Kevin Randleman Biography: Wife, Age, Death, Net Worth, Height, Parents, UFC Champion, Career

Kevin Christopher Randleman, nicknamed “The Monster,” was an American mixed martial artist and amateur wrestler, celebrated for his tenure as the UFC Heavyweight Champion from 1999 to 2000.

He was a two-time NCAA Division I wrestling champion at Ohio State University, known for his explosive athleticism and powerful striking. Randleman competed in the UFC, PRIDE, Strikeforce, and other promotions, facing elite fighters like Randy Couture, Chuck Liddell, and Mirko Cro Cop.

His iconic knockout of Cro Cop in 2004 remains one of MMA’s biggest upsets. A charismatic figure, Randleman was posthumously inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2020.

Profile

• Full Name: Kevin Christopher Randleman
• Stage Name: The Monster
• Born: 10 August, 1971
• Died: 11 February 2016
• Age: 44 years old
• Birthplace: Sandusky, Ohio, USA
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: Mixed Martial Artist, Professional Wrestler, Coach
• Height: 1.78 m
• Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Randleman
• Siblings: Unknown
• Spouse: Barbara Randleman (m. 2000, div. 2005), Elizabeth Broglia (m. 2009)
• Children: 3
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $2 million

Early Life and Education

Kevin Christopher Randleman was born on August 10, 1971, in Sandusky, Ohio, to Mr. and Mrs. Randleman, also details about his siblings are unknown.

Growing up in a challenging environment in Ohio’s slums, he found discipline through sports, excelling in football, track, and wrestling at Sandusky High School, where he won a state wrestling championship in 1989.

Randleman attended Ohio State University, becoming a two-time NCAA Division I wrestling champion and three-time Big Ten champion, compiling the third-best winning percentage in the program’s history. Academic issues made him ineligible to wrestle his senior year, leading him to Lindenwood University, though he did not complete a degree.

His ethnicity is African-American, and his religion is not publicly disclosed.

Career

Kevin Randleman began his career in mixed martial arts in 1996, debuting at Universal Vale Tudo Fighting 4 in Brazil, where he won the tournament by defeating Luiz Carlos Macial, Geza Kalman, and Dan Bobish.

Recruited by his Ohio State coach Mark Coleman, he joined Team Hammer House and entered the UFC in 1998. Randleman won the UFC 17 Middleweight Tournament and became a top contender by defeating Maurice Smith at UFC 19.

In 1999, he captured the UFC Heavyweight Championship at UFC 23 by defeating Pete Williams, defending it against Pedro Rizzo at UFC 26 before losing it to Randy Couture at UFC 28 in 2000. His early UFC fights showcased his wrestling dominance and raw power.

In 2002, Randleman joined PRIDE Fighting Championships, debuting with a victory over Michiyoshi Ohara at PRIDE 22. He secured notable wins, including a TKO over Kenichi Yamamoto and a knockout of Murilo “Ninja” Rua, earning a shot at the PRIDE Middleweight Championship.

At PRIDE 25 in 2003, he lost to Quinton “Rampage” Jackson in a title eliminator. Randleman’s most memorable moment came at PRIDE Total Elimination 2004, when he knocked out Mirko Cro Cop, a historic upset.

However, losses to Kazushi Sakuraba, Fedor Emelianenko, and Cro Cop in a rematch marked a challenging period. He also competed in professional wrestling in Japan, working for All Japan Pro Wrestling and Pro Wrestling Zero-One from 2002 to 2007.

Randleman’s later career saw him compete in Strikeforce and Sengoku, with a notable win over Ryo Kawamura in 2008. However, injuries, including a staph infection and a dislocated elbow, and losses to fighters like Roger Gracie and Baga Agaev led to his retirement in 2011 with a 17-16 record.

Post-retirement, he coached at his gym in Las Vegas and supported U.S. troops, notably visiting Iraq in 2008 for a combatives tournament. Randleman’s legacy as a pioneer was cemented with his 2020 UFC Hall of Fame induction, the first posthumous honor.

His charisma and athleticism continue to inspire MMA fans, as seen in tributes on X.

Social Media

Kevin Randleman does not have any active social media accounts.

Personal Life

Kevin Christopher Randleman married Barbara Randleman in 2000, and they had three children before divorcing in 2005.

He later married Elizabeth Broglia, his longtime publicist, in 2009, and they remained together until his death on February 11, 2016, from heart failure caused by pneumonia complications.

Net Worth

Kevin Randleman had an estimated net worth of around $2 million USD at the time of his passing in 2016. His wealth came primarily from fight purses and bonuses in the UFC, PRIDE, and Strikeforce, with significant earnings from his UFC Heavyweight Championship reign.

Additional income was generated through professional wrestling in Japan, coaching at his Las Vegas gym, and minor sponsorships.