Clifford Starks

Clifford Bernard Starks (born April 25, 1981) is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Middleweight division for the World Series of Fighting. A professional competitor since 2009, he has formerly competed for the UFC, Bellator, and Shark Fights.

Background Starks was born in Pomona, California and attended Mountain Pointe High School in Phoenix, Arizona. At Mountain Pointe, Starks competed in wrestling, football, and track and field. Talented, Starks earned a total of ten varsity letters and won a state championship in wrestling. Starks later attended Mesa Community College where he competed in football and track and field until 2002 when he transferred to Arizona State University. At Arizona State, Starks competed for the school's NCAA Division I wrestling team alongside former UFC Heavyweight Champion Cain Velasquez and had a third-place finish in the PAC 10.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career Starks made his professional MMA debut in 2009 and fought primarily for the Rage in the Cage promotion in Arizona. He quickly amassed an undefeated record of 7-0 during the first two years of his career before joining the UFC.

Ultimate Fighting Championship Starks made his UFC debut less than two weeks removed from his last fight as a short-notice replacement for injured Brad Tavares against fellow UFC newcomer Dustin Jacoby at UFC 137. He won the fight via unanimous decision (30-27, 30–27, 30–27).

Starks next faced Ed Herman on February 4, 2012, at UFC 143. He lost the fight via submission in the second round.

Starks next faced Yoel Romero on April 20, 2013, at UFC on Fox 7. He lost the fight via KO in the first round and was subsequently released from the promotion.

Bellator MMA In September 2013, Starks made his debut for Bellator MMA. He faced Joe Yager at Bellator 100 and won the fight via unanimous decision.

Starks faced Kobe Ortiz on September 26, 2014, at Bellator 126. He won the fight via submission in the second round.

World Series of Fighting Starks made his debut at WSOF 19. He was originally scheduled to face Eddie Arizmendi on the card. However, a last minute card change the day of the event led to Starks facing Jake Heun on the main card. He won the fight via submission in the second round.

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Abdul-Rahman Dzhanaev Decision (majority) ACB 74: Aguev vs. Townsend

Vienna, Austria Win

Waylon Quotskuyva Submission (americana) Ringside Unified Fighting 22

Maricopa, Arizona, United States Won the RUF Light Heavyweight Championship. Loss

Albert Duraev Submission (rear-naked choke) ACB 67: Cooper vs. Berkhamov

Grozny, Russia Loss

David Branch Decision (unanimous) WSOF 30

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Krasimir Mladenov Decision (unanimous) WSOF 23

Phoenix, Arizona, United States Win

Mike Kyle Decision (unanimous) WSOF 22

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Jake Heun Submission (arm-triangle choke) WSOF 19

Phoenix, Arizona, United States Win

Kobe Ortiz Technical submission (guillotine choke) Bellator 126

Phoenix, Arizona, United States Win

Joe Yager Decision (unanimous) Bellator 100

Phoenix, Arizona, United States Loss

Yoel Romero KO (flying knee and punches) UFC on Fox: Henderson vs. Melendez

San Jose, California, United States Loss

Ed Herman Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC 143

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Dustin Jacoby Decision (unanimous) UFC 137

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Artenas Young Decision (unanimous) Shark Fights 20

Laughlin, Nevada, United States Win

Rudy Aguilar TKO (punches) Rage in the Cage 152

Chandler, Arizona, United States Win

Roe Harris KO (punch) Rage in the Cage 151

Chandler, Arizona, United States Win

Tony Johnson Decision (unanimous) MEZ Sports: Pandemonium 4

Riverside, California, United States Win

Mike Heidenreich TKO (punches) Rage in the Cage 144

Chandler, Arizona, United States Win

Reyes Ortiz Decision (split) Rage in the Cage 139

Tucson, Arizona, United States Win

Chad Menneke Submission (americana) Rage in the Cage 138

Mesa, Arizona, United States