Dean Lister

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Dean Lister
Born (1976-02-13) February 13, 1976 (age 48)
San Diego, California, U.S.
Other namesThe Boogeyman, The Machine, Mr. Fister
NationalityAmerican
Height6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight220 lb (100 kg; 15 st 10 lb)
DivisionMiddleweight
Light Heavyweight
Heavyweight
Reach75 in (191 cm)
StyleSubmission wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu
TeamFabio Santos Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (until 2003)
Victory MMA (2007–present)[1]
Rank4th degree black belt in BJJ[a]
Black belt in Luta Livre[3]
Years active2000–2009; 2012, 2015
Mixed martial arts record
Total20
Wins13
By submission11
By decision2
Losses7
By decision7
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Medal record
Representing  United States
Men's Submission Wrestling
ADCC World Championship
Gold medal – first place 2003 São Paulo Absolute
Gold medal – first place 2005 Long Beach SuperFight
Gold medal – first place 2011 Nottingham -99kg
Silver medal – second place 2013 Beijing -99kg
ADCC North American Championships
Gold medal – first place 2002 Los Angeles -99kg

Dean Richard Lister (born February 13, 1976) is a retired American mixed martial artist (MMA) and submission grappler. He is a 4th degree Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) black belt,[a] luta livre black belt,[3] and coach. Lister is considered a pioneer of grappling and mixed martial arts.[4]

In MMA, Lister competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and PRIDE. He is a former King of the Cage Middleweight Champion. In submission grappling, Lister won two ADCC World Championship tournaments and the ADCC Superfight Championship.

Early life[edit]

Lister grew up in a military family and lived in several South American countries, including Venezuela and Panama. Lister speaks several languages. He lived in Panama during the U.S. invasion in 1989, and, according to Lister, he was "right in the middle of a serious combat zone".[5] After living in several different cities in the United States, Lister's family settled in San Diego for Lister's high school years, where he attended Hilltop High School.[6]

Career[edit]

Lister often fought as a kid, mostly due to a combination of being the "new kid", a foreigner, and being small for his age. The need to protect himself led Lister to wrestling and martial arts. He started wrestling in high school, and became the high school division wrestling champion and a U.S. National Sambo Champion.[citation needed] Shortly after graduating from high school, Lister visited the Fábio Santos Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy in San Diego with his wrestling teammates, and became very interested in the sport. He started competing in Brazilian jiu-jitsu in 1996, six months after he started training.[citation needed]

From 1997–2003, Lister worked as an instructor for Santos. Lister teaches both beginner and advanced students at Victory MMA in San Diego. The classes typically begin with Dean teaching submission grappling techniques from various grappling arts he's accumulated during the years, followed by sparring.[7]

He maintains that it is "the biggest and most challenging sport that exists".[5] Lister does not favor any particular technique, although he is mostly known for his leg attacks (foot locks and knee locks). Lister is a high school wrestling champion, two-time U.S. National Sambo champion, four-time U.S. Machado National Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Champion (weight class and open class), and a National Gracie Jiu Jitsu champion.[citation needed]

It is worth noting that one of Lister's MMA losses is against Nathan Marquardt, despite previously submitting him in the 2003 ADCC tournament.[8]

Lister was a King of the Cage Middleweight Champion, and defended his title several times before losing to Jeremy Horn in a Light Heavyweight fight. KOTC stripped Dean of his title after the loss, even though it was at a higher weight class. Years later, Lister avenged this loss by submitting Jeremy Horn with a guillotine choke in the TUF 7 finale.

Lister lost a three-round unanimous decision to Yushin Okami at UFC 92 on December 27, 2008, dropping his UFC record to 4–2. He subsequently requested to be released from his UFC contract, and has since signed with the Maximum Fighting Championship.

