Dennis Hallman

Dennis Lloyd Hallman (born December 2, 1975) is an American former professional mixed martial artist who competed from 1996 to 2015. A veteran of 75 fights, he competed in various promotions including the UFC, Strikeforce, IFL, the World Series of Fighting, Titan FC, Shooto, and King of the Cage. He is most notable for infamously sporting a blue speedo to the octagon in his UFC fight against Brian Ebersole. He is also notable for being the only fighter other than George St. Pierre and B.J. Penn to defeat former UFC Welterweight Champion Matt Hughes twice.

Background Hallman was born in Olympia, Washington, and began training when he was eight years old. He was on the Wrestling team at Yelm High School and won the 135-pound state championship in his senior year. Hallman had planned to continue his career at a community college, but broke his leg during the pre-season training, and had to be sidelined for the entire season. A former high school classmate was sending in video tapes to Battlecade and invited Hallman to fight him because Hallman was a well-known wrestler. Hallman won the fight by a guillotine choke, and his opponent's praise of Hallman's potential encouraged Hallman to pursue a career in MMA. Hallman had an exhibition match three weeks later against a Japanese fighter who was training with Matt Hume, which Hallman also won.

MMA career Ultimate Fighting Championship Two of Hallman's biggest achievements are his wins (both by submission in a combined 38 seconds) over UFC Hall of Famer and former welterweight champion Matt Hughes. Their first fight was in 1998 at Extreme Challenge 21, the second in December 2000 at UFC 29: Defense of the Belts.

Title shot After his second victory over Matt Hughes, Hallman moved down in weight and fought Hughes' teammate Jens Pulver for the lightweight UFC championship in September 2001. Both Hallman and Pulver wrestled at the high school level in Washington. Hallman claimed to know Pulver since high school and expressed dislike toward the fighter. Although Pulver denied knowing Hallman personally, he knew of Hallman through their state champion wrestling careers (at different weight classes).

During the fight Hallman attempted an armbar on Pulver (the same move he used to defeat Hughes in their second meeting), but Pulver countered the technique and followed with a left hook that landed flush on Hallman's chin, staggering him. Hallman was not able to recover completely from the blow, fighting very passively for the remainder of the bout (which eventually resulted in a unanimous decision loss). Hallman later stated in interviews that he simply wanted to survive the fight after receiving the blow.

Return to the UFC Hallman made his return to the UFC against John Howard on December 5, 2009, at The Ultimate Fighter 10 Finale. After controlling Howard on the ground for most of the bout, Hallman lost via KO at 4:55 of the third round.

Hallman then announced that he would try and move down to lightweight.

Hallman then signed to face Ben Saunders in a welterweight bout on August 7, 2010, at UFC 117. Hallman defeated Saunders via unanimous decision.

Hallman faced returning UFC veteran Karo Parisyan on November 20, 2010, at UFC 123. Hallman defeated Parisyan via TKO due to strikes in the first round after he dropped Parisyan with a stiff right, then finished with hammerfists.

Hallman was expected to face TJ Waldburger on March 26, 2011, at UFC Fight Night 24. However, Hallman was forced out of the bout with a knee injury and replaced by Johny Hendricks.

On January 15, 2011, it was announced that Hallman has extended his UFC contract for four additional UFC fights.

Hallman faced Brian Ebersole on August 6, 2011, at UFC 133. He lost the fight via TKO in the first round. Wearing particularly skimpy blue shorts during the fight, in a ground battle Hallman's left testicle was briefly exposed, eliciting chants of "Put some clothes on" from the crowd and call for regulation of fighter shorts from UFC President Dana White. Hallman has since stated that he wore the shorts as a result of losing a bet.

Hallman next faced John Makdessi on December 10, 2011, at UFC 140. In the lead up to the bout, Hallman missed the 156 pound weight limit by weighing in at 158.5, resulting in a fine and the fight being changed to a catchweight bout. Hallman defeated Makdessi via submission in the first round.

Hallman was expected to face Tony Ferguson on May 5, 2012, at UFC on Fox 3. However, Hallman was forced out of the bout with an injury and replaced by Thiago Tavares.

Hallman was expected to face Thiago Tavares on September 1, 2012, at UFC 151. However, after UFC 151 was cancelled, Hallman/Tavares was rescheduled to take place on October 5, 2012, at UFC on FX 5. After the weigh-ins of UFC on FX 5 Hallman was 7 lbs. over the 156 lb. weight limit and Tavares said if Hallman could make 3 lbs. over the weight limit he would agree to fight him but Hallman could not and the bout was scrapped from the card. Hallman said he missed weight because of personal issues at home and both him and Tavares were paid their show money. Hallman was released from the UFC for missing weight twice in a row.

