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Brennan Ward

Brennan Ward (born June 28, 1988) is a retired American professional mixed martial artist who most recently competed in Professional Fighters League. A professional competitor since 2008, Ward formerly competed for CES MMA, Bellator MMA and was the Bellator Season Nine Middleweight Tournament Winner.

Brennan Ward
Born (1988-06-28) June 28, 1988 (age 36)[1]
New London, Connecticut, United States
Other namesIrish
NationalityAmerican
Height5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight170 lb (77 kg; 12 st 2 lb)
DivisionMiddleweight
Welterweight
Reach71 in (180 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Fighting out ofWaterford, Connecticut, United States
TeamWhaling City Boxing
Rivera Athletic Center
WrestlingNCAA Division III Wrestling
Years active2008, 2012–2017, 2022-2024
Mixed martial arts record
Total26
Wins17
By knockout12
By submission4
By decision1
Losses9
By knockout3
By submission6
UniversityJohnson & Wales University
Colby Community College
Notable school(s)Waterford High School
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Medal record
Collegiate Wrestling
Representing Johnson & Wales–Providence
NCAA Division III Championships
Silver medal – second place 2012 La Crosse 184 lb

Background

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Ward was born in New London, Connecticut, and raised in Waterford, Connecticut. Ward's father, Kent, owns a boxing gym, Whaling City Boxing (New London), where Ward began training from a young age.[2] He competed in wrestling at Waterford High School, graduating in 2006, before continuing his career at Colby Community College.[3] Ward later transferred to Johnson & Wales University, which has a Division III program. At Johnson & Wales, Ward demonstrated his talents, earning All-American honors and was also the runner-up in the nation for his weight class, after winning the New England title.[4]

Mixed martial arts career

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Early career

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Ward started his professional career in 2008, but only became active in 2012. He fought mainly for Rhode Island's promotion Classic Entertainment and Sports (CES MMA).

With a record of 5 and 0, Ward signed with Bellator.

Bellator MMA

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Ward was expected to make his debut against Valter Roberto on November 16, 2012, at Bellator 81. However, Roberto was replaced by Sam McCoy due to undisclosed reasons.[5] Ward won via KO in the very first round.[6]

Ward faced Aaron Johnson on February 14, 2013, at Bellator 89. He had his first career's defeat via submission at 15 seconds of round one.[7]

Ward was expected to face Vadiano La Luz on February 28, 2013, at Bellator 91. However, La Luz was replaced by Yair Moguel due to undisclosed reasons.[8] Ward won via submission due to a rear-naked choke in the first round.[9]

Ward was expected to face Dave Vitkay on September 7, 2013, at Bellator 98. However, he was called to replace Andreas Spång against Justin Torrey in the quarterfinal match of Bellator Season Nine Middleweight Tournament at the same event.[10] Ward won via TKO in the second round and advanced to the semifinal.[11]

Ward was expected to face Perry Filkins in the semifinal on October 4, 2013, at Bellator 102. Filkins, however, was injured and replaced by Joe Pacheco.[12] Ward won the fight via submission in the second round.[13]

Ward faced Mikkel Parlo in the finals on November 8, 2013, at Bellator 107. He won the fight via TKO due to punches in the second round.[14]

Ward faced Bellator Middleweight Champion Alexander Shlemenko at Bellator 114 on March 28, 2014.[15] Despite doing well in the first round, Ward lost the bout due to a submission early in the second round.

Ward was expected to face James Irvin at Bellator 123 on September 5, 2014, however, the bout was cancelled for unknown reasons. Ward instead faced Tamdan McCrory on the same card.[16] Ward lost the bout via knockout in the first round.

Ward was expected to make his Welterweight debut against Jesse Juarez on February 27, 2015, at Bellator 134.[17] However, Ward has been moved up to the main card to face Curtis Millender after Millender's opponent, Michael Page, pulled out of the fight due to a cut over his left eye.[18][19] Ward defeated Millender via submission in the first round.

Ward was expected to face English fighter Gavin Sterritt at Bellator 140 on July 17, 2015.[20] However, a week before the fight, his opponent was changed to Roger Carroll. Ward won the fight via knockout in the first round.

Ward next faced Dennis Olson at Bellator 144 on October 23, 2015. He won the fight via KO in the first round.

