Ivan Menjivar

Ivan Menjivar
Born (1982-05-30) May 30, 1982 (age 42)
La Paz, El Salvador[1]
Other namesThe Pride of El Salvador
NationalityEl Salvador
Canadian
Height5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)
Weight135 lb (61 kg; 9.6 st)
DivisionWelterweight
Lightweight
Featherweight
Bantamweight
Fighting out ofMontreal, Quebec, Canada
TeamTristar Gym
RankBlack belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Firas Zahabi[2]
Years active2001–2006, 2010–present (MMA)
Mixed martial arts record
Total37
Wins25
By knockout9
By submission10
By decision6
Losses12
By knockout1
By submission2
By decision8
By disqualification1
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Ivan Menjivar (born May 30, 1982) is a Salvadorean-Canadian retired mixed martial artist who formerly fought in the featherweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Background

Menjivar was born in La Paz, El Salvador, in 1982.[3] Fleeing the corrupt government, Menjivar moved to Montreal with his family when he was 11.[3] He has a brother and a sister.[3] He started training Kung-Fu as a kid, eventually progressing to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.[3]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Menjivar formerly fought in the welterweight and lightweight divisions, before dropping to featherweight.

Menjivar made his MMA debut in 2001 and fought until 2006, earning a record of 20–7. After he was defeated by Bart Palaszewski at an IFL event, he retired from MMA. Four years later, he came out of retirement for W-1 MMA, defeating Aaron Miller by triangle choke submission in round one.

World Extreme Cagefighting

In November 2010, Menjivar signed with the WEC,[4] right before its merger with the UFC.

In his promotional debut, Menjivar dropped to bantamweight and faced Brad Pickett on December 16, 2010 at WEC 53, the final WEC event.[5] After a back and forth fight, Menjivar lost via unanimous decision. The bout won Fight of the Night honors.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

On October 28, 2010, WEC merged with the UFC. As part of the merger, all WEC fighters were transferred to the UFC.[6]

Menjivar defeated Charlie Valencia via first round TKO on April 30, 2011 at UFC 129, after breaking his nose with a short elbow and following up with punches to finish the fight in 90 seconds.[7]

Menjivar next faced Nick Pace on August 6, 2011 at UFC 133.[8] The bout was held at a catchweight of 138 pounds after Menjivar failed to make weight.[9] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[10]

Menjivar submitted John Albert with a first round rear naked choke on February 15, 2012 at UFC on Fuel TV 1.[11] His performance earned him the Submission of the Night award.[12]

Menjivar was expected to face Renan Barão at UFC 148 on July 7, 2012.[13] However, Barão was pulled from the bout to face Urijah Faber for the Interim Bantamweight Title on the same card. Menjivar instead faced Mike Easton at the event and lost the fight via unanimous decision.[14]

Menjivar defeated promotional newcomer Azamat Gashimov via first round submission due to an armbar on November 17, 2012 at UFC 154.[15] The performance earned Menjivar Submission of the Night honors.[16]

Menjivar faced Urijah Faber on February 23, 2013 at UFC 157.[17] He lost the fight via submission in the first round.[18]

Menjivar was expected to face Norifumi Yamamoto on September 21, 2013 at UFC 165.[19] However, Yamamoto was removed from the bout and was replaced by Wilson Reis.[20] Menjivar lost the fight via unanimous decision.[21]

Menjivar faced Hatsu Hioki in a featherweight bout on March 1, 2014 at The Ultimate Fighter: China Finale.[22] He lost the fight via unanimous decision, and was subsequently released from the promotion.[23]

Personal life

Menjivar and his wife have four children, two daughters and two sons. He balances MMA with a full-time job as a bus driver for the public transport of Montreal STM.[24]

