Sam Oropeza

Sam Oropeza
Born June 17, 1985
Briarcliffe, Pennsylvania, United States
Other names Sammy O, The Fighting Pride of Briarcliffe
Nationality American
Height 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight 185 lb (84 kg; 13.2 st)
Division Welterweight (170 lb)
Middleweight (185 lb)
Reach 72.5 in (184 cm)[1]
Fighting out of Briarcliffe, Pennsylvania, United States
Team Philadelphia Fight Factory, Team Balance
Rank brown belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu
Years active 2008–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total 15
Wins 13
By knockout 7
By submission 6
Losses 2
By submission 2
Amateur career
Total 2
Wins 2
By knockout 1
By submission 1
Other information
Notable school(s) Monsignor Bonner High School
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Sam Oropeza (born June 17, 1985) is an American mixed martial artist who competes in Bellator's middleweight division.

Background

Oropeza was born in Briarcliffe, Pennsylvania as the youngest of six children. At the age of 10, Oropeza lost his father to liver failure. During his youth, Oropeza wrestled at Monsignor Bonner High School. In 2006, he started to practice Brazilian jiu-jitsu and in 2008 he earned a purple belt. In the same year, he fought as an amateur in mixed martial arts for the first time.[2][3]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career: King of the Cage and Strikeforce

Oropeza started his professional career in 2009. He made his Professional debut vs Mitch Filer and defeated him via rear naked choke in the first round. From 2009 to 2010, he was victorious against Dustin Collins, Dave Concepcion, Koa Ramos at KOTC: Honor[4] and Don Carlo-Clauss at Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Silva.[5] Oropeza's first defeat (professional or amateur) was against fellow undefeated prospect Myles Jury at KOTC: No Mercy.[6]

Early Career TV Appearances

Sam Oropeza did a taping in 2010 for the MTV show Bully Beatdown in which real life bullies fight professional fighters and if they are defeated the bullies victims get up to $10,000. If the bully defeats the Fighter, he gets $10,000. The episode Aired on MTV2 in 2012 titled David: Tears of A Clown.[7] Oropeza made the bully tap out 5 times in round 1 and stopped the fight with a TKO in round 2, earning the bullies victims $10,000.

Oropeza also appeared on Kevin Smith's show, Comic Book Men, on AMC. Oropeza was seen portraying Jay from the Jay and Silent Bob Duo in a staged fight between the 2 cult heroes.

Bellator Fighting Championships, Matrix Fights and Xtreme Fight Events

Oropeza made his Bellator debut against Giedrius Karavackas on May 14, 2011 at Bellator 44. He was defeated via submission due to a scarf hold armlock in the third round.[8]

After an extended break from competition (10 months) Oropeza returned to face Aung La Nsang on March 16, 2012 at Matrix Fights 5. He won via submission due to a triangle choke in the second round.[9]

Oropeza faced Richard Rigmaden on October 13, 2012 at XFE: Cage Wars 18. He won via submission due to an armbar early in the first round.[10]

In February 2013, it was announced that Oropeza has signed a long-term contract with Bellator.[11]

Bellator return

Oropeza returned to the Bellator cage 2 years after he debuted with them to face Shedrick Goodridge on April 4, 2013 at Bellator 95. He won via TKO in the second round. It was later revealed Oropeza finished his opponent despite having suffered a broken tibia in the round.[12]

Oropeza faced Chip Moraza-Pollard on November 15, 2013 at Bellator 108. He won via TKO early in round one.[13]

Oropeza was expected to face Fight Master winner Joe Riggs in the quarterfinal match of Bellator season ten welterweight tournament on March 14, 2014 at Bellator 112.[14] Riggs, however, pulled out of the bout and was replaced by Cristiano Souza.[15] Oropeza won the fight via TKO in the first round.

Move to Middleweight

Oropeza was unable to make weight for the rescheduled semi final bout of the Bellator Season 10 Welterweight Tournament vs Andrey Koreshkov. It is expected he will be making a move up in weight after difficulties with weight cutting. Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney stated “He got within 1.7 pound this time but then he just said I’m done. I am going to end up going to the hospital. I am finished but last time he was seven or eight over. Last time he was clearly missing and this time he could have conceptually made it, but you get to that point where you say stop because you are going to end up in the hospital and he did. One Seventy is just to small for him.”[16]

Oropeza made his middleweight return against Gary Tapusoa on October 24, 2014 at Bellator 130.[17] He won the fight via TKO in the first round.

Moving on from Bellator, Global Proving Ground & CFFC

After 4 straight first round TKO wins, 3 under the Bellator banner, Oropeza asked for and was granted his release from Bellator MMA. Oropeza was very open about his desire to fight in the UFC and is hopeful to sign a contract with the UFC before the end of 2015. Oropeza fought on January 17, 2015 for Global Proving Ground and defeated Timothy Woods in the first round, in the Main Event at Global Proving Ground 17 "Fighters Against Dog Fighting". It was rumored Oropeza was approached by the UFC to step in and fight Uriah Hall but was unable to secure his release from his contract to fight for Global Proving Ground. He has Since Signed a multifight deal with Caged Fury Fighting Championships a contract which includes a UFC clause allowing him to leave CFFC if the UFC offers him a fight.

