| Efraín Escudero | |
|---|---|
.png) Efraín Escudero | |
| Born | (1986-01-15)January 15, 1986 (age 39) San Luis Rio Colorado, Sonora,Mexico[1] |
| Other names | Hecho En México[1] |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (175 cm) |
| Weight | 155 lb (70 kg; 11.1 st) |
| Division | Lightweight |
| Reach | 70 in (180 cm)[2] |
| Style | Wrestling |
| Fighting out of | Somerton, Arizona, U.S. |
| Team | MMA Lab |
| Rank | Brown belt inBrazilian Jiu-Jitsu under John Crouch[1] |
| Wrestling | NCAA wrestling[3] |
| Years active | 2006–present |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 49 |
| Wins | 32 |
| By knockout | 2 |
| By submission | 16 |
| By decision | 14 |
| Losses | 17 |
| By knockout | 1 |
| By submission | 2 |
| By decision | 14 |
| Other information | |
| University | Grand Canyon University Pima Community College |
| Notable school | Cibola High School |
| Website | http://www.efrainescudero.com/ |
| Mixed martial arts record fromSherdog | |
Last updated on: September 25, 2009 | |
Efraín Escudero (born January 15, 1986) is a Mexicanmixed martial artist. He trains underDrew Fickett and competes in the 155 lb (70.3 kg) weight class. Efrain was the winner of season eight ofSpike TV's reality showThe Ultimate Fighter.
Escudero began his career in the summer of 2006 by putting together two back to back wins in Roland Sarria's Phoenix based Rage in the Cage mixed martial arts organization. He followed up his two fight win streak the following summer by recording 7 straight wins, all by submission. This streak of submissions was the highest recorded in the year of 2007.
Escudero only fought during the summer months because he was a full-time collegiate wrestler. He competed forPima Community College for the 2006 and 2007 seasons. While competing Efrain found himself teammates with future UFC fightersDrew Fickett,Jamie Varner,Jesse Forbes,Anthony Birchak,George Roop,Anthony Leone, andDanny Martinez. During the 2006–2007 season, Escudero placed 7th at the NJCAA national tournament in the 157 lb weight class, officially making Escudero an All-American.
In 2007 Escudero stepped out of his summer fight schedule to compete in Full Moon Fighting's inaugural event held inPuerto Peñasco, Mexico. This was Escudero's first fight in his birth country of Mexico and he wore a pair of fight shorts bearing the Mexican Flag. This bout was against Tommy Wagner, whom he defeated by submission due to strikes at 1:12 of round 1.
Escudero was a contestant on the UFC'sThe Ultimate Fighter: Team Nogueira vs. Team Mir onSpike TV as a lightweight. He won his first fight againstIdo Pariente with a rear naked choke in the first round to make it into the house. He then beatShane Nelson in the second round with a mounted triangle to earn a spot in the semi-finals. He then beat Junie Browning with aD'Arce choke in the second round to advance to the finals. In the show's finale, shown on Spike TV, Escudero earned a six-figure UFC contract by defeatingPhillipe Nover by unanimous decision. Upon receiving the trophy, Escudero dedicated his win to his late father, who died just before he left for the show. He further dedicated his win to anybody who had ever lost anybody they loved.
Escudero earned his first official win in the UFC on December 13, 2008, by defeating Phillipe Nover by unanimous decision during the main event ofThe Ultimate Fighter: Team Nogueira vs. Team Mir.
Efrain was set to fightJeremy Stephens atUFC Fight Night 18.[4] Efrain came down with a rib injury that forced him to withdraw from the bout. In an online interview, hosted by Escudero's official website, Escudero confirmed that he would fightCole Miller atUFC 103. Prior to his fight with Miller, Efrain told FightLockdown.com, "I have been concentrating on knocking people out. My hands are improving every day. If they want to keep it standing, I am ready and willing to do just that.”[5]
AtUFC 103, in his first post-TUF fight, Escudero eventually earned an impressive KO win over Miller at 3:36 of the first round. He was aggressive throughout, once executing a powerful takedown in lifting and slamming Miller to the canvas. After dropping Miller with a strong jab, he followed up with twoground and pound strikes to the head of his opponent to stop the fight.
