Dane Sayers - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

Dane Sayers is a Native American

People of the United States

The people of the United States, also known as simply Americans or American people, are the inhabitants or citizens of the United States. The United States is a multi-ethnic nation, home to people of different ethnic and national backgrounds...

professional mixed martial artist

Mixed martial arts

Mixed Martial Arts is a full contact combat sport that allows the use of both striking and grappling techniques, both standing and on the ground, including boxing, wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, muay Thai, kickboxing, karate, judo and other styles. The roots of modern mixed martial arts can be...

who competes in the lightweight

Lightweight (MMA)

The lightweight division in mixed martial arts can refer to a number of different weight classes:* The UFC & Strikeforce lightweight division with upper limit at 155 lb...

division. Sayers mostly competed in the regional circuit, before signing with the Ultimate Fighting Championships to appear on The Ultimate Fighter: Team GSP vs. Team Koscheck
The Ultimate Fighter: Team GSP vs. Team Koscheck
The Ultimate Fighter: Team GSP vs. Team Koscheck is the twelfth installment of the Ultimate Fighting Championship produced reality television series The Ultimate Fighter....

.

Early life

Growing up, Dane Sayers was always interested in martial arts, but his hometown of West Fargo, North Dakota

West Fargo, North Dakota

As of the census of 2000, there were 14,940 people, 5,771 households, and 4,091 families residing in the city, however the current population of West Fargo is estimated at over 26,000 residents. The population density was 2,049.2 per square mile . There were 5,968 housing units at an average...

didn't provide him with many training centers. Instead, Sayers took advantage of what sports were available to him at his high school. While attending West Fargo High School

West Fargo High School

West Fargo High School is a public high school located in West Fargo, North Dakota. It currently serves about 1,300 students and is a part of the West Fargo Public Schools system. The official school colors are green and white and the athletic teams are known as the "The Packers"...

, Dane excelled in wrestling, track and field, and even played football on West Fargo's State Champion team.

Background

"Ethan Boyle began training Sayers in his basement and soon he was fighting professionally. After hurting his shoulder during a fight, however, Sayers had to take some time off in order to heal. Unable to train and earn money fighting, he temporarily took a position as a computer technician. While adjusting to his new lifestyle behind the computer screen, Sayers quickly put on additional weight and before he knew it was well over his normal fighting weight. But needing money, Sayers got back into the fight scene and, despite his rust he took a fight four week outs at 205lbs. against Shane DeZee. He was able to hone his skills at the Academy of Combat Arts to earn a first round submission victory by guillotine. Since that fight he has continued to train at the Academy of Combat Arts and has gradually been moving down weight classes, until settling on 155."

With six of his seven wins coming via first round submission, Sayers developed into a submission specialist from guillotine choke

Guillotine choke

The guillotine choke is a chokehold in martial arts and wrestling applied from in front of the opponent. The choke involves using the arms to encircle the opponent's neck in a fashion similar to a guillotine. The technique is either a type of tracheal compression restraint that prevents air flow...

s, rear-naked chokes, and keylocks.

Proud of his Chippewa and Blackfoot

Blackfoot

The Blackfoot Confederacy or Niitsítapi is the collective name of three First Nations in Alberta and one Native American tribe in Montana....

Native American

Indigenous peoples of the Americas

The indigenous peoples of the Americas are the pre-Columbian inhabitants of North and South America, their descendants and other ethnic groups who are identified with those peoples. Indigenous peoples are known in Canada as Aboriginal peoples, and in the United States as Native Americans...

roots, Dane was given the Native American name, "iit ka soo tah sii," translated to "Red Horse" by Chief Earle Old Person of the Browning, Montana

Browning, Montana

Browning is a town in Glacier County, Montana, United States. The population was 1,016 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Browning is located at ....

Blackfoot Nation.

Dane often wears red trunks in the cage along with his signature red mohawk

Mohawk hairstyle

The mohawk is a hairstyle in which, in the most common variety, both sides of the head are shaven, leaving a strip of noticeably longer hair...

