Erik Paulson

Erik Paulson (born June 28, 1966) is an American mixed martial artist. He is the first American to win the World Light Heavyweight Shooto Championship in Japan.

Biography Erik started his career in martial arts starting with Judo at age of eight. He later took up Taekwondo, Boxing, Aikido, Wrestling, and Jujutsu. Many years after, he moved to California and became a student under Dan Inosanto, Gene Lebell, and Benny Urquidez, learning styles like Karate, Jeet Kune Do, Savate, Kali, Kung Fu, Sambo, Muay Thai, Chin Na, Dumog, Panantukan, and Silat. Upon returning to Inosanto's academy, he met Yorinaga Nakamura, who taught him Shoot Wrestling. Paulson also trained extensively in Catch Wrestling under Billy Robinson. Paulson got hooked with the style, and through Nakamura he got in touch with Satoru Sayama in order to fight in Shooto. In 1993, Erik had his first fight there, submitting Kazuhiro Kusayanagi. He also asked to compete in Ultimate Fighting Championship, but the Gracies refused as Royce was already going to compete there, so Paulson ended up cornering him instead. He also has a younger brother, Leif Paulson, who is an up-and-coming grappler in his own right.

He wrestled for Inoki Genome Federation in 2008.

Erik played Kumite fighter Stellio in Bloodsport III, where his character faced Alex Cardo played by Daniel Bernhardt. He trained Djimon Hounsou in Shoot Wrestling for his role of Mixed Martial Arts instructor Jean Roqua in the 2008 action drama Never Back Down.

Championships and accomplishments Shooto Shooto Light Heavyweight Championship

Mixed martial arts record Win

Jeff Ford Submission (armbar) HDNF 1: HD Net Fights

Dallas, Texas, United States Win

Ronald Jhun Decision (unanimous) SB 17: SuperBrawl 17

Honolulu, Hawaii, United States Welterweight bout. Win

Masanori Suda TKO (punches) Shooto: Las Grandes Viajes 5

Tokyo, Japan Middleweight bout. Loss

Carlos Newton Submission (armbar) VTJ 1997: Vale Tudo Japan 1997

Urayasu, Japan Loss

Paul Jones Decision (majority) Shooto: Reconquista 3

Tokyo, Japan Draw

Paul Jones Draw EF 4: Extreme Fighting 4

Des Moines, Iowa, United States Win

Stuart Harrison Submission (armbar) Shooto: Reconquista 1

Tokyo, Japan Loss

Matt Hume TKO (cut) EF 3: Extreme Fighting 3

Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States Light Heavyweight debut. Win

Kenji Kawaguchi Submission (toe hold) Shooto: Vale Tudo Junction 3

Tokyo, Japan Win

Todd Bjornethun Submission (guillotine choke) Shooto: Vale Tudo Junction 1

Tokyo, Japan Middleweight bout. Loss

James Warring TKO (corner stoppage) WCC 1: First Strike

Charlotte, North Carolina, United States Heavyweight bout. Win

Sean McCully TKO (submission to strikes) WCC 1: First Strike

Charlotte, North Carolina, United States Heavyweight bout. Win

Yasunori Okuda Technical submission (keylock) Shooto: Vale Tudo Perception

Tokyo, Japan Win

Ben Spijkers Submission (guillotine choke) Shooto: Complete Vale Tudo Access

Saitama, Japan Win

Kenji Kawaguchi Technical submission (armbar) Shooto: Vale Tudo Access 2

Tokyo, Japan Welterweight debut. Draw

Naoki Sakurada Draw Shooto: Shooto

Tokyo, Japan Win

Kazuhiro Kusayanagi Submission (triangle choke) Shooto: Shooto

Tokyo, Japan Submission grappling record Result Opponent Method Event Date Round Time