Championships and achievements

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
37 matches 25 wins 12 losses
By knockout 9 1
By submission 10 2
By decision 6 8
By disqualification 0 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 25–12 Hatsu Hioki Decision (unanimous) The Ultimate Fighter China Finale: Kim vs. Hathaway March 1, 2014 3 5:00 Macau, SAR, China Return to Featherweight.
Loss 25–11 Wilson Reis Decision (unanimous) UFC 165 September 21, 2013 3 5:00 Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Loss 25–10 Urijah Faber Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC 157 February 23, 2013 1 4:34 Anaheim, California, United States
Win 25–9 Azamat Gashimov Submission (armbar) UFC 154 November 17, 2012 1 2:44 Montreal, Quebec, Canada Submission of the Night.
Loss 24–9 Mike Easton Decision (unanimous) UFC 148 July 7, 2012 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 24–8 John Albert Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC on Fuel TV: Sanchez vs. Ellenberger February 15, 2012 1 3:45 Omaha, Nebraska, United States Submission of the Night.
Win 23–8 Nick Pace Decision (unanimous) UFC 133 August 6, 2011 3 5:00 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States 138 lb catchweight bout; Menjivar missed weight.
Win 22–8 Charlie Valencia TKO (elbow and punches) UFC 129 April 30, 2011 1 1:30 Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Loss 21–8 Brad Pickett Decision (unanimous) WEC 53 December 16, 2010 3 5:00 Glendale, Arizona, United States Bantamweight debut.
Win 21–7 Aaron Miller Submission (triangle choke) W-1 MMA 5: Judgment Day June 19, 2010 1 2:25 Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Loss 20–7 Bart Palaszewski Decision (split) International Fight League: World Championship Semifinals November 2, 2006 3 4:00 Portland, Oregon, United States
Loss 20–6 Caol Uno Decision (unanimous) Hero's 7 October 9, 2006 2 5:00 Yokohama, Japan Hero's 2006 Lightweight Grand Prix semi-final.
Win 20–5 Hideo Tokoro Decision (majority) Hero's 6 August 5, 2006 2 5:00 Tokyo, Japan Hero's 2006 Lightweight Grand Prix quarter-final.
Win 19–5 Justin Tavernini Submission (triangle choke) Ultimate Cage Wars 4 May 27, 2006 1 N/A Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Win 18–5 Taiyo Nakahara Decision (unanimous) Hero's 5 May 3, 2006 2 5:00 Tokyo, Japan Hero's 2006 Lightweight Grand Prix opening round.
Loss 17–5 Urijah Faber DQ (illegal kick to downed opponent) TKO 24: Eruption January 28, 2006 2 2:02 Laval, Quebec, Canada
Win 17–4 Joe Lauzon Submission (calf slicer) APEX: Undisputed September 3, 2005 1 3:39 Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Win 16–4 Mika Shida Decision (unanimous) Pancrase: Spiral 6 July 31, 2005 3 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 15–4 Brandon Carlson Submission (rear-naked choke) KOTC: Edmonton April 16, 2005 1 0:45 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Win 14–4 Ryan Ackerman TKO (punches) APEX: Genesis September 5, 2004 2 2:02 Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Loss 13–4 Matt Serra Decision (unanimous) UFC 48 June 19, 2004 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 13–3 Mike French Submission (armbar) Ultimate Generation Combat 6 December 20, 2003 1 0:40 Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Win 12–3 Antoine Coutu TKO Ultimate Generation Combat 5 October 18, 2003 1 N/A Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Loss 11–3 Vítor Ribeiro Decision (unanimous) Absolute Fighting Championships 4 July 19, 2003 3 5:00 Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States
Win 11–2 Brandon Shuey Submission (kneebar) WFF 4: Civil War April 4, 2003 1 0:38 Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Win 10–2 Max Marin TKO MFC: Unplugged November 29, 2002 1 4:12 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Win 9–2 Andy Social Submission (armbar) UCC Proving Ground 8 November 3, 2002 1 0:20 Victoriaville, Quebec, Canada
Win 8–2 Shane Rice TKO (punches) UCC 11: The Next Level October 11, 2002 1 1:58 Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Win 7–2 Jay R. Palmer KO (suplex) UCC Hawaii: Eruption in Hawaii September 17, 2002 1 1:03 Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
Win 6–2 Jeff Curran Decision (unanimous) UCC 10: Battle for the Belts 2002 June 15, 2002 3 5:00 Hull, Quebec, Canada
Loss 5–2 Jason Black Submission (guillotine choke) UCC 8: Fast and Furious March 30, 2002 1 3:33 Rimouski, Quebec, Canada
Win 5–1 Andy Lalonde TKO (punches) UCC Proving Ground 4 March 9, 2002 1 1:00 Victoriaville, Quebec, Canada
Loss 4–1 Georges St-Pierre TKO (punches) UCC 7: Bad Boyz January 25, 2002 1 4:59 Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Win 4–0 Dany Ward KO (head kick) UCC Proving Ground 2 December 16, 2001 1 1:05 Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, Canada
Win 3–0 Francois Flibotte Submission (rear-naked choke) UCC Proving Ground 1 October 28, 2001 1 1:24 Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, Canada
Win 2–0 J.F. Bolduc Decision (split) UCC 4: Return Of The Super Strikers May 12, 2001 1 10:00 Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
Win 1–0 David Guigui TKO (punches) UCC 3: Battle for the Belts January 27, 2001 1 7:54 Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada

