American mixed martial arts fighter
Jeff Curran (born September 2, 1977) is an American retired professional mixed martial artist . A professional competitor from 1998 to 2016, Curran fought at a number of different weight classes for a large number of promotions including Bellator , the UFC , Strikeforce , PRIDE Fighting Championships , WEC , IFL , the RFA , and KOTC .
Background
Curran started his path towards mixed martial arts with Karate and Tae Kwon Do when he was five years old. Curran has trained for 16 years and has fought for 5 years. He began Wrestling in the fourth grade and did that until his freshman year when he began Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu . He graduated from Woodstock High School (Illinois) in 1995.[ 2] Curran also says that as a teen he would box with his grandfather.[citation needed ] Curran holds a rank of fourth-degree black belt under Pedro Sauer.[ 1] Curran is also known as one of the most technical instructors in the Pedro Sauer Jiu-Jitsu Association.[citation needed ]
Curran is president and head instructor of Curran Martial Arts Academy (CMA),[ 3] and owner and promoter of Xtreme Fighting Organization. Curran appeared on the television series Tapout on Versus with fellow Team Curran pro fighter Matt Fiordirosa.
World Extreme Cagefighting
After fifteen victories in sixteen fights, Curran fought Urijah Faber for the WEC featherweight championship . Faber retained his title by defeating Curran via guillotine choke. Curran then lost a pair of unanimous decisions, first to former WEC Featherweight Champion Mike Brown and then his Bantamweight debut to Joseph Benavidez at WEC 40 .[ 4] His most recent WEC fight was against Takeya Mizugaki on August 9, 2009, WEC 42 ; he lost by a split decision, and was subsequently released from the promotion for good.[ 5]
After losing four consecutive fights in the WEC , it was announced on October 20, 2009, that Curran had signed a two-fight contract with North American promotion Strikeforce . He maintained that his ultimate goal was to return to the WEC, but was glad to still be able to fight on major cards for the time being. He made his debut for the organization as a part of the preliminary card on their November 7 event, Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers , in Chicago, winning over Dustin Neace by submission in the first round.[ 6] Curran later defeated Tomohiko Hori via unanimous decision at XFO 34.[ 7] Curran went on to lose a unanimous decision to Bryan Goldsby in a non-tournament bantamweight bout at Bellator 14 .
Curran announced that he will be featured in a documentary entitled "This is the Fight". It was expected to be released in early fall 2010. The film will be about his difficult road to try to make it back to the WEC after 4 consecutive losses to, at the time, top 5 fighters in his weight class.[citation needed ]
Curran faced David Love at XFO 37 on December 4, 2010. Although breaking his right forearm towards the end of the fight, he won the fight by unanimous decision. He underwent surgery for the injury on New Year's Day 2011.[ 8]
Curran was scheduled to headline XFO 39 on May 13 at the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates, Illinois.[ 9] He took on late replacement Billy Vaughan[ 10] and won via unanimous decision.[ 11]
UFC return
Curran in July 2011 signed a new multi-fight contract to return to the UFC.[ 12] His first fight back was against Scott Jorgensen ,[ 13] who was ranked the No. 4 bantamweight in the world by MMAWeekly.com at the time that Curran returned to the promotion.[ 14] Curran lost by unanimous decision.[ 15]
Curran faced Johnny Eduardo on May 15, 2012, at UFC on Fuel TV: Korean Zombie vs. Poirier .[ 16] He lost the bout via unanimous decision and was subsequently released from the promotion.[ 17]
Resurrection Fighting Alliance
On April 29, 2013, it was announced that Resurrection Fighting Alliance (RFA) next card would headline Jeff Curran and Sergio Pettis for the inaugural RFA flyweight championship. However, in the days leading up to the event, Curran was forced out for personal reasons and was replaced by Dillard "Joe" Pegg.[ 18]
On July 20, 2013, it was announced that Keoni Koch was injured and pulled from the main event of RFA 9; Curran was then set to face Pedro Munhoz at RFA 9 on August 16, 2013, in the main event for the RFA Bantamweight Championship.[ 19] Curran lost the bout via split[ 20] decision and announced his retirement.[ 21]
Titan Fighting Championship
On January 28, 2014, it was announced that Curran would return from his retirement to fight for Titan Fighting Championship; he was to take on fellow UFC vet Iliarde Santos in April.[ 22]
Grappling career
Curran was scheduled to compete in a rematch against Urijah Faber under Combat Jiu-Jitsu rules at A1 Combat 21 on May 25, 2024.[ 23] Curran withdrew from the match due to undisclosed reasons and was replaced by Jeff Glover .[ 24]
Personal life
Jeff and his wife Sarah have two sons.[ 25] [ 26] Jeff opened up his own gym facility in 2018, where he was coaching Felice Herrig for her comeback but was forced to close it in 2020 due to financial complications resulting from COVID-19 .[ 27]
Championships and accomplishments
Ironheart Crown
IHC Featherweight Championship (1 Time, First, Last)[ 28]
Shooto
Shooto Americas Lightweight Championship (1 Time)[ 29]
Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown
55 matches
36 wins
18 losses
By knockout
1
3
By submission
21
3
By decision
14
12
Draws
1
Res.
