Dan Charles (born September 24, 1985) is an American professional mixed martial artist competing in the heavyweight division. A professional competitor since 2011, he has competed for Bellator MMA and Absolute Championship Berkut.

Dan Charles
Born (1985-09-24) September 24, 1985 (age 39)
Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Other namesThe Man
ResidencePhoenix, Arizona, United States
Height6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight241.4 lb (109.5 kg; 17.24 st)
DivisionHeavyweight
Reach74.0 in (188 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Fighting out ofPhoenix, Arizona, United States
TeamPower MMA and Fitness
Years active2011–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total19
Wins11
By knockout7
By submission2
By decision2
Losses7
By knockout7
Draws1
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Background

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Born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, Charles was a three-sport athlete in high school with wrestling, football, and baseball, excelling at all three. Charles briefly continued his football career in college at Scottsdale Community College, before being introduced to MMA by his brother.[1]

Mixed martial arts career

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Early career

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Charles had just one amateur bout; a 15 second knockout loss, but elected to make his professional MMA debut later two months later in July 2011. Charles began his professional career 7-0 before being signed by Bellator.

Bellator MMA

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Charles made his promotional debut against Samoan kickboxing legend Mighty Mo at Bellator 100 on September 20, 2013. Charles was handed his first professional defeat via third-round TKO.

After his loss to Mighty Mo, Charles fought Dale Sopi on November 23, 2013 in a local Rage in the Cage event in Charles' home state of Arizona. Charles was defeated again via TKO, this time with a head kick and follow-up punches in just 12 seconds.

After the two consecutive losses, Charles faced British fighter Stuart Austin at Bellator 126 on September 26, 2014. Charles won via third-round knockout. He then defeated professional boxer James Wilson a month later at the Bellator MMA 2014 Monster Energy Cup via unanimous decision.

Charles faced Bobby Lashley at Bellator 138 on June 19, 2015, replacing an injured James Thompson on short notice.[2] He was defeated via second-round TKO.

Charles fought once more in the Bellator cage in 2015, defeating UFC veteran Chase Gormley via second-round KO. On May 20, 2016 Charles faced Brazilian Augusto Sakai at Bellator 155. The bout ended in a draw. Charles fought again on October 21, 2016 against former Strikeforce competitor Virgil Zwicker at Bellator 162. Charles, who came into the fight at his heaviest weight under the Bellator banner, was defeated via second-round TKO.

Independent promotions

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Charles returned to competition on January 13, 2017 to face Mike Kyle for the ACB promotion. He was defeated via first-round TKO.

After a rematch with Dale Sopi fell through, Charles faced longtime veteran Tony Lopez for the RUF MMA Heavyweight Championship. Charles lost via first-round TKO. In a rematch again for the title two months later, Charles was able to defeat Lopez via knockout in the first round.

The two would meet for a third consecutive trilogy bout in 2018, with Lopez winning via a second-round submission to punches.

Personal life

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Charles runs a sales company and has a daughter.

Mixed martial arts record

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Professional record breakdown
19 matches 11 wins 7 losses
By knockout 7 7
By submission 2 0
By decision 2 0
Draws 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 11–7–1 Tony Lopez TKO (submission to punches) Ringside Unified Fighting 24 March 17, 2018 2 1:32 Flagstaff, Arizona, United States Lost the RUF MMA Heavyweight Championship.
Win 11–6–1 Tony Lopez KO (punches) Ringside Unified Fighting 22 September 23, 2017 1 1:32 Maricopa, Arizona, United States Won the RUF MMA Heavyweight Championship.
Loss 10–6–1 Tony Lopez TKO (punches) Ringside Unified Fighting 20 July 17, 2017 1 2:50 Flagstaff, Arizona, United States For the RUF MMA Heavyweight Championship.
Loss 10–5–1 Mike Kyle TKO (punches) ACB 51: Silva vs. Torgeson January 13, 2017 1 2:15 Irvine, California, United States
Loss 10–4–1 Virgil Zwicker TKO (knees and punches) Bellator 162 October 21, 2016 2 4:31 Memphis, Tennessee, United States
Draw 10–3–1 Augusto Sakai Draw (majority) Bellator 155 May 20, 2016 3 5:00 Boise, Idaho, United States
Win 10–3 Chase Gormley KO (punch) Bellator 143 September 25, 2015 2 4:35 Hidalgo, Texas, United States
Loss 9–3 Bobby Lashley TKO (punches) Bellator 138 June 19, 2015 2 4:14 St. Louis, Missouri, United States
Win 9–2 James Wilson Decision (unanimous) Bellator 2014 Monster Energy Cup October 18, 2014 3 5:00 Whitney, Nevada, United States
Win 8–2 Stuart Austin KO (punches) Bellator 126 September 26, 2014 3 0:18 Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Loss 7–2 Dale Sopi TKO (punches) Rage in the Cage 169 November 23, 2013 1 0:12 Chandler, Arizona, United States For the RITC Heavyweight Championship.
Loss 7–1 Siala-Mou Siliga TKO (punches) Bellator 100 September 20, 2013 3 1:26 Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Win 7–0 Adam Smith TKO (punches) Rage in the Cage 166 June 22, 2013 1 1:20 Chandler, Arizona, United States
Win 6–0 Maurice Greene Decision (unanimous) Flawless FC 3 May 18, 2012 3 5:00 Inglewood, California, United States
Win 5–0 Alex Moore TKO (retirement) Rage in the Cage 162 September 29, 2012 1 5:00 Chandler, Arizona, United States
Win 4–0 Kevin Absher KO (punch) Rage in the Cage 157 February 18, 2012 1 0:13 Chandler, Arizona, United States
Win 3–0 John Maish Submission (guillotine choke) Rage in the Cage 156 October 22, 2011 1 0:37 Chandler, Arizona, United States
Win 2–0 John Maish Submission (keylock) Rage in the Cage 154 September 9, 2011 1 0:47 Chandler, Arizona, United States
Win 1–0 Nick Leitermann TKO (punches) Rage in the Cage 153 July 16, 2011 1 1:26 Chandler, Arizona, United States

[3]

References

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  1. ^ "Dan Charles". azcombatsports.com. Archived from the original on 2015-03-25.
  2. ^ Bohn, Mike (June 10, 2015). "James Thompson injured, Dan Charles steps in vs. Bobby Lashley at Bellator 138". mmajunkie.com.
  3. ^ Sherdog.com. "Dan". Sherdog. Retrieved 2018-12-20.