Guy Mezger
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Template:MMAstatsbox Guy Mezger (January 1, 1968 in Houston, Texas) is an American martial artist who competed in professional combat sports ranging from full-contact karate, kickboxing, and boxing, but is most recognized as a mixed martial arts fighter (retired from competition 01-25-05). He is associated with Lion's Den Dallas. He holds wins over Tito Ortiz, Masakatsu Funaki, Yuki Kondo and Egan Inoue.
Guy has trained with many great martial arts competitors and trainer/instructors; his main trainers have been Vince Tamura (Judo), Willie Thompson (Wrestling), Billy "Jack" Jackson (Kickboxing), and Ken Shamrock (Submission Fighting/Pancrase/Mixed Martial Arts). His last scheduled match was to be against Tito Ortiz at UFC 50, but had to withdraw due to suffering stroke-like symptoms.[1]He is currently the Lead Director of the World Combat League[2], an event which focuses on multi-discipline full contact fighting.
Guy has written one book: "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Kickboxing" (Alpha Books).
Early Life
UFC career
Guy Mezger first competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship at UFC 4: Revenge of the Warriors. Mezger competed against Jason Fairn as an alternate. Beforehand Mezger had met Jason in jis lockeroom prior to the fight and asked if he would not pull his hair. Jason relunctantly agreed. During the bout, Jason knocked Mezger down with a punch. Mezger then countered with a takedown, mounted Fairn, and landed a multitude of strikes, ending the fight after the towel was thrown in by the cornerman, Patrick Smith. Mezger fought in UFC 5 against John Dowdy, defeating him by TKO in little over two minutes by mounted strikes. Guy Mezger would not return to the UFC until UFC 13: Ultimate Force, where he competed in the Lightweight Tournament(200 lbs & under). In his first bout, Mezger fought Judo fighter, Christophe Leninger. Leninger was able to score only one takedown and was quickly reversed, but was otherwise soundly beaten as Guy battled his way to a decision victory. Mezger then took on UFC newcomer and future superstar, Tito Ortiz. Mezger had already fought one fifteen minute bout, and Ortiz had won his previous bout in thirty seconds. Tito was able to score a takedown and landed several knees to Mezger's head. Mezger then tapped, but referee John McCarthy stopped the bout to instead check for cuts. The announcers, as well as Ortiz, that the bout was over, but the fight was instead restarted on the feet. Ortiz again shot in for a takedown, but Mezger secured a Guillotine Choke, forcing his opponent to submit.
Mezger's final bout in the UFC was a rematch with Tito Ortiz at UFC 19: Young Guns. Ortiz dominated Mezger, controlling the entire fight. At one point, Ortiz laughed as he was throwing punches to Mezger’s head, who wasn’t responding at all.At the 9:55 mark, the referee stopped that bout. Ortiz then donned a shirt that was insulting to Mezger which provoked an immediate reaction from Ken Shamrock, Mezger's trainer. Mezger would occasionally seek a rematch with Ortiz over the next few years. In 2004 he was finally granted a chance to face Tito Ortiz at UFC 50. Unfortunately, the week of the fight, Mezger was taken to the hospital due to stroke like symptoms, and was taken off the fight card. On January 25, 2005, Guy Mezger retired from fighting.
PRIDE FC career
The former UFC champion made his debut at PRIDE 6 against Akira Shoji, a popular Japanese fighter, losing by a split decision. Pride officials then signed Mezger to fight Kazushi Sakuraba at the opening round of the Pride Grand Prix. The contract that Mezger signed stipulated that the fight would be one 15 minute round with no overtime. The other fights on the card had the same stipulation. The fight mostly consisted of Mezger attacking with strikes and Sauraba attempting to get takedowns. The round ended and Mezger expected the fight to go to the judges, but Pride officials wanted the fight to go to overtime. Guy and his corner refused, citing the conditions of the contract. An argument ensued and Mezger left the ring under instructions from his corner man, Ken Shamrock. Later that night the president of Pride FC made a public apology to Mezger at the Tokyo Dome for the miscommunication. Mezger next competed against Masaaki Satake, handing the Japanese fighter his second straight loss by Unanimous Decision.
