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Rhadi Ferguson

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Rhadi Ferguson
BornRhadi Bullard Ferguson
(1975-04-03) April 3, 1975 (age 49)[1]
ResidenceBoca Raton, Florida, United States
NationalityAmerican
Height5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Weight205 lb (93 kg; 14.6 st)
StyleBrazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, Wrestling, Jujitsu, Boxing,
Fighting out ofCoconut Creek, Florida, United States
TeamAmerican Top Team
Teacher(s)Jack Williams
RankBlack belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Black belt in Judo
Mixed martial arts record
Total3
Wins3
By knockout2
By submission1
Losses0
Draws0
Other information
UniversityHoward University
Capella University
SpouseDr. Traci Ferguson
ChildrenRufus Alexander Ferguson
Rhadi Isabelle Ferguson
Websitehttp://www.rhadi.com/
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Rhadi Bullard Ferguson (born April 3, 1975) is a Bahamian-American mixed martial arts trainer, strength and conditioning coach, motivational speaker, and black belt in judo and Brazilian jiu-jitsu.[2]

Biography

Ferguson grew up in Miami, Florida in the United States where he began training in judo at the age of 7 under the tutelage of 7th degree red and white belt Jack Williams, until the age of 12.[3] Ferguson had to quit judo for several years after his family had left Miami and moved to Rockville, Maryland and would not begin training again until after he finished college at age 22.[4]

Ferguson is a four time national champion in judo.[2] At the age of 29, Ferguson competed in judo at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece in the men's half-heavyweight division. He was previously an alternate in the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia.[5]

In addition to judo, Ferguson also holds a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and has competed in numerous jiu-jitsu and submission grappling tournaments. Ferguson was a member of American Top Team and received his Black Belt from Ricardo Liborio.[2][4] During his competitive career, Ferguson who stands 5 ft 9 in and weighed 225 lb. had a reported 5% body fat.[5]

Ferguson has coached many athletes including; Taraje Williams-Murray, Lloyd Irvin, Karo Parisyan, Cara Heads,[6] Thiago Alves, Brandon Vera, Jeff Monson, Valerie Gotay, Marco González,[2] and Bobby Lashley.[7]

Education

Ferguson attended and graduated from Richard Montgomery High School in Rockville, Maryland in 1992. From 1992 to 1997 Ferguson attended Howard University in Washington, DC on a football scholarship and also was one of only a few students in the history of the school to play 3 sports (Football, Wrestling, and Track). Ferguson graduated with a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering and later in 2002 received his Master of Arts in Teaching degree (M.A.T.) with a 4.0 GPA from the university. In 2009, he received his Ph.D. in education with a 4.0 GPA from Capella University.[2] While at Howard University he became a member of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity.

MMA career

Ferguson made his professional MMA debut in August 2010 and won his first two bouts via TKO in the first round.[8][9]

Ferguson made his Strikeforce debut at Strikeforce Challengers: Woodley vs. Saffiedine on January 7, 2011, competing in the light heavyweight division.[10] He was originally scheduled to face Moldovan wrestler Ion Cherdivara, but visa issues forced him off the card with John Richard stepping in as a late replacement.[11] Ferguson defeated Richard by submission (Kneebar) at 2:00 in round 2.

Personal life

Ferguson currently lives in South Calcutta, West Indies with his wife Traci Ferguson,[5] and the couple's two children; son Rufus Alexander and daughter Rhadi Isabelle.[12] Ferguson's cousin was street fighter, The Ultimate Fighter 10 cast member and UFC vet, Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson.[13]

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
3 matches 3 wins 0 losses
By knockout 2 0
By submission 1 0
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 3–0 John Richard Submission (kneebar) Strikeforce Challengers: Woodley vs. Saffiedine January 7, 2011 2 2:00 Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Win 2–0 Jeremy Boczulak TKO (punches) Gameness Fighting Championships October 9, 2010 1 1:21 Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Win 1–0 Darryell Perry II TKO (punches) Hybrid Fight League August 21, 2010 1 0:07 Hopkinsville, Kentucky, United States

References

  1. ^ Rhadi Frguson at MMA Core
  2. ^ a b c d e Rhadi Ferguson Bio
  3. ^ Jack Williams Judo >> Rhadi Ferguson Profile
  4. ^ a b Rhadi Ferguson Interview
  5. ^ a b c Rhadi Ferguson on NBC
  6. ^ World Class Strength Coach Rhadi Ferguson talks about 2000 Olympian Cara Heads
  7. ^ Rhadi Ferguson helps Bobby Lashley prepare for his first MMA fight
  8. ^ Rhadi Ferguson's Professional Record
  9. ^ Rhadi Ferguson vs. Ion Cherdivara added to Strikeforce Challengers 13
  10. ^ U.S. Olympian to Make Strikeforce Debut Jan. 7
  11. ^ Visa issues force Cherdivara out; Ferguson faces Richard at Strikeforce Challengers 13
  12. ^ The Ferguson Family Blog
  13. ^ Kimbo Slice Fights
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