Ironheart Crown
Encyclopedia
The Ironheart Crown is a US based mixed martial arts
organization founded in 1999. The official first event took place on November 6, 1999 at the St. Andrews Arena on Addison Street in Chicago
, Illinois
. The second event was held at the same venue the following year.
By the second show, the Ironheart Crown's attendance had met the capacity of the original venue. At about the same time, the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
initiated a State-wide crack down on "ultimate fighting exhibitions" which had been outlawed since 1996. The need for a larger venue and legal pressure from the State's authorities pushed the event over the border to the Hammond Civic Center
in Hammond
, Indiana
. The Ironheart Crown would remain at this venue for seven years, during which time it would grow to become one of the largest and most prestigious shows in the area.
In July 2008, legislation was finally passed to legalize mixed martial arts in the State of Illinois
. On November 8, 2008, the Ironheart Crown returned home to Chicago
, the city of its founding. In doing so, the city's oldest MMA
production also became the first to host a State-sanctioned, all-pro show within the city limits. The homecoming show was held at the UIC Pavilion
, a 7,000-seat downtown arena.
The Ironheart website was last updated in 2008 and is no longer available.
Mixed martial arts
Mixed Martial Arts is a full contact combat sport that allows the use of both striking and grappling techniques, both standing and on the ground, including boxing, wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, muay Thai, kickboxing, karate, judo and other styles. The roots of modern mixed martial arts can be...
organization founded in 1999. The official first event took place on November 6, 1999 at the St. Andrews Arena on Addison Street in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
. The second event was held at the same venue the following year.
By the second show, the Ironheart Crown's attendance had met the capacity of the original venue. At about the same time, the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation is an executive agency of the U.S. state of Illinois. It was created in 2004 by an executive order promulgated by Governor Rod Blagojevich....
initiated a State-wide crack down on "ultimate fighting exhibitions" which had been outlawed since 1996. The need for a larger venue and legal pressure from the State's authorities pushed the event over the border to the Hammond Civic Center
Hammond Civic Center
Hammond Civic Center is a 4,500-seat multi-purpose arena in Hammond, Indiana. The arena opened in 1938. It is well known for hosting various local concerts, WWE Wrestling, TNA Wrestling, MMA fighting, & sporting events for the area & is the home arena for the Calumet College of St...
in Hammond
Hammond, Indiana
Hammond is a city in Lake County, Indiana, United States. It is part of the Chicago metropolitan area. The population was 80,830 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Hammond is located at ....
, Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
. The Ironheart Crown would remain at this venue for seven years, during which time it would grow to become one of the largest and most prestigious shows in the area.
In July 2008, legislation was finally passed to legalize mixed martial arts in the State of Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
. On November 8, 2008, the Ironheart Crown returned home to Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, the city of its founding. In doing so, the city's oldest MMA
Mixed martial arts
Mixed Martial Arts is a full contact combat sport that allows the use of both striking and grappling techniques, both standing and on the ground, including boxing, wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, muay Thai, kickboxing, karate, judo and other styles. The roots of modern mixed martial arts can be...
production also became the first to host a State-sanctioned, all-pro show within the city limits. The homecoming show was held at the UIC Pavilion
UIC Pavilion
The UIC Pavilion is a 6,958-seat multi-purpose arena, located at 525 S. Racine Street on the West Side in Chicago, Illinois, USA, which opened in 1982. It is home to the University of Illinois at Chicago Flames basketball team and the former home of the Chicago Sky WNBA team...
, a 7,000-seat downtown arena.
The Ironheart website was last updated in 2008 and is no longer available.
Notable Ironheart Crown fighters
- Miguel TorresMiguel Torres (fighter)Miguel Angel Torres is an American mixed martial artist who fights for the Ultimate Fighting Championship organization. He is a former WEC Bantamweight champion. Prior to fighting with the WEC, Torres also held the bantamweight title for the US Shooto organization, as well as for the Ironheart Crown...
