Louis Gaudinot

Louis J. Gaudinot (born August 28, 1984) is an American professional mixed martial artist who formerly competed in the UFC's Flyweight division.

After many years of training, in 2008, Gaudinot made his amateur debut.

A professional competitor since 2009, Gaudinot has also formerly competed on Spike TV's The Ultimate Fighter: Team Bisping vs. Team Miller as a Bantamweight.

Gaudinot began training in martial arts with Tiger Schulmann well over twenty years ago because of where he grew up and how small he was as a child.

Being tiny in a disinvested neighborhood, Louis's parents knew he would have to defend himself at one or many points in his life, so they brought him to the Tiger Schulmann's in Yonkers NY when he was six years old.

Originally, he trained in Kyokushin Karate and over time began also training in grappling.

Gaudinot later earned a fourth-degree black belt in karate.

He held a 3–1 record as an amateur before turning professional in 2009.

Gaudinot signed with New Jersey's Ring of Combat to compete as a professional in April 2009.

His debut came at Ring of Combat 24 against fellow 0-0 fighter, Chris Aquino.

Gaudinot controlled the bout and won the fight via unanimous decision after two, four-minute rounds.

After the fight, he stirred some controversy when he flipped off Aquino's corner.

Gaudinot fought on the next card at Ring of Combat 25 and took his first professional loss, losing a unanimous decision to Nick Cottone.

At Ring of Combat 26, Gaudinot bounced back from his loss to Cottone with a second-round TKO victory over Jeff Cressman.

Two months later Gaudinot was again in action and again was fighting on back-to-back Ring of Combat cards.

On the Ring of Combat 27 card he competed in his first three-round fight, winning via unanimous decision against Nate Williams.

Gaudinot fought against Tuan Pham at Ring of Combat 28, winning the fight via KO in the first round.

The impressive victory earned Gaudinot a chance at the vacant Ring of Combat Flyweight Championship.

His title shot came at Ring of Combat 31 against Jesse Riggleman.

Gaudinot dominated the bout and won via submission (guillotine choke) near the end of the first round.

In 2011, Gaudinot signed with the UFC to compete on The Ultimate Fighter: Team Bisping vs. Team Miller.

In the first episode, Gaudinot faced Paul McVeigh; winning via TKO in the third round.

The win gained Gaudinot entry into the Ultimate Fighter house.

He was selected as a part of Team Bisping.

Gaudinot next fought against Team Mayhem's Dustin Pague.

Gaudinot lost the fight in the second round via rear-naked choke submission.

The fight also won Gaudinot and Pague an additional $25,000 for the fan-voted "Fight of the Season".

Gaudinot made his official UFC debut on December 3, 2011, at The Ultimate Fighter 14 Finale against Johnny Bedford.

Gaudinot lost to Bedford via TKO in the third round.

Gaudinot returned to the flyweight division and faced former Jungle Fight Bantamweight Champion, John Lineker, on May 5, 2012, at UFC on Fox 3.

The bout was contested at a catchweight of 127 lb, as Lineker missed weight.

Gaudinot defeated Lineker via guillotine choke submission in the second round after an action-packed, back-and-forth first two rounds.

Both participants earned Fight of the Night honors for their performances.

Gaudinot was expected to face Darren Uyenoyama on October 5, 2012, at UFC on FX 5.

However, Gaudinot was forced out of the bout with an injury and replaced by promotional newcomer Phil Harris.

Gaudinot faced Tim Elliott on August 31, 2013, at UFC 164.

He lost the fight via dominant unanimous decision.

Gaudinot faced Phil Harris at UFC Fight Night 37.

He won the fight via submission in the first round.

However, on June 20, the win was overturned to a No Contest after it was revealed that Gaudinot had failed his drug test.