Gerald Harris (fighter)

For other people named Gerald Harris, see Gerald Harris (disambiguation).
Gerald Harris
Born (1979-11-19) November 19, 1979
Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States
Other names Hurricane
Nationality American
Height 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight 170 lb (77 kg; 12 st)
Division Welterweight
Middleweight (formerly)
Fighting out of Tulsa, Oklahoma
Years active 2006-2014
Mixed martial arts record
Total 27
Wins 22
By knockout 9
By submission 6
By decision 7
Losses 5
By knockout 1
By decision 4
Draws 0
Other information
Website http://www.hurricanecomedy.com/
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Gerald Harris (born November 19, 1979) is a retired American mixed martial artist and current stand-up comedian, who formerly fought in the World Series of Fighting's Welterweight division. He was a cast member of Spike TV's The Ultimate Fighter 7 and has also competed in the UFC, DREAM, the Portland Wolfpack in the IFL, Shark Fights, and Tachi Palace Fights.

Beginning

Gerald Harris wrestled in college for Cleveland State University and owns the all-time record for wins on the wrestling team. Also while attending CSU, Harris was member of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.[1]

Mixed martial arts

Harris stumbled into mixed martial arts by accident after a friend convinced him to do it for fun and with Harris needing money, he agreed. He took an exhibition fight for $200, with the money he bought a "ragged Mustang to get around town." He beat his opponent so badly that he was invited to join the tournament and thus his professional fighting career began in August 2006. Harris won his first five matches before losing a controversial split decision to Fabio Leopoldo in his IFL debut.

After being on The Ultimate Fighter, Gerald went to train with Rampage Jackson for five weeks in Liverpool, England, and was very close to signing with Bellator Fighting Championships and taking part in their first season middleweight tournament.

When Gerald fell into financial problems, he was forced to move with his mother to Arizona, resulting in Gerald asking to be cut from his fight team, Team Quest. In Arizona he began training with C.B. Dollaway, Jamie Varner and Ryan Bader at Arizona Combat Sports.[2] He left the team not long after starting and moved to Denver, Colorado to train with Trevor Wittman at the Grudge Training Center.

The Ultimate Fighter

Harris was on the Spike TV reality show The Ultimate Fighter as a member of Team Rampage. He got on the show by defeating Mike Madallo [3] but lost in the second round to Amir Sadollah, who was the eventual winner of that season.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Harris was signed to the UFC after calling into MMA Junkie Radio with the special guest being President of the UFC, Dana White. Harris called the show, changing his voice, and began praising himself in the third person. Finally, Harris came out and identified himself, then he informed White of his desire to fight for the promotion and told him of his current winning streak. White congratulated Harris and told him to call the office for a talk, the talk entailed getting Harris signed to a four fight deal with the UFC.

He was set to make his debut for the UFC against Mike Massenzio on January 11, 2010 at UFC Fight Night 20, replacing an injured Tim Credeur.[4] Instead he fought John Salter, who stepped in for the injured Massenzio.[5] He would later go on to defeat Salter by TKO in the third round and win Knockout of the Night.

In his second appearance in the UFC, he fought on the UFC Fight Night 21 card against recent signing Mario Miranda. The fight took place March 31, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Harris won the fight by TKO due to punches in the first round.[6]

Harris next faced Renzo Gracie BJJ black belt, David Branch, on the under card of UFC 116. Harris won via knockout after a brutal slam at 3:25 of the third round. The knockout was awarded "Knockout of the Night," giving Harris his second post fight bonus and an extra $75,000 to his pay.[7] The knockout was also shown on numerous sport's highlight shows, including ESPN's Sportscenter.

Harris was expected to face Alessio Sakara on August 28, 2010 at UFC 118, replacing an injured Jorge Rivera.[8] However, Sakara was also forced off the card with an injury and replaced by Joe Vedepo.[9] Then on August 18, it was announced that the Harris/Vedepo bout had been scrapped from the card.[10] Harris was brought in as an alternative for the week of the event, and was given a fight purse for dieting, training and flying out to Boston.[11]

Once again, Harris faced a UFC newcomer in Maiquel Falcão on November 20, 2010 at UFC 123[12] Harris lost the fight via unanimous decision and, in a surprising move to many observers, was subsequently released by the promotion.[13][14][15]

Post UFC

Following his release, Harris fought James Head on February 11, 2011 for Oklahoma's Xtreme Fight Night MMA. The fight was back and forth throughout the three rounds. Harris lost the fight via decision.[16][17]

Harris then fought at Tachi Palace Fights 9 against journeyman Anthony Ruiz. He went on to win that fight via unanimous decision, and ended up breaking his hand in the process.

