"Darrell Gholar, who claimed three U.S. national championships in Greco-Roman wrestling, died Monday following a lengthy health battle. He was 63. Gholar, who fought Evan Tanner at UFC 18, had suffered a stroke in 2013 that left him paralyzed on his right side. Despite that setback, he doggedly and successfully worked towards walking again, earning the Illinois Medal of Courage in 2023 in the process."
"Among many accomplishments, including being a published poet, the 1985 graduate of the University of Minnesota captained the U.S. National Team in 1986, and was an Olympic Team alternate in 1988. He would later appear on American Gladiators and the lesser known TV series Battle Dome, and would train Vitor Belfort for his fight with Tito Ortiz, among other feats."
"In MMA, Gholar made his debut in 1998 against the far more experienced Brazilian Johil de Oliveira, losing a closely contested bout that lasted 30 minutes. Despite losing his lone UFC fight at UFC 18 the following year, Gholar's fighting career picked up - he would go 2-2 for M-1 while competing around the globe. Gholar (5-6) retired from fighting in 2001 off back-to-back wins, in a single night, at the World Vale Tudo Championship 12."
Darrell Gholar won three U.S. national championships in Greco-Roman wrestling, captained the U.S. National Team in 1986 and served as an Olympic Team alternate in 1988. He transitioned to MMA in 1998, debuting against Johil de Oliveira and later fighting Evan Tanner at UFC 18, compiling an 11-fight career and competing 2-2 for M-1. Gholar retired in 2001 after consecutive wins at World Vale Tudo Championship 12. He worked in film, was named among the top 200 living poets in 2003, appeared on television shows, trained notable fighters, suffered a 2013 stroke, regained mobility and received the Illinois Medal of Courage in 2023.
Read at Cageside Press
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]