Introduction
- For the professor in psychiatry, see John G. Gunderson
John Edward Gunderson (born May 1, 1980) is a retired American mixed martial artist. He used to fight with the UFC and SCC also numerous other organizations being a champion or fighting for the championship in many of them. Once he was a top 10 lightweight outside the UFCGunderson is also an International Fight League veteran who fought out of Ken Shamrock's Lion's Den and was a member of the Nevada Lions alongside The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights winner Roy Nelson. He is currently training with Xtreme Couture and TapouT.
a coach out of Syndicate MMA
Mixed martial arts career
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Gunderson made his UFC debut at UFC 108 against Rafaello Oliveira with 12 days notice on January 2, 2010. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.
Gunderson was supposed to make his next appearance against Paul Taylor at UFC 112, but the fight was canceled last minute due to Taylor not being medically cleared.
Gunderson was scheduled to face Taylor at The Ultimate Fighter: Team Liddell vs. Team Ortiz Finale, but Taylor was forced out of the bout again. Gunderson fought and defeated UFC newcomer and Canadian kickboxing champ Mark Holst.
Gunderson was expected to face Efrain Escudero on September 15, 2010 at UFC Fight Night 22, however Escudero fought Matt Wiman as Mac Danzig was pulled from the card due to injury. Gunderson instead faced returning UFC veteran and former number 2 world ranked lightweight Yves Edwards, and lost the fight via unanimous decision. He was later released from UFC.
World Series of Fighting
Gunderson made his World Series of Fighting debut on June 14, 2013, against UFC vet Dan Lauzon at WSOF 3. He lost the fight via unanimous decision. He then faced Chris Gruetzmacher at WSOF 9 on March 29, 2014. Gunderson lost the fight via unanimous decision.
SCC After winning his promotional debut with a fight of the night Gunderson Faced Team Alpha Male standout and coach Justin Buchholz. Being a 3-1 underdog Gunderson battered Buchholz with strong hooks and take downs eventually winning by Kimura in the 3rd round.
Other promotions
Gunderson faced Jeff Fletcher at Rage in the Cage 172 on June 7, 2014. He won the fight via guillotine choke, snapping his three-fight losing streak in the process.
Bellator and retirement
Gunderson was expected to face Alexander Sarnavskiy on October 10, 2014 at Bellator 128. However, Gunderson pulled out of the bout and then retired from mixed martial arts competition. His reasons for retirement was due to a "lack of drive to compete" and a "desire to move into other ventures." Gunderson retired with a record of 35–16–2.
Gunderson retired with over 13 different titles in smaller MMA promotions and was for a long time one of the top lightweights on the regional circuit. Numerous times it seemed he could not get over the hump and break into the elite, even though he owned a few impressive stoppages over elite competitors.
Personal life
John and his fiancee, Kristin Stewart, have two daughters.