Ward made his international MMA debut on December 31, 2015, as a Bellator MMA representative at Rizin Fighting Federation 2. He faced Ken Hasegawa in a 179-pound catchweight bout and won the fight via submission in the second round.

On March 1, 2016, it was announced that Ward would face Strikeforce vet Evangelista Santos on April 22, 2016, at Bellator 153.[21] He lost the fight via heel hook submission in the first round.

Ward next faced Saad Awad at Bellator 163 on November 4, 2016. He won the fight via knockout in the first round.

Ward made a quick return to the cage, facing Paul Daley in the co-main event at Bellator 170 on January 21, 2017. He lost the fight due to a flying knee in the first round.

Ward faced Fernando Gonzalez at Bellator 182 on August 25, 2017. He lost the fight via a guillotine choke submission in the third round.[22]

Ward was expected to face David Rickels at Bellator 185 on October 20, 2017.[23] Ward pulled out of the fight due to an injury and, as a result, Rickels was removed from the fight card.[24]

After a 15-month layoff, Ward was scheduled to face Andre Fialho on October 12, 2018, at Bellator 207.[25] However on September 10, 2018, Ward notified the promotion that he will retire from MMA.[26]

Bare-knuckle boxing

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On April 8, 2019, Bare Knuckle FC president David Feldman announced that Ward had signed a contract with the organization.[27]

Ward was expected to face former UFC Welterweight champion Johny Hendricks at World Bare Knuckle Fighting Federation's inaugural event on November 9, 2018. During the fight week, Ward announced that he wouldn't be fighting at the event due to a contract dispute.[28]

Return to Bellator MMA

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Ward battled with drug addiction throughout his career and after spending time in jail Ward decided to attend rehab and get sober. His first mixed martial arts bout in four and a half years took place at Bellator 274 on February 19, 2022, against Brandon Bell.[29] He won the bout in dominant fashion, finishing Bell in the second round via technical knockout.[30]

On April 15, 2022, it was announced that Ward signed a multi-fight contract with Bellator.[31]

Ward's next bout in Bellator was at Bellator 282 on June 24, 2022, against Kassius Kayne.[32] He won the bout via TKO stoppage in the second round.[33]

Ward faced Sabah Homasi on February 4, 2023, at Bellator 290.[34] Ward won by technical knockout in the second round, after dropping Homasi with a head kick and finishing the bout with ground and pound.[35]

Ward faced Logan Storley on August 11, 2023, at Bellator 298.[36] He lost the fight via TKO in the second round.It was later revealed that Brennan Ward was severely injured going into the Storley fight, having sustained a torn bicep tendon,as well as a torn UCL ligament in his left arm three weeks before the fight, essentially leaving him with one arm during the entire fight. Brennan's youngest daughter had also just recently been born, complicating his training. Despite this, Brennan insisted on fighting saying "In my younger days, I might've pulled out of that fight. But it was the main event, fighting Logan in his hometown, I know that I had a puncher's chance with my right hand...and I went out there and fought, 'cause that's what I do bro" "But I was not, I was probably about forty percent of myself during that fight"[37][38]

Professional Fighters League

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Ward participated in the 2024 PFL season in the Welterweight division, facing Don Madge at PFL 3 on April 19, 2024.[39] He lost the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in the first round.[40]

Ward next faced Magomed Umalatov at PFL 6 (2024) on June 28, 2024 at Sanford Pentagon stadium in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.[41][42] He lost the fight via an anaconda choke submission in the first round. Ward subsequently retired from MMA competition after the bout.[43]

Personal life

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On October 24, 2016, at approximately 7:00 pm, Ward rescued a baby trapped in a stroller abandoned along a busy New London road. The baby was subsequently taken to a nearby fire department – and later hospital – where she was determined to be without injury.[44]

Controversies

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On July 4, 2016, at approximately 12:10 pm, Ward was arrested by the Waterford Police Department on the charges of breach of peace, interfering with a police officer, threatening a public safety officer, and assault on a public safety officer.[45] According to the police report, an inebriated Ward got into an altercation with his female companion (who was also arrested for breach of peace) and subsequently resisted arrest by physically and verbally assaulting the officers present. Officers were also unable to process Ward at the time of his arrest due to his continued belligerence as he repeatedly banged his head on the Plexiglas divider of the squad car and “continued extreme aggression” in his jail cell. Ward proceeded to call three of the four policemen by their first names as well as threatened them and their families. Police also noted that Ward urinated all over the floor and door of his jail cell. He was released on a $100,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on August 16, 2016.[46] In December 2019, news surfaced that Ward was sentenced to 120 days in prison and is expected to be released early 2020.[47]

