Shayna Baszler

Shayna Baszler
Born August 8, 1980
Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States
Other names The Queen of Spades
Nationality American
Height 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)
Weight 135 lb (61 kg; 9.6 st)
Division Bantamweight
Reach 67.5 inches (1.71 m)[1]
Style Catch Wrestling, Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Fighting out of Glendale, California
Team CSW, Next Edge Academy of Martial Arts, Glendale Fighting Club (2013-present)
Rank      Brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Mixed martial arts record
Total 25
Wins 15
By submission 14
By decision 1
Losses 10
By knockout 5
By submission 3
By decision 2
University MidAmerica Nazarene University
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Shayna Baszler (born August 8, 1980) is an American mixed martial artist. She currently trains under former UFC Heavyweight Champion Josh Barnett. She has a record of 15 wins and 10 losses, with 14 wins coming by way of submission.

Baszler gained recognition for her pseudo-chicken wing submission that she has used to defeat many female fighters, including Roxanne Modafferi. In an audio interview with Jordan Breen on the Sherdog Radio Network, she dubbed the submission, which she created in training, as the "Shwing." Baszler is the first MMA fighter to win via wrestling guillotine, also known as the twister in MMA or submission grappling.

Under Billy Robinson, Baszler is the only certified female catch wrestler in the United States. Robinson has contributed immensely in training several mixed martial arts legends including Kazushi Sakuraba and Josh Barnett.

Biography

Baszler is the daughter of Skip and Margaret Baszler. Skip is of German descent, and Margaret is of Chinese descent. Baszler grew up in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. She majored in religion at MidAmerica Nazarene University in Kansas before beginning her mixed martial arts training.

Baszler was a key spokesperson in the movement to create a South Dakota athletic commission for combat sports. She once delivered a speech that touched opposing Rep. Steve Hickey, who once labeled MMA as the "child porn" of sports. Hickey later changed his mind about the sport after visiting Baszler at the Next Edge Academy of Martial Arts, the training place of Baszler, as well as other mixed martial arts fighters and practitioners.

Baszler is also a coach for the South Dakota based roller derby team, the Sioux Falls Roller Dollz.

Baszler is a certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT).[2]

Martial arts background and persona

Baszler, a Khun Kru in the Muay Thai boxing association and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu brown belt, began incorporating catch wrestling into her MMA training. This proved to be somewhat difficult because she could not train with Barnett in Southern California, so Barnett wrote her a syllabus and a video teaching the step-by-step secrets of catch wrestling and how to improve her verbal skills.[2] Barnett also suggested that Baszler carry an electric guitar to the cage to show that she was outspoken. Baszler reluctantly agreed, and the guitar has become a signature of hers as she is considered the "only living, breathing rock star in the history of MMA" by her fans due to her rock star-like persona.

Barnett began calling Baszler "The Queen of Spades" due to her card tricks, which is her nickname today. Her card magic can also be related to her submission magic. She is sometimes labeled the "submission magician," confusing commentators with her creativity. Baszler refers to her fans as the "Queen's Army," as each member is considered an intelligent minion of the Queen.[2]

Mixed martial arts career

Baszler faced Amanda Buckner at MFC: USA vs. Russia 3 on June 3, 2006. She lost the fight by TKO in the third round.[3]

She faced Samantha Anderson at NFF: The Breakout on March 10, 2007. She won the fight by kimura submission in the first round.[4]

Elite XC

Baszler debuted for EliteXC at a ShoXC event on July 27, 2007. She submitted veteran Jan Finney with a first-round armbar and repeated the feat three months later against Jennifer Tate. After defeating Keiko Tamai with an impressive Twister submission at a third ShoXC event, Baszler moved up to the main EliteXC cards.