DREAM/ Legacy FC

On July 25, 2011, Harris announced on his personal Twitter that he had signed a multi-fight deal with Japanese promotion, DREAM. In his debut, Harris faced fellow UFC veteran Kazuhiro Nakamura at Dream 17.[18] He won the fight via split decision.

Harris fought Eric Davila on Feb. 24, 2012 in the main event of Legacy Fighting Championship 10.[19] He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Harris fought Mike Bronzoulis in his welterweight debut on May 11, 2012 at Legacy Fighting Championship 11. He defeated Bronzoulis by split decision.

World Series of Fighting

Harris signed with World Series of Fighting in late 2012 and made his promotional debut at WSOF 1 on November 3, 2012 against Josh Burkman. Harris lost the fight via unanimous decision.

In his second fight with the promotion, Harris fought Jorge Santiago at WSOF 4. The bout had a confusing first round where Harris slammed Santiago and believed he had tapped. However, the referee was stopping the action to deduct a point from Santiago for blatantly grabbing the cage during Harris' slam. Despite the confusion, Harris went on to win the fight via unanimous decision.

Harris announced his retirement from MMA on April 22, 2014.[20][21]

Personal life

Gerald's brother Corey was killed in March 2009. A teenage driver making a quick left turn had collided with his motorcycle, killing him instantly.[22] Despite this Gerald fought 7 days later and dedicated his victory to his brother.[22]

Championships and achievements

Titan Fighting Championship

Mixed martial arts record

Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
loss 22–5 Jorge Santiago Decision (unanimous) WSOF 4 August 10, 2013 3 5:00 Ontario, California, United States
Loss 21–5 Josh Burkman Decision (unanimous) WSOF 1 November 3, 2012 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States WSOF Debut
Win 21–4 Mike Bronzoulis Decision (split) Legacy Fighting 11 May 11, 2012 3 5:00 Houston, Texas, United States Drops to Welterweight
Win 20–4 Eric Davila Decision (unanimous) Legacy Fighting 10 February 24, 2012 3 5:00 Houston, Texas, United States
Win 19–4 Kazuhiro Nakamura Decision (split) Dream 17 September 24, 2011 3 5:00 Saitama, Japan
Win 18–4 Anthony Ruiz Decision (unanimous) Tachi Palace Fights 9 May 5, 2011 3 5:00 Lemoore, California, United States
Loss 17–4 James Head Decision (unanimous) Xtreme Fight Night 2: Harris vs. Head February 25, 2011 3 5:00 Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States
Loss 17–3 Maiquel Falcão Decision (unanimous) UFC 123 November 20, 2010 3 5:00 Auburn Hills, Michigan, United States
Win 17–2 David Branch KO (slam) UFC 116 July 3, 2010 3 2:35 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Knockout of the Night
Win 16–2 Mario Miranda TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Florian vs. Gomi March 31, 2010 1 4:49 Charlotte, North Carolina, United States
Win 15–2 John Salter TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Maynard vs. Diaz January 11, 2010 3 3:24 Fairfax, Virginia, United States Knockout of the Night
Win 14–2 Nissen Osterneck KO (punch) Shark Fights 6: Stars & Stripes September 12, 2009 1 0:46 Amarillo, Texas, United States Won Shark Fights Middleweight Championship
Win 13–2 David Knight KO (punches) Slammin Jammin Weekend 2 March 28, 2009 1 1:38 Red Rock, Oklahoma, United States
Win 12–2 Travis Doerge Submission (guillotine choke) C3 Fights: Knockout Rockout Weekend January 30, 2009 1 2:32 Clinton, Oklahoma, United States
Win 11–2 Jay Ford Submission (punches) Freestyle Cage Fighting 25 November 15, 2008 1 3:43 Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States
Win 10–2 Mitch Whitesel Decision (unanimous) C3 Fights: Showdown 2 August 16, 2008 3 5:00 Cherokee, North Carolina, United States
Win 9–2 Brandon McDowell Submission (punches) C3 Fights: Battle on the Border 2 July 12, 2008 1 1:21 Newkirk, Oklahoma, United States
Win 8–2 Jeremija Sanders TKO (punches) FTP: Global Showdown November 3, 2007 1 0:30 Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States
Loss 7–2 Benji Radach TKO (punches) IFL: 2007 Semifinals August 2, 2007 1 3:03 East Rutherford, New Jersey, United States IFL Fight of the Night
Loss 7–1 Fabio Leopoldo Decision (split) IFL: Connecticut April 13, 2007 3 4:00 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States IFL Fight of the Night
Win 7–0 Curtis Stout KO (slam and punches) Titan FC 7 March 23, 2007 1 4:57 Kansas City, Kansas, United States
Win 6–0 Travis Fowler Decision (unanimous) Freestyle Cage Fighting 9 March 10, 2007 3 5:00 Ponca City, Oklahoma, United States
Win 5–0 Harvell Hunter KO (punches) Freestyle Cage Fighting 8 February 10, 2007 1 N/A Ponca City, Oklahoma, United States
Win 4–0 Bubba McDaniel Submission (injury) Freestyle Cage Fighting 6 November 3, 2006 2 4:55 Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States FCF Middleweight Tournament Champion
Win 3–0 Joe Bunch TKO (punches) FCF: Brawl For It All October 7, 2006 2 1:58 Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States
Win 2–0 Chester Lauchner Submission (verbal) FCF: Brawl For It All August 19, 2006 2 1:06 Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States
Win 1–0 Ryan Lopez Submission (punches) FCFP: Friday Night Fights August 11, 2006 2 0:49 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States