Escudero suffered his first professional defeat againstEvan Dunham atUFC Fight Night 20 via submission in the third round.[6] Escudero refused to tap until the armbar was at an extreme angle and left the ring under medical supervision before the victory presentation, leading to speculation that the arm was broken. Escudero reassured fans via Twitter that the arm only suffered tendon damage.[7]
After an MRI showed that Efrain's arm was healthy, and he confirmed that he would be fightingDan Lauzon atUFC 114.[8]
Escudero then defeated Lauzon via unanimous decision (29–27, 29–27, 29–27) after being deducted a point late in the third round for accidentally striking Lauzon in the groin.[9]
Escudero was expected to faceJohn Gunderson on September 15, 2010, atUFC Fight Night 22.[10] Escudero was then set to faceMatt Wiman after Wiman's original opponent,Mac Danzig was forced from the card with an injury. Wiman also suffered an injury and was replaced byCharles Oliveira.[11]
Escudero weighed in at 159 pounds, three pounds over the limit, resulting in the fight becoming a catchweight bout.[12] Escudero lost the bout via submission due to a standing rear-naked choke in the third round.[13]
On September 20, 2010, Escudero was released from his UFC contract, making him the secondTUF winner to be released by the UFC.[14]
After leaving the UFC, Escudero compiled a 5–1 record, finishing three of his opponents via submission.
Escudero's fourth fight since leaving the UFC came against fellow UFC veteranFabrício Camões atTachi Palace Fights 9 on May 5.[15] He lost via unanimous decision after being controlled by Camões for the first two rounds.
Escudero was then scheduled to fight submission wizard Tim Radcliffe atBAMMA 7. However, on September 6, it was announced that visa issues prevented his travel to England.[16]
After visa-issues forcedPaul Kelly out of his fight atLegacy Fighting Championship 9, Efrain was announced as his replacement. He was signed to fight Jeff Rexroad on Dec. 16th, 2011.[17] However, Efrain was re-signed to theUFC, causing him to withdraw from the bout.
Escudero facedTyson Griffin at Resurrection Fighting Alliance 4 on November 2, 2012.[18] Escudero lost via unanimous decision.
Escudero facedBellator vetLuis Palomino at CFA 12 on October 12, 2013[19] Escudero won via unanimous decision.
In his UFC return, Escudero facedJacob Volkmann on December 30, 2011, atUFC 141, replacing an injuredT. J. Grant.[20] He lost the fight via unanimous decision, but was very close to submitting Volkmann in the closing minutes.
Escudero then facedMac Danzig on April 21, 2012, atUFC 145.[21] Escudero lost the fight by unanimous decision and was subsequently released from the promotion for a second time.[22]
Efrain signed a one-fight deal withBellator Fighting Championships and fought Cesar Avila atBellator 55. He won the fight by guillotine choke submission in the first round.
Escudero faced Zack Surdyka on September 20, 2013, atBellator 100. He won the bout via unanimous decision.
Escudero was originally expected to faceFrancisco Trinaldo on September 13, 2014, atUFC Fight Night 51.[23] However, Trinaldo was replaced in the bout byLeonardo Santos.[24] Escudero lost the fight by unanimous decision.
Escudero faced Rodrigo de Lima on February 14, 2015, atUFC Fight Night 60.[25] He won the fight by unanimous decision.
