- Karl James Noons
-
KJ Noons 
K.J. Noons holding his EliteXC Lightweight title belt.Born Karl James Noons
December 7, 1982
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, United StatesOther names K.J.
King KarlResidence San Diego, California Nationality American Height 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) Weight 156 lb (71 kg; 11.1 st) Division Lightweight
Welterweight
Middleweight (boxing and kickboxing)Reach 70.0 in (178 cm) Stance Orthodox Fighting out of San Diego, California Team Freelance Trainer Kimo Rigmaiden Rank Black belt in Kenpō Karate Years active 2000 - Present Professional boxing record Total 13 Wins 11 By knockout 5 Losses 2 Kickboxing record Total 14 Wins 12 By knockout 9 Losses 2 Mixed martial arts record Total 14 Wins 10 By knockout 8 By decision 2 Losses 4 By knockout 1 By submission 1 By decision 2 Other information Spouse Melany Lorenzo Notable school(s) Clements High School Website http://kjnoons.com/ Boxing record from Boxrec Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog Medal record Competitor for 
United StatesMen's Karate Long Beach International Karate Championships Gold 1997 17 and under Kenpō (Black) Karl James "K.J." Noons (born December 7, 1982) is an American mixed martial artist, boxer, and kickboxer who currently competes in the Strikeforce lightweight division and was also the first as well as last EliteXC Lightweight Champion. He Holds Notable Victories over Yves Edwards, Jorge Gurgel, Conor Heun, and Nick Diaz. Noons is not a member of any fight team as he trains all over areas of San Diego, Los Angeles, and Tijuana, at various gyms.
Contents
Biography
KJ Noons is hapa kanaka, hapa haole—mixed ethnicity of Native Hawaiian (from his mother's side) and Caucasian (from his father's side).[1] Born and raised in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, K.J. comes from a family history of fighting. His father Karl was a professional kickboxer and was a top contender during the time he fought. Karl's passion for fighting and competing in combat sports influenced him to introduce K.J. to martial arts at a young age. At the age of 5, Noons started in Kenpō Karate. While competing in Karate tournaments, K.J. was often disqualified for fighting too hard, then eventually started training in Boxing and Muay Thai at the age of 8 out of interest for full contact fighting. He competed as an amateur fighter and became the first student in the state of Hawaii to earn a junior black belt under Ed Parker at the age of 11. During his high school years, Noons moved to Houston, Texas due to the location of his father's job. While continuing to compete as a fighter, he also started playing football at Clements High School. At age 17, K.J. won the ISKA Super Middleweight International Championship as an amateur in Sanshou. After winning the title and graduating from Clements High School, K.J. decided to pursue a career in combat sports, rather than go to college and continue with football. While Noons is currently a two-sport professional combatant, he states his goal is to become the first world champion in Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts.[2]
Mixed martial arts career
PRIDE, ICON Sport, and Superbrawl
In 2005, Noons won the PRIDE Fighting Championship's "Best Striker" auditions. Although, he never fought for the promotion, he fought for PRIDE's subleased promotion called Superbrawl. Noons chose not to fight for PRIDE Fighting Championships because the promoters wanted to feature him in bouts against the top lightweights in the world, such as PRIDE's reigning lightweight champion, Takanori Gomi, and lightweight top contender, Joachim Hansen. Noons felt he was not ready to compete at the highest level that early in his career and chose a more conservative route. After three combined wins under the ICON Sport and Superbrawl banner, Noons would move on to compete in bigger promotions.[3]
Elite Xtreme Combat
In 2006, Noons signed a deal with promoter Gary Shaw that allowed him to participate in both boxing and mixed martial arts. Soon after, Noons was set to face Charles "Krazy Horse" Bennett in EliteXC's inaugural event in February 2007. After a few minutes of action into round number one, Bennett would land a right hook that would send Noons crashing down to the canvas. Noons was not unconscious, but was hurt enough for referee Herb Dean to step in and immediately stop the fight. Charles Bennett won the bout via KO in just 3:43 into round number one, giving Noons his first loss in his professional mixed martial arts career.
