Mike Bronzoulis (born January 5, 1979) is an American mixed martial artist who most recently competed in the Lightweight division of Bellator. A professional competitor since 2007, Bronzoulis has competed for Strikeforce, Legacy FC, Titan FC, Shark Fights, and was a finalist on Spike TV's Bellator: Fight Master reality show.
| Mike Bronzoulis | |
|---|---|
| Born | 5 January 1979 Houston, Texas, U.S. |
| Other names | The Greek |
| Residence | Houston, Texas, U.S. |
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) |
| Weight | 155.4 lb (70.5 kg; 11.10 st) |
| Division | Middleweight Welterweight Lightweight |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Team | Revolution Dojo Paradigm Main Street Boxing Gym |
| Years active | 2007–2018 |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 29 |
| Wins | 18 |
| By knockout | 11 |
| By submission | 3 |
| By decision | 3 |
| By disqualification | 1 |
| Losses | 10 |
| By knockout | 2 |
| By submission | 3 |
| By decision | 5 |
| Draws | 1 |
| Other information | |
| Website | http://www.thegreek.pro/ |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
Background
editBronzoulis began practicing martial arts when he was around seven years old, when his father, a martial artist himself, brought the young Bronzoulis to a karate school. From the beginning, Bronzoulis had found his passion, eventually learning Tae Kwon Do, Tang Shu Do, Shotokan, Shotoru, American Freestyle, and kickboxing. When he turned 16, Bronzoulis spent most of his time at the Fairtex Thai kickboxing camp and also watched Jean-Claude Van Damme movies.[1]
Mixed martial arts career
editBronzoulis made his professional debut in 2007. On April 25, 2009, he fought UFC veteran Kamal Shalorus to a majority draw.
Shark Fights
editBronzoulis made his Shark Fights debut in 2010 at Shark Fights 12 where he defeated Anselmo Martinez via disqualification.[2] His next fight under the organization was at Shark Fights 14: Horwich vs. Villefort against Lucas Lopes where he won via unanimous decision.[3]
Legacy Fighting Championship
editOn March 20, 2010, Bronzoulis was defeated by Levi Forrest via unanimous decision at Legacy FC 2 for the Legacy Welterweight Title.
On November 5, 2010, Bronzoulis defeated Jonathan Harris at Legacy FC 4 via TKO due to punches in round one to win the Legacy FC Welterweight Championship.
On January 29, 2011, Bronzoulis defeated Joe Christoper at Legacy FC 5 via TKO due to punches in round three to retain the Legacy FC Welterweight Championship, he later vacated the title when he signed with Strikeforce.
On December 16, 2011, Bronzoulis returned to Legacy FC against Jorge Patino at Legacy FC 9 losing via unanimous decision.
On May 11, 2012, Bronzoulis lost to UFC vet Gerald Harris at Legacy FC 11 via split decision.
On November 16, 2012, Bronzoulis defeated Robert Shawn Machado at Legacy FC 15 via unanimous decision.
Strikeforce
editOn May 25, 2011, it was announced that Bronzoulis had signed a four-fight deal with Strikeforce.
Bronzoulis made his debut for the promotion on June 18, 2011, against WEC veteran Todd Moore at Strikeforce: Overeem vs. Werdum. He lost the fight via unanimous decision (29-28, 29–28, 29–28).
Bronzoulis rebounded from this loss just two months later when he defeated Chad Leonhardt via TKO in the third round on the undercard of Strikeforce Challengers: Gurgel vs. Duarte.
Bellator MMA
editOn May 6, 2013, it was announced that Bronzoulis would be featured as a participant on Bellator MMA's reality TV show Fight Master: Bellator MMA.[4]
In his preliminary fight to get on the show, Bronzoulis defeated Gareth Joseph by unanimous decision. During the team selection, he chose Randy Couture to be his coach. In his second fight, Bronzoulis defeated Jason Norwood by knockout in the third round. In the quarter-finals, Bronzoulis faced friend Chris Lozano and won via unanimous decision. In the semifinals, he fought Eric Bradley and, despite being controlled for most of two rounds, mounted a comeback and won via TKO in the second round. He was set to face Joe Riggs in the tournament final scheduled to take place at Bellator 98, but the bout was canceled after Riggs suffered an eye injury. The bout eventually took place on November 2, 2013, at Bellator 106 and Bronzoulis lost via unanimous decision.
Post-Bellator
editBronzoulis faced Brandon Farran at Triple A MMA 4: Caged Hostility on January 16, 2014. Bronzoulis lost the fight via TKO (punches) in the first round, marking the first KO/TKO loss of his career.[5]
Bronzoulis faced Keith Johnson at Titan FC 29 on August 22, 2014. He lost via rear naked choke submission in the third round.[6]
Return to Legacy FC
editBronzoulis returned to the promotion as he faced Justin Reiswerg at Legacy FC 37 on November 14, 2014.[7] He won the fight by submission in the second round, ending his three-fight losing streak over the past year.[8]
In his next fight for the promotion, Bronzoulis faced Jonathan Harris at Legacy FC 39 on February 27, 2015. He won the fight via TKO in the first round.
Championships and accomplishments
edit- Bellator MMA
- Legacy Fighting Championship
- Legacy FC Welterweight Championship (One time)
- One successful title defense
- Legacy FC Lightweight Championship (One time)
Mixed martial arts record
edit| 29 matches | 18 wins | 10 losses |
| By knockout | 11 | 2 |
| By submission | 3 | 3 |
| By decision | 3 | 5 |
| By disqualification | 1 | 0 |
| Draws | 1 | |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 18–10–1 | Zane Kamaka | TKO (arm injury) | X-1 49 - Lightweight Grand Prix | April 7, 2018 | 1 | 5:00 | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States | |
| Loss | 18–9–1 | Josh Thomson | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | Bellator 142: Dynamite 1 | September 19, 2015 | 3 | 0:39 | San Jose, California, United States | |
| Win | 18–8–1 | Dave Burrow | Decision (unanimous) | Legacy FC vs. RFA Superfight Card | May 8, 2015 | 5 | 5:00 | Robinsonville, Mississippi, United States | Won the Vacant Legacy FC Lightweight Championship. |
| Win | 17–8–1 | Jonathan Harris | TKO (punches) | Legacy FC 39 | February 27, 2015 | 1 | 1:43 | Houston, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 16–8–1 | Justin Reiswerg | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Legacy FC 37 | November 14, 2014 | 2 | 4:51 | Houston, Texas, United States | Lightweight bout. |
| Loss | 15–8–1 | Keith Johnson | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Titan FC 29: Ricci vs. Sotiropoulos | August 22, 2014 | 3 | 3:31 | Fayetteville, North Carolina, United States | |
| Loss | 15–7–1 | Brandon Farran | TKO (punches) | Triple A MMA 4: Caged Hostility | January 16, 2014 | 1 | 0:43 | Fort Worth, Texas, United States | Middleweight bout. |
| Loss | 15–6–1 | Joe Riggs | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 106 | November 2, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Long Beach, California, United States | Fight Master Tournament Final. |
| Win | 15–5–1 | Robert Shawn Machado | Decision (unanimous) | Legacy FC 15 | November 16, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Houston, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 14–5–1 | Danny Salinas | KO (head kick) | UWF: Tournament of Warriors Round 2 | May 26, 2012 | 2 | 1:47 | Laredo, Texas, United States | Catchweight (175 lbs) bout. |
| Loss | 13–5–1 | Gerald Harris | Decision (split) | Legacy FC 11 | May 11, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Houston, Texas, United States | |
| Loss | 13–4–1 | Jorge Patino | Decision (unanimous) | Legacy FC 9 | December 16, 2011 | 5 | 5:00 | Houston, Texas, United States | For the Legacy FC Welterweight Championship. |
| Win | 13–3–1 | Chad Leonhardt | TKO (leg kick and punches) | Strikeforce Challengers: Gurgel vs. Duarte | August 12, 2011 | 3 | 1:30 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 12–3–1 | Todd Moore | Decision (unanimous) | Strikeforce: Overeem vs. Werdum | June 18, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Dallas, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 12–2–1 | Lucas Lopes | Decision (unanimous) | Shark Fights 14: Horwich vs. Villefort | March 11, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Lubbock, Texas, United States | Catchweight (175 lbs) bout. |
