Dennis Bermudez

Dennis Bermudez
Born (1986-12-13) December 13, 1986 (age 37)
Saugerties, New York, United States
Other namesThe Menace
Height5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)[1]
Weight145 lb (66 kg; 10 st 5 lb)
DivisionLightweight (2009–2010, 2019)
Featherweight (2011–2018)
Reach66 in (168 cm)[1]
StyleWrestling, Boxing
Fighting out ofLindenhurst, New York, United States
TeamLong Island MMA
WrestlingNCAA Division I Wrestling[2]
Years active2009–2019
Mixed martial arts record
Total26
Wins17
By knockout4
By submission3
By decision10
Losses9
By knockout2
By submission4
By decision3
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Dennis Ross Bermudez[3] (born December 13, 1986) is a retired American mixed martial artist who competed in the Featherweight division of the UFC. Bermudez has been a professional MMA competitor since 2009. He has made a name for himself mainly fighting on the east coast. He was a competitor on Spike TV's The Ultimate Fighter: Team Bisping vs. Team Miller.

Wrestling

Bermudez began wrestling in 2000. Coached by Scott Wickham,[4] he held a high school record of 112 wins and 23 losses.[5] From high school he went on to wrestle at Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania where in 2007 he was ranked 22nd in the nation at the Division 1 level. Bermudez then became a college free-style All-American in Akron, Ohio.[6]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Bermudez first started training mixed martial arts in Saugerties, New York, his home town, in 2009. He later went on to train at Blackman MMA in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He trained at Blackman MMA for nearly two years as he competed as an amateur and professional. Bermudez competed in four amateur bouts before earning his professional license, finishing his amateur career with four wins and no losses.[5] He began his pro career in 2009, opening his career with a record of 4-0, all four won via stoppage. The wins earned him a fight for Russian promotion, M-1 Global. The fight was held at the event M-1 Selection 2010 in New Jersey against Kevin Roddy. Bermudez controlled the entirety of the fight and won via unanimous decision. He was not selected to compete in the M-1 Global tournament, and never returned to fight for the promotion.

Bermudez returned to Pennsylvania Fighting Championships for one fight before signing with Shine Fights. Bermudez signed onto compete in Shine Fights 2010 Lightweight Grand Prix. His first fight in the tournament was against UFC veteran Shannon Gugerty. Bermudez won the fight via unanimous decision and moved onto fight UFC, MFC, Strikeforce, and DREAM veteran, Drew Fickett. Fickett handed Bermudez his first loss, submitting him in the first round via rear naked choke. He lost his second straight fight, also via rear naked choke, to undefeated Jordan Rinaldi. After the losses, Bermudez showed interest in dropping weight classes to compete at featherweight.

The Ultimate Fighter

Dennis Bermudez's last fight at UFC Fight Night 143 post fight interview in New York, United States - Jan 19, 2019

In 2011, Bermudez signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship to compete in The Ultimate Fighter: Team Bisping vs. Team Miller. In the first episode, Bermudez fought reigning King of the Cage bantamweight champion, Jimmie Rivera, to gain entry into the Ultimate Fighter house. After being rocked in the first round, Bermudez defeated Rivera in the second round via TKO.

Bermudez was selected to be a part of Team Mayhem as the team's first pick (second overall). In his quarterfinal bout, Bermudez fought Stephen Bass. Bermudez controlled the fight throughout round one before winning the fight in the second round via TKO.

Bermudez was selected to fight Team Bisping member Akira Corassani in the semi-finals. After being knocked down twice, Bermudez took Corassani down and finished the fight in the first round via submission due to a guillotine choke. With the win, Bermudez moved into the finals set to take place at The Ultimate Fighter 14 Finale. The submission also won Bermudez an additional $25,000 for the fan voted "Submission of the Season".

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Bermudez officially made his UFC debut on December 3, 2011, at The Ultimate Fighter 14 Finale against Diego Brandão to determine the winner of The Ultimate Fighter 14. After a back-and-forth first round Bermudez knocked down Brandão and displayed strong ground and pound from the top position but while doing so Bermudez was caught in an armbar that ended the fight. The bout earned Fight of the Night honors, giving Bermudez an extra $40,000 in bonuses.

Bermudez next faced Pablo Garza at UFC on Fox 3 on May 5, 2012.[7] He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Bermudez fought Tommy Hayden on August 11, 2012, at UFC 150.[8] Bermudez won late into round one after clipping Hayden with a front kick to the chest, a straight right to the face then catching him in a guillotine choke, causing Hayden to submit. The performance earned Bermudez Submission of the Night honors.

