Marcus Brimage
BornMarcus Clyde Brimage[1]
(1985-04-06) April 6, 1985 (age 38)
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Other namesThe Bama Beast
Height5 ft 4 in (1.63 m)[2]
Weight135 lb (61 kg; 9.6 st)
DivisionLightweight
Featherweight
Bantamweight
Reach71 in (180 cm)[2]
StanceSouthpaw
Fighting out ofCoconut Creek, Florida,
Birmingham, Alabama
TeamAmerican Top Team
Spartan Fitness
Years active2007–2023
Mixed martial arts record
Total15
Wins7
By knockout3
By decision4
Losses8
By knockout3
By submission1
By decision4
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Marcus Clyde Brimage[1] (born April 6, 1985) is a retired American mixed martial artist who competed in the Featherweight division. A professional competitor since 2007, he has formerly competed for the UFC and was a competitor on The Ultimate Fighter: Team Bisping vs. Team Miller. He is perhaps best known for his fight against Conor McGregor, who was making his UFC debut.

Background

Brimage interest in martial arts began after seeing an episode of Dragon Ball Z, and watching a highlight reel of Quinton Jackson during high school.[3] Brimage played football throughout his youth into high school, first at John Carroll Catholic High and then at Pinson Valley High School.[4] After graduating, and playing football was over, Brimage attended Wallace State Community College before graduating from Faulkner University with a bachelor's in criminal justice.[5]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Brimage continued to work out, but was still looking to keep his competitive spirit alive. Brimage began training at a local Muay Thai gym by recommendation from one of his staff sergeants in the military. There Brimage met Chris Connelly, with whom he later opened up a gym, Spartan Fitness, in 2006.[6] Shortly after Brimage began fighting as an amateur, collecting a 10–0 record before turning professional in 2007.[7]

Professional career

In March 2007 Brimage made his professional debut for Georgia Fighting Championships. Brimage fought and defeated Jason Kwast via unanimous decision. Ten months later Brimage returned to competition against future Bellator fighter Bryan Goldsby. Brimage defeated Goldsby via TKO in the second round of the fight.

A month after his second professional fight Brimage was selected for BET's reality television show Iron Ring. Brimage lost his only fight for the promotion against Joey Camacho via submission. Due to injuries Brimage was forced into a more than two-year hiatus from MMA. Brimage again returned to MMA against former UFC veteran Kyle Bradley, defeating him via first-round TKO.

Before going to appear on The Ultimate Fighter 14 Brimage moved to Coconut Creek, Florida, to train full-time with the American Top Team.

The Ultimate Fighter

Brimage was selected to appear on both The Ultimate Fighter 8 and The Ultimate Fighter: United States vs. United Kingdom but due to injuries was never allowed to get onto the show. In 2011, Brimage dropped to the featherweight division, and signed with the UFC to compete on The Ultimate Fighter: Team Bisping vs. Team Miller.[8] In the first episode, Brimage fought Bryson Wailehua-Hansen; winning via TKO in the second round.[9] The win gained Brimage entry into the Ultimate Fighter house. He was selected as a part of Team Bisping.[10]

Brimage next fought against former WEC fighter Bryan Caraway. Brimage lost the fight in the second round via submission (rear-naked choke).[10]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Brimage officially made his UFC and featherweight debut on December 3, 2011, at The Ultimate Fighter 14 Finale against Ultimate Fighter castmate Stephen Bass. Brimage won the fight via unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, 29–28).[11]

Brimage then faced Strikeforce import Maximo Blanco, on April 21, 2012, at UFC 145.[12] After three close, methodical rounds, Brimage won the fight via split decision.[13]

Brimage fought undefeated featherweight prospect Jimy Hettes on September 22, 2012, at UFC 152.[14] Brimage defeated Hettes via unanimous decision, giving Hettes his first professional loss.[15]

Brimage faced UFC newcomer Conor McGregor on April 6, 2013, at UFC on Fuel TV 9.[16] He lost the fight in just over a minute of the first round by TKO.[17]

After a year off due to injuries, Brimage returned to face Russell Doane in a bantamweight bout on July 5, 2014, at UFC 175.[18] He lost the fight by split decision.[19]

Brimage was expected to face Erik Perez on November 15, 2014, at UFC 180.[20] However, Perez pulled out of the bout in mid-October citing a shoulder injury.[21]

Brimage was quickly rescheduled to fight Jumabieke Tuerxun on November 8, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 55.[22] He was victorious in the first round after knocking out Tuerxun with a head kick and follow-up punches.[23]

Brimage faced promotional newcomer Cody Garbrandt on January 3, 2015, at UFC 182.[24] He lost the fight via TKO in the third round.[25]

