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Brian Gassaway

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Brian Gassaway
Born(1972-08-07)August 7, 1972
Urbana, Ohio, U.S.
Died (aged 49)
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Other namesMandingo
Height6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight170 lb (77 kg; 12 st)
DivisionHeavyweight
Light Heavyweight
Middleweight
Welterweight
Lightweight
StanceOrthodox
Fighting out ofChicago, Illinois, United States
TeamChicago Mixed Martial Arts
Years active1996–2010
Mixed martial arts record
Total52
Wins29
By knockout6
By submission11
By decision10
Unknown2
Losses20
By knockout1
By submission11
By decision7
Unknown1
Draws2
No contests1
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Brian Gassaway (August 7, 1972 – October 16, 2021) was an American mixed martial artist who competed professionally from 1996 to 2010, taking roughly 52 professional bouts in weight classes ranging from lightweight to heavyweight.[1][2] Based in Chicago, he fought for the UFC, Bellator, World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC), King of the Cage, Shooto, and Pancrase, facing opponents including Diego Sanchez, Yuki Kondo, Ikuhisa Minowa, John Alessio, Mike Pyle, and Jose Landi-Jons.[3][1] Obituaries described him as a pioneer of the Midwestern mixed martial arts scene.[4][3]

After retiring, Gassaway became a founding partner and coach at the Chicago Mixed Martial Arts gym, and he was inducted into the Illinois Martial Arts Hall of Fame in March 2018.[5][2] He died in October 2021 at the age of 49; following his death, the Thai Boxing Association-Sanctioning Authority created the Brian Gassaway Award in recognition of his contributions to American Muay Thai.[5]

Background

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Gassaway was born on August 7, 1972, and was originally from Urbana, Ohio; he later settled in the Chicago area, where he lived in Chicago and Glenwood, Illinois.[5] In addition to his mixed martial arts career, he competed in kickboxing and Muay Thai.[6]

Mixed martial arts career

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Early career

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Gassaway made his professional debut on August 23, 1996, at IFC 2: Mayhem in Mississippi, a one-night tournament in which he submitted Michael Pacholik and William Knorr with rear-naked chokes before losing to Anthony Macias by kneebar.[1][7] He fought prolifically in his first year as a professional, appearing ten times between April and July 1996 alone,[8] and traveled to Japan and Brazil in 1997 for bouts in Pancrase and at the International Vale Tudo Championship.[1]

From 1998 to early 2000 Gassaway went unbeaten in 14 consecutive bouts.[1][9] During the streak he won three fights in a single night at Cage Combat 3 in Ohio on July 15, 1998 – including a decision over Travis Fulton – and took a split decision over Mark Hughes, the twin brother of Matt Hughes, in Hughes's professional debut in April 1999.[7][1]

Japan

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Gassaway competed repeatedly in Japan. After dropping decisions and submissions in Pancrase in 1997, he returned to the promotion in 2000, winning two decisions in one night at Pancrase: Trans 5 in Tokyo before losing to Ikuhisa Minowa by toe hold at the promotion's anniversary show in Yokohama.[7] In 2001 he was submitted by Yuki Kondo, and in 2003 he lost a unanimous decision to Tetsuji Kato at Korakuen Hall in his final Shooto appearance in Japan.[7] Later that year, at a Shooto event in Indiana, he fought then-unbeaten Gideon Ray to a draw.[7]

UFC and WEC

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Gassaway made his WEC debut at WEC 14 in March 2005; his bout with Ross Ebañez was ruled a no contest after an accidental headbutt.[7] Two regional submission wins later, he received his lone UFC booking, meeting Diego Sanchez – then unbeaten and making his first pay-per-view appearance since winning The Ultimate Fighter – at UFC 54 in Las Vegas on August 20, 2005.[1] Sanchez controlled the fight on the ground and stopped Gassaway with strikes from mount in the second round.[10]

In 2006 Gassaway headlined promoter Monte Cox's Extreme Challenge 68 in Wisconsin, winning a unanimous decision over Jamie Toney.[11] He returned to the WEC at WEC 25 in January 2007, where he was submitted by John Alessio in the first round.[7]