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 13–2 Timothy Woods KO (slam) Global Proving Ground January 17, 2015 1 0:51 Pennsauken, New Jersey, United States 185 lb middleweight fight
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 12–2 Gary Tapusoa TKO (punches) Bellator 130 October 24, 2014 1 2:31 Mulvane, Kansas, United States 185 lb middleweight fight
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 11–2 Cristiano Souza TKO (punches) Bellator 112 March 14, 2014 1 3:07 Hammond, Indiana Bellator Season 10 Welterweight Tournament Quarterfinals
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 10–2 Chip Moraza-Pollard TKO (punches) Bellator 108 November 15, 2013 1 0:37 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States 174 lb catchweight bout;
Oropeza missed weight.[18]
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 9–2 Brett Oteri TKO (punches) Matrix Fights 8 September 20, 2013 1 3:32 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States Middleweight bout.[19]
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 8–2 Shedrick Goodridge TKO (punches) Bellator 95 April 4, 2013 2 4:22 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States 173 lb catchweight bout;
Goodridge missed weight.[20]
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 7–2 Richard Rigmaden Submission (armbar) XFE: Cage Wars 18 October 13, 2012 1 1:31 Chester, Pennsylvania, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 6–2 Aung La Nsang Submission (triangle choke) Matrix Fights 5 March 16, 2012 2 0:56 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 5–2 Giedrius Karavackas Submission (scarf-hold armlock) Bellator 44 May 14, 2011 3 3:59 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 5–1 Don Carlo-Clauss Submission (punches) Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Silva February 12, 2011 1 4:10 East Rutherford, New Jersey, United States
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 4–1 Myles Jury Submission (standing rear-naked choke)[21] King of the Cage: No Mercy September 17, 2010 1 2:55 Mashantucket, Connecticut, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 4–0 Koa Ramos Submission (guillotine choke) King of the Cage: Honor May 14, 2010 1 0:50 Mescalero, New Mexico, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 3–0 Dave Concepción KO (head kick) Adrenaline: New Breed February 26, 2010 1 0:09 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 2–0 Dustin Collins Submission (armbar) Arena Rumble: Horn vs. Guida September 12, 2009 2 4:19 Spokane, Washington, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 1–0 Mitch Filer Submission (rear-naked choke) WCA: Caged Combat June 6, 2009 1 0:47 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States

References

  1. ↑ "Sam Oropeza's profile". Tapology.com. Retrieved January 14, 2014.
  2. ↑ Staff (May 12, 2011). "Fight Path: Late bloomer Sam Oropeza facing fears, fulfilling dreams". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved January 14, 2014.
  3. ↑ Joe Arcidiacono (August 4, 2010). "Local fighter remains humble while racking up wins". Delconewsnetwork.com. Retrieved January 14, 2014.
  4. ↑ Robert Sargent (May 14, 2010). "KOTC: "Honor" live play-by-play & results". MMArising.com. Retrieved January 14, 2014.
  5. ↑ Mike Whitman (February 12, 2011). "Strikeforce prelims: Cholish kneebars TUF 12 alum Stevens". Sherdog.com. Retrieved January 14, 2014.
  6. ↑ Robert Sargent (September 17, 2010). "KOTC: "No Mercy" live play-by-play & results". MMArising.com. Retrieved January 14, 2014.
  7. ↑ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Bully_Beatdown_episodes. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  8. ↑ Sam Genovese (May 15, 2011). "Karavackas taps Oropeza, Lentz wins on Bellator 44 undercard". Sherdog.com. Retrieved January 14, 2014.
  9. ↑ Keith Mills (March 21, 2012). "Somewhat controversial win for Oropeza at Matrix 5". Adcombat.com. Retrieved January 14, 2014.
  10. ↑ "Sam Oropeza comes out victorious at Cage Wars 18". Tristatemediaonline.com. October 14, 2012. Retrieved January 14, 2014.
  11. ↑ Ted Czech (February 8, 2013). "Pro welterweight Sam Oropeza inks deals with Binns Management and Bellator MMA". Yorkblog.com. Retrieved January 14, 2014.
  12. ↑ Brian Knapp (April 4, 2013). "Pat Curran chokes Shahbulat Shamhalaev unconscious, keeps featherweight crown at Bellator 95". Sherdog.com. Retrieved January 14, 2014.
  13. ↑ Brian Knapp (November 15, 2013). "'Rampage' Jackson wrecks Joey Beltran with last-second left hook at Bellator 108". Sherdog.com. Retrieved January 14, 2014.
  14. ↑ Dann Stupp (January 13, 2014). "Daniel Straus vs. Pat Curran III headlines Bellator 112, War Machine returns". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved January 14, 2014.
  15. ↑ "War Machine, Riggs, Scanlon out; Bradley, Coy, Souza in Bellator welterweight tournament". themmareport.com. March 8, 2014. Retrieved March 15, 2014.
  16. ↑ Floyd, Jason (May 3, 2014). "Sam Oropeza was not on weight for initial fight against Andrey Koreshkov at Bellator 115 last month". themmareport.com. Retrieved May 19, 2014.
  17. ↑ MMAjunkie Staff (September 30, 2014). "Emanuel Newton headlines Bellator 130 in title tilt with Linton Vassell". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved October 1, 2014.
  18. ↑ Staff (November 14, 2013). "Bellator 108 weigh-in results: ‘Rampage’-Beltran set, heavyweight title fight official". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved January 14, 2014.
  19. ↑ "Matrix Fights 8: Sam Oropeza vs. Brett Oteri". Tapology.com. Retrieved January 14, 2014.
  20. ↑ Staff (April 3, 2013). "Bellator 95 weigh-in results: Curran, Shamhalaev set for 145 title (updated)". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved January 14, 2014.
  21. ↑ http://www.mixedmartialarts.com/f/AEC9A95C026AE5C0/Myles-Jury/