Brimage was expected to face Ian Entwistle on July 18, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 72.[26] However, Entwistle pulled out of the fight in late June for undisclosed reasons and was replaced by Jimmie Rivera.[27][28] He lost the fight via KO in the first round. Subsequently, Brimage was released from the promotion.[29]

Post-UFC career

Brimage dropped his third loss in a row when he took on bantamweight prospect Soo Chul Kim at Road FC 29 on March 12, 2016.[30] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[31]

Brimage faced Leonardo Morales at MMA War 1 on June 25, 2016. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Over five years removed from his previous bout, Brimage, replacing injured Derek Campos, faced Kyle Bochniak at XMMA 2 on July 30, 2021.[32] He lost the bout via unanimous decision.[33]

On January 25, 2023, Brimage announced his retirement from MMA.[34]

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
15 matches 7 wins 8 losses
By knockout 3 3
By submission 0 1
By decision 4 4
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 7–8 Kyle Bochniak Decision (unanimous) XMMA 2: Saunders vs. Nijem July 30, 2021 3 5:00 Greenville, South Carolina, United States
Loss 7–7 Leonardo Morales Decision (unanimous) Viva Nicaragua Canal 13: MMA War June 25, 2016 3 5:00 Managua, Nicaragua Return to Featherweight.
Loss 7–6 Soo Chul Kim Decision (unanimous) Road FC 029 March 12, 2016 3 5:00 Wonju, South Korea
Loss 7–5 Jimmie Rivera KO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Bisping vs. Leites July 18, 2015 1 1:29 Glasgow, Scotland
Loss 7–4 Cody Garbrandt TKO (punches) UFC 182 January 3, 2015 3 4:50 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 7–3 Jumabieke Tuerxun KO (head kick) UFC Fight Night: Rockhold vs. Bisping November 8, 2014 1 2:58 Sydney, Australia
Loss 6–3 Russell Doane Decision (split) UFC 175 July 5, 2014 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Bantamweight debut.
Loss 6–2 Conor McGregor TKO (punches) UFC on Fuel TV: Mousasi vs. Latifi April 6, 2013 1 1:07 Stockholm, Sweden
Win 6–1 Jimy Hettes Decision (unanimous) UFC 152 September 22, 2012 3 5:00 Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Win 5–1 Maximo Blanco Decision (split) UFC 145 April 21, 2012 3 5:00 Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Win 4–1 Stephen Bass Decision (unanimous) The Ultimate Fighter 14 Finale December 3, 2011 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Featherweight debut.
Win 3–1 Kyle Bradley TKO (punches) USA MMA 13 July 31, 2010 1 3:01 Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States
Loss 2–1 Joey Camacho Submission (choke) Iron Ring February 18, 2008 1 1:27 New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
Win 2–0 Bryan Goldsby TKO (punches) Xtreme Freestyle Fighting 7 January 19, 2008 2 1:07 Birmingham, Alabama, United States
Win 1–0 Jason Kwast Decision (unanimous) Georgia FC 2 March 17, 2007 3 5:00 Georgia, United States

Bare knuckle record

Professional record breakdown
2 matches 0 wins 1 loss
By knockout 0 1
Draws 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 0–1–1 Trevor Loken TKO (punches) BKFC 35 January 27, 2023 1 0:40 Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, United States
Draw 0–0–1 Will Shutt Draw (split) BKFC 22: Lombard vs. Hunt November 12, 2021 5 2:00 Miami, Florida, United States

