// Roster Index›Light Heavyweight›Dossier · Mike Whitehead
UFC FIGHTER PROFILE_
UFC · UNKNOWNLIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT

Mike
Whitehead

NICKNAME"Iron"·UNITED STATES
PROFESSIONAL RECORD
27-8-0
CURRENT FORM
1L STREAK
NEXT FIGHT
NO BOUT ANNOUNCED
Mike Whitehead
FIGHTER -
UNI🇺🇸
PROFILE PHOTO
PROFILE
PROFILE DATA! COLD
HEIGHT
6'1"
AGE
45
STANCE
ORTHODOX
WEIGHT
Light Heavyweight
PROFESSIONAL RECORD_
35 BOUTS
WIN
27
LOSS
8
DRAW
0
WIN RATE
77%
27/35 bouts
FINISH RATE
78%
of professional wins
LAST 5 FIGHTS1L STREAK · 3-2
LWWWL
STYLE SUMMARY_
DATA: COLD
FIGHTING STYLE
WELL ROUNDED

Well rounded fighter built around defensive grappling — 44% of wins are by sub.

KEY STRENGTHS

Drags it to the mat and hunts the finish — submission threat opens up off transitions.

KEY RISKS

Pressure boxers willing to wade into the pocket have found chins on offer; cardio drops in late rounds.

// PERFORMANCE_METRICS · 02_

STRIKE / GRAPPLE
VITALS

Observed profile rates compared with stored weight-class medians where coverage exists. Any fallback uses a labeled UFC reference average; no fallback is presented as a division median.

// SLPM▼ BELOW
1.62
Strikes Landed/Min
Reference value 2.75
// STR. ACC▼ BELOW
33%
Striking Accuracy
Reference value 49%
// SAPM▲ ABOVE
2.36
Strikes Absorbed/Min
Reference value 2.75
// STR. DEF▲ ABOVE
59%
Striking Defense
Reference value 53%
// TD AVG▲ ABOVE
3.59
Takedowns/15 min
Reference value 1.50
// TD ACC▲ ABOVE
43%
Takedown Accuracy
Reference value 40%
// TD DEF▲ ABOVE
77%
Takedown Defense
Reference value 59%
// SUB AVG▼ BELOW
0.30
Submissions/15 min
Reference value 0.50
// QUALITY_OF_COMPETITION · 02B_

WHO THEY
ACTUALLY FOUGHT

A record says how often a fighter won, not against whom. These ratings weigh every result by the opponent's strength at the time, then compare this fighter with the 56 rated fighters on the UFC light heavyweight roster (anyone with a UFC bout in the last two years or one booked).

// RATING
#16
against the 56 rated on the UFC light heavyweight roster · Elo 1589
// STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE
38th
percentile · average opponent rated 1524 at fight time (recent fights count most)
// RESULTS VS EXPECTATION
77th
percentile · beat what opponents' ratings predicted (+0.21 per fight)

18 rated fights · opponents rated in 55% of recorded fights · last rated fight DEC 10, 2010

// CAREER_BREAKDOWN · 03_

WIN CONDITION MAP

Where the wins come from, and where the losses came from. Method splits by knockout, submission, and decision.

// WINS (27)
n = 27
KO/TKO · 9
SUB · 12
DEC · 6
9
KO/TKO
33%
12
SUB
44%
6
DEC
22%
// LOSSES (8)
n = 8
KO/TKO · 4
DEC · 4
4
KO/TKO
50%
0
SUB
0%
4
DEC
50%
// PATH_TO_VICTORY_
78% FINISH
KO/TKOEARLY ROUNDS · 9 fights
33%
SUBANY ROUND · 12 fights
44%
DECFULL FIGHT · 6 fights
22%
Top win condition: ko/tko · early rounds.
// DNA_PROFILE · 04_

ATTRIBUTE FINGERPRINT

Evidence-backed 0-100 scores built only from observed profile stats and disclosed bout-history proxies. This is a fixed Blueprint scoring model, not a division percentile; missing axes remain unknown.

// DNA_PROFILE_
3 OBSERVED7 DERIVED0 UNKNOWN
// BENCHMARK
FIXED SCORE SCALE
// LINKED SAMPLE
35 BOUTS
// PROFILE UPDATED
OCT 3, 2026
// RECORDED SOURCE
ufcstats
Fighter attribute fingerprint10 of 10 attributes have evidence-backed scores on the Blueprint fixed scale. Unknown axes are not plotted and no score represents a division percentile.KO POWER48TD DEFENSE82GRAPPLING60CHIN74STRIKING20CARDIO83AGGRESSION25SUB THREAT20STR DEFENSE64RECOVERY86
// BANDS
90+ELITE
70-89STRONG
45-69AVERAGE
30-44BELOW
<30LOW
N/AUNKNOWN
Highest scored axis: Recovery. Lowest scored axis: Sub Threat.
// EVIDENCE REGISTER
10 SCORED · 0 OPEN
KO Power48
DERIVED PROXY