Ward also had a pending case from a January 3, 2014, incident, where he was charged with disobeying the signal of a police officer, reckless driving, and interfering with a police officer.[46]

Championships and accomplishments

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Amateur wrestling

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Mixed martial arts

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Mixed martial arts record

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Professional record breakdown
26 matches 17 wins 9 losses
By knockout 12 3
By submission 4 6
By decision 1 0
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 17–9 Magomed Umalatov Submission (anaconda choke) PFL 6 (2024) June 28, 2024 1 3:43 Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States
Loss 17–8 Don Madge Submission (rear-naked choke) PFL 3 (2024) April 19, 2024 1 1:02 Chicago, Illinois, United States
Loss 17–7 Logan Storley TKO (punches) Bellator 298 August 11, 2023 2 4:05 Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States Injured going into fight
Win 17–6 Sabah Homasi TKO (head kick and punches) Bellator 290 February 4, 2023 2 1:34 Inglewood, California, United States
Win 16–6 Kassius Kayne TKO (punches) Bellator 282 June 24, 2022 2 1:11 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Win 15–6 Brandon Bell TKO (punches) Bellator 274 February 19, 2022 2 0:32 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Catchweight (175 lb) bout.
Loss 14–6 Fernando Gonzalez Submission (guillotine choke) Bellator 182 August 25, 2017 3 1:02 Verona, New York, United States Catchweight (180 lb) bout; Gonzalez missed weight.
Loss 14–5 Paul Daley KO (flying knee) Bellator 170 January 21, 2017 1 2:27 Inglewood, California, United States
Win 14–4 Saad Awad KO (punches) Bellator 163 November 4, 2016 1 1:26 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Loss 13–4 Evangelista Santos Submission (heel hook) Bellator 153 April 22, 2016 1 0:30 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Win 13–3 Ken Hasegawa Submission (rear-naked choke) Rizin World Grand Prix 2015: Part 2 - Iza December 31, 2015 2 1:52 Saitama, Japan Catchweight (179 lb) bout.
Win 12–3 Dennis Olson KO (punches) Bellator 144 October 23, 2015 1 4:37 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Win 11–3 Roger Carroll KO (punch) Bellator 140 July 17, 2015 1 2:06 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Win 10–3 Curtis Millender Submission (rear-naked choke) Bellator 134 February 27, 2015 1 1:39 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Welterweight debut.
Loss 9–3 Tamdan McCrory KO (punches) Bellator 123 September 5, 2014 1 0:21 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Loss 9–2 Alexander Shlemenko Submission (guillotine choke) Bellator 114 March 28, 2014 2 1:22 West Valley City, Utah, United States For the Bellator Middleweight World Championship.
Win 9–1 Mikkel Parlo TKO (punches) Bellator 107 November 8, 2013 2 1:39 Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States Bellator Season Nine Middleweight Tournament Final.
Win 8–1 Joe Pacheco Submission (guillotine choke) Bellator 102 October 4, 2013 2 2:41 Visalia, California, United States Bellator Season Nine Middleweight Tournament Semifinal.
Win 7–1 Justin Torrey TKO (punches) Bellator 98 September 7, 2013 2 3:28 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Bellator Season Nine Middleweight Tournament Quarterfinal.
Win 6–1 Yair Moguel Submission (rear-naked choke) Bellator 91 February 28, 2013 1 0:57 Rio Rancho, New Mexico, United States Catchweight (187 lbs) bout; Moguel missed weight.[51]
Loss 5–1 Aaron Johnson Submission (armbar) Bellator 89 February 14, 2013 1 0:15 Charlotte, North Carolina, United States
Win 5–0 Sam McCoy KO (punches) Bellator 81 November 16, 2012 1 2:49 Kingston, Rhode Island, United States
Win 4–0 Shedrick Goodridge TKO (punches) CES MMA: Real Pain October 6, 2012 1 2:36 Providence, Rhode Island, United States Catchweight (188 lbs) bout.
Win 3–0 Harley Beekman Decision (unanimous) CES MMA: Never Surrender April 13, 2012 3 5:00 Lincoln, Rhode Island, United States
Win 2–0 Brennan Scholz TKO (punches) CES MMA: Extreme Measures February 3, 2012 1 1:32 Lincoln, Rhode Island, United States Catchweight (190 lb) bout.
Win 1–0 Mike Manna TKO (punches) USFL: War in the Woods 2 February 23, 2008 1 2:15 Ledyard, Connecticut, United States