Dean Lister and Renato Sobral fought to a draw at Metamoris 3 in a submission wrestling match.[9]

In the co-main event of Metamoris 4 on August 9, 2014, Lister faced Josh Barnett to determine the inaugural Metamoris Heavyweight Champion.[10] Barnett became the first person in sixteen years to defeat Lister via submission, submitting Lister with a scarf hold in the final thirty seconds of the match.[11][12]

ADCC[edit]

Lister competed in the first ADCC North American trial in 2002, winning the under 99kg division.[13] He was then invited to compete at ADCC 2003 and won the absolute division at the tournament before returning in 2005 to become the Superfight champion, defeating Jean Jacques Machado. He claimed the gold medal again in 2011 in the under 99 kg division by submitting João Assis in the final by a heel hook. He also submitted jiu-jitsu world champion Rodolfo Vieira, in his weight division, also with a heel hook.[14] At the 2013 ADCC in Beijing, China, Lister defeated Cristiano Lazzarini in the semi-finals of the under 99 kg division by heel hook but would go on to lose on points in the finals to João Assis; In the absolute division Lister submitted both Hideki Sekine and João Gabriel Rocha by heel hook before losing to Marcus Almeida in the semi-finals. Lister also lost to Keenan Cornelius in the bronze medal match both on points.

Lister is notable for an ADCC triple crown by winning his weight division, the absolute division and a superfight.[15] In 2022, Lister earned the honor of being part of the inaugural class of the ADCC Hall of Fame and was the first American to be included.[16]

Coaching career[edit]

Lister's sparring partner and former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, Tito Ortiz, invited him to be his assistant grappling coach on the third season of the Spike TV reality show, The Ultimate Fighter.

Lister will serve as a coach alongside Roger Gracie, Jean Jacques Machado, and Rigan Machado on season 6 of the Professional Grappling Federation on April 21 to 26, 2024.[17]

Personal life[edit]

[18] In April 2021, Lister was hospitalized due to being involved in a hit and run which resulted in a ruptured spleen.[19]

Dean Lister portrait taken during his seminar in Pedro Bessa BJJ Gym, Cork, Ireland.

Mixed martial arts record[edit]

Professional record breakdown
20 matches 13 wins 7 losses
By submission 11 0
By decision 2 7
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 13–7 Michael Knaap Submission (heel hook) Fightor 1 January 17, 2015 1 N/A Charleroi, Belgium
Win 12–7 Rodney Moore Submission (inverted heel hook) Cage Contender 13 March 28, 2012 3 2:44 Belfast, Northern Ireland
Loss 11–7 Thales Leites Decision (unanimous) MFC 23 December 4, 2009 3 5:00 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Loss 11–6 Yushin Okami Decision (unanimous) UFC 92 December 27, 2008 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 11–5 Jeremy Horn Submission (guillotine choke) TUF 7 Finale June 21, 2008 1 3:53 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 10–5 Jordan Radev Decision (unanimous) UFC 79 December 29, 2007 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 9–5 Nate Marquardt Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night 8 January 25, 2007 3 5:00 Hollywood, Florida, United States
Win 9–4 Yuki Sasaki Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night 6 August 17, 2006 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 8–4 Alessio Sakara Submission (triangle choke) UFC 60 May 27, 2006 1 2:20 Los Angeles, California, United States
Loss 7–4 Ricardo Arona Decision (unanimous) PRIDE Total Elimination 2005 April 23, 2005 3 5:00 Osaka, Japan 2005 PRIDE Middleweight Grand Prix Opening round.
Win 7–3 Akira Shoji Submission (triangle choke) PRIDE Bushido 6 April 3, 2005 1 3:13 Yokohama, Japan
Loss 6–3 Amar Suloev Decision (split) PRIDE Bushido 4 July 19, 2004 2 5:00 Nagoya, Japan
Loss 6–2 Jeremy Horn Decision (majority) KOTC 31: King of the Cage 31 December 6, 2003 4 5:00 San Jacinto, California, United States For the KOTC Light Heavyweight Championship.
Win 6–1 James Lee Submission (armbar) KOTC 29: Renegades September 5, 2003 1 N/A San Jacinto, California, United States Defended the KOTC Middleweight Championship.
Win 5–1 Brian Sleeman Submission (double armbar) KOTC 25: Flaming Fury June 29, 2003 1 1:14 San Jacinto, California, United States Defended the KOTC Middleweight Championship.
Win 4–1 Brendan Seguin Submission (triangle choke) KOTC 16: Double Cross August 2, 2002 3 4:37 San Jacinto, California, United States Won the KOTC Middleweight Championship.
Win 3–1 Jacen Flynn Submission (kimura) KOTC 12: Cold Blood February 9, 2002 2 4:28 San Jacinto, California, United States
Win 2–1 Jerry Jenkins Submission (heel hook) KOTC 11: Domination September 29, 2001 1 4:24 San Jacinto, California, United States
Loss 1–1 Jacen Flynn Decision (split) KOTC 7: Wet and Wild February 24, 2001 3 5:00 San Jacinto, California, United States
Win 1–0 John Jensen Submission (kneebar) KOTC 5: Cage Wars September 16, 2000 1 1:50 San Jacinto, California, United States

