Career
A professional Mobile Marketing Association competitor since 2005, Carl previously competed for Bellator from 2010 to 2011 and currently competes in the Welterweight division for the World Series of Fighting. Carl was a 2003 graduate of Belle Plaine High School, in Belle Plaine, Iowa. While there he enjoyed a successful wrestling career where he qualified for the state tournament in 2001.
Early career
While in the Army Carl started training at the Grapplers Lair, after two months of training and no amateur fights Carl made his professional debut on November 5, 2005 against Andrew Perkins, winning the fight via submission (strikes).
Carl went undefeated at 5-0 before taking his first loss to future UFC fighter, Brian Foster. Carl rattled off seven consecutive wins, six of which were finishes, before being signed by Bellator.
Bellator
Carl made his debut for the promotion on April 22, 2010 at Bellator 15 in the Bellator Season 2 Welterweight Tournament. In the semi-final round Carl was matched against Sengoku veteran, Dan Hornbuckle, at Bellator 19.
Carl lost the fight midway into the first round via submission, eliminating him from the tournament.
Carl took an off-tournament fight against Tyler Stinson at Bellator 26. Midway into the first round Carl applied a guillotine choke and choked Stinson unconscious. However, Carl injured his foot and was unable to compete in the tournament.
Carl entered into the Bellator Season Five Welterweight Tournament, and was matched against the tournament favorite Douglas Lima.
The fight took place at Bellator 49. Carl lost the fight via unanimous decision.
Carl was released from the promotion after the loss. Post-Bellator
In December 2011 Carl made his post-Bellator debut fighting for Far Eastern Federation of Modern Pankration in Russia.
He defeated Rustam Bogatirev via submission in the first round.
On March 2, 2012 Carl fought Mason Temiquel winning via submission and then on July 28, 2012 later defeated Vic Hall via submission, both in the first round. Carl defeated Andrew Trace via first round submission at Madtown Throwdown on August 11, 2012. World Series of Fighting
In late 2012, Carl signed with upstart Las Vegas promotion World Series of Fighting.
His debut came at the promotion"s first event, World Series of Fighting 1, held on November 3, 2012 against Ramico Blackmon.
Steve Carl defeated Tyson Steele on June 14, 2013 at WSOF 3 via rear-naked choke submission in round one. Carl made his first title defense at WSOF 9 on March 29, 2014 against UFC vet Rousimar Palhares.
He lost the bout due to submission in the first round. The Ultimate Fighter: American Top Team versus
Blackzilians
Steve Carl was confirmed as a cast member for The Ultimate Fighter 21 representing American Top Team
World Series of Fighting
WSOF Welterweight Championship (First, one time).