References

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  1. ^ "Brennan Ward's profile". Bellator.com. Archived from the original on December 28, 2013. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
  2. ^ "Josh Diekmann: In for a Penny, in for a Pound *Uncut Version* : Mass-MMA.com". Archived from the original on April 24, 2019. Retrieved July 25, 2015.
  3. ^ "NJCAA | Colleges | Colby Community College | Wrestling | Roster". Archived from the original on August 21, 2012. Retrieved July 25, 2015.
  4. ^ a b "Brennan Ward & William Mulligan earn NCAA bids at NEWA championship". Providence.JWUathletics.com. February 27, 2011. Retrieved September 28, 2013.
  5. ^ "Valter Roberto vs. Brennan Ward: Bellator 81". Tapology.com. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
  6. ^ Brian Knapp (November 16, 2012). "Marcin Held, Dave Jansen punch tickets to lightweight final at Bellator 81". Sherdog.com. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
  7. ^ Tristen Critchfield (November 16, 2012). "Eduardo Dantas starches teammate Marcos Galvão, defends 135-pound title at Bellator 89". Sherdog.com. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
  8. ^ "Brennan Ward vs. Vadiano La Luz: Bellator 91". Tapology.com. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
  9. ^ Brian Knapp (February 28, 2013). "Attila Vegh dethrones Christian M'Pumbu, takes light heavyweight title at Bellator 91". Sherdog.com. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
  10. ^ MMAjunkie.com staff (September 6, 2013). "Andreas Spang ruled out of Bellator 98, Justin Torrey meets Brennan Ward". MMAjunkie.com. Archived from the original on November 9, 2013. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
  11. ^ MMAjunkie.com staff (September 7, 2013). "Bellator 98 results: Shlemenko retains title in slugfest with Cooper". MMAjunkie.com. Archived from the original on September 10, 2013. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
  12. ^ Nick Mahmood (September 25, 2013). "Perry Filkins suffers injury, out of Bellator tournament". Mass-MMA.com. Archived from the original on October 18, 2013. Retrieved October 17, 2013.
  13. ^ MMAjunkie.com staff (October 4, 2013). "Bellator 102 results: Kongo flattens Godbeer, Queiroz whacks Johnson". MMAjunkie.com. Archived from the original on October 14, 2013. Retrieved October 25, 2013.
  14. ^ MMAjunkie.com staff (November 8, 2013). "Bellator 107 results: Kongo, Warren, Ward post tourney wins". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved November 9, 2013.
  15. ^ Staff (January 15, 2014). "Middleweight champ Alexander Shlemenko faces Brennan Ward at Bellator 114". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved January 15, 2014.
  16. ^ "Bellator 123 Fight Card Finalized With Fourteen Bouts". mmaweekly.com. July 22, 2014.
  17. ^ "Bellator 134 prelims: 'The Silencer,' 'The Freight Train,' 'The Irish Bad Boy,' 'The Barn Cat'". mmajunkie.com. February 5, 2015.
  18. ^ Marc Raimondi (February 23, 2015). "Michael Page out of Bellator 134, Brennan Ward fills in to face Curtis Millender". mmafighting.com.
  19. ^ "MICHAEL PAGE INJURED; BRENNAN WARD REPLACES 'MVP' AT FRIDAY'S BELLATOR 134". sherdog.com. February 23, 2015.
  20. ^ Staff (May 27, 2015). "Gavin Sterritt vs. Brennan Ward added to July's Bellator 140 in Connecticut". mmajunkie.com.
  21. ^ "Cyborg' Santos-Brennan Ward, Patricio Freire-John Teixeira Booked for Bellator 153".
  22. ^ Matt Erickson (August 25, 2017). "Bellator 182 results: Ex-champ Andrey Koreshkov pounds out Chidi Njokuani in first round". mmajunkie.com.
  23. ^ Mike Bohn (September 25, 2017). "David Rickels vs. Brennan Ward among new additions to Bellator 185 on Oct. 20". mmajunkie.com.
  24. ^ Dann Stupp and Matt Erickson (October 16, 2017). "Friday's Bellator 185 lineup loses 2 main-card bouts". mmajunkie.com.
  25. ^ "Andre Fialho vs. Brennan Ward added to Bellator 207 in Uncasville". MMAjunkie. August 18, 2018. Retrieved August 20, 2018.
  26. ^ Mike Bohn (September 10, 2018). "Brennan Ward set to retire from MMA after Bellator 207 withdrawal". mmajunkie.com.
