Carmelo Marrero (born January 26, 1981) is an American former professional mixed martial artist who competed in the Heavyweight and Light Heavyweight divisions. He has competed for the UFC, WEC, Bellator Fighting Championships, the IFL, and the XFC.

Carmelo Marrero
Born (1981-01-26) January 26, 1981 (age 43)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Other namesThe Fury
Height6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight255 lb (116 kg; 18.2 st)
DivisionHeavyweight
Light Heavyweight
Reach73+12 in (187 cm)[1]
Fighting out ofCoconut Creek, Florida, U.S.
TeamAmerican Top Team
Years active2004–2013
Mixed martial arts record
Total23
Wins16
By knockout3
By submission7
By decision6
Losses6
By submission2
By decision4
No contests1
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Background

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Marrero was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and raised in Douglassville, Pennsylvania. He was diagnosed with cancer at a young age and eventually was able to overcome the illness. Marrero began wrestling for Daniel Boone High School in Berks County, Pennsylvania and placed sixth in the state tournament as a Heavyweight. Marrero had originally wanted to attend Rider University after graduating from high school, decided to attend Gloucester County College for two and a half years where he set multiple records. Marrero was sidelined by a near-fatal car accident which took him six months to recover, but later came back to win over 40 matches and qualify for the Junior College National Tournament. Marrero later transferred to Rider University where he became the team captain and was a two-time national qualifier. After college, Marrero began venturing into mixed martial arts.[2]

Mixed martial arts career

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Early career

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Marrero's first five professional bouts were against local opponents in small fight promotions along the New Jersey shore. Marrero would go on to win and dominate all five bouts before being signed by the UFC.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

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Marrero made his UFC debut against a much larger and more experienced opponent in Cheick Kongo who already had two wins for the organization. Marrero used his superior grappling skills to control the bout and won via a split decision.

In his next fight he faced Gabriel Gonzaga, with the winner to get a shot to fight Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipović for the #1 contender spot; Marrero lost this fight in the first round via submission due to an armbar submission.[3] He dropped down to the Light Heavyweight division to face Wilson Gouveia at UFC 71,[4] but was again defeated via first-round submission and was then released from the UFC.

International Fight League

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Marrero competed for American Top Team's camp in the International Fight League and made his debut for the organization on April 4, 2008 at IFL: New Jersey where he faced Mike Ciesnolevicz. The fight was ruled a no-contest after an accidental headbutt in the first round.

World Extreme Cagefighting

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Marrero made his WEC debut on November 5, 2008 at WEC 36 against Steve Steinbeiss and won via split decision.

Return to the UFC

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Following his win against Steinbeiss, Marrero returned to the UFC on April 1, 2009 facing Ryan Bader at UFC Fight Night 18.[5] He lost the fight via unanimous decision, and was released from the promotion once again.

Bellator

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Carmelo was set to make his promotional debut with Bellator at Bellator 69 against Seth Petruzelli,[6] however the bout was canceled the day of the event due to Petruzelli not being medically cleared to fight.[7]

Marrero made his Bellator debut on October 19, 2012 at Bellator 77 against Lew Polley and lost via unanimous decision.[8]