Mezger made his return to the ring at PRIDE 10, facing Brazilian superstar Wanderlei Silva. Mezger fought hard, cutting Silva and landing several crisp combinations, but was ultimately knocked out at the 3:45 mark. Mezger found a measure of redemption when he defeated Alexander Otsuka by TKO at PRIDE 12. Otsuka challenged Mezger to another fight, but was soundly beaten by TKO for a second time. Mezger returned again at Pride 13 to face Egan Inoue. Guy came out strong and walked away with a surprisingly easy knockout win over Inoue. Mezger then met Chuck Liddell at PRIDE 14. Liddell was coming off of a stunning KO over former UFC Heavyweight Champion, Kevin Randleman. Mezger dominated the first round, scoring a knockdown. The second round would be short-lived as Liddell came out strong, knocking Mezger out.
Guy faced two time ADCC champion Ricardo Arona at PRIDE 16. Mezger entered the ring with an American flag draped across his shoulders out of respect for the World Trade Center attacks in New York. Mezger also wore trunks with an American flag design. Arona and Mezger circled each other for a few moments, before moving in and exchanging strikes. Mezger ended the round one with two takedown and side mount position but could capitalize on it. The second round was much of the same until Mezger landed a kick to Arona face. Mezger dominated the first two rounds (In pride matches first round is 10 minutes, second and third rounds are 5 minutes). The third round took a different turn with three minutes left in the round, Arona scored a takedown was able to get into Mezger's guard. The third round continued like this, with Arona laying on Mezger, throwing short, effective punches to Mezger's body and head. The judges awarded a split decision victory to Arona.
Mezger returned to competition at PRIDE 22 after a year long lay-off, easily winning a decision over Norihisa Yamamoto. Mezger took his first fight back slowly, but completely dominated Yamamoto, cutting him and causing severe swelling on his face. Mezger then battled Antonio Rogerio Nogueira at PRIDE 24. Mezger had several good striking exchanges and showcased his submission and takedown defense, but lost the fight by split decision.
Retirement
Mezger now trains students at the Lion's Den in Dallas.
Mezger is an assistant coach for the International Fight League's Nevada Lions who are coached by Ken Shamrock.
He's also working to build a film career. He's starred in the film Serum a low-budget horror film and also is currently working on a starring role for a reality TV series.
Records
Mixed Martial Arts: 31-13-2 as listed by Full-Contact Fighter [3] 28-14-2 as listed by Sherdog [4])
Kickboxing: 22-3 (19 ko's)
Full-Contact Karate record: 42-1 (40 ko's)
MMA Record
| 28-14-2 (wins-losses-draws) | |||||||
| Result | Opponent | Method | Event Title | Date | Round | Time | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | Daniel Bergman | TKO | EVT 1 - Genesis | 12/6/2003 | 2 | 1:46 | |
| Loss | Antonio Rogerio Nogueira | Decision (Split) | PRIDE 24 - Cold Fury 3 | 12/23/2002 | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Win | Yoshihisa Yamamoto | Decision (Split) | PRIDE 22 - Beasts From The East 2 | 09/29/2002 | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Loss | Ricardo Arona | Decision (Split) | PRIDE 16 - Beasts From The East | 09/24/2001 | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Loss | Chuck Liddell | KO (Punch) | PRIDE 14 - Clash of the Titans | 05/27/2001 | 2 | 2:21 | |
| Win | Egan Inoue | KO | PRIDE 13 - Collision Course | 03/25/2001 | 1 | 2:25 | |
| Win | Alexander Otsuka | TKO (Cut) | KOTC 7 - Wet and Wild | 02/24/2001 | 2 | 1:57 | |
| Win | Alexander Otsuka | TKO (Strikes) | PRIDE 12 - Cold Fury | 12/9/2000 | 1 | 1:52 | |