References

  1. ^ "Ivan Menjivar | UFC". 14 September 2018.
  2. ^ Ivan Menjivar gets Black Belt
  3. ^ a b c d Loretta Hunt (February 21, 2013). "After years in and out of MMA, Ivan Menjivar finally eyeing title shot". si.com.
  4. ^ http://www.wec.tv/index.cfm?fa=news.detail&gid=86000
  5. ^ "Brad Pickett vs. Ivan Menjivar added to promotion-ending WEC 53 card". mmajunkie.com. November 4, 2010. Archived from the original on November 7, 2010.
  6. ^ "UFC and WEC set to merge in 2011; events to air on Versus and Spike TV". mmajunkie.com. October 28, 2010. Archived from the original on October 31, 2010.
  7. ^ Hemminger, Brian (30 April 2011). "UFC 129 results: Ivan Menjivar crushes Charlie Valencia with big elbow". mmamania.com. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
  8. ^ "Menjivar-Pace Targeted for UFC 133 in Philly". sherdog.com. May 20, 2011.
  9. ^ "UFC 133: Evans vs. Ortiz Official Weigh-in Results (UPDATED)". MMAweekly.com. August 5, 2011. Retrieved August 5, 2011.
  10. ^ Roth, Matthew (6 August 2011). "UFC 133 Results: Ivan Menjivar Edges a Decision Over Nick Pace". bloodyelbow.com. Archived from the original on 1 June 2022. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
  11. ^ "John Albert vs. Ivan Menjivar added to UFC on FUEL TV 1 in Omaha". mmajunkie.com. 2011-12-20. Archived from the original on 2012-02-11. Retrieved 2011-12-21.
  12. ^ "UFC on FUEL TV 1 bonuses: Miocic, Menjivar, Ellenberger, Sanchez get $50K awards". mmajunkie.com. February 15, 2012. Retrieved February 15, 2012.
  13. ^ "Bantamweight shakeup: Menjivar fights Barao". mmajunkie.com. March 23, 2012. Archived from the original on March 25, 2012.
  14. ^ "Ivan Menjivar Draws Mike Easton After Renan Barão Promoted to UFC Title Fight". Mmaweekly.com | Ufc and Mma News, Results, Rumors, and Videos. mmaweekly.com. May 19, 2012.
  15. ^ "UFC 154 draws Ivan Menjivar vs. Azamat Gashimov". Mmaweekly.com | Ufc and Mma News, Results, Rumors, and Videos. mmajunkie.com. September 8, 2012.
  16. ^ Stupp, Dann (2012-11-17). "UFC 154 bonuses: Hendricks, Menjivar, St-Pierre and Condit earn $70K awards". MMAjunkie.com. Archived from the original on 2013-01-11. Retrieved 2012-11-17.
  17. ^ Martin, Damon (December 3, 2012). "Urijah Faber Expected to Rematch Ivan Menjivar at UFC 157 in Anaheim". Mmaweekly.com | Ufc and Mma News, Results, Rumors, and Videos. mmaweekly.com. Retrieved December 3, 2012.
  18. ^ Saunders, Andrew (24 February 2013). "UFC 157: What We Learned from Urijah Faber vs. Ivan Menjivar". bleacherreport.com. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
  19. ^ Staff (June 20, 2013). "Ivan Menjivar vs. Norifumi Yamamoto targeted for UFC 165 in Toronto". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved June 20, 2013.
  20. ^ Cameron Gidari (2013-09-02). "Wilson Reis Replaces "Kid" Yamamoto, Faces Ivan Menjivar at UFC 165". MMAdiehards.com. Retrieved 2013-09-02.
  21. ^ Erickson, Matt (22 September 2013). "UFC 165 results and photos: Wilson Reis wins UFC debut, tops Ivan Menjivar". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
  22. ^ Keith Grienke (January 1, 2014). "Menjivar to Face Hioki at TUF: China Finale". TopMMANews.com. Retrieved January 1, 2014.
  23. ^ "UFC releases Ivan Menjivar following decision loss to Hatsu Hioki". bloodyelbow.com. March 21, 2014. Archived from the original on October 11, 2019. Retrieved March 21, 2014.
  24. ^ "Canadian Menjivar debuts on final WEC card". Sportsnet.ca. 2010-12-15. Retrieved 2010-12-16.[permanent dead link‍]
  25. ^ Thomas Gerbasi (January 4, 2013). "Ten Best - 2012 Submissions of the Year". Ultimate Fighting Championship.