Jeff Monson is a popular mixed martial artist who has completed his career at the moment. During the time spent in sports, he became the two-time world champion in wrestling and in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Jeff is from America, but already in adulthood he decided to obtain Russian citizenship. Since he felt himself Russian in the shower. Monson throughout his career often went to the works of Russian artists.
The beginning of the sports path
Jeff Monson was born on January 18, 1971 in St. Paul. As a teenager, he took up the classic struggle. Monson began performing at various youth competitions. Over time, this wrestler began to master other types of martial arts.
He spent most of his time doing grappling. This is a dynamic type of struggle in which fighters try to quickly inflict a painful or asphyxiating rival. Jeff also tried to achieve high results in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
After leaving school, Jeff Monson entered the University of Illinois, where he received a bachelor's degree in psychology. In this specialty, Jeff worked for several years, while doing martial arts. He understood that he could not combine two professions. After a successful performance at the world championship, the fighter left his job and devoted himself completely to martial arts.
Hit in UFC
Jeff Monson entered mixed martial arts at the age of 26. At first, things did not go well with him, and after he managed to win the world grappling championship. Following this outstanding event, Jeff signed a contract with the UFC. But there it was hard for this fighter to oppose experienced athletes.
Jeff Monson suffered two defeats in three fights, and the association sent him to perform in less prestigious tournaments. Jeff realized that he needed to work hard to return to the elite. This fighter began to hone shock equipment, which used to be his weak point. After hard training, Monson's career went up. He won 13 fights and began to win tournaments. In 2006, this fighter thanks to victories returned to the UFC. There he was given the nickname "Snowman."
Career continuation
After returning to the UFC, fighter Jeff Monson won a landslide victory over the rising martial arts star Marc Cruz. Then they defeated several more fighters, and Jeff had to fight Tim Sylvia in the final. Monson lost that fight. This greatly angered the athlete, and he again went to play in less prestigious leagues, where middle-level fighters and veterans fought.
During his career, an American fighter spent more than 80 fights, in which he won 58 victories. Jeff Monson's statistics, of course, are not outstanding. But he could defeat any opponent. That is why this fighter is an uncomfortable opponent. Especially the audience noted his bright performance against Alexander and Fedor Emelianenko.
Fights against the Emelianenko brothers
In 2011, a significant event was held for all martial arts lovers. Fighter Jeff Monson met with the legendary Fedor Emelianenko. The fight promised to be spectacular and equal. Jeff Monson was over 100 kilograms in weight and had a good command of wrestling skills. This fight was decided by the judges Fedor Emelianenko.
The following year, a battle took place in St. Petersburg in which Monson fought against Alexander Emelianenko. The American fighter was full of desire to rehabilitate for the defeat in Moscow from Fedor. Monson in the fourth minute of the second round held a successful asphyxiation and won the match. Alexander demanded revenge, but Monson did not give an exact answer. There was no repeat battle between these fighters.
The American surprised all the spectators by going to the battle to the song “Lube” - “Combat”. Fans were delighted with this and applauded the athlete. This is not the first time that Monson has entered the fray under the patriotic works of our country.
Performances in the Coliseum series
On September 16, 2013, in St. Petersburg, viewers saw a vivid sight. At the tournament "New History" series "Coliseum" came together the strongest heavyweights. Jeff Monson's rival was the notorious Denis Comkin.
The fights were held according to the rules of combat sambo. The American fighter won by a separate decision of the judges. Then he had another spectacular battle against Satoshi Ishii. Among the Russian audience there have always been many fans of this fighter. After all, he spent several spectacular fights in our country.
Problems with the law and obtaining Russian citizenship
Jeff Monson has repeatedly told reporters that he is against the class hierarchy in society. In the tattoo, Jeff Monson shows his attitude to the injustices of our time. He has many tattoos of anarchist content. In addition, on his body you can see inscriptions in Russian, Japanese and English.
In 2009, Jeff Monson was arrested. This news immediately went around the world. This athlete drew inscriptions on peace and equality at a state facility. Long trials began. Monson temporarily suspended his career as a fighter. The court found Jeff Monson guilty and sentenced him to 90 days in prison, as well as a fine of $ 20 thousand.
In 2013, the popular fighter Jeff Monson announced that he plans to change his citizenship: inside he feels Russian in spirit and wants to get a Russian passport. He became an official citizen of our country in 2015.
Athlete's personal life
Jeff Monson married at the age of 20. In marriage, he had a daughter, Michaela, and after 3 years a son was born, who was named Joshua. After many years of marriage, the couple broke up. In 2010, Monson went down the aisle a second time. His wife was the stewardess Daniela Dagan. They met in the cabin. Jeff and Daniela had a daughter, Willow. But the second marriage did not last long.
A popular fighter tries to see his children as often as possible. After the official divorce, Jeff Johnson briefly met with Russian girl Alesia Kartseva.
Participation in a Russian television project
The popular fighter Jeff Monson in Russia regularly gives interviews and often holds master classes for young Russian athletes. Most recently, he took part in the show "Dancing with the Stars." His partner in the project was a professional dancer Maria Smolnikova. Jeff trained a lot to perform well in a television show. His athletic character and industriousness helped to master new movements. This popular fighter was trained in tango, Viennese waltz and other ballroom dancing. Fans around the world watched with interest how their idol would perform on an unfamiliar stage for him.
Jeff Monson is currently
For a long time, the fighter did not want to end his professional career. He participated in even little-known tournaments. Jeff has repeatedly stated that he is a fighter and wants to fight. Although he understands that having opened his own school, he could earn more. His name would attract a lot of attention to her.
Jeff Monson's biography is full of ups and downs. This fighter was forced to perform in the lower leagues of America several times. But he returned again and defeated eminent opponents. Monson loved the fight on the ground. Therefore, it was difficult for many drummers to impose their own fighting style on him. Jeff Monson's statistics are not outstanding. But at the peak of his career, he won a large number of fights in a row.