Escudero then facedDrew Dober atUFC 188 on June 13, 2015.[26] He won the fight byguillotine choke submission in the first round.[27]
Escudero facedLeandro Silva on November 21, 2015, atThe Ultimate Fighter Latin America 2 Finale.[28] He lost the fight by unanimous decision.[29]
Escudero next facedKevin Lee on April 23, 2016, atUFC 197.[30] Despite Rocking Lee several times, and getting the better of the striking exchanges in each round, Efrain gave up several crucial take downs to Lee causing him to lose the fight by unanimous decision. Escudero was subsequently released from the promotion for a third time.[31]
Following his third release from the UFC, Escudero began competing in various international promotions. Recording decision victories inUrayasu, Chiba andMons, Belgium.
Efrain was scheduled to compete at theO2 Arena inPrague,Czech Republic against Mansour Barnaoui (13–4) on February, 7th 2017 for EuroFC's inaugural event but the event was cancelled. The bout with Mansour was to be rescheduled to a future event, but Mansour refused for unknown reasons. Efrain instead fought against Akhmet Aliev forFight Nights Global 59 on February 23, 2017, inKhimki, Russia. Despite almost submitting Aliev in the first round, Escudero lost a unanimous decision. When Escudero returned to the United States he quickly accepted a short notice fight against formerBellator title challenger and fellowUltimate Fighter alumnusFabrício Guerreiro. Escudero won the fight via unanimous decision on March 18, 2017.
Efrain was scheduled to faceBellator veteranMurad Machaev inYekaterinburg,Russia on May 25, 2017, forFight Nights Global 66, however, Machaev pulled out of the bout for unknown reasons. Efrain faced Akhmed Aliev on February 23, 2017, at Fight Nights Global 59 and lost that fight by split decision.
Efrain decided to give himself a quick turnaround by helping fund, and run an upstart MMA promotion based out of Mexico called Lux Fight League. On July 21, 2017, Efrain competed in the main event of the inaugural event, defeatingUltimate Fighter Brazil veteranBruno Murata by unanimous decision, handing Murata his first professional loss in the process. Following the win Efrain began aTwitter campaign to earn a spot on theBellator Roster.
Escudero faced Musa Khamanaev on November 18, 2017, atACB 74. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.
Escudero was scheduled to fight Rasul Shovhalov on January 27, 2018, atACB 79, but the fight was cancelled.[32]
Escudero was scheduled to face Khamzat Aushev on March 24, 2018, atACB 83, but yet again his bout was cancelled.[33]
Escudero returned to fight in his own Mexican MMA promotion, Lux Fight, League on February 17, 2018, scoring a first-round submission victory by choke over Jorge López Bustamante.
Escudero facedJason High in a lightweight tournament bout atPFL 2 inChicago on June 21, 2018.[34] He won the fight via technical submission in the third round. The win was controversial as the referee stopped the bout when High quickly moved his hand under Escudero's body, resulting in the referee believing it was a tap. However, upon review of replays, it was clear High had not tapped.[35]
Escudero was set to faceIslam Mamedov in the next round of the Lightweight tournament. However, Escudero missed the 156-pound weight limit by over seven pounds, and the bout set for thePFL 5 show on August 2, 2018, was cancelled.[36] As a result, Mamedov was awarded 3 points via walkover victory.
Escudero facedGleison Tibau in a 160lbs catchweight bout atGolden Boy Promotions inaugural MMA event on November 24, 2018.[37] He lost the bout via unanimous decision.[38]
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Escudero was a collegiate wrestler atGrand Canyon University. Though he left the school to join the UFC, he eventually returned to earn his Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice in 2011.
Efrain is father of two children; a daughter born in 2012, and a son born in 2016. Efrain currently resides inPhoenix, but also has a home in his hometown ofYuma, Arizona.