Baszler next faced Cristiane Justino on CBS television at EliteXC: Unfinished Business on July 26, 2008.[5] She lost the fight via TKO in the second round.[6]

Strikeforce

Following EliteXC's closure, Baszler debuted for Strikeforce at Strikeforce Challengers: Villasenor vs. Cyborg on June 19, 2009 in a fight against Sarah Kaufman, but lost by Unanimous Decision.[7]

Baszler entered the Freestyle Cage Fighting Women's Bantamweight Grand Prix at FCF 39 on January 30, 2010 in Shawnee, Oklahoma. She submitted Megumi Yabushita with a twister submission in the first round of their quarterfinal bout. It was the second time that Baszler had won an MMA fight with the unique submission.[8]

Independent Circuit

Baszler faced late replacement Alexis Davis in the second round of the FCF tournament at FCF 40 on March 27, 2010. She defeated Davis by unanimous decision.[9]

Baszler was scheduled to face Jan Finney in the tournament final at FCF 43 on June 12, 2010.[9] However, Finney withdrew in order to compete in Strikeforce and Baszler faced Adrienna Jenkins instead.[10] Baszler defeated Jenkins by first-round armbar to become FCF Women's Bantamweight Grand Prix Champion.[11]

On November 19, 2010, Baszler faced Elaina Maxwell at The Cage Inc.: Battle At The Border 7. Baszler defeated Maxwell by submission due to a kneebar in the first round to become the first TCI Women's 140 lbs Champion.[12]

Baszler was scheduled to defend her TCI title in a rematch with Alexis Davis at The Cage Inc.: Battle At The Border 10 on July 30, 2011.[13] However, the fight was cancelled after Davis signed with Strikeforce.[14]

Baszler agreed to face Kelly Kobold in a rematch at Cage Fighting Xtreme: Spring Brawl on April 21, 2012.[15] However, it was announced on March 16 that the event had been cancelled.[16]

Invicta Fighting Championships

On April 28, it was announced that Baszler would face Sara McMann in the main event of Invicta FC 2: Baszler vs. McMann. The event took place on July 28, 2012.[17] In a back-and-forth affair, Baszler lost the fight in what was considered to be a controversial unanimous decision. The bout was named fight of the night.[18][19]

Baszler faced Sarah D'Alelio at Invicta FC 3: Penne vs. Sugiyama on October 6, 2012.[20] She defeated D'Alelio via submission due to a rear naked choke early in round two.[21]

Baszler faced Alexis Davis in a rematch at Invicta FC 4: Esparza vs. Hyatt on January 5, 2013.[22] She was defeated via technical submission due to a rear naked choke in round three.[23][24] The bout was named fight of the night.[25]

The Ultimate Fighter

In August 2013, it was announced that Baszler was one of the fighters selected to be on The Ultimate Fighter: Team Rousey vs. Team Tate.[26] In her fight to get into the TUF house, Baszler faced Colleen Schneider and won via an armbar submission in the first round. Baszler was then selected by Rousey as the first team pick and the first fight of the season against Julianna Peña. Baszler lost to Peña after tapping out due to a rear naked choke in the second round.[27]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Baszler was expected to face Sarah Kaufman at The Ultimate Fighter Nations Finale.[28] However, on April 2, 2014, she pulled out of the bout due to an injury.[29]

For her promotional debut, Baszler faced Bethe Correia on on August 30, 2014, at UFC 177.[30] She lost the fight via TKO in the second round.

Baszler faced Amanda Nunes on March 21, 2015 at UFC Fight Night 62.[31] She lost the fight via TKO in the first round after taking multiple leg kicks.

Professional wrestling

On March 1, 2015, at Ring of Honor's 13th Anniversary Show, Baszler accompanied reDRagon to the ring for their ROH World Tag Team Championship defense. After they won, she helped cut a celebratory promo, where they described her addition to the team as "[finding] our Ringo".[32]

She was in attendance with the rest of The Four Horsewomen at WrestleMania 31, where Rousey was involved in a major angle with The Rock, Triple H and Stephanie McMahon. She was not part of the angle itself, but was acknowledged on-screen.[33]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts record

Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 15–10 Amanda Nunes TKO (leg kick and punches) UFC Fight Night: Maia vs. LaFlare March 21, 2015 1 1:56 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 15–9 Bethe Correia TKO (punches) UFC 177 August 30, 2014 2 1:56 Sacramento, California, United States
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 15–8 Alexis Davis Technical Submission (rear-naked choke) Invicta FC 4: Esparza vs. Hyatt January 5, 2013 3 0:58 Kansas City, Kansas, United States Fight of the Night
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 15–7 Sarah D'Alelio Submission (rear-naked choke) Invicta FC 3: Penne vs. Sugiyama October 6, 2012 2 0:37 Kansas City, Kansas, United States
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 14–7 Sara McMann Decision (unanimous) Invicta FC 2: Baszler vs. McMann July 28, 2012 3 5:00 Kansas City, Kansas, United States Fight of the Night
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 14–6 Elaina Maxwell Submission (kneebar) The Cage Inc.: Battle At The Border 7 November 19, 2010 1 4:03 Hankinson, North Dakota, United States Became First TCI Women's 140 lbs Champion
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 13–6 Adrienna Jenkins Submission (armbar) Freestyle Cage Fighting 43 June 12, 2010 1 2:12 Shawnee, Oklahoma, United States Became FCF Women's Bantamweight Grand Prix Champion
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 12–6 Alexis Davis Decision (unanimous) Freestyle Cage Fighting 40 March 27, 2010 3 5:00 Shawnee, Oklahoma, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 11–6 Megumi Yabushita Submission (twister) Freestyle Cage Fighting 39 January 30, 2010 1 4:50 Shawnee, Oklahoma, United States
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 10–6 Sarah Kaufman Decision (unanimous) Strikeforce Challengers: Villasenor vs. Cyborg June 19, 2009 3 5:00 Kent, Washington, United States
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 10–5 Cristiane Justino TKO (punches) EliteXC: Unfinished Business July 26, 2008 2 2:48 Stockton, California, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 10–4 Keiko Tamai Submission (twister) ShoXC 6 April 5, 2008 1 2:05 Friant, California, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 9–4 Jennifer Tate Submission (armbar) ShoXC: Elite Challenger Series October 26, 2007 1 0:44 Santa Ynez, California, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 8–4 Jan Finney Submission (armbar) ShoXC: Elite Challenger Series July 27, 2007 1 2:40 Santa Ynez, California, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 7–4 Samantha Anderson Submission (kimura) NFF: The Breakout March 10, 2007 1 1:00 Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 6–4 Tara LaRosa TKO (punches) BodogFight: Costa Rica February 18, 2007 2 3:15 Costa Rica
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 6–3 Roxanne Modafferi Submission (hammerlock) MARS: BodogFight October 4, 2006 1 1:08 Tokyo, Japan
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 5–3 Amanda Buckner TKO (punches) MFC: USA vs Russia 3 June 3, 2006 3 3:03 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 5–2 Julie Kedzie Submission (armbar) Freestyle Combat Challenge 22 March 18, 2006 1 N/A Racine, Wisconsin, United States
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 4–2 Amanda Buckner Submission (armbar) Ring of Fire 20: Elite December 10, 2005 1 4:28 Castle Rock, Colorado, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 4–1 Cindy Romero Submission (punches) UCS: Battle At The Barn 9 May 7, 2005 1 N/A Rochester, Minnesota, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 3–1 Heather Lobs Submission (choke) Jungle Madness 2 January 15, 2005 1 1:51 Minnesota, United States
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 2–1 Kelly Kobold Submission (punches) Reality Cage Fighting May 15, 2004 2 2:20 South Dakota, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 2–0 Christy Zimmerman Submission (armbar) Reality Cage Fighting November 14, 2003 1 N/A South Dakota, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 1–0 Tina Johnson Submission (armbar) Reality Cage Fighting October 31, 2003 1 1:20 South Dakota, United States