Championships and accomplishments
- ShoFIGHT
- ShoFIGHT Welterweight Championship (One time)
- Superior Cage Combat
- SCC Lightweight Championship (One time)
Mixed martial arts record
| Professional record breakdown | ||
| 52 matches | 35 wins | 15 losses |
| By knockout | 9 | 1 |
| By submission | 23 | 6 |
| By decision | 3 | 8 |
| Draws | 2 | |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 35–16–2 | Jeff Fletcher | Submission (guillotine choke) | RITC: Rage in the Cage 172 | 000000002014-06-07-0000June 7, 2014 | 3 | 2:26 | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | ||||||||||
| Loss | 34–16–2 | Chris Gruetzemacher | Decision (unanimous) | World Series of Fighting 9: Carl vs. Palhares | 000000002014-03-29-0000March 29, 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | Paradise, Nevada, United States | ||||||||||
| Loss | 34–15–2 | Dan Lauzon | Decision (unanimous) | World Series of Fighting 3 | 000000002013-06-14-0000June 14, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | ||||||||||
| Loss | 34–14–2 | David Castillo | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Caged Combat 6: Day of the Warrior | 000000002012-07-14-0000July 14, 2012 | 4 | 3:30 | Grand Ronde, Oregon, United States | For the Cage Combat Welterweight Championship. | |||||||||
| Win | 34–13–2 | Karo Parisyan | Submission (guillotine choke) | ShoFIGHT MMA 20 | 000000002012-06-16-0000June 16, 2012 | 1 | 2:47 | Springfield, Missouri, United States | Won vacant ShoFIGHT Welterweight Championship | |||||||||
| Win | 33–13–2 | Justin Buchholz | Submission (kimura) | Superior Cage Combat 4 | 000000002012-02-16-0000February 16, 2012 | 3 | 2:34 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Won SCC Lightweight Championship | |||||||||
| Loss | 32–13–2 | Niko Puhakka | Decision (split) | Fight Festival 31 | 000000002011-10-01-0000October 1, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Helsinki, Finland | ||||||||||
| Win | 32–12–2 | James Birdsley | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Superior Cage Combat 2 | 000000002011-08-20-0000August 20, 2011 | 2 | 2:06 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Catchweight (160 lb) bout | |||||||||
| Loss | 31–12–2 | Dominique Robinson | TKO referee stoppage due to exhaustion | TPF 8: All or Nothing | 000000002011-02-18-0000February 18, 2011 | 3 | 0:41 | Lemoore, California, United States | ||||||||||
| Win | 31–11–2 | Alejandro Solano Rodriguez | Submission (kimura) | XVT 5 - Franca vs. Kheder | 000000002010-12-19-0000December 19, 2010 | 1 | 1:34 | Cartago, Costa Rica | ||||||||||
| Loss | 30–11–2 | Yves Edwards | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Marquardt vs. Palhares | 000000002010-09-15-0000September 15, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | Austin, Texas, United States | ||||||||||
| Win | 30–10–2 | Mark Holst | Decision (unanimous) | The Ultimate Fighter 11 Finale | 000000002010-06-19-0000June 19, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | ||||||||||
| Loss | 29–10–2 | Rafaello Oliveira | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 108 | 000000002010-01-02-0000January 2, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | ||||||||||
| Win | 29–9–2 | Steve Sharp | Submission (kimura) | MMA Xplosion - Gunderson vs. Sharp | 000000002009-10-10-0000October 10, 2009 | 3 | 3:17 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | ||||||||||
