Kamal Shalorus
Encyclopedia
Kamal Shalorus is an Iranian-British professional mixed martial artist
. He currently fights in UFC
's lightweight division.
in northern Iran
, Shalorus began wrestling as a teenager in Iran before beginning training in Turkey
and Russia
at the age of 17. During his wrestling career, he was granted British citizenship and then moved to Austin, Texas
in 2006 with his American
girlfriend. He began training in MMA
upon his arrival in the United States.
in an Olympic Qualification tournament where he placed 19th.
He has also been very competitive in grappling tournaments. He has a notable win over Joachim Hansen in the European Abu Dhabi Combat Club (ADCC) Qualifiers.
veteran and Relson Gracie
Black Belt Phil Cardella
. He has also had in-person training with Relson Gracie
in Hawaii, in addition to 5x BJJ World Champ Daniel Moraes. Kamal also trains in catch wrestling
and mma with Neil Melanson
and Randy Couture
at Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas.
Kamal is a partner in (and official grappling instructor for) the American Combat Association
and he certifies MMA schools in his fighting system SICS and conducts seminars focused on catch wrestling through the ACA.
Kamal captured the welterweight title in the Austin Texas MMA promotion King of Kombat in April 2008, still undefeated. He then won the welterweight title in the Supreme Warrior Challenge, preparing his way into the WEC.
on November 18, 2009 at WEC 44
, but a broken hand forced Karalexis off the card. Karalexis was replaced by WEC newcomer Will Kerr
. Shalorus defeated Kerr via TKO in the very first round.
Shalorus defeated previously unbeaten Dave Jansen
via unanimous decision on January 10, 2010 at WEC 46
. Shalorus showed impressive striking, takedown offense and defense. It was also noted, by Frank Mir
, that Shalorus would be a force to be reckoned with in the future.
Shalorus was expected to face former WEC Lightweight Champion Jamie Varner
on April 24, 2010 at WEC 48
, but Shalorus was forced off of the card with an injury. Varner/Shalorus took place on June 20, 2010 at WEC 49
. The fight ended in a split draw (29-27, 27-29, 28-28), with Shalorus being deducted one point for multiple groin shots.
Kamal Shalorus was expected to face Bart Palaszewski
on November 11, 2010 at WEC 52
, but the bout was moved to WEC 53
after Shalorus reinjured his hand that was broken during the bout with Varner. Shalorus won the fight via split decision.
merged with the Ultimate Fighting Championship
. As part of the merger, all WEC fighters were transferred to the UFC. Shalorus is the second Iranian born fighter to ever compete for the UFC; the first being Reza Nasri who fought at UFC 11
.
In his UFC debut, Shalorus faced Jim Miller
on March 19, 2011 at UFC 128
. He lost the fight via TKO in the third round, the first loss of his professional career.
Shalorus is expected to face promotional newcomer Khabib Nurmagomedov on January 20, 2012 at UFC Fight Night 26.
| Loss
|align=center| 7–1–2
|
Jim Miller
| TKO (knee and punches)
| UFC 128
|
|align=center| 3
|align=center| 2:15
|Newark, New Jersey
, United States
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 7–0–2
|
Bart Palaszewski
| Decision (split)
| WEC 53
|
|align=center| 3
|align=center| 5:00
|Glendale, Arizona
, United States
|
|-
| Draw
|align=center| 6–0–2
| Jamie Varner
| Draw (split)
| WEC 49
|
|align=center| 3
|align=center| 5:00
|Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 6–0–1
| Dave Jansen
| Decision (unanimous)
| WEC 46
|
|align=center| 3
|align=center| 5:00
|Sacramento, California
, United States
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 5–0–1
| Will Kerr
| TKO (punches)
| WEC 44
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 1:26
|Las Vegas, Nevada
, United States
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 4–0–1
| Justin Miller
| TKO (punches)
| Supreme Warrior Championship 7: Discountenance
|
|align=center| 2
|align=center| 0:32
|Frisco, Texas
, United States
|
|-
| Draw
|align=center| 3–0–1
| Mikel Bronzoulis
| Draw (majority)
| King of Kombat 6: Fists of Fury
|
|align=center| 5
|align=center| 5:00
|Austin, Texas
, United States
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 3–0
| Jonathan Evans
| TKO (punches)
| Extreme Challenge: War at the Shore
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 0:35
|Atlantic City, New Jersey
, United States
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 2–0
| Edwyn Jones
| Submission (rear-naked choke)
| Supreme Warrior Championship 2: Battlegrounds
|
|align=center| 2
|align=center| 2:52
|Frisco, Texas
, United States
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 1–0
| Jeff Davis
| TKO (punches)
| King of Kombat 3
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 1:06
|Austin, Texas
, United States
|
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...
