Vernon White (fighter)

Vernon White
BornVernon Verdell White
(1970-12-03) December 3, 1970 (age 53)
Sparks, Nevada, United States
Other namesTiger
Height6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight205 lb (93 kg; 14.6 st)
DivisionLight Heavyweight
Middleweight
StyleTaekwondo, Submission Fighting, Kickboxing, Sambo, Kajukenbo
Fighting out ofPalo Alto, California, United States
TeamLion's Den[1]
Rank  Black Belt in Taekwondo
Years active1993–2010
Mixed martial arts record
Total61
Wins26
By knockout10
By submission8
By decision7
By disqualification1
Losses33
By knockout5
By submission14
By decision14
Draws2
No contests0
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Vernon Verdell White (born December 3, 1970) is an American retired professional mixed martial arts fighter who fought for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), Pride Fighting Championships, Strikeforce, King of the Cage, Pancrase, the World Fighting Alliance, and the Nevada Lions of the IFL. He is the former King of the Cage Light Heavyweight Championship, and King of the Cage Light Heavyweight Superfight Championship.

MMA career

Coming from a Taekwondo background. White debuted at 22 years of age in the Pancrase organization in Japan after being recruited by Ken Shamrock. Thrown right into the fire from the beginning, a very inexperienced White would go 8-17-1 in Pancrase to start his career.

However, White would turn his career around in a big way towards the latter part of the decade. He turned in an impressive showing against MMA legend Kazushi Sakuraba at PRIDE 2, landing a hard punch in the opening seconds to stagger Sakuraba and fighting very competitively, showcasing excellent submission defense and escapes throughout the fight until he was finally caught in an armbar late in round 3.

From 1998 to 2002, White found great success in mixed martial arts competition, compiling a record of 9-1 and winning the King of the Cage Middleweight Championship. White defended the title four times before losing a decision to MMA pioneer Jeremy Horn. This was especially impressive because at the time, King of the Cage was an upper echelon MMA promotion. He evolved into one of the more talented and well known mixed martial arts fighters in the world and developed excellent striking to go along with a solid submission wrestling base.

White also had impressive showings in the UFC, fighting to a draw with Ian Freeman in a fight that he took on short notice, and also turning in a competitive, hard fought loss to former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Chuck Liddell at UFC 49 in 2004.

Professional wrestling career

White appeared on the April 7, 1997 airing of the World Wrestling Federation program Raw Is War, losing a worked 'shoot fight' to his Lion’s Den mentor Ken Shamrock.[2]

Personal life

Vernon and his wife Melissa Kline were married on April 30, 2007.[3] The couple had their first child, a son, on May 31, 2008.[4]

Kickboxing record

Kickboxing record
? wins (? KOs), ? losses, ? draws
Date Result Opponent Event Location Method Round Time
2008-05-31 Win United States Anthony Brown XFA 2 Las Vegas, Nevada, USA Decision (unanimous) 3 3:00
2003-08-15 Loss Netherlands Remy Bonjasky K-1 World Grand Prix 2003 in Las Vegas II Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, Quarter Finals KO (flying high kick) 1 1:55
Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw/No contest   Notes

