Jacob Volkmann

Background

Volkmann was born in Fergus Falls, Minnesota and graduated from Henning High School. Volkmann wrestled for the Otter Tail Central Bulldogs and holds the schools all-time record for career wins and also won three state titles. Volkmann then attended University of Minnesota, where he was a Big Ten Conference wrestling champion and a three time NCAA All-American. In 2001 as a freshman he finished fourth, then in 2003 as junior finished third (defeating future UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Rashad Evans), and then once again as a senior in 2004 finished fourth. After graduating from Minnesota, Volkmann attended the Northwestern Health and Science University in Bloomington, Minnesota where he earned his chiropractic doctorate and it was during this time that he also began competing in Greco-Roman wrestling at the senior level, and met UFC Lightweight Champion Sean Sherk through this program, who asked Volkmann to help train for a title fight. Volkmann later embarked on his own career in mixed martial arts.

Early career

Volkmann started his professional MMA career in 2007, primarily competing in Minnesota where he is a member of the Minnesota Martial Arts Academy.

At Bellator 7, Volkman made his lone Bellator appearance by defeating WEC and TUF vet, Kevin Knabjian with a D'arce choke.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

In August 2009, it was announced he would be making his Ultimate Fighting Championship debut at UFC 106 against Paulo Thiago. Volkmann lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Volkmann lost his second UFC fight (after taking it on short notice) against Martin Kampmann at UFC 108 via first round submission due to a modified guillotine choke dubbed the "death choke."

He received a third chance in the Octagon at UFC Fight Night: Florian vs. Gomi against Ronys Torres, in which Volkmann moved down to lightweight. Volkmann won the fight via split decision (28–29, 30–27, 30–27), earning his first UFC win.

Volkmann was scheduled to face Paul Kelly on July 3, 2010 at UFC 116. However, the fight was moved on August 1, to the UFC on Versus: Jones vs. Matyushenko card, due to visa issues for Kelly. Volkmann defeated Kelly via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).

On October 2, 2010, it was announced that Volkmann would fight former MFC lightweight champion, Antonio McKee, at UFC 125. Volkmann won via split decision. After his bout at UFC 125, Volkmann said that he wanted to fight U.S. President Barack Obama because he disagreed with his policies and asserting, "Someone needs to knock some sense into that idiot." That statement resulted in a visit from the U.S. Secret Service the following week. Volkmann has appeared on several national news shows for the comments, including The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Inside Edition, and the Fox Business Network. Volkmann was also placed on administrative leave by White Bear Lake High School, where he is the assistant head coach of wrestling.

Volkmann next fought Danny Castillo on August 14, 2011 at UFC on Versus 5. The contest was mostly a grappling affair with Volkmann, on more than one occasion, threatening with a D'arce choke in all three rounds. He won the fight via unanimous decision (29-28 on all cards).

Volkmann was expected to face TJ Grant on December 30, 2011 at UFC 141. However, Grant was forced from the bout with an injury and replaced by Efrain Escudero. Volkmann controlled throughout the fight, dominating Escudero on the ground for rounds one and two. Volkmann won the fight via unanimous decision. He again made waves calling out U.S. President Barack Obama after the fight stating, "Obama needs a glassectomy...It's where they remove the belly button and put a piece of glass in there, so you can see what you're doing while your head's up your ass." The post-fight comments, again, got Volkmann placed on administrative leave by the White Bear Lake High School.

Volkmann was defeated by Paul Sass via first round submission due to a triangle armbar on May 26, 2012 at UFC 146.

Volkmann was expected to face Shane Roller on September 1, 2012 at UFC 151. However, after UFC 151 was cancelled, Volkmann/Roller was rescheduled and took place on October 5, 2012 at UFC on FX 5. Volkmann took Roller down early in the fight and quickly took his back, forcing him to submit to a rear-naked choke at only 2:38 of the first round. This was Volkmann's first stoppage win since being in the UFC.

Volkmann faced promotional newcomer Bobby Green on February 2, 2013 at UFC 156. He lost the fight via submission in the third round. Following the loss, Volkmann was released from the promotion.

World Series of Fighting

A week after his UFC departure Volkmann was announced as the newest addition to the World Series of Fighting ranks.

Volkmann made his WSOF debut vs. Strikeforce vet Lyle Beerbohm at WSOF 3, on June 14. He won via unanimous decision. After the fight it emerged that Volkmann had suffered a seizure and blacked out before weigh-ins after becoming dehydrated from the weight-cut.

Other promotions

Volkmann defeated Danny White in a 165lb Catchweight bout at Dakota FC 18: Spring Brawl on April 26, 2014. He then faced UFC veteran TJ O'Brien at Pinnacle Combat 16 on May 9, 2014. Volkmann lost the fight via guillotine choke.

He was set to make his debut in Maximum Fighting Championship against Andrew McInnes on October 3, 2014 at MFC 41. However, this fight never came to fruition and Volkmann didn't fight for the company.

Personal life

Volkmann and his wife have three children. Volkmann is also a Chiropractor and runs a well established clinic.

Grappling

Collegiate wrestling

Mixed martial arts