After rebounding from his loss to Bennett with a KO win over James Edson Berto at EliteXC's first ShoXC event, he would then face Nick Diaz for the promotion's first 160 pound title at EliteXC: Renegade. Noons dominated the fight using his outstanding boxing and striking against the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu expert, Nick Diaz. Diaz attempted to take the fight to the ground but was unsuccessful with his takedown attempts and was also countered with a knee strike to the face on one occasion. Midway through the first round, Diaz was finally successful with a takedown, but Noons got back to his feet instantly. Moments later, the referee would hault the fight and send Diaz to his corner to check on his cuts over his right eye. Diaz was given the o.k. and continued to fight. Noons would keep the fight standing and dropped Diaz with a straight right punch around the 2:07 mark of the round. After round one finally ended, the doctors in Diaz's corner would stop the fight due to how badly his face was cut. Noons was then be declared the winner of the fight by way of TKO due to cuts, and would become EliteXC's new Lightweight Champion.
On June 14, 2008 Noons was successful in his first and only title defense with a TKO win over Yves Edwards in Hawaii at EliteXC: Return of the King.[4] Following the fight, Nick Diaz, whom fought on the event's co-main event, would step into the cage to confront Noons for a rematch during K.J.'s post-fight interview with Bill Goldberg. After Noons asked the fans if Diaz deserved the rematch, Diaz grabbed a hold of Goldberg's microphone and said "Don't be scared homie." An in-cage melee then ensued while incited by Noons's father, whom appeared to be inebriated at the time.[5] About two months later, Noons would be stripped of the title for refusing a rematch with Nick Diaz.[6] The promotion would then go defunct before a new champion could be crowned.
Strikeforce and DREAM
While Noons was still competing in professional kickboxing as a teenager, he previously fought for Strikeforce on their kickboxing fight cards before Strikeforce became a mixed martial arts promotion in 2006.[7]
On December 2, 2009, Noons signed with mixed martial arts promotion, Strikeforce.[8] In March 2010, Noons made his Japanese MMA debut as he represented Strikeforce at Dream 13. In his first MMA fight in nearly 2 years, Noons defeated Andre Amade via unanimous decision.
KJ was set to make his Strikeforce MMA debut against undefeated prospect Billy Evangelista at Strikeforce: Miami, but the fight was withdrawn after Evangelista suffered an undisclosed injury during training.[9]
Noons would then be scheduled to compete in a rematch against Charles Bennett at Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Werdum.[10] After Bennett pulled out of the fight due to scheduling conflicts, Noons was rescheduled to face Conor Heun at Strikeforce: Los Angeles in a catchweight bout of 160 lbs, which would take place ten days before the date he was originally set to rematch Bennett.[11] Noons would go on to win in a closely contested split decision by the judges' score of 29-28, 27-30, and 29-28.[12]
At weigh-ins, the day before the bout with Gurgel, Noons weighed in at 156.25 lbs, a quarter of a pound over the maximum weight limit. Gurgel accepted the fight and waived off the extra weight, so the fight was continued as a lightweight bout.[13] On August 21 Noons fought Jorge Gurgel at Strikeforce: Houston. As the final seconds of the first round were coming to an end, Gurgel threw a flurry of punches while Noons responded with a left hook that landed and dropped Gurgel just a split second after the bell at the end of the round. The crowd reacted to what appeared to be a late punch while a wobbled Gurgel was struggling to find his corner. Right at the opening bell for round number two, Noons landed a right hand followed by a left hook that dropped Gurgel to the canvas once again. Noons looked to the referee expecting a stoppage and received no response. As Noons then continued to land punches on Gurgel, he threw a knee that appeared to land to the head of a still downed opponent, finally prompting the referee to stop the fight. Replay showed that the knee Noons threw did not land, although Noons's foot tapped Gurgel on the chin as it followed through. KJ Noons would be decided as the winner of the fight by KO at 0:19 of round number two.
