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B B Sandusky # jJttegisterHave something to Showcase?Call Eric Lawrence, City Editor 419-625-5500, ext. 308 ericlawrence@sanduskyregister.comSUNDAY, APRIL 8, 2001WWW.SANDUSKYREGISTER.COMBELOW: Kevin Randleman defeated Ebenezer Braga in March, 1997.LEFT: Randleman defeated Pete Williams in November 1999. RIGHT: Randleman defeated Maurice Smith in March 1999.Photo provided/Susumu NagaoPhoto provided/Josh HedgesLake ErieNicknamed “The Monster,”former Ultimate Fighting Championand Sandusky native Kevin Randlemanwrestles his way ahead in and out of the ringBy PAN ANGELOdanangelo@sanduskyregister.comCOLUMBUSAs a youngster, Kevin Randleman learned to be a fighter.Those skills have served him wellover the years, leading Randleman to state and nationalrwrestling titles, and finally an UltimateFighting Championship belt.“I was always smaller than everyone,” the 5-foot, 10-inch, 220-pound Sandusky native said from his home in Columbus. “When you're the little one, you get picked on and I had to prove myself. I didn’t like to joke with anyone and I’m easily agitated.“But I became harder as things happened toIme.MWhile Randleman played football and competed in track at Sandusky High School, he was at his best on the wrestling mat. He was a fourtime state qualifier for the Blue Streaks, placing third as a junior and winning a state title as a senior in 1989.A*.He moved on to Ohio State, where he wrestled his way to three BigTen championships, All-America recognition three years in a row and a pair of national crowns in 1993 andVAn autographed poster promoting a UFC fight pitting Kevin Randleman vs. Pedro RizzoPhoto provided/ Jackie CollinsKevin Randleman made his name in wrestling at The Ohio State University.And his two NCAA national championships, along with his friendship with Fremont wrestler Mark Coleman, put the Sandusky native on the fast track in the Ultimate Fighting Championship organization.“1 got in because of my name and because of who I train with, Randleman said. “Mark Coleman paved the way for Kevin Randleman at every turn.The help was invaluable because there is no set method in the UFC for getting a title bout.The UFC was supposed to set up an official ranking system, similary to the one used by the Mixed Martial Arts Council established in 1999. But UFC gives title shots when the organization determines the fighter has proven himself.UFC fighting was taken off cable in the1994.From his success on the mats at the university. Randleman landed in the Arena Football League, playing for a year in St. Louis for former Ohio State coach Earle Bruce.But real success was just a phone call away. “When I came home from St. Louis, Mark Coleman called and asked me if I was in shape,” Randleman said. “I lied and said I was. Then he told me about UltimateFighting and told me about the prize and I asked him when I should be there.”Two days later, Randleman was training with Coleman, the former Olympic wrestler from Fremont, and 35 days later he was in Brazil making his Ultimate Fighting Championship debut.“In college, Mark and I laughed when we watched this stuff,” Randleman said. “We knew there was no money in wrestling, but sure enough, we started doing it. Anyone who knows Kevin Christopher Randleman knows I’m a positive influence on the world. It’s almost impossible for me to conceive I could lose.”Randleman, known as “The Monster” and the owner of a 9-4 UFC record, won his first five matches and owned the Ultimate Fighting Championship belt until a loss to Randy Couture last November. Coleman is the current PrideGrand Prix champion of the world.^ It’s a long, hard road and unless you're the best andSee Monster. C2Kevin Randleman holds son Calvin Black over his head.Photo provided/Jackie CollinsKevin RandleMaking a name for himselfUnited States in 1997. It was banned every earlier in Canada.“Everyone thinks it’s so barbaric,” Randleman said. “You have to understand a pro boxer will take more damage than I ever will. Guys in my sports are college graduates.“In a boxing match, the fighter is taking punches from another guy for anywhere between 6-10 rounds. We don’t take punches in the head like boxers do.”The ban affected the size of UFC purses, which are not published.“This sport could easily make a million (dollars) on prime-time cable, Randleman said. But when it was taken off, the money wasn’t all that great.”The ban has been lifted in certain states in the U.S. and is available on subscription cable networks, such as DirecTV and Dish Network. The sport has also returned to Canada on Viewer’s Choice Canada.m.Two-time NCAA champ Kevin Randleman on the cover of Scarett Gray MagazinePtioto provided/Jackie Collins
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Sandusky Sunday Register
Sandusky, Ohio, US
Sun, Apr 08, 2001
Page 14
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