Stephen Richard Berger (born May 20, 1973)[1] is an American retired professional mixed martial artist who competed in the Welterweight division. Berger is probably best known for fighting in the UFC, most notably participating in the first mixed martial arts fight aired on US cable television against Robbie Lawler at UFC 37.5.[2]

Steve Berger
BornStephen Richard Berger
(1973-05-20) May 20, 1973 (age 51)
St. Louis, Missouri, United States
Other namesThe Red Nose Pitbull
NationalityAmerican
Height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight170 lb (77 kg; 12 st)
DivisionWelterweight
Lightweight
StanceSouthpaw
TeamRed Nose MMA
Years active1998–2012
Mixed martial arts record
Total47
Wins20
By knockout2
By submission14
By decision4
Losses23
By knockout8
By submission1
By decision14
Draws2
No contests2
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Background

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Berger was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. According to him, he had serious anxiety that he tried to relieve by getting into fights in his youth. Berger wrestled in high school, and started boxing at the age of 17. After having boxing for a few years, Berger picked up judo and Brazilian jiu-jitsu as well.[3]

Personal life

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Berger and his wife have a son.[3]

Mixed martial arts record

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Professional record breakdown
47 matches 20 wins 23 losses
By knockout 2 8
By submission 14 1
By decision 4 14
Draws 2
No contests 2
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 20–23–2 (2) Scott Cleve Submission (guillotine choke) CC 37 - Cage Championships 37 April 7, 2012 1 1:02 Washington, Missouri, United States
Loss 20–22–2 (2) Chris Tickle TKO (punches) PCL - Cage Madness March 26, 2011 2 0:56 Glen Carbon, Illinois, United States
Loss 20–21–2 (2) Ferrid Kheder TKO (punches) Mixed Fight League 3 September 25, 2010 2 1:26 Montreal, Quebec, Canada Catchweight (175 lb) bout.
Win 20–20–2 (2) Sal Woods Submission (guillotine choke) Premier Combat League 1: Bad Intentions August 21, 2010 3 1:13 Glen Carbon, Illinois, United States
Loss 19–20–2 (2) Waylon Lowe KO (punches) KOTC: Bad Boys II April 16, 2010 1 2:18 Detroit, Michigan, United States
Win 19–19–2 (2) Ryan Scheeper Submission (arm-triangle choke) Take That Promotions: Warriors Collide October 3, 2009 1 2:10 Glen Carbon, Illinois, United States
Loss 18–19–2 (2) Ray Steinbeiss Decision (unanimous) Evolution MMA October 4, 2008 3 5:00 Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Loss 18–18–2 (2) Eddy Ellis Decision (unanimous) Strikeforce: At The Dome February 23, 2008 3 5:00 Tacoma, Washington, United States
Loss 18–17–2 (2) Diego Gonzalez Decision (unanimous) Bodog Fight - Vancouver August 24, 2007 3 5:00 British Columbia, Canada
Win 18–16–2 (2) Piotr Jakaczynski Decision (split) Bodog Fight - Costa Rica February 16, 2007 3 5:00 Costa Rica
Loss 17–16–2 (2) Jorge Masvidal Decision (unanimous) Bodog Fight - St. Petersburg December 15, 2006 3 5:00 St. Petersburg, Russia
Loss 17–15–2 (2) Jake Shields TKO (punches) FCP: Malice at Cow Palace September 9, 2006 2 1:36 Cow Palace, San Francisco, CA.
Loss 17–14–2 (2) Victor Moreno TKO (doctor stoppage) Diesel Fighting Championships 1 June 30, 2006 1 3:00 Texas, United States
Win 17–13–2 (2) Mark Long TKO (punches) TFC 4: Memorial Mayhem June 9, 2006 1 1:38 Kansas, United States
Loss 16–13–2 (2) Nuri Shakur Decision (unanimous) APEX: Undisputed September 3, 2005 3 5:00 Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Loss 16–12–2 (2) Heath Sims TKO (cut) SF 9: Respect March 26, 2005 3 1:23 Oregon, United States
Loss 16–11–2 (2) Keith Wisniewski Decision (unanimous) Combat - Do Fighting Challenge 1 October 23, 2004 3 5:00 Illinois, United States
Win 16–10–2 (2) Fritz Paul TKO (submission to punches) APEX: Genesis September 5, 2004 1 4:46 Montreal, Quebec, Canada Middleweight bout.
Loss 15–10–2 (2) Phil Johns Decision RSF - Shooto Challenge 2 January 2, 2004 3 5:00 Illinois, United States