| Win | 28–9–2 | Fabian Acuna | Submission (kimura) | ROF 35 - Summer Brawl | 000000002009-08-01-0000August 1, 2009 | 1 | 2:18 | Broomfield, Colorado, United States | ||||||||||
| Win | 27–9–2 | Dan Russom | Submission (Peruvian necktie) | DB 37 - Desert Brawl 37 | 000000002009-06-27-0000June 27, 2009 | 1 | 2:10 | Bend, Oregon, United States | ||||||||||
| Loss | 26–9–2 | Bryan Travers | Decision (unanimous) | PFC 13: Validation | 000000002009-05-08-0000May 8, 2009 | 3 | 3:00 | Lemoore, California, United States | ||||||||||
| Win | 26–8–2 | Eric Regan | Submission (kimura) | RITC 125 - Rage in the Cage 125 | 000000002009-04-17-0000April 17, 2009 | 2 | 0:55 | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | ||||||||||
| Win | 25–8–2 | Alexander Crispim | Decision (split) | PFC 12: High Stakes | 000000002009-01-22-0000January 22, 2009 | 3 | 3:00 | Lemoore, California, United States | ||||||||||
| Loss | 24–8–2 | Ryan Schultz | Decision (split) | IFL - Las Vegas | 000000002008-02-29-0000February 29, 2008 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Loss | 24–7–2 | Wagnney Fabiano | Submission (guillotine choke) | IFL - World Grand Prix Semifinals | 000000002007-11-03-0000November 3, 2007 | 2 | 1:53 | Chicago, Illinois, United States | |
| Win | 24–6–2 | Gabriel Casillas | Submission (rear-naked choke) | IFL - Las Vegas | 000000002007-06-16-0000June 16, 2007 | 2 | 2:58 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | ||||||||||
| Loss | 23–6–2 | Bart Palaszewski | Decision (split) | IFL - Moline | 000000002007-04-07-0000April 7, 2007 | 3 | 4:00 | Moline, Illinois, United States | ||||||||||
| Win | 23–5–2 | Josh Odom | Submission (triangle choke) | IFL - Oakland | 000000002007-01-17-0000January 17, 2007 | 1 | 3:05 | Oakland, California, United States | ||||||||||
| Win | 22–5–2 | Bryan Caraway | Submission (armbar) | DB 19 - Oregon vs Texas | 000000002006-09-23-0000September 23, 2006 | 2 | 4:10 | Bend, Oregon, United States | ||||||||||
| Win | 21–5–2 | Mike Joy | KO (Knee) | DB 17 - DesertBrawl 17 | 000000002006-04-01-0000April 1, 2006 | 1 | 1:09 | Bend, Oregon, United States | ||||||||||
| Win | 20–5–2 | Cam Ward | Decision (unanimous) | SF 14 - Resolution | 000000002006-01-06-0000January 6, 2006 | 3 | 5:00 | Portland, Oregon, United States | ||||||||||
| Win | 19–5–2 | Danny Payne | Submission (Kimura) | DB 15 - DesertBrawl 15 | 000000002005-10-15-0000October 15, 2005 | 1 | 0:28 | Bend, Oregon, United States | ||||||||||
| Win | 18–5–2 | Rudy Garcia | Submission (rear-naked choke) | UCF - Night of Champions | 000000002005-08-27-0000August 27, 2005 | N/A | N/A | Medford, Oregon, United States | ||||||||||
| Win | 17–5–2 | Charles Bennett | TKO | GC 40 - Gladiator Challenge 40 | 000000002005-08-13-0000August 13, 2005 | 2 | 1:28 | Bend, Oregon, United States | ||||||||||
| Win | 16–5–2 | Shawn Bias | Submission (triangle arm bar) | DB 14 - DesertBrawl 14 | 000000002005-07-23-0000July 23, 2005 | 1 | N/A | Bend, Oregon, United States | ||||||||||
| Loss | 15–5–2 | Frank Watts | Technical Submission (guillotine choke) | XFC - Dome of Destruction 2 | 000000002005-04-30-0000April 30, 2005 | 1 | 0:47 | Tacoma, Washington, United States | ||||||||||
| Win | 15–4–2 | Enoch Wilson | Submission (rear-naked choke) | SF 9 - Respect | 000000002005-03-26-0000March 26, 2005 | 1 | 3:06 | Gresham, Oregon, United States | ||||||||||
