# Eric Pele > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Eric_Pele > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Eric_Pele.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Pele > Source revision: 1331420306 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{short description|American martial artist}} {{BLP sources|date=March 2017}} {{Infobox martial artist | name = Eric Pele | other_names = Big E | image = | image_size = 200px | alt = | caption = | birth_name = | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1969|10|21}} | birth_place = [San Francisco, California](/source/San_Francisco%2C_California), United States | death_date = | death_place = | death_cause = | height_ft = 6 | height_in = 2 | weight_lb = 340 | weight_class = [Super Heavyweight](/source/Super_heavyweight_(MMA))
[Heavyweight](/source/Heavyweight_(MMA)) | reach_in = | style = | stance = Orthodox | fighting_out_of = [Las Vegas, Nevada](/source/Las_Vegas%2C_Nevada), United States | team = Pele Fight Team
[Xtreme Couture](/source/Xtreme_Couture) | rank = Purple belt in [Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu](/source/Brazilian_Jiu-Jitsu) | years_active = 2000–2008 | mma_kowin = 7 | mma_subwin = 2 | mma_decwin = 2 | mma_koloss = 2 | mma_subloss = | mma_decloss = 3 | mma_draw = | mma_nc = | url = | sherdog = 360 | footnotes = | updated = }} '''Eric Pele''' (born October 21, 1969) is a retired [American](/source/United_States) [mixed martial artist](/source/mixed_martial_artist) of [Samoan](/source/Samoans) descent{{cite web|author=Evan South |url=http://evansinterviews.blogspot.com.au/2010/10/eric-pele-interview.html|title= Eric Pele interview |website=evansinterviews.blogspot.com.au |date=2010-10-10 |accessdate=2017-04-20}} and former [King of the Cage Super Heavyweight Champion](/source/List_of_KOTC_champions). Pele is also an accomplished [tattoo artist](/source/tattoo_artist) who has appeared on the [reality television](/source/reality_television) shows "Inked" and "Tattoo Nightmare", with the latter appearing on [Spike TV](/source/Spike_TV), using the nickname 'Big E'. He has competed in various [mixed martial arts](/source/mixed_martial_arts) organizations including [RINGS](/source/RINGS), [MFC](/source/Maximum_Fighting_Championship), and [King of the Cage](/source/King_of_the_Cage).{{Cite web |url=http://www.mmahawaii.com/content/view/140/30/ |title=Eric Pele the Samoan Warrior Returns to Hawaii ! |access-date=2012-01-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120202002200/http://www.mmahawaii.com/content/view/140/30 |archive-date=2012-02-02 |url-status=dead }} ==Mixed martial arts career== ===Early career=== Pele made his professional debut in 2000 at the RINGS USA Heavyweight Tournament, defeating [Wesley Correira](/source/Wesley_Correira) (also making his pro debut) via submission. In the semifinal bout, Pele defeated Roger Neff via decision. In the final, Pele faced then 20-3 [Bobby Hoffman](/source/Bobby_Hoffman). Pele was handed his first professional loss via decision. ===King of the Cage=== After three more wins, Pele faced [Dan Bobish](/source/Dan_Bobish) in the main event at KOTC: Cold Blood for the [Super Heavyweight title](/source/List_of_KOTC_champions). Pele was defeated after his corner stopped the fight in the second round. In 2003, Pele fought again for the title against [Dan Christison](/source/Dan_Christison). Pele won the King of the Cage Super Heavyweight title via first-round TKO. In his first title defense, Pele defeated [Travis Fulton](/source/Travis_Fulton) via first-round submission. In 2005, Pele returned to defend his title in a rematch with Bobby Hoffman. Pele avenged his first career loss and title via second-round TKO. Pele was later stripped of the title due to inactivity, and fought Vince Lucero in October 2006, winning via decision. ===BodogFIGHT=== Pele was signed by Bodog and slated to face [Antonio Silva](/source/Ant%C3%B4nio_Silva_(fighter)) for BodogFIGHT on December 2, 2006. Pele handed the future [UFC](/source/UFC) title challenger his first professional loss via TKO. After his win over Silva, Pele next faced [Alexander Emelianenko](/source/Alexander_Emelianenko) on April 14, 2007. Pele was defeated via first-round stoppage. After a win in the regional circuit, Pele returned to Bodog, losing via decision to Akhmed Sultanov. ===Maximum Fighting Championship=== Pele last competed professionally in May 2008 against [Chase Gormley](/source/Chase_Gormley). Pele was defeated via unanimous decision. {{Clear}} ==Championships and accomplishments== *'''[King of the Cage](/source/King_of_the_Cage)''' **[KOTC Super Heavyweight Championship](/source/List_of_King_of_the_Cage_champions) (Two times) ***One successful title defense *'''[Fighting Network RINGS](/source/Fighting_Network_RINGS)''' **2000 Rising Stars Heavyweight Tournament Runner-up ==Mixed martial arts record== {{MMArecordbox | draws= | nc= | ko-wins= 7 | ko-losses= 2 | sub-wins= 2 | sub-losses= | dec-wins= 2 | dec-losses= 3 | dq-wins= | dq-losses= | other-wins= | other-losses= }} {{MMA record start}} |- | {{no2}}Loss | align=center| 11–5 | [Chase Gormley](/source/Chase_Gormley) | Decision (unanimous) | [MFC 16: Anger Management](/source/2008_in_Maximum_Fighting_Championship) | {{dts|2008|May|9}} | align=center| 3 | align=center| 5:00 | N/A | |- | {{no2}}Loss | align=center| 11–4 | Akhmet Sultanov | Decision (unanimous) | BodogFIGHT: USA vs. Russia | {{dts|2007|November|30}} | align=center| 3 | align=center| 5:00 | N/A | |- | {{yes2}}Win | align=center| 11–3 | Antoine Hayes | TKO | IFO: Kimmons vs Yunker | {{dts|2007|September|21}} | align=center| 1 | align=center| 2:00 | N/A | |- | {{no2}}Loss | align=center| 10–3 | [Alexander Emelianenko](/source/Alexander_Emelianenko) | KO (punch) | BodogFIGHT: Clash of the Nations | {{dts|2007|August|25}} | align=center| 1 | align=center| 4:07 | N/A | |- | {{yes2}}Win | align=center| 10–2 | [Antônio Silva](/source/Ant%C3%B4nio_Silva_(fighter)) | TKO (punches and elbows) | BodogFIGHT: USA vs Russia | {{dts|2006|December|2}} | align=center| 1 | align=center| 2:40 | N/A | |- | {{Yes2}}Win | align=center| 9–2 | Vince Lucero | Decision (unanimous) | Extreme Wars 5 | {{dts|2006|October|6}} | align=center| 3 | align=center| 5:00 | N/A | |- | {{yes2}}Win | align=center| 8–2 | [Bobby Hoffman](/source/Bobby_Hoffman) | TKO | [KOTC: Mortal Sins](/source/2005_in_King_of_the_Cage) | {{dts|2005|May|7}} | align=center| 2 | align=center| 2:55 | N/A |Won the vacant [KOTC Super Heavyweight Championship](/source/List_of_KOTC_champions). |- | {{yes2}}Win | align=center| 7–2 | [Travis Fulton](/source/Travis_Fulton) | Submission (verbal) | [KOTC 32: Bringing Heat](/source/2004_in_King_of_the_Cage) | {{dts|2004|January|24}} | align=center| 1 | align=center| 1:35 | N/A |Defended the [KOTC Super Heavyweight Championship](/source/List_of_KOTC_champions). |- | {{yes2}}Win | align=center| 6–2 | [Dan Christison](/source/Dan_Christison) | TKO | [KOTC 23: Sin City](/source/2003_in_King_of_the_Cage) | {{dts|2003|May|16}} | align=center| 1 | align=center| 4:50 | N/A |Won the vacant [KOTC Super Heavyweight Championship](/source/List_of_KOTC_champions). |- | {{no2}}Loss | align=center| 5–2 | [Dan Bobish](/source/Dan_Bobish) | TKO (corner stoppage) | [KOTC 12: Cold Blood](/source/2002_in_King_of_the_Cage) | {{dts|2002|February|9}} | align=center| 2 | align=center| 1:10 | N/A |For the vacant [KOTC Super Heavyweight Championship](/source/List_of_KOTC_champions). |- | {{Yes2}}Win | align=center| 5–1 | Kauai Kupihea | TKO (submission to strikes) | [KOTC 11: Domination](/source/2001_in_King_of_the_Cage) | {{dts|2001|September|29}} | align=center| 1 | align=center| 1:40 | N/A | |- | {{Yes2}}Win | align=center| 4–1 | [Sean Alvarez](/source/Sean_Alvarez) | KO | [KOTC 9: Showtime](/source/2001_in_King_of_the_Cage) | {{dts|2001|June|23}} | align=center| 3 | align=center| 0:27 | N/A | |- | {{yes2}}Win | align=center| 3–1 | Ernest Henderson | TKO (submission to punches) | GC 1: Gladiator Challenge 1 | {{dts|2000|December|9}} | align=center| N/A | align=center| N/A | N/A | |- | {{no2}} Loss | align=center| 2–1 | [Bobby Hoffman](/source/Bobby_Hoffman) | Decision (unanimous) | [RINGS USA: Rising Stars Final](/source/2000_in_Fighting_Network_Rings) | {{dts|2000|September|30}} | align=center| 3 | align=center| 5:00 | N/A |RINGS Heavyweight Tournament Final. |- | {{yes2}}Win | align=center| 2–0 | Roger Neff | Decision (unanimous) | [RINGS: King of Kings 2000 Block B](/source/2000_in_Fighting_Network_Rings) | {{dts|2000|July|22}} | align=center| 2 | align=center| 5:00 | N/A |RINGS Heavyweight Tournament Semifinal. |- | {{Yes2}}Win | align=center| 1–0 | [Wesley Correira](/source/Wesley_Correira) | Submission (armbar) | [RINGS: King of Kings 2000 Block B](/source/2000_in_Fighting_Network_Rings) | {{dts|2000|July|22}} | align=center| 2 | align=center| 2:30 | N/A |RINGS Heavyweight Tournament Quarterfinal. {{end}} ==References== {{reflist}} ==External links== * {{Sherdog}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Pele, Eric}} Category:1969 births Category:American male mixed martial artists Category:Samoan male mixed martial artists Category:Living people Category:Martial artists from Las Vegas Category:Super heavyweight mixed martial artists Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing Brazilian jiu-jitsu Category:American practitioners of Brazilian jiu-jitsu Category:Samoan practitioners of Brazilian jiu-jitsu Category:American tattoo artists Category:American male tattoo artists Category:20th-century American sportsmen --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Eric Pele](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Pele) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Pele?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.