Fighter Profile: Eric Schafer

Overall Record: 11-3-2

UFC Record: 3-2

Height: 6’3” Weight: 205

Hometown: Fond du Lac, Wisconsin

Age: 32

Eric “Red” Schafer is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt who currently fights in the light-heavyweight division for the UFC. The Wisconsin native trains out of Duke Roufas MMA in Milwaukee, known as one of the best muay-thai gyms in America. When in the Octagon, Schafer is recognized as a submission specialist with comparable striking skills.

While in high school, Schafer began to train in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and muay-thai. He later moved onto graduate from University of Wisconsin (Oshkosh), where he started to gain confidence after winning several jiu-jitsu and muay-thai tournaments. His next move was an obvious one, transitioning into mixed martial arts.

He accepted his first fight in June of 1998, fighting on a Midwest Shootfighting card, easily earning the victory over John Lowey. Three 1st round victories were followed by two draws and a loss while fighting for the Indiana-based Hook n Shoot organization. In 2002, he would leave MMA for nearly three years after his first loss, preferring to use his biology degree to work as a lab technician in the medical field. However upon returning, “Red” continued to fight in the Midwest winning his next three bouts, including capturing the XFO light-heavyweight championship with a 1st round submission victory over William Hill in January 2006.

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Losing only once in his first nine bouts earned him a position on the undercard of the UFC 62 event, opposite of TUF 2 cast member Rob MacDonald. Schafer quickly showed the UFC fans why he was so highly regarded, choking MacDonald unconscious 2:26 into the 1st round in his promotional debut. There was little time to celebrate as Schafer was forced to take a huge step up in competition for his next bout.

It was obvious as to where the UFC thought Schafer stood within the division, matching him up against Michael Bisping at UFC 66. Schafer would admit nerves got the best of him in his bout with both Bisping and with Stephan Bonnar at UFC 77, losing both via TKO. He looked to be uncomfortable and overmatched in both fights.

The back-to-back losses forced Schafer to temporarily leave the UFC, finding a pair of fights for the Gladiator Cage Fighting organization in his home state of Wisconsin. Proving that he belongs in the major league circuit of MMA, Schafer finished both opponents with 1st round stoppages. Schafer reverted back to his aggressive fighting style, pressuring both opponents into making technical mistakes then taking advantage of them.

The UFC took notice and re-signed Eric Schafer to a second tour of duty in the 205 pound division. They did him no favors by matching him up against the heavy-handed Houston Alexander in his home state of Nebraska at UFC Fight Night 15 in September 2008. Schafer was able to survive Alexander long enough to get him on the ground and submit him seven seconds before the end of the 1st round via arm triangle choke.

His next bout at UFC 93 in Ireland, Schafer was pitted against well-respected striker Antonio Mendes, who was coming off a loss to Thiago Silva. Schafer proved that he is more than a grappling ace by knocking out Mendes on his feet at the 3:35 mark of the 1st round. The victory marked the first time Schafer had posted back-to-back wins inside of the Octagon.

Schafer will next test his skills against former TUF 8 winner and current undefeated light-heavyweight Ryan Bader at UFC 104 in Los Angeles. Bader, like Schafer, is dangerous both on the ground, where he was a Division I wrestler at Arizona State, and on his feet, where he has four career KO’s. “Red” will have his work cut out for him on October 24th, when the two 205 pound technicians will go head-to-head on the undercard of Machida vs. Shogun event.

Recent Eric Schafer MMA News:

• January 2009 – At UFC 93 in Ireland, Schafer defeated Antonio Mendes by TKO - Round 1 @ 3:35

• Lost to Ryan Bader by Unanimous Decision at UFC 104 on October 24, 2009 - UFC 104 results

By Nick Russell
ProFighting-fans.com MMA Staff Writer
Published October 2009