Robert "Bobby" James Voelker[1] (born April 26, 1979) is an American professional mixed martial artist competing in their Welterweight division. A professional competitor since 2006, Voelker has formerly competed for the UFC, Bellator MMA, Strikeforce, M-1 Global, and Titan FC.

Bobby Voelker
BornRobert James Voelker[1]
(1979-04-26) April 26, 1979 (age 45)
Kansas City, Missouri, United States
Other namesVicious
Height6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight170 lb (77 kg; 12 st)
DivisionWelterweight
Reach74 in (188 cm)[2]
Fighting out ofKansas City, Missouri, United States
TeamFinney's MMA
American Jujitsu
Glory MMA & Fitness[3]
Years active2006–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total48
Wins34
By knockout27
By decision7
Losses14
By knockout4
By submission1
By decision9
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Background

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Voelker is from Kansas City, Missouri, and attended Shawnee Mission South High School where he competed in football as well as swimming and diving. Voelker also got into many street fights, being charged with battery when he was 18 years old and began training in boxing and kickboxing late in high school. After graduating high school, Voelker briefly attended college before dropping out and eventually transitioned into a career in professional mixed martial arts.[4]

Mixed martial arts career

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Early career

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Voelker compiled an undefeated amateur record of 10–0 before making his professional MMA debut in 2006. He competed in events primarily in Iowa and Kansas, amassing a record of 20–7 before signing with Strikeforce.

Strikeforce

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Voelker's debut took place on November 20, 2009 at Strikeforce Challengers: Woodley vs. Bears, where he faced off against WEC veteran Erik Apple, defeating Apple via TKO (punches) in the second round.

His second appearance took place at Strikeforce Challengers: Lindland vs. Casey, where he faced heavy-handed up-and-coming striker "Relentless" Roger Bowling. The fight ended in a technical decision in favor of Bowling due to an unintentional eye injury to Bowling.

He was next signed to face Cory Devela, who was on a two-fight slide, on July 23, 2010, at Strikeforce Challengers: del Rosario vs. Mahe. Devela easily took round one, swarming Voelker and turning the fight into a grappling match. The second and third rounds were a lot closer to call, with Devela mostly controlling Voelker in the clinch, but the split decision was awarded to Voelker, who remained in a dominant position for much of the final frames, landing shots from top position.[5]

A rematch with Bowling took place at Strikeforce Challengers: Bowling vs. Voelker. Voelker won a very one-sided fight via technical knockout in the second round due to punches. Voelker and Bowling fought for a third time at Strikeforce Challengers: Voelker vs. Bowling III to create Strikeforce's first trilogy. Once again, Voelker dominated and out struck Bowling, thus winning the fight via TKO due to a knee in the second round.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

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In January 2013, the Strikeforce organization was closed by its parent company Zuffa. A list of fighters scheduled to be brought over to the Ultimate Fighting Championship was released in mid-January and Voelker was included.[6]

For his debut, Voelker faced Patrick Côté, who was making his Welterweight debut, on March 16, 2013 at UFC 158.[7] Despite finishing strong and winning the third round, Voelker was unsuccessful in his debut, losing the back-and-forth fight via unanimous decision.

Voelker was briefly scheduled to face James Head on August 28, 2013 at UFC Fight Night 27.[8] However, on July 11, it was announced that Voelker was tabbed as a replacement for Siyar Bahadurzada and face Robbie Lawler on July 27, 2013 at UFC on Fox 8.[9] He lost the fight via knockout in the second round.

Voelker faced William Macário on December 28, 2013 at UFC 168.[10] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[11]

Voelker faced Lance Benoist on June 7, 2014 at UFC Fight Night 42.[12] He lost the back-and-forth fight via unanimous decision, and was subsequently released from the promotion.

Bellator MMA

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After racking a 9–1 record on the regional circuit, Voelker signed with Bellator MMA in April 2019.[13] He made his promotional debut against Sabah Homasi at Bellator 250 on October 29, 2020. He lost the fight via flying knee in the second round.[14]

On May 3, 2021, it was announced that Voelker was no longer under contract with Bellator.[15]

Return to regional circuit

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After the one-off bout in Bellator, Voelker returned to Shamrock FC facing Josh Weston at Shamrock FC 332 on October 9, 2021.[16] He won the bout via first-round knockout.[17]

Personal life

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Aside from his career as a fighter, Voelker works in construction and is also a devout Catholic. During his UFC tenure, Voelker studied at Kansas City Kansas Community College to be a paramedic and eventually graduated.[18][19]

Championships and accomplishments

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  • Shamrock Fighting Championships
    • Shamrock FC Welterweight Championship (one time)

