There is a UFC veteran with more professional wins in MMA by submission than the six UFC champions have total wins combined. He's faced three former UFC champions of three different weight classes and has fought grappling legend Jeremy Horn to a draw--twice. Horn has had over 100 pro bouts. This man has more than double that number. He is MMA's Ironman, former Miletich fighter Travis Fulton. An Iowa wrestling standout, Fulton became a black belt in kenpo karate and a golden gloves boxer. An MMA prodigy, Fulton debuted as a pro at 18-years old against Dave Strasser, losing by rear naked choke. He would fight twice more that year, winning his next two fights, and beginning an unprecedented fighting pace that continues today. In 1997 Travis Fulton fought 23 times. UFC Welterweight Champion Georges St. Pierre has 20 pro fights in his entire career. In 1998, he fought 38 times. And on, and on, and on. Fulton, to date, has an astounding 246 professional bouts, including 189 wins, 45 losses, 11 draws, and one no-contest. 123 of his wins have come by submission--including 30 by armbar, 19 by rear naked choke, and 11 by triangle choke. He's won by heel hook, keylock, kimura, guillotine choke, and verbal tap out. He also has 60 wins by knockout. Prolific knockout king and UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva has 14. But Fulton's career record isn't marked by the sheer numbers alone. He is also known for fighting--and losing to--some of the best. Or, to be less kind, he is known for losing to all the good fighters he's ever fought (mostly). Fulton has career losses to Travis Wiuff, Ben Rothwell, Mike Whitehead, Jeremy Horn, Forrest Griffin, Dan Severn, Rich Franklin, Evan Tanner, Babalu Sobral, Ricco Rodriguez, Ian Freeman, Vladimir Matyushenko, and Matt Lindland. His career highlight, so far, is the one exception--a win over UFC heavyweight Heath Herring. Fulton also has beaten UFC punching bags Joe Riggs and Cabbage. Fulton still mostly competes in his native Iowa at Extreme Challenge, or Iowa Challenge, but keep an eye out next time you are at a smoker. He might be waiting in the wings for his next challenge. Past MMA Moments: 01 The Legend of Joe Son 02 Lightning Lee Murray 03 Lethal Weapon 04 Joe Riggs vs. Nick Diaz, Round 4
