The Past and Future 06.29.09: James Irvin

Posted by Robert Steele on 06.29.2009

From bizarre and controversial finishes to flash KOs of his opponents, 411’s Robert Steele takes a look at the career of James Irvin, including a preview of his UFC 102 fight with Wilson Gouveia! Check out the full column for all the details!

In only 19 professional fights, James Irvin has already been involved in just about any kind of result to a fight that you can imagine. He has delivered two flash KOs, injured his knee mid-fight, had a DQ win from an illegal knee, and was involved in a no contest due to a cage door being not properly closed. After a full year layoff since his loss to Anderson Silva, James Irvin will fight Wilson Gouveia at UFC 102 in August.

The Past

Born in Huntington Beach, California, James Irvin transitioned from college football to a career in MMA after an excited interest from taking jiu-jitsu classes.

Irvin's first fights took place in his home state of California, the first five with Gladiator Challenge. Irvin impressed, winning all five fights with the first round, four by KO/TKO and one armbar submission.

He moved to the bigger WEC promotion and became the first WEC Heavyweight Champion with a TKO win over Jody Poff. Two months later he defended the title by beating Houssain Oushani with a first round KO.

With his impressive streak, Irvin debuted with the UFC at UFC 51 against Mike Kyle. Kyle, with his knockout power, obtained a KO victory over Irvin in the first round. Irvin's 7-0 streak was ended.

Irvin returned to WEC three months later to fight Doug Marshall at WEC 15:

Round 1

They clinched early. Both fighters connected with punches to break out of the clinch. Irvin stepped in and threw a good combo, and then a leg kick, which caused Marshall to fall. Some more clinching started near the cage. Irvin connected with some big knees, before Marshall escaped the clinch. Irvin threw some good combo punches mixed with leg kicks. More clinching against the cage, but they broke after briefly trading knees and punches. Irvin charged and picked up Marshall by the waist and slammed him to the mat. Irvin attempted an armbar, but ended up losing top position in the process. Marshall threw some body punches within Irvin's guard. Irvin attempted a kimura, but to no avail. They got stood up. Irvin threw some good knees both outside and inside the clinch to end the round.

Marshall was a bloody mess at the end of the round. The entire break involved Marshall's corner cleaning the blood off of him.

Round 2

Marshall ducked a flying knee attempt by Irvin. Irvin landed some clean strikes. Marshall held Irvin against the cage. Irvin threw a big knee to the liver and dropped Marshall for the KO.

Coming off the win, Irvin returned to the UFC to fight Terry Martin at UFC 54. It was a quick night of work for Irvin. To start the fight, Martin went for a takedown and Irvin went for a flying knee. The end result was a nine second KO win for Irvin.

Irvin then fought TUF superstar Stephan Bonnar at Fight Night 3. Bonnar was off a win over Sam Hoger, and before that a loss -- but memorable fight -- to Forrest Griffin. Bonnar kept the pressure early in the fight. They clinched and Bonnar managed to get a take-down. Bonnar worked from half-guard, attempting a kimura. Bonnar looked to attempt an armbar, but Irvin managed an escape and got back to stand-up. They clinched again and Bonnar managed another takedown. From side control Bonnar tried for the kimura again, and after a while, managed to get the first round submission over Irvin.

Another loss followed at WEC 19 to Lodune Sincaid. With IFC Irvin bounced back, earning his first ever decision victory by beating William Hill.

With Strikeforce in June of 2006, Irvin had a bizarre fight with Bobby Southworth. The fight was ruled a no contest after both fighters slammed through the cage door which was in the process of being locked shut by an outside official. Irvin has mentioned in interviews that he cannot discuss the details regarding this fight due to his signing of a document following the fight.

James Irvin earned a win following the debacle, fighting with Valor Fighting. He then returned to the UFC at UFC 65 to fight Hector Ramirez, a fighter he had trained with prior:

Round 1

Irvin used leg kicks to create space between him and Ramirez. Ramirez threw a punch to the head followed by a quick takedown attempt. Irvin managed to get back to his feet and withdraw. Ramirez pushed with pressure and held Irvin up against the cage. Ramirez connected with a knee to the body from the cage clinch, sending Irvin down, but only briefly. Ramirez found another take-down, almost had side control, but Irvin rolled and gave up his back instead. Ramirez looked for the choke. Irvin rolled from his knees, to his side, and back again, trying to find an escape. With Ramirez high on his back, Irvin escaped through the legs and took the fight back to standing. Irvin connected with a wild head kick, causing Ramirez to stumble, but also causing himself to fall. Irvin started throwing a flurry, with Ramirez countering with some clean punches. A blocked head kick caused Irvin to fall. Ramirez went into Irvin's guard. Ramirez stood, then took side control, and Irvin quickly gave up his back again. At the close of the round, with Ramirez raining blows from behind, Irvin started to stand and attempted a back fist. Between rounds, Irvin's corner told him not to give up his back so easily.

