Stephen Abas

Stephen Anthony Abas (born January 12, 1978) is an American Olympic freestyle wrestler and mixed martial artist. Abas became a three-time NCAA Division I wrestling champion in the 125 lb (57 kg) weight division while attending Fresno State University.[1] He has competed in two world freestyle championships and received a silver medal at the 2004 Olympic Games.[2]

Stephen Abas
Born (1978-01-12) January 12, 1978
Santa Ana, California, U.S.[2]
NationalityAmerican
Height5 ft 5 in (1.65 m) [3]
Weight135 lb (61 kg)
DivisionBantamweight
StyleWrestling
TeamThe Arena[1]
WrestlingNCAA Div I Champion (1999, 2001, 2002)
Mixed martial arts record
Total3
Wins3
By knockout1
By submission0
By decision2
By disqualification0
Losses0
By knockout0
By submission0
By decision0
By disqualification0
Draws0
No contests0
Other information
UniversityFresno State University
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Medal record
Men's freestyle wrestling
Representing the  United States
Olympic Games
Silver medal – second place 2004 Athens 55 kg
Pan American Games
Gold medal – first place 2003 Santo Domingo 55 kg
Junior World Championships
Gold medal – first place1998 Las Vegas56 kg
Collegiate Wrestling
Representing the Fresno State Bulldogs
NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships
Gold medal – first place1999 State College125 lb
Gold medal – first place2001 Iowa City125 lb
Gold medal – first place2002 Albany125 lb

Early life

Abas graduated from James Logan High School as a star wrestler. During high school, Abas was a three-time California wrestling state champion.[4] Prior to JLHS he attended Canyon Springs High School in Moreno Valley. He and his brother Gerry Abas were members of the Wan Tu Wazuri wrestling club at Oakland Technical High School in Oakland.[5]

College career

Wrestling for Fresno State from 1998 to 2002, he earned four All-American honors and three National Championships at the NCAA DI wrestling championships. Abas placed fourth in the 118-pound weight class as a freshman and won the next three years in the 125-pound (57 kg) weight class. He finished his college career with a 144–4 record, with 46 pins, going undefeated his last two college seasons.

International wrestling career

Abas also is a decorated freestyle wrestler; competing in two world freestyle championships and receiving a silver medal at the 2004 Olympic Games. At the 2005 NCAA championships, he was named as one of the fifteen greatest wrestlers in NCAA history, alongside other standouts such as Kurt Angle, Cael Sanderson, and Dan Gable. Abas was also elected to the NCAA 75th Anniversary Wrestling Team.

Abas tried out for the 2008 USA Olympic Team and reached the finals of the Olympic Trials, losing to Henry Cejudo in a best-of-3 series, 2 matches to 1, even though he competed with a damaged knee. In 2008, he retired from competitive wrestling.

Mixed martial arts career

He began an MMA career. He teaches and trains out of The Arena MMA gym in San Diego, alongside other notable athletes such as Diego Sanchez, Joe Duarte, Rani Yahya, K. J. Noons, Fabricio Camoes, and Xande Ribeiro.

MMA record

Professional record breakdown
3 matches 3 wins 0 losses
By knockout 1 0
By decision 2 0
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 3-0 Clint Gerona TKO (Retirement) Rebel Fighter – Annihilation August 13, 2011 3 5:00 Amador County Fairgrounds, Plymouth, California
Win 2-0 Joey de la Cruz Decision (Unanimous) TPF 5: Stars and Strikes September 7, 2010 3 3:00 Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino, Lemoore, California
Win 1-0 Sam Stevens-Milo Decision (Majority) TPF 4: Cinco de Mayhem May 5, 2010 3 3:00 Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino, Lemoore, California Bantamweight debut

Personal life

In 2009, Abas was inducted into the Fresno County Athletic Hall of Fame.[6] In 2018, Abas was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as a Distinguished Member.[7]

References

  1. "2004 Olympic silver medalist Stephen Abas signs with Tachi Palace Fights". April 2, 2010.
  2. "Biography-Stephen Abas | MMA Fighter | Olympic Wrestler | Fresno, Ca". Archived from the original on February 3, 2013.
  3. Stephen Abas at Sports Reference
  4. Stephen Abas | RUDIS. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  5. "Olympic medalist Stephen Abas named Freestyle Developmental Coach for California USA Wrestling Inc". themat.com. October 11, 2012. Retrieved November 29, 2014.
  6. "Fresno County Athletic Hall of Fame | Home". Fresno County Athletic Hall of Fame | Home. Archived from the original on July 31, 2017. Retrieved February 2, 2017.
  7. Stephen Abas. National Wrestling Hall of Fame. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
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