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Kalib Starnes
Kalib Starnes
from Wikipedia

Kalib Starnes (born January 6, 1975) is a Canadian mixed martial artist.

Key Information

Early life

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Starnes became involved in the martial arts at an early age and began teaching when he was a teenager. He started training in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu at the Gracie Academy in 1994 in Torrance, California. Starnes has also practiced Muay Thai, Boxing, Judo, Aikido, Kung Fu, Taekwondo, Greco Roman Wrestling, Shotokan and Wado Ryu Karate.

Mixed martial arts career

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Ultimate Fighting Championship

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Starnes made his UFC debut on June 24, 2006 at the finale of The Ultimate Fighter 3, winning via rear naked choke over Danny Abbadi.

After this Starnes would gain the biggest victory in his career, by defeating Chris Leben on May 26, 2007 at UFC 71 via unanimous decision, also winning the Fight of The Night bonus for his efforts.

During the UFC 64 event, Starnes suffered a third-round TKO to Yushin Okami.[2]

In his final UFC bout, he lost via unanimous decision to Nate Quarry at UFC 83 in Montreal Canada. Starnes was criticized by MMA pundits and fans for avoiding Quarry for the majority of the match, leading to a new nickname, "The Running Man." Many speculate that his poor performance in this fight was one of the main reasons he was released by the UFC.

Championships and accomplishments

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Mixed martial arts record

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Professional record breakdown
29 matches 17 wins 11 losses
By knockout 5 4
By submission 10 2
By decision 2 5
Draws 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 17–11–1 Tim Hague TKO (leg kick) XFFC 9: Conviction April 15, 2016 4 0:13 Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada Lost the XFFC Heavyweight Championship.
Win 17–10–1 Craig Hudson Submission (rear-naked choke) XFFC 7: Bad Blood October 9, 2015 2 4:31 Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada Won the vacant XFFC Heavyweight Championship.
Loss 16–10–1 Rodney Wallace Decision (split) HKFC: Hard Knocks 44 June 26, 2015 3 5:00 Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Loss 16–9–1 Dave Herman Decision (unanimous) Titan FC 28: Brilz vs. Davis May 16, 2014 3 5:00 Newkirk, Oklahoma, United States
Win 16–8–1 Dwayne Lewis KO (elbow) WSOF 7 December 7, 2013 2 1:02 Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Win 15–8–1 Clay Davidson TKO (punches) Fivestar Fight League 8: Barefoot Beach Battle August 9, 2013 1 1:21 Penticton, British Columbia, Canada
Win 14–8–1 Tim Hague Decision (unanimous) AFC 19: Undisputed July 5, 2013 3 5:00 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Heavyweight bout.
Win 13–8–1 David Perron TKO (punches) AFC 18: Mayhem May 19, 2013 2 4:05 Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Loss 12–8–1 Joe Doerksen Decision (unanimous) AFC 11: Takeover September 15, 2012 3 5:00 Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Fight of the Night.
Loss 12–7–1 John Salter KO (punches) AFC 6: Conviction June 18, 2011 2 4:13 Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Loss 12–6–1 Patrick Côté Decision (unanimous) Ringside 10: Cote vs. Starnes April 9, 2011 3 5:00 Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Win 12–5–1 Matt MacGrath Submission (rear-naked choke) Wreck MMA: Strong and Proud January 28, 2011 2 3:14 Gatineau, Quebec, Canada
Win 11–5–1 Nick Hinchliffe Submission (armbar) AFC 3: Evolution July 17, 2010 1 3:49 Victoria, British Columbia, Canada Won the AFC Middleweight Championship.
Loss 10–5–1 Falaniko Vitale Submission (ezekiel choke) X-1 – Champions 2 March 20, 2010 1 2:22 Hawaii, United States For the X-1 Middleweight Championship.
Win 10–4–1 Marcus Hicks Submission (rear-naked choke) AFC 2: Aftershock March 6, 2010 1 1:22 Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Loss 9–4–1 Hector Lombard Submission (punches) Cage Fighting Championships 11 November 20, 2009 1 1:55 Sydney, Australia For the CFC Middleweight Championship.
Win 9–3–1 Chris Cisneros Submission (armbar) Destiny MMA: Pier Fighter 1 November 15, 2008 2 4:47 Honolulu, Hawaii, United States Won the Destiny MMA Light Heavyweight Championship.
Loss 8–3–1 Nate Quarry Decision (unanimous) UFC 83 April 19, 2008 3 5:00 Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Loss 8–2–1 Alan Belcher TKO (doctor stoppage) UFC 77 October 20, 2007 2 1:39 Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
Win 8–1–1 Chris Leben Decision (unanimous) UFC 71 May 26, 2007 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 7–1–1 Yushin Okami TKO (punches) UFC 64: Unstoppable October 14, 2006 3 1:40 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 7–0–1 Danny Abbadi Submission (rear-naked choke) The Ultimate Fighter: Team Ortiz vs. Team Shamrock Finale June 24, 2006 1 2:56 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 6–0–1 Jason MacDonald TKO (punches) National Fighting Challenge 5 November 25, 2005 1 4:37 North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Win 5–0–1 Mike Yackulic TKO (submission to punches) World Freestyle Fighting 9: Wild West September 17, 2005 1 2:21 Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Win 4–0–1 Jason Zazelenchuk Submission (rear-naked choke) National Fighting Challenge 3 May 13, 2005 1 0:42 Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Win 3–0–1 Gerry Elliot Submission (arm-triangle choke) World Freestyle Fighting 8: Dominance March 26, 2005 1 N/A Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Win 2–0–1 Ramin Astaseare TKO (punches) National Fighting Challenge 2 February 18, 2005 1 1:49 Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Win 1–0–1 Wayne Atkinson Submission (rear-naked choke) Adrenaline Fighting Championships 1 July 24, 2003 1 2:22 Langley, British Columbia, Canada
Draw 0–0–1 Leonard Carter Draw Ultimate Warrior Challenge August 2, 1998 1 N/A Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Mixed martial arts exhibition record