| Win | 11–2–1 | Joe Christopher | TKO (punches) | Legacy FC 5 | January 29, 2011 | 3 | 3:33 | Houston, Texas, United States | Defended the Legacy FC Welterweight Championship. |
| Win | 10–2–1 | Jonathan Harris | TKO (punches) | Legacy FC 4 | November 5, 2010 | 1 | 3:43 | Houston, Texas, United States | Won the Legacy FC Welterweight Championship. |
| Win | 9–2–1 | Anselmo Martinez | DQ (unintentional knee to downed opponent) | Shark Fights 12: Unfinished Business | June 26, 2010 | 2 | 3:54 | Amarillo, Texas, United States | |
| Loss | 8–2–1 | Levi Forrest | Decision (unanimous) | Legacy FC 2 | March 20, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | Houston, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 8–1–1 | Cleburn Walker | TKO (punches) | Steele Cage 2 | November 7, 2009 | 1 | 4:39 | Frisco, Texas, United States | |
| Draw | 7–1–1 | Kamal Shalorus | Draw (majority) | KOK 6: Fists of Fury | April 25, 2009 | 3 | 5:00 | Austin, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 7–1 | Joshua Lee | TKO (punches) | Urban Rumble Championships 3 | January 24, 2009 | 2 | 0:59 | Pasadena, California, United States | |
| Win | 6–1 | Keith Schneider | TKO (punches) | Renaissance MMA 10 | January 9, 2009 | 2 | 4:42 | New Orleans, Louisiana, United States | |
| Win | 5–1 | Mark Ortiz | KO (punches) | Katana Cagefighting: Conquest | December 6, 2008 | 3 | 1:56 | Robstown, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 4–1 | George Sweeney | Submission | STFL 3: War Zone | August 2, 2008 | 1 | 1:22 | McAllen, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 3–1 | Edwynn Jones | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Xp3: The Proving Ground | July 26, 2008 | 1 | 1:23 | Houston, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 2–1 | Paul Hansen | TKO (punches) | SCP: South Coast Promotions | July 18, 2008 | 1 | 0:57 | Houston, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 1–1 | Robert Larson | TKO | STFL 2: Aftershock | May 3, 2008 | 1 | 2:41 | Edinburg, Texas, United States | |
| Loss | 0–1 | Matt Rangel | Submission (armbar) | Renegades Extreme Fighting | October 20, 2007 | 1 | 1:18 | Houston, Texas, United States |
Mixed martial arts exhibition record
edit| Exhibition record breakdown | ||
| 4 matches | 4 wins | 0 losses |
| By knockout | 2 | 0 |
| By submission | 0 | 0 |
| By decision | 2 | 0 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 4–0 | Eric Bradley | TKO (punches) | Fight Master: Bellator MMA | August 29, 2013 | 2 | N/A | New Orleans, Louisiana, United States | Semifinal bout. |
| Win | 3–0 | Chris Lozano | Decision (unanimous) | Fight Master: Bellator MMA | August 15, 2013 | 2 | 5:00 | New Orleans, Louisiana, United States | Quarterfinal bout. |
| Win | 2–0 | Jason Norwood | KO (punch) | Fight Master: Bellator MMA | July 24, 2013 | 3 | N/A | New Orleans, Louisiana, United States | Preliminary bout. |
| Win | 1–0 | Gareth Joseph | Decision (unanimous) | Fight Master: Bellator MMA | July 10, 2013 | 2 | 5:00 | New Orleans, Louisiana, United States | Elimination bout. |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Interview: Mike "The Greek" Bronzoulis | The Cage Door". www.thecagedoor.net. Archived from the original on 2010-11-10.
- ^ "Shark Fights | Blog Martial Art Mixed Shark Fights". 18 July 2023.
- ^ "Shark Fights 14 results: Villefort decisions Horwich, LaRosa taps Damm | MMAjunkie.com". Archived from the original on 2012-01-03. Retrieved 2012-01-27.
- ^ "'Fight Master: Bellator MMA' cast unveiled with Riggs, Lozano and 30 others". MMA Junkie. Archived from the original on May 10, 2013. Retrieved May 6, 2013.
- ^ "Triple A MMA IV: Caged Hostility Official Results". mixedmartialarts.com. January 16, 2014.
- ^ "Titan FC 29 results: Mike Ricci cruises past George Sotiropoulos". mmajunkie.com. August 23, 2014.
- ^ "LFC 37 - LEGACY FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIP 37". sherdog.com.
- ^ "Legacy FC 37 results: Daniel Pineda taps Leonard Garcia, 'Bad Boy' calls it a career". mmajunkie.com. November 15, 2014.