Record
Opponent
Method
Event
Date
Round
Time
Location
Notes
Loss
36–18–1
Raufeon Stots
Decision (unanimous)
VFC 53: Curran vs. Stots
November 23, 2016
3
5:00
Waterloo, Iowa , United States
Loss
36–17–1
Melvin Blumer
KO (backfist)
RFA 24: Smith vs. Romero
March 6, 2015
1
4:58
Prior Lake, Minnesota , United States
Loss
36–16–1
Pedro Munhoz
Decision (split)
RFA 9: Munhoz vs. Curran
August 16, 2013
5
5:00
Los Angeles, California , United States
For the RFA Bantamweight Championship.
Win
36–15–1
Josh Killion
Decision (unanimous)
Extreme Challenge 227
May 3, 2013
3
5:00
Bettendorf, Iowa , United States
Flyweight Debut.
Loss
35–15–1
Johnny Eduardo
Decision (unanimous)
UFC on Fuel TV: Korean Zombie vs. Poirier
May 15, 2012
3
5:00
Fairfax, Virginia , United States
Loss
35–14–1
Scott Jorgensen
Decision (unanimous)
UFC 137
October 29, 2011
3
5:00
Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
Win
35–13–1
Billy Vaughan
Decision (unanimous)
Xtreme Fighting Organization 39
May 13, 2011
3
5:00
Hoffman Estates, Illinois , United States
Win
34–13–1
David Love
Decision (unanimous)
Xtreme Fighting Organization 37
December 4, 2010
3
5:00
Lakemoor, Illinois , United States
Loss
33–13–1
Bryan Goldsby
Decision (unanimous)
Bellator 14
April 15, 2010
3
5:00
Chicago, Illinois , United States
Bantamweight bout.
Win
33–12–1
Tomohiko Hori
Decision (unanimous)
XFO 34: Curran vs. Hori
December 5, 2009
3
5:00
Lakemoor, Illinois , United States
Win
32–12–1
Dustin Neace
Submission (rib injury)
Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers
November 7, 2009
1
1:39
Hoffman Estates, Illinois , United States
Lightweight bout.
Loss
31–12–1
Takeya Mizugaki
Decision (split)
WEC 42
August 9, 2009
3
5:00
Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
Loss
31–11–1
Joseph Benavidez
Decision (unanimous)
WEC 40
April 5, 2009
3
5:00
Chicago, Illinois , United States
Bantamweight debut.
Loss
31–10–1
Mike Brown
Decision (unanimous)
WEC 34: Faber vs. Pulver
June 1, 2008
3
5:00
Sacramento, California , United States
Loss
31–9–1
Urijah Faber
Submission (guillotine choke)
WEC 31
December 12, 2007
2
4:34
Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
For WEC Featherweight Championship .
Win
31–8–1
Stephen Ledbetter
Decision (unanimous)
WEC 29
August 5, 2007
3
5:00
Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
Win
30–8–1
John Mahlow
Decision (split)
KOTC: Damage Control
May 26, 2007
3
5:00
Chicago, Illinois , United States
Lightweight bout.