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Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 1–1 Kendall Grove Verbal submission (rib injury) The Ultimate Fighter 3 3 0:30 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Semi-finals.
Win 1–0 Mike Stine KO (punches) 1 2:09 Elimination bout.

See also

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References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Kalib Starnes (born January 6, 1975) is a Canadian retired mixed martial artist who competed professionally from 1998 to 2016, most notably in the middleweight division, where he fought five times between 2006 and 2008 and recorded two wins and three losses. He appeared on before making his professional UFC debut. Standing at 6 feet 3 inches (191 cm) tall with a 74-inch reach, Starnes was known for his prowess, securing 10 of his 17 career victories by submission. His overall professional record stands at 17–11–1, with fights primarily in and the across promotions like the UFC and the Armageddon Fighting Championships (AFC). Starnes made his UFC debut on June 24, 2006, at UFC Fight Night 5, submitting Danny Abbadi via rear-naked choke in the first round. Among his highlights was a victory over at on May 26, 2007, a bout that showcased his endurance despite Leben's aggressive striking. However, his career in the UFC was marked by setbacks, including a first-round TKO loss to at UFC 64 on October 14, 2006. Starnes' most infamous fight came against at on April 19, 2008, where his reluctance to engage—often retreating across the —led to a loss and prompted the UFC to release him immediately afterward. Following his UFC exit, Starnes continued competing on the regional circuit, adding several wins to his resume before his final professional bout in 2016. Hailing from , he trained with Aegis Athletics and was recognized for his orthodox stance and versatility in both striking and submissions throughout his career.

Early life

Upbringing

Kalib Starnes was born on January 6, 1975, in , .

Introduction to martial arts

Kalib Starnes, raised in , first became interested in during his teenage years after watching compete on television, which sparked his passion for the sport and provided access to local training facilities in the area. In 1994, at the age of 19, Starnes began formal training in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu at the Gracie Academy in , where he relocated temporarily while working odd jobs to support his development. Under the guidance of , a pivotal early coach, Starnes dedicated himself to the discipline, eventually earning a black belt in , which formed the cornerstone of his foundation. During his formative years, Starnes broadened his skill set by training in complementary disciplines including , , , and wrestling, enhancing his striking and takedown abilities. Key gyms influencing his early base included the Gracie Academy for jiu-jitsu fundamentals and later facilities in such as the Black Belt Academy and Revolution , where he honed these diverse techniques before pursuing a professional path.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career (1998–2005)

