Martin Stapleton

Martin Stapleton (born 9 May 1983 in Rochdale, England), is an English mixed martial artist who competes in the Lightweight division. Martin was a contestant on The Ultimate Fighter: United States vs. United Kingdom and won the 2012 Cage Contender Lightweight Tournament.

Mixed martial arts career

Stapleton was a participate for The Ultimate Fighter: United States vs. United Kingdom, representing Team UK under Michael Bisping. After he defeated fellow UK fighter Dan James to get into the house, he lost against Team USA's Cameron Dollar in the quarter finals.

After The Ultimate Fighter Stapleton went on to face Andrew Fisher on 5 July 2009 and Ashley Smith 5 September 2009 in which he beat both men.

Martin did not fight again for almost 3 years due to his work commitment as a Royal Marine Commando.

Stapleton returned to Mixed Martial Arts on 23 June 2012 where he faced BAMMA veteran Shahid Hussain on Full Contact Contender 3 (FCC) at the Reebok Stadium in Bolton where he defeated Hussain via submission (guillotine choke) at twenty three seconds of round two to take his MMA record to 8-1-0. Martin said after the fight that he felt 'ring rust' after his 3 year absence from the sport.

Less than 1 month later martin faced Jason Cooledge at OMMAC 14 - Bring The Pain. Martin won via Decision (Unanimous). During the fight '50 Cal' showed much improved stand up and crisp boxing, Martin landed head kicks and punches throughout the fight as well as being able to stay out of range from the aggressive Cooledge.

On 1 December 2012, Stapleton took part in a 8 man Lightweight tournament at Cage Contender Fight Stars, where all the tournament fights would take place on the same night. Stapleton defeated Jamie Rogers, Arnold Quero and Tommy Maguire to win the tournament and won the £10,000 prize pot and the tournament trophy.

During his comeback year 'Stapes' had taken 5 fights within 6 month being Victorious in each fight. This currently puts him on a 8 fight win streak.

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

• 2012 Cage Contenders Lightweight Tournament Champion

Mixed martial arts record

|- |Win |align=center|12-1 | Tommy Maguire |Decision (unanimous) |Cage Contenders - Fight Stars | |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Liverpool, England |Won Cage Contenders Tournament |- |Win |align=center|11-1 | Arnold Quero |Submission (heel hook) |Cage Contenders - Fight Stars | |align=center|1 |align=center|4:59 |Liverpool, England |Cage Contender Semi-Final |- |Win |align=center|11-0 | Jamie Rogers |Decision (unanimous) |Cage Contenders - Fight Stars | |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Liverpool, England |Cage Contender Quarter-Final |- |Win |align=center|9-1 | Jason Cooledge |Decision (unanimous) |OMMAC 14 - Bring The Pain | |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Liverpool, England | |- |Win |align=center|8-1 | Shah Hussain |Submission (guillotine choke) |Full Contender 3 | |align=center|2 |align=center|0:23 |Bolton, England | |- |Win |align=center|7-1 | Ashley Smith |Decision (unanimous) |No Way Out | |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Nottingham, England | |- |Win |align=center|6-1 | Andrew Fischer |TKO (punches) |Strike & Submit 11 | |align=center|2 |align=center|2:03 |Gateshead, England | |- |Win |align=center|5-1 | Martin Bengley |Submission (arm-triangle choke) |Cage Rage: Contenders 6 | |align=center|2 |align=center|2:25 |England | |- |Loss |align=center|4-1 | Paul Sass |Submission (triangle choke) |Cage Gladiators 8 | |align=center|1 |align=center|N/A |England | |- |Win |align=center|4-0 | David Johnson |Decision (unanimous) |Cage Warriors - Enter The Roughhouse 6 | |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Nottingham, England | |- |Win |align=center|3-0 | Ingolf Nielson |TKO (corner stoppage) |Pride & Glory: Battle In The Boro | |align=center|1 |align=center|N/A |Middlesbrough, England | |- |Win |align=center|2-0 | Steve Warris |TKO (punches) |Fightzone 3 | |align=center|1 |align=center|0:42 |England | |- |Win |align=center|1-0 | Curtis Thompson |TKO (punches) |Quannum Fighting Championships 2 | |align=center|1 |align=center|1:00 |Huddersfield, England |