Matthew James "The Law" Lindland (born May
17, 1970) is an American professional mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter,
Olympic wrestler, and politician. He won the Oregon Republican Party's
nomination for the Oregon House of Representatives, district 52 seat on
May 20, 2008, in a close race.
Lindland started wrestling at age 15. He
represented the United States in Greco-Roman Wrestling at the 2000
Summer Olympics in the 69-76 kg weight category, winning the silver
medal. He almost didn't compete in the 2000 Summer Olympics. In the
finals of the olympic trials, Lindland wrestled Keith Sieracki. Lindland
accused Sieracki of using his legs to secure an advantage that led to
Sieracki winning the match. Under the rules of Greco-Roman wrestling,
athletes are not permitted the use of their legs for advantages or
defense of offensive moves. Lindland eventually took the issue as far as
the Supreme Court to secure a spot on the 2000 Olympic team, arguing
that an arbitration which had come out in Sieracki's favor was flawed
legally. He was given a wrestle-off against Sieracki, which he won. Due
to the legal aspect of his Olympic berth, he eventually adopted the
nickname of "The Law".
During one of the fights against Sieracki, Lindland bit Sieracki in the
ear which caused Sieracki's ear to bleed. The match went on seemingly
without the officials aware of the blatant foul that happened
Lindland readily adapted his wrestling
skills to mixed martial arts fighting, with the aid of his friends Randy
Couture, Dan Henderson and others at Team Quest, to create an effective
and dominant Clinch-and-pound and Ground-and-pound attacking style. He
progressed rapidly through the ranks of the middleweight division of the
Ultimate Fighting Championship until losing to Murilo Bustamante in a
championship match.
Lindland continued to maintain a mostly-winning record in the UFC, not
including two embarrassing losses to Falaniko Vitale and David Terrell.
Prior to the fight with Terrell, Lindland was touted as the number one
Middleweight in the UFC, only to be knocked out in the first round in
what was to many a shocking upset. Another embarrassing loss came at the
hands of Falaniko Vitale, who Matt Lindland attempted to slam, only to
knock himself out in the process. Lindland was eventually dropped from
the UFC roster for breaking one of the sponsorship and
advertising-related terms of his contract, and has continued his
professional MMA career with 5 wins and a split decision loss in
high-level international competition. Lindland is sometimes ranked as
being the number one, and generally a top 5 fighter in his weight
category in mixed martial arts.
After signing a contract with the newly rejuvenated World Fighting
Alliance, Lindland fought Quinton Jackson in the main event of the WFA:
King of the Streets] card, losing via split decision. After the fight,
Jackson noted Lindland's practice of not showering for several days
before fights, saying: "Man that was like fighting a smelly skunk."
Lindland's next fight � in the International Fight League, which also
marked Lindland's debut as an IFL team coach � was against standout
middleweight Jeremy Horn; Lindland won by TKO early in the second round.
He then beat Carlos Newton at IFL Houston by submission.
Lindland has a professional MMA record of 21 wins and 5 losses. However
he has drawn criticism in the past from fans who say his style is boring
and relies on the 'lay and pray' style to win fights even though most of
his victories have come by way of stoppage; he has finished in 8 out of
his last 10 victories. Though many say the talent of the competition he
is placed in the ring with is questionable. Citing his last two
victories have come against fighters with dwindling careers.
Lindland is currently coaching the Portland Wolfpack in the
International Fight League.
Lindland is always referred to as "Woogie" among MMA internet circles
due to his resemblance to Chris Elliot who played a character nicknamed
Woogie in the movie There's Something About Mary, his most notable role.
There is currently a documentary being
filmed about Matt and his MMA career
Nick Name: The Law
Weight Class: Middleweight
DOB: 5/17/70
Height: 6.0
Weight: 185 lbs
Style:
MMA Record: 21-6-0
UFC History:
-
UFC 29: (12/16/00) Lindland
defeated Yoji Anjo by TKO at 2:58 in the First Round.
-
UFC 31:
(5/4/01) Lindland was DQ against Ricardo
Almeida at 4:21 in the Third Round.
-
UFC 34: (11/21/03) Lindland
defeated Phil Baroni by Majority Decision at the end of the Third
Round.
-
UFC 36: (3/22/02) Lindland
defeated Pat Miletich by TKO at
3:09 in the First Round.
-
UFC 37:
(5/10/02) Lindland lost to Murilo Bustamante
by submission at 1:33 in the Third Round.
-
UFC 39: (9/27/02) Lindland
defeated Ivan Salaverry by Unanimous Decision at the end of the
Third Round.
-
UFC 41: (2/28/03) Lindland
defeated Phil Baroni by Unanimous Decision at the end of the Third
Round.
-
UFC 43:
(6/6/03) Lindland lost to Falaniko Vitale by
TKO at 1:56 in the First Round.
-
UFC 45: (11/21/03) Lindland
defeated Falaniko Vitale by submission at 4:23 in the Third Round.
-
UFC 49:
(8/21/04) Lindland lost to David Terrell by KO
at 0:24 in the First Round.
-
UFC 52: (4/16/05) Lindland
defeated Travis Lutter by
submission at 3:32 in the Second Round.
-
UFC 54: (8/20/05) Lindland
defeated Joe Doerksen by Unanimous Decision at the end of the Third
Round.
Affliction History:
Official Website: