Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou Nkamhoua (French pronunciation: [ʁamo tjɛʁi sɔkudʒu]; born April 18, 1984), mostly billed simply as Sokoudjou, is a Cameroonian professional mixed martial artist. A professional competitor since 2006, Sokoudjou is the former KSW Light Heavyweight Champion, and has also competed for PRIDE, the UFC, WEC, Affliction, Strikeforce, K-1, DREAM and Bellator.

Sokoudjou
Sokoudjou in 2007
BornRameau Thierry Sokoudjou Nkamhoua
(1984-04-18) April 18, 1984 (age 40)
Hom'la, Cameroon
Other namesThe African Assassin
Height5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[1][2][3]
Weight205 lb (93 kg; 14 st 9 lb)
DivisionSuper Heavyweight
Heavyweight
Light Heavyweight
Reach78 in (198 cm)
Fighting out ofOceanside, California, United States
TeamTeam Quest[4]
MMA Factory
RankSecond dan black belt in Judo
Purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Years active2006–present (MMA)
Kickboxing record
Total2
Losses2
Mixed martial arts record
Total37
Wins19
By knockout13
By submission1
By decision4
By disqualification1
Losses18
By knockout13
By submission2
By decision3
Amateur Muay Thai record
Total5
Wins4
Losses1
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Last updated on: February 23, 2013

Background

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Born and raised in Cameroon, Sokoudjou began training in judo at the age of five and was talented, winning three consecutive junior national championships from 1997 to 1999 in his home country. Growing up, he had actually wanted to get involved with boxing or kickboxing but his parents would not allow it because they thought the competition was too violent.[5] Sokoudjou moved to the United States in 2001 to pursue his career in judo.[6]

Mixed martial arts career

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PRIDE Fighting Championships

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In his PRIDE debut at PRIDE 33, Sokoudjou fought Brazilian fighter Antônio Rogério Nogueira, and the much-less experienced Sokoudjou was a 16-1 underdog. To start the match, the Cameroonian threw a series of high kicks before landing an excellent combination that knocked out "Lil Nog" at just 23 seconds into the first round in a shocking upset. This made Sokoudjou the first fighter to finish the younger Nogueira brother. Sokoudjou's victory is considered to be one of the biggest upsets in mixed martial arts history, as well as arguably the biggest win of Sokoudjou's career to date.[7]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

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Sokoudjou was released from the UFC on November 28, 2008.[8]

Independent Promotions

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Sokoudjou defeated the South-African kickboxer Jan Nortje at Dream 9 by TKO (strikes) in round 1 of the Dream Super Hulk Tournament. Sokoudjou was heavily criticized for his post-fight actions where he landed a barrage of extra punches after the referee had already stepped in to stop the fight. Sokoudjou did, however, express remorse for his actions, and apologized to Nortje for the incident.[9] Sokoudjou was slated to face Gegard Mousasi in the semifinals at Dream 11, however, due to an injury, Super heavyweight Bob Sapp stood in for Mousasi.[10]

Sokoudjou fought Ryan Jimmo for the MFC Light Heavyweight Championship at MFC 31 on October 7 at the Mayfield Conference Centre in Edmonton, Canada, losing by a controversial unanimous decision.[11]

Sokoudjou fought Heavyweight prospect Konstantin Erokhin at Fight Nights: Battle Of Moscow 14, on December 7, 2013. He lost via KO in the first round.[12]

Strikeforce

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Sokoudjou was defeated by former Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion Gegard Mousasi via second-round TKO due to ground and pound on November 7, 2009, at Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers.[13]

KSW and others

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Sokoudjou faced European prospect Jan Błachowicz at KSW XV for the KSW Light Heavyweight Championship, After two rounds Sokoudjou landed 12 leg kicks, making Błachowicz unable to continue the fight.[14]

Bellator MMA

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In June 2015, it was revealed that Sokoudjou was released from the promotion.[15]

Kickboxing career

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Sokoudjou faced Maxim Grishin in a kickboxing match on February 23, 2013, at Fight Nights 10 in Moscow, Russia. He lost via split decision(29–28, 28–29, 28–29).[16][17]

Personal life

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Sokoudjou speaks French, as well as a few dialects in his home country of Cameroon. He currently lives in Southern California and has a brother. Before becoming a professional mixed martial arts fighter, Sokoudjou worked as a bouncer.[18]

Championships and accomplishments

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Grappling

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    • Winter National Championship (+100 kg) – 2009
    • Grappler's Quest – BJJ – 2003
    • Golden State Championship – 2003
    • San Jose Buddhist Tournament – 2003
    • California State Championship – 2002
    • Tenri 40th Anniversary Championship – 2002
    • San Jose Buddhist Tournament – 2001
    • US Open 2001 Las Vegas – Absolute
    • Silver State Championship – 2001
    • Gardena Tournament – 2001
    • Golden State Championship – 2001
    • Senior National Champion – 2000
    • Tournoi International de la ville de Yaounde – 2000
    • Cameroon Junior National Champion – 1999
    • Cameroon Junior National Champion – 1998
    • Cameroon Junior National Champion – 1997
    • Golden gi Champion – 1997

