-04-25). "Lorenz Larkin to meet Santiago Ponzinibbio at Ultimate Fighter Brazil 4 Finale". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2015-04-25.