Shawn Bunch
Shawn Bunch (born March 19, 1983) is an American mixed martial artist who competes in Bellator's bantamweight division.
| Shawn Bunch | |
|---|---|
| Born | March 19, 1983 Columbus, Georgia, United States |
| Other names | Bunch The Great |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 5 ft 5 in (165 cm) |
| Weight | 135 lb (61 kg; 9 st 9 lb) |
| Division | Bantamweight (135 lb) |
| Reach | 66 in (168 cm)[1] |
| Fighting out of | San Jose, California, United States |
| Team | American Kickboxing Academy |
| Wrestling | NCAA Division I Wrestling Olympic Alternate (freestyle wrestling) |
| Years active | 2012–present |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 14 |
| Wins | 9 |
| By knockout | 3 |
| By decision | 6 |
| Losses | 5 |
| By knockout | 1 |
| By submission | 2 |
| By decision | 2 |
| University | Edinboro University of Pennsylvania |
| Notable school(s) | Leavenworth High School |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Men's freestyle wrestling | ||
Representing  | ||
| Pan American Championships | ||
.svg.png.webp){kind=icon} | 2007 San Salvador | 60 kg |
| U.S Open National Championships | ||
.svg.png.webp){kind=icon} | 2011 Cleveland | 60 kg |
| 2010 Cleveland | 60 kg |
| Collegiate Wrestling | ||
| Representing the Edinboro Fighting Scots | ||
| NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships | ||
| 2005 St. Louis | 133 lb |
.svg.png.webp){kind=icon} | 2006 Oklahoma City | 133 lb |
Wrestling career
Bunch competed in high school for Leavenworth High School[2] and in university for Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, where he was a four-time NCAA qualifier and two-time All-American. He was also a U.S. national and Pan American champion, and two-time Olympic alternate at 133 lb (60 kg). In June 2012, he lost to Coleman Scott at a wrestle-off, which decided the final Olympic roster spot.[3][4][5]
Mixed martial arts career
Bellator MMA
Bunch made his professional and promotional debut on November 30, 2012 at Bellator 82 against Chad Coon. He won via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).[6]
Bunch was expected to face Steve Garcia on July 31, 2013 at Bellator 97. However, Garcia was replaced by Russell Wilson due to injury.[7] Bunch defeated Wilson via split decision (29-28 Bunch, 29-28 Wilson, 29-28 Bunch).[8]
Bunch/Garcia eventually took place on October 25, 2013 at Bellator 105. He had his first mixed martial arts defeat via TKO in the third round.[9]
After a long layoff, Bunch faced David Duran at Bellator 127 on October 3, 2014.[10] He won the fight via KO in the first round.
Bunch faced Rolando Perez at Bellator 137 on May 15, 2015.[11] He won the fight by unanimous decision.
Bunch next faced Darrion Caldwell at Bellator 143 on September 25, 2015. He lost the fight via submission in the first round.
Bellator MMA announced on October 27, 2020, that Bunch had been released from the promotion.[12]
Championships and accomplishments
Amateur wrestling
- FILA/USA Wrestling (Freestyle wrestling)[2]
- World Olympic Games Qualifying Tournament: 3rd place (2012)
- Pan American Olympic Qualifying Tournament: 3rd place (2012)
- Pan American Championships: Gold medal (2007)
- USA Open: Champion (2010)
- USA Open: Runner-up (2011)
- USA Nationals: Champion (2008)
- USA Nationals: 3rd place (2007)
- USA Olympic Team Trials: Runner-up (2008)
- USA World Team Trials: Champion (2009)
- USA World Team Trials: Runner-up (2011)
- USA World Team Trials: Runner-up (2010)
- USA World Team Trials: 4th place (2007)
- National Collegiate Athletic Association[2]
- NCAA Division I All-American out of Edinboro University (2005–06)
- NCAA Division I 133 lb: Runner-up out of Edinboro University (2005)
- NCAA Division I 133 lb: 3rd place out of Edinboro University (2006)
- Four-time NCAA Division I qualifier (2002–03, 2005–06)
Mixed Martial Arts
- Conquer Fighting Championships
- Fight of the Night (1 Time)
Mixed martial arts record
| Professional record breakdown | ||
| 14 matches | 9 wins | 5 losses |
| By knockout | 3 | 1 |