Mixed martial arts

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Mixed martial arts record

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Professional record breakdown
37 matches 19 wins 18 losses
By knockout 13 13
By submission 1 2
By decision 4 3
By disqualification 1 0
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 19–18 Jamie Abdullah TKO (punches) AFC / Kunlun Fight - Kunlun Fight MMA 16 October 28, 2017 2 2:42 Melbourne, Australia Won the AFC Light Heavyweight Championship.
Loss 18–18 Sergei Kharitonov KO (punch) M-1 Challenge 80: Kharitonov vs. Sokoudjou June 15, 2017 1 0:40 Harbin, China Heavyweight bout.
Loss 18–17 Łukasz Jurkowski Decision (majority) KSW 39: Colosseum May 27, 2017 3 5:00 Warsaw, Poland
Win 18–16 Marcelo Tenorio TKO (punches and elbows) Australian FC 18: Night 1 April 14, 2017 1 N/A Shanghai, China
Loss 17–16 Thiago Silva TKO (punches) F2N: Fight2Night November 4, 2016 3 2:37 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Loss 17–15 Tomasz Narkun TKO (punches) KSW 36: Materla vs. Palhares Oct 1, 2016 1 4:38 Zielona Góra, Poland For the KSW Light Heavyweight Championship.
Win 17–14 Matt Hamill KO (punches) Venator FC 3: Palhares vs. Meek May 21, 2016 1 0:37 Milan, Italy
Loss 16–14 Paul Buentello KO (punch) Abu Dhabi Warriors 3 October 4, 2015 3 3:12 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Heavyweight bout.
Loss 16–13 Linton Vassell TKO (punches) Bellator 134 February 27, 2015 2 3:18 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Win 16–12 Malik Merad TKO (elbows) Bellator 127 October 3, 2014 2 4:04 Temecula, California, United States
Win 15–12 Terry Davinney Submission (rear-naked choke) Bellator 121 June 6, 2014 1 4:16 Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States
Loss 14–12 Konstantin Erokhin KO (punches) Fight Nights: Battle of Moscow 14 December 7, 2013 1 2:28 Moscow, Russia Heavyweight bout.
Loss 14–11 Evgeny Erokhin TKO (punches and elbows) Pankration: Mayor Cup 2013 May 25, 2013 3 4:40 Khabarovsk, Russia Heavyweight bout.
Win 14–10 Seung Bae Whi Decision (unanimous) Road FC 011 April 13, 2013 3 5:00 Seoul, South Korea
Win 13–10 Denis Komkin KO (head kick) Pankration: Battle Of Empires 2 December 15, 2012 1 1:00 Khabarovsk, Russia Heavyweight bout.
Loss 12–10 Jan Błachowicz Decision (unanimous) KSW 17: Revenge November 26, 2011 3 5:00 Łódź, Poland Lost the KSW Light Heavyweight Championship. Fight of the Night.
Loss 12–9 Ryan Jimmo Decision (unanimous) MFC 31 October 7, 2011 5 5:00 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada For MFC Light Heavyweight Championship.
Win 12–8 Roy Boughton Decision (unanimous) Score Fighting Series 1 June 10, 2011 3 5:00 Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Win 11–8 Jan Błachowicz TKO (leg injury) KSW 15: Contemporary Gladiators March 19, 2011 2 5:00 Warsaw, Poland Won the vacant KSW Light Heavyweight Championship.
Win 10–8 Valdas Pocevicius Decision (unanimous) Israel FC: Genesis November 9, 2010 3 5:00 Tel Aviv, Israel
Loss 9–8 Shamil Abdurakhimov TKO (punches) ADFC: Round 2 October 22, 2010 3 2:17 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates 2010 Openw-eight Grand Prix Semifinal.
Loss 9–7 Houston Alexander TKO (punches) Shark Fights 13: Jardine vs Prangley September 11, 2010 2 1:31 Amarillo, Texas, United States Fight of the Night.
Win 9–6 Joaquim Ferreira TKO (punches) Impact FC 1 July 10, 2010 1 1:20 Brisbane, Australia Return to Light Heavyweight.
Win 8–6 Dave Herman DQ (illegal knees) ADFC: Round 1 May 14, 2010 2 N/A Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Heavyweight debut. 2010 Grand Prix Quarterfinal; Herman was DQ'd for kneeing Sokoudjou in the head while grounded.
Loss 7–6 Ikuhisa Minowa TKO (punches) Dynamite!! 2009 December 31, 2009 3 3:29 Saitama, Japan DREAM Super Hulk Grand Prix Final.
Loss 7–5 Gegard Mousasi TKO (punches) Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers November 7, 2009 2 3:43 Hoffman Estates, Illinois, United States Light Heavyweight bout.
Win 7–4 Bob Sapp TKO (punches) DREAM 11 October 6, 2009 1 1:31 Yokohama, Japan DREAM Super Hulk Grand Prix Semifinal.
Win 6–4 Jan Nortje TKO (punches) DREAM 9 May 26, 2009 1 2:30 Yokohama, Japan Super Heavyweight debut; DREAM Super Hulk Grand Prix Opening Round.
Loss 5–4 Renato Sobral Submission (brabo choke) Affliction: Day of Reckoning January 24, 2009 2 2:38 Anaheim, California, United States
Loss 5–3 Luiz Cané TKO (punches) UFC 89 October 18, 2008 2 4:15 Birmingham, England
Win 5–2 Kazuhiro Nakamura TKO (leg injury) UFC 84 May 24, 2008 1 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 4–2 Lyoto Machida Submission (arm-triangle choke) UFC 79 December 29, 2007 2 4:20 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 4–1 Ricardo Arona KO (punches) PRIDE 34 April 8, 2007 1 1:59 Saitama, Japan
Win 3–1 Antônio Rogério Nogueira KO (punch) PRIDE 33 February 24, 2007 1 0:23 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 2–1 Glover Teixeira KO (punches) WEC 24: Full Force October 12, 2006 1 1:41 Lemoore, California, United States
Win 2–0 Paul Weremecki TKO (head kick and punches) SF 17: Hot Zone August 5, 2006 1 2:11 Portland, Oregon, United States
Win 1–0 Gary Padilla Decision (split) Total Combat 15 July 15, 2006 3 5:00 San Diego, California, United States

