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Gary H. Goodridge

Gary Goodridge with Martial Arts Students

Gary Henry Goodridge, also known as "Big Daddy", is a retired Trinidadian-Canadian super heavyweight kickboxer, heavyweight mixed martial artist and professional arm wrestler. Gary fought professionally in the Ultimate Fighting Championships and the Pride Fighting Championships. Prior to kickboxing and MMA, Gary won the World Championship of Arm Wrestling. Currently Gary is training and mentoring fighters, making appearances at seminars across North America, volunteering throughout his community, and looking to actively connect with fans new and old.

Goodridge was a world champion in arm wrestling, and was able to defeat the likes of Sharon Remez and John Brzenk in 1991, and again in 1994. Goodridge was also the super heavyweight amateur boxing champion of Canada. In 1996, Goodridge was offered status of 4th degree black belt in kuk sool won, and a free dobak, if he would represent their school at the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He took two classes in kuk sool won before making his MMA debut in the eight-man tournament at UFC 8: David vs. Goliath in San Juan, Puerto Rico. In the quarter-finals, he faced wrestler Paul Herrera and won using a "goose neck." This was the only submission hold he had learned before the event.

 

Gary Goodridge Seminars & Appearances

Gary Goodridge is available for seminars and other personal appearances.
Contact Gary today so that he can be part of your next seminar and share his stories from a legendary fighting career.
Coaching Mentor & Coach Train with a Living Legend
Brian Moore: Promoter 937-765-2748 One-of-a-Kind Seminars
Legend Meet the Living Legend Gary Goodridge Appearances

A Lifetime of Professional Fighting

Pride Fighting ChampionshipIn late 1997, Goodridge was recruited to compete in Japan's PRIDE Fighting Championships. He made his promotional debut against Russian grappler Oleg Taktarov at PRIDE1 on October 11, 1997 and knocked his opponent out almost five minutes into the match. He returned at PRIDE 2 on March 15, 1998, where he lost to Brazilian vale tudo fighter Marco Ruas. He then recorded a knockout win over Amir Rahnavardi at PRIDE 3, and a KO loss to Igor Vovchanchyn at PRIDE 4 respectively. Pride Fighting Championships
 
UFCGary Goodridge was in UFC 8: David vs. Goliath in San Juan, Puerto Rico. In the quarter-finals, he faced wrestler Paul Herrera (whom Goodridge outweighed by nearly 80 lbs) and won in violent fashion by using a "goose neck", the only submission hold he had learned before the event. After Herrera attempted a fireman's carry, Goodridge trapped both of his arms in a crucifix position and proceeded to deliver multiple elbow blows to the helpless Herrera's head, ending the bout in 13 seconds. Ultimate Fighting Championships
 
 
KickboxingGoodridge made his kickboxing debut in 1999 at K-1 Revenge, against Musashi and lost the fight by disqualification. His first win in K-1 came against Mike Bernardo by technical knockout at the K-1 World Grand Prix 2002 in Las Vegas in 2002. Following this, he took part in the opening round of the 2002 K-1 World Grand Prix against Jérôme Le Banner and was knocked out 42 seconds into the match. In 2005, Goodridge participated in two K-1 World GP tournaments held in United States. Professional Kickboxing
 
Professional Arm WrestlingIn 1986 Gary heard about a contest called the Canadian Over-the-Top Arm Wrestling Competition. The tournament was being initiated for Sylvester Stallone’s upcoming movie called Over the Top, about an underdog arm wrestler. The Canadian Over-the-Top Tournament was held at the Convention Center in Toronto and featured a field of about 200 of the nation’s most accomplished pullers. The tournament was structured in a double-elimination style, which meant that each competitor had to lose twice in order to be eliminated. Professional Arm Wrestling
 
 

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