Stephen Abas

He graduated from James Logan High School after two years as a star wrestler. Prior to JLHS he attended Canyon Springs High School, in Moreno Valley, California. He and his brother Gerry Abas were members of the Wan Tu Wazuri wrestling club at Oakland Tech, Oakland, California.[4]

Wrestling for California State University, Fresno from 1998–2002, he earned four All-American honours at the NCAA DI wrestling championships, placing fourth at 118 as a freshman and winning the next three years at the 125-pound (57 kg) weight class. He finished his college career with a 144-4 record, with 46 pins. going undefeated his last two college seasons.

In 2009, Abas was inducted into the Fresno County Athletic Hall of Fame.[5]

Abas also is a decorated freestyle wrestler; competing in two world freestyle championships and receiving a silver medal at the 2004 Olympic Games. At the 2005 NCAA championships, he was named as one of the fifteen greatest wrestlers in NCAA history alongside others standouts such as Kurt Angle, Cael Sanderson, and Dan Gable. Abas was also elected to the NCAA 75th Anniversary Wrestling Team.

Abas tried out for the 2008 USA Olympic Team and reached the finals of the Olympic Trials, losing to Henry Cejudo in a best of 3 series 2 matches to 1, even though he competed with a damaged knee. In 2008, he retired from competitive wrestling.

He began a MMA career. He teaches and trains out of The Arena MMA gym in San Diego, alongside other notable athletes such as Diego Sanchez, Joe Duarte, Rani Yahya, KJ Noons, Fabricio Camoes, and Xande Ribeiro.

• The Arena
• Stephen Abas profile at the National Wrestling Hall of Fame
• Professional MMA record for Stephen Abas from Sherdog