Introduction
Ron Waterman (born November 23, 1965) is an American mixed martial artist, professional wrestler, and celebrity member of the Team Impact motivational group. He holds notable victories over Valentijn Overeem, Ricco Rodriguez, Kevin Randleman, and Mario Rinaldi. Waterman holds the distinction of being the only WEC Super Heavyweight Champion.
Career
Waterman began his career as a high school art teacher and wrestling coach eventually entering the professional MMA arena and becoming a veteran fighter of the UFC.
Later, Ron moved on to the pro wrestling scene via Ohio Valley Wrestling where he honed his skills during a developmental deal with World Wrestling Entertainment. Waterman went on to tour with the WWE doing house and dark matches across the country. Waterman continues to wrestle in Japan, while simultaneously maintaining a successful career in the MMA circuit and making regular appearances with Team Impact.
In his most recent fight he beat fellow American Mark Smith by Submission (Arm Triangle Choke) on November 29, 2008.
He was the high school wrestling coach of former UFC Interim Heavyweight Champion Shane Carwin and helped train Carwin for UFC 116.
Championships and accomplishments
Mixed martial arts
- World Extreme Cagefighting
- WEC Super Heavyweight Championship (One time, first; Only)
- One successful title defense
- X-1 Events
- X-1 Heavyweight Championship (One time)
Wrestling
- New Japan Pro Wrestling
- NJPW Ultimate Royal (2005)
Mixed martial arts record
| Professional record breakdown | ||
| 24 matches | 16 wins | 6 losses |
| By knockout | 6 | 4 |
| By submission | 8 | 1 |
| By decision | 2 | 1 |
| Draws | 2 | |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 16–6–2 | Mark Smith | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | BTBB - Born to be Bad | 000000002008-11-29-0000November 29, 2008 | 2 | 2:16 | Loveland, Colorado, United States | |
| Loss | 15–6–2 | Dave Herman | TKO (punches) | EliteXC: Return of the King | 000000002008-06-14-0000June 14, 2008 | 1 | 2:19 | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States | |
| Win | 15–5–2 | Analu Brash | Submission (americana) | X-1 Events - Champions | 000000002008-01-26-0000January 26, 2008 | 2 | 2:10 | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States | Won X-1 Heavyweight Championship |
| Win | 14–5–2 | Mario Rinaldi | TKO (punches) | AOW - Art of War 3 | 000000002007-09-01-0000September 1, 2007 | 1 | 4:39 | Dallas, Texas, United States | |
| Loss | 13–5–2 | Roger Gracie | Submission (armbar) | Bodog Fight - USA vs Russia | 000000002006-12-02-0000December 2, 2006 | 1 | 3:38 | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | |
| Loss | 13–4–2 | Ricco Rodriguez | TKO (doctor stoppage) | WFA: King of the Streets | 000000002006-07-22-0000July 22, 2006 | 1 | 5:00 | Los Angeles, California, United States | |
| Win | 13–3–2 | Ricco Rodriguez | Decision (unanimous) | WEC 16 - Clash of the Titans 2 | 000000002005-08-18-0000August 18, 2005 | 3 | 5:00 | Lemoore, California, United States | Defended WEC Super Heavyweight Championship |
| Loss | 12–3–2 | Tsuyoshi Kohsaka | Decision (unanimous) | Pancrase: Brave 10 | 000000002004-11-07-0000November 7, 2004 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 12–2–2 | Kevin Randleman | Submission (americana) | Pride Final Conflict 2004 | 000000002004-08-15-0000August 15, 2004 | 1 | 7:44 | Saitama, Japan | |
| Win | 11–2–2 | Keigo Takamori | Submission (americana) | Pancrase: Brave 5 | 000000002004-05-28-0000May 28, 2004 | 1 | 1:36 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 10–2–2 | Mirko Filipović | TKO (punches and soccer kicks) | PRIDE 27 | 000000002004-02-01-0000February 1, 2004 | 1 | 4:37 | Osaka, Japan | |
| Draw | 10–1–2 | Jimmy Ambriz | Draw | Pancrase - Hybrid 10 | 000000002003-11-30-0000November 30, 2003 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 10–1–1 | Jun Ishii | Submission (neck crank) | Pancrase - Hybrid 9 | 000000002003-10-31-0000October 31, 2003 | 1 | 1:02 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 9–1–1 | Jerry Vrbanovic | Submission (shoulder lock) | IFC - Global Domination | 000000002003-09-06-0000September 6, 2003 | 3 | N/A | Denver, Colorado, United States | |
| Win | 8–1–1 | James Nevarez | TKO (punches) | WEC 7: This Time It's Personal | 000000002003-08-09-0000August 9, 2003 | 3 | 2:31 | Lemoore, California, United States | Became First WEC Super Heavyweight Champion |
| Win | 7–1–1 | Valentijn Overeem | Submission (americana) | PRIDE 24 | 000000002002-12-23-0000December 23, 2002 | 1 | 2:18 | Fukuoka, Japan | |
| Win | 6–1–1 | Kengo Watanabe | Submission (americana) | Pancrase - 2002 Anniversary Show | 000000002002-09-29-0000September 29, 2002 | 1 | 2:33 | Yokohama, Japan | |
| Win | 5–1–1 | Satoshi Honma | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 25 | 000000002000-04-14-0000April 14, 2000 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Draw | 4–1–1 | Tim Lajcik | Draw | UFC 22 | 000000001999-09-24-0000September 24, 1999 | 3 | 5:00 | Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States | |
| Loss | 4–1 | Andre Roberts | KO (punches) | UFC 21 | 000000001999-07-16-0000July 16, 1999 | 1 | 2:51 | Cedar Rapids, Iowa, United States | |
| Win | 4–0 | Chris Condo | TKO (punches) | UFC 20 | 000000001999-05-07-0000May 7, 1999 | 1 | 0:28 | Birmingham, Alabama, United States | |
| Win | 3–0 | Joshua Jenkins | TKO (doctor stoppage) | BRI 1 - Bas Rutten Invitational 1 | 000000001999-02-06-0000February 6, 1999 | 1 | 1:14 | United States | |
| Win | 2–0 | Daniel James | TKO (punches) | BRI 1 - Bas Rutten Invitational 1 | 000000001999-02-06-0000February 6, 1999 | 1 | 0:20 | United States | |
| Win | 1–0 | Matt Asher | TKO (punches) | BRI 1 - Bas Rutten Invitational 1 | 000000001999-02-06-0000February 6, 1999 | 1 | 0:28 | United States |