Marcus LeVesseur

Marcus LeVesseur (born July 17, 1982) is a retired American mixed martial artist who competed in the Lightweight division. A professional competitor since 2003, he competed for the UFC and Adrenaline MMA. As a collegiate wrestler, LeVesseur was the only four-time undefeated NCAA Division III National Champion in history, and one of the three to do so across all three NCAA divisions. Only Cael Sanderson of Division I - Iowa State University (159-0), Joey Davis of Division II - Notre Dame College (133-0), and Marcus LeVesseur of Division III - Augsburg University (155-0) have completed their collegiate careers as undefeated, four-time NCAA champions.

Background Born and raised in Minneapolis, LeVesseur began wrestling at the age of five and went on to become a four-time State Champion at Roosevelt High School, and spent his senior year at Bloomington Kennedy High School. LeVesseur, who was also a talented football player as a quarterback and competed in track and field, had a 141-match win streak heading into college, and holds the high school wrestling state record for most wins, including one over future Olympian and Bellator Welterweight Champion, Ben Askren. LeVesseur, who also excelled academically, was offered a scholarship to compete at the University of Minnesota, but transferred to NCAA Division III Augsburg College before beginning his freshman season for Minnesota. As a college wrestler, LeVesseur was undefeated and untied, with a record of 155–0. He won four NCAA Division III Championships individually, and was a member of two teams that won National Championships. For his performance in 2005, he received the Wade Schalles Award for best collegiate pinner. Since his last loss in high school competition LeVesseur compiled an amateur wrestling record of 296–0 through his senior year at Augsburg. He is only the second college wrestler ever to finish his career unbeaten and untied, with a 155–0 career record (Cael Sanderson was the first with a 159–0 record; Joey Davis has since joined them with a 133-0 record). LeVesseur ended his high school wrestling career 141-match unbeaten streak, which when combined with his unbeaten college career was 296–0. LeVesseur also continued with football at Augsburg, breaking multiple touchdown and rushing records for the conference and school as a quarterback.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career LeVesseur made his MMA debut in 2003 against Doug Henkey. He won via KO 44 seconds into round one and went on to compiled a record of 21-5 while competing for regional promotions.

Ultimate Fighting Championship In April 2012, LeVesseur signed a four-fight deal with the UFC. He made his debut as a replacement for Aaron Riley against Cody McKenzie on May 15, 2012 at UFC on Fuel TV: Korean Zombie vs. Poirier. He lost the fight via submission in the first round.

LeVesseur defeated Carlo Prater on October 5, 2012 at UFC on FX 5 via split decision.

LeVesseur was expected to face Michael Chiesa on December 8, 2012 at UFC on Fox 5, replacing an injured Rafaello Oliveira. However, the week of the event, Chiesa was forced out of the bout with LeVesseur with an undisclosed illness and the bout was scrapped altogether. Then on the day of the weigh-ins for the event, Tim Means was forced from his bout with Abel Trujillo after sustaining a head injury caused by a fall in a hotel sauna and LeVesseur stepped up to face Trujillo. He lost the fight via TKO in the second round and was subsequently released from the promotion.

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Abel Trujillo TKO (knees to the body) UFC on Fox: Henderson vs. Diaz

Seattle, Washington, United States Win

Carlo Prater Decision (split) UFC on FX: Browne vs. Bigfoot

Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States Loss

Cody McKenzie Submission (guillotine choke) UFC on Fuel TV: Korean Zombie vs. Poirier

Fairfax, Virginia, United States Win

Taurean Bogguess Decision (unanimous) MSC: High Stakes

Hinckley, Minnesota, United States Win

Brian Geraghty TKO (punches) Seconds Out/Vivid MMA: Combat on Capitol Hill 5

St. Paul, Minnesota, United States Win

Dane Sayers Decision (unanimous) Showdown at the Sheraton

St. Paul, Minnesota, United States Loss

Dakota Cochrane Submission (triangle choke) Combat on Capitol Hill 4

St. Paul, Minnesota, United States Win

Josh Bumgarner Submission (rear-naked choke) Combat on Capitol Hill 3

St. Paul, Minnesota, United States Win

Morrison Lamb TKO (doctor stoppage) Combat on Capitol Hill 2

St. Paul, Minnesota, United States Win

Jay Ellis KO (punches) ECO: Extreme Cagefighting Organization 6

Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, United States Loss

Jason Buck TKO (punches) Havoc at the Hyatt II

Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States Win

Mike Plazola Submission (rear-naked choke) Havoc at the Hyatt

Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States Win

Bruce Johnson Submission (rear-naked choke) Seconds Out 11/20/09

St. Paul, Minnesota, United States Win

Eric Marriott Decision (unanimous) Seconds Out 2/13/09

Maplewood, Minnesota, United States Win

RT Hicks KO (punch) MCS: Minnesota Combat Sports

St. Paul, Minnesota, United States Loss

Brian Cobb Submission (rear-naked choke) War Gods: Do or Die

Fresno, California, United States Win

Ismael Gonzalez Submission (rear-naked choke) WG: War Gods

Fresno, California, United States Win

Henry King Submission (rear-naked choke) MF 4: Max Fights 4

Fargo, North Dakota, United States Loss

Tom Belt TKO (punches) Adrenaline MMA: Guida vs Russow

Chicago, Illinois, United States Win

Johnny Case KO (punch) SO: Seconds Out

St. Paul, Minnesota, United States Win

Jesse Evans Submission (rear-naked choke) MF 3: Max Fights 3

Fargo, North Dakota, United States Loss

Derek Abram TKO (knee injury) UCS: Battle on the Bay 9

Superior, Wisconsin, United States Win

Mike Sanchez TKO (punches) FCC 31: Freestyle Combat Challenge 31

Kenosha, Wisconsin, United States Win

Richard Silva Submission (rear-naked choke) WFC - Downtown Throwdown

Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States Win

Josh Marker TKO (doctor stoppage) EFX: Fury

Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States Win

Billy Walters KO (punches) EFX: Fury

Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States Win

Jaxson Mason Decision (unanimous) EFX: Fury

Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States Win

Yancy Cueller TKO (punches) EFX: EFX

Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States Win

Doug Henkey KO (punch) EC: Best of the Best 1

Fridley, Minnesota, United States