Noons moved up one weight class to fight Nick Diaz in a grudge rematch for the Strikeforce Welterweight Championship on October 9, 2010. Noons and Diaz previously fought at EliteXC: Renegade where Noons won by TKO due to cuts.[14] Noons lost by Unanimous Decision, giving Noons his second MMA career loss and first loss by decision. After the fight Noons revealed that he had sustained a broken jaw in the first round and a broken hand in the second.[15]
Noons faced Jorge Masvidal at Strikeforce: Overeem vs. Werdum.[16] Noons-Masvidal is set as a lightweight title eliminator, which will grant the winner of the bout a title shot against reigning Strikeforce lightweight champion, Gilbert Melendez. Originally headlining the preliminary card on HDNet, the bout was promoted to the Showtime portion of the main card after women's MMA superstar, Gina Carano, was pulled from the card. Noons would lose a unanimous decision.[17]
He is next set to face Billy Evangelista at Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Masvidal in December 2011.[18]
Personal life
Karl James Noons was given the nickname 'K.J.' due to his first and middle initials. Noons's first name comes from his father's first name, while his middle name comes from his grandfather's middle name.[19]
When not training for a fight, K.J. likes to enjoy the beach with his family, friends, and dogs. He also likes to surf, golf, and relax.[2] Noons is engaged to model, Melany Lorenzo,[20] who used to play for the San Diego Seduction in the Lingerie Football League.[21]
Championships and accomplishments
Mixed martial arts
- Strikeforce
- Best of 2010 Awards: Fight of the Year vs. Nick Diaz on October 9
- Elite Xtreme Combat
- EliteXC Lightweight Championship (One time; First; Last; Only; 1 Successful title defence)
- PRIDE Fighting Championships
- 2005 "Best Striker" Auditions Winner
Kickboxing
- Art of War-K. Superstar Production
- Art of War Sanshou Middleweight Championship (One time)
- U.S. Open International Martial Arts Championships
- U.S. Open Sanshou International Middleweight Championship (One time)
- International Sport Karate Association
- ISKA Amateur Sanshou International Super Middleweight Championship (One time)
- Long Beach International Karate Championships
- 1997 Black Belt 17 and Under Kenpō Championship
Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown 14 matches 10 wins 4 losses By knockout 8 1 By submission 0 1 By decision 2 2 Draws 0 No contests 0 Result Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes Loss 10-4 Jorge Masvidal Decision (unanimous) Strikeforce: Overeem vs. Werdum June 18, 2011 3 5:00 Dallas, Texas, United States Strikeforce Lightweight title eliminator. Loss 10–3 Nick Diaz Decision (unanimous) Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Noons II October 9, 2010 5 5:00 San Jose, California, United States For Strikeforce Welterweight Championship. Win 10–2 Jorge Gurgel KO (punches) Strikeforce: Houston August 21, 2010 2 0:19 Houston, Texas, United States Win 9–2 Conor Heun Decision (split) Strikeforce: Los Angeles June 16, 2010 3 5:00 Los Angeles, California, United States 160 lb catchweight bout. Win 8–2 Andre Amade Decision (unanimous) Dream 13 March 22, 2010 2 5:00 Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan 72 kg catchweight bout. Win 7–2 Yves Edwards TKO (punches and elbows) EliteXC: Return of the King June 14, 2008 1 0:48 Honolulu, Hawaii, United States Defended EliteXC Lightweight Championship. Win 6–2 Nick Diaz TKO (doctor stoppage) EliteXC: Renegade November 10, 2007 1 5:00 Corpus Christi, Texas, United States Won inaugural