Quick Facts
ScorpioBiography
Michael Earl Russow (born November 9, 1976) is an American professional mixed martial artist currently competing in the World Series of Fighting's Heavyweight division. Having made his professional debut in 1998, Russow has also formerly competed for the UFC, Adrenaline MMA, PRIDE FC, and also participated in the Yarennoka! event in the Saitama Super Arena in Japan.
Mixed martial arts career
Background
Russow is from Kankakee, Illinois and was a state wrestling champion in high school for the Heavyweight division. He also attended college at Eastern Illinois University and earned a degree in sociology. His first fight was in 1998.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Russow signed with the UFC in 2009 and made his debut against Justin McCully at UFC 102. He won via unanimous decision (29–28, 30–26, and 30–27).
Russow then defeated Todd Duffee via third round KO at UFC 114. Russow absorbed heavy punishment from Duffee during the course of the fight but hung on late into the third and final round. Russow then connected with a hard straight right hand, taking Duffee and the fans in attendance by surprise.
Russow defeated TUF 10 alum and DeathClutch teammate Jon Madsen on March 26, 2011 at UFC Fight Night 24 via TKO; with that win he improved his winning streak to ten.
Russow was expected to face Dave Herman on October 8, 2011 at UFC 136.However, the bout was cancelled after Herman failed his preliminary drug test in which he tested positive for marijuana.
Russow faced John Olav Einemo on January 28, 2012 at UFC on Fox: Evans vs. Davis and won via unanimous decision (29–28, 29–28, and 30–27).
Russow faced Fabrício Werdum on June 23, 2012 at UFC 147. Russow was defeated by Werdum via TKO at 2:28 of round 1.
Russow faced Shawn Jordan on January 26, 2013 at UFC on Fox: Johnson vs. Dodson. Despite a strong first round, Russow lost to Jordan by TKO in the second round and was subsequently released from the promotion.
World Series of Fighting
On October 6, 2013 it was announced that Russow has signed with World Series of Fighting.
Personal life
Russow and his wife have a daughter. Russow is also a police officer in his hometown of Chicago.
Championships and accomplishments
Mixed martial arts
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- Knockout of the Night (One time)
Amateur wrestling
- National Junior College Athletic Association
- NJCAA All-American (1997)
- Illinois High School Association
- IHSA Class AA High School State Championship (1995)
- IHSA Class AA High School State Championship 3rd Place (1993, 1994)
- IHSA Class AA All-State (1993, 1994, 1995)
Mixed martial arts record
| Professional record breakdown | ||
| 19 matches | 15 wins | 3 losses |
| By knockout | 4 | 2 |
| By submission | 8 | 1 |
| By decision | 3 | 0 |
| No contests | 1 | |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 15–3 (1) | Shawn Jordan | TKO (punches) | UFC on Fox: Johnson vs. Dodson | January 26, 2013 | 2 | 3:48 | Chicago, Illinois, United States | |
| Loss | 15–2 (1) | Fabrício Werdum | TKO (punches) | UFC 147 | June 23, 2012 | 1 | 2:28 | Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil | |
| Win | 15–1 (1) | John-Olav Einemo | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on Fox: Evans vs. Davis | January 28, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Chicago, Illinois, United States | |
| Win | 14–1 (1) | Jon Madsen | TKO (doctor stoppage) | UFC Fight Night: Nogueira vs. Davis | March 26, 2011 | 2 | 5:00 | Seattle, Washington, United States | Stoppage due to eye injury. |
| Win | 13–1 (1) | Todd Duffee | KO (punch) | UFC 114 | May 29, 2010 | 3 | 2:33 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Knockout of the Night. |
| Win | 12–1 (1) | Justin McCully | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 102 | August 29, 2009 | 3 | 5:00 | Portland, Oregon, United States | |
| Win | 11–1 (1) | Braden Bice | Submission (north-south choke) | Adrenaline MMA 2: Miletich vs. Denny | December 11, 2008 | 1 | 1:13 | Moline, Illinois, United States | |
| Win | 10–1 (1) | Jason Guida | Submission (guillotine choke) | Adrenaline MMA: Guida vs. Russow | June 14, 2008 | 1 | 2:13 | Hoffman Estates, Illinois, United States | |
| Win | 9–1 (1) | Roman Zentsov | Submission (north-south choke) | Yarennoka! | December 31, 2007 | 1 | 2:58 | Saitama, Saitama, Japan | |
| Win | 8–1 (1) | Steve Campbell | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | XFO 21 | December 1, 2007 | 2 | 4:32 | Lakemoor, Illinois, United States | |
| Win | 7–1 (1) | Pat Harmon | KO (punch) | Bourbon Street Brawl 4 | July 25, 2007 | 1 | 2:10 | Chicago, Illinois, United States | |
| Win | 6–1 (1) | Demian Decorah | Submission (kimura) | XFO 18 | June 30, 2007 | 1 | 2:54 | Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, United States | |
| Win | 5–1 (1) | Scott Harper | Submission (americana) | XFO 16 | May 5, 2007 | 1 | 0:32 | Lakemoor, Illinois, United States | |
| Loss | 4–1 (1) | Sergei Kharitonov | Submission (armbar) | Pride 33 | February 24, 2007 | 1 | 3:46 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 4–0 (1) | Steve Conkel | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Bourbon Street Brawl 2 | January 24, 2007 | 1 | 1:00 | Chicago, Illinois, United States | |
| Win | 3–0 (1) | Chris Harrison | Submission (americana) | XFO 14 | December 9, 2006 | 1 | 1:11 | Lakemoor, Illinois, United States | |
| Win | 2–0 (1) | Brandon Quigley | KO (punches) | Combat: Do Fighting Challenge 7 | April 22, 2006 | 1 | 0:18 | Cicero, Illinois, United States | |
| NC | 1–0 (1) | Ed Meyer | NC | Combat: Do Fighting Challenge 6 | February 25, 2006 | N/A | N/A | Mokena, Illinois, United States | |
| Win | 1–0 | Nate Schroeder | Decision (unanimous) | JKD: Challenge 1 | April 25, 1998 | 3 | 5:00 | Chicago, Illinois, United States |
