Rudy Bears

Rudy Bears is a former American professional mixed martial artist, who competed in the Welterweight division.

A professional competitor since 2007, Bears has formerly competed for Bellator, Strikeforce, Titan Fighting Championships and M-1 Global.

Bears is from Independence, Missouri and had a troubled upbringing, involving himself with street gangs and crime.

He originally attended Van Horn High School but was caught trying to steal a car and as a result, was placed in jail for one month while looking at seven years in the penitentiary.

It was during this time in jail, at the age of 17, that Bears decided to turn his life around.

He wrote a heartfelt letter to the judge, who gave the young Bears a second chance.

The judge released Bears on probation while in exchange Bears would have to finish high school and stay out of trouble, Bears then graduated from Truman High School and began practicing the martial arts.

Before competing in professional mixed martial arts, Bears competed as an amateur in the International Combat Sport Federation, primarily as a Middleweight, and won three ICSF titles.

Bears made his professional debut against future Strikeforce veteran and current UFC Lightweight, Isaac Vallie-Flagg.

Bears won the bout in the first round via rear-naked choke submission.

Bears then compiled a record of 10-3 with one-fight stints in the Titan Fighting Championships and M-1 Global organizations, winning both by TKO.

After the TKO win for M-1 Global, in a catchweight bout of 175 lbs.

Bears was invited to compete in Strikeforce.

Bears made his Strikeforce and Welterweight debut against then-undefeated future UFC veteran, Tyron Woodley in the main event, Strikeforce Challengers: Woodley vs. Bears on November 20, 2009.

Bears lost the fight via arm-triangle choke submission and would not return to Strikeforce, as Bears then signed with the Bellator Fighting Championships.

Bears made his Bellator debut at Bellator 16 against Brent Weedman and was knocked out in the first round, the first knockout loss of Bear's career.

He then appeared three more times for the organization, going 2-1 in his next three fights with the loss being a rematch with Zak Cummings, who had defeated Bears early in his career.

After his stint in Bellator, Bears signed with the Titan Fighting Championships and made his debut for the organization against former UFC Welterweight, Jason High.

Bears lost the bout via technical submission 51 seconds into the fight after refusing to tap out due to a guillotine choke submission.

After bouncing back with a win via rear-naked choke submission, Bears has lost six of his last eight fights competing for both Bellator and Titan FC.

Following a win over Zak Bucia, Bears defeated Josh Weston via rear-naked choke submission on January 17, 2015 at Shamrock FC: Shock to earn himself the promotion's vacant Welterweight title and a Bellator contract.

Bears faced Michael Page at Bellator 140 on July 17, 2015.

He lost the fight via knockout in the first round.

Bears next faced Neiman Gracie at Bellator 163 on November 4, 2016.

He lost the fight via submission in the first round.