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Roger Bowling (fighter)

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Roger Bowling
Born (1982-05-08) May 8, 1982 (age 42)
Neville, Ohio
Other namesRelentless
NationalityAmerican
Height5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Weight170 lb (77 kg; 12 st)
DivisionLightweight
Welterweight
Reach70 in (180 cm)
Fighting out ofCincinnati, Ohio, United States
TeamTeam Vision
Years active2007–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total19
Wins12
By knockout8
By submission2
By decision2
Losses6
By knockout4
By submission1
By decision1
No contests1
Amateur boxing record
Total9
Wins9
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Roger Bowling (born May 8, 1982) is an American professional mixed martial artist currently competing in the Welterweight division. A professional competitor since 2007, Bowling competed for the UFC and Strikeforce.

Background

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Bowling was born and raised in the small village of Neville, Ohio, and is the oldest of three siblings. Bowling's early life was difficult as his father was a drug addict who was often in and out of jail while Bowling's mother had to work two jobs, which including driving a school bus, to support the family. Bowling was athletic playing sports such as football and baseball, but his athletic activities were limited by a lack of transportation. He attended Felicity Franklin Highschool. He was frequently suspended or expelled from highschool for picking fights and had been looking forward to leave the town. When he was 18 years old he went to live with his girlfriend and go to Grant vocational school to learn welding. Bowling has a background in amateur boxing with an undefeated 9-0 record, having competed and dominated his opponents in Toughman-like competitions. Bowling later joined a gym where he was introduced him to mixed martial arts.[1]

Mixed martial arts career

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Early career

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After joining the MMA gym, Bowling had his first fight against an opponent who, at 6'6”, towered over the 5'8” Bowling. Despite the huge size disadvantage, Bowling won the bout and broke his opponent's nose. Bowling competed as a Middleweight for all of his amateur fights, and held an amateur record of 3-1.[2]

From 2007 to 2009, Bowling built his career fighting for the MMA Big Show, a regional promotion known for pitting up and comers against UFC veterans to springboard talent. He earned the Welterweight Championship and carried the belt until MMA Big Show promoter and manager Jason Appleton signed Bowling to a three-year deal with Strikeforce.

On June 20, 2009 Bowling was set to fight the controversial former UFC Welterweight War Machine, formerly known as Jon Koppenhaver.[3] However Bowling broke his hand a couple of weeks before the event and was not cleared to fight. The two agreed to fight later in the year. Before the rescheduled match up, Roger defeated Devon Plaisance via TKO in July 2009.[4] Bowling was again set to fight War Machine in the main event of XFC 9 in Tampa, Florida on September 5, however, Bowling was again forced to withdraw due to injury.

Strikeforce

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In October 2009, Bowling signed with Strikeforce.[5] He was set to make his debut in November 2009, but was forced to withdraw because of an injury.

Bowling subsequently made his debut in May 2010 on the Strikeforce Challengers: Lindland vs. Casey card against Bobby Voelker. Bowling dominated the first two rounds, but was unable to stop Voelker. The fight ended controversially as it was stopped in the third round due to an unintentional eye injury. Per the rules, the fight went to the judges' scorecards and Bowling was awarded a unanimous decision win.

Bowling and Voelker had a rematch in the main event of the Strikeforce Challengers: Bowling vs. Voelker card on October 22, 2010. After controlling the action in the first round, demonstrating his speed and striking advantage, Bowling lost the fight in the second round via TKO (strikes), after being hurt by Voelker's ground and pound technique, and was given his first professional loss. Bowling and Voelker fought for a third time at Strikeforce Challengers: Voelker vs. Bowling III to create Strikeforce's first trilogy. Once again, Voelker won the fight via TKO in the second round.

Bowling next faced Jerron Peoples at Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Masvidal on December 17, 2011.[6] Despite Peoples weighing in nearly 10 pounds heavy, Bowling won the fight via knockout at just under a minute in the first round.

On March 3, 2012, Bowling faced Brandon Saling at Strikeforce: Tate vs. Rousey in Columbus, Ohio and won via TKO 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 Bowling was one of the fighters listed.[7]

Bowling made his UFC and Lightweight debut against Anthony Njokuani on April 20, 2013 at UFC on Fox 7.[8] He lost via second-round knockout.

Bowling faced Abel Trujillo on August 28, 2013 at UFC Fight Night 27.[9] The fight ended in controversial fashion as Trujillo landed what appeared to be an illegal knee to the face of Bowling at the end of round two. With Bowling unable to continue, the referee deemed the bout a no contest. In a post-fight interview with Ariel Helwani, Bowling was upset as he felt he had been winning the fight until the illegal knee, and wanted a rematch with Trujillo.

A rematch with Trujillo took place on December 14, 2013 at UFC on Fox 9.[10] Bowling lost via TKO in the second round, and was released from the promotion shortly after the fight.

