Jon Hess

MMAstatsbox


name = Jon Hess
nick = The Giant With Attitude
height = height|ft=6|in=7
weight = convert|295|lb|kg st|abbr=on|lk=on
reach = 76.5 inches
nationality = flagicon|USA American
birthdate = 1969
fightingfrom = Murrieta, California
hometown = Encinitas, California
fightstyle = SAFTA
wins = 1
losses = 1
draws = 0
ko = 1
submissions = 0|

Jon Hess is an American martial artist, early mixed martial arts competitor [http://www.sherdog.com/fightfinder/fightfinder.asp?fighterID=59 Jon Hess profile] , Sherdog.com] and the co-founder of the "Scientifically Aggressive Fighting Technology of America", or "S.A.F.T.A.", a martial art with roots in San Soo Kung Fu.

Hess, along with S.A.F.T.A. co-founder Lew Hicks, were students of Jerry Peterson, the founder of S.C.A.R.S. They took their San Soo Kung Fu black belt test together in 1993, and Hicks was chosen by Hess to manage him for the UFC.

Hess's mixed martial arts debut came in the Ultimate Fighting Championship 5 tournament, where he defeated Andy Anderson by TKO at one minute twenty-two seconds into the fight. The fight is regarded as one of the dirtiest in UFC history [http://www.sherdog.com/news/articles.asp?n_id=2416 Big Words from Big Jon Hess] , Sherdog.com] , and Hess was ultimately fined $2000 for two $1000 fines for thumbing Anderson's left eye. Gentry, Clyde. No Holds Barred: Ultimate Fighting and the Martial Arts Revolution, 2002. pp 88-89 ] . Hess has defended his actions, citing that "The UFC billed itself as no rules," and therefore there were no rules to break. However, despite the marketing slogan, early UFC events did have a limited list of forbidden techniques, though infractions could only result in a fine Gentry, Clyde. No Holds Barred: Ultimate Fighting and the Martial Arts Revolution, 2002. p 64 ] After his fight with Anderson, Hess withdrew from the tournament with a hand injury.

After his appearance in the UFC, Hess struggled to find another fight, despite publicly challenging dominant early UFC competitor Royce Gracie. Hess believes that this is because he was blacklisted by UFC promoter Art Davie After an attempt to gain public support for a return to the UFC via opinions published in Inside Kung Fu magazine Hess fought Vitor Belfort at "SB 2-SuperBrawl 2", where he lost by KO in 12 seconds. Hess has not fought professionally since this loss, but has stated he took the Belfort fight on short notice, that if he was allowed to come back he would be "world champ", and that Belfort was "on steroids" when he beat him. Belfort received a suspension for using a banned substance in 2006. [ [http://www.mmaontap.com/mma/entry/belfort-and-nastula-receive-suspensions/ Belfort and Nastula Receive Suspensions] , [www.mmaontap.com/ MMA on Tap] ]

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