KO wins divided by total career wins

N=27 wins
TD Defense82
OBSERVED INPUT

Observed takedown defense rate (77%)

Grappling60
DERIVED PROXY

Composite of observed takedown volume, accuracy, and submission rate

Chin74
DERIVED PROXY

KO-loss durability proxy from career record

N=35 bouts
Striking20
DERIVED PROXY

Composite of observed striking volume and accuracy

Cardio83
DERIVED PROXY

Long-fight exposure proxy from bout duration and decision-win share

Aggression25
DERIVED PROXY

Activity proxy from observed strike and takedown volume

Sub Threat20
OBSERVED INPUT

Observed submission rate (0.3 per 15 min)

Str Defense64
OBSERVED INPUT

Observed striking defense rate (59%)

Recovery86
DERIVED PROXY

Share of recorded losses followed by a win in the next recorded bout.

N=8 losses
Fighter attribute fingerprint accessible data summary
AttributeScoreProvenanceEvidenceSample
KO Power48 out of 100DERIVED PROXYKO wins divided by total career wins27 wins
TD Defense82 out of 100OBSERVED INPUTObserved takedown defense rate (77%)Not recorded
Grappling60 out of 100DERIVED PROXYComposite of observed takedown volume, accuracy, and submission rateNot recorded
Chin74 out of 100DERIVED PROXYKO-loss durability proxy from career record35 bouts
Striking20 out of 100DERIVED PROXYComposite of observed striking volume and accuracyNot recorded
Cardio83 out of 100DERIVED PROXYLong-fight exposure proxy from bout duration and decision-win shareNot recorded
Aggression25 out of 100DERIVED PROXYActivity proxy from observed strike and takedown volumeNot recorded
Sub Threat20 out of 100OBSERVED INPUTObserved submission rate (0.3 per 15 min)Not recorded
Str Defense64 out of 100OBSERVED INPUTObserved striking defense rate (59%)Not recorded
Recovery86 out of 100DERIVED PROXYShare of recorded losses followed by a win in the next recorded bout.8 losses
// CAREER_MOMENTUM · 05_

THE ARC SO FAR

Rolling momentum score (0-100) recomputed after every bout. Weighted blend of result, opponent context, and method-of-finish, designed to show the shape, not the destination.

// MOMENTUM_TIMELINE_
SCOREWINLOSS
0255075100MAR 2001WMAR 2001LAPR 2002LAPR 2002WAPR 2002LMAR 2003WJUN 2004WAUG 2004WSEP 2004LJAN 2005WJAN 2005WMAR 2005WMAR 2005WAPR 2005LFEB 2006WMAR 2006WMAY 2006WJUN 2006WAUG 2006WSEP 2006WSEP 2006WNOV 2006WDEC 2006WAPR 2007WJUN 2007WDEC 2007WAPR 2008WMAY 2008LJUL 2008WOCT 2008WJUN 2009LDEC 2009WJUL 2010WDEC 2010WOCT 2011LDEC 2015// SCORE

  1. Start, MAR 2001, momentum score 45.
  2. Start, MAR 2001, momentum score 56, KO/TKO R1.
  3. Start, APR 2002, momentum score 46, KO/TKO R1.
  4. Start, APR 2002, momentum score 36, KO/TKO R1.
  5. Start, APR 2002, momentum score 43, DEC R2.
  6. Start, MAR 2003, momentum score 36, DEC R2.
  7. Start, JUN 2004, momentum score 46, SUB R1.
  8. Start, AUG 2004, momentum score 56, SUB R2.
  9. Start, SEP 2004, momentum score 66, KO/TKO R1.
  10. Start, JAN 2005, momentum score 59, KO/TKO R2.
  11. Start, JAN 2005, momentum score 69, SUB R1.
  12. Start, MAR 2005, momentum score 78, KO/TKO R2.
  13. Start, MAR 2005, momentum score 85, DEC R3.
  14. Start, APR 2005, momentum score 95, SUB R1.
  15. Start, FEB 2006, momentum score 88, DEC R3.
  16. Start, MAR 2006, momentum score 97, SUB R1.
  17. Start, MAY 2006, momentum score 100, KO/TKO R1.
  18. Start, JUN 2006, momentum score 100, SUB R1.
  19. Start, AUG 2006, momentum score 100, SUB R1.
  20. Start, SEP 2006, momentum score 100, SUB R1.
  21. Start, SEP 2006, momentum score 100, KO/TKO R1.
  22. Start, NOV 2006, momentum score 100, KO/TKO R1.
  23. Start, DEC 2006, momentum score 100, DEC R3.
  24. Start, APR 2007, momentum score 100, KO/TKO R1.
  25. Start, JUN 2007, momentum score 100, KO/TKO R2.
  26. Start, DEC 2007, momentum score 100, DEC R3.
  27. Start, APR 2008, momentum score 100, SUB R1.
  28. Start, MAY 2008, momentum score 100, SUB R1.
  29. Start, JUL 2008, momentum score 93, DEC R3.
  30. Start, OCT 2008, momentum score 100, SUB R1.
  31. Start, JUN 2009, momentum score 100, DEC R3.
  32. Start, DEC 2009, momentum score 90, KO/TKO R1.
  33. Start, JUL 2010, momentum score 98, KO/TKO R4.
  34. Start, DEC 2010, momentum score 100, DEC R3.
  35. Start, OCT 2011, momentum score 100, SUB R1.
  36. Start, DEC 2015, momentum score 93, DEC R3.