| 49 matches | 32 wins | 17 losses |
| By knockout | 2 | 1 |
| By submission | 16 | 2 |
| By decision | 14 | 14 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 32–17 | Baissangour Chamsoudinov | TKO (punches) | Ares FC 16 | June 23, 2023 | 2 | 4:42 | Paris, France | Catchweight (179 lb) bout. |
| Win | 32–16 | Ricardo Chavez | Decision (unanimous) | Budo Sento Championship 11 | November 4, 2022 | 5 | 5:00 | Mexico City, Mexico | Welterweight debut. |
| Win | 31–16 | Leonard Smith | Submission (heel hook) | Fight Night Champions 5 | November 30, 2019 | 2 | 4:22 | Tijuana, Mexico | |
| Loss | 30–16 | Rasul Shovhalov | Decision (unanimous) | ACA 98 | August 31, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Krasnodar, Russia | |
| Loss | 30–15 | Amirkhan Adaev | Decision (split) | ACA 92 | February 16, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Warsaw, Poland | |
| Loss | 30–14 | Gleison Tibau | Decision (unanimous) | Golden Boy Promotions: Liddell vs. Ortiz 3 | November 24, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Inglewood, California, United States | Catchweight (160 lbs) bout |
| Win | 30–13 | Jason High | Technical Submission (guillotine choke) | PFL 2 (2018) | June 21, 2018 | 3 | 0:35 | Chicago, Illinois, United States | Catchweight (162 lb) bout; Escudero missed weight. |
| Win | 29–13 | Jorge Lopez | Submission (rear-naked choke) | LUX Fight League 002 | February 17, 2018 | 1 | 4:59 | Mexico City, Mexico | |
| Loss | 28–13 | Musa Khamanaev | Decision (unanimous) | ACB 74 | November 25, 2017 | 3 | 5:00 | Vienna, Austria | |
| Win | 28–12 | Bruno Murata | Decision (unanimous) | LUX Fight League 1 | July 21, 2017 | 3 | 5:00 | Tampico, Mexico | |
| Win | 27–12 | Fabrício Guerreiro | Decision (unanimous) | Conquer FC 3 | March 18, 2017 | 3 | 5:00 | Oakland, California, United States | |
| Loss | 26–12 | Akhmet Aliev | Decision (split) | Fight Nights Global 59 | February 23, 2017 | 3 | 5:00 | Khimki, Russia | |
| Win | 26–11 | Nelson Carvalho | Decision (split) | European Beatdown 1 | December 3, 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Mons, Belgium | |
| Win | 25–11 | Koshi Matsumoto | Decision (unanimous) | Vale Tudo Japan 8th | September 19, 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Chiba, Japan | |
| Loss | 24–11 | Kevin Lee | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 197 | April 23, 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 24–10 | Leandro Silva | Decision (unanimous) | The Ultimate Fighter Latin America 2 Finale: Magny vs. Gastelum | November 21, 2015 | 3 | 5:00 | Monterrey, Mexico | |
| Win | 24–9 | Drew Dober | Submission (guillotine choke) | UFC 188 | June 13, 2015 | 1 | 0:54 | Mexico City, Mexico | |
| Win | 23–9 | Rodrigo de Lima | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. Thatch | February 14, 2015 | 3 | 5:00 | Broomfield, Colorado, United States | |
| Loss | 22–9 | Leonardo Santos | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Bigfoot vs. Arlovski | September 13, 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | Brasília, Brazil | |
| Win | 22–8 | Juha-Pekka Vainikainen | TKO (elbows and punches) | Superior Challenge 10 | May 3, 2014 | 3 | 4:48 | Helsingborg, Sweden | Won the SC Lightweight Championship. |
| Loss | 21–8 | Dakota Cochrane | Decision (unanimous) | RFA 13 | March 7, 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | Lincoln, Nebraska, United States | |
| Win | 21–7 | Luis Palomino | Decision (unanimous) | CFA 12 | October 12, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Coral Gables, Florida, United States | |
| Win | 20–7 | Zack Surdyka | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 100 | September 20, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | |
| Win | 19–7 | Marcus Edwards | Decision (split) | Sparta Combat League: Live at the Stampede | June 29, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Greeley, Colorado, United States | |