Grappling record[edit]

Professional record breakdown
39 matches 24 wins 13 losses
By submission 19 3
By decision 5 10
Draws 2
Result Opponent Method Event Division Year
Loss Russia Muhammad Kerimov Submission (shoulder injury during an Ezekiel choke) ACBJJ Superfight 2015
Loss Brazil Yuri Simoes Points (3-5) ADCC 2015 Absolute 2015
Win Brazil Ricardo Mesquita Submission (heel hook) ADCC 2015 Absolute 2015
Loss United States Orlando Mario Sanchez Referee Decision ADCC 2015 +99 2015
Win South Korea Hyung Chul-Lee Submission (armlock) ADCC 2015 +99 2015
Loss United States Keenan Cornelius Submission (reverse triangle choke) Polaris Professional Jiu Jitsu Invitational Superfight 2015
Loss United States Josh Barnett Submission (scarf-hold choke) Metamoris IV Superfight 2014
Draw Brazil Renato Sobral Draw Metamoris III Superfight 2014
Win Finland Janne-Pekka Pietiläinen Referee Decision Macaco Branco Primates Superfight 2014
Win Brazil Tarsis Humphreys Submission (heel hook) World Jiu-Jitsu Expo Superfight 2013
Loss United States Keenan Cornelius Points ADCC 2013 Absolute 2013
Loss Brazil Marcus Almeida Points ADCC 2013 Absolute 2013
Win Brazil João Gabriel Rocha Submission (heel hook) ADCC 2013 Absolute 2013
Win Japan Hideki Sekine Submission (heel hook) ADCC 2013 Absolute 2013
Loss Brazil João Assis Points ADCC 2013 -99 kg 2013
Win Brazil Cristiano Lazzarini Submission (heel hook) ADCC 2013 -99 kg 2013
Win United States Ezra Lenon Submission (heel hook) ADCC 2013 -99 kg 2013
Win China Jia Jing Jang Submission (heel hook) ADCC 2013 -99 kg 2013
Loss Brazil João Assis Referee Decision Grapplers Quest: UFC Fan Expo Absolute 2013
Win United States Kyle Griffin Submission (toe hold) Grapplers Quest: UFC Fan Expo Absolute 2013
Draw Brazil Alexandre Ribeiro Draw Metamoris I Superfight 2012
Win Brazil Ricardo Abreu Submission (heel hook) Grapplers Quest: UFC Fan Expo Superfight 2012
Win Brazil João Assis Submission (heel hook) ADCC 2011 -99 kg 2011
Win Brazil Rodolfo Vieira Submission (heel hook) ADCC 2011 -99 kg 2011
Win Poland Radek Turek Submission (heel hook) ADCC 2011 -99 kg 2011
Win Brazil Augusto Ferrari Points ADCC 2011 -99 kg 2011
Loss Brazil Vinny Magalhães Points ADCC 2009 Absolute 2009
Loss Brazil Glover Teixeira Points ADCC 2009 -99 kg 2009
Win Denmark Andreas Olsen Submission (triangle choke) ADCC 2009 -99 kg 2009
Win Brazil Jean Jacques Machado Points ADCC 2005 Superfight 2005
Win Brazil Alexandre Ferreira Submission (heel hook) ADCC 2003 Absolute 2003
Win Brazil Márcio Cruz Points (3-0) ADCC 2003 Absolute 2003
Win Brazil Saulo Ribeiro Submission (kneebar) ADCC 2003 Absolute 2003
Win United States Nate Marquardt Submission (kimura) ADCC 2003 Absolute 2003
Loss Brazil Alexandre Ribeiro Points ADCC 2003 -99 kg 2003
Win Sweden Ilir Latifi Submission (guillotine choke) ADCC 2003 -99 kg 2003
Loss United States Marc Laimon Points (2-4) Grapplers Quest West Absolute 2000
Win Peru Tony DeSouza Points (4-2) Grapplers Quest West Absolute 2000
Win United States Sean Sprangler Submission (neck crank) Grapplers Quest West Absolute 2000

Instructor lineage[edit]

Kano JigoroTomita TsunejiroMitsuyo "Count Koma" MaedaCarlos Gracie, Sr.Helio GracieRickson Gracie → Fabio Santos → Jeffrey Higgs → Dean Lister

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ a b under Jeffrey Higgs[2]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Fight Finder: Dean Lister". Sherdog. 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-16.
  2. ^ "Dean Lister". BJJ Heroes - Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Team History, Fighter Stats, Biographies and News. 2011-07-03.
  3. ^ a b "Cadastro Oficial de Faixas Pretas da Federação". Luta Livre Submission. 2023-03-30. Retrieved 2023-03-30.
  4. ^ "Dean Lister". BJJ Fanatics. 1970-01-01.
  5. ^ a b UFC. "Dean Lister profile". Archived from the original on 2006-05-20. Retrieved 2009-01-07.
  6. ^ "Jocko Podcast 137 w/ Dean Lister: If You Know the Way Broadly, You Will See It in All Things". YouTube.
  7. ^ DeanLister.com (2006). "Official Homepage of Dean Lister". Official Homepage of Dean Lister, World Champion Grappler. Retrieved 2006-06-12.
  8. ^ ADCC 2003 - Dean Lister vs. Nathan Marquardt at youtube
  9. ^ "Metamoris 3: Bravo vs. Gracie Results". mmanuts.com. Retrieved March 29, 2014.
  10. ^ "Event Info: Metamoris 4". Metamoris. June 27, 2014. Archived from the original on June 25, 2014. Retrieved June 27, 2014.
  11. ^ "GIF: Josh Barnett wears black diaper, submits Dean Lister via neck crank at Metamoris 4". MMAmania.com. August 9, 2014. Retrieved September 27, 2015.
  12. ^ Jones, Phil (June 21, 2023). "Throwback: Josh Barnett Submits Dean Lister At Metamoris 4". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
  13. ^ de Souza, Diogo. "Throwback: The First Ever ADCC Trial Takes Place In 2002". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  14. ^ [1][dead link]
  15. ^ "ADCC Hall of Fame". adcombat.com. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
  16. ^ "Dean Lister Becomes First American in ADCC Hall of Fame". 4 January 2022.
  17. ^ de Souza, Diogo. "Four BJJ Legends Confirmed As PGF Season 6 Coaches Lineup Finalized". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
  18. ^ Dean Lister Comes Home for UFC Debut Saturday "I had personal issues with my family stuff and I lost a lot of my motivation," Lister admitted. He attended San Diego State University.
  19. ^ BjjTribes (2021-04-20). "BJJ legend Dean Lister hospitalized with ruptured spleen after hit and run". BjjTribes. Retrieved 2021-04-20.

External links[edit]