# Vernon White (fighter)

Vernon Verdell White (born December 3, 1970) is an American retired professional mixed martial arts fighter who fought for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), Pride Fighting Championships, Strikeforce, King of the Cage, Pancrase, the World Fighting Alliance, and the Nevada Lions of the IFL. He is the former King of the Cage Light Heavyweight Championship, and King of the Cage Light Heavyweight Superfight Championship.

## MMA career

Coming from a Taekwondo background. White debuted at 22 years of age in the Pancrase organization in Japan after being recruited by Ken Shamrock. Thrown right into the fire from the beginning, a very inexperienced White would go 8-17-1 in Pancrase to start his career.
However, White would turn his career around in a big way towards the latter part of the decade. He turned in an impressive showing against MMA legend Kazushi Sakuraba at PRIDE 2, landing a hard punch in the opening seconds to stagger Sakuraba and fighting very competitively, showcasing excellent submission defense and escapes throughout the fight until he was finally caught in an armbar late in round 3.
From 1998 to 2002, White found great success in mixed martial arts competition, compiling a record of 9-1 and winning the King of the Cage Middleweight Championship. White defended the title four times before losing a decision to MMA pioneer Jeremy Horn. This was especially impressive because at the time, King of the Cage was an upper echelon MMA promotion. He evolved into one of the more talented and well known mixed martial arts fighters in the world and developed excellent striking to go along with a solid submission wrestling base.
White also had impressive showings in the UFC, fighting to a draw with Ian Freeman in a fight that he took on short notice, and also turning in a competitive, hard fought loss to former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Chuck Liddell at UFC 49 in 2004.

## Professional wrestling career

White appeared on the April 7, 1997 airing of the World Wrestling Federation program Raw Is War, losing a worked 'shoot fight' to his Lion’s Den mentor Ken Shamrock.

## Personal life

Vernon and his wife Melissa Kline were married on April 30, 2007. The couple had their first child, a son, on May 31, 2008.

## Kickboxing record

Kickboxing record :
| ? wins (? KOs), ? losses, ? draws ||||||||
| Date | Result | Opponent | Event | Location | Method | Round | Time |
| 2008-05-31 | Win | Anthony Brown | XFA 2 | Las Vegas, Nevada, USA | Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 |
| 2003-08-15 | Loss | Remy Bonjasky | K-1 World Grand Prix 2003 in Las Vegas II | Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, Quarter Finals | KO (flying high kick) | 1 | 1:55 |
| Legend: Win Loss Draw/No contest Notes ||||||||

## Championships and accomplishments

* Ultimate Fighting Championship
** UFC Encyclopedia Awards
*** Fight of the Night (One time) vs. Chuck Liddell
* King of the Cage
** King of the Cage Light Heavyweight Championship (One time)
*** Four successful title defenses
** King of the Cage Light Heavyweight Superfight Championship (One time, first, only)
*** One successful title defense
* World Vale Tudo Championship
** WVC 2 Tournament Runner Up

## Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown :
| 61 matches | 26 wins | 33 losses |
| By knockout | 10 | 5 |
| By submission | 8 | 14 |
| By decision | 7 | 14 |
| By disqualification | 1 | 0 |
| Draws | 2 | 2 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
| Loss | 26–33–2 | Jason MacDonald | Submission (triangle choke) | W1 Bad Blood | March 20, 2010 | 3 | 2:12 | Montreal, Quebec, Canada | |
| Loss | 26–32–2 | Lew Polley | Decision (unanimous) | WarGods 5 | May 30, 2009 | 3 | 5:00 | Alpine, California, United States | |
| Win | 26–31–2 | Jeremiah Constant | DQ | XCC 6: Western Threat | April 5, 2008 | 1 | N/A | Reno, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 25–31–2 | Marcelo Tigre | TKO (hand injury) | X-1: Grand Prix 2007 | August 4, 2007 | 1 | 3:26 | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States | |
| Loss | 25–30–2 | Mike Whitehead | TKO (punches) | IFL: Las Vegas | June 16, 2007 | 2 | 0:54 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 25–29–2 | Sam Hoger | Submission (rear naked choke) | IFL: Moline | April 7, 2007 | 2 | 3:25 | Moline, Illinois, United States | |
| Loss | 24–29–2 | Bobby Southworth | Decision (unanimous) | Strikeforce: Triple Threat | December 8, 2006 | 5 | 5:00 | San Jose, California, United States | For the vacant Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Championship. |
| Loss | 24–28–2 | Victor Valimaki | Decision (unanimous) | EF 2: The Ultimate Decision | September 29, 2006 | 3 | 5:00 | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | |
| Loss | 24–27–2 | Lyoto Machida | Decision (unanimous) | WFA: King of the Streets | September 29, 2006 | 3 | 5:00 | Los Angeles, California, United States | |
| Win | 24–26–2 | Jason Guida | TKO (doctor stoppage) | WEC 18 | January 13, 2006 | 1 | 5:00 | Lemoore, California, United States | |
| Win | 23–26–2 | Alex Stiebling | KO (punch) | WEC 17 | October 14, 2005 | 2 | 0:09 | Lemoore, California, United States | |
| Loss | 22–26–2 | Matt Horwich | Submission (rear-naked choke) | SF 12: Breakout | September 16, 2005 | 2 | 2:38 | Portland, Oregon, United States | |
| Win | 22–25–2 | Justin Burgin | Decision (unanimous) | Valor Fighting: Medford Mayhem | July 16, 2005 | 3 | 5:00 | Medford, Oregon, United States | |
| Win | 21–25–2 | Chris Peak | TKO | Valor Fighting: Home of the Brave | July 2, 2005 | 1 | N/A | Susanville, California, United States | |
| Loss | 20–25–2 | Chuck Liddell | KO (punch) | UFC 49 | August 21, 2004 | 1 | 4:05 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 20–24–2 | Marvin Eastman | Decision (unanimous) | KOTC 32: Bringing Heat | January 24, 2004 | 3 | 5:00 | Miami, Florida, United States | |
| Draw | 20–23–2 | Ian Freeman | Draw (split) | UFC 43 | June 6, 2003 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 20–23–1 | Jeremy Horn | Decision (unanimous) | KOTC 23: Sin City | May 16, 2003 | 5 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Lost the KOTC Light Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 20–22–1 | Mike Rogers | Decision (split) | KOTC 16: Double Cross | August 2, 2002 | 3 | 5:00 | San Jacinto, California, United States | Defended the KOTC Light Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 19–22–1 | James Lee | Submission (heel hook) | KOTC 11: Domination | September 29, 2001 | 3 | 1:00 | San Jacinto, California, United States | Defended the KOTC Light Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 18–22–1 | Joe Priole | TKO (punches) | WMMAA 1: MegaFights | August 10, 2001 | 2 | N/A | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
| Win | 17–22–1 | Marvin Eastman | Decision (split) | KOTC 8: Bombs Away | April 29, 2001 | 3 | 5:00 | Williams, California, United States | Won the inaugural KOTC Light Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 16–22–1 | David Dodd | KO (flying knee) | KOTC 6: Road Warriors | November 29, 2000 | 2 | 3:43 | Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, United States | Defended the KOTC Light Heavyweight Superfight Championship. |
| Win | 15–22–1 | Marcos da Silva | Submission | IFC: Battleground 2 | September 30, 2000 | 1 | N/A | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
| Loss | 14–22–1 | Allan Goes | Decision (unanimous) | PRIDE 9 | June 4, 2000 | 2 | 10:00 | Nagoya, Japan | |
| Win | 14–21–1 | Todd Medina | KO (punch) | KOTC 3: Knockout Nightmare | April 15, 2000 | 1 | 0:09 | San Jacinto, California, United States | Won the KOTC Light Heavyweight Superfight Championship. |
| Win | 13–21–1 | Vladimir Matyushenko | Decision (split) | IFC: Montreal Cage Combat | October 9, 1999 | 1 | 25:00 | Montreal, Quebec, Canada | |
| Win | 12–21–1 | David Terrell | Decision (unanimous) | IFC WC 4: Warriors Challenge 4 | August 7, 1999 | 3 | 5:00 | Jackson, California, United States | |
