Quick Facts
LibraBiography
Dan Charles (born September 24, 1985) is an American professional mixed martial artist currently competing in the Heavyweight division of Bellator MMA.
Background
Born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, Charles was a three-sport athlete in high school with wrestling, football, and baseball, and excelled at all three at one time or another. Charles briefly continued his football career in college at Scottsdale Community College, before being introduced to MMA by his brother.
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Charles had his first amateur MMA fight in 2011 and was knocked out 15 seconds into the first round, but would bounce back, winning his professional debut three months later and compiling a professional record of 7–0 before being signed by Bellator MMA.
Bellator MMA
Charles made his Bellator debut at Bellator 100 on September 20, 2013 against professional kickboxer Siala-Mou Siliga, also known as Mighty Mo. Charles lost via TKO in the third round.
Charles made his next Bellator appearance at Bellator 126 on September 26, 2014 against Stuart Austin. Charles won via knockout in the third round.
Charles then faced James Wilson at Bellator 2014 Monster Energy Cup on October 18, 2014. Charles won via unanimous decision.
Charles faced Bobby Lashley at Bellator 138 on June 19, 2015, replacing an injured James Thompson on short notice. He lost the fight via TKO in the second round.
Charles returned to face Chase Gormley at Bellator 143 on September 25, 2015. He won the fight via knockout in the second round.
Charles faced Augusto Sakai at Bellator 155 on May 20, 2016. The bout ended in a majority draw.
Charles faced Virgil Zwicker at Bellator 162 on October 21, 2016. He lost the fight via TKO in the second round.
Mixed martial arts record
| Professional record breakdown | ||
| 16 matches | 10 wins | 5 losses |
| By knockout | 6 | 5 |
| By submission | 2 | 0 |
| By decision | 2 | 0 |
| Draws | 1 | |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 10–5–1 | Thiago Silva | TKO (punches) | ACB 51 | January 13, 2017 | 1 | 2:15 | Irvine, California, United States | |
| Loss | 10–4–1 | Virgil Zwicker | TKO (strikes) | Bellator 162 | October 21, 2016 | 2 | 4:31 | Memphis, Tennessee, United States | |
| Draw | 10–3–1 | Augusto Sakai | Draw (majority) | Bellator 155 | May 20, 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Boise, Idaho, United States | |
| Win | 10–3 | Chase Gormley | KO (punch) | Bellator 143 | September 25, 2015 | 2 | 4:35 | Hidalgo, Texas, United States | |
| Loss | 9–3 | Bobby Lashley | TKO (punches) | Bellator 138 | June 19, 2015 | 2 | 4:14 | St. Louis, Missouri, United States | |
| Win | 9–2 | James Wilson | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 2014 Monster Energy Cup | October 18, 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | Whitney, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 8–2 | Stuart Austin | KO (punches) | Bellator 126 | September 26, 2014 | 3 | 0:18 | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | |
| Loss | 7–2 | Dale Sopi | TKO (punches) | Rage in the Cage 169 | November 23, 2013 | 1 | 0:12 | Chandler, Arizona, United States | |
| Loss | 7–1 | Siala-Mou Siliga | TKO (punches) | Bellator 100 | September 20, 2013 | 3 | 1:26 | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | |
| Win | 7–0 | Adam Smith | TKO (punches) | Rage in the Cage 166 | June 22, 2013 | 1 | 1:20 | Chandler, Arizona, United States | |
| Win | 6–0 | Maurice Greene | Decision (unanimous) | Flawless FC 3 | May 18, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Inglewood, California, United States | |
| Win | 5–0 | Alex Moore | TKO (retirement) | Rage in the Cage 162 | September 29, 2012 | 1 | 5:00 | Chandler, Arizona, United States | |
| Win | 4–0 | Kevin Absher | KO (punch) | Rage in the Cage 157 | February 18, 2012 | 1 | 0:13 | Chandler, Arizona, United States | |
| Win | 3–0 | John Maish | Submission (guillotine choke) | Rage in the Cage 156 | October 22, 2011 | 1 | 0:37 | Chandler, Arizona, United States | |
| Win | 2–0 | John Maish | Submission (keylock) | Rage in the Cage 154 | September 9, 2011 | 1 | 0:47 | Chandler, Arizona, United States | |
| Win | 1–0 | Nick Leitermann | TKO (punches) | Rage in the Cage 153 | July 16, 2011 | 1 | 1:26 | Chandler, Arizona, United States |