Other names The Doctor Nationality American | Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) Name Joe Vedepo | |
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Weight 185 lb (84 kg; 13.2 st) Division MiddleweightLight HeavyweightHeavyweight | ||
King Mo lawal vs. Joe Vedepo - Full Video - Lawal media workout w/ Jeff Mayweather
Bellator 129′s Joe Vedepo: ‘Davin Clark trains with some really good guys’
Joe Vedepo is an American professional mixed martial artist currently competing in Bellator's Middleweight division. A professional competitor since 2005, he has also formerly competed for the UFC.
Contents
- King Mo lawal vs Joe Vedepo Full Video Lawal media workout w Jeff Mayweather
- Bellator 129s Joe Vedepo Davin Clark trains with some really good guys
- Background
- Early career
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- Independent promotions
- Bellator MMA
- References
Background
Born and raised in Iowa City, Iowa, Vedepo was a standout wrestler at Iowa City High School, but was troubled, later getting expelled from school. Vedepo later began training in mixed martial arts.
Early career
Vedepo made his professional MMA debut in November 2005. He went undefeated at 6–0 in the first two and a half years of his career.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Vedepo was invited to compete on The Ultimate Fighter 7 but declined for unknown reasons.
Vedepo made his debut for the UFC on September 17, 2008 against Alessio Sakara at UFC Fight Night 15. He lost the fight via KO in the first round.
For his second fight, Vedepo faced Rob Kimmons at UFC Fight Night 18 on April 1, 2009. He lost the fight via submission in the first round.
Vedepo was expected to face Gerald Harris on August 28, 2010 at UFC 118, replacing an injured Alessio Sakara. On August 18, it was announced that the Vedepo/Harris bout had been scrapped from the card.
Independent promotions
Following his release from the UFC, Vedepo fought at ZT Fight Night: Heavyweights Collide, where he fought two weight classes higher at Heavyweight and on only a few days notice. He faced Oli Thompson, winning via TKO (punches) in the second round. He was expected to fight Rob Broughton to crown the tournament winner but Vedepo broke his hand in his semifinals bout against Thompson, which forced him out of the finals.
Bellator MMA
Vedepo is notable for inventing the modified shin choke, also known as the Vedepo Choke, he used this submission to win his debut bout in Bellator, at the event Bellator 80. After losing three straight (two being in Bellator) bouts, he has since hit a resurgence.
Vedepo faced Ben Crowder at Bellator 117 on April 18, 2014. He defeated Crowder via a verbal submission, as Crowder sustained a leg injury.
Vedepo then faced Cortez Coleman at Bellator 121 on June 6, 2014 and won via decision in a closely contested battle.
Vedepo faced Davin Clark at Bellator 129 on October 17, 2014. He won via TKO in the third round.
Vedepo will make a quick return to the Bellator cage as he steps in as a replacement for an injured Tom DeBlass against Muhammed Lawal on November 15, 2014 at Bellator 131. He lost the fight via TKO in the third round.
On December 4, 2014 Bellator MMA announced they released Vedepo from the promotion after he allegedly assaulted a police officer in Iowa.