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
61 matches 26 wins 33 losses
By knockout 10 5
By submission 8 14
By decision 7 14
By disqualification 1 0
Draws 2
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 26–33–2 Jason MacDonald Submission (triangle choke) W1 Bad Blood March 20, 2010 3 2:12 Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Loss 26–32–2 Lew Polley Decision (unanimous) WarGods 5 May 30, 2009 3 5:00 Alpine, California, United States
Win 26–31–2 Jeremiah Constant DQ XCC 6: Western Threat April 5, 2008 1 N/A Reno, Nevada, United States
Loss 25–31–2 Marcelo Tigre TKO (hand injury) X-1: Grand Prix 2007 August 4, 2007 1 3:26 Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
Loss 25–30–2 Mike Whitehead TKO (punches) IFL: Las Vegas June 16, 2007 2 0:54 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 25–29–2 Sam Hoger Submission (rear naked choke) IFL: Moline April 7, 2007 2 3:25 Moline, Illinois, United States
Loss 24–29–2 Bobby Southworth Decision (unanimous) Strikeforce: Triple Threat December 8, 2006 5 5:00 San Jose, California, United States For the vacant Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Championship.
Loss 24–28–2 Victor Valimaki Decision (unanimous) EF 2: The Ultimate Decision September 29, 2006 3 5:00 Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Loss 24–27–2 Lyoto Machida Decision (unanimous) WFA: King of the Streets September 29, 2006 3 5:00 Los Angeles, California, United States
Win 24–26–2 Jason Guida TKO (doctor stoppage) WEC 18 January 13, 2006 1 5:00 Lemoore, California, United States
Win 23–26–2 Alex Stiebling KO (punch) WEC 17 October 14, 2005 2 0:09 Lemoore, California, United States
Loss 22–26–2 Matt Horwich Submission (rear-naked choke) SF 12: Breakout September 16, 2005 2 2:38 Portland, Oregon, United States
Win 22–25–2 Justin Burgin Decision (unanimous) Valor Fighting: Medford Mayhem July 16, 2005 3 5:00 Medford, Oregon, United States
Win 21–25–2 Chris Peak TKO Valor Fighting: Home of the Brave July 2, 2005 1 N/A Susanville, California, United States
Loss 20–25–2 Chuck Liddell KO (punch) UFC 49 August 21, 2004 1 4:05 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 20–24–2 Marvin Eastman Decision (unanimous) KOTC 32: Bringing Heat January 24, 2004 3 5:00 Miami, Florida, United States
Draw 20–23–2 Ian Freeman Draw (split) UFC 43 June 6, 2003 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 20–23–1 Jeremy Horn Decision (unanimous) KOTC 23: Sin City May 16, 2003 5 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Lost the King of the Cage Light Heavyweight Championship.
Win 20–22–1 Mike Rogers Decision (split) KOTC 16: Double Cross August 2, 2002 3 5:00 San Jacinto, California, United States Defended the King of the Cage Light Heavyweight Championship.
Win 19–22–1 James Lee Submission (heel hook) KOTC 11: Domination September 29, 2001 3 1:00 San Jacinto, California, United States Defended the King of the Cage Light Heavyweight Championship.
Win 18–22–1 Joe Priole TKO (punches) WMMAA 1: MegaFights August 10, 2001 2 N/A Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win 17–22–1 Marvin Eastman Decision (split) KOTC 8: Bombs Away April 29, 2001 3 5:00 Williams, California, United States Defended the King of the Cage Light Heavyweight Championship.
Win 16–22–1 David Dodd KO (flying knee) KOTC 6: Road Warriors November 29, 2000 2 3:43 Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, United States Defended the King of the Cage Light Heavyweight Championship.
Win 15–22–1 Marcos da Silva Submission IFC: Battleground 2 September 30, 2000 1 N/A Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Loss 14–22–1 Allan Goes Decision (unanimous) PRIDE 9 June 4, 2000 2 10:00 Nagoya, Japan
Win 14–21–1 Todd Medina KO (punch) KOTC 3: Knockout Nightmare April 15, 2000 1 0:09 San Jacinto, California, United States Won the King of the Cage Light Heavyweight Championship.
Win 13–21–1 Vladimir Matyushenko Decision (split) IFC: Montreal Cage Combat October 9, 1999 1 25:00 Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Win 12–21–1 David Terrell Decision (unanimous) IFC WC 4: Warriors Challenge 4 August 7, 1999 3 5:00 Jackson, California, United States
