Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou Nkamhoua (French pronunciation: [ʁamo tjɛʁi sɔkudʒu]; born April 18, 1984), mostly billed simply as Sokoudjou, is a Cameroonian professional mixed martial artist. A professional competitor since 2006, Sokoudjou is the former KSW Light Heavyweight Champion, and has also competed for PRIDE, the UFC, WEC, Affliction, Strikeforce, K-1, DREAM and Bellator.
| Sokoudjou | |
|---|---|
 Sokoudjou in 2007 | |
| Born | Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou Nkamhoua April 18, 1984 Hom'la, Cameroon |
| Other names | The African Assassin |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[1][2][3] |
| Weight | 205 lb (93 kg; 14 st 9 lb) |
| Division | Super Heavyweight Heavyweight Light Heavyweight |
| Reach | 78 in (198 cm) |
| Fighting out of | Oceanside, California, United States |
| Team | Team Quest[4] MMA Factory |
| Rank | Second dan black belt in Judo Purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu |
| Years active | 2006–present (MMA) |
| Kickboxing record | |
| Total | 2 |
| Losses | 2 |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 37 |
| Wins | 19 |
| By knockout | 13 |
| By submission | 1 |
| By decision | 4 |
| By disqualification | 1 |
| Losses | 18 |
| By knockout | 13 |
| By submission | 2 |
| By decision | 3 |
| Amateur Muay Thai record | |
| Total | 5 |
| Wins | 4 |
| Losses | 1 |
| Other information | |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
Last updated on: February 23, 2013 | |
Background
Born and raised in Cameroon, Sokoudjou began training in judo at the age of five and was talented, winning three consecutive junior national championships from 1997 to 1999 in his home country. Growing up, he had actually wanted to get involved with boxing or kickboxing but his parents would not allow it because they thought the competition was too violent.[5] Sokoudjou moved to the United States in 2001 to pursue his career in judo.[6]
Mixed martial arts career
PRIDE Fighting Championships
In his PRIDE debut at PRIDE 33, Sokoudjou fought Brazilian fighter Antônio Rogério Nogueira, and the much-less experienced Sokoudjou was a 16-1 underdog. To start the match, the Cameroonian threw a series of high kicks before landing an excellent combination that knocked out "Lil Nog" at just 23 seconds into the first round in a shocking upset. This made Sokoudjou the first fighter to finish the younger Nogueira brother. Sokoudjou's victory is considered to be one of the biggest upsets in mixed martial arts history, as well as arguably the biggest win of Sokoudjou's career to date.[7]
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Sokoudjou was released from the UFC on November 28, 2008.[8]
Independent Promotions
Sokoudjou defeated the South-African kickboxer Jan Nortje at Dream 9 by TKO (strikes) in round 1 of the Dream Super Hulk Tournament. Sokoudjou was heavily criticized for his post-fight actions where he landed a barrage of extra punches after the referee had already stepped in to stop the fight. Sokoudjou did, however, express remorse for his actions, and apologized to Nortje for the incident.[9] Sokoudjou was slated to face Gegard Mousasi in the semifinals at Dream 11, however, due to an injury, Super heavyweight Bob Sapp stood in for Mousasi.[10]
Sokoudjou fought Ryan Jimmo for the MFC Light Heavyweight Championship at MFC 31 on October 7 at the Mayfield Conference Centre in Edmonton, Canada, losing by a controversial unanimous decision.[11]
Sokoudjou fought Heavyweight prospect Konstantin Erokhin at Fight Nights: Battle Of Moscow 14, on December 7, 2013. He lost via KO in the first round.[12]
Strikeforce
Sokoudjou was defeated by former Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion Gegard Mousasi via second-round TKO due to ground and pound on November 7, 2009, at Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers.[13]
KSW and others
Sokoudjou faced European prospect Jan Błachowicz at KSW XV for the KSW Light Heavyweight Championship, After two rounds Sokoudjou landed 12 leg kicks, making Błachowicz unable to continue the fight.[14]
Bellator MMA
In June 2015, it was revealed that Sokoudjou was released from the promotion.[15]