World Series Of Fighting Hallman fought Jon Fitch on July 5, 2014, at World Series of Fighting 11: Gaethje vs. Newell. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

ProFC Hallman faced with Russian Hand-to-hand champion and former Bellator MMA fighter Michail Tsarev on November 1, 2014. He lost the fight via TKO.

League S-70 Hallman faced to Mikhail Kolobegov on August 29, 2015, at League S-70: Russia vs. World. He lost the fight via TKO (punches).

Boxing career Hallman made his professional boxing debut on August 23, 2014, in Tacoma, Washington, at the Emerald Queen Casino on the Battle at the Boat 97 card. As of May 2020, his professional boxing record stands at 1–3.

Personal life Hallman has three sons, Ryley, Richie, and Jayden and a daughter named Kylar, who was born in December 2008.

He has Celiac Disease, an autoimmune digestive reaction to gluten, which hindered his ability to recover properly from physical activities such as training and fighting.

Mixed martial arts Ultimate Fighting Championship UFC Encyclopedia Awards Submission of the Night (One time)

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Will Noland KO (punches) KOTC: Untamed

Worley, Idaho, United States Loss

Mikhail Kolobegov TKO (punches) League S-70: Russia vs. World

Sochi, Russia Loss

Albert Tadevosyan TKO (punches) MMA Summer Showdown 2

Tulalip, Washington, United States Loss

Yang Dongi TKO (punches) Top FC 6: Unbreakable Dream

Seoul, South Korea Loss

Michail Tsarev TKO (punches) ProFC 56: Baltic Challenge 6

Kaliningrad, Russia Loss

Jon Fitch Decision (unanimous) WSOF 11

Daytona Beach, Florida, United States Win

Aleksey Shapovalov Submission (rear-naked choke) Union of Veterans of Sport: Cup of Champions

Novosibirsk, Russia Win

Dan Hornbuckle Decision (majority) Titan FC 26

Kansas City, Missouri, United States Win

John Makdessi Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC 140

Toronto, Ontario, Canada Loss

Brian Ebersole TKO (elbows) UFC 133

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States Win

Karo Parisyan TKO (punches) UFC 123

Auburn Hills, Michigan, United States Win

Ben Saunders Decision (unanimous) UFC 117

Oakland, California, United States Loss

John Howard KO (punches) The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights Finale

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Justin Davis Submission (rear-naked choke) Strikeforce Challengers: Villasenor vs. Cyborg

Kent, Washington, United States Win

Danny Ruiz Submission (rear-naked choke) SRP: March Badness

Pensacola, Florida, United States Win

Jeremiah Metcalf Submission (heel hook) Strikeforce: Four Men Enter, One Man Survives

San Jose, California, United States Win

Dave Knight Submission (rear-naked choke) USA MMA: Rumble on the River 4

Fairbanks, Alaska, United States Win

Jeff Quinlan Decision (majority) IFL: Gracie vs. Miletich

Moline, Illinois, United States Loss

Ryan McGivern Decision (unanimous) IFL: Championship 2006

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

Delson Heleno DQ (illegal kick) IFL: Legends Championship 2006

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

Ray Perales Submission (rear-naked choke) Valor Fighting: Showdown at Cache Creek

Brooks, California, United States Loss

Jorge Rivera Decision (unanimous) UFC 55

Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Win

Nick Tyree Submission (guillotine choke) Valor Fighting: Medford Mayhem

Medford, Oregon, United States Loss

Ansar Chalangov TKO (corner stoppage) Euphoria: USA vs. Russia

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

Cedric Marks Submission (triangle choke) XFC: Dome of Destruction 2

Tacoma, Washington, United States Win

Rory Singer Submission (rear-naked choke) AFC 11: Absolute Fighting Championships 11

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States Win

Ross Ebañez Submission (rear-naked choke) ROTR 6: Rumble on the Rock 6

Honolulu, Hawaii, United States Win

Landon Showalter Submission (triangle choke) SF 7: Frightnight

Gresham, Oregon, United States Win

Mike Seal Submission (rear-naked choke) SF 6: Battleground in Reno

Reno, Nevada, United States Loss

Frank Trigg TKO (punches) UFC 48

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Rob Mendez Submission (rear-naked choke) USA MMA: Extreme Cage Combat

