Ryan Jensen

Ryan James Jensen (born September 20, 1977) is an American mixed martial artist who competed in the Middleweight division. A professional competitor from 1997 until 2015, he competed for the UFC, Bellator, and Strikeforce.

Mixed martial arts career Background Jensen began training at the age of 15, under UFC 3 winner Steve Jennum. Following his first fight against Travis Fulton in February 1997, he did not compete again until June 2002. Jensen quit his day job in November 2006, and since then has been training and fighting full-time.

Ultimate Fighting Championship His UFC debut was on August 25, 2007 at UFC 74; his initial opponent was supposed be Travis Lutter, however Lutter was forced to withdraw due to injury. Instead, Jensen faced late replacement Thales Leites and after a strong start, got caught by an armbar submission in the first round. He followed this up with another loss to Demian Maia before leaving the UFC.

On March 29, 2008, Jensen accepted a fight against Joey Villasenor on four days notice in the Strikeforce promotion. Again, after a strong start, Jensen lost by KO with 15 seconds remaining in the first round at Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Le.

Since then, Jensen rebounded with a first round TKO over Mitch Whitesel at SportFight 23 in June 2008, as well as a first round submission victory over Aaron Praschack due to strikes in VFC 23.

Jensen then returned to the UFC and was defeated by Wilson Gouveia at UFC Fight Night: Diaz vs Neer via submission (armbar).

This was followed up by a win over Steve Steinbeiss at UFC Fight Night: Diaz vs. Guillard via first round technical submission.

Jensen faced Mark Muñoz at UFC 108 on January 2, 2010. He lost the fight via submission (punches) at the 2:30 mark of the first round.

Jensen faced Jesse Forbes at UFC 114 on May 29, 2010. He defeated Forbes by guillotine choke submission in the first round.

Jensen fought Court McGee at UFC 121. He lost the fight via arm triangle choke in the third round.

Jensen was defeated by Jason MacDonald via first round submission at UFC 129 and was subsequently released from the promotion.

Post-UFC One year after his UFC release, Jensen returned to MMA and faced Jason Louck at Disorderly Conduct: Warriors on May 19, 2012. He won the fight via a guillotine choke submission.

He then faced Rudy Bears in the main event of Victory Fighting Championship 39 on March 30, 2013. Jensen won the fight via first round TKO.

Jensen faced Victor Moreno at Victory Fighting Championship 40 on July 27, 2013. He won the fight via guillotine choke submission.

Jensen then faced Ryan McClain at Victory Fighting Championship 42 on March 15, 2014. He won the fight via first round TKO.

Bellator MMA After compiling a 4-0 record on the regional MMA circuit, Jensen made his Bellator MMA debut on April 18, 2014 at Bellator 117. He defeated Mark Stoddard by submission in the first round.

Personal life Jensen and his wife have two daughters.

Championships and accomplishments Ultimate Fighting Championship Submission of the Night (One time) vs. Jesse Forbes

Mixed martial arts record Win

Matt Jones TKO (punches) VFC 45

Ralston, Nebraska, United States Catchweight (180 lbs) bout. Win

Mark Stoddard Submission (arm-triangle choke) Bellator 117

Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States Catchweight (175 lbs) bout. Win

Ryan McClain TKO (punches) VFC 42

Omaha, Nebraska, United States Win

Victor Moreno Submission (guillotine choke) VFC 40

Omaha, Nebraska, United States Win

Rudy Bears TKO (punches) VFC 39

Omaha, Nebraska, United States Win

Jason Louck Submission (guillotine choke) Disorderly Conduct: Warriors

Omaha, Nebraska, United States Loss

Jason MacDonald Submission (triangle choke) UFC 129

Toronto, Ontario, Canada Loss

Court McGee Submission (arm-triangle choke) UFC 121

Anaheim, California, United States Win

Jesse Forbes Submission (guillotine choke) UFC 114

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Mark Muñoz TKO (submission to punches) UFC 108

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Steve Steinbeiss Technical submission (guillotine choke) UFC Fight Night: Diaz vs. Guillard

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States Loss

Wilson Gouveia Submission (armbar) UFC Fight Night: Diaz vs Neer

Omaha, Nebraska, United States Win

Aaron Praschak TKO (punches) Victory Fighting Championships 24

Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States Win

Mitch Whitesel TKO (punches) SportFight 23

Portland, Oregon, United States Loss

Joey Villaseñor KO (punch) Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Le

San Jose, California, United States Loss

Demian Maia Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC 77

Cincinnati, Ohio, United States Loss

Thales Leites Submission (armbar) UFC 74

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Curtis Stout Submission (triangle choke) VFC 19: Inferno

Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States Win

Alfred Escobedo Submission (punches) IFC: Road to Global Domination

Belton, Texas, United States Win

BJ Lacy TKO (punches) IFC: Rumble on the River 2

Kearney, Nebraska, United States Win

Rob Kimmons Submission (choke) VFC 14: Aggression

Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States Win

Marlon Sims Submission (rear-naked choke) IFC: Caged Combat

Sacramento, California, United States Win

Danny Anderson TKO (punches) VFC 10: Championship X

Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States Loss

Brock Larson TKO (submission to punches) Extreme Challenge 63

Hayward, Wisconsin, United States Win

Neal Rowe Submission (rear-naked choke) Extreme Challenge 63

Hayward, Wisconsin, United States Win

Tyrone Roberts Submission (triangle choke) Victory Fighting Championships 5

Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States Win

Josh Stamp TKO (punches) VFC 2: Bragging Rights

Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States Win

Brian Robinson TKO (submission to punches) Victory Fighting Championships 1

Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States Win

Travis Fulton Submission (triangle choke) Extreme Challenge 4

Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States