Starnes began his professional mixed martial arts career in , debuting on August 1, 1998, against Leonard Carter at Ultimate Warrior Challenge 1 in , where the bout ended in a draw after one 10-minute round. This initial appearance in a regional promotion highlighted the nascent state of MMA in the country at the time, with limited opportunities for fighters outside major circuits. Following a five-year hiatus, during which Starnes continued honing his skills through foundational training, he resumed competing in 2003. His first victory came on July 24, 2003, against Wayne Atkinson at Adrenaline Fighting Championships 1 in , , submitting his opponent via rear-naked choke in the first round at 2:22. This win marked the start of a dominant streak in Canadian regional promotions, showcasing his prowess rooted in jiu-jitsu techniques. In 2005, Starnes rapidly built his record through a series of quick finishes across multiple events. Notable victories included a first-round TKO (punches) over Ramin Astaseare at National Fighting Challenge 2 on February 18 in Prince George, British Columbia (1:49); an arm-triangle choke submission against Gerry Elliot at World Fighting Federation 8: Dominance on March 26 in Lethbridge, Alberta (0:35); a rear-naked choke of Jason Zazelenchuk at National Fighting Challenge 3 on May 13 in Prince George (0:42); punches leading to a submission stoppage versus Mike Yackulic at World Fighting Federation 9: Wild West on September 17 in Calgary, Alberta (2:21); and a TKO (punches) of Jason MacDonald at National Fighting Challenge 5 on November 25 in Prince George (4:37). These bouts in promotions like NFC and WFF exposed him to varied regional competition, refining his submission-based style through consistent ground control and finishes, resulting in an undefeated streak that elevated his profile ahead of major-league opportunities. By the end of 2005, Starnes had compiled a professional record of 6-0-1, with five of his wins coming via submission or TKO in the first round, demonstrating the effectiveness of his jiu-jitsu foundation in overcoming opponents in Canada's burgeoning MMA scene. The challenges of inconsistent scheduling and travel within these smaller promotions tested his resilience, ultimately sharpening his ability to capitalize on exchanges.

Ultimate Fighting Championship (2006–2008)

Starnes made his UFC debut on June 24, 2006, at The Ultimate Fighter 3 Finale in Las Vegas, Nevada, where he submitted Danny Abbadi via rear-naked choke at 2:56 of the first round. This victory marked his entry into the promotion after competing on The Ultimate Fighter 3, showcasing his grappling skills against Abbadi, a fellow TUF contestant. Following his debut, Starnes faced at UFC 64: Unstoppable on October 14, 2006, also in , suffering a third-round TKO loss at 1:40 due to strikes. Okami's superior striking overwhelmed Starnes, dropping his UFC record to 1–1. Starnes rebounded at : Liddell vs. Jackson on May 26, 2007, defeating by unanimous decision (29–28, 29–28, 30–27) in a grueling three-round bout that earned Fight of the Night honors for its back-and-forth action and resilience from both fighters. However, his momentum halted at UFC 77: Hostile Territory on October 20, 2007, when a second-round doctor's stoppage due to a severe cut from Alan Belcher's strikes resulted in a TKO loss at 1:39, bringing his record to 2–2. Starnes' UFC tenure ended controversially at UFC 83: Serra vs. St-Pierre 2 on April 19, 2008, in Montreal, Quebec, where he lost to Nate Quarry by unanimous decision (30–27 across all cards) after a fight widely criticized for Starnes' evasive tactics and reluctance to engage, often described as "running" around the Octagon to avoid exchanges. Quarry mocked Starnes' style mid-fight by imitating his movements, amplifying post-fight backlash that highlighted Starnes' defensive approach as unprofessional in a combat sport context. The performance drew immediate condemnation from UFC President Dana White, who announced Starnes' release from the organization shortly after, citing the bout as unacceptable; Starnes finished his UFC career with a 2–3 record.

Post-UFC career (2008–2016)

