Nationality American Name Justin Levens Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) Role Mixed martial artist | Division Light Heavyweight Spouse Sarah McLean-Levens Total 17 Martial art Mixed martial arts | |
 | ||
Born April 18, 1980
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. ( 1980-04-18 ) Weight 205 lb (93 kg; 14.6 st) Fighting out of Newport Beach, California Died December 17, 2008, Laguna Niguel, California, United States Similar People Marco Ruas, Robbie Lawler, Rich Franklin, Lyoto Machida, Benson Henderson | ||
Justin levens highlight vid
Justin Robert Levens (April 18, 1980 – December 17, 2008) was an American mixed martial artist who fought for the UFC and, later in his career, the Southern California Condors of the International Fight League. Levens was a participant in Ultimate Fighting Championship and World Extreme Cagefighting but had not fought with either since 2006. Levens and his wife died from gunshot wounds in mid-December 2008. The incident is a murder-suicide, according to law enforcement officials.
Contents
- Justin levens highlight vid
- Justin levens hl
- Background
- Mixed martial arts career
- Personal life
- References
Justin levens hl
Background
Levens grew up poor in the Philadelphia housing projects and was on his own from age 15. He eventually moved to Newport Beach, California, where he learned to channel his aggressive energy into organized fighting. He began training at Marco Ruas' Vale Tudo academy in Orange County.
Mixed martial arts career
Levens fought from 2004 to 2008, taking the nickname "The Executioner". Levens' first fight was a victory against Hector Carrilo in 2004. He had a string of wins after the Carrilo fight for almost two years.
After his seventh win, he lost to Scott Smith in January 2006. After his loss to Smith, Levens was called in by the UFC to fight former UFC Middleweight Champion Evan Tanner, replacing an injured Jeremy Horn on short notice. He lost the fight in the first round by triangle choke submission. Levens next faced prospect Jorge Santiago at UFC Fight Night 6. He lost the fight after getting caught by a knee in the first round. After two straight losses he was cut from the UFC roster. Levens had a declining record for the remainder of his career, interspersed with a pair of back-to-back victories against Justin Hawes and Brian Warren and 5 straight losses, 3 of which were against future UFC fighters.
Levens' last fight was scheduled for July 2008, but did not occur due to time constraints that led to scheduling issues. He tested positive for oxymorphone before the fight and was suspended until January 2009. Friend Tom Atencio said Levens was troubled by his declining career.
Personal life
Kimbo Luzano, another friend, said Levens may have been depressed about not being able to fight and money issues, as well as troubled by the suicide of fellow MMA fighter and friend Jeremy Williams.
On December 17, 2008, Levens and his wife, Sara McLean-Levens, 25, were found dead in their home in Laguna Niguel, California. Both had died of gunshot wounds; in Levens' case, to his head. The police are investigating the deaths as a possible murder-suicide. No suicide note was found, but a handgun was found close to Leven's body. There were no signs of a struggle.