Keith Berry (fighter)

Keith Berry
Berry sparring with Camp Pendleton boxing team coach in 2009.
BornKeith Adam Berry[1]
(1987-10-25) October 25, 1987 (age 37)
Murrieta, California, United States
Other namesThe K.O. Kid
ResidenceMurrieta, California, United States
Height6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight184.8 lb (83.8 kg; 13.20 st)
DivisionLight Heavyweight
Middleweight
Reach73.5 in (187 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Fighting out ofMurrieta, California, United States
TeamDan Henderson’s Athletic & Fitness Center
Years active2005–2019
Mixed martial arts record
Total34
Wins17
By knockout12
By submission3
By decision1
By disqualification1
Losses15
By knockout8
By submission3
By decision4
Draws1
No contests1
Other information
Notable school(s)Murrieta Valley High School
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Keith Berry (born October 25, 1987) is an American mixed martial artist who competed in Bellator's Middleweight division. A professional fighter since 2005, Berry has formerly fought for the WEC, Strikeforce, King of the Cage and Elite XC ShoXC. Berry is the former 2x King of the Cage Middleweight Champion.

Background

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Berry is from Murrieta, California, and attended Murrieta Valley High School where he competed in wrestling. Despite having a quiet personality, Berry got into wrestling in high school and was introduced to boxing. In 2019 Berry entered the crypto scene and it currently one of the biggest NFT Influencers

Mixed martial arts career

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Early career: World Extreme Cagefighting and King of the Cage

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Berry started his career in 2005 for the California-based promotions King of the Cage and World Extreme Cagefighting. On his two bouts for WEC, he won against Donny Rider and lost against Terry Martin. For KOTC, he won five bouts and the middleweight title, remaining undefeated in the organization until his light heavyweight title fight against Tony Lopez, in which he lost via TKO in the third round due to his coach throwing in the towel against his request.[2]

Gladiator Challenge

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Between 2009 and 2010, Berry fought four times for Gladiator Challenge, obtaining four consecutive victories and holding two of the fastest KO in MMA history (5 and 6 seconds). Despite having lost against Brett Cooper at Pechanga Casino’s very first MMA event Lords of Chaos, in 2011 Berry signed with Strikeforce.[3]

Strikeforce

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Berry made his debut on June 24, 2011, on Strikeforce Challengers: Fodor vs. Terry against Trevor Smith. He lost via technical submission in the second round.[4]

Berry faced Gian Villante on August 12, 2011, at Strikeforce Challengers: Gurgel vs. Duarte. He lost via unanimous decision.[5]

Berry was expected to face Andreas Spång on November 18, 2012, at Strikeforce Challengers: Britt vs. Sayers. However, for undisclosed reasons he was forced out of the bout and was replaced by Willie Parks.[6]

Berry faced Adlan Amagov on April 14, 2012, at Strikeforce: Rousey vs. Kaufman. He lost via TKO in the first round. The ruling was controversial as Amagov seemed to throw a linear kick to the knee of Berry an illegal strike under the Unified Rules of MMA. The kick caused Berry to fall down. Berry then began verbally protesting to the referee Herb Dean, who interpreted this as Berry requesting to stop the fight. Many fighters, including 2 time PRIDE FC Champion Dan Henderson posted on social media saying this was Herb Deans “worst stoppage ever”.[7][8]

After two victories on Xplode Fight Series, Berry signed with Bellator.[9]

Bellator

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Berry made his debut on March 7, 2013, at Bellator 92 against Richard Rigmaden. He won via submission in the first round.[10]

Berry faced Cortez Coleman on June 19, 2013, at Bellator 96. He won via split decision (28-29, 29–28, 29-28).[11]

Berry faced Jeremy Kimball on July 31, 2013, at Bellator 97. He was knocked out in the 2nd round of the bout.[12]

Berry faced Eugene Fadiora on October 25, 2013, at Bellator 105. He lost via TKO in the second round.[13]

Berry then faced Dave Vitkay on April 11, 2014, at Bellator 116. Berry lost the bout via unanimous decision.[14]

Berry was released from the promotion on June 25, 2014.[15]

Despite being released in June 2014, Berry returned to face Joe Pacheco on October 3, 2014, at Bellator 127.[16] He initially won the fight by split decision. However, Berry failed his post-fight drug test (Marijuana metabolites) and the California commission changed the result to a No Contest.[17]