Round 2

A good counter punch by Ramirez and a flurry of punches with Irvin against the cage opened the round. Irvin backed Ramirez away with a leg kick. Some patience standing by both fighters until Irvin threw a Superman punch, with not much result. More patience. Ramirez stepped in for a left hook, Irvin threw a quick counter punch, which caused Ramirez to drop. Irvin walked away prematurely, raising his arm in victory, but then realizing the fight was not over, attacked Ramirez on the ground to get the stoppage.


In the end, it was a sloppy fight by Irvin and Ramirez was most certainly winning on the judges' cards. Irvin capitalized on a big mistake by Ramirez. Who knows why Ramirez stopped the flurry near the start of round two. He backed away after a leg kick, but it may have been a conscious effort not to gas himself out. Irvin's superior conditioning may have been the true factor in the fight.

Irvin's next fight against Thiago Silva could not deliver the excitement expected from two wild KO fighters. A right hand and a leg kick by Irvin caused Silva to go to the ground early. Silva managed to get back to his feet and press Irvin to the cage. Irvin had a loose guillotine, but with being pressed against the cage, had nowhere to go with it. Silva tossed Irvin for a takedown, and during the fall Irvin injured his knee. Herb Dean stepped in and stopped the fight following the screams of Irvin, giving Silva the win.

The next fight for Irvin also ended in a disappointing result. At UFC 79, Irvin fought Luiz Cane. Cane connected with some good combination punches to the head at the start of the fight. Irvin landed a couple punches of his own, then threw Cane against the cage. Cane appeared to slip and Irvin let him get back to his feet. Irvin threw a body kick which was caught and Cane took him down in the process. Cane couldn't find position on the ground so he backed off. As Irvin was attempting to stand -- with a knee still down -- Cane threw a knee to the head, which landed on Irvin's left eye. Initially Mazzagatti deducted a point from Cane, but as Irvin appeared wobbly, Mazzagatti, with the assistance of the doctor, called the fight. The final result was a disqualification, making Irvin the winner.

Irvin could not escape controversy in his next fight against Houston Alexander either. As Alexander engaged and stepped in, Irvin threw a Superman punch to knock down Alexander. Irvin pounced and punched Alexander who was not completely limp, but was down with his head back receiving the blows cleanly. Steve Mazzagatti jumped in and stopped the fight after a record breaking 8 second KO. Irvin only landed two punches following his KO punch, with only one of those being flush. The controversial stoppage is a close call, since the early jumping in by Mazzagatti may have saved Alexander from some inevitable and unnecessary blows. With Alexander's head back on the mat, it did not appear that he would recover quickly and move to defend. Alexander's arms, however, although far away from protecting his face, appeared tense. We will never know for sure if he could have avoided the barrage. Nonetheless, it was still an impressive counter punch over high profile Houston Alexander.

A foot injury caused the cancellation of a potential fight against Rashad Evans, but opened the door for the opportunity to fight Anderson Silva who would be jumping up to 205lbs. Irvin jumped on the opportunity, which he said four other fighters had turned down.

The fight stated started with early feeling out from Silva who established some leg kicks. Irvin missed with a wild kick to the body. Another kick that looked aimed toward either Silva's body or high on his leg, was caught. While holding the leg, Silva threw a punch, which connected flush on Irvin's face. Silva continued and rained several undefended blows to finish the fight, leaving Irvin in a bloody mess.

Following the fight, Irvin tested positive for painkillers. This accompanied by injuries has led to a long layoff. He is slated to make his return following the long hiatus to fight Wilson Gouveia at UFC 102, being a replacement for Chael Sonnen.

The Future

For all the excitement and KO power that James Irvin brings, he has had his fair share of fights end to a chorus of boos. Still, Gouveia like Irvin doesn't take too many fights to a decision so this one will be hyped as a potentially exciting fight.

What is interesting about this fight is that Irvin will be moving down to middleweight to fight Gouveia. While he has had some big wins at light-heavyweight, he never had any consistency and even some of his wins showed weaknesses in his game.

Irvin's strengths lie in his athleticism and conditioning. He has good and powerful striking, but at times he can get caught throwing wild kicks. Anderson Silva quickly made Irvin pay for that mistake. On the ground Irvin does not have much offense, but he does manage to be flexible enough to escape submission attempts, and be strong enough to make his way back to stand-up.

Gouveia has been only a little more consistent in the UFC. I would give Gouveia a slight edge in the fight since he has better jiu-jitsu and can also trade strikes. Many seem to think Gouveia may stand and trade with Irvin, but I think Gouveia will look for takedowns while Irvin searches for a KO.

In any event, it will be over a year since Irvin last fought. That and the change in weight class means we could see a whole new James Irvin.