Kickboxing record

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0 wins, 2 losses
Date Result Opponent Event Location Method Round Time Record
Loss Maxim Grishin Decision (split) Fight Nights: Battle of Moscow 10 February 23, 2013 3 3:00 Moscow, Russia
Loss Maxim Osipov Decision (majority) UWC 20 September 1, 2012 3 3:00 Southend-on-Sea, England

Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw/No contest

Bare-Knuckle Boxing

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Professional record breakdown
1 match 0 wins 1 loss
By knockout 0 1
By decision 0 0
By disqualification 0 0
Draws 0
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 0–1 Mighty Mo TKO (punches) VKB-Valor Bare Knuckle 1 21 September 2019 3 1:26 New Town, ND, USA, 4 Bears Casino and Lodge Heavyweight Tournament Semi-Finals[20]

References

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  1. ^ Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou, ESPN Mixed Martial Arts
  2. ^ Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou sherdog.com
  3. ^ "Rameau Sokoudjou". bellator.com. Archived from the original on 2014-08-09. Retrieved 2015-01-10.
  4. ^ "Fight Finder: Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou dit l' assassin africain". Sherdog. Retrieved 2007-08-15.
  5. ^ "April 2007 interview by Pride" (in Japanese).
  6. ^ The profile at boutreview.com (in Japanese)
  7. ^ Crecy, Aaron (2007-04-06). "Who is Sokoudjou?". TheFightNetwork.com. Archived from the original on 2007-09-26. Retrieved 2007-04-09.
  8. ^ "Report: Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou dropped from the UFC". MMAJunkie.com. 2008-11-28. Archived from the original on 2012-07-10. Retrieved 2008-11-28.
  9. ^ "Report: I should have stopped". MMAJunkie.com. 2009-05-30. Retrieved 2009-05-30.
  10. ^ "Bob Sapp To Face Sokoudjou At Dream 11". MMAWeekly.com. September 9, 2009. Retrieved 2011-07-31.
  11. ^ "Sokoudjou Signs to Challenge 205-Pound Champion Ryan Jimmo at MFC 31". MMAWeekly.com. August 4, 2011. Retrieved 2011-08-04.
  12. ^ "Konstantin Erokhin vs. Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou". Tapology.com. December 7, 2013. Retrieved 2013-12-07.
  13. ^ "Gegard Mousasi vs. Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou completes Strikeforce's Nov. 7 CBS lineup". mmajunkie.com. Archived from the original on 2009-10-12. Retrieved 2009-10-09.
  14. ^ "Rameau Thierry". Sherdog.
  15. ^ Steph Daniels (June 4, 2015). "Bellator releases Sokoudjou and 7 other fighters from their roster". bloodyelbow.com.
  16. ^ "Результаты "Битвы под Москвой 10" - 24.02.2013" [The results of the "Battle of Moscow 10" - 02/24/2013]. fightnights.ru. 24 February 2013. Retrieved February 23, 2013.
  17. ^ Dave Walsh (12 June 2018). "Weekend Results from Russia: Mineev, Allazov, El Gaoui, Ignashov Win". liverkick.com.
  18. ^ Ed Kapp. "Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou: KSW Champion Sits Down for an Exclusive Interview". Bleacher Report.
  19. ^ "Rameau Sokoudjou dismantles Jamie Abdallah in brutal title fight | Herald Sun". Archived from the original on 2017-11-01.
  20. ^ "Valor Bare Knuckle 1 Results - VBK 1 - Heavyweight tournament". 21 September 2019.
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