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Mixed martial arts show results Date: January 3, 2015
  2. ^ a b "Fight Card - UFC Fight Night Bisping vs. Leites". UFC.com. Retrieved July 19, 2015.
  3. ^ MMA: Marcus Brimage Credits Dragon Ball Z for His Career Choice. Bleacher Report (2011-12-01). Retrieved on 2013-06-28.
  4. ^ "Marcus Brimage was 'too little to play football,' but big enough for mixed martial arts". 16 July 2014.
  5. ^ "Marcus Brimage UFC Profile". 14 September 2018.
  6. ^ Brimage, Marcus. (2011-09-23) Marcus Brimage TUF 14 Blog: My Road to the Ultimate Fighter House | Fighters.com | RM Sports Archived 2011-09-28 at the Wayback Machine. Fighters.com. Retrieved on 2013-06-28.
  7. ^ Marcus Brimage – Official UFC® Fighter Profile. Ufc.com. Retrieved on 2013-06-28.
  8. ^ ""The Ultimate Fighter 14" cast unveiled with 32 bantamweights and featherweights". MMAJunkie.com. 2011-08-22. Archived from the original on 2011-10-28.
  9. ^ "Episode No. 1 recap: 'The Ultimate Fighter 14: Team Bisping vs. Team Miller'". MMAJunkie.com. 2011-09-21. Archived from the original on 2011-10-25.
  10. ^ a b "Episode No. 2 recap: 'The Ultimate Fighter 14: Team Bisping vs. Team Miller'". MMAJunkie.com. 2011-09-28. Archived from the original on 2011-10-01.
  11. ^ MMA Junkie Staff (4 December 2011). "TUF 14 Finale results: Marcus Brimage tops Stephen Bass in slugfest". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
  12. ^ "Maximo Blanco vs. Marcus Brimage Verbally Agreed for UFC 145 in Atlanta". mmaweekly.com. January 19, 2012.
  13. ^ Chiari, Mike (22 April 2012). "UFC 145 Results: Marcus Brimage Defeats Maximo Blanco". bleacherreport.com. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
  14. ^ "Marcus Brimage vs. Jim Hettes added to UFC 152 in Toronto". mmajunkie.com. Archived from the original on July 9, 2012. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
  15. ^ Grant, T.P. (22 September 2012). "UFC 152 Results: Marcus Brimage Beats Jimy Hettes By Decision". tampabay.sbnation.com. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
  16. ^ "Conor McGregor signs for UFC; meets Marcus Brimage at UFC on Fuel TV 9". thefightlounge.co.uk. February 7, 2013. Archived from the original on February 12, 2013. Retrieved February 7, 2013.
  17. ^ McCarthy, Alex (3 February 2022). "Conor McGregor beat Marcus Brimage on his UFC debut and now the ex-featherweight has switched to professional pillow fighting". talksport.com. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
  18. ^ Jeff Sherwood (2014-05-30). "Russell Doane-Marcus Brimage bantamweight clash targeted for UFC 175 in Las Vegas". sherdog. Retrieved 2014-05-30.
  19. ^ Foxsports (5 July 2014). "Russell Doane Edges Marcus Brimage In Split-decision At UFC 175". foxsports.com. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
  20. ^ Mookie Alexander (2014-08-26). "Lamas vs. Bermudez, Ellenberger vs. Gastelum among four fights confirmed for UFC 180". bloodyelbow.com. Retrieved 2014-08-26.
  21. ^ Cruz, Guilherme (10 October 2014). "Erik Perez injured, out of UFC 180 fight with Marcus Brimage". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
  22. ^ Guilherme Cruz (2014-10-10). "Erik Perez injured, out of UFC 180 fight with Marcus Brimage". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2014-10-10.
  23. ^ Fowlkes, Ben (7 November 2014). "UFC Fight Night 55 results: Marcus Brimage KOs Jumabieke Tuerxun with head kick". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
  24. ^ Staff (2014-11-22). "Marcus Brimage meets newcomer Cody Garbrandt at UFC 182 in Las Vegas". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-11-22.
  25. ^ Marrocco, Steven (3 January 2015). "UFC 182 results: Cody Garbrandt impresses in debut, stops Marcus Brimage". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
  26. ^ Staff (2015-06-23). "Marcus Brimage vs. Ian Entwistle added to UFC Fight Night 72 in Glasgow". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-06-23.
  27. ^ John Morgan (2015-06-27). "Ian Entwistle out at UFC Fight Night 72, Marcus Brimage needs new opponent". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-06-27.
  28. ^ Staff (2015-07-01). "Jimmie Rivera replaces Entwistle, meets Marcus Brimage at UFC Fight Night 72". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-07-01.
  29. ^ Steven Marrocco (2015-07-18). "UFC Fight Night 72 results: Jimmie Rivera shines in UFC debut, stops Marcus Brimage". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-07-18.
  30. ^ Fight Network Staff (February 3, 2016). "Soo Chul Kim vs. Marcus Brimage Added to ROAD FC 029 on March 19". fightnetwork.com. Archived from the original on April 21, 2016. Retrieved April 9, 2016.
  31. ^ Rainer Lee (March 22, 2016). "Beyond the Octagon: Former Sengoku champ Sandro upset, Invicta's Tweet victorious". bloodyelbow.com.
  32. ^ XMMA [@XMMAofficial] (June 21, 2021). "Campos out, Brimage in! Kyle Bochniak will now take on former UFC vet Marcus Brimage at XMMA 2 as Derek Campos was forced to withdraw due to injury" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  33. ^ Freeman, Nate (30 July 2021). "XMMA 2 Results - Saunders vs. Nijem". Retrieved 2021-08-02.
  34. ^ Shelton, Cole (25 January 2023). "Marcus Brimage, eight-fight UFC veteran who fought Conor McGregor announces retirement from MMA | BJPenn.com". | BJPenn.com. Retrieved 26 January 2023.

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