Loss 11–21–1 Kazushi Sakuraba Submission (armbar) PRIDE 2 March 15, 1998 3 6:53 Yokohama, Japan
Win 11–20–1 Brian Gassaway Submission (ankle lock) WPC: World Pankration Championships 1 October 26, 1997 1 1:26 Texas, United States
Loss 10–20–1 Vladimir Matyushenko Submission (neck crank) IFC 5: Battle in the Bayou September 5, 1997 1 5:44 Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States
Loss 10–19–1 Mario Sperry Decision (unanimous) Caged Combat 1: Australian Ultimate Fighting March 22, 1997 3 5:00 Sydney, Australia
Loss 10–18–1 Pedro Rizzo KO (kick) WVC 2: World Vale Tudo Championship 2 November 10, 1996 1 6:30 Brazil
Win 10–17–1 Iouri Oulianitski KO (kick) WVC 2: World Vale Tudo Championship 2 November 10, 1996 1 1:21 Brazil
Win 9–17–1 Cees Bezems Submission (heel hook) WVC 2: World Vale Tudo Championship 2 November 10, 1996 1 2:10 Brazil
Loss 8–17–1 Osami Shibuya Decision (lost points) Pancrase: Truth 7 October 8, 1996 1 20:00 Nagoya, Japan
Win 8–16–1 Kazuo Takahashi KO (head kick) Pancrase: 1996 Anniversary Show September 7, 1996 1 19:43 Urayasu, Japan
Win 7–16–1 Minoru Suzuki Decision (majority) Pancrase: 1996 Neo-Blood Tournament, Round 2 July 23, 1996 1 15:00 Tokyo, Japan
Loss 6–16–1 Masakatsu Funaki Submission (ankle lock) Pancrase: Truth 6 June 25, 1996 1 2:34 Fukuoka, Japan
Draw 6–15–1 Takaku Fuke Draw (unanimous) Pancrase: Truth 5 May 16, 1996 1 10:00 Tokyo, Japan
Loss 6–15 Ryushi Yanagisawa Submission (ankle lock) Pancrase: Truth 3 April 7, 1996 1 12:47 Tokyo, Japan
Win 6–14 Kazuo Takahashi Decision (lost points) Pancrase: Truth 3 April 7, 1996 1 10:00 Tokyo, Japan
Loss 5–14 Frank Shamrock Submission (achilles lock) Pancrase: Eyes Of Beast 7 December 14, 1995 1 5:23 Hokkaido, Japan
Loss 5–13 Katsuomi Inagaki Decision (majority) Pancrase: Eyes Of Beast 6 November 4, 1995 1 10:00 Yokohama, Japan
Loss 5–12 Gregory Smit Decision (1–0) Pancrase: 1995 Neo-Blood Tournament Opening Round July 22, 1995 1 10:00 Tokyo, Japan
Loss 5–11 Manabu Yamada Submission (kneebar) Pancrase: Eyes Of Beast 5 June 13, 1995 1 10:26 Sapporo, Japan
Win 5–10 Larry Papadopoulos Submission (heel hook) Pancrase: Eyes Of Beast 3 April 8, 1995 1 9:54 Nagoya, Japan
Loss 4–10 Takafumi Ito Submission (armbar) Pancrase: Eyes Of Beast 2 March 10, 1995 1 7:26 Yokohama, Japan
Loss 4–9 Masakatsu Funaki Submission (straight armbar) King of Pancrase tournament opening round December 16, 1994 1 5:37 Tokyo, Japan
Win 4–8 Leon van Dijk Submission (heel hook) King of Pancrase tournament opening round December 16, 1994 1 3:45 Tokyo, Japan
Loss 3–8 Todd Bjornethun Decision (lost points) Pancrase: Road To The Championship 5 October 15, 1994 1 15:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 3–7 Richard Saar KO (palm strikes) Pancrase: Road To The Championship 4 September 1, 1994 1 3:25 Osaka, Japan
Win 2–7 Katsuomi Inagaki Submission (inverted heel hook) Pancrase: Road To The Championship 3 July 26, 1994 1 4:15 Tokyo, Japan
Loss 1–7 Remco Pardoel Technical Decision (lost points) Pancrase: Road To The Championship 2 July 6, 1994 1 14:24 Amagasaki, Japan
Loss 1–6 Bas Rutten Submission (guillotine choke) Pancrase: Pancrash! 3 April 21, 1994 1 1:16 Osaka, Japan
Loss 1–5 Masakatsu Funaki KO (knee to the body) Pancrase: Pancrash! 2 March 12, 1994 1 1:13 Nagoya, Japan
Loss 1–4 Andre Van Den Oetelaar Submission (forearm choke) Pancrase: Pancrash! 1 January 19, 1994 1 6:22 Yokohama, Japan
Loss 1–3 Ryushi Yanagisawa Technical Decision (lost points) Pancrase: Yes, We are Hybrid Wrestlers 4 December 8, 1993 1 8:55 Hakata, Japan
Win 1–2 Katsuomi Inagaki TKO (doctor stoppage) Pancrase: Yes, We are Hybrid Wrestlers 3 November 8, 1993 1 22:04 Kobe, Japan
Loss 0–2 Minoru Suzuki Submission (leg scissor choke) Pancrase: Yes, We are Hybrid Wrestlers 2 October 14, 1993 1 2:36 Nagoya, Japan
Loss 0–1 Takaku Fuke Submission (armbar) Pancrase: Yes, We are Hybrid Wrestlers 1 September 21, 1993 1 1:19 Urayasu, Japan

Notes and references

  1. ^ "Fight Finder: Vernon White". Sherdog. 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-16.
  2. ^ [1] Archived September 15, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ "Peninsula". Paloaltodailynews.com. Retrieved 2015-06-12.
  4. ^ ""Tiger" Wins After Birth of Son". Sherdog.com. Retrieved 2015-06-12.