page_title: Dan Severn
section_title: Mixed martial arts career
hierarchical_section_title: Dan Severn / Mixed martial arts career
caption_attribution_description: English: Dan Severn speaking in the ring at a Thrash Wrestling event in Vernon, British Columbia, Canada.
context_page_description: Daniel DeWayne Severn, nicknamed "The Beast", is an American semi-retired mixed martial artist, amateur and professional wrestler and occasional actor. A UFC Hall of Fame member, Severn is considered one of the leading pioneers of mixed martial arts and the first true world-class wrestler to compete in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He is best known for his success in the early years of the UFC where he became the first and only UFC Triple Crown champion and the only man to win a world title and a tournament, having won the UFC Superfight Championship and the 1995 Ultimate Ultimate tournament. Severn has also competed in King of the Cage, PRIDE FC, Cage Rage, WEC, RINGS and MFC, and holds a professional MMA Record of 101–19–7.
  In professional wrestling, Severn is a two-time world champion by winning the NWA World Heavyweight Champion twice, with his first reign lasting for over four years, and an NWA Hall of Fame member. During his almost year-long tenure with the World Wrestling Federation, he was managed by Jim Cornette and was perhaps most famous for making his entrance with the numerous UFC and NWA championships he had accumulated.
context_section_description: Severn started cross-training in Judo in college, in an effort to improve his wrestling skills.
  In 1994, Severn started competing in the Ultimate Fighting Championships (UFC). In his first fight at UFC 4, he surprised many UFC fans by executing two impressive back suplexes on Anthony Macias. In the finals, Severn was defeated by Royce Gracie who secured a triangle choke for the victory. The submission loss came after Severn avoided Gracie's submission efforts for 15 minutes, the longest UFC fight up until that time. He was the first world-class wrestler to enter the UFC, foreshadowing the period of dominance by wrestlers such as Don Frye in UFC 8 and 9 and Mark Coleman in UFC 10 and [[UFC 11|11].  
  Severn soon returned to mixed martial arts competition, defeating several opponents to capture the tournament championship at UFC 5: Return of the Beast. Severn's second fight was with Russian Oleg Taktarov at UFC 5. He won by TKO after the referee stopped the fight due to a cut.
  After winning UFC 5, Severn was matched up with Ken Shamrock at UFC 6 to determine the first UFC Superfight Champion, but was defeated by Shamrock early in the fight via submission.
  Severn then entered the UFC's Ultimate Ultimate 1995, which at the time was the toughest and most competitive tournament in UFC history, consisting of past UFC tournament champions and runners-up. Severn defeated Paul Varelans, David "Tank" Abbott, and UFC 6 Tournament Champion Oleg Taktarov all in the same night to capture the tournament title.
  With this win, Severn earned a rematch and title shot against then current UFC Champion Ken Shamrock for the UFC Superfight Championship. Severn won a split decision in what most fans regard as one of the worst fights in MMA history, mainly due to legal issues surrounding the event. With the win, Severn captured his third title for the promotion.
  When Severn made his entrance in his fights, he would carry the National Wrestling Alliance Worlds Heavyweight Championship out of his respect and passion for professional wrestling. Conversely, he made his entrance in WWF with his UFC Championship.
  In 1996, Severn managed his friend and fellow wrestler and judoka Don Frye, as well as wrestling champion Dan Bobish, in their own mixed martial arts ventures. Frye would win the UFC 8, UFC 10 and Ultimate Ultimate 96 tournaments. The team was also expanded with female judoka Becky Levi.
  In 1999, Severn founded 'The Danger Zone', a new mixed martial arts promotion intended to provide a platform for amateur fighters, in which Severn also fought. Severn has also trained and became a mentor to notable mixed martial artists including former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Rashad Evans, The Ultimate Fighter competitor Luke Zachrich, Sean Sherk, and former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Quinton "Rampage" Jackson.
  Severn was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame at UFC 52.
  Severn continued his MMA career on January 29, 2011, by racking up his 97th, and 8th straight, win over Scott Fraser. In doing so he won the Elite 1 Heavyweight championship. The end came at 4:59 of Round 2 as Fraser tapped to Severn's arm triangle which he has used to secure his last three victories. The event took place at the Casino New Brunswick in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada.
  Severn successfully defeated Cal Worsham again, this time via unanimous decision in the main event of Legends Collide 2 on February 20, 2011. Held under the long running Gladiator Challenge promotion in San Jacinto, California, Severn picked up his 9th straight win to improve his record to 98-16-7.
  Severn earned his 100th career victory on April 16, 2011, with a submission victory over Aaron Garcia at KOTC: Texas.
  Severn is one of only two fighters with over 100 wins in mixed martial arts. He has beaten the other fighter, Travis Fulton, and drew against him in the rematch..
caption: Severn in the ring in 2010
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