Blas Avena

Blas Avena
Born (1983-06-30)June 30, 1983[1]
Bell, California, U.S.
Died May 4, 2016(2016-05-04) (aged 32)
Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Other names The Disciple
Nationality American
Height 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)[2]
Weight 171 lb (78 kg; 12.2 st)
Division Welterweight
Middleweight
Fighting out of Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Team Machado Jiu-Jitsu
Rank Black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Years active 2005-2016
Mixed martial arts record
Total 16
Wins 8
By knockout 2
By submission 6
Losses 7
By knockout 7
No contests 1
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Blas Avena (June 30, 1983 – May 4, 2016) was an American professional mixed martial artist who competed in the welterweight division of Bellator MMA. A professional since 2005, Avena also competed for the WEC. Avena also found success as a grappler, appearing in Grapplers Quest, NAGA and the ADCC, Blas is also notable in the sport of grappling for his classic bout with veteran Jeff Glover.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Avena relocated from Southern California to Las Vegas in 2004 to work as a security guard for the Hard Rock Cafe and later made his professional MMA debut in 2005. Avena compiled an overall record of 3-0 before being signed by the WEC.

World Extreme Cagefighting

Avena made his promotional debut at WEC 25 against Logan Clark on January 20, 2007. Avena lost via TKO in the third round.

After the loss at WEC 25, Avena decided to drop down to the welterweight division and faced Tiki Ghosn on August 5, 2007 at WEC 29. Avena won via rear-naked choke submission in the first round. Avena followed this up with another first-round submission win over Joe Benoit at WEC 30 before dropping his next fight against Hiromitsu Miura at WEC 33 on March 26, 2008 via first-round knockout.

Avena made his next appearance at WEC 35 against Dave Terrel on August 3, 2008 and won via first-round TKO. Avena then faced Jesse Lennox on January 25, 2009 at WEC 38. Avena was defeated via second-round knockout and subsequently released from the promotion.

Bellator MMA

After his release from the WEC, Avena went 1-3 with one no contest before being signed by Bellator. Avena made his promotional debut against Lenny Lovato February 28, 2013 at Bellator 91 and won via first-round knockout.

Avena then faced War Machine at Bellator 96 on June 19, 2013. Avena was defeated via first-round TKO.

Death

On the morning of May 4, 2016, Avena's body was discovered by police in his Las Vegas apartment. A cause of death was not immediately disclosed.[3]

Mixed martial arts record

Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 8–7 (1) War Machine TKO (punches) Bellator 96 June 19, 2013 1 3:55 Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States
Win 8–6 (1) Lenny Lovato TKO (punch) Bellator 91 February 28, 2013 1 1:40 Rio Rancho, New Mexico, United States
Loss 7–6 (1) Brock Jardine TKO (punches) Showdown Fights: Uprising May 4, 2012 2 2:31 Orem, Utah, United States
NC 7–5 (1) Shawn Fitzsimmons No Contest Superior Cage Combat 3 November 4, 2011 2 3:42 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 7–5 Josh Neer TKO (punches & elbows) Superior Cage Combat 2 August 20, 2011 1 2:54 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 7–4 Kenny Marzola Submission (rear-naked choke) MMA Xplosion: Super Fight Night February 20, 2010 1 1:34 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 6–4 Dave Hulett TKO (punches) MMA Xplosion: Gunderson vs. Sharp October 10, 2009 1 3:08 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 6–3 Jesse Lennox KO (knee and punches) WEC 38 January 25, 2009 2 0:41 San Diego, California, United States
Win 6–2 Dave Terrel TKO (punches) WEC 35: Condit vs. Miura August 3, 2008 1 1:07 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 5–2 Hiromitsu Miura KO (punches) WEC 33: Marshall vs. Stann March 26, 2008 1 2:35 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 5–1 Joe Benoit Submission (guillotine choke) WEC 30 September 5, 2007 1 0:29 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 4–1 Tiki Ghosn Submission (rear-naked choke) WEC 29 August 5, 2007 1 1:01 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 3–1 Logan Clark TKO (elbows) WEC 25 January 20, 2007 3 4:23 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 3–0 Brandon Melendez Submission (guillotine choke) UCE: Round 16 - Finals August 27, 2005 2 N/A Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
Win 2–0 Jake Paul Submission (guillotine choke) UCE: Round 14 - Finals April 23, 2005 1 2:59 West Valley City, Utah, United States
Win 1–0 Benjamin Garcia Submission (guillotine choke) UCE: Round 13 - Episode 3 January 22, 2005 1 0:18 Sandy, Utah, United States

References

  1. ↑ http://sherdog.com/fighter/Blas-Avena-20847
  2. ↑ http://www.wec.tv/BlasAvena
  3. ↑ "Las Vegas Police Investigating Death of MMA Fighter Blas Avena as Suicide", by Tristen Critchfield, Sherdog.com

External links

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