Tom Erikson
Tom Erikson | |
---|---|
Born | Illinois, United States | July 6, 1964
Other names | The Big Cat |
Nationality | ![]() |
Height | 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in) |
Weight | 127 kg (280 lb; 20.0 st) |
Division | Super Heavyweight |
Kickboxing record | |
Total | 4 |
Wins | 1 |
By knockout | 1 |
Losses | 3 |
By knockout | 3 |
Draws | 0 |
Mixed martial arts record | |
Total | 14 |
Wins | 9 |
By knockout | 5 |
Losses | 4 |
Draws | 1 |
Tom Erikson (born July 6, 1964) is an American wrestling coach and mixed martial artist. Erikson is an assistant wrestling coach at Purdue University, where he has been coaching since 1997. He has also had fights in K-1 under K-1 kickboxing rules. His K-1 record is currently one win and three losses.
Erikson background is in amateur wrestling. Wrestling for Triton College Erickson was a two-time NJCAA Collegiate Champion in 1984 and 1985. He was also a two-time NCAA Division I Collegiate wrestling All-American, in 1986 and 1987, while competing for Oklahoma State University. Erickson also finished fourth at the FILA World Championships in 1997 as a freestyle wrestler.
He holds a victory over boxer Matt Skelton under mixed martial arts rules. Erikson won the fight, which took place at PRIDE 17, by submission. After the event Pride FC amended their rules so that the type of choke he used, which involved grabbing Skelton's throat with his hand in what was termed a "front strangle choke", would no longer be allowed. In 2004 he faced former WBO heavyweight boxing champion Shannon Briggs under K-1 Kickboxing rules and was knocked out in the first round. Erikson's most notable victory in MMA came in June 1997 when he knocked out future UFC Heavyweight Champion Kevin Randleman.
Biography
![]() | This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (July 2010) |
Career
Holds a 3-2-0 record in PRIDE, and a total career record of 9-4-1.