Michael Earl Russow (born November 9, 1976) is a retired American professional mixed martial artist who competed in the Heavyweight division. Having made his professional debut in 1998, Russow has formerly competed for the UFC, Adrenaline MMA, PRIDE FC, and also participated in the Yarennoka! event in the Saitama Super Arena in Japan. He is perhaps best known for his upset victory over Todd Duffee.

Mike Russow
Born (1976-11-09) November 9, 1976 (age 47)[1]
Kankakee, Illinois, United States[2]
ResidenceChicago, Illinois, United States
NationalityAmerican
Height6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)[1]
Weight256 lb (116 kg; 18.3 st)
DivisionHeavyweight (265 lb)
Reach73.0 in (185 cm)[3]
Fighting out ofAlexandria, Minnesota, United States
TeamDeathClutch
WrestlingNJCAA Division I Wrestler
Years active1998, 2006–2013 (MMA)
Mixed martial arts record
Total19
Wins15
By knockout4
By submission8
By decision3
Losses3
By knockout2
By submission1
No contests1
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Mixed martial arts career

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Background

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Russow is from Kankakee, Illinois and was a state wrestling champion in high school for the Heavyweight division. He also attended college at Eastern Illinois University and earned a degree in sociology. His first fight was in 1998.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

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Russow signed with the UFC in 2009 and made his debut against Justin McCully at UFC 102.[4] He won via unanimous decision (29–28, 30–26, and 30–27).[5]

Russow then defeated Todd Duffee via third round KO at UFC 114. Russow absorbed heavy punishment from Duffee during the course of the fight but hung on late into the third and final round. Russow then connected with a hard straight right hand, taking Duffee and the fans in attendance by surprise.[6]

Russow defeated TUF 10 alum and DeathClutch teammate Jon Madsen on March 26, 2011, at UFC Fight Night 24 via TKO;[7] with that win he improved his winning streak to ten.[8]

Russow was expected to face Dave Herman on October 8, 2011, at UFC 136.[9] However, the bout was cancelled after Herman failed his preliminary drug test in which he tested positive for marijuana.[10]

Russow faced John Olav Einemo on January 28, 2012, at UFC on Fox: Evans vs. Davis and won via unanimous decision (29–28, 29–28, and 30–27).[11]

Russow faced Fabrício Werdum on June 23, 2012, at UFC 147.[12] Russow was defeated by Werdum via TKO at 2:28 of round 1.

Russow faced Shawn Jordan on January 26, 2013, at UFC on Fox: Johnson vs. Dodson.[13] Despite a strong first round, Russow lost to Jordan by TKO in the second round and was subsequently released from the promotion.[14]

World Series of Fighting

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On October 6, 2013, it was announced that Russow has signed with World Series of Fighting.[15]

Since his signing with WSOF, Russow retired from MMA.[16]

Personal life

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Russow and his wife have a daughter.[17] Russow is also a police officer in his hometown of Chicago.