  27. ^ Dave Doyle (April 8, 2019). "BKFC president David Feldman says Brennan Ward signs with promotion". mmajunkie.com.
  28. ^ Steven Marrocco (November 9, 2018). "Brennan Ward pulls out of bare-knuckle fight vs. Johny Hendricks after WBKFF contract dispute". mmajunkie.com.
  29. ^ "Finding Brennan Ward: A story of addiction, sobriety and starting over". MMA Junkie. January 20, 2022. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  30. ^ "Bellator 274 results: Brennan Ward dominates, secures second-round TKO stoppage in return to action". MMA Junkie. February 20, 2022. Retrieved February 20, 2022.
  31. ^ "Brennan Ward signs multifight deal with Bellator after comeback". MMA Junkie. April 15, 2022. Retrieved April 17, 2022.
  32. ^ "Brennan Ward gets next assignment: Bellator 282 vs. Kassius Kayne". MMA Junkie. May 12, 2022. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
  33. ^ Sherdog.com. "Bellator 282 'Mousasi vs. Eblen' Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring". Sherdog. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
  34. ^ King, Nolan (December 6, 2022). "Knockout artists Sabah Homasi, Brennan Ward set to fight at Bellator 290". MMA Junkie. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  35. ^ Anderson, Jay (February 4, 2023). "Bellator 290: Brennan Ward Stops Sabah Homasi in Violent Clash That Lives Up to Hype". Cageside Press. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
  36. ^ Anderson, Jay (May 22, 2023). "Storley vs. Ward, Moldavsky vs. Mowry Among Fights Announced for Bellator 298". Cageside Press. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
  37. ^ "MMA Locker Room". Retrieved August 16, 2024 – via Instagram.
  38. ^ Anderson, Jay (August 12, 2023). "Bellator 298: Logan Storley Finds Finish in Second, Pounds Out Brennan Ward". Cageside Press. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  39. ^ Cruz, Guilherme (March 11, 2024). "PFL announces full line-ups for first 3 season events, 8 ex-Bellator champions debut". MMA Fighting. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
  40. ^ Meshew, Jed (April 20, 2024). "PFL 3 Results: Magomed Umalatov remains unbeaten, Brendan Loughnane gets back on track with quick win". MMA Fighting. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
  41. ^ "PROFESSIONAL FIGHTERS LEAGUE MAKES SOUTH DAKOTA DEBUT JUNE 28 WITH 2024 PFL GLOBAL SEASON ACTION". bellator.com. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  42. ^ Heinert, Paul. "Professional Fighters League to make Pentagon debut in June". Sanford Health News. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  43. ^ "2024 PFL 6 video: Brennan Ward retires from MMA after submission loss to Magomed Umalatov". MMA Junkie. June 29, 2024. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  44. ^ "Father arrested after toddler found abandoned on New London street". wtnh.com. October 25, 2016. Retrieved October 26, 2016.
  45. ^ "Police logs - July 5". TheDay.com. July 4, 2016. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
  46. ^ a b "MMA fighter tussles with Waterford cops". TheDay.com. July 7, 2016. Retrieved July 7, 2016.
  47. ^ Nolan King (December 9, 2019). "Brennan Ward hated fighting and felt guilty, but now he's itching to make Bellator return". mmajunkie.com.
  48. ^ "JWU's Brennan Ward takes second at NCAA division III championship". Providence.JWUathletics.com. March 6, 2010. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
  49. ^ "JWU wrestling takes third at Ithaca Bombers Invitational". Providence.JWUathletics.com. November 8, 2009. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
  50. ^ "2010 Ithaca invitational results" (PDF). Centenarycollege.edu. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 27, 2013. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
  51. ^ Press release (February 27, 2013). "Bellator 91 weigh-in results: Christian M'Pumbu vs. Attila Vegh title fight set". MMAweekly.com. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
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