Bermudez next faced Matt Grice on February 23, 2013, at UFC 157. Bermudez won via split decision. The back and forth action earned both fighters Fight of the Night honors and much praise from MMA observers proclaiming it was an early front runner for "Fight of the Year".[9]

Bermudez faced Max Holloway on May 25, 2013, at UFC 160.[10] He won the fight via split decision. 11 out of 11 media outlets scored the bout to Holloway.[11]

Bermudez was briefly scheduled to face Nik Lentz on November 6, 2013, at UFC Fight Night 31. However, Lentz was pulled from the pairing with Bermudez in favor of a bout with Chad Mendes on December 14, 2013, at UFC on Fox 9.[12] Bermudez instead fought Steven Siler as a replacement opponent.[13] He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Bermudez next faced Jimy Hettes on March 15, 2014, at UFC 171. He won the fight via TKO in the third round and won his first Performance of the Night bonus award.[14]

In his highest profile fight to date, Bermudez faced Clay Guida on July 26, 2014, at UFC on Fox 12. He won the bout via submission in the second round, and earned a Performance of the Night bonus award for the second time in a row.[15]

Bermudez faced Ricardo Lamas on November 15, 2014, at UFC 180. He lost the fight via submission in the first round.[16]

Bermudez faced Jeremy Stephens on July 11, 2015, at UFC 189. After a close first two rounds, he lost the fight by TKO in the third round.[17]

Bermudez was expected to face Maximo Blanco on January 17, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 81. However, Bermudez pulled out of the fight in early December citing injury and was replaced by promotional newcomer Luke Sanders.[18][19] Following a quick recovery, Bermudez was rebooked and he faced Tatsuya Kawajiri on February 21, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 83.[20] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[21]

Bermudez faced Rony Jason on August 6, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 92. He won the fight by unanimous decision.[22]

Bermudez faced returning veteran Chan Sung Jung on February 4, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 104. He lost the fight by knockout in the first round.[23]

Bermudez faced Darren Elkins on July 22, 2017, at UFC on Fox 25.[24] He lost the back-and-forth fight via split decision.[25]

Bermudez faced Andre Fili on January 27, 2018 at UFC on Fox 27.[26] He lost the fight via split decision.[27]

Bermudez faced Rick Glenn on July 14, 2018 at UFC Fight Night 133.[28] He lost the fight via split decision.[29]

Bermudez faced Te Edwards in a lightweight bout on January 19, 2019 at UFC Fight Night 143.[30][31] He won the fight via unanimous decision. He announced his retirement after the fight, leaving his gloves in the Octagon.[32]

