Paul Bradley

Paul Bradley (born June 13, 1983) is a retired American mixed martial artist who competed mostly in the Welterweight division. A professional competitor since 2006, Bradley has also fought in the Bellator MMA, UFC, Strikeforce, Shark Fights, King of the Cage, PFL, and was a contestant on The Ultimate Fighter: Team Rampage vs. Team Forrest.

Background Born and raised in Tama, Iowa, Bradley competed in wrestling at South Tama High School where he was a state champion in his senior season, in addition to runner-up finishes as a junior and sophomore. Bradley was also a Cadet National Champion as a freshman, and earned in two letters in football as well as one in baseball. In football, Bradley won All-Conference honors as a senior and compiled an overall record in wrestling of 168-18 before continuing his career at the University of Iowa. At Iowa, Bradley was a two-time All-American and finished as high as fourth at the NCAA Championships. After graduating, Bradley coached wrestling at the University of Buffalo and Indiana University before transitioning into mixed martial arts.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career Bradley started his career in 2006. He fought mainly for Indiana's promotion Legends of Fighting Championship. In March 2008, Bradley was announced as a cast member of The Ultimate Fighter.

The Ultimate Fighter Bradley was a contestant in The Ultimate Fighter: Team Rampage vs. Team Forrest. He defeated Reggie Orr during the entry via unanimous decision.

He was picked to be a member of Team Rampage, but had to leave the house due to a neck rash caused by herpes gladiatorum, which could possibly be transmitted to the other fighters.

Strikeforce Bradley made his debut against Levi Avera on September 25, 2009, at Strikeforce Challengers: Kennedy vs. Cummings. He won via unanimous decision.

Bradley faced Luke Rockhold on February 26, 2010, at Strikeforce Challengers: Kaufman vs. Hashi. He lost via TKO in the first round.

Ultimate Fighting Championship Bradley made his debut on short notice against Rafael Natal on August 6, 2011, at UFC 133. He lost via unanimous decision.

Bradley had a rematch against Mike Pierce on November 12, 2011, at UFC on Fox: Velasquez vs. dos Santos. He lost via split decision and was subsequently released from the promotion.

Bellator MMA Bradley made his promotional debut against Karl Amoussou on October 18, 2013, at Bellator 104. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

In March 2014, he entered into the Bellator Season 10 Welterweight Tournament. He faced Nathan Coy in the opening round on March 14, 2014, at Bellator 112 and lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Bradley faced Josh Neer in the main event at Bellator 129 on October 17, 2014. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Bradley faced Chris Honeycutt at Bellator 140 on July 17, 2015. The fight ended midway through the second round after an accidental clash of heads between the two fighters, resulting in a cut on Bradley that the doctor deemed too bad to allow the fighter to continue. The official result was a No Contest. A rematch with Honeycutt was held on January 29, 2016, at Bellator 148. Despite again being the betting underdog, Bradley won the bout via TKO early in the first round.

Championships and accomplishments

Amateur wrestling National Collegiate Athletic Association NCAA Division I All-American out of University of Iowa (2003–04) NCAA Division I 184 lb: Fourth place out of University of Iowa (2003) NCAA Division I 184 lb: Fifth place out of University of Iowa (2004) Big Ten Conference 184 lb: Runner-up out of University of Iowa (2003) Big Ten Conference 184 lb: Fourth place out of University of Iowa (2004) Big Ten Conference 184 lb: Seventh place out of University of Iowa (2005)

Mixed martial arts Ring of Combat ROC Middleweight Championship (One time)

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Handesson Ferreira TKO (punches) PFL 7

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Loss

João Zeferino TKO (punches) PFL 3

Washington, DC, United States Loss

Alexander Shlemenko Decision (unanimous) M-1 Challenge 75 - Shlemenko vs. Bradley

Moscow, Russia Loss

Yushin Okami Decision (split) WSOF 34

New York City, New York, United States Win

Chris Honeycutt TKO (punches) Bellator 148

Fresno, California, United States NC

Chris Honeycutt NC (accidental headbutt) Bellator 140

Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Win

Josh Neer Decision (unanimous) Bellator 129

Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States Loss

Nathan Coy Decision (unanimous) Bellator 112

Hammond, Indiana, United States Bellator Season 10 Welterweight Tournament Quarterfinal Win

Karl Amoussou Decision (unanimous) Bellator 104

Cedar Rapids, Iowa, United States Loss

Valdir Araújo Decision (split) CFA 8: Araújo vs. Bradley

Coral Gables, Florida, United States Win

Keith Smetana TKO (punches) Downtown Showdown 6

Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States Win

Ryan Braun Submission (arm-triangle choke) Downtown Showdown 4

Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States Loss

Mike Pierce Decision (split) UFC on Fox: Velasquez vs. dos Santos

Anaheim, California, United States Welterweight bout Loss

Rafael Natal Decision (unanimous) UFC 133

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States Middleweight bout Win

Eddie Larrea Submission (arm-triangle choke) Extreme Challenge 188

Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States Win

Kenneth Allen Submission (guillotine choke) Extreme Challenge 183

Black River Falls, Wisconsin, United States Win

Anton Tomash TKO (punches) Meskwaki Mayhem

Tama, Iowa, United States Win

Ted Worthington Submission (neck crank) CFX: Extreme Challenge on Target

Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States Win

Johnny Rees Submission (rear-naked choke) Shark Fights 13: Jardine vs Prangley

Amarillo, Texas, United States NC

Sam Alvey No contest (rainfall) KOTC: Chain Reaction

Lac du Flambeau, Wisconsin, United States Loss

Luke Rockhold TKO (knees to the body) Strikeforce Challengers: Kaufman vs. Hashi

San Jose, California, United States Win

Levi Avera Decision (unanimous) Strikeforce Challengers: Kennedy vs. Cummings

Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States 176 lb Catchweight bout Win

Leonardo Pecanha Decision (unanimous) UCFC: Rumble on the Rivers

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States Loss

Mike Pierce Decision (unanimous) RIE 2: Brotherly Love Brawl

Oaks, Pennsylvania, United States Win

Nathan Coy Decision (split) WCA: Pure Combat

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

Dante Rivera TKO (punches) Ring of Combat 22

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Won ROC Middleweight Championship Win

Patrick Horner Decision (unanimous) NAAFS: Caged Fury 5

Cleveland, Ohio, United States Win

De'marco Harris Decision (unanimous) Evening in the Cage 2

Fort Walton Beach, Florida, United States Win

D.J. Watkins TKO (punches) Destiny Fight 1

Fort Walton Beach, Florida, United States Win

Mike van Meer TKO (punches) Masters of the Cage 16

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States Win

Ryan Braun Submission (rear-naked choke) Title Fighting Championships

Des Moines, Iowa, United States Win

Troy King Decision (majority) LOF 15: Vengeance

Indianapolis, Indiana, United States Win

Joe Neace TKO (punches) LOF Revolution 4

Plainfield, Indiana, United States Win

Adam Stoup TKO (corner stoppage) LOF 12: Black Tie Battles

Indianapolis, Indiana, United States Win

James Powell Submission (guillotine choke) LOF: Fright Night

Indianapolis, Indiana, United States