Later career

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At TKO 32 in Montreal in February 2008, Gassaway defeated Brazilian vale tudo veteran Jose Landi-Jons by technical knockout when Landi-Jons broke his leg throwing a kick that Gassaway checked; Sherdog later ranked the injury among the most gruesome leg breaks in MMA history.[12] After losses to Forrest Petz and Mike Pyle later that year, Gassaway, then 38, won his final fight at Bellator 25 in Chicago in August 2010, taking a unanimous decision over fellow local fighter Kevin Knabjian.[13][1] One month later, in his last professional bout, he was submitted in under two minutes by Shungo Oyama at Martial Combat 10 in Singapore.[14][7]

Retirement and coaching

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After retiring from competition, Gassaway became a founding partner, teacher, and coach at the Chicago Mixed Martial Arts gym in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood.[5][15] He cornered and trained Chicago-area fighters, among them UFC veteran Shonie Carter, and was remembered by peers as a mentor to his students.[1][15] He was inducted into the Illinois Martial Arts Hall of Fame in March 2018.[2][5][9]

Death

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Gassaway died on October 16, 2021, at the age of 49.[5] His death was announced publicly the following day, and several media reports gave the date as October 17; no cause of death was made public.[3][4] Fighters, coaches, and broadcasters paid tribute, and a memorial fund was organized by one of his students.[15][9] Following his death, the Thai Boxing Association-Sanctioning Authority established the Brian Gassaway Award, honoring his contribution to Muay Thai in the United States.[5][9] He was survived by his wife, son, mother, and brother.[5][8]

Championships and accomplishments

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  • Illinois Martial Arts Hall of Fame, inductee (2018)[2][5]
  • Thai Boxing Association-Sanctioning Authority – Brian Gassaway Award established in his honor (2021)[5][9]

