Justin Levens

From CageWiki

1 Profile
2 Early MMA Career
3 UFC Career
4 Post UFC Career
5 Death
6 Mixed martial arts record
7 Gallery
8 External links

Profile

Justin Levens (born April 18, 1980 - died December 17, 2008) was an American professional mixed martial artist as well as a UFC, WEC and IFL veteran.

He stood 5 ft. 11 in. and fought in both the middleweight and light heavyweight divisions.

Early MMA Career

Justin Levens made his professional mixed martial arts debut on May 30, 2007 against Hector Carrilo for the Total Combat promotion. His debut was successful as he defeated Carrilo via TKO, two minutes into the first round.

Fighting in the Gladiator Challenge and Total Combat promotions for his next four bouts, Levens went undefeated with all fights not making it out of the first round.

Levens made his WEC debut at WEC 15 in October of 2005. He continued his undefeated start to his career when he disposed of opponent, Tony Lopez via rear naked choke in the first round.

At WEC 17, Levens entered a one night, four man light heavyweight tournament that was to crown the WEC light heavyweight champion. Levens defeated his semi final opponent, Jorge Oliveira via KO (slam) in the first round and was meant to move on to the final to face Scott Smith. However, a shoulder injury sustained in the Oliveira bout ruled him out of the final.

Levens got a chance to fight Smith and fight for the light heavyweight title at WEC 18: Unfinished Business. The bout was over quickly though as Levens suffered the first professional loss of his career when he was KO'd by Smith 1.58 into round 1.

UFC Career

After Jeremy Horn had to pull out of a bout with Evan Tanner at UFC 59 due to injury, Levens got a call-up as a replacement.

Tanner, a former UFC middleweight champion, was too much, too early for Levens as he wrapped up the UFC debutant with his signature triangle choke submission, forcing the tap at 3.14 of round 1.

Levens got a follow up fight in the UFC at UFC Fight Night 5 against Jorge Santiago. The bout was another disappointing loss for Levens who was knocked out by a knee from Santiago 2.13 into round 1.

Post UFC Career

Following his departure from the UFC, Levens bounced back from his three fight losing streak with a TKO over Justin Hawes at WEC 24.

November, 2006 marked Levens last professional mixed martial arts victory. He scored a TKO victory over Brian Warren at a Beatdown in Bakersfield event.

Following the Warren victory, Levens went 0-3 in the IFL. In his IFL tenure he suffered losses to Reese Andy, Vladimir Matyushenko and Brian Foster.

After the IFL he lost a decision to Nathan James at an IFO event and just over a month later he suffered a triangle choke loss to Kenny Ento.

Levens was scheduled to compete at Affliction Entertainment's inaugural event, Affliction: Banned against Ray Lazama on July 19th, 2008 but due to time contraints and the state of the ring the bout was cancelled.

Following the bout, Levens tested positive for oxymorphone and was suspended until January, 2009.

Death

On December 17, 2008, Levens and his wife, Sarah McLean-Levens were found dead in their home in California. Leven's wife had suffered a gunshot wound to the chest while Levens had sustained one to the head. The deaths are being investigated as a possible murder-suicide with a handgun being found close to Levens' body, although no suicide note was found.