Win
29–8–1
Kevin English
Submission (guillotine choke)
IFL: Moline
April 7, 2007
2
1:12
Moline, Illinois , United States
Win
28–8–1
Donny Walker
Submission (rear-naked choke)
KOTC: Hard Knocks
January 19, 2007
3
3:23
Rockford, Illinois , United States
Win
27–8–1
Raphael Assunção
Decision (majority)
XFO 13: Operation Beatdown
November 11, 2006
3
5:00
Hoffman Estates, Illinois , United States
Win
26–8–1
Wagnney Fabiano
Decision (split)
APEX: A Night of Champions
October 14, 2006
3
5:00
Gatineau, Quebec , Canada
Loss
25–8–1
Hatsu Hioki
Decision (unanimous)
Pride - Bushido 12
August 26, 2006
2
5:00
Nagoya , Japan
Win
25–7–1
Charles Bennett
Submission (armbar)
KOTC: Redemption on the River
February 17, 2006
1
3:23
Moline, Illinois , United States
Win
24–7–1
Antonio Carvalho
Decision (majority)
IHC 9: Purgatory
November 19, 2005
3
5:00
Hammond, Indiana , United States
Won Shooto Americas Lightweight Championship
Win
23–7–1
Steve Kinnison
Submission (rear-naked choke)
XFO 6: Judgement Day
June 25, 2005
3
1:47
Lakemoor, Illinois , United States
Win
22–7–1
Luke Spencer
Submission (rear-naked choke)
SuperBrawl 40
April 30, 2005
2
2:34
Honolulu, Hawaii , United States
Win
21–7–1
David Douglas
Submission (rear-naked choke)
IFC: Eve Of Destruction
March 5, 2005
1
1:39
Salt Lake City, Utah , United States
Win
20–7–1
Jason Dent
Decision (unanimous)
Xtreme Fighting Organization 3
October 2, 2004
3
5:00
McHenry, Illinois , United States
Win
19–7–1
Masahiro Oishi
Technical Submission (guillotine choke)
Zst 6
September 12, 2004
1
0:44
Tokyo , Japan
Win
18–7–1
Kimihito Nonaka
Submission (rear-naked choke)
SuperBrawl 35
April 16, 2004
3
4:35
Honolulu, Hawaii , United States
Win
17–7–1
Dan Swift
Submission (triangle choke)
XFO 1: The Kickoff
March 14, 2004
3
0:44
Lake Geneva, Wisconsin , United States
Loss
16–7–1
Matt Serra
Decision (unanimous)
UFC 46
January 31, 2004
3
5:00
Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
Lightweight bout.
Loss
16–6–1
Norifumi Yamamoto
Decision (unanimous)
SuperBrawl 29
May 9, 2003
3
5:00
Honolulu, Hawaii , United States
Win
16–5–1
Todd Lally
Submission (triangle choke)
WFA 3: Level 3
November 23, 2002
1
4:49
Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
Win
15–5–1
Ryan Ackerman
Decision (unanimous)
IHC 5: Tribulation
October 26, 2002
3
5:00
Hammond, Indiana , United States
Won IHC Featherweight Championship
Win
14–5–1
Baret Yoshida
KO (punch)
UCC Hawaii: Eruption in Hawaii
September 17, 2002
2
2:08
Honolulu, Hawaii , United States
Win
13–5–1
Bao Quach
Decision (majority)
WEC 4
August 31, 2002
3
5:00
Uncasville, Connecticut , United States
Loss
12–5–1
Ivan Menjivar
Decision (unanimous)
UCC 10: Battle for the Belts 2002
June 15, 2002
3
5:00
Hull, Quebec , Canada
Win
12–4–1
Max Marin
Submission (triangle choke)
UA 1: The Genesis
January 27, 2002
2
3:46
Hammond, Indiana , United States
Loss
11–4–1
Anthony Hamlett
KO (elbow)
HOOKnSHOOT: Kings 2
November 18, 2001
1
0:11
Evansville, Indiana , United States