| Loss | 18–7 | Jorge Patino | Decision (split) | Max Sport: 13.2 | May 11, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | São Paulo, Brazil | |
| Loss | 18–6 | Tyson Griffin | Decision (unanimous) | RFA 4 | November 2, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 18–5 | Mac Danzig | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 145 | April 21, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Atlanta, Georgia, United States | |
| Loss | 18–4 | Jacob Volkmann | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 141 | December 30, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 18–3 | Cesar Avila | Submission (guillotine choke) | Bellator 55 | October 22, 2011 | 1 | 1:55 | Yuma, Arizona, United States | |
| Win | 17–3 | Mike Rio | Decision (unanimous) | CFA 2 | July 23, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Miami, Florida, United States | |
| Loss | 16–3 | Fabrício Camões | Decision (unanimous) | Tachi Palace Fights 9 | May 5, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Lemoore, California, United States | |
| Win | 16–2 | Ashe Bowman | Decision (unanimous) | XCage: Predators | April 8, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Tijuana, Mexico | |
| Win | 15–2 | Jeremy Larsen | Submission (armbar) | Rage In The Cage 148 | January 29, 2011 | 3 | 3:21 | Chandler, Arizona, United States | |
| Win | 14–2 | Alfredo Martinez | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Desert Rage Full Contact Fighting 8 | November 19, 2010 | 1 | 1:14 | Somerton, Arizona, United States | |
| Loss | 13–2 | Charles Oliveira | Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFC Fight Night: Marquardt vs. Palhares | September 15, 2010 | 3 | 2:25 | Austin, Texas, United States | Catchweight (159 lbs) bout; Escudero missed weight. |
| Win | 13–1 | Dan Lauzon | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 114 | May 29, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 12–1 | Evan Dunham | Submission (armbar) | UFC Fight Night: Maynard vs. Diaz | January 11, 2010 | 3 | 1:59 | Fairfax, Virginia, United States | |
| Win | 12–0 | Cole Miller | KO (punches) | UFC 103 | September 19, 2009 | 1 | 3:36 | Dallas, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 11–0 | Phillipe Nover | Decision (unanimous) | The Ultimate Fighter: Team Nogueira vs. Team Mir Finale | December 13, 2008 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | WonThe Ultimate Fighter 8 Lightweight tournament. |
| Win | 10–0 | Tommy Wagner | Submission (punches) | Full Moon Fighting | February 23, 2008 | 1 | 1:12 | Puerto Peñasco, Mexico | |
| Win | 9–0 | Eric Regan | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Rage in the Cage 99 | August 18, 2007 | 2 | 2:15 | Tucson, Arizona, United States | |
| Win | 8–0 | Jon Kecks | Submission (triangle choke) | Cage Supremacy 2 | July 22, 2007 | 1 | 2:04 | Tucson, Arizona, United States | |
| Win | 7–0 | TJ Zasa | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Cage Supremacy | June 24, 2007 | 2 | 0:43 | Tucson, Arizona, United States | |
| Win | 6–0 | Peter Newsheller | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Rage in the Cage 96 | June 15, 2007 | 1 | 1:13 | Tucson, Arizona, United States | |
| Win | 5–0 | Jose Rodriguez | Submission (triangle choke) | Rage in the Cage 95 | May 12, 2007 | 1 | 2:29 | Fountain Hills, Arizona, United States | |
| Win | 4–0 | Nic Stone | Submission (armbar) | Rage in the Cage 93 | April 20, 2007 | 2 | 1:25 | Somerton, Arizona, United States | |
| Win | 3–0 | Mike Smith | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Rage in the Cage 92 | March 30, 2007 | 1 | 2:57 | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | |
| Win | 2–0 | Joe Cronin | Decision (unanimous) | Rage in the Cage 84 | July 1, 2006 | 3 | 3:00 | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | |
| Win | 1–0 | Chris Collado | Submission (choke) | Rage in the Cage 83 | June 10, 2006 | 1 | N/A | Fountain Hills, Arizona, United States | Lightweight debut. |