. He currently fights in UFC
Ultimate Fighting Championship
The Ultimate Fighting Championship is the largest mixed martial arts promotion company in the world that hosts most of the top-ranked fighters in the sport...
's lightweight division.
Early life
Born in the city of KhalkhalKhalkhal
Khalkhal or Khalkhāl may refer to:*Xalxal, Nakhchivan, Azerbaijan*Xalxal, Oghuz, Azerbaijan*Khalkhal County, a subdivision of Ardabil Province, Iran*Herowabad, a city in Ardabil Province, Iran...
in northern Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
, Shalorus began wrestling as a teenager in Iran before beginning training in Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
and Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
at the age of 17. During his wrestling career, he was granted British citizenship and then moved to Austin, Texas
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
in 2006 with his American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
girlfriend. He began training in 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...
upon his arrival in the United States.
Wrestling and grappling career
Kamal is a decorated wrestler, representing Great BritainGreat Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
in an Olympic Qualification tournament where he placed 19th.
He has also been very competitive in grappling tournaments. He has a notable win over Joachim Hansen in the European Abu Dhabi Combat Club (ADCC) Qualifiers.
Mixed martial arts career
Kamal trains Brazilian Jiu Jitsu with WECWorld Extreme Cagefighting
World 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...
veteran and Relson Gracie
Relson Gracie
Relson "Campeão" Gracie is a retired professional Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu fighter and martial arts personality. He is a member of the legendary Gracie family.Relson currently lives in Hawaii where he still teaches Gracie Jiu-Jitsu at his academy in Honolulu. There are many Relson Gracie affiliated...
Black Belt Phil Cardella
Phil Cardella
Phil Ryan Cardella is an American mixed martial arts fighter. He currently fights as a lightweight in the World Extreme Cagefighting organization...
. He has also had in-person training with Relson Gracie
Relson Gracie
Relson "Campeão" Gracie is a retired professional Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu fighter and martial arts personality. He is a member of the legendary Gracie family.Relson currently lives in Hawaii where he still teaches Gracie Jiu-Jitsu at his academy in Honolulu. There are many Relson Gracie affiliated...
in Hawaii, in addition to 5x BJJ World Champ Daniel Moraes. Kamal also trains in catch wrestling
Catch wrestling
Catch wrestling is a style of folk wrestling that was developed and popularised in the late 19th century by the wrestlers of traveling carnivals who incorporated submission holds, or "hooks", into their wrestling to increase their effectiveness against their opponents...
and mma with Neil Melanson
Neil Melanson
Neil Melanson is the Head Grappling coach at Xtreme Couture Las Vegas. His official title on Randy Couture's official website is head Jiu Jitsu Coach. Melanson specializes in Jiu jitsu , catch wrestling, guard, leg locks and triangle chokes. He has trained under Gene LeBell, Gokor Chivichyan, and...
and Randy Couture
Randy Couture
Randy Duane Couture is a retired American mixed martial artist, Greco-Roman wrestler, actor, a three-time former heavyweight champion, two-time former light-heavyweight champion, former interim light heavyweight champion and UFC 13 tournament winner of the Ultimate Fighting Championship...
at Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas.
Kamal is a partner in (and official grappling instructor for) the American Combat Association
American Combat Association
The American Combat Association is a small mixed martial arts company founded by Olympic wrestler, world Abu Dhabi champion and UFC fighter Kamal Shalorus and competitive submission grappler, professional mixed martial arts fighter, American professional wrestler and trainer Matthew "The Granimal"...
and he certifies MMA schools in his fighting system SICS and conducts seminars focused on catch wrestling through the ACA.
Kamal captured the welterweight title in the Austin Texas MMA promotion King of Kombat in April 2008, still undefeated. He then won the welterweight title in the Supreme Warrior Challenge, preparing his way into the WEC.
World Extreme Cagefighting
He was scheduled to make his WEC debut against Alex KaralexisAlex Karalexis
Alex Karalexis is an American mixed martial artist of Greek descent. He has a professional record of 10 wins and 6 losses...
on November 18, 2009 at WEC 44
WEC 44
WEC 44: Brown vs. Aldo was a mixed martial arts event held by World Extreme Cagefighting. It took place on November 18, 2009 at The Pearl at The Palms in Las Vegas, Nevada.The event drew an estimated 414,000 viewers on Versus.-Preliminary card:...
, but a broken hand forced Karalexis off the card. Karalexis was replaced by WEC newcomer Will Kerr
Will Kerr
Will Kerr is an American mixed martial artist who formerly fought in WEC's lightweight division. He made his WEC debut against Kamal Shalorus on November 2009 at WEC 44, replacing an injured Alex Karalexis, where he lost via TKO in the first round.Kerr then faced Karen Darabedyan on June 20, 2010...