Championships and accomplishments

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Mixed martial arts

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Amateur wrestling

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Mixed martial arts record

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Professional record breakdown
19 matches 15 wins 3 losses
By knockout 4 2
By submission 8 1
By decision 3 0
No contests 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 15–3 (1) Shawn Jordan TKO (punches) UFC on Fox: Johnson vs. Dodson January 26, 2013 2 3:48 Chicago, Illinois, United States
Loss 15–2 (1) Fabrício Werdum TKO (punches) UFC 147 June 23, 2012 1 2:28 Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Win 15–1 (1) John-Olav Einemo Decision (unanimous) UFC on Fox: Evans vs. Davis January 28, 2012 3 5:00 Chicago, Illinois, United States
Win 14–1 (1) Jon Madsen TKO (doctor stoppage) UFC Fight Night: Nogueira vs. Davis March 26, 2011 2 5:00 Seattle, Washington, United States Stoppage due to eye injury.
Win 13–1 (1) Todd Duffee KO (punch) UFC 114 May 29, 2010 3 2:32 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Knockout of the Night.
Win 12–1 (1) Justin McCully Decision (unanimous) UFC 102 August 29, 2009 3 5:00 Portland, Oregon, United States
Win 11–1 (1) Braden Bice Submission (north-south choke) Adrenaline MMA 2: Miletich vs. Denny December 11, 2008 1 1:13 Moline, Illinois, United States
Win 10–1 (1) Jason Guida Submission (guillotine choke) Adrenaline MMA: Guida vs. Russow June 14, 2008 1 2:13 Hoffman Estates, Illinois, United States
Win 9–1 (1) Roman Zentsov Submission (north-south choke) Yarennoka! December 31, 2007 1 2:58 Saitama, Saitama, Japan
Win 8–1 (1) Steve Campbell Submission (arm-triangle choke) XFO 21 December 1, 2007 2 4:32 Lakemoor, Illinois, United States
Win 7–1 (1) Pat Harmon KO (punch) Bourbon Street Brawl 4 July 25, 2007 1 2:10 Chicago, Illinois, United States
Win 6–1 (1) Demian Decorah Submission (kimura) XFO 18 June 30, 2007 1 2:54 Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, United States
Win 5–1 (1) Scott Harper Submission (americana) XFO 16 May 5, 2007 1 0:32 Lakemoor, Illinois, United States
Loss 4–1 (1) Sergei Kharitonov Submission (armbar) Pride 33 February 24, 2007 1 3:46 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 4–0 (1) Steve Conkel Submission (rear-naked choke) Bourbon Street Brawl 2 January 24, 2007 1 1:00 Chicago, Illinois, United States
Win 3–0 (1) Chris Harrison Submission (americana) XFO 14 December 9, 2006 1 1:11 Lakemoor, Illinois, United States
Win 2–0 (1) Brandon Quigley KO (punches) Combat: Do Fighting Challenge 7 April 22, 2006 1 0:18 Cicero, Illinois, United States
NC 1–0 (1) Ed Meyer NC Combat: Do Fighting Challenge 6 February 25, 2006 N/A N/A Mokena, Illinois, United States
Win 1–0 Nate Schroeder Decision (unanimous) JKD: Challenge 1 April 25, 1998 3 5:00 Chicago, Illinois, United States

References

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  1. ^ a b "Mike Russow MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, Biography". Sherdog.com. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  2. ^ "Mike Russow". UFC. Retrieved October 30, 2012.
  3. ^ "Official Tapology Profile for Mike Russow". tapology.com. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
  4. ^ "Junior dos Santos out, Justin McCully in v Russow". mixedmartialarts.com. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
  5. ^ "UFC 102: Mike Russow vs. Justin McCully". tapology.com. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
  6. ^ "UFC 114: Mike Russow KOs Todd Duffee in Stunning Comeback". mmafighting.com. May 29, 2010. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
  7. ^ "Jon Madsen vs. Mike Russow likely headed to UFC Fight Night 24". mmajunkie.com. January 3, 2011. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
  8. ^ "UFC Fight Night 24 Results: Mike Russow Stops Jon Madsen After Eye Injury". sbnation.com. March 26, 2011. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
  9. ^ "UFC 136: Dave Herman vs Mike Russow fight announced for Oct. 8 in Houston, Texas". mmamania.com. July 14, 2011.
  10. ^ "Dave Herman says UFC 136 scratch due to failed drug test for marijuana (Updated)". mmajunkie.com. September 29, 2011. Archived from the original on July 12, 2012. Retrieved September 29, 2011.
  11. ^ Mike Chiapetta (November 29, 2011). "John Olav Einemo Back in UFC, Likely to Face Mike Russow at UFC on FOX 2". mmafighting.com.
  12. ^ "Mike Russow vs. Fabrício Werdum slated for UFC 147". mmajunkie.com. March 9, 2012. Archived from the original on March 11, 2012. Retrieved March 9, 2012.
  13. ^ "Mike Russow-Shawn Jordan added to UFC on FOX 6 in Chicago". mmajunkie.com. November 7, 2012. Archived from the original on November 10, 2012.
  14. ^ MMAjunkie.com Staff (February 20, 2013). "UFC releases Jon Fitch, Vladimir Matyushenko, 14 others". mmajunkie.com. Archived from the original on February 22, 2013.
  15. ^ MMAjunkie.com Staff (October 6, 2013). "UFC heavyweight vet Mike Russow signs with World Series of Fighting". mmajunkie.com.
  16. ^ "Mike Russow". www.linkedin.com. Retrieved April 16, 2021.[self-published source]
  17. ^ "Dodging Bullets". Sherdog.com. March 26, 2011. Retrieved March 26, 2011.
  18. ^ Thomas Gerbasi (July 9, 2010). "Unofficial Half-Year Awards - The Knockouts of 2010". Ultimate Fighting Championship.
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