Early career

A few years after graduation, at age 20, Sayers decided to train in martial arts and found a traditional Kung Fu school near his home. Learning the basics of Kung Fu at the dojo, Sayers started to train himself at a gym in the area. While working out on a punching bag, he was discovered by a local boxer, who then introduced him to mixed martial arts fighter Miguel Cooley. Rather impressed with Sayers raw talent and athleticism, Cooley introduced Sayers to his own MMA trainer, Ethan Boyle, who began his future on the road of mixed martial arts

Mixed martial arts

The Ultimate Fighter

Sayers became popular nationwide when he was featured on The Ultimate Fighter: Team GSP vs. Team Koscheck

The Ultimate Fighter: Team GSP vs. Team Koscheck

The Ultimate Fighter: Team GSP vs. Team Koscheck is the twelfth installment of the Ultimate Fighting Championship produced reality television series The Ultimate Fighter....

, eliminating Ariel Sexton (via submission) to move into the house. Coach George St. Pierre noted that though Sayers lacked in experience, he was the heaviest hitter of his team and had a good amount of potential. St Pierre also commented that he intended for Sayers to fight the last first round fight (Episode 7), using the time to make Sayers' skills better rounded. Sayers was set against Sako Chivitchian

Sako Chivitchian

Sako Chivitchian is an Armenian-born mixed martial arts fighter who competes in the lightweight division. He immigrated to the United States of America and is presently based in Los Angeles...

, and lost by unanimous decision (20-18, 20-18, 20-18). Though Chivitchian won in two rounds, many members of the Team GSP and viewers of the show felt that there should have been a third round. Opposing coach Josh Koscheck

Josh Koscheck

Josh D. Koscheck is an American mixed martial artist from Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, a former collegiate wrestling champion and is currently fighting at welterweight for the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He made his debut with the organization on the first season of the reality television show,...

was shown telling Chivitchian that there would be a third round. It was shown that Chivitchian had grabbed the fence multiple times, but the referee did not penalize him with the usual point loss. Teammate Michael Johnson

Michael Johnson

-Musicians:*Michael Johnson , American pop, country and folk singer-songwriter and guitarist*Mike Johnson , American experimental rock guitarist and composer...

observed that had Chivitchian not grabbed the fence, Sayers would have had a take down and probably would have won the match. Many participants and coaches stated that they were surprised by Sayers' strong performance and expected him to take a wild card spot; St. Pierre was shown telling Sayers that he would fight for him.

On the same episode, controversy surrounded the wild card picks on the show when Marc Stevens

Marc Stevens

Marc Stevens was an American erotic performer. He is sometimes credited as Mark '10½' Stevens or Mark Stevens....

was chosen for a spot despite Sayers' strong performance in his loss to Chivitchian. Prior to Sayers' match, Stevens quickly lost his match against Cody McKenzie

Cody McKenzie

Cody McKenzie is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the lightweight division. A professional MMA competitor since 2007, McKenzie mostly competed in his regional circuit, before signing with the Ultimate Fighting Championship to appear on The Ultimate Fighter: Team GSP vs...

in 17 seconds via submission to guillotine. It was stated by UFC President Dana White

Dana White

Dana White is the current President of the Ultimate Fighting Championship , a mixed martial arts organization based in the United States.- Biography :...

that Stevens was chosen because he had more potential and skill than he had been able to show. Many participants on the show, as well as viewers, felt that White had backtracked on his previous comments that he wanted to see them "fight their hearts out," in which case Sayers would have been an obvious pick. In an interview, Team GSP's Kyle Watson

Kyle Watson

Kyle Watson is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the lightweight division. A professional MMA competitor since 2003, Watson mostly competed in his regional circuit, before signing with the Ultimate Fighting Championship to appear on The Ultimate Fighter: Team GSP vs...

commented that "the criteria changed to the best chance to win over who fought hard." Coincidentally, Stevens went on to lose to fellow Team Koscheck member Aaron Wilkinson

Aaron Wilkinson

Aaron Wilkinson is an English professional mixed martial artist who competes in the lightweight division. A professional MMA competitor since 2008, Wilkinson mostly competed in the English domestic circuit, before signing with the Ultimate Fighting Championship to appear on The Ultimate Fighter:...

in the second round via submission to guillotine. For the rest of the season, Sayers mostly seen prepping Watson several times for his matches against Wilkinson and Jonathan Brookins

Jonathan Brookins

Jonathan Brookins is a mixed martial artist who competes in the featherweight and lightweight divisions. A professional MMA competitor since 2006, Brookins has mostly fought in Florida, as well as competing in The Ultimate Fighter: Team GSP vs. Team Koscheck...

Mixed martial arts record

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|Win
|align=center|9-2
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Grand Forks, North Dakota

Grand Forks is the third-largest city in the U.S. state of North Dakota and the county seat of Grand Forks County. According to the 2010 census, the city's population was 52,838, while that of the city and surrounding metropolitan area was 98,461...