Mixed martial arts record

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Professional record breakdown
48 matches 34 wins 14 losses
By knockout 27 4
By submission 0 1
By decision 7 9
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 34–14 Josh Weston TKO (punches) Shamrock FC 332 October 9, 2021 1 1:12 Kansas City, Missouri, United States
Loss 33–14 Sabah Homasi KO (flying knee and punches) Bellator 250 October 29, 2020 2 0:20 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Win 33–13 Cameron VanCamp Decision (unanimous) Shamrock FC 317 April 6, 2019 5 5:00 Kansas City, Missouri, United States Won the vacant Shamrock FC Welterweight Championship.
Win 32–13 Darrius Flowers TKO (punches) Shamrock FC 313 December 8, 2018 2 2:00 Kansas City, Missouri, United States Catchweight (175 lbs) bout.
Win 31–13 Justin DeMoney TKO (submission to punches) Shamrock FC 306 June 16, 2018 2 1:45 Kansas City, Missouri, United States
Win 30–13 Bobby Emmons TKO (punches) Shamrock FC 302 February 3, 2018 1 4:16 Kansas City, Missouri, United States
Loss 29–13 Zak Bucia Decision (unanimous) Shamrock FC 289 May 20, 2017 3 5:00 Kansas City, Missouri, United States For the Shamrock FC Welterweight Championship.
Win 29–12 Kyle Kurtz TKO (punches and elbows) Shamrock FC 276 September 24, 2016 2 1:55 Kansas City, Missouri, United States
Win 28–12 Raymond Gray Decision (unanimous) Shamrock Promotions: Assault January 16, 2016 3 5:00 Kansas City, Missouri, United States
Win 27–12 Mike Estus TKO (punches) Shamrock Promotions: Clash September 26, 2015 1 1:27 Kansas City, Missouri, United States
Win 26–12 Justin Gutherie TKO (punches) Shamrock Promotions: Heavy Artillery March 7, 2015 3 3:09 Kansas City, Missouri, United States Catchweight (174 lbs) bout.
Win 25–12 Cedric Marks TKO (punches) Shamrock Promotions: Onslaught September 27, 2014 1 3:32 Kansas City, Missouri, United States
Loss 24–12 Lance Benoist Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. Khabilov June 7, 2014 3 5:00 Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
Loss 24–11 William Macário Decision (unanimous) UFC 168 December 28, 2013 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 24–10 Robbie Lawler KO (head kick and punches) UFC on Fox: Johnson vs. Moraga July 27, 2013 2 0:24 Seattle, Washington, United States
Loss 24–9 Patrick Côté Decision (unanimous) UFC 158 March 16, 2013 3 5:00 Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Win 24–8 Roger Bowling TKO (knee and punches) Strikeforce Challengers: Voelker vs. Bowling III July 22, 2011 2 2:16 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 23–8 Roger Bowling TKO (punches) Strikeforce Challengers: Bowling vs. Voelker October 22, 2010 2 3:58 Fresno, California, United States
Win 22–8 Cory Devela Decision (split) Strikeforce Challengers: del Rosario vs. Mahe July 23, 2010 3 5:00 Everett, Washington, United States
Loss 21–8 Roger Bowling Technical decision (unanimous) Strikeforce Challengers: Lindland vs. Casey May 21, 2010 3 1:38 Portland, Oregon, United States
Win 21–7 Erik Apple TKO (punches) Strikeforce Challengers: Woodley vs. Bears November 29, 2009 2 1:23 Kansas City, Kansas, United States
Loss 20–7 Brendan Seguin Decision (unanimous) Titan FC 14 October 2, 2009 3 5:00 Kansas City, Kansas, United States
Win 20–6 Thomas Aaron TKO (punches) Extreme Fight Production June 12, 2009 2 1:47 Kansas City, Kansas, United States
Win 19–6 Dominic Brown TKO (punches) Titan FC 13 March 13, 2009 2 1:33 Kansas City, Kansas, United States
Win 18–6 CJ Fernandes TKO (punches) X-Treme Fight 1 January 23, 2009 2 2:41 Kansas City, Missouri, United States
Loss 17–6 Jacob Volkmann Decision (unanimous) VFC 25: Primetime December 5, 2008 5 5:00 Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States For the VFC Welterweight Championship.
Win 17–5 Amir Rahnavardi Decision (unanimous) M-1 Challenge 8: USA October 29, 2008 3 5:00 Kansas City, Missouri, United States
Win 16–5 Dominic Brown TKO (punches) VFC 24: Revolution July 26, 2008 2 N/A Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States
Win 15–5 Ryan Braun TKO (punches) MCC 14: Pride or Fate June 14, 2008 2 3:17 Urbandale, Iowa, United States
Loss 14–5 Kevin Burns KO (punch) VFC 23: Validation May 9, 2008 1 0:30 Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States
Win 14–4 Nathan Looker TKO (submission to punches) World Cage Fighting Championships April 5, 2008 1 1:34 Independence, Missouri, United States
Loss 13–4 Joey Gorczynski Decision (split) Titan FC 11 March 22, 2008 3 N/A Kansas City, Missouri, United States
Win 13–3 Matt Delanoit TKO (submission to strikes) MCC 11: Night of Champions November 21, 2007 3 1:43 Des Moines, Iowa, United States
Loss 12–3 Leonardo Pecanha Submission (armbar) Titan FC 8 July 27, 2007 1 1:58 Kansas City, Kansas, United States
Win 12–2 Danny Anderson Decision (unanimous) VFC 19: Inferno May 18, 2007 3 5:00 Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States
Win 11–2 Warren Walker TKO (punches) Titan FC 7 March 23, 2007 1 1:04 Kansas City, Kansas, United States
Win 10–2 Victor Moreno TKO (punches) MCC 7: Valentine's Massacure February 17, 2007 2 N/A Des Moines, Iowa, United States
Win 9–2 Ken Jackson TKO (punches) Titan FC 6 January 26, 2007 1 3:08 Kansas City, Kansas, United States
Win 8–2 Ted Worthington Decision (unanimous) MCC 6: Hard Hitters January 13, 2007 3 5:00 Urbandale, Iowa, United States
Win 7–2 Jody Lithicum TKO (submission to punches) World Series of Rumble November 17, 2006 1 0:43 Junction City, Kansas, United States
Win 6–2 Clayton Marrs Decision (unanimous) Freestyle Cage Fighting November 10, 2006 3 3:00 Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States
Win 5–2 Jack Hodge TKO (submission to punches) Titan FC 5 August 4, 2006 2 0:51 Kansas City, Kansas, United States
Loss 4–2 Justin Wilcox Decision (unanimous) Extreme Challenge 68 July 15, 2006 2 5:00 Hayward, Wisconsin, United States
Win 4–1 Brian Green TKO (punches) Titan FC 4 June 9, 2006 2 1:38 Kansas City, Kansas, United States
Win 3–1 Johnathan Richmond TKO (punches) Titan FC 2 May 12, 2006 1 1:58 Topeka, Kansas, United States
Loss 2–1 Victor Moreno TKO (punches) MCC 2: Midwest Xplosion April 8, 2006 1 0:08 Des Moines, Iowa, United States
Win 2–0 Kyle Bradley KO (punch) Titan FC 1 March 11, 2006 1 4:47 Kansas City, Kansas, United States
Win 1–0 Demi Deeds TKO (punches) Midwest Cage Championships 1 February 11, 2006 2 1:11 Des Moines, Iowa, United States

