Rhadi Bullard Ferguson (born April 3, 1975) is an American former mixed martial artist and trainer, strength and conditioning coach, motivational speaker, and black belt in judo and Brazilian jiu-jitsu.[2][non-primary source needed]
Biography
Ferguson grew up in Miami, Florida in the United States where he began training in judo at the age of 6 under the tutelage of 7th degree red and white belt Jack Williams, until the age of 12.[3] Ferguson had to quit judo for several years after his family had left Miami and moved to Rockville, Maryland and would not begin training again until after he finished college at age 22.[4]
Ferguson is a seventeen time national champion in judo.[2] At the age of 29, Ferguson competed in judo at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece in the men's half-heavyweight division. He was previously an alternate in the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia.[5]
In addition to judo, Ferguson also holds a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and has competed in numerous jiu-jitsu and submission grappling tournaments. Ferguson was a member of American Top Team and received his Black Belt from Ricardo Liborio.[2][4] During his competitive career, Ferguson who stands 5 ft 8 in and weighed 225 lb. had a reported 6% body fat.[5]
Ferguson has coached many athletes including; Taraje Williams-Murray, Lloyd Irvin, Karo Parisyan, Cara Heads,[6] Thiago Alves, Brandon Vera, Jeff Monson, Valerie Gotay, Marco González,[2] and Bobby Lashley.[7]
Education
Ferguson attended and graduated from Richard Montgomery High School in Rockville, Maryland in 1992. From 1992 to 1997 Ferguson attended Howard University in Washington, DC on a football scholarship and also was one of only a few students in the history of the school to play 3 sports (Football, Wrestling, and Track). Ferguson graduated with a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering and later in 2002 received his Master of Arts in teaching with a 4.0 GPA from the university. In 2009, he received his Ph.D. in education with a 4.0 GPA from Capella University.[2] While at Howard University he became a member of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity.
MMA career
Ferguson made his professional MMA debut in August 2010 and won his first two bout via TKO in the first round, and won by the same method in his second in 2011.[8][9] He fought in the Light heavyweight division.[10]
Ferguson made his Strikeforce debut at Strikeforce Challengers: Woodley vs. Saffiedine on January 7, 2011, competing in the light heavyweight division.[11] He was originally scheduled to face Moldovan wrestler Ion Cherdivara, but visa issues forced him off the card with John Richard stepping in as a late replacement.[12] Ferguson defeated Richard by submission (Kneebar) at 2:00 in round 3.
Ferguson retired from MMA with a record of 3-0 after his bout in Strikeforce.[13]
Personal life
Ferguson currently lives in South Florida[5] and has two children; son Rufus Alexander and daughter Rhadi Isabelle.[14] Ferguson's cousin was a renowned street fighter, The Ultimate Fighter 10 cast member and UFC vet, Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson.[15]
Mixed martial arts record
| 3 matches | 3 wins | 0 losses |
| By knockout | 2 | 0 |
| By submission | 1 | 0 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 3–0 | John Richard | Submission (kneebar) | Strikeforce Challengers: Woodley vs. Saffiedine | January 7, 2011 | 2 | 2:00 | Nashville, Tennessee, United States | |
| Win | 2–0 | Jeremy Boczulak | TKO (punches) | Gameness Fighting Championships | October 9, 2010 | 1 | 1:21 | Nashville, Tennessee, United States | |
| Win | 1–0 | Darryell Perry II | TKO (punches) | Hybrid Fight League | August 21, 2010 | 1 | 0:07 | Hopkinsville, Kentucky, United States |
References
- ^ Rhadi Ferguson at MMA Core
- ^ a b c d e Rhadi Ferguson Bio
- ^ Jack Williams Judo >> Rhadi Ferguson Profile
- ^ a b Rhadi Ferguson Interview
- ^ a b c Rhadi Ferguson on NBC
- ^ World Class Strength Coach Rhadi Ferguson talks about 2000 Olympian Cara Heads
- ^ Rhadi Ferguson helps Bobby Lashley prepare for his first MMA fight
- ^ Rhadi Ferguson vs. Ion Cherdivara added to Strikeforce Challengers 13 Archived 2010-12-23 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Rhadi Ferguson : Official MMA Fight Record (3-0-0)". The Underground. Retrieved 2023-08-07.
- ^ Sherdog.com. "Rhadi Ferguson MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, Biography - Sherdog.com". Sherdog. Retrieved 2023-08-07.
- ^ U.S. Olympian to Make Strikeforce Debut Jan. 7
- ^ Visa issues force Cherdivara out; Ferguson faces Richard at Strikeforce Challengers 13 Archived 2011-01-08 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Judo Olympian And Brazilian Jiujitsu Black Belt, Dr. Rhadi Ferguson, Announces Release of New Newaza Excellence Video Series". PRWeb. Retrieved 2023-08-07.
- ^ "The Ferguson Family Blog". Archived from the original on 2011-02-08. Retrieved 2010-10-18.
- ^ Kimbo Slice Fights
External links
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |