Fighter Profile: Paul "The Headhunter" Buentello

Height: 6’2” Weight: 245

MMA Record: 27-11

Born: Amarillo, TX

Fights Out Of: San Jose, CA

Team: American Kickboxing Academy

Fighting Style: Kickboxing

Accolades: Storied career versus top level competition

Paul Buentello Biography:

Paul Buentello reigns from Amarillo, TX. Buentello notably went to school with former UFC champion Evan Tanner. Buentello trains with, Javier Mendez and famed team AKA out of San Jose, CA where a great deal of MMA champions call home.

Buentello's Early MMA Career:

If you happen to take a peek at Buentello’s career, you’ll find that even since his early days back in 1997; he’s challenged himself with top level MMA competition. Buentello is most noted for his willingness to “sling leather” with anybody who steps into the ring with him. Even in the beginning with the Unified Shoot Wrestling Federation, Buentello competed against future UFC champions Evan Tanner, and Dan Severn, although he tasted defeat in both of those contests after starting his career on the upside with two straight wins. For the next seven years Buentello climbed the ladder of success by defeating up and comers in the MMA world, and fighting for numerous organizations just to add to his ever-growing resume. Buentello although affiliated with AKA, is one of the few fighters left today who came from the “School of Hard Knocks.”

Buentello in the UFC:

On February 5, 2005 "The Headhunter" got his chance to step inside the octagon and faceoff in a battle of attrition against fellow slugger Justin Eilers. Buentello proved his superiority at UFC 51 by knocking Eilers out in the first few minutes on round number one. His next fight against Kevin Jordan at UFC 53 in a fight that went much the same way, except this time Buentello finished the fight via guillotine choke with one minute remaining in the first round. Buentello tasted defeat only once in the octagon, that came at the hands of “The Pitbull” Andre Arlovski, and Arlovski knocked out Buentello in just :15 seconds in the first round of their UFC 55 bout. In his final fight for the Ultimate Fighting Championship at UFC 57 Buentello put his striking on display again by defeating Gilbert Aldana in the second round via TKO.

Buentello with Strikeforce:

Buentello continued his winning ways in the cage with Strikeforce as well. He compiled a 3-1 record for the rising organization, and defeated the historic David “Tank” Abbott via KO in round number one of his debut. Just two months later Buentello stepped back into the Strikeforce “Hexagon” to face off against veteran Ruben Villarreal, and Villarreal’s corner couldn’t handle the beating that Buentello delivered so they threw in the towel midway through the second round. Buentello continued his winning ways by knocking out Carter Williams in just :10 seconds in round number two, and then five months later tasted his first defeat with Strikeforce; losing to Dutch great Alistair Overeem via a knee to the body in round number two for the Strikeforce heavyweight crown.

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Buentello with Affliction:

Buentello has had the opportunity to take part on both of Affliction’s cards thus far. He first competed on the organization's Banned card, where he won a decisive contest against UFC veteran, and legend Gary Goodridge. To date with the organization Buentello’s most storied victory came at the expense of “Baby Fedor” Kiril Sidelnikov at Affliction: Day of Reckoning. From the time the opening bell rang, until the referee stopped the contest Buentello showed that his years of training, and stiff competition at AKA had made him into the sharp striker he is today. That fight set him up for his biggest test to date, that will occur just weeks away on August 1, 2009, when he takes on Dutch madman Gilbert Yvel at Affliction: Trilogy.

Personal:

Buentello has two daughters and two step-sons with his wife of 11 years, Stacy. Buentello is a dedicated “family man” and hopes that through his fighting career he can leave a legendary legacy behind. Buentello formerly worked construction; he loves the Discovery Channel, and is a self-proclaimed “history buff.” He also dabbles in video production, and hopes to pursue that further as time allows.

Recent Paul Buentello MMA News:

• Lost by Majority Decision to Stefan Struve on December 12, 2009 at UFC 107 - UFC 107 results

By David Fennell
ProFighting-fans.com Staff Writer
Published July 2009