Kickboxing career
Sokoudjou faced Maxim Grishin in a kickboxing match on February 23, 2013, at Fight Nights 10 in Moscow, Russia. He lost via split decision(29–28, 28–29, 28–29).[16][17]
Personal life
Sokoudjou speaks French, as well as a few dialects in his home country of Cameroon. He currently lives in Southern California and has a brother. Before becoming a professional mixed martial arts fighter, Sokoudjou worked as a bouncer.[18]
Championships and accomplishments
Grappling
- Winter National Championship (+100 kg) – 2009
- Grappler's Quest – BJJ – 2003
- Golden State Championship – 2003
- San Jose Buddhist Tournament – 2003
- California State Championship – 2002
- Tenri 40th Anniversary Championship – 2002
- San Jose Buddhist Tournament – 2001
- US Open 2001 Las Vegas – Absolute
- Silver State Championship – 2001
- Gardena Tournament – 2001
- Golden State Championship – 2001
- Senior National Champion – 2000
- Tournoi International de la ville de Yaounde – 2000
- Cameroon Junior National Champion – 1999
- Cameroon Junior National Champion – 1998
- Cameroon Junior National Champion – 1997
- Golden gi Champion – 1997
Mixed martial arts
- ADFC
- 2010 ADFC Openweight Grand Prix Semifinalist
- DREAM
- Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki
- KSW Light Heavyweight Championship (One time)
- Fight of the Night (One Time)
- Shark Fights
- Fight of the Night (One Time)
- Australian Fighting Championship
- AFC Light Heavyweight Championship (One time, current)[19]
Mixed martial arts record
| 37 matches | 19 wins | 18 losses |
| By knockout | 13 | 13 |
| By submission | 1 | 2 |
| By decision | 4 | 3 |
| By disqualification | 1 | 0 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 19–18 | Jamie Abdullah | TKO (punches) | AFC / Kunlun Fight - Kunlun Fight MMA 16 | October 28, 2017 | 2 | 2:42 | Melbourne, Australia | Won the AFC Light Heavyweight Championship. |
| Loss | 18–18 | Sergei Kharitonov | KO (punch) | M-1 Challenge 80: Kharitonov vs. Sokoudjou | June 15, 2017 | 1 | 0:40 | Harbin, China | Heavyweight bout. |
| Loss | 18–17 | Łukasz Jurkowski | Decision (majority) | KSW 39: Colosseum | May 27, 2017 | 3 | 5:00 | Warsaw, Poland | |
| Win | 18–16 | Marcelo Tenorio | TKO (punches and elbows) | Australian FC 18: Night 1 | April 14, 2017 | 1 | N/A | Shanghai, China | |
| Loss | 17–16 | Thiago Silva | TKO (punches) | F2N: Fight2Night | November 4, 2016 | 3 | 2:37 | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | |
| Loss | 17–15 | Tomasz Narkun | TKO (punches) | KSW 36: Materla vs. Palhares | Oct 1, 2016 | 1 | 4:38 | Zielona Góra, Poland | For the KSW Light Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 17–14 | Matt Hamill | KO (punches) | Venator FC 3: Palhares vs. Meek | May 21, 2016 | 1 | 0:37 | Milan, Italy | |
| Loss | 16–14 | Paul Buentello | KO (punch) | Abu Dhabi Warriors 3 | October 4, 2015 | 3 | 3:12 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | Heavyweight bout. |
| Loss | 16–13 | Linton Vassell | TKO (punches) | Bellator 134 | February 27, 2015 | 2 | 3:18 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | |
| Win | 16–12 | Malik Merad | TKO (elbows) | Bellator 127 | October 3, 2014 | 2 | 4:04 | Temecula, California, United States | |
| Win | 15–12 | Terry Davinney | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Bellator 121 | June 6, 2014 | 1 | 4:16 | Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States | |
| Loss | 14–12 | Konstantin Erokhin | KO (punches) | Fight Nights: Battle of Moscow 14 | December 7, 2013 | 1 | 2:28 | Moscow, Russia | Heavyweight bout. |
| Loss | 14–11 | Evgeny Erokhin | TKO (punches and elbows) | Pankration: Mayor Cup 2013 | May 25, 2013 | 3 | 4:40 | Khabarovsk, Russia | Heavyweight bout. |
| Win | 14–10 | Seung Bae Whi | Decision (unanimous) | Road FC 011 | April 13, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Seoul, South Korea | |
| Win | 13–10 | Denis Komkin | KO (head kick) | Pankration: Battle Of Empires 2 | December 15, 2012 | 1 | 1:00 | Khabarovsk, Russia | Heavyweight bout. |
| Loss | 12–10 | Jan Błachowicz | Decision (unanimous) | KSW 17: Revenge | November 26, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Łódź, Poland | Lost the KSW Light Heavyweight Championship. Fight of the Night. |
