David Alan Heath (born February 10, 1976) is an American former mixed martial artist who last competed in the Light Heavyweight division. A professional competitor since from 2003 until 2012, he fought for the UFC, MFC, and King of the Cage.

David Heath
Born (1976-02-10) February 10, 1976 (age 48)
Nowata, Oklahoma, United States
Other namesThe Headhunter
Height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight205 lb (93 kg; 14.6 st)
DivisionLight Heavyweight
Middleweight
Reach72.5 in (184 cm)[1]
StanceOrthodox
Fighting out ofTulsa, Oklahoma, United States
TeamAbsolute Combat Alliance
Years active2003–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total25
Wins18
By knockout7
By submission8
By decision3
Losses7
By knockout1
By submission3
By decision3
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Mixed martial arts career

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Early career

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Heath began training in mixed martial arts in 2002 and made his professional debut in 2003. Heath compiled a record of 7-0, which included a win over Sean Salmon, while mostly fighting in his home-state of Oklahoma before being signed by the UFC.

Heath made his debut for the organization at UFC 62 on August 26, 2006, against Cory Walmsley won the bout via rear-naked choke submission in the first round. Heath next fought at UFC Fight Night 7 against Canadian Victor Valimiki and won via split decision. Heath then fought against future UFC Light Heavyweight Champion against then-undefeated Lyoto Machida at UFC 70 in England. Heath was a replacement for Machida's original opponent, Forrest Griffin, who withdrew from the bout due to a nagging staph infection. Heath was handed his first professional loss via unanimous decision and the fight was pulled off the air, being replaced for more entertaining fights. Heath apologized in post-fight interview for a "boring" and "frustrating" performance, and also said that Machida has an "ultra-boring style" of fighting.[2]

Heath then fought longtime veteran Renato Sobral at UFC 74. Prior to the fight, Heath taunted Sobral over his recent legal difficulties and then wore a shirt displaying Sobral's police mugshot to the Octagon. While angered by the display, Sobral defeated Heath by anaconda choke in the second round after horrifically beating and bloodying his opponent to the point of grotesquerie. Sobral continued to hold the choke for four seconds after Heath tapped out, which is illegal, and ignored the commands of referee Steve Mazzagatti, who tried to physically break the hold. Renato stated during the post-fight interview that "He (Heath) has to learn respect. He deserved that. He called me 'motherfucker'." Sobral also disregarded the boos from the over 11,000 fans, saying "The crowd didn't like it? Who cares! At least they had a reaction."[3] Sobral was released from the UFC for his actions. In a later interview, Heath has stated that he does not hold a "grudge" against Sobral but is disappointed about the "black eye" that the sport of mixed martial arts suffered after the incident.[4]

In his next bout for the UFC a year later, Heath fought Tim Boetsch at UFC 84 and was defeated in the first round after he was thrown against the cage and hit with numerous punches. Heath, having lost three consecutive fights, was released by the UFC.

Post-UFC

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After a TKO win, Heath was signed by the Canada-based MFC and lost his debut against current Bellator fighter, Emanuel Newton. Heath then bounced back with a win over former MFC Light Heavyweight Champion, Roger Hollett.

Heath lost his next two fights for the organization before defeating Solomon Hutcherson at MFC 26: Retribution via knockout from a superman punch. Heath lost his last appearance for the organization against Rodney Wallace before signing with King of the Cage.

King of the Cage

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Heath signed with King of the Cage and won his first two fights for the organization in 2012.

Mixed martial arts record

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Professional record breakdown
25 matches 18 wins 7 losses
By knockout 7 1
By submission 8 3
By decision 3 3
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 18–7 Chad Herrick Decision (split) KOTC: Unification December 8, 2012 3 5:00 Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States
Win 17–7 Sidiah Parker TKO (punches) KOTC: Breakthrough March 10, 2012 2 4:48 Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States
Loss 16–7 Rodney Wallace Decision (unanimous) MFC 27 November 12, 2010 3 5:00 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Return to Light Heavyweight.
Win 16–6 Solomon Hutcherson KO (Superman punch) MFC 26: Retribution September 10, 2010 2 3:46 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Middleweight debut.
Win 15–6 Jason Kuchera TKO (strikes) Heat XC 5: Punishment July 16, 2010 3 4:45 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Win 14–6 Jason Freeman KO (head kick) FCF: Freestyle Cage Fighting 38 January 20, 2010 1 4:18 Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States
Loss 13–6 Mike Nickels Submission (rear-naked choke) MFC 22 October 2, 2009 3 4:02 Enoch, Alberta, Canada
Win 13–5 Wayne Cole KO (punch) FCF: Freestyle Cage Fighting August 8, 2009 2 2:42 Oklahoma, United States
Win 12–5 Shawn Dezee KO (punches) FCF: Freestyle Cage Fighting June 27, 2009 1 2:47 Durant, Oklahoma, United States
Loss 11–5 Travis Galbraith Decision (split) MFC 21 May 15, 2009 3 5:00 Enoch, Alberta, Canada
Win 11–4 Roger Hollett Submission (guillotine choke) MFC 20 February 20, 2009 1 1:58 Enoch, Alberta, Canada
Loss 10–4 Emanuel Newton Submission (rear-naked choke) MFC 18: Famous September 26, 2008 2 1:19 Enoch, Alberta, Canada
Win 10–3 Shepard Owens TKO (punches) Freestyle Cage Fighting June 14, 2008 1 1:19 Shawnee, Oklahoma, United States
Loss 9–3 Tim Boetsch TKO (throw and punches) UFC 81 February 2, 2008 1 4:52 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 9–2 Renato Sobral Technical Submission (anaconda choke) UFC 74 August 25, 2007 2 3:30 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 9–1 Lyoto Machida Decision (unanimous) UFC 70 April 21, 2007 3 5:00 Manchester, England, United Kingdom
Win 9–0 Victor Valimaki Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Sanchez vs. Riggs December 13, 2006 3 5:00 San Diego, California, United States
Win 8–0 Cory Walmsley Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC 62: Liddell vs. Sobral August 26, 2006 1 2:32 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 7–0 Sean Salmon Submission FF 5: Korea vs USA July 15, 2006 1 0:50 McAllen, Texas, United States
Win 6–0 Rob Wince TKO (doctor stoppage) FCF: Clash of the Titans June 30, 2006 2 5:00 Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States
Win 5–0 Chase Watson Submission (armbar) EFL: Battle at the Brady 4 May 20, 2006 1 1:40 Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States
Win 4–0 Rudy Lindsey Submission EFL: Extreme Fighting League March 19, 2006 1 1:40 Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States
Win 3–0 Doug Sour Submission (achilles lock) KOTC 42: Buckeye Nuts October 23, 2004 1 N/A Concho, Oklahoma, United States
Win 2–0 Rob Webb Decision EFL 12: Extreme Kickboxing 12 May 16, 2004 3 5:00 Dayton, Ohio, United States
Win 1–0 Adam Gregg TKO (referee stoppage) Rock and Rumble 1 April 26, 2003 2 N/A Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States

References

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  1. ^ "David Heath's ESPN.Go Profile". ESPN. Retrieved November 13, 2014.
  2. ^ http://www.mmajunkie.com/news/2007/04/ufcjunkiecom-exclusive-david-heath-apologizes-for-boring-ufc-70-fight
  3. ^ There should be no room for Babalu's antics - Boxing - Yahoo! Sports
  4. ^ "Whatever Happened to David Heath?". 28 November 2007.
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