Dave Jansen

David Hendrik Jansen (born August 21, 1979) is an American mixed martial artist who formerly competed in Bellator's Lightweight division. A professional competitor since 2007, Jansen has also formerly competed for the WEC and M-1 Global.

Background Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, Jansen competed in high school wrestling. Jansen won a state championship in 1997, and also finished third twice. Jansen received a full scholarship to continue wrestling at the University of Oregon but only spent two years in college, having become "burned out" with wrestling. Jansen later joined Team Quest and transitioned into mixed martial arts.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career Jansen held an undefeated amateur record of 6–0 before making his professional debut in September 2007, compiling a professional record of 12–0 with three appearances for the M-1 Global promotion before being signed by the WEC.

World Extreme Cagefighting Jansen defeated Richard Crunkilton via unanimous decision in his WEC debut at WEC 43 on October 10, 2009.

Jansen suffered his first professional loss against Kamal Shalorus on January 10, 2010, at WEC 46.

Jansen next fought Ricardo Lamas on August 18, 2010, at WEC 50. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

After his consecutive losses in the WEC, Jansen was released from the promotion.

Bellator Fighting Championships Jansen made his Bellator debut at Bellator 39, defeating Scott McAfee by first-round submission.

Jansen next defeated Ashkan Morvari via rear-naked choke submission in the second round at Bellator 57.

Jansen won his third straight Bellator fight when he defeated Jacob Kirwan via unanimous decision at Bellator 62.

Jansen faced Magomed Saadulaev in the quarterfinal round of the Bellator Lightweight Tournament on October 19, 2012, at Bellator LXXVII. He won the fight via guillotine choke in the third round. He faced Ricardo Tirloni in the semifinals on November 16, 2012, at Bellator 81. Jansen won via split decision to advance to the finals of the Bellator Lightweight Tournament.

Jansen was expected to face Marcin Held for the Season Seven Tournament Final at Bellator 84 but Held was not allowed in the Horseshoe casino, in Hammond, Indiana, where the event was being held since he was only 20 years old, and therefore the fight has been pushed to sometime during Bellator Fighting Championships: Season Eight.

The bout with Held was rescheduled for March 7, 2013, at Bellator 92. Jansen won the fight via unanimous decision to earn a Lightweight title shot.

Jansen was scheduled to face champion Michael Chandler for the title at Bellator 96 on June 19, 2013. However, on June 2, it was announced that Jansen had to pull out of the bout due to an injury.

After a long layoff from the Bellator cage, Jansen returned against Rick Hawn on October 24, 2014, at Bellator 130. He won via unanimous decision.

Jansen challenged Will Brooks for the Bellator Lightweight Championship on April 10, 2015, at Bellator 136. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

A rematch with Marcin Held took place on May 20, 2016, at Bellator 155. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

After two straight losses, Jansen was released from the promotion.

Personal life In 2007, Jansen's father died due to a car accident.

Championships and accomplishments Bellator MMA Bellator Season 2 Lightweight Tournament Winner

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Marcin Held Decision (unanimous) Bellator 155

Boise, Idaho, United States Loss

Will Brooks Decision (unanimous) Bellator 136

Irvine, California, United States Win

Rick Hawn Decision (unanimous) Bellator 130

Mulvane, Kansas, United States Win

Marcin Held Decision (unanimous) Bellator 93

Lewiston, Maine, United States Win

Ricardo Tirloni Decision (split) Bellator 81

Kingston, Rhode Island, United States Win

Magomed Saadulaev Submission (guillotine choke) Bellator 77

Reading, Pennsylvania, United States Win

Jacob Kirwan Decision (unanimous) Bellator 62

Laredo, Texas, United States Win

Ashkan Morvari Submission (rear-naked choke) Bellator 57

Rama, Ontario, Canada Win

Scott McAfee Submission (d'arce choke) Bellator 39

Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Loss

Ricardo Lamas Decision (unanimous) WEC 50

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Kamal Shalorus Decision (unanimous) WEC 46

Sacramento, California, United States Win

Richard Crunkilton Decision (unanimous) WEC 43

San Antonio, Texas, United States Win

Amirkhan Mazihov Submission (guillotine choke) M-1 Challenge 17: Korea

Seoul, South Korea Win

Yui Chul Nam Decision (unanimous) M-1 Challenge 14: Japan

Tokyo, Japan Win

Flavio Alvaro Decision (unanimous) M-1 Challenge 12: USA

Tacoma, Washington, United States Win

Matt Lee Submission (anaconda choke) World Cagefighting Alliance: Pure Combat

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

Corey Mahon Submission (rear-naked choke) District Combat Promotions: Battle at the Nation's Capital

Washington, D.C., United States Win

Sterling Ford Decision (unanimous) Sportfight 24: Domination

Portland, Oregon, United States Win

Bobby Corpuz Submission (rear-naked choke) Elite Warriors Championships

Salem, Oregon, United States Win

Dennis Davis Decision (unanimous) Banner Promotions: Night of Combat

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Tommy Truex TKO (punches) SportFight22: Re-Awakening

Portland, Oregon, United States Win

Jeremy Burnett Submission (anaconda choke) Sport Fight 21: Seasons Beatings

Portland, Oregon, United States Win

Dennis Parks Submission (guillotine choke) SF 20: Homecoming

Portland, Oregon, United States Win

Alejandro Alvarez Submission (anaconda choke) FCFF: Rumble at the Roseland 30

Portland, Oregon, United States