| Loss | 12–9 | Ryan Jimmo | Decision (unanimous) | MFC 31 | October 7, 2011 | 5 | 5:00 | Edmonton, Alberta, Canada | For MFC Light Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 12–8 | Roy Boughton | Decision (unanimous) | Score Fighting Series 1 | June 10, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Mississauga, Ontario, Canada | |
| Win | 11–8 | Jan Błachowicz | TKO (leg injury) | KSW 15: Contemporary Gladiators | March 19, 2011 | 2 | 5:00 | Warsaw, Poland | Won the vacant KSW Light Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 10–8 | Valdas Pocevicius | Decision (unanimous) | Israel FC: Genesis | November 9, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | Tel Aviv, Israel | |
| Loss | 9–8 | Shamil Abdurakhimov | TKO (punches) | ADFC: Round 2 | October 22, 2010 | 3 | 2:17 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | 2010 Openw-eight Grand Prix Semifinal. |
| Loss | 9–7 | Houston Alexander | TKO (punches) | Shark Fights 13: Jardine vs Prangley | September 11, 2010 | 2 | 1:31 | Amarillo, Texas, United States | Fight of the Night. |
| Win | 9–6 | Joaquim Ferreira | TKO (punches) | Impact FC 1 | July 10, 2010 | 1 | 1:20 | Brisbane, Australia | Return to Light Heavyweight. |
| Win | 8–6 | Dave Herman | DQ (illegal knees) | ADFC: Round 1 | May 14, 2010 | 2 | N/A | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | Heavyweight debut. 2010 Grand Prix Quarterfinal; Herman was DQ'd for kneeing Sokoudjou in the head while grounded. |
| Loss | 7–6 | Ikuhisa Minowa | TKO (punches) | Dynamite!! 2009 | December 31, 2009 | 3 | 3:29 | Saitama, Japan | DREAM Super Hulk Grand Prix Final. |
| Loss | 7–5 | Gegard Mousasi | TKO (punches) | Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers | November 7, 2009 | 2 | 3:43 | Hoffman Estates, Illinois, United States | Light Heavyweight bout. |
| Win | 7–4 | Bob Sapp | TKO (punches) | DREAM 11 | October 6, 2009 | 1 | 1:31 | Yokohama, Japan | DREAM Super Hulk Grand Prix Semifinal. |
| Win | 6–4 | Jan Nortje | TKO (punches) | DREAM 9 | May 26, 2009 | 1 | 2:30 | Yokohama, Japan | Super Heavyweight debut; DREAM Super Hulk Grand Prix Opening Round. |
| Loss | 5–4 | Renato Sobral | Submission (brabo choke) | Affliction: Day of Reckoning | January 24, 2009 | 2 | 2:38 | Anaheim, California, United States | |
| Loss | 5–3 | Luiz Cané | TKO (punches) | UFC 89 | October 18, 2008 | 2 | 4:15 | Birmingham, England | |
| Win | 5–2 | Kazuhiro Nakamura | TKO (leg injury) | UFC 84 | May 24, 2008 | 1 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 4–2 | Lyoto Machida | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | UFC 79 | December 29, 2007 | 2 | 4:20 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 4–1 | Ricardo Arona | KO (punches) | PRIDE 34 | April 8, 2007 | 1 | 1:59 | Saitama, Japan | |
| Win | 3–1 | Antônio Rogério Nogueira | KO (punch) | PRIDE 33 | February 24, 2007 | 1 | 0:23 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 2–1 | Glover Teixeira | KO (punches) | WEC 24: Full Force | October 12, 2006 | 1 | 1:41 | Lemoore, California, United States | |
| Win | 2–0 | Paul Weremecki | TKO (head kick and punches) | SF 17: Hot Zone | August 5, 2006 | 1 | 2:11 | Portland, Oregon, United States | |
| Win | 1–0 | Gary Padilla | Decision (split) | Total Combat 15 | July 15, 2006 | 3 | 5:00 | San Diego, California, United States |
Kickboxing record
| 0 wins, 2 losses | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Result | Opponent | Event | Location | Method | Round | Time | Record |
| Loss | Maxim Grishin | Decision (split) | Fight Nights: Battle of Moscow 10 | February 23, 2013 | 3 | 3:00 | Moscow, Russia | |
| Loss | Maxim Osipov | Decision (majority) | UWC 20 | September 1, 2012 | 3 | 3:00 | Southend-on-Sea, England | |
Legend: Win Loss Draw/No contest
Bare-Knuckle Boxing
| 1 match | 0 wins | 1 loss |
| By knockout | 0 | 1 |
| By decision | 0 | 0 |
| By disqualification | 0 | 0 |
| Draws | 0 | |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 0–1 | Mighty Mo | TKO (punches) | VKB-Valor Bare Knuckle 1 | 21 September 2019 | 3 | 1:26 | New Town, ND, USA, 4 Bears Casino and Lodge | Heavyweight Tournament Semi-Finals[20] |