Personal life

Bermudez has two sons, Bryson and Maddox.[33]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
26 matches 17 wins 9 losses
By knockout 4 2
By submission 3 4
By decision 10 3
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 17–9 Te Edwards Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Cejudo vs. Dillashaw January 19, 2019 3 5:00 Brooklyn, New York, United States Return to Lightweight. Retired after bout.
Loss 16–9 Rick Glenn Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: dos Santos vs. Ivanov July 14, 2018 3 5:00 Boise, Idaho, United States
Loss 16–8 Andre Fili Decision (split) UFC on Fox: Jacaré vs. Brunson 2 January 27, 2018 3 5:00 Charlotte, North Carolina, United States
Loss 16–7 Darren Elkins Decision (split) UFC on Fox: Weidman vs. Gastelum July 22, 2017 3 5:00 Uniondale, New York, United States
Loss 16–6 Chan Sung Jung KO (punch) UFC Fight Night: Bermudez vs. The Korean Zombie February 4, 2017 1 2:49 Houston, Texas, United States
Win 16–5 Rony Jason Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Rodríguez vs. Caceres August 6, 2016 3 5:00 Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
Win 15–5 Tatsuya Kawajiri Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Cowboy vs. Cowboy February 21, 2016 3 5:00 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
Loss 14–5 Jeremy Stephens TKO (flying knee and punches) UFC 189 July 11, 2015 3 0:32 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States 149.5 lb Catchweight bout; Stephens missed weight.
Loss 14–4 Ricardo Lamas Submission (guillotine choke) UFC 180 November 15, 2014 1 3:18 Mexico City, Mexico
Win 14–3 Clay Guida Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC on Fox: Lawler vs. Brown July 26, 2014 2 2:57 San Jose, California, United States Performance of the Night.
Win 13–3 Jimy Hettes TKO (punches and knee) UFC 171 March 15, 2014 3 2:57 Dallas, Texas, United States Performance of the Night.
Win 12–3 Steven Siler Decision (unanimous) UFC: Fight for the Troops 3 November 6, 2013 3 5:00 Fort Campbell, Kentucky, United States
Win 11–3 Max Holloway Decision (split) UFC 160 May 25, 2013 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 10–3 Matt Grice Decision (split) UFC 157 February 23, 2013 3 5:00 Anaheim, California, United States Fight of the Night.
Win 9–3 Tommy Hayden Submission (guillotine choke) UFC 150 August 11, 2012 1 4:43 Denver, Colorado, United States Submission of the Night.
Win 8–3 Pablo Garza Decision (unanimous) UFC on Fox: Diaz vs. Miller May 5, 2012 3 5:00 East Rutherford, New Jersey, United States
Loss 7–3 Diego Brandão Submission (straight armbar) The Ultimate Fighter: Team Bisping vs. Team Miller Finale December 3, 2011 1 4:51 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Featherweight debut. The Ultimate Fighter Featherweight Tournament final. Fight of the Night.
Loss 7–2 Jordan Rinaldi Submission (rear-naked choke) PA Fighting Championships 4 November 20, 2010 1 2:13 Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, United States
Loss 7–1 Drew Fickett Submission (rear-naked choke) Shine Fights 3 September 10, 2010 1 2:02 Newkirk, Oklahoma, United States Lightweight Grand Prix bout.
Win 7–0 Shannon Gugerty Decision (unanimous) Shine Fights 3 September 10, 2010 3 5:00 Newkirk, Oklahoma, United States Lightweight Grand Prix bout.
Win 6–0 Joey Carroll Decision (unanimous) PA Fighting Championships 3 June 26, 2010 3 5:00 Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, United States
Win 5–0 Kevin Roddy Decision (unanimous) M-1 Selection 2010: The Americas Round 1 April 3, 2010 3 5:00 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win 4–0 Jeremiah Gurley TKO (punches) Deathroll MMA 2 March 12, 2010 1 1:55 Monessen, Pennsylvania, United States
Win 3–0 Marcos Maciel TKO (punches) PA Fighting Championships 2 February 7, 2010 1 2:57 Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, United States
Win 2–0 Jimmy Seipel Submission (guillotine choke) Asylum Fight League 25 February 6, 2010 2 0:41 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Win 1–0 Chris Connor TKO (punches) PA Fighting Championships 1 November 6, 2009 1 4:01 Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, United States