| Loss | Wanderlei Silva | KO (Punches) | PRIDE 10 - Return of the Warriors | 08/27/2000 | 1 | 3:45 | |
| Win | Masaaki Satake | Decision | PRIDE Grand Prix 2000 - Finals | 05/1/2000 | 1 | 15:00 | |
| Loss | Kazushi Sakuraba | Forfeit | PRIDE Grand Prix 2000 - Opening Round | 01/30/2000 | 1 | 15:00 | |
| Loss | Akira Shoji | Decision | PRIDE 6 - PRIDE 6 | 07/4/1999 | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Loss | Tito Ortiz | TKO (Strikes) | UFC 19: Ultimate Young Guns | 03/5/1999 | 1 | 9:56 | |
| Win | Yuki Kondo | Decision (Majority) | Pancrase - Advance 12 | 12/19/1998 | 1 | 20:00 | |
| Win | Ryushi Yanagisawa | Decision (Lost Points) | Pancrase - 1998 Anniversary Show | 09/14/1998 | 1 | 30:00 | |
| Loss | Semmy Schilt | TKO (Strikes) | Pancrase - Advance 8 | 06/21/1998 | 1 | 13:15 | |
| Win | Masakatsu Funaki | Decision (Unanimous) | Pancrase - Advance 5 | 04/26/1998 | 1 | 30:00 | |
| Win | Ryushi Yanagisawa | Decision (Unanimous) | Pancrase - Advance 4 | 03/18/1998 | 1 | 20:00 | |
| Win | Johnny Magilonico | Submission (Choke) | WPC - World Pankration Championships 2 | 01/16/1998 | 1 | N/A | |
| Win | Satoshi Hasegawa | TKO (Armlock) | Pancrase - Alive 11 | 12/20/1997 | 1 | 2:52 | |
| Win | Kiuma Kunioku | KO (Kick) | Pancrase - Alive 9 | 10/29/1997 | 1 | 11:12 | |
| Win | Paul Lazenby | Submission (Choke) | WPC - World Pankration Championships 1 | 10/26/1997 | 1 | N/A | |
| Loss | Masakatsu Funaki | Submission (Triangle/Armbar) | Pancrase - 1997 Anniversary Show | 09/6/1997 | 1 | 3:58 | |
| Win | Keiichiro Yamamiya | Decision (Lost Points) | Pancrase - Alive 7 | 07/30/1997 | 1 | 15:00 | |
| Win | Tito Ortiz | Submission (Guillotine Choke) | UFC 13: Ultimate Force | 05/30/1997 | 1 | 3:00 | |
| Win | Christophe Leninger | Decision | UFC 13: Ultimate Force | 05/30/1997 | 1 | 15:00 | |
| Win | Yuki Kondo | Decision (Lost Points) | Pancrase - Alive 2 | 02/22/1997 | 1 | 20:00 | |
| Win | Semmy Schilt | Decision (Lost Points) | Pancrase - Alive 1 | 01/17/1997 | 1 | 20:00 | |
| Win | Yuki Kondo | Decision (Lost Points) | Pancrase - Truth 10 | 12/15/1996 | 1 | 20:00 | |
| Loss | Kiuma Kunioku | Decision (Split) | Pancrase - Truth 7 | 10/8/1996 | 1 | 10:00 | |
| Win | Ryushi Yanagisawa | Decision (Unanimous) | Pancrase - 1996 Anniversary Show | 09/7/1996 | 1 | 20:00 | |
| Draw | Osami Shibuya | Draw | Pancrase - Truth 6 | 06/25/1996 | 1 | 10:00 | |
| Win | Minoru Suzuki | TKO (Strikes) | Pancrase - Truth 5 | 05/16/1996 | 1 | 7:59 | |
| Win | Ryushi Yanagisawa | KO | Pancrase - Truth 4 | 04/8/1996 | 1 | 12:21 | |
| Win | Manabu Yamada | TKO (Doctor) | Pancrase - Truth 3 | 04/7/1996 | 1 | 6:14 | |
| Win | Takaku Fuke | Decision (Unanimous) | Pancrase - Truth 3 | 04/7/1996 | 1 | 10:00 | |
| Loss | Bas Rutten | Submission | Pancrase - Truth 2 | 03/2/1996 | 1 | 19:36 | |
| Win | Gregory Smit | Decision (Lost Points) | Pancrase - Truth 1 | 01/28/1996 | 1 | 10:00 | |
| Loss | Minoru Suzuki | TKO (Doctor) | Pancrase - Eyes Of Beast 7 | 12/14/1995 | 1 | 7:15 | |
| Draw | Ryushi Yanagisawa | Draw | Pancrase - Eyes Of Beast 6 | 11/4/1995 | 1 | 10:00 | |
| Loss | Masakatsu Funaki | Submission | Pancrase - 1995 Anniversary Show | 09/1/1995 | 1 | 6:46 | |
| Win | John Renfroe | Submission (Armlock) | Pancrase - 1995 Neo-Blood Tournament, Round 2 | 07/23/1995 | 1 | 7:25 | |
| Win | John Dowdy | TKO (Strikes) | UFC 5: The Return of the Beast | 04/7/1995 | 1 | 2:02 | |
| Win | Jason Fairn | TKO (Corner Stoppage) | UFC 4: Revenge of the Warriors | 12/16/1994 | 1 | 2:13 | |
Titles
1995 WKC World Kickboxing Champion
1996 WFFF World Freestyle Fighting Champion (Junior-Heavyweight)
1996 Pancrase Ranking Tournament Champion
1997 Ultimate Fighting Championship 13 Lightweight Tournament Champion
1998 7th King of Pancrase