Shelton, Washington, United States Win

Jason Stumpf Submission (triangle choke) URC 7: Ultimate Ring Challenge 7

Yelm, Washington, United States Draw

J.T. Taylor Draw DB 9: DesertBrawl 9

Bend, Oregon, United States Win

Ray Cooper Submission (guillotine choke) Rumble on the Rock 4

Honolulu, Hawaii, United States Loss

Drew Fickett Decision (split) KOTC 28: More Punishment

Reno, Nevada, United States Win

Brandon Olsen Submission (armbar) AOW: Art of War 2

Kalispell, Montana, United States Win

Chris Irvine Submission (rear-naked choke) URC 5: Ultimate Ring Challenge 5

Lacey, Washington, United States Win

Lee Henderson TKO (punches) XRW: Xtreme Ring Wars 2

Pasco, Washington, United States Win

Vince Guzman Submission (rear-naked choke) XRW: Xtreme Ring Wars 1

Wenatchee, Washington, United States Draw

Ronald Jhun Draw KOTC 19: Street Fighter

San Jacinto, California, United States Loss

Frank Trigg TKO (punches) WFA 3: Level 3

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Betiss Mansouri Submission (triangle choke) KOTC 18: Sudden Impact

Reno, Nevada, United States Win

Adam Oliver Submission (rear-naked choke) UFCF: Rumble in Rochester

Rochester, Washington, United States Win

Gary Dobbins Submission (rear-naked choke) PPKA: Road to Victory

Longview, Washington, United States Win

Chris Silva Submission (armbar) URC 2: Ultimate Ring Challenge 2

Olympia, Washington, United States NC

Denis Kang No Contest WFF 1: World Freestyle Fighting 1

Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada Win

Buck Greer Decision (split) UA 2: The Gathering

Cabazon, California, United States Win

Mathias Hughes Submission (rear-naked choke) MFC 3: Canadian Pride

Grande Prairie, Alberta Loss

Amaury Bitetti Decision (split) Shogun 1: Shogun 1

Honolulu, Hawaii, United States Loss

Jens Pulver Decision (unanimous) UFC 33

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Earl Thompson Submission (rear-naked choke) PPKA: Muckelshoot

Auburn, Washington, United States Win

Dan Shenk Submission (rear-naked choke) AMC: Revenge of the Warriors

Rochester, Washington, United States Win

Eric Dahlberg KO (punch) RITR 2: Rumble in the Ring 2

Auburn, Washington, United States Win

Brent Russell Submission (americana) AMC: Return of the Gladiators 3

Rochester, Washington, United States Win

Matt Hughes Submission (armbar) UFC 29

Tokyo, Japan Win

Jordon Klimp Decision (unanimous) UFCF: Tornado Challenge

Yelm, Washington, United States Win

Jeff Sears Submission (rear-naked choke) PPKA: Wenatchee Rumble

Wenatchee, Washington, United States Win

Murrey Sholtey TKO (punches) AMC: Return of the Gladiators 1

Rochester, Washington, United States Loss

Paul Rodriguez KO (punch) HOOKnSHOOT: Meltdown

Evansville, Indiana, United States Loss

Caol Uno Decision (unanimous) Shooto: R.E.A.D. 3

Osaka, Japan Win

Danny Bennett Technical Submission (armbar) UFCF: Battle in Bellevue 2

Bellevue, Washington, United States Loss

Dave Menne Decision (unanimous) Shooto: 10th Anniversary Event

Yokohama, Japan Win

Danny Bennett Submission (americana) UFCF: Battle in Bellevue 1

Bellevue, Washington, United States Loss

Mike McClure Decision (unanimous) EC 23: Extreme Challenge 23

Indianapolis, Indiana, United States Win

Gerrald Ballinger Submission (armbar) URC 1: Ultimate Ring Challenge 1

Wenatchee, Washington, United States Win

Matt Hughes Technical Submission (guillotine choke)

Win

Shannon Ritch Submission (punches)

Win

Allan Mollring Submission (armbar)

Win

Phil Johns Submission (guillotine choke) EC 20: Extreme Challenge 20

Davenport, Iowa, United States Win

Leigh Remedios Submission (kimura) UWC: Ultimate Warrior Challenge

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Win

Ulan Moore Submission (rear-naked choke) UFCF: Night of Champions

Washington Win

Sean Haley Submission (bulldog choke) EC 21: Extreme Challenge 21

Washington Win

Jose De La Cruz Submission (americana) TS: Tae Sho

Tacoma, Washington, United States Win

Zack Gross Decision (unanimous) UFCF: Clash of the Titans

Washington Win

Hiroki Noritsugi Decision (unanimous)

Win

Hiroki Noritsugi Submission (guillotine choke)

Professional boxing record