Clifford Starks

Clifford Bernard Starks (born April 25, 1981) is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Middleweight division for the World Series of Fighting. A professional competitor since 2009, he has formerly competed for the UFC, Bellator, and Shark Fights.

Clifford Starks
Born (1981-04-25) April 25, 1981
Sacramento, California, United States
NationalityAmerican
Height6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)[1]
Weight185 lb (84 kg; 13.2 st)
DivisionLight Heavyweight
Middleweight
Reach78.0 in (198 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Fighting out ofTempe, Arizona, United States
TeamArizona Combat Sports
Years active2009-present
Mixed martial arts record
Total19
Wins14
By knockout3
By submission4
By decision7
Losses5
By knockout1
By submission2
By decision2
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Background

Starks was born in Pomona, California and attended Mountain Pointe High School in Phoenix, Arizona. At Mountain Pointe, Starks competed in wrestling, football, and track and field. Talented, Starks earned a total of ten varsity letters and won a state championship in wrestling. Starks later attended Mesa Community College where he competed in football and track and field until 2002 when he transferred to Arizona State University.[2] At Arizona State, Starks competed for the school's NCAA Division I wrestling team alongside former UFC Heavyweight Champion Cain Velasquez and had a third-place finish in the PAC 10.[3]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Starks made his professional MMA debut in 2009 and fought primarily for the Rage in the Cage promotion in Arizona. He quickly amassed an undefeated record of 7-0 during the first two years of his career before joining the UFC.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Starks made his UFC debut less than two weeks removed from his last fight as a short-notice replacement for injured Brad Tavares against fellow UFC newcomer Dustin Jacoby at UFC 137.[4] He won the fight via unanimous decision (30-27, 30–27, 30–27).

Starks next faced Ed Herman on February 4, 2012, at UFC 143.[5] He lost the fight via submission in the second round.

Starks next faced Yoel Romero on April 20, 2013, at UFC on Fox 7.[6] He lost the fight via KO in the first round and was subsequently released from the promotion.[7]

Bellator MMA

In September 2013, Starks made his debut for Bellator MMA. He faced Joe Yager at Bellator 100 and won the fight via unanimous decision.

Starks faced Kobe Ortiz on September 26, 2014, at Bellator 126.[8] He won the fight via submission in the second round.

World Series of Fighting

Starks made his debut at WSOF 19. He was originally scheduled to face Eddie Arizmendi on the card. However, a last minute card change the day of the event led to Starks facing Jake Heun on the main card. He won the fight via submission in the second round.

Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown
19 matches 14 wins 5 losses
By knockout 3 1
By submission 4 2
By decision 7 2
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 14–5 Abdul-Rahman Dzhanaev Decision (majority) ACB 74: Aguev vs. Townsend November 25, 2017 3 5:00 Vienna, Austria
Win 14–4 Waylon Quotskuyva Submission (americana) Ringside Unified Fighting 22 September 23, 2017 1 3:35 Maricopa, Arizona, United States Won the RUF Light Heavyweight Championship.
Loss 13–4 Albert Duraev Submission (rear-naked choke) ACB 67: Cooper vs. Berkhamov August 19, 2017 2 2:34 Grozny, Russia
Loss 13–3 David Branch Decision (unanimous) WSOF 30 April 2, 2016 5 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States For the WSOF Middleweight Championship.
Win 13–2 Krasimir Mladenov Decision (unanimous) WSOF 23 September 18, 2015 3 5:00 Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Win 12–2 Mike Kyle Decision (unanimous) WSOF 22 August 1, 2015 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Light Heavyweight bout.
Win 11–2 Jake Heun Submission (arm-triangle choke) WSOF 19 March 28, 2015 2 4:11 Phoenix, Arizona, United States Light Heavyweight bout.
Win 10–2 Kobe Ortiz Technical submission (guillotine choke) Bellator 126 September 26, 2014 2 0:52 Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Win 9–2 Joe Yager Decision (unanimous) Bellator 100 September 20, 2013 3 5:00 Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Loss 8–2 Yoel Romero KO (flying knee and punches) UFC on Fox: Henderson vs. Melendez April 20, 2013 1 1:32 San Jose, California, United States
Loss 8–1 Ed Herman Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC 143 February 4, 2012 2 1:43 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 8–0 Dustin Jacoby Decision (unanimous) UFC 137 October 29, 2011 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 7–0 Artenas Young Decision (unanimous) Shark Fights 20 October 15, 2011 3 5:00 Laughlin, Nevada, United States
Win 6–0 Rudy Aguilar TKO (punches) Rage in the Cage 152 May 21, 2011 1 1:42 Chandler, Arizona, United States
Win 5–0 Roe Harris KO (punch) Rage in the Cage 151 April 16, 2011 1 2:59 Chandler, Arizona, United States
Win 4–0 Tony Johnson Decision (unanimous) MEZ Sports: Pandemonium 4 February 25, 2011 3 5:00 Riverside, California, United States
Win 3–0 Mike Heidenreich TKO (punches) Rage in the Cage 144 September 11, 2010 1 1:23 Chandler, Arizona, United States
Win 2–0 Reyes Ortiz Decision (split) Rage in the Cage 139 February 13, 2010 3 5:00 Tucson, Arizona, United States
Win 1–0 Chad Menneke Submission (americana) Rage in the Cage 138 December 4, 2009 2 1:35 Mesa, Arizona, United States

See also

References
  1. "Clifford Starks | UFC". 14 September 2018.
  2. http://athletics.mesacc.edu/all-sports/former-mcc-thrower-and-football-player-clifford-starks-fight-ufc-137-card
  3. "Clifford Starks | UFC". 14 September 2018.
  4. "Tavares out of 137; Starks to face Jacoby". UFC.com. October 21, 2011. Archived from the original on October 12, 2011. Retrieved October 21, 2011.
  5. "Ed Herman vs. Clifford Starks Added to UFC 143". mmafighting.com. December 28, 2011.
  6. "Yoel Romero vs Clifford Starks set for UFC on FOX 7". bloodyelbow.com. January 23, 2013.
  7. "UFC releases middleweight Clifford Starks". bloody elbow.com. May 5, 2013.
  8. "Bellator 126 fight card finalized for Sept. 26 in Phoenix on Spike TV". mmamania.com. September 9, 2014.
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