, United States

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

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|Loss
|align=center|8-2
|

Marcus Levesseur

Marcus LeVesseur

Marcus LeVesseur is an American mixed martial artist who is currently a promotional free agent and fights as a lightweight. As a college wrestler, LeVesseur was undefeated and untied, with a record of 155–0. He won four NCAA Division III individual national titles, and was a member of two teams...

Bloomington, Minnesota

Bloomington is the fifth largest city in the U.S. state of Minnesota in Hennepin County. Located on the north bank of the Minnesota River above its confluence with the Mississippi River, Bloomington lies at the heart of the southern...

, United States

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

|
|-
|Win
|align=center|8-1
|

Grand Forks, North Dakota

, United States

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

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|Loss
|align=center|7-1
|

Fargo, North Dakota

Fargo is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Dakota and the county seat of Cass County. In 2010, its population was 105,549, and it had an estimated metropolitan population of 208,777...

, United States

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

|Championship Fight
|-
|Win
|align=center|7-0
|

Fargo, North Dakota

Fargo is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Dakota and the county seat of Cass County. In 2010, its population was 105,549, and it had an estimated metropolitan population of 208,777...

, United States

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

|Championship Fight - Light Heavyweight
|-
|Win
|align=center|6-0
|

Fargo, North Dakota

Fargo is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Dakota and the county seat of Cass County. In 2010, its population was 105,549, and it had an estimated metropolitan population of 208,777...

, United States

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

|
|-
|Win
|align=center|5-0
|

Fargo, North Dakota

Fargo is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Dakota and the county seat of Cass County. In 2010, its population was 105,549, and it had an estimated metropolitan population of 208,777...

, United States

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

|
|-
|Win
|align=center|4-0
|

New Town, North Dakota

As of the census of 2000, there were 1,367 people, 488 households, and 318 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,031.6 people per square mile . There were 512 housing units at an average density of 760.9 per square mile...

, United States

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

|
|-
|Win
|align=center|3-0
|

New Town, North Dakota

, United States

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

|
|-
|Win
|align=center|2-0
|

New Town, North Dakota

, United States

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

|
|-
|Win
|align=center|1-0
|

Fargo, North Dakota

Fargo is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Dakota and the county seat of Cass County. In 2010, its population was 105,549, and it had an estimated metropolitan population of 208,777...

, United States

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

Mixed martial arts exhibition record

{| class="wikitable sortable" border="1" style="font-size:85%; text-align:left;"
| align="center" style="border-style:none none solid solid; background:#f0f0f0;"|Result
| align="center" style="border-style:none none solid solid; background:#f0f0f0;"|Record
| align="center" style="border-style:none none solid solid; background:#f0f0f0;"|Opponent
| align="center" style="border-style:none none solid solid; background:#f0f0f0;"|Method
| align="center" style="border-style:none none solid solid; background:#f0f0f0;"|Event
| align="center" style="border-style:none none solid solid; background:#f0f0f0;"|Date
| align="center" style="border-style:none none solid solid; background:#f0f0f0;"|Round
| align="center" style="border-style:none none solid solid; background:#f0f0f0;"|Time
| align="center" style="border-style:none none solid solid; background:#f0f0f0;"|Location
| align="center" style="border-style:none none solid solid; background:#f0f0f0;"|Notes
|-
|Lose
|align=center|1-1
|

Sako Chivitchian

Sako Chivitchian is an Armenian-born mixed martial arts fighter who competes in the lightweight division. He immigrated to the United States of America and is presently based in Los Angeles...

|Decision (Unanimous)
|The Ultimate Fighter: Team GSP vs. Team Koscheck

The Ultimate Fighter: Team GSP vs. Team Koscheck

The Ultimate Fighter: Team GSP vs. Team Koscheck is the twelfth installment of the Ultimate Fighting Championship produced reality television series The Ultimate Fighter....

|
|align=center|2
|align=center|5:00
|

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...

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|-
|Win
|align=center|1-0
|

Ariel Sexton
|Submission (Standing Rear-Naked Choke)
|The Ultimate Fighter: Team GSP vs. Team Koscheck

The Ultimate Fighter: Team GSP vs. Team Koscheck

The Ultimate Fighter: Team GSP vs. Team Koscheck is the twelfth installment of the Ultimate Fighting Championship produced reality television series The Ultimate Fighter....

Las Vegas, Nevada

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External links

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