Championships and accomplishments

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Mixed martial arts record

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Professional record breakdown
34 matches 17 wins 15 losses
By knockout 12 8
By submission 3 3
By decision 1 4
By disqualification 1 0
Draws 1
No contests 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 17–15–1 (1) Jayce Bowman TKO (punches) Gladiator Challenge: Holiday Beatings December 4, 2019 2 0:50 San Jacinto, California, United States
Win 16–15–1 (1) Justin Baesman TKO (punches) Gladiator Challenge: Berry vs. Baesman June 1, 2019 1 1:31 San Jacinto, California, United States
Loss 15–15–1 (1) Joe Schilling Decision (unanimous) Bellator 219 March 29, 2019 3 5:00 Temecula, California, United States
Loss 15–14–1 (1) Joseph Henle Submission (rear-naked choke) Golden Boy MMA: Liddell vs. Ortiz 3 November 24, 2018 1 1:12 Inglewood, California, United States
Draw 15–13–1 (1) Kevin Casey Draw (majority) Bellator 170 January 21, 2017 3 5:00 Inglewood, California, United States
NC 15–13 (1) Joe Pacheco No Contest Bellator 127 October 3, 2014 3 5:00 Temecula, California, United States Originally a split decision win for Berry; overturned after failing a drug test.
Loss 15–13 Dave Vitkay Decision (unanimous) Bellator 116 April 11, 2014 3 5:00 Temecula, California, United States
Loss 15–12 Eugene Fadiora TKO (punches) Bellator 105 October 25, 2013 2 4:19 Rio Rancho, New Mexico, United States
Loss 15–11 Jeremy Kimball KO (punches) Bellator 97 July 31, 2013 2 1:45 Rio Rancho, New Mexico Catchweight (190 lbs) bout.[20]
Win 15–10 Cortez Coleman Decision (split) Bellator 96 June 19, 2013 3 5:00 Thackerville, Oklahoma Catchweight (186.4 lbs) bout; Berry missed weight.[21]
Win 14–10 Richard Rigmaden Submission (kimura) Bellator 92 March 7, 2013 1 1:31 Temecula, California
Win 13–10 Edward Darby TKO (punches) Xplode Fight Series: Vengeance January 19, 2013 1 1:02 Valley Center, California
Win 12–10 Josh Gibson TKO (punches) Xplode Fight Series: Anarchy September 22, 2012 1 1:05 Valley Center, California Won the XFS Middleweight Championship.[19]
Loss 11–10 Adlan Amagov TKO (leg kick and punches) Strikeforce: Rousey vs. Kaufman August 18, 2012 1 0:48 San Diego, California
Loss 11–9 Tyson Jeffries Submission (rear-naked choke) FCOC: Fight Club OC April 14, 2012 1 4:10 Costa Mesa, California
Win 11–8 Kenny Aires DQ Gladiator Challenge: Season's Beatings 3 December 4, 2011 1 N/A San Jacinto, California
Loss 10–8 Gian Villante Decision (unanimous) Strikeforce Challengers: Gurgel vs. Duarte August 12, 2011 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Light Heavyweight bout.
Loss 10–7 Trevor Smith Technical submission (north-south choke) Strikeforce Challengers: Fodor vs. Terry June 24, 2011 2 3:02 Kent, Washington, United States Light Heavyweight bout.
Loss 10–6 Brett Cooper KO (punches) LOTC: Lords of the Cage November 19, 2010 1 0:10 Temecula, California, United States
Win 10–5 Brendan Ellison TKO (punches) Gladiator Challenge: Fahrenheit August 20, 2010 1 0:46 San Jacinto, California
Win 9–5 Sam Salas KO (punch) Gladiator Challenge: Bad Behavior June 27, 2010 1 0:06 San Jacinto, California
Win 8–5 Brian Campbell TKO (submission to punches) Gladiator Challenge: Vision Quest February 21, 2010 1 0:14 San Jacinto, California, United States
Win 7–5 Jeff Avants TKO (punches) Gladiator Challenge: Never Quit November 8, 2009 1 0:25 San Jacinto, California, United States
Loss 6–5 Doug Marshall KO (punches) PureCombat 10: Fearless October 17, 2009 1 4:41 Tulare, California
Loss 6–4 Tony Lopez TKO (punches) KOTC: Immortal February 27, 2009 3 4:29 San Jacinto, California, United States Light Heavyweight bout; for the King of the Cage Light Heavyweight Championship.
Loss 6–3 Ray Lizama TKO (punches to the body) ShoXC: Hamman vs. Suganuma 2 August 15, 2008 2 2:15 Friant, California, United States
Win 6–2 Umar Luv TKO (submission to strikes) KOTC: Final Chapter December 2, 2007 2 4:50 San Jacinto, California, United States Defended the King of the Cage Middleweight Championship.
Win 5–2 Sean Loeffler Submission (triangle choke) KOTC: Collision Course August 5, 2007 1 2:05 San Jacinto, California, United States Return to Middleweight; won the King of the Cage Middleweight Championship.[18]
Win 4–2 Adrian Perez KO (knee) KOTC: Sinister April 27, 2007 1 0:12 San Jacinto, California, United States
Loss 3–2 Kawika Morton Decision (split) CCFC: Judgment Day February 17, 2007 3 5:00 Santa Rosa, California, United States
Loss 3–1 Terry Martin TKO (punches) WEC 24: Full Force October 12, 2006 1 2:52 Lemoore, California, United States
Win 3–0 Aiki Cavanaugh KO (punch) KOTC: Mangler June 9, 2006 1 0:06 San Jacinto, California, United States Light Heavyweight debut.
Win 2–0 Donny Rider TKO (punches) WEC 20: Cinco de Mayhem May 5, 2006 1 0:36 Lemoore, California, United States
Win 1–0 Johnny Vasquez TKO (punches) KOTC 63: Final Conflict December 2, 2005 1 N/A San Jacinto, California, United States

