Mark Robinson (martial artist)

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Mark Robinson
Born (1963-03-18) 18 March 1963 (age 61)[1]
NicknameWhite Rhino
ResidenceJohannesburg
NationalitySouth African
Height6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight300 lb (136 kg; 21 st 6 lb)
DivisionSuper heavyweight
StyleWrestling
TeamMark Robinson MMA
Mixed martial arts record
Total2
Wins1
By submission1
Losses0
No contests1
Other information
Notable relativesNorman Robinson (father)
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Medal record
Representing  South Africa
Submission wrestling
ADCC World Championships[2]
Gold medal – first place 2001 Abu Dhabi +99 kg
Sumo
World Championships[2][3][4]
Silver medal – second place 1998 Tokyo Open
Bronze medal – third place 1997 Tokyo Open
Gold medal – first place 1996 Tokyo Open
Freestyle wrestling
African Wrestling Championships[5][6]
Bronze medal – third place 1994 Cairo +100 kg
Greco-Roman wrestling
African Games[5][6]
Silver medal – second place 1995 Harare 130 kg
African Wrestling Championships[5][6]
Bronze medal – third place 1996 El Menzah +100 kg
Silver medal – second place 1994 Cairo +100 kg
Powerlifting
WPC World Championships[1]
Gold medal – first place 1990 Pescara +140 kg
Silver medal – second place 1989 Stone +125 kg
Bronze medal – third place 1988 Johannesburg +125 kg

Mark Robinson (born 18 March 1963) is a South African martial artist and powerlifter. He is considered to be one of South Africa's most accomplished athletes due to his accomplishments in several wrestling styles (freestyle, Greco-Roman, sumo) and powerlifting.[2][3]

Background[edit]

Robinson was born to a family of martial artists.[7] His father, Norman Robinson, was one of the first practitioners of Shotokan Karate in South Africa and helped instigate the establishment of the South African branch of the Japan Karate Association.[8] His grandfather, Jack Robinson, was a pioneer of judo in South Africa and set up an establishment that would later become Judo South Africa.[8]

Grappling career[edit]

Robinson's earliest sporting achievement was in 1982, when he became the South African judo champion in the heavyweight division.[7]

Robinson later started pursuing various forms of amateur wrestling including both Greco-Roman and freestyle.[7] From 1994 to 1996, he won multiple medals in wrestling at the African Wrestling Championship and African Games.[7] His strong performance at the 1996 Acropolis Wrestling Grand Prix qualified him for a spot at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Greco-Roman wrestling.[7] However, he was unable to compete due to budget restrictions.[7]

Robinson competed in the 1996 Sumo World Championship with only a few months of training.[2][3] In the finals, he defeated Emmanuel Yarbrough to become champion of the openweight class.[2][3][9]

Robinson competed at the 2001 ADCC Submission Fighting World Championship in the +99 kg category against several strong candidates.[3][10] He defeated Valeriy Yureskul, Vitor Belfort and Ricco Rodriguez to reach the final,[3][10] where he defeated Jeff Monson to become champion.[3][10]

Powerlifting career[edit]

Around the same time he started his grappling career, Robinson also participated in powerlifting.[7]

He is a multiple time medalist at WPC World Championships including winner of the 1990 World Championship at the +140 kg category.[7][1]

Personal Bests[edit]

Mixed martial arts career[edit]

Robinson had a brief career in mixed martial arts.[11]

On 26 August 2000, he fought for the promotion, World Extreme Fighting at the event WEF – New Blood Conflict. He faced Joe Leyva and won by submission in less than 30 seconds.[11]

On 23 February 2001, he fought for the promotion, Ultimate Fighting Championship at the event UFC 30.[11] He faced Bobby Hoffman and was knocked out in the first round by a standing elbow strike.[11][12] However Hoffman failed a drug test afterwards and the decision was changed to a no-contest.[11]

Personal life[edit]

Robinson lives in Johannesburg with his wife Deirdre and daughter.[7]

Robinson set up a martial arts academy in 2001 in South Africa.[7]

Mixed martial arts record[edit]

Professional record breakdown
2 matches 1 win 0 losses
By submission 1 0
No contests 1


Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
NC 1–0 (1) Bobby Hoffman NC (overturned) UFC 30 23 February 2001 1 3:27 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Originally a KO win for Hoffman; overturned due to Hoffman failing drug test.
Win 1–0 Joe Leyva Submission (neck crank) WEF: New Blood Conflict 26 August 2000 1 1:22 N/A

[11]

Submission wrestling record[edit]

10 Matches, 7 Wins, 3 Losses
Result Rec. Opponent Method Event Division Date Location
Lose 7–3 United States Reese Andy ADCC 2003 Absolute 2003 Brazil São Paulo
Lose 7–2 United States Mike van Arsdale ADCC 2003 +99 kg 2003 Brazil São Paulo
Win 7–1 United States Jeff Monson Points ADCC 2001 +99 kg 2001 United Arab Emirates Abu Dhabi
Win 6–1 United States Ricco Rodriguez Penalty
Win 5–1 Brazil Vitor Belfort Penalty
Win 4–1 Ukraine Valeriy Yureskul Submission
Lose 3–1 Brazil Ricardo Morais ADCC 2000 +99 kg 2000 United Arab Emirates Abu Dhabi
Win 3–0 United Kingdom Lee Hasdell
Win 2–0 Brazil Luis Roberto Duarte ADCC 1999 +99 kg 1999 United Arab Emirates Abu Dhabi
Win 1–0 Japan Yasuaki Hiramatsu

External links[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c "Robinson Mark – results in powerlifting and benchpress, records, personal data, photos and video". en.allpowerlifting.com. Archived from the original on 17 February 2023. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e "All About the ADCC: +99Kg Division | BJJ Heroes". 6 July 2015. Archived from the original on 17 February 2023. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Calitz, Wilna (28 December 2015). "South African Sports stars – the guys and gals in green and gold". FinGlobal. Archived from the original on 17 February 2023. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  4. ^ "international sumo federation". www.ifs-sumo.org. Archived from the original on 18 February 2023. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  5. ^ a b c "International Wrestling Database". www.iat.uni-leipzig.de. Archived from the original on 17 February 2023. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  6. ^ a b c "International Wrestling Database". www.iat.uni-leipzig.de. Archived from the original on 17 February 2023. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Mark Robinson Mixed Martial Arts". 15 November 2018. Archived from the original on 15 November 2018. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
  8. ^ a b "50 years of martial arts – Steve Bazzea". Archived from the original on 17 February 2023. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
  9. ^ "Results of the Fifth Sumo World Championships" (PDF). 24 August 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 August 2016. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  10. ^ a b c "ADCC Submission Fighting World Championship 2001 • ADCC NEWS". adcombat.com. Archived from the original on 18 February 2023. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  11. ^ a b c d e f "Mark Robinson". Sherdog. Archived from the original on 20 February 2023. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
  12. ^ Winston, Dallas (2 September 2012). "Future Evolutions In MMA: Muay Thai Standing Elbows (Part One)". Bloody Elbow. Archived from the original on 20 February 2023. Retrieved 20 February 2023.