Mixed martial arts record

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Professional record breakdown
52 matches 29 wins 20 losses
By knockout 6 1
By submission 11 11
By decision 10 7
Unknown 2 1
Draws 2
No contests 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 29–20–2 (1) Shungo Oyama Technical Submission (inverted triangle choke) MC: Martial Combat 10 September 16, 2010 1 1:50 Sentosa, Singapore
Win 29–19–2 (1) Kevin Knabjian Decision (unanimous) Bellator 25 August 19, 2010 3 5:00 Chicago, Illinois, United States
Loss 28–19–2 (1) Mike Pyle Submission (armbar) SuperFights MMA: Night of Combat 2 October 11, 2008 1 4:21 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 28–18–2 (1) Forrest Petz Decision (unanimous) Adrenaline MMA: Guida vs. Russow June 14, 2008 3 5:00 Chicago, Illinois, United States
Win 28–17–2 (1) Jose Landi-Jons TKO (broken leg) TKO 32: Ultimatum February 28, 2008 2 0:50 Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Win 27–17–2 (1) Levi Avera Submission (armbar) ICS: Cage Rage October 13, 2007 1 4:55 Oklahoma, United States
Win 26–17–2 (1) Cedric Marks Decision (majority) CCCF: Riverwind Rumble 2 July 28, 2007 5 3:00 Oklahoma, United States
Loss 25–17–2 (1) Dereck Keasley Decision (unanimous) KOTC: Damage Control May 26, 2007 2 5:00 Chicago, Illinois, United States
Loss 25–16–2 (1) John Alessio Submission (rear naked choke) WEC 25: Las Vegas January 20, 2007 1 4:50 Nevada, United States
Loss 25–15–2 (1) Donnie Liles Submission (rear naked choke) XFO 13: Operation Beatdown November 11, 2006 1 3:58 Hoffman Estates, Illinois, United States
Win 25–14–2 (1) Sam Jackson Submission (strikes) XFO 12: Outdoor War August 19, 2006 1 3:54 Illinois, United States
Win 24–14–2 (1) Jamie Toney Decision (unanimous) EC 68: Extreme Challenge 68 July 15, 2006 3 5:00 Hayward, Wisconsin, United States
Loss 23–14–2 (1) Joey Clark Decision (unanimous) KOTC: Redemption on the River February 17, 2006 3 5:00 Illinois, United States Middleweight bout.
Loss 23–13–2 (1) Diego Sanchez TKO (submission to punches) UFC 54: Boiling Point August 20, 2005 2 1:56 Nevada, United States
Win 23–12–2 (1) Gia Chirragishvili Submission (rear-naked choke) Shido: MMA May 15, 2005 1 3:10 Georgia, United States
Win 22–12–2 (1) Trevor Garrett Submission (rear-naked choke) SB 40: SuperBrawl 40 April 30, 2005 1 2:36 Indiana, United States
NC 21–12–2 (1) Ross Ebañez No Contest (accidental headbutt) WEC 14: Vengeance March 17, 2005 1 5:00 California, United States
Loss 21–12–2 Nick Thompson Decision Combat: Do Fighting Challenge 2 February 5, 2005 N/A Illinois, United States
Win 21–11–2 Paul Jenkins Decision CW: Cage Wars May 30, 2004 N/A Ireland
Draw 20–11–2 Gideon Ray Draw Shooto: Midwest Fighting May 21, 2003 3 5:00 Indiana, United States
Win 20–11–1 Stephane Jamet N/A Shido: Fists of Fury 2 April 12, 2003 N/A Germany
Loss 19–11–1 Tetsuji Kato Decision (unanimous) Shooto: 3/18 in Korakuen Hall March 18, 2003 3 5:00 Tokyo, Japan Return to Welterweight.
Win 19–10–1 Jason Rigsby Decision (unanimous decision) IC 5: Tribulation October 26, 2002 3 5:00 Indiana, United States Middleweight bout.[16]
Loss 18–10–1 Yuki Kondo Submission (toe hold) Pancrase: Proof 2 March 31, 2001 1 1:45 Osaka, Japan
Loss 18–9–1 Ikuhisa Minowa Submission (toe hold) Pancrase: 2000 Anniversary Show September 24, 2000 1 5:00 Yokohama, Japan
Win 18–8–1 John Chrisostomo Decision (unanimous) Pancrase - Trans 5 July 23, 2000 1 10:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 17–8–1 Yuji Hisamatsu Decision (majority) Pancrase: Trans 5 July 23, 2000 2 3:00 Tokyo, Japan
Loss 16–8–1 Adrian Serrano Decision (unanimous) EC 31: Extreme Challenge 31 March 24, 2000 3 5:00 Wisconsin, United States
Win 16–7–1 Henry Matamoros TKO TC: Total Combat 1 February 19, 2000 N/A Illinois, United States
Win 15–7–1 Dan Griffen Submission TC: Total Combat 1 February 19, 2000 N/A Illinois, United States
Win 14–7–1 Dennis Reed Submission (armbar) EC 26: Extreme Challenge 26 July 21, 1999 1 3:30 Illinois, United States
Draw 13–7–1 Kevin Cook Draw WEF 6: World Extreme Fighting 6 June 12, 1999 N/A Florida, United States
Win 13–7 John Chrisostomo TKO (cut) SB 12: SuperBrawl 12 June 1, 1999 2 0:32 Hawaii, United States
Win 12–7 Adam Palmer TKO EB 4: Extreme Boxing 4 April 27, 1999 1 5:51 Iowa, United States Light Heavyweight debut.
Win 11–7 Joe Slick Decision EB 4: Extreme Boxing 4 April 27, 1999 1 15:00 Iowa, United States
Win 10–7 Mark Hughes Decision (split) JKD: Challenge 3 April 24, 1999 3 5:00 Chicago, Illinois, United States
Win 9–7 Martin Wickline Submission WPC: Rage in the Cage April 3, 1999 N/A Indiana, United States
Win 8–7 Joshua Taibl Submission (rear-naked choke) CC 3: Cage Combat 3 July 15, 1998 1 2:18 Ohio, United States
Win 7–7 John Renken TKO CC 3: Cage Combat 3 July 15, 1998 1 7:38 Ohio, United States
Win 6–7 Travis Fulton Decision CC 3: Cage Combat 3 July 15, 1998 1 15:00 Ohio, United States
Win 5–7 Jeremy Morrison Submission (armbar) JKD: Challenge 1 April 25, 1998 1 3:50 Illinois, United States
Win 4–7 Jason Nicholsen Submission (armbar) WPC: World Pankration Championships 2 January 16, 1998 1 Texas, United States
Loss 3–7 Vernon White Submission (ankle lock) WPC: World Pankration Championships 1 October 26, 1997 1 1:26 Texas, United States
Loss 3–6 Egidio da Costa Submission (headlock) International Vale Tudo Championship 2: A Question of Pride September 15, 1997 1 2:54 Brazil
Loss 3–5 Osami Shibuya Submission Pancrase: Alive 7 June 30, 1997 1 8:47 Japan
Loss 3–4 Keiichiro Yamamiya Decision (lost points) Pancrase: Alive 1 January 17, 1997 1 10:00 Tokyo, Japan Return to Heavyweight.
Loss 3–3 Jay R. Palmer TKO (submission to punches) SB 2: SuperBrawl 2 October 11, 1996 1 4:05 Hawaii, United States Lightweight debut.[16]
Loss 3–2 Mike Sciortino N/A IFC 3: International Fighting Championship 3 September 14, 1996 N/A Alabama, United States
Win 3–1 Loren Phillips N/A IFC 3: International Fighting Championship 3 September 14, 1996 N/A Alabama, United States Middleweight debut.
Loss 2–1 Anthony Macias Submission (kneebar) IFC 2: Mayhem in Mississippi August 23, 1996 1 1:28 Mississippi, United States
Win 2–0 William Knorr Submission (rear-naked choke) IFC 2: Mayhem in Mississippi August 23, 1996 1 1:12 Mississippi, United States
Win 1–0 Michael Pacholik Submission (rear-naked choke) IFC 2: Mayhem in Mississippi August 23, 1996 1 1:38 Mississippi, United States