References

  1. ↑ "Gerald Harris CSU wrestler". The Cleveland Stater. Retrieved 2014.
  2. ↑ http://www.aroundtheoctagon.com/?p=197
  3. ↑ http://mmaweekly.com/gerald-harris-starts-over-again-at-ufc-116
  4. ↑ "Tim Credeur out, UFC newcomer Gerald Harris in at UFC Fight Night 20 in January". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2009-12-11.
  5. ↑ "John Salter tapped as late replacement, meets Gerald Harris at UFC Fight Night 20". MMAjunkie.
  6. ↑ "Gerald Harris meets undefeated UFC newcomer Mario Miranda at UFC Fight Night 21". MMAjunkie.
  7. ↑ http://mmajunkie.com/news/19805/ufc-116-fighter-bonuses-six-fighters-each-earn-75k-awards.mma
  8. ↑ "Gerald Harris steps in for injured Jorge Rivera, faces Alessio Sakara at UFC 118". mmajunkie.com. July 23, 2010.
  9. ↑ "Joe Vedepo replaces Alessio Sakara, faces Gerald Harris at UFC 118". mmajunkie.com. August 5, 2010.
  10. ↑ "UFC 118 fight card complete with 10 bous; Harris vs. Vedepo off preliminary card". mmajunkie.com. August 18, 2010.
  11. ↑ http://www.mmafighting.com/2010/08/28/gerald-harris-ufc-118s-fighter-without-a-fight-hopeful-of-quic/
  12. ↑ "Maiquel Falcao vs. Gerald Harris in the works for UFC 123 in November". mmajunkie.com. September 14, 2010.
  13. ↑ "Gerald Harris Released Following Loss At UFC 123". mmaweekly.com. November 23, 2010.
  14. ↑ "Gerald Harris Released, Matt Brown Kept After UFC 123 Losses". mmafrenzy.com. November 23, 2010.
  15. ↑ http://www.mmafighting.com/2010/11/23/gerald-harris-cut-from-ufc-after-loss-at-ufc-123
  16. ↑ http://sherdogblog.craveonline.com/blog/2011-02-28#30477
  17. ↑ http://rankingmma.com/gerald-harris-vs-james-head/
  18. ↑ http://mmajunkie.com/news/24774/gerald-harris-vs-kazuhiro-nakamura-targeted-for-dream-17.mma
  19. ↑ http://mmajunkie.com/event/886/legacy-fighting-championship-10.mma
  20. ↑ "Veteran Gerald Harris Announces His Retirement From MMA". fightline.com.
  21. ↑ Henderson, Jason (23 April 2014). "UFC And WSOF Veteran Gerald Harris Announces His Retirement". Fight of the Night. Retrieved 24 April 2014.
  22. 1 2 John Morgan. ""TUF" vet Gerald Harris' latest victory earned along with his biggest loss". MMAjunkie.
  23. ↑ "USA TODAY 2010 MMA Awards: New faces appear". USAToday.com. December 23, 2010.
  24. ↑ http://www.clevelandpress.com/cleveland-state-to-enshrine-five-into-csu-athletics-hall-of-fame/

External links

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