Fighter Profile: Matt "The Law " Lindland
Hometown: Portland, OR
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 185 lbs
Age: 40
Current Organization: Strikeforce
Professional Record: 22-7
Matt “The Law” Lindland is a mixed martial artist who currently fights in the middleweight (185lb) division for Afflicton Entertainment and is a former Olympic Greco-Roman wrestler. Lindland fights out of Portland Oregon, training with Team Quest.
Lindland began wrestling at age 15 and would later becoming an All-American with the University of Nebraska. Following his collegiate wrestling days, he would begin training in mixed martial arts with the likes of Randy Couture and Dan Henderson as the three teamed up to form Team Quest. During this time Lindland would also attend the 2000 Olympics in Sydney where he would be awarded a silver medal. He would win his first 7 professional MMA fights before dropping his first bout to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu master Murilo Bustamante at UFC 37 after being caught in a guillotine choke.
The next 3 years, despite wracking up 6 more wins in the UFC, were marked with various hardships for Lindland. His next loss came in embarrassing fashion when, while attempting to slam Falaniko Vitale, Lindland knocked himself out at UFC 43. Lindland would be knocked out again by David Terrell at UFC 49. UFC 54 would turn out to be his last fight with the organization. Following his win over Joe Doerksen, Lindland was released from the UFC for violating the sponsorship and advertising terms of his contract by wearing an unapproved t-shirt at weigh-ins.
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Lindland would continue his MMA career, fighting in various organizations including Cage Rage, the Gracie Fighting Championships and Raze-MMA. He would win his next three fights including a submission victory over Mike Van Arsdale. His next fight would be outside his weight class where he would fight future UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson. Lindland caught Jackson in a guillotine choke twice, but was unable to finish the fight and lost in a close split decision.
Two more wins, including an impressive TKO victory over former UFC Light Heavyweight contender Jeremy Horn would set Lindland up for the biggest fight of his MMA career. It would be another fight outside his weight class, this time against pound for pound king Fedor Emelianenko at bodogFight: Clash of the Nations. Despite opening a cut above Emelianenko’s eye early in the bout, Lindland was taken to the ground after his takedown was reversed. Emelianenko would eventually submit Lindland via arm bar.
Following his fight with Emelianenko, Lindland was signed by Affliction Entertainment where he fought in both Affliction: Banned, and Day of Reckoning. His final Affliction fight against former UFC champ Vitor Belfort ended badly for Lindland with a KO loss 37 seconds into the first round.
Recent Matt Lindland MMA News:
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December 2009 Interview with Strikeforce Middleweight Matt Lindland
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Lost to Jacare Souza via Submission @ Strikeforce: Evolution on December 19, 2009 - Strikeforce: Evolution results
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Defeated Kevin Casey by TKO at Strikeforce Challengers 8 in Portland, OR on May 21, 2010 - Strikeforce Challengers 8 fight card & results
By Travis Fleming
ProFighting-fans.com Staff Writer
Published June 2009, Updated May 2010
Photo used with permission from Matt Lindland