Loss 15–9–2 (2) Din Thomas Decision (unanimous) Absolute Fighting Championships 4 July 19, 2003 3 5:00 Florida, United States
Win 15–8–2 (2) Nuri Shakur Submission (guillotine choke) USMMA 2: Ring of Fury September 21, 2002 1 4:59 Massachusetts, United States Won the vacant USMAA Welterweight Championship.
Loss 14–8–2 (2) Robbie Lawler TKO (punches) UFC 37.5 June 22, 2002 2 0:27 Nevada, United States
NC 14–7–2 (2) Benji Radach No Contest (Overturned by State Commission) UFC 37 May 10, 2002 1 0:27 Louisiana, United States Radach was declared the winner by TKO at 0:27 of the first round, but the fight was later ruled a No Contest by the Louisiana State Athletic Commission.
Win 14–7–2 (1) Pete Spratt TKO (cut) UA 1: The Genesis January 27, 2002 1 2:14 Indiana, United States
Loss 13–7–2 (1) Chris Brennan Decision (unanimous) KOTC 11 - Domination September 29, 2001 3 5:00 California, United States Middleweight bout; for the King of the Cage Middleweight Championship.
Win 13–6–2 (1) Seichi Ikemoto Submission (triangle/armbar) Shooto - To The Top 7 August 26, 2001 3 2:09 Osaka, Japan
Loss 12–6–2 (1) Tony DeSouza Decision (unanimous) UFC 31 May 4, 2001 3 5:00 New Jersey, United States Return to Welterweight.
Win 12–5–2 (1) Nick Cardenez Submission (armbar) TPA - Tom Proctor's Absolute February 16, 2001 1 1:10 United States
Loss 11–5–2 (1) Karl Schmidt TKO (cut) Reality Submission Fighting 2 January 5, 2001 1 22:38 Belleville, Illinois, United States Welterweight bout.
Win 11–4–2 (1) Rich Clementi Submission (armbar) Dangerzone - Insane In Ft. Wayne November 25, 2000 1 3:14 Fort Wayne, Indiana, United States Lightweight debut.
Draw 10–4–2 (1) Jutaro Nakao Draw HOOKnSHOOT: Fusion November 18, 2000 3 5:00 Evansville, Indiana, United States
Win 10–4–1 (1) Riley McIlhon Submission (armbar) Reality Submission Fighting 1 October 6, 2000 1 1:12 Belleville, Illinois, United States
Win 9–4–1 (1) Shonie Carter Submission (rear-naked choke) 1 2:41
Win 8–4–1 (1) Brian Geraghty Submission (armbar) Submission Fighting Championships 11 August 23, 2000 1 2:01 Collinsville, Illinois, United States
Loss 7–4–1 (1) Aaron Riley Decision HOOKnSHOOT: Triumph August 19, 2000 3 5:00 Evansville, Indiana, United States
Loss 7–3–1 (1) Jason Black Decision (split) Extreme Challenge 32 May 21, 2000 1 15:00 Springfield, Illinois, United States
Draw 7–2–1 (1) Andy Sanders Draw HOOKnSHOOT - Double Fury 2 March 18, 2000 N/A Evansville, Indiana, United States
Win 7–2 (1) Shannon Ritch Submission (guillotine) Submission Fighting Championships 9 January 28, 2000 1 1:30 Belleville, Illinois, United States
Win 6–2 (1) Jason Glabus Decision Ironheart Crown 1 - Genesis November 6, 1999 2 2:00 Chicago, Illinois, United States Won the Ironheart Crown 4-man tournament.[3]
Win 5–2 (1) Shonie Carter Decision (split) 2 2:00
Loss 4–2 (1) Ben Harrison Decision HOOKnSHOOT: Beyond September 10, 1999 1 15:00
Win 4–1 (1) James Wade Submission (triangle choke) Submission Fighting Championships 8 August 7, 1999 1 Belleville, Illinois, United States
Loss 3–1 (1) Jeremy Horn Decision (unanimous) Submission Fighting Championships 5 January 31, 1999 1 24:00 Belleville, Illinois, United States
NC 3–0 (1) Greg James No Contest UCC - Universal Challenge Championship May 2, 1998 1 0:38
Win 3–0 David Beason Submission (front choke) 1 8:58
Win 2–0 James Wade Decision Submission Fighting Championships 2 April 28, 1998 N/A Collinsville, Illinois, United States
Win 1–0 Ryan McBride Submission (armbar) Submission Fighting Championships 1 January 15, 1998 N/A Collinsville, Illinois, United States

References

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  1. ^ Mixed Martial Arts show results date: June 22, 2002
  2. ^ Hernandez, Sergio (Aug 28, 2011). "History in the Making: Before UFC on Fox, there was UFC 37.5 and Robbie Lawler". Retrieved 26 September 2018.
  3. ^ a b c Adam Meredith (June 17, 2019). "#87 - Steve Berger: The Early Days of MMA & Being Apart of History" (Podcast).
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