Mixed martial arts exhibition record

Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 3–0 Akira Corassani Submission (guillotine choke) The Ultimate Fighter: Team Bisping vs. Team Miller November 16, 2011 (airdate) 1 3:12 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Semi-finals.
Win 2–0 Stephen Bass TKO (punches) November 2, 2011 (airdate) 2 2:58 Quarter-finals.
Win 1–0 Jimmie Rivera TKO (punches) September 21, 2011 (airdate) 2 1:40 Preliminary bout.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Fight Card - UFC Fight Night Lawler vs. Brown". UFC.com. Retrieved July 27, 2014.
  2. ^ "Dennis Bermudez - Official UFC Fighter Profile". UFC.com. Retrieved November 16, 2014.
  3. ^ http://boxing.nv.gov/2011%20Results%20Web/TUF%20SEASON%2014.pdf[permanent dead link‍]
  4. ^ Houghtaling, Eric. "Saugerties captures fourth straight MHAL wrestling crown". Daily Freeman. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  5. ^ a b "The Ultimate Fighter: Team Bisping vs Team Miller – Cast Bios". spike.com. August 30, 2011.
  6. ^ "Meet one of Long Island MMA and Fitness Centers Fastest Rising MMA Stars..."The Menace" Dennis Bermudez -". limixedmartialarts.com. Archived from the original on January 20, 2019. Retrieved June 15, 2011.
  7. ^ "UFC on FOX 3 adds Johnny Bedford vs. Nick Denis, Dennis Bermudez vs. Pablo Garza". mmainterplay.com. February 17, 2012. Archived from the original on February 21, 2012.
  8. ^ "UFC 150 in Denver adds Bermudez-Hayden". mmajunkie.com. June 4, 2012. Archived from the original on November 9, 2012.
  9. ^ Brian Mazique (February 24, 2013). "Matt Grice and Dennis Bermudez Put on Classic Battle". bleacherreport.com. Retrieved February 24, 2013.
  10. ^ Dana Becker (March 27, 2013). "UFC 160 Gains Dennis Bermudez-Max Holloway". fightline.com. Archived from the original on April 10, 2013. Retrieved March 27, 2013.
  11. ^ "Dennis Bermudez def. Max Holloway - UFC 160 - MMA Decisions". mmadecisions.com. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  12. ^ Ariel Helwani (September 17, 2013). "Chad Mendes vs. Nik Lentz booked for UFC on FOX 9". mmafighting.com. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
  13. ^ Staff (September 17, 2013). "Dennis Bermudez vs. Steven Siler joins UFC Fight Night 31 'Troops' lineup". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
  14. ^ Staff (March 16, 2014). "UFC 171 bonuses: Hendricks, Lawler, St. Preux, Bermudez win $50,000". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved March 16, 2014.
  15. ^ Staff (July 26, 2014). "UFC on FOX 12 bonuses: Lawler, Brown, Johnson, Bermudez win $50,000". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved July 26, 2014.
  16. ^ Luke Thomas (November 15, 2014). "UFC 180 results: Ricardo Lamas submits Dennis Bermudez with first-round guillotine". mmafighting.com. Retrieved November 15, 2014.
  17. ^ Steven Marrocco (July 11, 2015). "UFC 189 results: Jeremy Stephens knee plants Dennis Bermudez for TKO in brawl". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved July 11, 2015.
  18. ^ Hunter A. Homistek (December 6, 2015). "Dennis Bermudez suffers staph infection, out of January UFC Fight Night 81 bout". mmafighting.com. Retrieved December 5, 2015.
  19. ^ Staff (January 4, 2016). "Luke Sanders steps in to fight Maximo Blanco; UFC Fight Night 81 lineup shuffled". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved January 4, 2016.
  20. ^ Marc Raimondi (January 7, 2016). "Dennis Bermudez vs. Tatsuya Kawajiri targeted for UFC Pittsburgh". mmafighting.com. Retrieved January 7, 2016.
  21. ^ Michael Stets (February 21, 2016). "UFC Fight Night 83 results: Dennis Bermudez decisions Tatsuya Kawajiri". mmamania.com. Retrieved February 21, 2016.
  22. ^ Ben Fowlkes (August 7, 2016). "UFC Fight Night 92 results: Dennis Bermudez cuts up, outwrestles and routs Rony Jason". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved August 7, 2016.
  23. ^ Steven Marrocco (February 5, 2017). "UFC Fight Night 104 results: Chan Sung Jung stuns Dennis Bermudez for first-round KO in return". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved February 5, 2017.
  24. ^ Ariel Helwani (May 17, 2017). "Dennis Bermudez vs. Darren Elkins slated for UFC on FOX 25". mmafighting.com. Retrieved May 17, 2017.
  25. ^ "UFC on FOX 25 results: Darren Elkins turns in gritty performance to beat Dennis Bermudez". MMAjunkie. July 23, 2017. Retrieved July 23, 2017.
  26. ^ Guilherme Cruz (December 20, 2017). "Andre Fili vs. Dennis Bermudez slated for UFC on FOX 27 in Charlotte". mmafighting.com. Retrieved December 20, 2017.
  27. ^ "UFC on FOX 27 results: Andre Fili takes split call from Dennis Bermudez". MMAjunkie. January 28, 2018. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
  28. ^ Mark La Monica (May 18, 2018). "Dennis Bermudez to face Rick Glenn at UFC Fight Night in Boise, Idaho". newsday.com. Retrieved May 18, 2018.
  29. ^ "UFC Fight Night 133 results: Rick Glenn survives Dennis Bermudez's takedowns for split call". MMAjunkie. July 15, 2018. Retrieved July 15, 2018.
  30. ^ DNA, MMA. "Long Island's Dennis Bermudez treft Te Edwards tijdens UFC Brooklyn". Retrieved December 28, 2018.
  31. ^ Ryan Gerbosi (December 28, 2018). "UFC Brooklyn: Dennis Bermudez booked to fight Te Edwards at Barclays Center". newsday.com. Retrieved December 28, 2018.
  32. ^ Mike Bohn. "Dennis Bermudez announces retirement after UFC on ESPN+ 1 win". Retrieved January 20, 2019.
  33. ^ Brian Hubert (July 18, 2017). "Saugerties graduate, UFC veteran Dennis Bermudez excited about first New York pro mixed martial arts fight". dailyfreeman.com.
  34. ^ a b c d UFC.com (February 24, 2024). "UFC Stats - Featherweight Division". ufc.com.