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Name: Jake O'Brien
Professional MMA Record: 11-2
Biography: Jake O'Brien is a three time Indiana State High School wrestling Champion who would go on to compete as a Division I wrestler at Purdue University. His stellar high school career saw him post a 152-9 record, including two perfect seasons, in the 215 lb. division. In college, he would redshirt his first year and make his debut the next, though now he was in the 285 lb. weight class. This would not be the first time he'd be changing weights.
After a disappointing 14-18 record in his debut season with Purdue, Jake turned his attention to mixed martial arts, picking up a couple of amateur victories in the summer of 2004 before turning pro. His first seven fights saw him blast through the competition at heavyweight, stopping all of his fights in the first round. This would get him a call up to the UFC.
He made his UFC debut in August of 2006 after less than a year and a half of professional competition. At Fight Night 6, he picked up a TKO victory over Kristof Midoux in the second round. He would follow that up in November with a decision victory over Josh Shockman, but it would be his next fight that would bring him his most high profile victory to date.
On January 25th, 2007, O'Brien would outwrestle and outpoint longtime veteran Heath Herring for three rounds en route to a unanimous decision at Fight Night 8. A chronic spinal injury from his college wrestling years forced O'Brien out of his next scheduled bout, however, and he would spend over a year inactive before making a return against Andrei Arlovski at UFC 82 in March of 2008. In what was Arlovski's final fight with the UFC, he would force O'Brien to succumb to his punches in the second round, handing the then 23 year old his first professional loss.
At the thrown together Fight Night 14 that acted as counter-programming to Affliction's first event, O'Brien went up against the up and coming heavyweight powerhouse in Cain Velasquez. Unfortunately for him, this fight had to happen for him to realize a cut down to his more natural weight would be a good idea. Velasquez got him into the crucifix position on top and unleashed shot after unprotected shot to O'Brien, who could do no more than move his head from side to side, causing the fight to be stopped.
He made the drop to light heavyweight a successful one in January of this year, picking up a split decision victory over another former heavyweight making the drop in Christian Wellisch.
Now at a more natural weight, O'Brien will be looking to return to form once again when he faces the unique and unorthodox 21 year old Jon Jones at UFC 100.
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