For vacant HnS Featherweight Championship. [ 30]
Draw
11–3–1
Ryoji Yoshizawa
Draw
HOOKnSHOOT: Quake
March 10, 2001
2
5:00
Evansville, Indiana , United States
Win
11–3
Jamie Webb
Submission (punches)
Freestyle Combat Challenge 3
January 6, 2001
1
2:44
N/A
Win
10–3
Tony DeDolph
Decision (split)
Extreme Challenge 31
March 24, 2000
3
5:00
Kenosha, Wisconsin , United States
Win
9–3
Ron Matthews
Submission (triangle choke)
Bangkok Brawl
March 20, 2000
N/A
N/A
Chicago, Illinois , United States
Win
8–3
Sam Wells
Submission (triangle choke)
Midwest Absolute Challenge
December 4, 1999
1
16:04
McHenry, Illinois , United States
Loss
7–3
Phil Johns
Submission (strikes)
Cage Combat 4
September 26, 1999
1
0:31
Green Bay, Wisconsin , United States
Win
7–2
Jeremy Bolt
Submission (triangle choke)
ECC: Extreme Combat Challenge
August 17, 1999
1
4:30
Illinois , United States
Loss
6–2
Phil Johns
KO (punches)
HOOKnSHOOT: Rising
June 12, 1999
1
N/A
Evansville, Indiana , United States
Win
6–1
Charles Barron
Submission (armbar)
Chicago Challenge 6
May 22, 1999
1
N/A
Chicago, Illinois , United States
Win
5–1
Sam Wells
Decision
Freestyle Combat Challenge 1
April 19, 1999
1
15:00
N/A
Win
4–1
Jeff Rick
Submission (rear-naked choke)
HOOKnSHOOT: Trial
January 30, 1999
1
0:44
Evansville, Indiana , United States
Win
3–1
Larry Koneizka
Submission (armbar)
Chicago Challenge 5
November 1, 1998
1
N/A
Chicago, Illinois , United States
Win
2–1
Jason Chambers
Submission (front choke)
Chicago Challenge 4
May 30, 1998
1
N/A
Chicago, Illinois , United States
Win
1–1
Mike Haltom
Submission (armbar)
Extreme Challenge 17
April 11, 1998
1
2:58
Indianapolis, Indiana , United States
Loss
0–1
Henry Matamoros
Submission
Extreme Challenge 13
January 16, 1998
1
11:13
Kenosha, Wisconsin , United States
Submission grappling record
1 Match, 1 Loss
Result
Rec.
Opponent
Method
Event
Division
Date
Location
Lose
0–1
Ryan Hall
Points
ADCC 2009
–66 kg
2009
Spain
Professional boxing record
5 fights
2 wins
2 losses
By knockout
2
0
By decision
0
2
Draws
1
No.
Result
Record
Opponent
Method
Round, time
Date
Location
Notes
5
Win
2–2–1
Miguel Angel Figueroa
TKO
3 (4), 1:38
Sep 19, 2008
Cicero Stadium , Cicero, Illinois
4
Loss
1–2–1
Guadalupe Diaz
MD
4
May 11, 2007
Cicero Stadium , Cicero, Illinois
3
Loss
1–1–1
Raul García
UD
4
Jul 21, 2006
Aragon Ballroom , Chicago, Illinois
2
Draw
1–0–1
Emanuel Hernandez
PTS
6
Apr 21, 2006
Cicero Stadium , Cicero, Illinois
1
Win
1–0
Alexis Rubin
TKO
4 (4), 2:31
Apr 20, 2005
Bourbon Street , Merrionette Park, Illinois
Professional debut
See also
References
^ a b "Professor Jeff Curran" . teamcurran.com .
^ "Curran works for another shot at world title" . www.nwherald.com . July 19, 2012.
^ "Team Curran MMA - Mixed Martial Arts in Crystal Lake, IL" . Team Curran MMA . Retrieved January 8, 2018 .
^ Dave Doyle (March 1, 2009). "WEC notes: Karalexis heeds wake-up call" . Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved March 2, 2009 .
