MMA Fighter Bios: JENS PULVER

JENS PULVER

BORN: Sunnyside, Washington
5’7, featherweright, lightweight
Jens Pulver, aka “Little Evil”, had more than a little power and a lot of prestige in the lightweight division in the earlier part of the decade. The first UFC champion, Pulver was the king of the lightweight division.
Pulver would train the the famed Miletich Martial Arts academy in Iowa, and secure a 3-1 record before entering into the UFC and fighting to a draw with Alfonso Alcarez in 1999. Pulver would win 4 more times, twice in the UFC and twice outside, to up his record to 7-1-1. His power for a lightweight was exceptional and was one of the more feared punchers in the division. After a heel hook loss to Din Thomas, it would be Pulver’s time to shine in MMA and the UFC. He knocke dout Johh Lewis with a devastating punch, then defeated Caol Uno in a 5 round decision to become the UFC’s first lightweight champion. He would defend against Dennis Hallman 7 months later.
Although Pulver was the champion, there was much hype and hoopla around the next big thing at 155–”The Prodigy” BJ Penn. While impressed, Pulver wasn’t ready to let anyone get a hold of his 155 pound title and he defeated the Hawaiin in a 5 round fight in 2002 in what would be his second defense of the title. Pulver had to dig deep to come back and win the fight and was overcome with emotion afterwards.
Pulver would leave the UFC and be stripped of the title. After a couple wins in 2002 over Rob Emerson and Japanes fighter Takehiro Muraham, Pulver hit a slump in 2003 being knocked out by Duane Ludwig and finished with strikes by Jason Maxwell. Pulver however would KO his way back into contention to fight Takanori Gomi after knocking out 3 opponents and tapping out another. 4 straight wins got him a shot at Gomi in Pride, but the Japanese fighter proved to be too much for Pulver, who was knocked out at the 6 minute mark of the fight. Pulver would go 2-1 after that in Pride, and return to the UFc only to be upset by Joe Lauzon in 47 seconds.
After losing to BJ Penn in their rematch in 2007, Pulver dropped down to 145 to take on and defeat Cub Swanson impressively in 35 seconds via guillotine choke. But with the new generation of lightweights being so powerful and talented, it was tough for Pulver to show dominance he did earlier in the decade in his new weight class. Urijah Faber, Leonardo Garcia and John Grispi got the better of Pulver, who was having a difficult time contender with the WEC top dogs.
Pulver’s greatness was able to shine best earlier in the decade as he ruled the 155 pound weight class. With big power in his hands, a big heart, ability to overcome personal difficulty and abuse suffered as a child, Pulver is one of the heroes for the lightweights in the game today.
LITTLE BIT OF INFO ON LITTLE EVIL
Started wrestling at age 6
State champion wrestler in high school
Pro debut in 1999 and entered the UFC 5 months after his first fight
First UFC lightweight champ
Never was defeated to lose the belt
B.A Degree in Criminal Justice from Boise State University