David Heath

David Alan Heath (born February 10, 1976) is an American former mixed martial artist who last competed in the Light Heavyweight division. A professional competitor since from 2003 until 2012, he fought for the UFC, MFC, and King of the Cage.

Mixed martial arts career Early career Heath began training in mixed martial arts in 2002 and made his professional debut in 2003. Heath compiled a record of 7-0, which included a win over Sean Salmon, while mostly fighting in his home-state of Oklahoma before being signed by the UFC.

UFC Heath made his debut for the organization at UFC 62 on August 26, 2006, against Cory Walmsley won the bout via rear-naked choke submission in the first round. Heath next fought at UFC Fight Night 7 against Canadian Victor Valimiki and won via split decision. Heath then fought against future UFC Light Heavyweight Champion against then-undefeated Lyoto Machida at UFC 70 in England. Heath was a replacement for Machida's original opponent, Forrest Griffin, who withdrew from the bout due to a nagging staph infection. Heath was handed his first professional loss via unanimous decision and the fight was pulled off the air, being replaced for more entertaining fights. Heath apologized in post-fight interview for a "boring" and "frustrating" performance, and also said that Machida has an "ultra-boring style" of fighting.

Heath then fought longtime veteran Renato Sobral at UFC 74. Prior to the fight, Heath taunted Sobral over his recent legal difficulties and then wore a shirt displaying Sobral's police mugshot to the Octagon. While angered by the display, Sobral defeated Heath by anaconda choke in the second round after horrifically beating and bloodying his opponent to the point of grotesquerie. Sobral continued to hold the choke for four seconds after Heath tapped out, which is illegal, and ignored the commands of referee Steve Mazzagatti, who tried to physically break the hold. Renato stated during the post-fight interview that "He (Heath) has to learn respect. He deserved that. He called me 'motherfucker'." Sobral also disregarded the boos from the over 11,000 fans, saying "The crowd didn't like it? Who cares! At least they had a reaction." Sobral was released from the UFC for his actions. In a later interview, Heath has stated that he does not hold a "grudge" against Sobral but is disappointed about the "black eye" that the sport of mixed martial arts suffered after the incident.

In his next bout for the UFC a year later, Heath fought Tim Boetsch at UFC 84 and was defeated in the first round after he was thrown against the cage and hit with numerous punches. Heath, having lost three consecutive fights, was released by the UFC.

Post-UFC After a TKO win, Heath was signed by the Canada-based MFC and lost his debut against current Bellator fighter, Emanuel Newton. Heath then bounced back with a win over former MFC Light Heavyweight Champion, Roger Hollett.

Heath lost his next two fights for the organization before defeating Solomon Hutcherson at MFC 26: Retribution via knockout from a superman punch. Heath lost his last appearance for the organization against Rodney Wallace before signing with King of the Cage.

King of the Cage Heath signed with King of the Cage and won his first two fights for the organization in 2012.

Mixed martial arts record Win

Chad Herrick Decision (split) KOTC: Unification

Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States Win

Sidiah Parker TKO (punches) KOTC: Breakthrough

Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States Loss

Rodney Wallace Decision (unanimous) MFC 27

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Return to Light Heavyweight. Win

Solomon Hutcherson KO (Superman punch) MFC 26: Retribution

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Middleweight debut. Win

Jason Kuchera TKO (strikes) Heat XC 5: Punishment

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Win

Jason Freeman KO (head kick) FCF: Freestyle Cage Fighting 38

Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States Loss

Mike Nickels Submission (rear-naked choke) MFC 22

Enoch, Alberta, Canada Win

Wayne Cole KO (punch) FCF: Freestyle Cage Fighting

Oklahoma, United States Win

Shawn Dezee KO (punches) FCF: Freestyle Cage Fighting

Durant, Oklahoma, United States Loss

Travis Galbraith Decision (split) MFC 21

Enoch, Alberta, Canada Win

Roger Hollett Submission (guillotine choke) MFC 20

Enoch, Alberta, Canada Loss

Emanuel Newton Submission (rear-naked choke) MFC 18: Famous

Enoch, Alberta, Canada Win

Shepard Owens TKO (punches) Freestyle Cage Fighting

Shawnee, Oklahoma, United States Loss

Tim Boetsch TKO (throw and punches) UFC 81

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Renato Sobral Technical Submission (anaconda choke) UFC 74

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Lyoto Machida Decision (unanimous) UFC 70

Manchester, England, United Kingdom Win

Victor Valimaki Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Sanchez vs. Riggs

San Diego, California, United States Win

Cory Walmsley Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC 62: Liddell vs. Sobral

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Sean Salmon Submission FF 5: Korea vs USA

McAllen, Texas, United States Win

Rob Wince TKO (doctor stoppage) FCF: Clash of the Titans

Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States Win

Chase Watson Submission (armbar) EFL: Battle at the Brady 4

Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States Win

Rudy Lindsey Submission EFL: Extreme Fighting League

Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States Win

Doug Sour Submission (achilles lock) KOTC 42: Buckeye Nuts

Concho, Oklahoma, United States Win

Rob Webb Decision EFL 12: Extreme Kickboxing 12

Dayton, Ohio, United States Win

Adam Gregg TKO (referee stoppage) Rock and Rumble 1

Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States