Following his release from the in 2008, Kalib Starnes returned to regional promotions in , competing primarily in and the to rebuild his career. Starnes' first bout after leaving the UFC was on November 15, 2008, at Destiny MMA: Pier Fighter 1, where he defeated Chris Cisneros by armbar submission in the second round at 4:47 to capture the Destiny MMA Championship. This victory marked a strong start to his post-UFC phase, showcasing his skills against a durable opponent. Over the next two years, he fought in events like Fighting Championships (AFC) and X-1, securing a submission win over Marcus Hicks in March 2010 while also experiencing setbacks, including a TKO loss to Lombard in November 2009. In July 2010, Starnes won the AFC title by submitting Nick Hinchliffe via armbar at AFC 3: Evolution, a pivotal achievement that solidified his standing in Canadian regional MMA. He defended his momentum with further submission victories, such as against Matt MacGrath in January 2011 at Wreck MMA, but faced challenges in higher-profile matchups, including a loss to Patrick Côté at Ringside MMA 10 in April 2011 and a TKO loss to at AFC 6 in June 2011. Following the loss to Salter, Starnes announced his retirement but returned to the sport in 2012. Starnes continued competing in AFC events through 2013, notching wins over and Clay Davidson, and a decision victory against , while also earning a over Dwayne Lewis at World Series of Fighting (WSOF) 7 in December 2013. As Starnes transitioned into his mid-30s, his record became more mixed, with notable losses including a to Dave Herman at Titan FC 28 in May 2014 and a defeat to Rodney Wallace at Hard Knocks Fighting Championship 44 in June 2015. He rebounded in October 2015 by submitting Craig Hudson with a rear-naked choke at Xtreme Fighting Federation (XFFC) 7: Bad Blood to win the XFFC Heavyweight Championship, demonstrating adaptability across weight classes. Starnes' final fight occurred on April 15, 2016, at XFFC 9: Conviction, where he lost to by TKO (leg kick) in the fourth round. Over the 2008–2016 period, he compiled a 9–8 record across 17 bouts in promotions including AFC, WSOF, and XFFC, often grappling with inconsistent results amid a grueling schedule. Starnes retired from professional MMA following this loss.

Championships and accomplishments

Professional championships

Starnes captured his first professional title in the post-UFC phase of his career by defeating Nick Hinchliffe to win the Armageddon Fighting Championship (AFC) Middleweight Championship on July 17, 2010, at AFC 3: Evolution in Colwood, British Columbia, Canada. He secured the victory via submission (armbar) at 3:49 of the first round in the main event bout. Starnes held the title for approximately 11 months, with his reign notable for showcasing his grappling prowess in a promotion known for regional Canadian talent. Starnes' first and only defense of the AFC Championship occurred on June 18, 2011, at AFC 6: Conviction in , where he faced in the main event. defeated Starnes via TKO (punches) at 4:13 of the second round, ending Starnes' tenure as champion. This loss marked the conclusion of his brief but impactful reign in the AFC division. Later in his career, Starnes won the Xcessive Force Fighting Championship (XFFC) Heavyweight Championship on October 9, 2015, at XFFC 7: Bad Blood in , , , submitting Craig Hudson via rear-naked choke at 4:31 of the second round in a title bout. The victory highlighted Starnes' transition to and his submission skills against a durable opponent. He held the title for six months without additional defenses. Starnes lost the XFFC Heavyweight Championship in his sole defense on April 15, 2016, at XFFC 9: Conviction in , , falling to via TKO (leg kicks) at 0:13 of the fourth round in the main event. This defeat ended his championship run in the promotion.

Fight awards

During his tenure in the (UFC), Kalib Starnes received one performance-based award for his efforts in the . At on May 26, 2007, Starnes earned the Fight of the Night bonus for his victory over in a bout that showcased intense exchanges and resilience from both competitors. This recognition, worth $40,000, highlighted Starnes' ability to engage in a high-paced, back-and-forth fight that stood out on a card featuring multiple early stoppages, reflecting his aggressive striking and takedown defense in a competitive three-round war. It remains the only such UFC bonus awarded to Starnes across his five appearances in the promotion. No additional fight awards or performance bonuses from regional promotions, such as Maximum Fighting Championship or Aggression Fighting Championship, have been documented in Starnes' post-UFC career spanning 2008 to 2016.