- has fought for the IHC 8 times, and is a former WECWorld Extreme CagefightingWorld Extreme Cagefighting was an American mixed martial arts promotion. It was purchased by Zuffa, LLC, the parent company of Ultimate Fighting Championship , in 2006. In its final incarnation, it was made up of 3 weight classes: 135, 145 and 155 lbs. To accommodate the smaller...
Bantamweight Champion. - Stephan BonnarStephan BonnarStephan Patrick Bonnar is an American mixed martial artist who currently competes for the Ultimate Fighting Championship...
- has fought for the IHC 4 times and went on to fight for the UFC. - Shonie CarterShonie CarterMearion Shonie Bickhem III , better known as Shonie Carter, is an American mixed martial artist. He is a former World Extreme Cagefighting welterweight champion, an Ultimate Fighting Championship veteran, and a contestant on The Ultimate Fighter 4 reality show...
- went on to fight for a number of big international shows, including the UFC - Jeff CurranJeff CurranJeffrey M. Curran is an American mixed martial artist. He fights at a number of different weight classes for a large number of organizations, including: Ultimate Fighting Championship , Strikeforce, PRIDE Fighting Championship, World Extreme Cagefighting , International Fight League , and King of...
- went on to fight with the UFC and WECWorld Extreme CagefightingWorld Extreme Cagefighting was an American mixed martial arts promotion. It was purchased by Zuffa, LLC, the parent company of Ultimate Fighting Championship , in 2006. In its final incarnation, it was made up of 3 weight classes: 135, 145 and 155 lbs. To accommodate the smaller... - Clay GuidaClay GuidaClayton Charles Guida is an American mixed martial artist and currently fighting in the UFC as a lightweight. Guida was the first Strikeforce Lightweight Champion and held the title until being defeated by Gilbert Melendez at Strikeforce: Revenge...
- went on to a successful run with the UFC. - Jeff MonsonJeff MonsonJeffrey William Monson is an American mixed martial artist from Olympia, Washington. He is a 2 time winner of the ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship, and a No Gi Brazilian Jiu Jitsu World Champion. He currently holds the Heavyweight titles in the International Sport Karate Association...
- went on to fight for the UFC Heavyweight Title - Gesias CalvancanteGesias CalvancanteGesias Cavalcante Souza is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist. He is the 2006 and 2007 K-1 HERO'S Middleweight tournament champion. He currently fights for Strikeforce and DREAM...
- went on to win both the K-1 HERO'S' 2006 & 2007 Middleweight (70 kg) tournaments - Thiago AlvesThiago AlvesThiago Alves d'Araujo is a Brazilian mixed martial artist. He started training in Muay Thai when he was 15 and mixed martial arts at 17. He is a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and has been described as a "Muay Thai wrecking machine". As of July 2011, He is currently ranked the #10 welterweight...
- went onto fight for the UFC Welterweight Title - Bart PalaszewskiBart PalaszewskiBart K. Palaszewski is a Polish-American mixed martial artist. He fought for the Quad City Silverbacks of the now defunct International Fight League. Following the UFC/WEC merger, Palaszewski is now under contract with the Ultimate Fighting Championship...
- went on to become a successful participant in the IFLInternational Fight LeagueThe International Fight League was an American mixed martial arts promotion billed as the world's first MMA league. It was founded on January 7, 2006 and closed on July 31, 2008...
and in the WECWorld Extreme CagefightingWorld Extreme Cagefighting was an American mixed martial arts promotion. It was purchased by Zuffa, LLC, the parent company of Ultimate Fighting Championship , in 2006. In its final incarnation, it was made up of 3 weight classes: 135, 145 and 155 lbs. To accommodate the smaller...
. - Terry MartinTerry Martin (fighter)Terry Martin is an American mixed martial artist from Chicago, Illinois.Martin made his professional boxing debut on April 12, 2008, and defeated Ricardo Upchurch by knockout in 40 seconds. Martin won his next three bouts via knockout or technical knockout.- Early life :Martin grew up on the west...