References

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  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Pettry, Jay (October 18, 2021). "WEC, UFC Vet Brian Gassaway Dead at 49". Sherdog. Archived from the original on July 18, 2026. Retrieved July 18, 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 4 King, Nolan (October 18, 2021). "Former UFC fighter, 52-fight veteran Brian Gassaway dead at 49". MMA Junkie. Retrieved July 18, 2026 – via Yahoo Sports.
  3. 1 2 3 Anderson, Jay (October 18, 2021). "UFC, Bellator, WEC Veteran Brian Gassaway Dead at Age 49". Cageside Press. Archived from the original on July 18, 2026. Retrieved July 18, 2026.
  4. 1 2 Wheeler, Evan (October 19, 2021). "MMA Veteran Brian Gassaway Passes Away At 49". Fightful. Retrieved July 18, 2026.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Brian R. Gassaway Obituary". Adduci-Zimny Funeral Home. Archived from the original on July 18, 2026. Retrieved July 18, 2026.
  6. ↑ "MMA Veteran Brian Gassaway Dies At Age 49". Fight Sports. October 19, 2021. Retrieved July 18, 2026.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Brian "Mandingo" Gassaway". Sherdog. Archived from the original on July 18, 2026. Retrieved July 18, 2026.
  8. 1 2 Pollock, John (October 19, 2021). "MMA veteran Brian Gassaway passes away at 49". POST Wrestling. Archived from the original on July 18, 2026. Retrieved July 18, 2026.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 Bissell, Tim (October 19, 2021). "UFC and Pancrase veteran Brian Gassaway dies at 49". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved July 18, 2026.
  10. ↑ Wickert, Marc (October 1, 2005). "UFC 54: Boiling Point". Fight Times Magazine. Archived from the original on July 18, 2026. Retrieved July 18, 2026.
  11. ↑ "EC 68: Gassaway, Tourney Brackets". MMA Weekly. July 13, 2006. Archived from the original on July 18, 2026. Retrieved July 18, 2026.
  12. ↑ Tuttle, C.J. (September 2, 2014). "Sherdog's Top 10: Gruesome Leg Injuries". Sherdog. Archived from the original on July 18, 2026. Retrieved July 18, 2026.
  13. ↑ Nelson, Chris (August 19, 2010). "Bellator 25 Live Results and Commentary". Bloody Elbow. Archived from the original on September 23, 2023. Retrieved July 18, 2026.
  14. ↑ Nelson, Chris (October 5, 2010). "Daiju Takase and the Beautiful Triangle". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved July 18, 2026.
  15. 1 2 3 "Ex-UFC Fighter Brian Gassaway Dead At 49 Years Old". TMZ. October 18, 2021. Retrieved July 18, 2026.
  16. 1 2 "Brian Gassaway ("Mandingo") | MMA Fighter Page".
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