Cheick Kongo

Cheick Guillaume “Kingo Kongo” Ouedraogo (born May 17, 1975 in Paris, France) is a professional French heavyweight mixed martial artist and kickboxer currently fighting in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He currently trains with Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and Michael Bisping at the Wolfslair MMA Academy.

Vital Stats :
Born Cheick Guillaume Ouedraogo
May 17, 1975 (age 34)
Paris, France

Nationality : French

Height 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight 108 kg (240 lb; 17.0 st)
Reach 82 in
Style Muay Thai, Savate
Fighting out of Paris, France
Team Wolfslair MMA Academy
Trainer Anthony Mc Gann
Rank blue belt in BJJ
Years active 2000–present

Born to a Burkinabe mother and a Congolese father, Kongo began training in martial arts when he was 5 years old, learning Kendo and Karate. As he grew older, he began to expand his repertoire and trained in Muay Thai, kickboxing and Greco-Roman wrestling. At age 19, he learned of Pencak Silat, an Indonesian martial art, and was coached by Charles Joussot and Franck Roppers.

On June 10, 2001, Kongo began his professional career by knocking out Doog Ward. Kongo then followed up that win with a TKO over Dave van der Veen. He then lost his first professional MMA fight to Rodney Faverus by decision. He also tapped from strikes in the second round of a bout with Gilbert Yvel, but managed a ledger of 7-2-1 before signing with the UFC.

Kongo entered the UFC to fight Gilbert Aldana at UFC 61, whom he beat by TKO due to a doctor stoppage. Kongo followed up with a win over UFC newcomer Christian Wellisch by KO due to a knee strike, before losing to UFC newcomer Carmelo Marrero at UFC 64. Then, Kongo defeated Assuerio Silva by majority decision at UFC 70. At UFC 75 on September 8, 2007, he defeated Mirko “CroCop” Filipovi? by unanimous decision. He fought against Heath Herring at UFC 82, losing by split decision. At UFC 87 he fought against UFC newcomer Dan “The Viking” Evensen, whom he defeated by first-round TKO.
Kongo fought at UFC 92 on December 27, 2008 where he beat former Cage Rage British Heavyweight champion Mustapha Al Turk by TKO. Kongo dropped Al Turk with two right hands. Kongo pounced on Al Turk with elbows and punches, opening up a big cut above the eye. Referee Steve Mazzagatti stopped the fight after 4:37 of the first round. In his next fight he then defeated Antoni Hardonk at UFC 97 by second-round TKO.

Kongo replaced Heath Herring at UFC 99 to face the up and coming Cain Velasquez in the co-main event. It had been reported that if he was to defeat Velasquez, Kongo would earn a title shot in July against the winner of the UFC 100 Heavyweight Championship between Brock Lesnar and Frank Mir. This was not to be, as Kongo lost to Velasquez by unanimous decision.
Kongo lost to Frank Mir at UFC 107, after being dropped by an overhand left, Kongo tried to scramble but Mir swarmed until forcing Kongo to pass out to a guillotine choke.

Kongo has won the following titles :
2005 King of Colosseum tournament champion
2005 Rings World champion
2004 King of the Ring Heavyweight champion
2004 Muay Thai World champion
2003 Intercontinental Muay Thai champion
2002 Rings European champion
2001 Rings European Vice champion
European Savate champion