EliteXC Lightweight Championship. Win 5–2 James Edson Berto KO (knee) ShoXC July 27, 2007 3 0:45 Santa Ynez, California, United States Loss 4–2 Charles Bennett KO (punch) EliteXC: Destiny February 10, 2007 1 3:43 Southaven, Mississippi, United States Win 4–1 Harris Sarmiento TKO (punches) ICON Sport 44: Opposites Attract October 28, 2005 3 4:37 Honolulu, Hawaii, United States Win 3–1 Bryson Kamaka KO (head kick) Superbrawl 41: ICON July 23, 2005 1 1:20 Honolulu, Hawaii, United States 165 lb catchweight bout. Win 2-1 Malik Williams TKO (punches) Superbrawl 39: Destiny April 9, 2005 1 2:43 Honolulu, Hawaii, United States Welterweight bout. Loss 1-1 Buddy Clinton Submission (heel hook) Renegades Extreme Fighting October 12, 2002 1 0:25 Houston, Texas, United States Win 1-0 Raul Guerra TKO (corner stoppage) Renegades Extreme Fighting October 12, 2002 2 N/A Houston, Texas, United States Professional boxing record
11 Wins (5 knockouts, 6 decisions), 2 Losses, 0 Draws Res. Record Opponnent Type Rd., Time Date Location Notes Win 11-2 
Julio PerezUD 6 2009-10-10 
Arena Theatre, Houston, TexasWin 10-2 Randy PogueUD 6 2009-08-22 
Pala Casino Spa and Resort, Pala, CaliforniaWin 9-2 Enrique GallegosUD 6 2009-05-28 Arena Theatre, Houston, TexasLoss 8-2 James CountrymanUD 6 2009-03-21 
U.S. Bank Arena, Cincinnati, OhioWin 8-1 Alejandro BogarinUD 6 2008-11-13 Expo Center, El Monte, CaliforniaWin 7-1 Anthony CannonUD 6 2007-06-01 Chumash Casino, Santa Ynez, CaliforniaWin 6-1 Roberto EstradaTKO 2 (6), 0:55 2006-09-15 Quiet Cannon, Montebello, CaliforniaWin 5-1 Velvet MaloneTKO 4 (4), 1:01 2006-05-19 Quiet Cannon, Montebello, CaliforniaLoss 4-1 
Daniel StanislavjevicUD 6 2006-02-02 Henry Fonda Theater, Hollywood, CaliforniaWin 4-0 Damon FranklinTKO 3 (4), 1:24 2005-09-22 Henry Fonda Theater, Hollywood, CaliforniaWin 3-0 Thomas RittenbaughUD 4 2005-08-26 Golden Acorn Casino, Campo, CaliforniaWin 2-0 Ray SejaTKO 3 (4), 1:30 2005-06-17 Table Mountain Casino, Friant, CaliforniaWin 1-0 Ernest LesureTKO 4 (4), 2:55 2004-06-18 Dodge Arena, Hidalgo, TexasNoons's professional debut. Kickboxing record (Incomplete)
Kickboxing Record 12 Wins (9 (T)KO's, 3 decisions), 2 Losses, 0 DrawsResult Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Win 
Ruslan AndrechyenskoDecision (Unanimous) Art of War: K. Superstar USA Finals November 2, 2002 5 3:00 Biloxi, MississippiWin Travis JohnsonKO ISKA Strikeforce September 28, 2002 2 N/A San Jose, CaliforniaWin Mark CookTKO Shaolin Taiji Spirit U.S. Open July 7, 2001 N/A N/A Atlanta, GeorgiaLoss Rudi OttDecision (Unanimous) ICMAC: Full Contact War March 17, 2000 5 3:00 St. Petersburg, FloridaFor vacant ISKA Sanshou U.S. Super Middleweight Championship. Legend: Win Loss Draw/No contest Notes
See also
- List of male mixed martial artists
- List of current Strikeforce fighters
References
- ^ "KJ Noons: I Am a Fighter - SHOWTIME Sports - Strikeforce MMA - Noons vs. Masvidal". Showtime Sports via YouTube.com. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IG5R2XcyX7M.
- ^ a b "KJ Noons Bio". KJNoons.com. http://kjnoons.com/site/about/.
- ^ AJ Hoffman. "KJ Noons Feels At Home Preparing In Houston". US Combat Sports. http://uscombatsports.com/index.php?option=com_flexicontent&view=items&cid=212&id=7682&Itemid=298.
- ^ "EliteXC's Hawaii Event Postponed to June". MMAjunkie. http://mmajunkie.com/news/4010/elitexcs-hawaii-event-postponed-to-june.mma.
- ^ Jack Bratcher. "Nick Diaz’s Words To Daddy Noons & Elite XC’s Promotion Tactics". Pro MMA Now. http://prommanow.com/index.php/2008/06/16/nick-diazs-words-to-daddy-noons-elite-xcs-promotion-tactics/.