Championships and accomplishments

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Mixed martial arts record

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Professional record breakdown
23 matches 16 wins 6 losses
By knockout 3 0
By submission 7 2
By decision 6 4
No contests 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 16–6 (1) Shelton Graves Submission (leglock) XFE 28: Atiyeh vs. Gratalo 2 October 25, 2013 1 1:33 Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, United States
Win 15–6 (1) J.A. Dudley TKO (punches) XFE: Cage Wars 24 June 8, 2013 2 1:54 Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, United States
Loss 14–6 (1) Lew Polley Decision (unanimous) Bellator 77 October 19, 2012 3 5:00 Reading, Pennsylvania, United States
Win 14–5 (1) Scott Barrett Decision (unanimous) XFC 14: Resurrection October 21, 2011 3 5:00 Orlando, Florida, United States
Loss 13–5 (1) Mark Holata Decision (unanimous) C3 Fights: SlamFest January 29, 2011 3 5:00 Newkirk, Oklahoma, United States
Win 13–4 (1) Steven Banks Submission (guillotine choke) WCC 3: Brawl at the Hall October 9, 2010 2 2:33 Allentown, Pennsylvania, United States
Win 12–4 (1) Brian Heden Decision (unanimous) C3 Fights: Knockout-Rockout Weekend 4 July 17, 2010 3 3:00 Clinton, Oklahoma, United States Return to Heavyweight.
Win 11–4 (1) Wayne Cole Submission (guillotine choke) C3 Fights: Slammin Jammin Weekend 4 February 13, 2010 2 2:37 Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Loss 10–4 (1) Antwain Britt Decision (unanimous) Vendetta Fighting Championship: A Night of Vengeance September 5, 2009 3 5:00 Oranjestad, Aruba
Loss 10–3 (1) Ryan Bader Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Condit vs. Kampmann April 1, 2009 3 5:00 Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Win 10–2 (1) Steve Steinbeiss Decision (split) WEC 36 November 5, 2008 3 5:00 Hollywood, Florida, United States
Win 9–2 (1) Chuck Huus Submission (ankle lock) C3 Fights: Clash in Concho September 19, 2008 N/A N/A Concho, Oklahoma, United States
Win 8–2 (1) Rader McHugh Submission (rear-naked choke) C3 Fights: Showdown 2 August 16, 2008 2 2:48 Cherokee, North Carolina, United States
NC 7–2 (1) Mike Ciesnolevicz No Contest (accidental headbutt) IFL: New Jersey April 4, 2008 1 1:37 East Rutherford, New Jersey, United States
Win 7–2 Rafael del Real TKO (doctor stoppage) WCO: Kerr vs. Gavin November 7, 2007 1 5:00 Hollywood, California, United States
Loss 6–2 Wilson Gouveia Submission (guillotine choke) UFC 71 May 26, 2007 1 3:06 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Light Heavyweight debut.
Loss 6–1 Gabriel Gonzaga Submission (armbar) UFC 66 December 30, 2006 1 3:22 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 6–0 Cheick Kongo Decision (split) UFC 64 October 14, 2006 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 5–0 Petrus Walker TKO (doctor stoppage) Cage Fury Fighting Championships 1 June 30, 2006 1 2:43 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Won the inaugural CFFC Heavyweight Championship.
Win 4–0 Dale Carson Submission (rear-naked choke) MFC: Boardwalk Blitz March 4, 2006 2 0:48 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win 3–0 Sherman Pendergarst Decision (unanimous) RF 9: Battle at the Beach 2009 August 6, 2005 2 5:00 Wildwood, New Jersey, United States
Win 2–0 Chris Volo Decision (unanimous) Reality Fighting 8 April 2, 2005 2 5:00 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win 1–0 Chris Dippolito Submission (rear-naked choke) Reality Fighting 7 October 16, 2004 1 1:02 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States

References

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  1. ^ "Carmelo "The Fury" Marrero's profile". tapology.com. Retrieved June 29, 2014.
  2. ^ "Carmelo Marrero "The Fury" (12-3-0) Official Mixed Martial Arts Record". www.mixedmartialarts.com. Archived from the original on August 9, 2010.
  3. ^ "Gabriel Gonzaga vs. Carmelo Marrero". tapology.com. December 30, 2006.
  4. ^ "Report: Wilson Gouveia vs. Carmelo Marrero Added to UFC 71 Fight Card". mmajunkie.com. April 19, 2007.
  5. ^ ""TUF8" winner Ryan Bader meets Carmelo Marrero at UFC Fight Night 18". mmajunkie.com. January 12, 2009.
  6. ^ "Carmelo Marrero fights fellow UFC vet Seth Petruzelli at Bellator 68 live on MTV2". wewantfights.com. Archived from the original on July 2, 2014. Retrieved June 29, 2014.
  7. ^ "Highly anticipated Marrero vs. Petruzelli bout canceled hours before live fight". wewantfights.com. Archived from the original on July 2, 2014. Retrieved June 29, 2014.
  8. ^ "Bellator 77: live video stream, discussion and play by play". bloodyelbow.com. October 19, 2012.
  9. ^ "Cage Rage 17: Ultimate Challenge".
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