Kalib Starnes

Fighter Biography

Starnes got involved in the martial arts at an early age and began teaching when he was a teenager. He started training Gracie Jiu-Jitsu at the Gracie Academy in 1994 in Torrance, California. He also trained in Las Vegas and Fort Lauderdale from 2006 - 2008 at the famous American Top Team gym. His primary styles are Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Judo, Greco-Roman Wrestling and Boxing, other styles include Kung Fu, Taekwondo, Aikido, Muay Thai and Shotokan and Wado-ryu Karate. He has studied under prominent trainers such as UFC champion Royce Gracie, Olympic boxing gold medalist Howard Davis, Jr., Canadian boxer Tony Pep, Olympic wrestler Colin Daynes, and professional mixed martial artist Kultar Gill. He received his Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Black belt in 2010 from Fourth Degree BJJ Black Belt Professor Bob McRoberts.

The Ultimate Fighter

Starnes fought early in the series, defeating Mike Stine by referee stoppage in the first round which immediately advanced him to the semi-finals. However, in the semifinals he lost to Kendall Grove in the third round via verbal submission due to a rib injury. Neither of these fights count towards his professional record, as they were considered exhibition matches by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Kalib made his professional debut on June 24, 2006 at the Finale of TUF 3, winning via rear naked choke over Danny Abbadi. For the UFC 64 event Starnes suffered a third-round TKO to Yushin Okami.

At a National Fighting Challenge event, Starnes defeats fellow Canadian and at the time, highly regarded veteran middleweight Jason MacDonald by technical knockout in the first round. At UFC 71, he picks up another victory over The Ultimate Fighter 1 semifinalist Chris Leben by decision. At UFC 77, Starnes loses via TKO due to injury to Alan Belcher.

In his final UFC bout, he lost a unanimous decision to Nate Quarry at UFC 83 in Montreal Canada. Starnes was criticized by MMA pundits and fans for avoiding Quarry for the majority of the match, leading to a new nickname, "The Running Man." Many speculate that his poor performance in this fight was one of the main reasons he was released by the UFC.

Independent promotions

After fighting for the UFC, Starnes worked on improving his athleticism and conditioning to bolster his areas of expertise, which are Brazilian jiu-jitsu and wrestling.
Starnes took the first step back to reinvigorating his career when he defeated Chris Cisneros at the inaugural event for the Destiny MMA promotion on November 15, 2008 in Honolulu, Hawaii.
This was the Surrey native’s first bout since his decision loss to Nate Quarry at UFC 83 in April.

Kalib went on to face Hector Lombard at Cage Fighting Championship 11 on 11 November 2009 in Sydney, Australia. Starnes was defeated by Hector Lombard by way of submission.

On March 6, 2010, Starnes fought in the main event against Marcus Hicks (not to be confused with former WEC Lightweight title contender Marcus Hicks) at the 2nd Aggression Fighting Championship show in Victoria, B.C., Canada. Starnes entered the ring to the children's song "Do you know the Muffin Man", a song picked by Starnes' daughter. The fight did not last long, Starnes dominated Hicks in the first round with a quick submission (rear naked choke) victory.

Starnes faced Falaniko Vitale at X-1 World Events Champions 2 on March 20, 2010 for the X-1 middleweight championship. He lost the fight via ezekiel choke submission in the first round.

Starnes faced and defeated former King of the Cage light heavyweight champion Nick ("The Juggernaut") Hinchliffe July 17, 2010 at Aggression Fighting Championship for the middle weight title. The fight started well for Hinchliffe who had Starnes on his back, but Starnes finished the fight with an arm-bar.

Starnes lost a (unanimous) decision at his debut for Canadian promotion Ringside MMA taking on former UFC title contender Patrick Cote on April 9, 2011.

Kalib faced Rodrigo Carvalho in a 10-minute B.J.J. Super fight in Surrey, BC in early March the same year. He lost due to a gi choke by Carvalho.

In June 2011, Kalib Starnes announced his retirement.

On September 15, 2012 at the Winnipeg Convention Centre, Kalib came out of retirement and fought Joe Doerksen. Doerksen defeated Starnes by a (unanimous) decision. The fight was considered fight of the night performance for Starnes.

After almost 8 months of no fighting, Starnes got back into the Aggression Fighting Championship cage on May 19, 2013. This time fighting David Perron. Starnes won the fight by TKO at 4:05 in the second round. He announced afterwards in an interview that he'd like to possibly fight in the UFC one more time before retiring.

On April 26, 2013, it was announced that Starnes would step up to Heavyweight and fight Tim Hague at Aggression Fighting Championship 19 in Edmonton, Alberta July 5, 2013. Starnes, who has competed at middleweight throughout much of his career, moved up to heavyweight for the bout.

Starnes defeated fellow UFC vet Tim Hague by a 30-27 (unanimous) decision win on July 5, 2013.

Starnes defeated Clay Davidson on August 9, 2013 at Five Star Fight League 8: Barefoot Beach Battle, by TKO at 1:21 of the first round in Penticton, BC

World Series of Fighting

In October 2013, Starnes signed with World Series of Fighting.

Kalib faced Dwayne Lewis on December 7, 2013 at World Series of Fighting 7: Johnson vs. Kyle. He won the fight via knockout due to an elbow in the second round.

Titan Fighting Championships

Kalib faced Dave Herman on 16 May 2014 at Titan FC 28. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Personal life

Kalib has a daughter named Sienna and a son named Emmanuel.

Kalib lists Noam Chomsky and Bertrand Russell as strong personal influences.

Championships and accomplishments