References

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  1. ^ a b Mixed martial arts show results Date: July 22, 2011
  2. ^ "Bobby Voelker ("Vicious") | MMA Fighter Page".
  3. ^ Brett Auten. "Voelker To Press Benoist". knucklejunkies.com.
  4. ^ Vahe Gregorian (July 25, 2013). "KC's Voelker excited about UFC showdown Saturday night in Seattle". The Kansas City Star.
  5. ^ "Voelker in Strikeforce".
  6. ^ "UFC Reveals List of Strikeforce Fighters Making Jump to Octagon". sherdog.com. January 16, 2013.
  7. ^ Erickson, Matt (2012-12-21). "Bobby Voelker moves over from Strikeforce, meets Patrick Cote at UFC 158". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved 2012-12-21.
  8. ^ Whitman, Mike (2013-06-04). "Head-Voelker to Aug. 28 UFC Card". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2013-06-04.
  9. ^ Staff (2013-07-11). "Siyar Bahardurzada out at UFC on FOX 8, Bobby Voelker faces Robbie Lawler". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2013-07-11.
  10. ^ Stupp, Dann (2013-10-03). "Bobby Voelker vs. William 'Patolino' Macario added to UFC 168 in Vegas". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2013-10-03.
  11. ^ "UFC 168 results: William Macario takes unanimous decision over bloodied Bobby Voelker". bloodyelbow.com. 2013-12-28.
  12. ^ Burke, Tim (2014-03-18). "Lance Benoist vs. Bobby Voelker added to June UFC event in Albuquerque". bloodyelbow.com. Retrieved 2014-03-18.
  13. ^ Dave Doyle (April 17, 2019). "UFC, Strikeforce vet Bobby Voelker signs with Bellator". mmajunkie.com.
  14. ^ Mike Bohn (October 29, 2020). "Bellator 250 video: Sabah Homasi flattens Bobby Voelker with nasty flying knee". mmajunkie.com.
  15. ^ "Bellator parts ways with 15 fighters including A.J. Matthews, Mandy Bohm, Will Fleury, more". MMA Junkie. 2021-05-04. Retrieved 2021-05-04.
  16. ^ "Voelker, Weston Clash In Shamrock FC 332 Main Event". shamrockfightingchampionshps.com.
  17. ^ "MMA-veteraan Bobby Voelker sloopt tegenstander met daverende knockout". sportnieuws.nl (in Dutch). October 11, 2021.
  18. ^ Zack Zeigler (July 24, 2013). "Making Weight (Quickly) with Bobby Voelker". Ultimate Fighting Championship.
  19. ^ James Lynch (December 29, 2015). SFC Assault's Bobby Voelker "I see me knocking Kyle Kurtz down & the ref stopping it" – via YouTube.
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