Mikey Burnett

Background

Burnett was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma and graduated from Nathan Hale High School in 1991.

Career

Burnett lost a controversial decision to Pat Miletich in a UFC title fight for the UFC Welterweight Championship at UFC Ultimate Brazil crowning Miletich the first-ever holder of the UFC Welterweight belt. He wrestled for three years in college. He formerly owned and operated Mikey"s Gym in East Tulsa.

Burnett was the lead Mobile Marketing Association and grappling instructor at Apollo"s Karate.

On October 1, 2011 Mikey opened the new Mikey"s Gym located at 3320 East. 32nd Street in Tulsa. Mikey was shot in the stomach and groin while exiting a Tulsa gym on February

29, 2016, and taken to the emergency room at Saint Francis Hospital in Tulsa. Burnett made his professional Mobile Marketing Association debut on April 20, 1996, competing at the third and final Oklahoma Free Fight Federation tournament in Tulsa.

Burnett defeated Todd Justice and Tony Hays only to eventually lose to Kevin Nix in the final round of the tournament.

Shortly after this, Burnett began to train with Ken Shamrock"s Lion"s Den in Susanville, California. Burnett"s next fight would not take place until the following year at the inaugural World Pankration Championships where Burnett submitted Mike Hipp with a heel hook. Burnett"s success attracted the attention of the UFC, who invited Burnett to fight in their organization.

Burnett made his victorious UFC debut at UFC 16, stopping Eugenio Tadeu with strikes in the first round.

This fight was nominated by the UFC to appear on the UFC"s Ultimate 100 Greatest Fights. Burnett lost a controversial decision to Miletich at UFC Ultimate Brazil.

Burnett would leave the Lion"s Den later in 1998 to go back to Oklahoma when he found out he was having a child. Burnett started his own training facility, with brother and trainer Scott Burnett, in East Tulsa called Mikey"s Gym.

He also began to teach and instruct at various other gyms in the city and surrounding area for the next several years.

The Ultimate Fighter: Season 4Edit

After a seven year hiatus from fighting, Burnett was contacted by UFC President Dana White in 2006 about being on the fourth season of The Ultimate Fighter reality show. Burnett gladly accepted and travelled to Las Vegas for the taping. Burnett ended up breaking his neck during a training session on the show (contrary to popular opinion that Burnett broke it attempting to run through a wall.

This is claimed by Burnett to be false) Burnett was selected to take on Din Thomas in the fifth show of the season.

Burnett ended up fighting Thomas with a broken neck. Thomas submitted Burnett with a triangle choke in the first round of the fight.

On the final episode, Burnett was informed by a doctor that he required major surgery on his neck before he would be able to continue fighting. Burnett opted to undergo the surgery, which would put him out of action for at least one year.

However, Burnett had problems with the insurance company and could not get the surgery done.

Burnett later filed suit against the show to help pay for his surgery, but has been unsuccessful in getting the surgery completed and has not fought since. Oklahoma Free Fight Federation 3 Tournament Runner Up.

Achievements

• Burnett was also an amateur Golden Gloves boxing champion in his home state of Oklahoma. Burnett"s performance earned him a title shot against Pat Miletich to determine the first-ever UFC Welterweight Champion. Burnett returned at UFC 18 where he won a unanimous decision over Olympic silver medalist Townsend Saunders. Oklahoma Golden Gloves Boxing Champion.

Membership

Burnett ended up on Team Number Love as a member of the welterweight fighters on the show.