References

  1. ↑ "Shayna Baszler Awakening Profile". Awakeningfighters.com. Retrieved 2014-02-22.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "The Not-So-Cruel Tutelage of Josh Barnett Shayna Baszler Learns to Step into the Spotlight and Finds Out She Likes It". FCFighter.com. 2008-04-14. Retrieved 2009-08-28.
  3. ↑ "MFC: Hometown Boy Doesn’t Disappoint". Sherdog.com. 2006-06-04. Retrieved 2010-02-13.
  4. ↑ "Mega Megu Takes Easy Win in the Cage". Sherdog.com. 2007-03-11. Retrieved 2010-02-13.
  5. ↑ "Ladies To Take CBS-EliteXC Stage". Sherdog.com, by Jordan Breen. 2008-07-09. Retrieved 2008-07-09.
  6. ↑ "'Ruthless' Retains". Sherdog.com. 2008-07-27. Retrieved 2010-02-10.
  7. ↑ "Gurgel and Heun steal show at Strikeforce, Villasenor edges "Cyborg" in main event". MMAjunkie.com. 2009-06-20. Retrieved 2010-02-10.
  8. ↑ "Freestyle Cage Fighting 39 Live Results". MMARising.com. Retrieved 2010-02-01.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Baszler, Finney Advance In FCF Grand Prix". MMARising.com. Retrieved 2010-03-29.
  10. ↑ "Cris Cyborg vs Jan Finney Planned For June 26th". MMARising.com. Retrieved 2010-05-15.
  11. ↑ "Shayna Baszler Wins FCF Women's Grand Prix". MMARising.com. Retrieved 2010-06-13.
  12. ↑ "Weekend Recap: Baszler, Pene Win At The Cage Inc.". MMARising.com. Retrieved 2010-11-22.
  13. ↑ "Shayna Baszler vs Alexis Davis Rematch Set For July 30". MMARising.com. 2011-06-14. Retrieved 2011-06-17.
  14. ↑ "Strikeforce Adds Two More Women's Bouts To July 30 Card". MMARising.com. 2011-07-01. Retrieved 2011-07-01.
  15. ↑ "Shayna Baszler vs Kelly Kobold Rematch Agreed For April 21". MMARising.com. 2012-01-09. Retrieved 2012-01-19.
  16. ↑ "CFX: "Spring Brawl" Cancelled, Baszler-Kobold Rematch Off". MMARising.com. 2012-03-16. Retrieved 2012-03-23.
  17. ↑ "Sara McMann Faces Shayna Baszler In Invicta FC 2 Headliner". MMARising.com. 2012-04-28. Retrieved 2012-04-29.
  18. ↑ "Invicta FC 2 Results: McMann, Davis & Carmouche Victorious". MMARising.com. 2012-07-29. Retrieved 2012-07-30.
  19. ↑ "McMann, Baszler Discuss Invicta FC 2 Fight Of The Night". MMARising.com. 2012-07-29. Retrieved 2012-07-30.
  20. ↑ "Shayna Baszler Faces Sarah D’Alelio In Invicta FC 3 Co-Feature". MMARising.com. 2012-08-15. Retrieved 2012-08-15.
  21. ↑ "Invicta FC 3 Results: Jessica Penne Captures Atomweight Title". MMARising.com. 2012-10-06. Retrieved 2012-10-10.
  22. ↑ "Shayna Baszler vs Alexis Davis Rematch Added To Invicta FC 4". MMARising.com. 2012-11-09. Retrieved 2012-11-11.
  23. ↑ "Invicta FC 4 Results: Carla Esparza Wins Strawweight Title". MMARising.com. 2013-01-05. Retrieved 2013-01-13.
  24. ↑ "Invicta FC 4 results: Esparza outlasts Hyatt for belt, Davis chokes out Baszler". MMAjunkie.com. 2013-01-05. Retrieved 2013-01-13.
  25. ↑ "Four Fighters Earn Bonuses At Invicta Fighting Championships 4". MMARising.com. 2013-01-05. Retrieved 2013-01-13.
  26. ↑ Staff (2013-08-15). "'Ultimate Fighter' Season 18 cast revealed, including LaRosa, Baszler, Modafferi". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved 2013-08-23.
  27. ↑ "TUF 18 Episode 2 Recap: Julianna Peña Submits Shayna Baszler". MMARising.com. 2013-09-11. Retrieved 2013-09-11.
  28. ↑ Staff (2014-02-08). "Sarah Kaufman meets Shayna Baszler at TUF Nations Finale in April". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-02-08.
  29. ↑ Guilherme Cruz (2014-04-03). "Amanda Nunes replaces Shayna Baszler, meets Sarah Kaufman at TUF Nations Finale". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2014-04-03.
  30. ↑ Matt Erickson (2014-07-08). "Shayna Baszler vs. Bethe Correia moves from UFC 176 to UFC 177 in Sacramento". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-07-08.
  31. ↑ she lost the fight by TKO due to kicks and punches. seems end of the road in the UFC for Bazler Robert Sargent (2015-01-30). "Amanda Nunes vs Shayna Baszler Added To UFC Fight Night 62". mmarising.com. Retrieved 2015-01-30.
  32. ↑ "Video: Watch UFC Fighter Shayna Baszler Help Cut a Professional Wrestling Promo in Ring of Honor", from Sherdog.com
  33. ↑ "Ronda Rousey judo tosses Triple H, beats up Stephanie McMahon at Wrestlemania 31", by Marc Raimondi, MMAFighting.com

External links

See also