- went on to fight for the UFC and for StrikeforceStrikeforceStrikeforce is a U.S.-based mixed martial arts and kickboxing organization based in San Jose, California. It is headed by CEO Scott Coker and owned by Zuffa, LLC...
. - Rafael AssuncaoRafael AssuncaoRaphael Assunção is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt who currently competes in the bantamweight division for the Ultimate Fighting Championship....
- went on to become a world-ranked, top 10 featherweight and has fought in the AFL and the WECWorld Extreme CagefightingWorld Extreme Cagefighting was an American mixed martial arts promotion. It was purchased by Zuffa, LLC, the parent company of Ultimate Fighting Championship , in 2006. In its final incarnation, it was made up of 3 weight classes: 135, 145 and 155 lbs. To accommodate the smaller...
. - Jason ChambersJason ChambersJason Chambers is an American actor and mixed martial artist. Chambers is best known for his role as the host of the popular weekly television program Human Weapon on The History Channel...
- went on to become host of the "Human WeaponHuman WeaponHuman Weapon was a weekly television show on The History Channel that premiered on July 20, 2007. The hosts, Jason Chambers and Bill Duff, travel across the world studying the unique martial arts, or styles of fighting, that have origins in the region....
" reality TV show on the History Channel. - Antonio CarvalhoAntonio CarvalhoAntonio Carvalho is a Canadian professional mixed martial artist and Shooto veteran who has fought for TKO Major League MMA, Maximum Fighting Championship, Ironheart Crown, Cage Force and Warrior-1 MMA...
- went on to a successful run with ShootoShootoShooto is a mixed martial arts organization that is governed by the Shooto Association and the International Shooto Commission. Shooto was originally formed in 1985, as an organization and as a particular fighting system derived from shoot wrestling. Practitioners are referred to as shooters,...
. - Jason GuidaJason GuidaJason Guida is an American professional mixed martial artist and grappler who has fought for EliteXC, World Extreme Cagefighting, Bellator, Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki, Fight Festival, Adrenaline MMA and Ironheart Crown....
- went on to become cast member in TUF 8 and fight in the EliteXC.
Events
| Event | Date | Location | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ironheart Crown I - Genesis |  ChicagoChicago Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles... , Illinois Illinois Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,... , USA |
St. Andrew's Arena | |
| Ironheart Crown II - Crusade | Chicago Chicago Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles... , Illinois Illinois Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,... , USA |
St. Andrew's Arena | |
| Ironheart Crown III - Exodus | Hammond Hammond, Indiana Hammond is a city in Lake County, Indiana, United States. It is part of the Chicago metropolitan area. The population was 80,830 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Hammond is located at .... , Indiana Indiana Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is... , USA |
Hammond Civic Center Hammond Civic Center Hammond Civic Center is a 4,500-seat multi-purpose arena in Hammond, Indiana. The arena opened in 1938. It is well known for hosting various local concerts, WWE Wrestling, TNA Wrestling, MMA fighting, & sporting events for the area & is the home arena for the Calumet College of St... |
|
| Ironheart Crown IV - Armageddon | Hammond Hammond, Indiana Hammond is a city in Lake County, Indiana, United States. It is part of the Chicago metropolitan area. The population was 80,830 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Hammond is located at .... , Indiana Indiana Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is... , USA |
Hammond Civic Center Hammond Civic Center Hammond Civic Center is a 4,500-seat multi-purpose arena in Hammond, Indiana. The arena opened in 1938. It is well known for hosting various local concerts, WWE Wrestling, TNA Wrestling, MMA fighting, & sporting events for the area & is the home arena for the Calumet College of St... |
|
| Ironheart Crown V - Tribulation | Hammond Hammond, Indiana Hammond is a city in Lake County, Indiana, United States. It is part of the Chicago metropolitan area. The population was 80,830 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Hammond is located at .... , Indiana Indiana Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is... , USA |
Hammond Civic Center Hammond Civic Center Hammond Civic Center is a 4,500-seat multi-purpose arena in Hammond, Indiana. The arena opened in 1938. It is well known for hosting various local concerts, WWE Wrestling, TNA Wrestling, MMA fighting, & sporting events for the area & is the home arena for the Calumet College of St... |
|