. Shalorus defeated Kerr via TKO in the very first round.
Shalorus defeated previously unbeaten Dave Jansen
Dave Jansen
David Hendrik Jansen is an American mixed martial artist. He currently fights for the WEC. He defeated Richard Crunkilton via unanimous decision at WEC 43 on October 10, 2009....
via unanimous decision on January 10, 2010 at WEC 46
WEC 46
WEC 46: Varner vs. Henderson was a mixed martial arts event held by World Extreme Cagefighting on January 10, 2010. It took place at the ARCO Arena in Sacramento, California.-Background:...
. Shalorus showed impressive striking, takedown offense and defense. It was also noted, by Frank Mir
Frank Mir
Francisco Santos Miranda is an American mixed martial artist, as well as a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Kenpō Karate, who competes in the heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He is a former UFC Heavyweight Champion and a former UFC Interim Heavyweight Champion...
, that Shalorus would be a force to be reckoned with in the future.
Shalorus was expected to face former WEC Lightweight Champion Jamie Varner
Jamie Varner
James Christopher Varner is a mixed martial artist who fought for World Extreme Cagefighting. He is a former WEC Lightweight champion.-Ultimate Fighting Championship:...
on April 24, 2010 at WEC 48
WEC 48
UFC Presents: Aldo vs. Faber, also referred to as WEC 48: Aldo vs. Faber was a mixed martial arts event held by World Extreme Cagefighting that took place on April 24, 2010 at ARCO Arena in Sacramento, California...
, but Shalorus was forced off of the card with an injury. Varner/Shalorus took place on June 20, 2010 at WEC 49
WEC 49
WEC 49: Varner vs. Shalorus was a mixed martial arts event held by World Extreme Cagefighting that took place on June 20, 2010 at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.-Background:...
. The fight ended in a split draw (29-27, 27-29, 28-28), with Shalorus being deducted one point for multiple groin shots.
Kamal Shalorus was expected to face Bart Palaszewski
Bart Palaszewski
Bart 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...
on November 11, 2010 at WEC 52
WEC 52
WEC 52: Faber vs. Mizugaki was a mixed martial arts event held by World Extreme Cagefighting on November 11, 2010 at The Pearl at The Palms in Las Vegas, Nevada.-Background:...
, but the bout was moved to WEC 53
WEC 53
WEC 53: Henderson vs. Pettis was a mixed martial arts event held by World Extreme Cagefighting that took place on December 16, 2010 at Jobing.com Arena in the Phoenix suburb of Glendale, Arizona. The event was the first time that Zuffa has hosted an event in Arizona...
after Shalorus reinjured his hand that was broken during the bout with Varner. Shalorus won the fight via split decision.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
In October 2010, World Extreme CagefightingWorld Extreme Cagefighting
World 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...
merged with the Ultimate Fighting Championship
Ultimate Fighting Championship
The Ultimate Fighting Championship is the largest mixed martial arts promotion company in the world that hosts most of the top-ranked fighters in the sport...
. As part of the merger, all WEC fighters were transferred to the UFC. Shalorus is the second Iranian born fighter to ever compete for the UFC; the first being Reza Nasri who fought at UFC 11
UFC 11
UFC 11: The Proving Ground was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on September 20th, 1996, at the Augusta Civic Center in Augusta, Georgia...
.
In his UFC debut, Shalorus faced Jim Miller
Jim Miller (fighter)
James Andrew Miller is an American mixed martial artist. He has held the Cage Fury Fighting Championships Lightweight Championship and Reality Fighting Featherweight Championship. He currently fights for the UFC's lightweight division. He is the younger brother of fellow MMA fighter Dan Miller...
on March 19, 2011 at UFC 128
UFC 128
UFC 128: Shogun vs. Jones was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on March 19, 2011, at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.-Background:...
. He lost the fight via TKO in the third round, the first loss of his professional career.
Shalorus is expected to face promotional newcomer Khabib Nurmagomedov on January 20, 2012 at UFC Fight Night 26.
Mixed martial arts record
|-| Loss
|align=center| 7–1–2
|
Jim MillerJim Miller (fighter)
James Andrew Miller is an American mixed martial artist. He has held the Cage Fury Fighting Championships Lightweight Championship and Reality Fighting Featherweight Championship. He currently fights for the UFC's lightweight division. He is the younger brother of fellow MMA fighter Dan Miller...
| TKO (knee and punches)
| UFC 128
UFC 128
UFC 128: Shogun vs. Jones was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on March 19, 2011, at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.-Background:...
|
|align=center| 3
|align=center| 2:15
|Newark, New Jersey
Newark, New Jersey
Newark is the largest city in the American state of New Jersey, and the seat of Essex County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Newark had a population of 277,140, maintaining its status as the largest municipality in New Jersey. It is the 68th largest city in the U.S...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 7–0–2
|
Bart PalaszewskiBart Palaszewski
Bart 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...
| Decision (split)
| WEC 53
WEC 53
WEC 53: Henderson vs. Pettis was a mixed martial arts event held by World Extreme Cagefighting that took place on December 16, 2010 at Jobing.com Arena in the Phoenix suburb of Glendale, Arizona. The event was the first time that Zuffa has hosted an event in Arizona...
|
|align=center| 3
|align=center| 5:00
|Glendale, Arizona
Glendale, Arizona
Glendale is a city in Maricopa County, Arizona, USA, located about nine miles northwest from Downtown Phoenix. According to 2010 Census Bureau, the population of the city is 226,721....
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
| Draw
|align=center| 6–0–2
|
Jamie VarnerJamie Varner
James Christopher Varner is a mixed martial artist who fought for World Extreme Cagefighting. He is a former WEC Lightweight champion.-Ultimate Fighting Championship:...
| Draw (split)
| WEC 49
WEC 49
WEC 49: Varner vs. Shalorus was a mixed martial arts event held by World Extreme Cagefighting that took place on June 20, 2010 at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.-Background:...
|
|align=center| 3
|align=center| 5:00
|Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 6–0–1
|
Dave JansenDave Jansen
David Hendrik Jansen is an American mixed martial artist. He currently fights for the WEC. He defeated Richard Crunkilton via unanimous decision at WEC 43 on October 10, 2009....
| Decision (unanimous)
| WEC 46
WEC 46
WEC 46: Varner vs. Henderson was a mixed martial arts event held by World Extreme Cagefighting on January 10, 2010. It took place at the ARCO Arena in Sacramento, California.-Background:...
|
|align=center| 3
|align=center| 5:00
|Sacramento, California
Sacramento, California
Sacramento is the capital city of the U.S. state of California and the county seat of Sacramento County. It is located at the confluence of the Sacramento River and the American River in the northern portion of California's expansive Central Valley. With a population of 466,488 at the 2010 census,...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 5–0–1
|
Will KerrWill Kerr
Will Kerr is an American mixed martial artist who formerly fought in WEC's lightweight division. He made his WEC debut against Kamal Shalorus on November 2009 at WEC 44, replacing an injured Alex Karalexis, where he lost via TKO in the first round.Kerr then faced Karen Darabedyan on June 20, 2010...
| TKO (punches)
| WEC 44
WEC 44
WEC 44: Brown vs. Aldo was a mixed martial arts event held by World Extreme Cagefighting. It took place on November 18, 2009 at The Pearl at The Palms in Las Vegas, Nevada.The event drew an estimated 414,000 viewers on Versus.-Preliminary card:...
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 1:26
|Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 4–0–1
|
Justin Miller| TKO (punches)
| Supreme Warrior Championship 7: Discountenance
|
|align=center| 2
|align=center| 0:32
|Frisco, Texas
Frisco, Texas
Frisco is an affluent city in Collin and Denton Counties in the U.S. state of Texas and a rapidly growing suburb of Dallas. As of the 2010 Census, 116,989 people were living in Frisco up from 33,714 in the previous census. Frisco was the fastest growing city in the United States in 2009, and also...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
| Draw
|align=center| 3–0–1
|
Mikel BronzoulisMikel Bronzoulis
Mikel Bronzoulis is an American professional mixed martial artist who competes in the welterweight division. He currently fights for Strikeforce.-MMA career:Bronzoulis made his professional MMA debut in 2007...
| Draw (majority)
| King of Kombat 6: Fists of Fury
|
|align=center| 5
|align=center| 5:00
|Austin, Texas
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 3–0
|
Jonathan Evans| TKO (punches)
| Extreme Challenge: War at the Shore
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 0:35
|Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City is a city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States, and a nationally renowned resort city for gambling, shopping and fine dining. The city also served as the inspiration for the American version of the board game Monopoly. Atlantic City is located on Absecon Island on the coast...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 2–0
|
Edwyn Jones| Submission (rear-naked choke)
| Supreme Warrior Championship 2: Battlegrounds
|
|align=center| 2
|align=center| 2:52
|Frisco, Texas
Frisco, Texas
Frisco is an affluent city in Collin and Denton Counties in the U.S. state of Texas and a rapidly growing suburb of Dallas. As of the 2010 Census, 116,989 people were living in Frisco up from 33,714 in the previous census. Frisco was the fastest growing city in the United States in 2009, and also...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 1–0
|
Jeff Davis| TKO (punches)
| King of Kombat 3
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 1:06
|Austin, Texas
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|