Bobby Southworth

Bobby Southworth
Bobby Southworth
Born	December 16, 1969 (age 56); Madison, Wisconsin, U.S.
Occupation	Mixed martial artist (retired)
Years active	1999–2010
Known for	First-ever Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion

Bobby Southworth (born December 16, 1969) is a retired American mixed martial artist who competed in the Light Heavyweight category. He participated in PRIDE FC and was featured on the inaugural season of The Ultimate Fighter. Southworth earned distinction as the first-ever Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion.

Background

Originally from Madison, Wisconsin, Southworth was adopted at six weeks old and raised in Santa Cruz, California. During his formative years, he engaged in sports such as surfing, football, basketball, and track. After completing his education at Soquel High School, he continued playing basketball at both Cabrillo College and UC Davis.

His passion for martial arts was sparked after watching Royce Gracie compete at UFC 1 and UFC 2. Pursuing fitness goals, he began training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at the Cesar Gracie Jiu-Jitsu academy before transitioning to Gracie Systems under Ralph Gracie in Mountain View, California, where he also served as an instructor. Differences regarding no-holds-barred fighting philosophies prompted his departure from that academy. Subsequently, he joined the American Kickboxing Academy and took on teaching Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, filling the gap left by the absence of a formal program.

Mixed martial arts career

Southworth’s first significant opportunity in mixed martial arts came when he accepted a fight against Vitor Belfort on just two weeks' notice at PRIDE 13 on March 25, 2001. The experienced Brazilian fighter dominated the bout, submitting Southworth with a rear naked choke in the opening round.

Towards the end of 2003, Southworth briefly stepped away from competition due to a financial disagreement with Javier Mendez but returned to the academy approximately one year later.

Return from retirement

He competed on The Ultimate Fighter Season 1, where he won his initial preliminary match against Lodune Sincaid but was narrowly defeated by Stephan Bonnar via split decision. Although considered as a potential substitute for Forrest Griffin, Southworth ultimately fought on the finale’s undercard, losing by unanimous decision to Sam Hoger.

Strikeforce

Southworth then signed with Strikeforce. His first fight against James "The Sandman" Irvin was declared a No-Contest just 17 seconds in due to an accidental cage door malfunction.

He subsequently challenged for Strikeforce’s vacant light heavyweight title versus Vernon "Tiger" White, securing victory by decision through effective takedowns and controlling the fight.

Following this, Southworth faced Anthony Ruiz in a non-title match but was defeated by TKO (cut) in the second round. In a championship rematch on June 27, 2008, he successfully defended his title with a unanimous decision win, becoming the only athlete to retain the Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Championship.

At Strikeforce: Destruction on November 21, 2008, Southworth lost his belt to former UFC competitor Renato Sobral "Babalu" via TKO (cut) in the first round after sustaining a deep cut above his left eye. Despite dominating much of the round and even knocking Sobral down before the bell, medical personnel halted the contest between rounds. Although both fighters expressed interest in a rematch and Sobral verbally agreed, it never took place; following Sobral’s retirement in 2013, a second meeting appears unlikely.

Career after Strikeforce

Southworth sought to participate in the 11th season of The Ultimate Fighter; however, the UFC's selection process ultimately concentrated solely on Middleweight competitors, despite initially inviting both Middleweights and Light Heavyweights to try out.

In his concluding professional bout, Southworth secured a first-round knockout victory over Aaron Boyes at Xtreme MMA 2, held on July 31, 2010.

Personal background

Southworth is a father to four children, comprising three daughters and one son.

He played a pivotal role in establishing the American Kickboxing Academy Sunnyvale in 2008. Later, in 2015, he took on a coaching position at UFC Gym Hollow Brook located in San Antonio, Texas.

Titles and achievements

Strikeforce
- First-ever Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion (one-time holder)
- Achieved one successful title defense
- Distinguished as the only athlete to defend the Light Heavyweight Championship successfully

Professional mixed martial arts record

|align=center |7–4 (1) 
| Vernon White 
|Decision (unanimous) 
|Strikeforce: Triple Threat 
| 
|align=center |5 
|align=center |5:00 
|San Jose, California, United States 
|Captured inaugural Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Championship. 
|- 
| NC 
|align=center |6–4 (1) 
| James Irvin 
|No Contest 
|Strikeforce: Revenge 
| 
|align=center |1 
|align=center |0:17 
|San Jose, California, United States 
|Both fighters fell out of the cage. 
|- 
|Loss 
|align=center |6–4 
| Sam Hoger 
|Decision (unanimous) 
|The Ultimate Fighter 1 Finale 
| 
|align=center |3 
|align=center |5:00 
|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States 
|- 
|Win 
|align=center |6–3 
| Bryan Pardoe 
|TKO 
|X-1 
| 
|align=center |2 
|align=center |0:14 
|Yokohama, Japan 
|- 
|Win 
|align=center |5–3 
| Brian Vanderwalle 
|Submission (armbar) 
|IFC WC 18: Big Valley Brawl 
|
|
|
Lakeport, California, United States  
|-  
|-  
Loss  
4–3  
David Pa'aluhi  
KO  
Warriors Quest 4: Genesis  
2002 March 29  
1  
0:16  
Honolulu, Hawaii, United States  
|-  
|-  
Win  
4–2  
Floyd Sword  
TKO  
IFC WC 14: Warriors Challenge 14  
2001 July 18  
3  
5:00  
Friant, California, United States  
|-  
Loss  
3–2  
Vitor Belfort  
Submission (rear-naked choke)  
PRIDE 13: Collision Course  
2001 March 25  
1  
4:09  
Saitama, Saitama, Japan  
|-  
Win  
3–1  
Ivan Sequet  
TKO (submission to strikes)  
Bushido 1  
2001 January 18  
1  
 
Tempe, Arizona, United States  
 
|-  
 
Win  
 
2–1  
 
Toby Oberdine  
 
Submission (choke)  
 
IFC WC 10: Warriors Challenge 10  
 
2000 October 11  
 
1  
 
2:30  
 
Friant, California, United States  
 
|-  
 
Win  
 
1–1  
 
Bob Ostovich  
 
TKO (punches)  
 
SB 12: SuperBrawl 12  
 
1999 June 1  
 
1  
 
4:22  
 
Honolulu, Hawaii, United States  
 
|-  
 
Loss  
 
0–1  
 
Jason Godsey  
 
Submission (choke)  
 
Neutral Grounds 12

1999 May 28

N/A

United States

|-

References

External links

American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) Sunnyvale