| Ironheart Crown VI - Inferno | Hammond Hammond, Indiana Hammond is a city in Lake County, Indiana, United States. It is part of the Chicago metropolitan area. The population was 80,830 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Hammond is located at .... , Indiana Indiana Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is... , USA |
Hammond Civic Center Hammond Civic Center Hammond Civic Center is a 4,500-seat multi-purpose arena in Hammond, Indiana. The arena opened in 1938. It is well known for hosting various local concerts, WWE Wrestling, TNA Wrestling, MMA fighting, & sporting events for the area & is the home arena for the Calumet College of St... |
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| Ironheart Crown VII - Crucible | Hammond Hammond, Indiana Hammond is a city in Lake County, Indiana, United States. It is part of the Chicago metropolitan area. The population was 80,830 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Hammond is located at .... , Indiana Indiana Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is... , USA |
Hammond Civic Center Hammond Civic Center Hammond Civic Center is a 4,500-seat multi-purpose arena in Hammond, Indiana. The arena opened in 1938. It is well known for hosting various local concerts, WWE Wrestling, TNA Wrestling, MMA fighting, & sporting events for the area & is the home arena for the Calumet College of St... |
|
| Ironheart Crown VIII - Ethereal | Hammond Hammond, Indiana Hammond is a city in Lake County, Indiana, United States. It is part of the Chicago metropolitan area. The population was 80,830 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Hammond is located at .... , Indiana Indiana Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is... , USA |
Hammond Civic Center Hammond Civic Center Hammond Civic Center is a 4,500-seat multi-purpose arena in Hammond, Indiana. The arena opened in 1938. It is well known for hosting various local concerts, WWE Wrestling, TNA Wrestling, MMA fighting, & sporting events for the area & is the home arena for the Calumet College of St... |
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| Ironheart Crown IX - Purgatory | Hammond Hammond, Indiana Hammond is a city in Lake County, Indiana, United States. It is part of the Chicago metropolitan area. The population was 80,830 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Hammond is located at .... , Indiana Indiana Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is... , USA |
Hammond Civic Center Hammond Civic Center Hammond Civic Center is a 4,500-seat multi-purpose arena in Hammond, Indiana. The arena opened in 1938. It is well known for hosting various local concerts, WWE Wrestling, TNA Wrestling, MMA fighting, & sporting events for the area & is the home arena for the Calumet College of St... |
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| Ironheart Crown X - Tempest | Hammond Hammond, Indiana Hammond is a city in Lake County, Indiana, United States. It is part of the Chicago metropolitan area. The population was 80,830 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Hammond is located at .... , Indiana Indiana Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is... , USA |
Hammond Civic Center Hammond Civic Center Hammond Civic Center is a 4,500-seat multi-purpose arena in Hammond, Indiana. The arena opened in 1938. It is well known for hosting various local concerts, WWE Wrestling, TNA Wrestling, MMA fighting, & sporting events for the area & is the home arena for the Calumet College of St... |
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| Ironheart Crown XI - Apocalypse | Hammond Hammond, Indiana Hammond is a city in Lake County, Indiana, United States. It is part of the Chicago metropolitan area. The population was 80,830 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Hammond is located at .... , Indiana Indiana Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is... , USA |
Hammond Civic Center Hammond Civic Center Hammond Civic Center is a 4,500-seat multi-purpose arena in Hammond, Indiana. The arena opened in 1938. It is well known for hosting various local concerts, WWE Wrestling, TNA Wrestling, MMA fighting, & sporting events for the area & is the home arena for the Calumet College of St... |
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| Ironheart Crown XII - Resurrection | Chicago Chicago Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles... , Illinois Illinois Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,... , USA |
UIC Pavilion UIC Pavilion The UIC Pavilion is a 6,958-seat multi-purpose arena, located at 525 S. Racine Street on the West Side in Chicago, Illinois, USA, which opened in 1982. It is home to the University of Illinois at Chicago Flames basketball team and the former home of the Chicago Sky WNBA team... |
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