^ Hunt, Kelvin (August 11, 2009). "WEC 42 Review: Jeff Curran Thinks He Was Robbed Against Takeya Mizugaki" . mmaforreal.com . Retrieved February 19, 2022 .
^ "Nothing found for Absolutenm Templates Dailynews Asp" . MMAWeekly.com . Retrieved January 8, 2018 .[permanent dead link ]
^ "Jeff Curran Stomps Tomohiko Hori" . sherdog.com . December 8, 2009. Retrieved February 19, 2022 .
^ "XFO 37 results – Jeff Curran picks up win & Felice Herrig vs. Amanda LaVoy fight video" . ULTIMMA.com. December 6, 2010. Archived from the original on September 26, 2015. Retrieved December 6, 2010 .
^ "Jeff Curran Headlines XFO 39" . MMARecap.com. Archived from the original on March 18, 2011.
^ MMA Recap. "MMA Recap" . Archived from the original on May 14, 2011. Retrieved May 18, 2011 .
^ MMA Recap. "MMA Recap" . MMA Recap. Archived from the original on May 15, 2011. Retrieved May 13, 2011 .
^ "The Big Frog Is Back: Jeff Curran Signs New Deal with UFC" . MMAWeekly.com. July 26, 2011.
^ "Scott Jorgensen Welcomes Jeff Curran Back to the Octagon at UFC 137" . MMAWeekly.com. July 26, 2011.
^ "MMAWeekly Bantamweight MMA Top 10" . MMAWeekly.com. July 26, 2011.
^ G.D. (October 30, 2011). "UFC 137 Results: What we Learned from Scott Jorgensen vs. Jeff Curran" . bleacherreport.com . Retrieved February 19, 2022 .
^ "UFC on Fuel TV: Korean Zombie vs. Poirier" . ufc.com. March 12, 2012.
^ Anton Tabuena (June 4, 2012). "UFC Releases Several Fighters From Their Roster" . bloodyelbow.com.
^ "Jeff Curran Out of RFA 8 Main Event; Sergio Pettis Gets New Opponent | MMAWeekly.com" . June 12, 2013.
^ "Keoni Koch Injured, Jeff Curran Steps into RFA 9 Main Event Title Fight | MMAWeekly.com" . July 20, 2013.
^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine : "Fight of the Week: Pedro Munhoz vs. Jeff Curran RFA 9 ~~~" . YouTube .
^ "MMA vet Jeff Curran retires following RFA 9 title loss" . Archived from the original on August 20, 2013.
^ Jamie Penick (January 28, 2014). "UFC vets Dave Herman, Jeff Curran sign with Titan FC, debut in April on CBS Sports Network" . mmatorch.com. Retrieved January 29, 2014 .
^ Jones, Phil (March 31, 2024). "Urijah Faber And Jeff Curran Set For Combat Jiu-Jitsu Rematch" . Jitsmagazine . Retrieved March 31, 2024 .
^ Blackett, Todd (April 16, 2024). "Jeff Glover Steps In To Face Urijah Faber In Combat Jiu-Jitsu Match" . Jitsmagazine . Retrieved April 16, 2024 .
^ "Ty Curran - Little Frog Born: March 19th, 2007 10:52pm" . JeffCurran.tv . Retrieved January 8, 2018 .
^ "There must be something in the water" . Suckerpunchent.com. December 27, 2008. Retrieved January 1, 2009 .
^ Martin, Damon (July 4, 2020). "UFC vet Jeff Curran brought to tears after being forced to close his gym due to coronavirus pandemic" . MMA Fighting . Retrieved March 1, 2021 .
^ Saalbach, Axel. "Wrestlingdata.com - The World's Largest Wrestling Database" . WrestlingData.com . Retrieved January 8, 2018 .
^ Saalbach, Axel. "Wrestlingdata.com - The World's Largest Wrestling Database" . WrestlingData.com . Retrieved January 8, 2018 .
^ "Gladiator Challenge #8at Saboba Casino (results)" . FCFighter.com . Retrieved January 8, 2018 .
External links