Daniel Bernard "The Sandman" Christison (born April 26, 1972) is a retired American mixed martial artist. A professional from 2001 until 2010, he fought for the San Jose Razorclaws of the International Fight League, the Ultimate Fighting Championship, WEC, and was also a cast member on the second season of The Ultimate Fighter as part of Team Hughes. He is the former WEC Super Heavyweight Champion.

Dan Christison
Born (1972-04-26) April 26, 1972 (age 51)
Los Angeles, California, United States
Other namesThe Sandman
NationalityAmerican
Height6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
Weight265 lb (120 kg; 18.9 st)
DivisionSuper Heavyweight
Heavyweight
Reach85 in (216 cm)[1]
Fighting out ofAlbuquerque, New Mexico
TeamJackson's Mixed Martial Arts
Years active2001–2010
Mixed martial arts record
Total27
Wins20
By knockout8
By submission12
Losses7
By knockout1
By decision6
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Background edit

Christison was born and raised in Los Angeles, California and had a rough upbringing which fueled his interest to begin mixed martial arts. He studied traditional Chinese martial arts before learning Brazilian jiu-jitsu and then transitioned into mixed martial arts. He can claim both Hispanic and Native American ancestry.

Mixed martial arts career edit

At 6'8" and 265 lbs, Christison was a Heavyweight who fought chiefly with a submission wrestling style.[citation needed] Christison fought out of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Christison became a contestant on the second season of The Ultimate Fighter after Kerry Schall was forced to withdraw due to injury (Christison's dramatic submission win over Ben Rothwell at Euphoria 3 in Atlantic City on February 26, 2005 is widely cited as the reason for Christison being chosen to replace Schall). Nicknamed "Big Dan" (a nickname given to him by Dana White during the show) Christison and Dan "The Sandman" Christison, he lost his first fight on the show, a quarterfinal match with Seth Petruzelli in which Christison lost by unanimous decision after he had inadvertently kicked Petruzelli twice in the groin area.

Christison was member of Team Hughes on TUF 2. Along with fellow former Ultimate Fighter competitors Keith Jardine, Joe Stevenson and Rashad Evans, he trained in Albuquerque under the instruction of coach Greg Jackson.[2]

Christison was 0-6 lifetime in fights that went to a decision (not counting the loss to Petruzelli which is officially classed as an exhibition bout) and 20-1 in fights that were decided by knockout or submission (the lone loss coming via a doctor stoppage).

Christison and his wife, the former Kyria McBrayer, have (as of March 2023) a 12-year-old son, (John) Rylan. The family resides in Dale, Indiana, near where Mrs. Christison was born and raised.

Championships and accomplishments edit

Mixed martial arts record edit

Professional record breakdown
27 matches 20 wins 7 losses
By knockout 8 1
By submission 12 0
By decision 0 6
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 20–7 Mike Wessel Submission (kimura) CFC 4: Wessel vs. Christison February 26, 2010 3 3:56 Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Win 19–7 Rodrigo Munduruca KO (punches) Canadian Fighting Championship 3 November 14, 2009 2 0:18 Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Win 18–7 Jim Davis TKO (submission to punches) ICF: Intimidation Cage Fighting 17 October 31, 2009 1 2:21 Florence, Kentucky, United States
Win 17–7 Joel Traves TKO (punches) Steele Cage MMA: Battle of the Texas Titans June 11, 2009 1 2:16 Frisco, Texas, United States
Loss 16–7 Márcio Cruz Decision (unanimous) ICF: Breakout April 11, 2009 3 5:00 Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
Win 16–6 Brion Peoples TKO (submission to punches) ICF: Turfwar March 14, 2009 1 0:36 Florence, Kentucky, United States
Win 15–6 Steve Banks Submission (omoplata) Intimidation Cage Fighting: Redemption November 22, 2008 1 4:29 Florence, Kentucky, United States
Win 14–6 Nedius Huitt TKO (submission to punches) ICF: Vendetta October 25, 2008 1 0:45 Florence, Kentucky, United States
Win 13–6 Charles McVey KO (punches) Warrior MMA: Consequences September 13, 2008 1 1:46 Elizabethtown, Kentucky, United States
Win 12–6 Sam Holloway Submission (armbar) AFL: Bulletproof May 30, 2008 1 0:50 Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Win 11–6 John LeBlanc TKO (punches) AFL: Eruption March 7, 2008 2 4:02 Lexington, Kentucky, United States
Win 10–6 Derek Sawyer TKO (punches) RFL: Revolution Fight League I December 1, 2007 1 0:50 Louisville, Kentucky, United States
Win 9–6 Johnathon Wesson Decision (unanimous) RITC 103: USA vs Brazil November 16, 2007 3 4:00 Fountain Hills, Arizona, United States
Loss 8–6 Antoine Jaoude Decision (unanimous) IFL: Chicago May 19, 2007 3 4:00 Chicago, Illinois, United States
Loss 8–5 Krzysztof Soszynski Decision (unanimous) IFL: Los Angeles March 17, 2007 3 4:00 Los Angeles, California, United States
Loss 8–4 Frank Mir Decision (unanimous) UFC 61: Bitter Rivals July 8, 2006 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 8–3 Brad Imes Submission (armbar) UFC Fight Night 4 April 6, 2006 3 3:37 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Fight of the Night and Submission of the Night.
Win 7–3 Jimmy Ambriz Submission (verbal) IFC WC 19: Warriors Challenge 19 March 26, 2005 2 0:55 Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, United States
Win 6–3 Ben Rothwell Submission (kimura) Euphoria: USA vs World February 26, 2005 3 0:57 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win 5–3 Andre Roberts Submission (armbar) WEC 13 January 22, 2005 1 3:26 Lemoore, California, United States Won the vacant WEC Super Heavyweight Championship.
Win 4–3 Lemuel Vincent TKO (strikes) KOTC: New Mexico August 28, 2004 N/A N/A Albuquerque, New Mexico
Win 3–3 Jimmy Westfall TKO (punches) POA: Pride of Albuquerque April 10, 2004 1 1:18 Albuquerque, New Mexico
Loss 2–3 Dan Severn Decision (split) KOTC 24: Mayhem June 14, 2003 3 5:00 Albuquerque, New Mexico
Loss 2–2 Eric Pele TKO (strikes) KOTC 23: Sin City May 16, 2003 1 4:50 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States For the KOTC Super Heavyweight Championship.
Win 2–1 Albert Lopez Submission (rear-naked choke) Triple Threat: Fight Night 1 April 6, 2003 1 N/A Albuquerque, New Mexico
Loss 1–1 Dan Severn Decision AC 1: Aztec Challenge 1 September 6, 2002 3 5:00 Ciudad Juarez, Mexico
Win 1–0 Gabe Beauperthy Submission GC 5: Rumble in the Rockies August 19, 2001 N/A N/A Denver, Colorado, United States

[3]

References edit

  1. ^ "Foley: Busting the length and reach myth". 5 December 2012.
  2. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-01-27. Retrieved 2012-01-23.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  3. ^ Sherdog.com. "Dan". Sherdog. Retrieved 2018-12-20.

External links edit