| By submission | 0 | 2 |
| By decision | 6 | 2 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 9–5 | Keith Lee | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 239 | February 21, 2020 | 3 | 5:00 | Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States | |
| Loss | 9–4 | Leandro Higo | Submission (guillotine choke) | Bellator 228 | September 28, 2019 | 2 | 4:34 | Inglewood, California, United States | |
| Win | 9–3 | Dominic Mazzotta | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 219 | March 29, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Temecula, California, United States | |
| Win | 8–3 | Joe Warren | TKO (submission to punches) | Bellator 210 | November 30, 2018 | 1 | 1:42 | Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States | |
| Win | 7–3 | Rodrigo Lima | Decision (unanimous) | Conquer Fighting Championships 4 | June 24, 2017 | 3 | 5:00 | Richmond, California United States | |
| Win | 6–3 | Josh San Diego | Decision (unanimous) | Dragon House 24 | November 12, 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | San Francisco, California United States | |
| Win | 5–3 | Khomkrit Niimi | TKO (punches) | Conquer Fighting Championships 2 | April 30, 2016 | 1 | 3:37 | Richmond, California United States | |
| Loss | 4–3 | Stephan Cervantes | Decision (split) | Conquer Fighting Championships 1 | November 21, 2015 | 3 | 5:00 | Richmond, California United States | Fight of the Night |
| Loss | 4–2 | Darrion Caldwell | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Bellator 143 | September 25, 2015 | 1 | 2:35 | Hidalgo, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 4–1 | Rolando Perez | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 137 | May 15, 2015 | 3 | 5:00 | Temecula, California, United States | |
| Win | 3–1 | David Duran | TKO (punches) | Bellator 127 | October 3, 2014 | 1 | 3:11 | Temecula, California, United States | |
| Loss | 2–1 | Steve Garcia | TKO (punches) | Bellator 105 | October 25, 2013 | 3 | 3:29 | Rio Rancho, New Mexico, United States | |
| Win | 2–0 | Russell Wilson | Decision (split) | Bellator 97 | July 31, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Rio Rancho, New Mexico, United States | |
| Win | 1–0 | Chad Coon | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 82 | November 30, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Mount Pleasant, Michigan, United States |
References
- "Shawn Bunch's profile". Tapology.com. Retrieved October 26, 2013.
- "Biography: Shawn Bunch". TheMat.com. Retrieved October 24, 2013.
- Ariel Helwani (June 17, 2012). "Former Olympic hopeful Shawn Bunch signs with Bellator". MMAfighting.com. Retrieved October 24, 2013.
- Luke Thomas (November 29, 2012). "For Bellator's Shawn Bunch, MMA was always part of the plan". MMAfighting.com. Retrieved October 24, 2013.
- Tim Rohan (June 8, 2012). "Wrestle-off in Times Square decides final Olympic roster spot". NYtimes.com. Retrieved October 24, 2013.
- Brian Knapp (November 30, 2012). "Undefeated Andrey Koreshkov dismisses Lyman Good in welterweight final at Bellator 82". Sherdog.com. Retrieved October 24, 2013.
- Phillip Lujan (July 23, 2013). "Bellator 97: Russell Wilson steps in on short notice, replaces Steve Garcia against Shawn Bunch". Swfight.com. Retrieved October 24, 2013.
- Luke Thomas (July 31, 2013). "Bellator 97 results: Chandler vs. Rickels". MMAfighting.com. Retrieved October 24, 2013.
- Brian Knapp (October 25, 2012). "Will Brooks, Alexander Sarnavskiy punch tickets to lightweight final at Bellator 105". Sherdog.com. Retrieved October 26, 2013.
- "Bellator 127 lineup again complete as Gonzalez replaces Zaromskis, Duran meets Bunch". mmajunkie.com. September 24, 2014.
- Guilherme Cruz (April 16, 2015). "Bellator 137 card complete with addition of six new fights, including Darrion Caldwell vs. Rafael Silva". mmafighting.com.
- Damon Martin, Mike Heck (October 27, 2020). "Former two-division champion Joe Warren, Ricky Bandejas, Roy Nelson among slew of Bellator fighters no longer under contract". MMAFighting.com. Retrieved October 27, 2020.