Carlos Newton

Early life

Carlos Newton was born in Anguilla and moved to Canada at a young age. He attended Westview Centennial Secondary School in the Jane and Finch area of Toronto, Ontario. Newton competed in numerous Jiu-Jitsu and BJJ competitions in Canada and across the world, starting under the legendary Tom Sharkey. Notably the prestigious Abu Dhabi Combat Club in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates against Rodrigo Gracie of the legendary Gracie family. Newton started his Jiu-Jitsu competing career out of the Samurai Club in Toronto. Shortly after, in 1996 Terry Riggs founded Warrior Mixed Martial Arts in Newmarket, Ontario, which was Canada's first official MMA Academy; Newton followed his long time training partner and made it his home. Out of Warrior MMA, Newton's legendary career flourished under the coaching of Terry Riggs and Everton McEwan. Newton, a Toronto's York University student, did his study on geriatric medicine, having done research at Baycrest Hospital, one of the world leaders in geriatric care. However, he now has a full-time job in the field of architecture.

Mixed martial arts career

Newton's professional mixed martial arts career began at the early age of 19, as the youngest no holds barred extreme fighter ever. His first match was one of the most memorable "David vs Goliath" NHB fights in history, with Newton giving up over 100 lbs to a much larger Jean Rivière on the Extreme Fighting 2 card in April 1996. After dominating much of the fight, it ended with a submission loss due to sheer exhaustion for Newton, however, the spectacle of the brave smaller fighter launched his career. Newton competed in the world's top mixed martial arts organizations such as Shooto, K-1 and Pride Fighting Championships in Japan, UFC in America and W-1 in Canada.

Pride FC and Shooto Japan

Newton started his famed Japan fight career with a win over Erik Paulson to become the Vale Tudo Japan World Champion. After a few dominating fights in the Shooto organization he then moved on to PRIDE FC considered to be the top MMA show in the world along with the UFC. In June 1998, Newton lost a technical bout in Pride Fighting Championships against Kazushi Sakuraba. The Sakuraba vs. Newton fight is remembered today as a classic and one of the best MMA fights ever for Jiu-jitsu fans. This legendary fight propelled both fighters to MMA superstardom. Newton went on in the PRIDE Japan to rack up wins over Daijiro Matsui, Naoki Sano, Johil de Oliveira, all on his way to a spectacular armbar victory over "Pelé" José Landi-Jons at Pride 19 in February, 2002. After this win Pride President Naoto Morishita declared, "Newton is considered the unofficial PRIDE middle weight Champion". In October, 2003 Newton further solidified his place in history with a split-decision victory over the estimable Renzo Gracie at Pride Bushido 1.

Ultimate Fighting Championships

Newton's fourth and fifth fights marked his UFC debut at UFC 17, defeating Bob Gilstrap and losing a controversial decision to Dan Henderson on the same night for the middle weight tournament title. Newton's greatest professional accomplishment in his career was capturing the UFC Welterweight Championship from Pat Miletich in May 2001. The reign was short lived however, as Newton lost his first title defense in November of that same year at UFC 34 against accomplished wrestler Matt Hughes. Newton had a triangle choke locked in on Hughes, but Hughes picked up Newton, walked him to the corner and slammed Newton to the mat, causing Newton to hit his head. John McCarthy saw the unconscious Newton and stopped the fight. It also became apparent that Hughes himself was unconscious and many wonder if Hughes intentionally slammed Newton or if he simply passed out while holding his opponent.

K-1 HEROs

Newton was set for a comeback fight at K-1's HEROs MMA promotion against Melvin Manhoef at the Ariake Coliseum on August 5, but had to pull out of the fight at the last minute due to a torn ligament in his knee. He made a second attempt at a comeback in K-1 HEROs, this time facing Tokimitsu Ishizawa. Newton made short work of the Japanese fighter, needing only four punches to score the TKO victory in just 22 seconds. He then faced Shungo Oyama at Hero's Korea 2007 where he lost by submission due to punches.

International Fight League

Newton and Riggs were the coaches of the Toronto Dragons in the IFL in the 2005 and 2006 seasons. Based out of Warrior MMA in Newmarket, the Dragons were made up of international notable fighters such as Claude Patrick, Wagnney Fabiano, Brent Beauparlant, Rafael Cavalcante, Leo Santos and Dennis Hallman. The Dragons made the play offs in 2006 season and went on as far as the semi finals round. Wagnney Fabiano from the team qualified and won the IFL Lightweight Championship. Newton fought in a superfight that year and lost to Renzo Gracie by way of an extremely controversial split decision at the IFL Championship Final. Even the honourable Gracie questioned the call after the fight in the ring.

W-1

Carlos, motivated by a chance to compete in Canada, made a return to MMA again 2009 at Warrior-1: Inception. He scored a first round victory by way of KO against Nabil Khatib, this was Carlos's first fight on Canadian soil in 13 years. He again returned to action on October 10, 2009 against former UFC veteran "Mr. International" Shonie Carter at Warrior-1: High Voltage. The bout was to be for the Warrior-1 Welterweight Championship, but because Newton did not make weight, it was a non-title bout. Newton beat Carter by unanimous decision after three rounds.

In 2009 after his win over Shonie Carter, he stated in an interview to Sherdog that he was anticipating his return to fighting abroad with particular interest in Japan. However, after one more fight in Australia Newton decided, that after a successful fight career that spanned 14 years, it was finally time to take a break and focus on coaching.

Newton now coaches at his home gym Warrior Mixed Martial Arts in Newmarket, Ontario.

Accomplishments