References

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  1. ^ Keith Berry's profile Tapology.com
  2. ^ King of the Cage: fight results from King of the Cage - Immortal Archived 2013-10-21 at the Wayback Machine Kingofthecage.com (February 26, 2009)
  3. ^ Strikeforce Challengers 16 takes shape with solid four-bout preliminary card by Dann Stupp (MMAjunkie.com) on May 26, 2011
  4. ^ Strikeforce Challengers 16 results: Fodor edges Terry, Ricehouse plays spoiler by Dann Stupp (MMAjunkie.com) on June 25, 2011
  5. ^ Strikeforce Challengers 18 results: Duarte decisions Gurgel, Rousey nets verbal tap by John Morgan and Karime Gaytan-Morgan (MMAjunkie.com) on August 13, 2011
  6. ^ Parks replaces Berry, meets Spang at Friday's Strikeforce Challengers 20 event MMAjunkie.com (November 17, 2011)
  7. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2015-01-08. Retrieved 2015-01-07.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  8. ^ Strikeforce: Rousey Vs Kaufman results – fan reaction Archived 2013-11-04 at the Wayback Machine by David King (Yahoo.com) on August 19, 2012
  9. ^ Keith Berry claims Bellator offered him a contract by Joseph Lisnow (Fightline.com) on February 6, 2013
  10. ^ Bellator 92 results: Khasbulaev vs. Richman, Marshall vs. Cooper set for finals MMAjunkie.com (March 8, 2013)
  11. ^ Bellator 96 results: play-by-play & updates Sherdog.com (June 19, 2013)
  12. ^ Ken Pishna (1 August 2013). "Bellator 97 results: Michael Chandler and Ben Askren defend belts, King Mo earns title shot". Mmaweekly.com | Ufc and Mma News, Results, Rumors, and Videos. Mmaweekly.com.
  13. ^ Dann Stupp (25 October 2013). "Bellator 105 results: Brooks and Sarnavskiy book tourney-final". MMAjunkie.com.
  14. ^ "Bellator 116 results: play-by-play & updates". Sherdog. 11 April 2014.
  15. ^ "Ex-title challengers Eric Prindle, Anthony Leone, among 19 fighters released by Bellator". Sherdog. June 25, 2014.
  16. ^ "Bellator 127 full fight card finalized for Pechanga Resort & Casino on Oct. 3 on Spike TV". Mmamania.com. MMA Mania. 15 September 2014.
  17. ^ "4 Fighters Fail Post-Fight Drug Screenings Following Bellator 127 in California". Sherdog. Retrieved 2021-05-25.
  18. ^ a b Interview: Keith "KO Kid" Berry talks KOTC title-winning bout MMA Fighting (August 10, 2007)
  19. ^ a b Xplode Fight Series - Anarchy official results Mixedmartialarts.com
  20. ^ Jeremy Kimball vs. Keith Berry Tapology.com
  21. ^ Bellator 96 weigh-in results: two fighters miss marks in Oklahoma (updated) MMAjunkie.com (June 18, 2013)