Personal life

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Bowling is married and has a daughter. Aside from professional fighting, he works for an engineering company that builds custom machinery.[11]

Championships and accomplishments

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Mixed martial arts

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  • American Fight League
    • American Fight League Amateur Middleweight Championship (One time)
  • Caged Inferno
    • Caged Inferno Amateur Middleweight Championship (One time)
  • MMA Big Show
    • MMA Big Show Welterweight Championship (One time)
  • Revolution Fight League
    • Revolution Fight League Welterweight Championship (One time)

Mixed martial arts record

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Professional record breakdown
19 matches 12 wins 6 losses
By knockout 8 4
By submission 2 1
By decision 2 1
No contests 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 12–6 (1) Nicolae Cury Submission (armbar) Z Promotions: Fight Night Medicine Hat 2 October 28, 2016 1 3:38 Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada
Win 12–5 (1) Joshua Thorpe KO (punches) Absolute Action 43 August 29, 2015 1 1:37 Highland Heights, Kentucky, United States Return to Welterweight.
Loss 11–5 (1) Abel Trujillo TKO (punches) UFC on Fox: Johnson vs. Benavidez 2 December 14, 2013 2 1:35 Sacramento, California, United States
NC 11–4 (1) Abel Trujillo NC (illegal knee) UFC Fight Night: Condit vs. Kampmann 2 August 28, 2013 2 4:57 Indianapolis, Indiana, United States Trujillo landed an illegal knee and Bowling was unable to continue.
Loss 11–4 Anthony Njokuani KO (punch) UFC on Fox: Henderson vs. Melendez April 20, 2013 2 2:52 San Jose, California, United States Lightweight debut.
Loss 11–3 Tarec Saffiedine Decision (unanimous) Strikeforce: Rousey vs. Kaufman August 18, 2012 3 5:00 San Diego, California, United States
Win 11–2 Brandon Saling TKO (punches) Strikeforce: Tate vs. Rousey March 3, 2012 2 1:15 Columbus, Ohio, United States
Win 10–2 Jerron Peoples KO (punches) Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Masvidal December 17, 2011 1 0:42 San Diego, California, United States Catchweight (181 lbs) bout; Peoples missed weight.
Loss 9–2 Bobby Voelker TKO (knee and punches) Strikeforce Challengers: Voelker vs. Bowling III July 22, 2011 2 2:16 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 9–1 Josh Thornburg Decision (unanimous) Strikeforce: Feijao vs. Henderson March 5, 2011 3 5:00 Columbus, Ohio, United States
Loss 8–1 Bobby Voelker TKO (punches) Strikeforce Challengers: Bowling vs. Voelker October 22, 2010 2 3:58 Fresno, California, United States
Win 8–0 Bobby Voelker Technical Decision (unanimous) Strikeforce Challengers: Lindland vs. Casey May 21, 2010 3 1:38 Portland, Oregon, United States Voelker poked Bowling in the eye and Bowling was unable to continue.
Win 7–0 Jerrod Appenzeller TKO (punches) MMA Big Show: Triple Threat February 20, 2010 2 0:14 Vevay, Indiana, United States Defended the MMA Big Show Welterweight Championship.
Win 6–0 Devon Plaisance TKO (punches) MMA Big Show: Unstoppable July 25, 2009 1 0:41 Vevay, Indiana, United States Defended the MMA Big Show Welterweight Championship.
Win 5–0 Seth Baczynski KO (punches) MMA Big Show: Retribution March 7, 2009 1 0:09 Vevay, Indiana, United States Defended the MMA Big Show Welterweight Championship.
Win 4–0 Paul Mann Submission (guillotine choke) MMA Big Show: Relentless November 1, 2008 1 3:20 Covington, Kentucky, United States Defended the MMA Big Show Welterweight Championship.
Win 3–0 Shamar Bailey TKO (punches) RFL: Hostile Takeover April 26, 2008 1 0:28 Louisville, Kentucky, United States Won the RFL Welterweight Championship.
Win 2–0 Michael Skiba TKO (submission to punches) MMA Big Show: Punishment September 29, 2007 1 1:25 Covington, Kentucky, United States Won the MMA Big Show Welterweight Championship.
Win 1–0 Chris Runge TKO (punches) MMA Big Show: Domination June 23, 2007 1 1:56 Cincinnati, Ohio, United States

References

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  1. ^ "Fight Path: From humble beginnings, Roger Bowling on verge of big break". March 21, 2009.
  2. ^ "Fight Path: From humble beginnings, Roger Bowling on verge of big break". March 21, 2009.
  3. ^ "Jon "War Machine" Koppenhaver vs. Roger Bowling on June 20". fiveouncesofpain.com. March 24, 2009.
  4. ^ "Undefeated Prospect Roger Bowling Patiently Progressing to MMA's Biggest Shows". MMAJunkie.com. July 25, 2009.
  5. ^ "Exclusive: Roger Bowling Signs With Strikeforce". fiveouncesofpain.com. October 15, 2009.
  6. ^ "Three Bouts for Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Masvidal". MMAJunkie.com. December 6, 2011.
  7. ^ "UFC Reveals List of Strikeforce Fighters Making Jump to Octagon". sherdog.com. January 16, 2013.
  8. ^ "UFC on FOX 7 adds Njokuani-Bowling". mmajunkie.com. February 7, 2013.
  9. ^ Jason Floyd (July 1, 2013). "Roger Bowling vs. Abel Trujillo added to UFC on FS1 #2". themmareport.com. Retrieved July 1, 2013.
  10. ^ Staff (October 1, 2013). "Roger Bowling and Abel Trujillo book rematch for December's UFC on FOX 9 event". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved October 1, 2013.
  11. ^ "Fight Path: From humble beginnings, Roger Bowling on verge of big break". March 21, 2009.
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