Chris Brennan

Background Brennan was born in Compton, California, but soon moved to Orange County before settling in Laguna Hills and Huntington Beach, California, where he spent the next 10 years. Growing up, Brennan claims that he lived in at least 19 different homes and played baseball and soccer, but was ultimately more interested in individual sports such as bodybuilding, surfing, gymnastics, and motocross. While working as a bouncer, Brennan saw UFC 1 and was motivated by the dominant performance of UFC Hall of Famer Royce Gracie. Brennan soon began training with Gracie himself and received his Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt in only seven years. Brennan later became the first no-gi Brazilian jiu-jitsu instructor in the United States.

Mixed martial arts career Early career Brennan made his professional mixed martial arts debut in 1996 and compiled a record of 4–1–1 before being signed by the UFC.

UFC Brennan made his UFC debut against Courtney Turner at the UFC 16 Lightweight Tournament on March 13, 1998, and won via armbar submission in the first round. In his next fight later that night, Brennan lost to future five-time champion, Pat Miletich via submission.

King of the Cage Brennan made his King of the Cage debut against future King of the Cage Lightweight Champion Joe Stevenson and won via submission. In his next fight, Brennan fought against future MFC Lightweight Champion Antonio McKee for the King of the Cage Middleweight Superfight Championship and won via knockout with a head kick. In his first title defense, Brennan was defeated by Joe Hurley after he was knocked out from elbows.

On August 4, 2001, Brennan defeated Kevin Hogan via armbar submission to become the new King of the Cage Middleweight Champion and then in his next fight, successfully defended his title against Steve Berger. After a one-fight stint with the UFC at UFC 35, a loss to Gil Castillo, Brennan won two more fights outside of King of the Cage before returning to defend his title again, this time against John Alessio. Brennan was defeated via TKO.

PRIDE Brennan went 0–2 in Shooto, losing a controversial decision to Takanori Gomi before he made his PRIDE debut on October 5, 2003, at Bushido 1 against Eiji Mitsuoka and won via kimura submission in the first round. In his next appearance for the organization, he faced Daiju Takase a year later at Bushido 2 and lost via unanimous decision.

His last fight in PRIDE was at Bushido 12 against Tatsuya Kawajiri, and he was defeated via TKO only 29 seconds into the first round.

Post-PRIDE Since his last fight in PRIDE, Brennan has gone 2–2, competing for Cage Rage and King of the Cage.

Championships and accomplishments King of the Cage KOTC Middleweight Championship (One time; first) Two Successful Defenses KOTC Middleweight Superfight Championship (One time; first) One Successful Defense Ultimate Fighting Championship UFC 16 Lightweight Tournament Runner Up As a professional MMA fighter his 21 wins were: 18 first round submissions, 1 second round submission, 1 second round KO, and 1 three round unanimous decision, a 95% finish rate, amongst the highest in MMA.

2013 IBJJF Black-Belt No-Gi World Champion 2014 IBJJF Black-Belt No-Gi World Champion 2015 IBJJF Black-Belt No-Gi World Champion 2014 Pan-Am No-Gi Champion Between 2013 and 2015 in 20 grappling matches only four total points scored against

Mixed martial arts record Win

Brandon Gaines Submission (kimura) KOTC: Aerial Assault

Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States Win

Marvin Babe Submission (armbar) KOTC: Bad Intentions 2

Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States Return to Middleweight. Loss

Quinn Mulhern Submission (omoplata) KOTC: Militia

Highland, California, United States Loss

Jean Silva KO (punches) Cage Rage 23

London, England Win

Adam DiSabato Submission (toe hold) GFC: Evolution

Columbus, Ohio, United States Loss

Tatsuya Kawajiri TKO (strikes) PRIDE Bushido 12

Nagoya, Japan Lightweight bout. Loss

Vítor Ribeiro Submission (swollen eye) GFC: Team Gracie vs Team Hammer House

Columbus, Ohio, United States Win

Shannon Ritch Submission (guillotine choke) RM 7: Championship Night

Tijuana, Mexico Win

Mark Moreno Submission (armbar) Extreme Wars - X-1

Honolulu, Hawaii, United States Loss

Daiju Takase Decision (unanimous) PRIDE Bushido 2

Yokohama, Japan Middleweight bout. Win

Eiji Mitsuoka Submission (kimura) PRIDE Bushido 1

Saitama, Japan Heavyweight bout. Win

Jason St. Louis Submission (armbar) Adrenaline Fighting Championships 1

Langley, British Columbia, Canada Loss

Rob Emerson Submission (achilles lock) Hitman Fighting 3

Santa Ana, California, United States Loss

Takaharu Murahama Submission (achilles lock) Shooto: 1/24 in Korakuen Hall

Tokyo, Japan Loss

Takanori Gomi Decision (unanimous) Shooto: Treasure Hunt 10

Yokohama, Japan Win

Shannon Ritch Submission (armbar) Aztec Challenge 1

Juárez, Mexico Loss

John Alessio TKO (punches) KOTC 15: Bad Intentions

San Jacinto, California, United States Win

Thomas Denny Submission (armbar) Gladiator Challenge 11

San Jacinto, California, United States Win

John Chrisostomo Submission (keylock) Warriors Quest 4: Genesis

Honolulu, Hawaii, United States Loss

Gil Castillo Decision (unanimous) UFC 35

Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Win

Steve Berger Decision (unanimous) KOTC 11: Domination

San Jacinto, California, United States Defended the KOTC Middleweight Championship. Win

Kevin Hogan Submission (armbar) KOTC 10: Critical Mass

San Jacinto, California, United States Won the inaugural KOTC Middleweight Championship. Win

Robert Wynne Submission (armbar) Reality Submission Fighting 1

Belleville, Illinois, United States Loss

Joe Hurley KO (elbows) KOTC 5: Cage Wars

San Jacinto, California, United States Lost the KOTC Middleweight Superfight Championship. Win

Antonio McKee KO (head kick) KOTC 3: Knockout Nightmare

San Jacinto, California, United States Defended the KOTC Middleweight Superfight Championship. Win

Joe Stevenson Submission (triangle choke) KOTC 1: Bas Rutten's King of the Cage

San Jacinto, California, United States Loss

Steve Gomm Submission (knees) Bas Rutten Invitational 3

Denver, Colorado, United States Win

Steve Horton Submission (guillotine choke) Extreme Challenge 22

West Valley City, Utah, United States Loss

Pat Miletich Submission (shoulder choke)

UFC 16 Welterweight Tournament Finals. Win

Courtney Turner Submission (armbar)

UFC 16 Welterweight Tournament Reserve Bout. Loss

Pat Miletich Decision (unanimous) Extreme Challenge Trials

Davenport, Iowa, United States Draw

Pat Miletich Draw Extreme Challenge 9

Davenport, Iowa, United States Win

Delcio Delcio Submission (guillotine choke) Carioca de Freestyle

Brazil Win

Steve Oliver Submission (rear-naked choke)

Win

Randal Kemp Submission (armbar)

Win

Scott Carter Submission (Peruvian necktie) Independent Event

California, United States