Tracy Telligman (most often billed as "Tra" Telligman /ˈtr/; born February 7, 1965) is a retired American mixed martial artist and boxer who has fought in the UFC, PRIDE, and Pancrase. He is also known for fighting despite having only one pectoralis major muscle.[1]

Tra Telligman
Born (1965-02-07) February 7, 1965 (age 59)
Fort Worth, Texas, United States
Other namesTrauma
Height6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight233 lb (106 kg; 16.6 st)
DivisionHeavyweight
Reach75 in (190 cm)
Fighting out ofDallas, Texas, United States
TeamLion's Den
Years active1995–2005
Professional boxing record
Total6
Wins4
By knockout3
Losses2
By knockout2
Draws0
Mixed martial arts record
Total13
Wins7
By knockout2
By submission4
By decision1
Losses5
By knockout4
By decision1
Draws1
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Background

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Telligman was born in Dallas, Texas. He was in a car accident when he was only one and a half years old, and as a result, he is missing his right pectoral and also his right lung, leaving a deep recess in his chest. The accident also crushed his ribs and he has lived with the deformity ever since. Telligman began training in Karate when he was 8 years old, continuing until he was 13 years old, and then began Boxing until he was 15. He then began training in Jujutsu and participated in a full-contact Karate contest when he was in high school. Telligman also trained in Taekwondo, Kung Fu, Judo, and Wrestling.[2]

Mixed martial arts career

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Early career

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Telligman began training with the famed Lion's Den gym after meeting Ken Shamrock and fellow-Texas native and karate practitioner, Guy Mezger. Telligman's first professional fight was in 1995, and he won his first three fights, all by strikes in the first round before being invited to compete in the UFC.[1]

Telligman made his UFC debut at UFC 12 in the UFC 12 Heavyweight Tournament against future UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, Vitor Belfort. Telligman was handed his first professional loss only one minute into the fight and Belfort would go on to win the tournament.[1]

Two fights later, he faced Keiichiro Yamamiya in Pancrase and the fight ended in a draw. Telligman then returned to the UFC at UFC Japan against Brad Kohler and won via armbar submission in the first round. Two fights later, he returned again at UFC 20 to face Pedro Rizzo and was knocked out from punches 4:30 into the fight.[1]

PRIDE

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A year later, Telligman made his PRIDE debut at Pride 9 against Carlos Barreto and lost via unanimous decision.[1]

In his next bout for the promotion, Telligman faced legendary Ukrainian kickboxer, Igor Vovchanchyn at Pride 13, and took the fight on two-weeks notice after teammate, Ken Shamrock, who was originally supposed to fight Vovchanchyn, hurt his neck in training. Despite being a heavy underdog, Telligman won via unanimous decision, as his boxing technique and footwork made the fight difficult for Vovchanchyn. This win was one of the biggest upsets in the sport's history at the time and after the win, Telligman became the #10 ranked Heavyweight in the world.[1]

Return to the UFC

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Two years later, Telligman made his return to the UFC in a rematch with Pedro Rizzo at UFC 43 and lost again via TKO due to a doctor stoppage 4:24 into the second round. Telligman then faced former UFC Heavyweight Champion Tim Sylvia and lost via head kick knockout at just under five minutes into the fight. Sylvia would go on to become UFC Heavyweight Champion a second time two fights after his win over Telligman.[1]

Telligman became semi-retired from the sport after his loss to Sylvia, but has since retired from the sport altogether.[1]

Tra was last seen coaching in the World Combat League.[3]

Personal life

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Telligman is married.[1]

Championships and Accomplishments

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  • Icon Sport
    • SuperBrawl 1 Heavyweight Tournament Winner[4]

Mixed martial arts record

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Professional record breakdown
13 matches 7 wins 5 losses
By knockout 2 4
By submission 4 0
By decision 1 1
Draws 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 7–5–1 Tim Sylvia KO (head kick) UFC 54 August 20, 2005 1 4:59 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 7–4–1 Pedro Rizzo TKO (doctor stoppage) UFC 43 June 6, 2003 2 4:24 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 7–3–1 Igor Vovchanchyn Decision (unanimous) Pride 13 - Collision Course March 25, 2001 3 5:00 Saitama, Japan
Loss 6–3–1 Carlos Barreto Decision (unanimous) Pride 9 June 4, 2000 2 10:00 Nagoya, Japan
Loss 6–2–1 Pedro Rizzo KO (punches) UFC 20 May 7, 1999 1 4:30 Birmingham, Alabama, United States
Win 6–1–1 David Rivera TKO (punches) World Pancration Championships 2 January 16, 1998 1 N/A Dallas, Texas, United States
Win 5–1–1 Brad Kohler Submission (armbar) UFC Japan December 21, 1997 1 10:05 Yokohama, Japan
Draw 4–1–1 Keiichiro Yamamiya Draw (majority) Pancrase: Alive 9 October 29, 1997 2 3:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 4–1 Rick Mathis Submission (heel hook) World Pankration Championships 1 October 26, 1997 1 0:58 Texas, United States
Loss 3–1 Vitor Belfort TKO (cut) UFC 12 February 7, 1997 1 1:17 Dothan, Alabama, United States UFC 12 Heavyweight Tournament Semifinals.
Win 3–0 Walt Darby Submission (punches) SuperBrawl 1 June 28, 1996 1 2:09 Honolulu, Hawaii, United States Won the SuperBrawl 1 Heavyweight Tournament.
Win 2–0 Brian Matapua Submission (punches) SuperBrawl 1 June 28, 1996 1 2:04 Honolulu, Hawaii, United States SuperBrawl 1 Heavyweight Tournament Semifinals.
Win 1–0 Vladimir Hoodenkih KO (punches) Absolute Fighting Championship 1 September 25, 1995 1 1:40 Moscow, Russia

Professional boxing record

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4 Wins (3 knockouts, 1 decision), 2 Defeats (2 by knockout), 0 Draws [5]
Result Opponent Method Round/Time Date Notes
Loss   Clifton Rubin Knockout 1 (1:11) 2002-02-12
Loss   Jonathan Williams Knockout 1 2001-10-20
Win   Jon Dixon Decision 4 2001-09-22
Win   Victor Bursey Knockout 1 (2:01) 2001-08-18
Win   Hector Ferreyro Knockout 4 (0:10) 2001-07-12
Win   Walter Wiggins Knockout 1 2001-06-23

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Tra Telligman Interview Global Training Report".
  2. ^ "Tra Telligman "Trauma"".
  3. ^ "Telligman discusses coaching in the World Combat League". 18 April 2007.
  4. ^ "SuperBrawl 1".
  5. ^ "Tra Telligman : Boxer". Archived from the original on 2012-10-13. Retrieved 2010-05-25.
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