| Win | 14–4–2 | Armando Valadez | Submission (rear-naked choke) | RITR 10 - Rumble in the Ring 10 | 000000002004-12-11-0000December 11, 2004 | 1 | 1:36 | Auburn, Washington, United States | ||||||||||
| Loss | 13–4–2 | Donny Raines | Submission (armbar) | DB 12 - DesertBrawl 12 | 000000002004-11-20-0000November 20, 2004 | 1 | N/A | Bend, Oregon, United States | ||||||||||
| Win | 13–3–2 | Dave Rivas
KO (Punches and Knees) |
DB 11 - DesertBrawl 11 | 000000002004-07-17-0000July 17, 2004 | 3 | N/A | Bend, Oregon, United States | |||||||||||
| Win | 12–3–2 | Mike Jonet | Submission (rear-naked choke) | PFA - Pride and Fury | 000000002004-06-03-0000June 3, 2004 | 1 | 0:27 | Worley, Idaho, United States | ||||||||||
| Draw | 11–3–2 | Rob Hisamoto | Draw | FCFF - Fight Night 4 | 000000002004-05-15-0000May 15, 2004 | 2 | 5:00 | Medford, Oregon, United States | ||||||||||
| Win | 11–3–1 | Rob Hisamoto | KO (punches and knees) | DB 10 - DesertBrawl 10 | 000000002004-04-03-0000April 3, 2004 | 3 | 0:45 | Bend, Oregon, United States | ||||||||||
| Win | 10–3–1 | Brad Horner | Submission (armbar) | SF 2 - On the Move | 000000002004-03-19-0000March 19, 2004 | 1 | 1:15 | Portland, Oregon, United States | ||||||||||
| Win | 9–3–1 | Dean Lavin | TKO | FCFF - Rumble at the Roseland 11 | 000000002004-01-24-0000January 24, 2004 | 1 | 3:02 | Portland, Oregon, United States | ||||||||||
| Win | 8–3–1 | Chris Young | Submission (armbar) | DB 9 - DesertBrawl 9 | 000000002003-11-08-0000November 8, 2003 | 1 | 4:17 | Bend, Oregon, United States | ||||||||||
| Loss | 7–3–1 | Chris Irvine | Submission (armbar) | URC 6 - Ultimate Ring Challenge 6 | 000000002003-10-25-0000October 25, 2003 | 2 | 1:15 | Longview, Washington, United States | ||||||||||
| Win | 7–2–1 | Pedro Castaneda | Submission (triangle choke) | TQP - Sport Fight "Devastation" | 000000002003-10-11-0000October 11, 2003 | 1 | 1:10 | Oregon City, Oregon, United States | ||||||||||
| Win | 6–2–1 | Shawn Cahill | Submission | FCFF - Rumble at the Roseland 9 | 000000002003-07-12-0000July 12, 2003 | 2 | 3:55 | Portland, Oregon, United States | ||||||||||
| Loss | 5–2–1 | Chad Nelson | TKO (punches) | Rumble at the Roseland 8 | 000000002003-06-07-0000June 7, 2003 | 1 | 1:44 | Portland, Oregon, United States | ||||||||||
| Win | 5–1–1 | Vince Guzman | Submission (armbar) | DB 7 - Battle in Bend | 000000002003-05-17-0000May 17, 2003 | 1 | 1:40 | Bend, Oregon, United States | ||||||||||
| Win | 4–1–1 | Dominic Rivera | TKO (punches) | FCFF - Rumble at the Roseland 7 | 000000002003-04-19-0000April 19, 2003 | N/A | N/A | Portland, Oregon, United States | ||||||||||
| Draw | 3–1–1 | Armando Valadez | Draw | XRW - Xtreme Ring Wars 1 | 000000002003-03-15-0000March 15, 2003 | 3 | 3:00 | Wenatchee, Washington, United States | ||||||||||
| Win | 3–1 | Lin Tru | TKO (punches) | PPKA - Rock 'N' Rumble | 000000002003-02-22-0000February 22, 2003 | 1 | 1:20 | Olympia, Washington, United States | ||||||||||
| Win | 2–1 | Brock Mclure | TKO (punches and knees) | SO - Showdown in the Octagon | 000000002003-01-25-0000January 25, 2003 | N/A | N/A | Boise, Idaho, United States | ||||||||||
| Loss | 1–1 | Charlie Fortec | Submission (guillotine choke) | DB 6 - DesertBrawl 6 | 000000002003-01-11-0000January 11, 2003 | 1 | 1:27 | Redmond, Oregon, United States | ||||||||||
| Win | 1–0 | Al Libey | TKO (punches) | DB 5 - DesertBrawl 5 | 000000002002-08-17-0000August 17, 2002 | 1 | N/A | Bend, Oregon, United States |