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record

Kalib Starnes compiled a professional record of 17 wins, 11 losses, and 1 draw across 29 bouts. His victories comprised 5 by or technical (29%), 10 by submission (59%), and 2 by decision (12%), underscoring a primary reliance on submission finishes. Losses totaled 5 by or technical (45%), 1 by submission (9%), and 5 by decision (45%). This record equates to a win percentage of 60.7% when excluding the draw. The table below presents his full professional fight history chronologically, including date, opponent, event, result, method, round, and time.
DateOpponentEventResultMethodRoundTime
Aug 02, 1998Leonard CarterUWC 1 - Ultimate Warrior Challenge 1DrawDraw110:00
Jul 24, 2003Wayne AtkinsonAFC 1 - Adrenaline Fighting Championships 1WinSubmission (Rear-Naked Choke)12:22
Feb 18, 2005Ramin AstaseareNFC 2 - National Fighting Challenge 2WinTKO (Punches)11:49
Mar 26, 2005Gerry ElliotWFF 8 - DominanceWinSubmission (Arm-Triangle Choke)10:35
May 13, 2005Jason ZazelenchukNFC 3 - National Fighting Challenge 3WinSubmission (Rear-Naked Choke)10:42
Sep 17, 2005Mike YackulicWFF 9 - Wild WestWinSubmission (Punches)12:21
Nov 25, 2005Jason MacDonaldNFC 5 - National Fighting Challenge 5WinTKO (Punches)14:37
Jun 24, 2006Danny AbbadiUFC - The Ultimate Fighter 3 FinaleWinSubmission (Rear-Naked Choke)12:56
Oct 14, 2006Yushin OkamiUFC 64 - UnstoppableLossTKO (Punches)31:40
May 26, 2007Chris LebenUFC 71 - Liddell vs. JacksonWinDecision (Unanimous)35:00
Oct 20, 2007Alan BelcherUFC 77 - Hostile TerritoryLossTKO (Doctor Stoppage)21:39
Apr 19, 2008Nate QuarryUFC 83 - Serra vs. St. Pierre 2LossDecision (Unanimous)35:00
Nov 15, 2008Chris CisnerosDestiny MMA - Pier Fighter 1WinSubmission (Armbar)24:47
Nov 20, 2009Hector LombardCFC - Cage Fighting Championships 11LossTKO (Submission to Punches)11:55
Mar 06, 2010Marcus HicksAFC 2 - AftershockWinSubmission (Rear-Naked Choke)11:22
Mar 20, 2010Falaniko VitaleX-1 - Champions 2LossSubmission (Ezekiel Choke)12:22
Jul 17, 2010Nick HinchliffeAFC 3 - EvolutionWinSubmission (Armbar)13:49
Jan 28, 2011Matt MacGrathWreck MMA - Strong and ProudWinSubmission (Rear-Naked Choke)23:14
Apr 09, 2011Patrick CoteRingside MMA 10 - Cote vs. StarnesLossDecision (Unanimous)35:00
Jun 18, 2011John SalterAFC 6 - ConvictionLossTKO (Punches)24:13
Sep 15, 2012Joe DoerksenAFC 11 - TakeoverLossDecision (Unanimous)35:00
May 19, 2013David PerronAFC 18 - MayhemWinTKO (Punches)24:05
Jul 05, 2013Tim HagueAFC 19 - UndisputedWinDecision (Unanimous)35:00
Aug 09, 2013Clay DavidsonFFL 8 - Barefoot Beach BattleWinTKO (Punches)11:21
Dec 07, 2013Dwayne LewisWSOF 7 - Karakhanyan vs. PalmerWinKO (Elbow)21:02
May 16, 2014Dave HermanTitan FC 28 - Titan Fighting Championship 28LossDecision (Unanimous)35:00
Jun 26, 2015Rodney WallaceHKFC - Hard Knocks 44LossDecision (Split)35:00
Oct 09, 2015Craig HudsonXFFC 7 - Bad BloodWinSubmission (Rear-Naked Choke)24:31
Apr 15, 2016Tim HagueXFFC 9 - ConvictionLossTKO (Leg Kick)40:13

Exhibition record

Kalib Starnes participated in two exhibition bouts as part of Season 3, a competition that served as a tryout for entry into the . These matches, held in 2006, were unsanctioned and did not contribute to his official professional record, distinguishing them from sanctioned professional fights by lacking formal athletic commission oversight and career-impacting stakes beyond selection for the show. In his first on January 24, 2006, Starnes secured a victory over Mike Stine in the first round at 2:10, advancing him in the tournament bracket. His second occurred on February 21, 2006, resulting in a technical loss to in the third round at 0:34, which eliminated him from further competition on the show. No additional or non-professional matches are recorded in available MMA databases for Starnes, indicating these were his only such engagements prior to his professional UFC debut later that year.
ResultOpponentMethodRoundTimeDateEventNotes
WinMike StineKO (Punches)12:10Jan 24, 2006 EpisodeQuarterfinal bout
LossTKO (Retirement)30:34Feb 21, 2006 EpisodeSemifinal bout

References

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