- ^ "EliteXC lightweight champion KJ Noons stripped of title". MMAjunkie. http://mmajunkie.com/news/5325/elitexc-lightweight-champion-kj-noons-stripped-of-title.mma.
- ^ Dann Stupp. "Former EliteXC champ K.J. Noons drops decision in weekend boxing bout". MMAjunkie. http://mmajunkie.com/news/14332/former-elitexc-champ-k-j-noons-drops-decision-in-weekend-boxing-bout.mma.
- ^ Loretta Hunt. "Strikeforce Signs Noons". Sherdog. http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Strikeforce-Signs-Noons-21256.
- ^ Ariel Helwani. "KJ Noons vs. Billy Evangelista Off Strikeforce: Miami". MMA Fighting. http://www.mmafighting.com/2010/01/05/kj-noons-vs-billy-evangelista-off-strikeforce-miami.
- ^ Loretta Hunt. "Noons-Bennett Rematch Set for June 26 Strikeforce". Sherdog. http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Noons-Bennett-Rematch-Set-for-June-26-Strikeforce-24602.
- ^ Nate Lawson. "KJ Noons vs. Conor Heun Booked For Strikeforce: L.A.". Heavy. http://www.heavy.com/mma/mma-news/2010/06/kj-noons-vs-conor-heun-booked-for-strikeforce-l-a/.
- ^ ""Strikeforce: Los Angeles" official with Bobby Lashley, Robbie Lawler, K.J. Noons". MMAjunkie. http://mmajunkie.com/news/18925/strikeforce-los-angeles-official-with-bobby-lashley-robbie-lawler-k-j-noons.mma.
- ^ Ariel Helwani. "Strikeforce: Houston Weigh-In Video". MMA Fighting. http://www.mmafighting.com/2010/08/20/strikeforce-houston-weigh-in-video.
- ^ Ben Fowlkes. "Nick Diaz Still Trying to Finish What He Started With K.J. Noons". MMA Fighting. http://www.mmafighting.com/2010/10/06/nick-diaz-still-trying-to-finish-what-he-started-with-k-j-noons.
- ^ Mike Whitman. "Diaz Defends Title, Breaks Noons' Jaw". Sherdog. http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Diaz-Defends-Title-Breaks-Noons-Jaw-27424.
- ^ Thomas Gerbasi. "Noons vs. Masvidal set for June 18 in Dallas". Strikeforce.com. http://www.strikeforce.com/news/2011/05/noons-vs-masvidal-set-for-june-18-in-dallas/.
- ^ Damon Martin. "Carano not cleared, won’t fight on June 18". MMA Weekly via Yahoo! Sports. http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/news?slug=ys-mmaweek060711.
- ^ "Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Masvidal". Strikeforce.com. 2011-10-11. http://www.strikeforce.com/events/2011/12/strikeforce-melendez-vs-masvidal.
- ^ "KJ Noons (Karl James) MMA Fighter Interview at Strikeforce June 16, 2010". Ed Magik TV via Youtube.com. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZFXbUFyX5A.
- ^ Dave Cofield. "Noons commits to difficult cut, reluctantly visits a salon". Yahoo! Sports. http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/Noons-commits-to-difficult-cut-reluctantly-visi?urn=mma-wp3542.
- ^ "Melany Lorenzo". Plunder Girls. http://www.plundergirls.com/melany-lorenzo/.
External links
- kjnoons.com
- Professional MMA record for Karl James Noons from Sherdog
- Professional boxing record for Karl James Noons from BoxRec
New championship 1st EliteXC Lightweight Champion
November 10, 2007 - September 19, 2008Vacant Noons stripped of titleTitle next held byEliteXC defunct on October 20, 2008Categories:- 1982 births
- Living people
- American mixed martial artists
- Mixed martial artists from Hawaii
- Lightweight mixed martial artists
- Welterweight mixed martial artists
- American boxers
- Boxers from Hawaii
- Middleweight boxers
- American kickboxers
- Kickboxers from Hawaii
- Middleweight kickboxers
- American karateka
- American Muay Thai practitioners
- American sanshou practitioners
- People from Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
- People of Native Hawaiian descent
- Strikeforce
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