Marcus LeVesseur (born July 17, 1982) is a retired American mixed martial artist who competed in the Lightweight division. A professional competitor since 2003, he competed for the UFC and Adrenaline MMA. As a collegiate wrestler, LeVesseur was the only four-time undefeated NCAA Division III National Champion in history, and one of the three to do so across all three NCAA divisions. Only Cael Sanderson of Division I - Iowa State University (159-0), Joey Davis of Division II - Notre Dame College (133-0), and Marcus LeVesseur of Division III - Augsburg University (155-0) have completed their collegiate careers as undefeated, four-time NCAA champions.

Marcus LeVesseur
Marcus LeVesseur in 2009
Born (1982-07-17) July 17, 1982 (age 42)
Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
Other namesThe Prospect
NationalityAmerican
Height5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Weight155.4 lb (70.5 kg)
DivisionLightweight
Reach70.0 in (178 cm)
Fighting out ofEagan, Minnesota, U.S.
TeamMinnesota Fight Factory
WrestlingNCAA Division III Wrestling
Years active2003-present
Mixed martial arts record
Total29
Wins22
By knockout10
By submission7
By decision5
Losses7
By knockout4
By submission3
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Medal record
Collegiate Wrestling
Representing Augsburg
NCAA Division III Championships
Gold medal – first place 2003 Ada 157 lb
Gold medal – first place 2004 Dubuque 157 lb
Gold medal – first place 2005 Northfield 157 lb
Gold medal – first place 2006 Dubuque 165 lb

Background

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Born and raised in Minneapolis, LeVesseur began wrestling at the age of five and went on to become a four-time State Champion at Roosevelt High School, and spent his senior year at Bloomington Kennedy High School. LeVesseur, who was also a talented football player as a quarterback and competed in track and field, had a 141-match win streak heading into college, and holds the high school wrestling state record for most wins, including one over future Olympian and Bellator Welterweight Champion, Ben Askren. LeVesseur, who also excelled academically, was offered a scholarship to compete at the University of Minnesota, but transferred to NCAA Division III Augsburg College before beginning his freshman season for Minnesota.[1][2] As a college wrestler, LeVesseur was undefeated and untied, with a record of 155–0. He won four NCAA Division III Championships individually, and was a member of two teams that won National Championships. For his performance in 2005, he received the Wade Schalles Award for best collegiate pinner.[3] Since his last loss in high school competition LeVesseur compiled an amateur wrestling record of 296–0 through his senior year at Augsburg. He is only the second college wrestler ever to finish his career unbeaten and untied, with a 155–0 career record (Cael Sanderson was the first with a 159–0 record; Joey Davis has since joined them with a 133-0 record).[4] LeVesseur ended his high school wrestling career 141-match unbeaten streak, which when combined with his unbeaten college career was 296–0. LeVesseur also continued with football at Augsburg, breaking multiple touchdown and rushing records for the conference and school as a quarterback.[5]

Mixed martial arts career

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Early career

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LeVesseur made his MMA debut in 2003 against Doug Henkey. He won via KO 44 seconds into round one and went on to compiled a record of 21-5 while competing for regional promotions.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

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In April 2012 it was reported that LeVesseur had signed a four-fight deal with the UFC. He made his debut as a replacement for Aaron Riley against Cody McKenzie on May 15, 2012 at UFC on Fuel TV: Korean Zombie vs. Poirier.[6] He lost the fight via submission in the first round.

LeVesseur defeated Carlo Prater on October 5, 2012 at UFC on FX 5[7] via split decision.

LeVesseur was expected to face Michael Chiesa on December 8, 2012 at UFC on Fox 5, replacing an injured Rafaello Oliveira.[8] However, the week of the event, Chiesa was forced out of the bout with LeVesseur with an undisclosed illness and the bout was scrapped altogether.[9] Then on the day of the weigh-ins for the event, Tim Means was forced from his bout with Abel Trujillo after sustaining a head injury caused by a fall in a hotel sauna and LeVesseur stepped up to face Trujillo.[10] He lost the fight via TKO in the second round and was subsequently released from the promotion.[11]