Peaked at 100 (W vs Bourke), bottomed at 36 (L vs Sylvia). Current reading: 93.

// KILL_SHOT_MATRIX · 06_

WHEN THE FINISHES COME

Cross-tab of fight outcome by method and round. Reads top-down for method, left-right for round. Cyan intensity scales with frequency.

// METHOD × ROUND_
35/35 fights mapped
METHOD ↓ / ROUND →R1R2R3R4R5FREQ
KO/TKO
9
26%
3
9%
-
1
3%
-
13
total
SUB
11
31%
1
3%
-
-
-
12
total
DEC
-
2
6%
8
23%
-
-
10
total
// PRIMARY KILL ZONE
R1-R2 KO/TKO · 12 of 35 mapped
// LATE-FIGHT GAP
No R5 finishes either way
// DECISION RATE
29%, fights rarely go the distance
// FIGHT_HISTORY · 08_

BOUT LOG
35 FIGHTS

Detailed bout records for the indexed tenure. Sorted most recent first.

L
VS Brian HedenDec 5, 2015
DecisionR3 · 5:00
Dakota FC / Ultimate Productions - Winter Brawl
SECONDARY DETAILS
METHOD
DETAIL
Decision (Unanimous)
W
VS Jojo ThompsonOct 22, 2011
SubmissionR1 · 1:58
RITC - Rage in the Cage 156
SECONDARY DETAILS
METHOD
DETAIL
Submission (Neck Crank)
W
VS Eddie SanchezDec 10, 2010
DecisionR3 · 5:00
PFC - Pure Fighting Championships 6
SECONDARY DETAILS
METHOD
DETAIL
Decision (Split)
W
VS Chase GormleyJul 10, 2010
KO/TKOR4 · 4:34
IFC - Extreme Challenge
SECONDARY DETAILS
METHOD
DETAIL
TKO (Punches)
L
VS Muhammed LawalDec 19, 2009
KO/TKOR1 · 3:08
Strikeforce - Evolution
SECONDARY DETAILS
METHOD
DETAIL
KO (Punches)
W
VS Kevin RandlemanJun 6, 2009
DecisionR3 · 5:00
Strikeforce - Lawler vs. Shields
SECONDARY DETAILS
METHOD
DETAIL
Decision (Unanimous)
W
VS Leo PlaOct 29, 2008
SubmissionR1 · 1:20
M-1 Challenge 8 - USA
SECONDARY DETAILS
METHOD
DETAIL
Submission (Guillotine Choke)
L
VS Renato SobralJul 19, 2008
DecisionR3 · 5:00
Affliction - Banned
SECONDARY DETAILS
METHOD
DETAIL
Decision (Unanimous)
W
VS Zak JensenMay 10, 2008
SubmissionR1 · 2:06
EB - Beatdown at 4 Bears 2
SECONDARY DETAILS
METHOD
DETAIL
Submission (Armbar)
W
VS Soakai PuluApr 18, 2008
SubmissionR1 · 0:59
Throwdown Showdown 1 - Showdown
SECONDARY DETAILS
METHOD
DETAIL
Submission (Keylock)
W
VS Daniel SarafianDec 9, 2007
DecisionR3 · 5:00
PFP - Ring of Fire
SECONDARY DETAILS
METHOD
DETAIL
Decision (Unanimous)
W
VS Vernon WhiteJun 16, 2007
KO/TKOR2 · 0:54
IFL - Las Vegas
SECONDARY DETAILS
METHOD
DETAIL
TKO (Punches)
// FAQ · 09_

CITATION-READY ANSWERS

Quick answers based on the public fighter profile and fight history shown on this page.

Light Heavyweight. Professional record 27-8. Unranked at the time of indexing.

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// LAST INDEX SYNC · 2026-10-28