Mixed Martial Arts

Joseph Christopher Stevenson (born June 15, 1982 in Torrance, California) is an American mixed martial artist fighting out of Las Vegas, Nevada. Competing as a welterweight, he won The Ultimate Fighter 2 welterweight tournament, although he currently fights as a lightweight. Stevenson is noted for his effective use of the Guillotine and Rear Naked Choke.

Training

Joe began wrestling at the age of 11 and started Jiu Jitsu at the age of 13. He has spent most of his recent training at Marc Laimon's Cobra Kai in Las Vegas. However, in March '08 Joe opened his own school in his hometown of Victorville, CA, also the home of . "Joe Stevenson's Cobra Kai" teaches MMA as well as boxing, kickboxing, wrestling and Jiu Jitsu. On November 8, 2008 Joe earned his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Robert Drysdale. After his loss to Diego Sanchez, Joe got a call from Rashad Evans for an invite to check out his camp at Jackson's Submission Fighting. After being reluctant at first, he finally joined Greg Jackson's camp in April 2009.

MMA career

Stevenson was one of the more experienced fighters participating in The Ultimate Fighter 2. He had a professional record of 24-6-0 and held the 155 lb (70 kg). championship at King of the Cage and the 170 lb (77 kg). at Gladiator Challenge going into the show.

On November 5, 2005 Stevenson defeated Luke Cummo by unanimous decision, winning The Ultimate Fighter 2 welterweight tournament and earning a six figure contract with the UFC, UFC president Dana White said "That this fight was Forrest Griffin vs. Stephan Bonnar on the ground".

On April 6, 2006 in his first fight after winning The Ultimate Fighter 2, he was upset by Josh Neer at Ultimate Fight Night 4, losing the fight by unanimous decision. Following the loss, Stevenson announced that he would drop down to the lightweight division for future bouts.

On July 8, 2006 at UFC 61, Joe won his 155-pound debut against Yves Edwards. After opening up a deep cut on Edwards' head due to elbow strikes from the top position, the doctors were forced to pull Edwards from the match.

Stevenson returned to the Octagon at UFC 65, defeating Japanese fighter Dokonjonosuke Mishima by guillotine choke in the first round.

Next, Stevenson was booked for the main event at UFC Fight Night 9 against fellow Season 2 contestant Melvin Guillard. Despite a war of words between the two fighters, particularly by Guillard leading up to the bout, Stevenson made quick work of his opponent, knocking down Guillard with a punch before securing a fight-ending guillotine choke.

At UFC 74, Stevenson defeated Kurt Pellegrino by unanimous decision. After the fight doctors determined that during the course of the fight Stevenson's nose had been fractured. With his string of victories at 155, Stevenson established himself as one of the top contenders in the UFC's very competitive Lightweight Division.