Mixed martial arts record

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Professional record breakdown
29 matches 22 wins 7 losses
By knockout 10 4
By submission 7 3
By decision 5 0
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 22–7 Abel Trujillo TKO (knees to the body) UFC on Fox: Henderson vs. Diaz December 8, 2012 2 3:56 Seattle, Washington, United States
Win 22–6 Carlo Prater Decision (split) UFC on FX: Browne vs. Bigfoot October 5, 2012 3 5:00 Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Loss 21–6 Cody McKenzie Submission (guillotine choke) UFC on Fuel TV: Korean Zombie vs. Poirier May 15, 2012 1 3:05 Fairfax, Virginia, United States
Win 21–5 Taurean Bogguess Decision (unanimous) MSC: High Stakes August 19, 2011 3 5:00 Hinckley, Minnesota, United States
Win 20–5 Brian Geraghty TKO (punches) Seconds Out/Vivid MMA: Combat on Capitol Hill 5 April 15, 2011 1 1:52 St. Paul, Minnesota, United States
Win 19–5 Dane Sayers Decision (unanimous) Showdown at the Sheraton February 4, 2011 3 5:00 St. Paul, Minnesota, United States
Loss 18–5 Dakota Cochrane Submission (triangle choke) Combat on Capitol Hill 4 November 12, 2010 1 4:08 St. Paul, Minnesota, United States
Win 18–4 Josh Bumgarner Submission (rear-naked choke) Combat on Capitol Hill 3 September 17, 2010 2 4:21 St. Paul, Minnesota, United States
Win 17–4 Morrison Lamb TKO (doctor stoppage) Combat on Capitol Hill 2 July 30, 2010 1 3:43 St. Paul, Minnesota, United States
Win 16–4 Jay Ellis KO (punches) ECO: Extreme Cagefighting Organization 6 July 10, 2010 1 0:53 Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, United States
Loss 15–4 Jason Buck TKO (punches) Havoc at the Hyatt II June 19, 2010 2 4:20 Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Win 15–3 Mike Plazola Submission (rear-naked choke) Havoc at the Hyatt March 27, 2010 1 4:45 Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Win 14–3 Bruce Johnson Submission (rear-naked choke) Seconds Out 11/20/09 November 20, 2009 1 2:04 St. Paul, Minnesota, United States
Win 13–3 Eric Marriott Decision (unanimous) Seconds Out 2/13/09 February 13, 2009 3 5:00 Maplewood, Minnesota, United States
Win 12–3 RT Hicks KO (punch) MCS: Minnesota Combat Sports January 17, 2009 1 0:10 St. Paul, Minnesota, United States
Loss 11–3 Brian Cobb Submission (rear-naked choke) War Gods: Do or Die November 8, 2008 2 2:35 Fresno, California, United States
Win 11–2 Ismael Gonzalez Submission (rear-naked choke) WG: War Gods July 26, 2008 2 1:46 Fresno, California, United States
Win 10–2 Henry King Submission (rear-naked choke) MF 4: Max Fights 4 July 19, 2008 1 1:06 Fargo, North Dakota, United States
Loss 9–2 Tom Belt TKO (punches) Adrenaline MMA: Guida vs Russow June 14, 2008 1 4:10 Chicago, Illinois, United States
Win 9–1 Johnny Case KO (punch) SO: Seconds Out May 17, 2008 1 0:23 St. Paul, Minnesota, United States
Win 8–1 Jesse Evans Submission (rear-naked choke) MF 3: Max Fights 3 April 26, 2008 1 1:30 Fargo, North Dakota, United States
Loss 7–1 Derek Abram TKO (knee injury) UCS: Battle on the Bay 9 November 30, 2007 1 0:15 Superior, Wisconsin, United States
Win 7–0 Mike Sanchez TKO (punches) FCC 31: Freestyle Combat Challenge 31 November 10, 2007 1 1:23 Kenosha, Wisconsin, United States
Win 6–0 Richard Silva Submission (rear-naked choke) WFC - Downtown Throwdown September 14, 2007 2 1:42 Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Win 5–0 Josh Marker TKO (doctor stoppage) EFX: Fury May 3, 2007 1 0:38 Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Win 4–0 Billy Walters KO (punches) EFX: Fury November 1, 2006 1 0:51 Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Win 3–0 Jaxson Mason Decision (unanimous) EFX: Fury October 5, 2006 3 5:00 Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Win 2–0 Yancy Cueller TKO (punches) EFX: EFX September 6, 2006 1 0:27 Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Win 1–0 Doug Henkey KO (punch) EC: Best of the Best 1 May 10, 2003 1 0:44 Fridley, Minnesota, United States

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Marcus "The Prospect" LeVesseur". MarcusLesseur.com. Retrieved January 27, 2015.
  2. ^ Morrison, Toussaint (December 7, 2012). "Marcus LeVesseur: The Pride of Minneapolis Fights On". Kid Fresh. Retrieved January 27, 2015.
  3. ^ "Schalles Award Winners". WIN magazine. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
  4. ^ Moore, Roger (March 12, 2016). "Division II wrestling championship: Davis joins wrestling elite, wins fourth NCAA title". NCAA.com. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
  5. ^ "Marcus LeVesseur". Sterling Entertainment Group. Retrieved January 27, 2015.
  6. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on April 26, 2012. Retrieved April 24, 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  7. ^ "Prater-LeVesseur added to UFC on FX 5". mmajunkie.com. August 1, 2012. Archived from the original on August 4, 2012.
  8. ^ "Replacement Marcus LeVesseur meets Michael Chiesa at UFC on FOX 5". MMAjunkie.com. October 24, 2012. Archived from the original on October 26, 2012.
  9. ^ Staff (December 3, 2012). "Michael Chiesa ill, scratches from Saturday's UFC on FOX 5 event". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved December 3, 2012.
  10. ^ Brand, Jeremy (December 7, 2012). "Tim Means out, Marcus LeVesseur in at UFC on FOX 5 against Abel Trujillo". MMAsucka.com. Retrieved December 7, 2012.
  11. ^ Alexander, Mookie (January 18, 2013). "UFC releases nine fighters from their roster, including Chad Griggs, Jeff Hougland, and Marcus LeVesseur". bloodyelbow.com.
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