Dan Christison

Daniel Bernard "The Sandman" Christison (born April 26, 1972) is a retired American mixed martial artist. A professional from 2001 until 2010, he fought for the San Jose Razorclaws of the International Fight League, the Ultimate Fighting Championship, WEC, and was also a cast member on the second season of The Ultimate Fighter as part of Team Hughes. He is the former WEC Super Heavyweight Champion.

Background

Christison was born and raised in Los Angeles, California and had a rough upbringing which fueled his interest to begin mixed martial arts. He studied traditional Chinese martial arts before learning Brazilian jiu-jitsu and then transitioned into mixed martial arts. He can claim both Hispanic and Native American ancestry.

Mixed martial arts career At 6'8" and 265 lbs, Christison was a Heavyweight who fought chiefly with a submission wrestling style. Christison fought out of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Christison became a contestant on the second season of The Ultimate Fighter after Kerry Schall was forced to withdraw due to injury (Christison's dramatic submission win over Ben Rothwell at Euphoria 3 in Atlantic City on February 26, 2005 is widely cited as the reason for Christison being chosen to replace Schall). Nicknamed "Big Dan" (a nickname given to him by Dana White during the show) Christison and Dan "The Sandman" Christison, he lost his first fight on the show, a quarterfinal match with Seth Petruzelli in which Christison lost by unanimous decision after he had inadvertently kicked Petruzelli twice in the groin area.

Christison was member of Team Hughes on TUF 2. Along with fellow former Ultimate Fighter competitors Keith Jardine, Joe Stevenson and Rashad Evans, he trained in Albuquerque under the instruction of coach Greg Jackson.

Christison was 0-6 lifetime in fights that went to a decision (not counting the loss to Petruzelli which is officially classed as an exhibition bout) and 20-1 in fights that were decided by knockout or submission (the lone loss coming via a doctor stoppage).

Christison and his wife, the former Kyria McBrayer, have (as of July 2024) a 13 year-old son, (John) Rylan. The family resides in Dale, Indiana, near where Mrs. Christison was born and raised.

Championships and accomplishments Ultimate Fighting Championship Fight of the Night (One time) vs. Brad Imes Submission of the Night (One time) vs. Brad Imes UFC.com Awards 2006: Ranked #8 Submission of the Year & Ranked #9 Fight of the Year

Mixed martial arts record Win

Mike Wessel Submission (kimura) CFC 4: Wessel vs. Christison

Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Win

Rodrigo Munduruca KO (punches) Canadian Fighting Championship 3

Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Win

Jim Davis TKO (submission to punches) ICF: Intimidation Cage Fighting 17

Florence, Kentucky, United States Win

Joel Traves TKO (punches) Steele Cage MMA: Battle of the Texas Titans

Frisco, Texas, United States Loss

Márcio Cruz Decision (unanimous) ICF: Breakout

Cincinnati, Ohio, United States Win

Brion Peoples TKO (submission to punches) ICF: Turfwar

Florence, Kentucky, United States Win

Steve Banks Submission (omoplata) Intimidation Cage Fighting: Redemption

Florence, Kentucky, United States Win

Nedius Huitt TKO (submission to punches) ICF: Vendetta

Florence, Kentucky, United States Win

Charles McVey KO (punches) Warrior MMA: Consequences

Elizabethtown, Kentucky, United States Win

Sam Holloway Submission (armbar) AFL: Bulletproof

Atlanta, Georgia, United States Win

John LeBlanc TKO (punches) AFL: Eruption

Lexington, Kentucky, United States Win

Derek Sawyer TKO (punches) RFL: Revolution Fight League I

Louisville, Kentucky, United States Win

Johnathon Wesson Decision (unanimous) RITC 103: USA vs Brazil

Fountain Hills, Arizona, United States Loss

Antoine Jaoude Decision (unanimous) IFL: Chicago

Chicago, Illinois, United States Loss

Krzysztof Soszynski Decision (unanimous) IFL: Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California, United States Loss

Frank Mir Decision (unanimous) UFC 61: Bitter Rivals

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Brad Imes Submission (armbar) UFC Fight Night 4

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Fight of the Night and Submission of the Night. Win

Jimmy Ambriz Submission (verbal) IFC WC 19: Warriors Challenge 19

Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, United States Win

Ben Rothwell Submission (kimura) Euphoria: USA vs World

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

Andre Roberts Submission (armbar) WEC 13

Lemoore, California, United States Won the vacant WEC Super Heavyweight Championship. Win

Lemuel Vincent TKO (strikes) KOTC: New Mexico

Albuquerque, New Mexico Win

Jimmy Westfall TKO (punches) POA: Pride of Albuquerque

Albuquerque, New Mexico Loss

Dan Severn Decision (split) KOTC 24: Mayhem

Albuquerque, New Mexico Loss

Eric Pele TKO (strikes) KOTC 23: Sin City

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States For the vacant KOTC Super Heavyweight Championship. Win

Albert Lopez Submission (rear-naked choke) Triple Threat: Fight Night 1

Albuquerque, New Mexico Loss

Dan Severn Decision AC 1: Aztec Challenge 1

Ciudad Juarez, Mexico Win

Gabe Beauperthy Submission GC 5: Rumble in the Rockies

Denver, Colorado, United States