| Loss | 11–21–1 | Kazushi Sakuraba | Submission (armbar) | PRIDE 2 | March 15, 1998 | 3 | 6:53 | Yokohama, Japan | |
| Win | 11–20–1 | Brian Gassaway | Submission (ankle lock) | WPC: World Pankration Championships 1 | October 26, 1997 | 1 | 1:26 | Texas, United States | |
| Loss | 10–20–1 | Vladimir Matyushenko | Submission (neck crank) | IFC 5: Battle in the Bayou | September 5, 1997 | 1 | 5:44 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States | |
| Loss | 10–19–1 | Mario Sperry | Decision (unanimous) | Caged Combat 1: Australian Ultimate Fighting | March 22, 1997 | 3 | 5:00 | Sydney, Australia | |
| Loss | 10–18–1 | Pedro Rizzo | KO (kick) | WVC 2: World Vale Tudo Championship 2 | November 10, 1996 | 1 | 6:30 | Brazil | |
| Win | 10–17–1 | Iouri Oulianitski | KO (kick) | WVC 2: World Vale Tudo Championship 2 | November 10, 1996 | 1 | 1:21 | Brazil | |
| Win | 9–17–1 | Cees Bezems | Submission (heel hook) | WVC 2: World Vale Tudo Championship 2 | November 10, 1996 | 1 | 2:10 | Brazil | |
| Loss | 8–17–1 | Osami Shibuya | Decision (lost points) | Pancrase: Truth 7 | October 8, 1996 | 1 | 20:00 | Nagoya, Japan | |
| Win | 8–16–1 | Kazuo Takahashi | KO (head kick) | Pancrase: 1996 Anniversary Show | September 7, 1996 | 1 | 19:43 | Urayasu, Japan | |
| Win | 7–16–1 | Minoru Suzuki | Decision (majority) | Pancrase: 1996 Neo-Blood Tournament, Round 2 | July 23, 1996 | 1 | 15:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 6–16–1 | Masakatsu Funaki | Submission (ankle lock) | Pancrase: Truth 6 | June 25, 1996 | 1 | 2:34 | Fukuoka, Japan | |
| Draw | 6–15–1 | Takaku Fuke | Draw (unanimous) | Pancrase: Truth 5 | May 16, 1996 | 1 | 10:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 6–15 | Ryushi Yanagisawa | Submission (ankle lock) | Pancrase: Truth 3 | April 7, 1996 | 1 | 12:47 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 6–14 | Kazuo Takahashi | Decision (lost points) | Pancrase: Truth 3 | April 7, 1996 | 1 | 10:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 5–14 | Frank Shamrock | Submission (achilles lock) | Pancrase: Eyes Of Beast 7 | December 14, 1995 | 1 | 5:23 | Hokkaido, Japan | |
| Loss | 5–13 | Katsuomi Inagaki | Decision (majority) | Pancrase: Eyes Of Beast 6 | November 4, 1995 | 1 | 10:00 | Yokohama, Japan | |
| Loss | 5–12 | Gregory Smit | Decision (1–0) | Pancrase: 1995 Neo-Blood Tournament Opening Round | July 22, 1995 | 1 | 10:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 5–11 | Manabu Yamada | Submission (kneebar) | Pancrase: Eyes Of Beast 5 | June 13, 1995 | 1 | 10:26 | Sapporo, Japan | |
| Win | 5–10 | Larry Papadopoulos | Submission (heel hook) | Pancrase: Eyes Of Beast 3 | April 8, 1995 | 1 | 9:54 | Nagoya, Japan | |
| Loss | 4–10 | Takafumi Ito | Submission (armbar) | Pancrase: Eyes Of Beast 2 | March 10, 1995 | 1 | 7:26 | Yokohama, Japan | |
| Loss | 4–9 | Masakatsu Funaki | Submission (straight armbar) | King of Pancrase tournament opening round | December 16, 1994 | 1 | 5:37 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 4–8 | Leon van Dijk | Submission (heel hook) | King of Pancrase tournament opening round | December 16, 1994 | 1 | 3:45 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 3–8 | Todd Bjornethun | Decision (lost points) | Pancrase: Road To The Championship 5 | October 15, 1994 | 1 | 15:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 3–7 | Richard Saar | KO (palm strikes) | Pancrase: Road To The Championship 4 | September 1, 1994 | 1 | 3:25 | Osaka, Japan | |
| Win | 2–7 | Katsuomi Inagaki | Submission (inverted heel hook) | Pancrase: Road To The Championship 3 | July 26, 1994 | 1 | 4:15 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 1–7 | Remco Pardoel | Technical Decision (lost points) | Pancrase: Road To The Championship 2 | July 6, 1994 | 1 | 14:24 | Amagasaki, Japan | |
| Loss | 1–6 | Bas Rutten | Submission (guillotine choke) | Pancrase: Pancrash! 3 | April 21, 1994 | 1 | 1:16 | Osaka, Japan | |
| Loss | 1–5 | Masakatsu Funaki | KO (knee to the body) | Pancrase: Pancrash! 2 | March 12, 1994 | 1 | 1:13 | Nagoya, Japan | |
| Loss | 1–4 | Andre Van Den Oetelaar | Submission (forearm choke) | Pancrase: Pancrash! 1 | January 19, 1994 | 1 | 6:22 | Yokohama, Japan | |
| Loss | 1–3 | Ryushi Yanagisawa | Technical Decision (lost points) | Pancrase: Yes, We are Hybrid Wrestlers 4 | December 8, 1993 | 1 | 8:55 | Hakata, Japan | |
| Win | 1–2 | Katsuomi Inagaki | TKO (doctor stoppage) | Pancrase: Yes, We are Hybrid Wrestlers 3 | November 8, 1993 | 1 | 22:04 | Kobe, Japan | |
| Loss | 0–2 | Minoru Suzuki | Submission (leg scissor choke) | Pancrase: Yes, We are Hybrid Wrestlers 2 | October 14, 1993 | 1 | 2:36 | Nagoya, Japan | |
| Loss | 0–1 | Takaku Fuke | Submission (armbar) | Pancrase: Yes, We are Hybrid Wrestlers 1 | September 21, 1993 | 1 | 1:19 | Urayasu, Japan | |