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TREVOR PRANGLEY
Mixed Martial Artists
Trevor Prangley won the first ever Bodog Middleweight Championship at BodogFIGHT 7/14 in Trenton NJ. He handled Yuki Kondo in rounds 1 & 2, winning the belt from a stoppage due to cuts. Prangley talks about how he’s found a home in Bodog in this interview from the guys of The Fight Card.
Born in Cape Town, South Africa in 1972, Trevor Prangley grew up on a small farm tending horses, sheep, and chickens with his mother, father, brother, and sister. When Trevor was only 4 years old, his father asked him if he wanted to sign-up for wrestling classes at a local club. He didn't know it then, but that was the beginning of a long career in wrestling.
 Trevor wrestled throughout his youth in South Africa. He won numerous regional and state titles and at age 23 captured the national title. This brought him close to his goal of making the South African Olympic team, but he lost the qualifying match in overtime and had to settle for alternate status. Disappointed and dissatisfied with the level of training he was receiving, Trevor decided to go to the United States to further his Olympic dreams.
He left his family behind and headed to Couer D' Alene, Idaho. His hope was to make the lineup and secure a scholarship at North Idaho College (NIC), a local community college. This gamble paid off. Trevor received All-American status both years at NIC. Unfortunately, during the final match of his second year while ahead on points, Trevor tore his ACL and placed runner up. Frustrated that his eligibility was gone and he had not reached his goal of becoming a national champion, Trevor considered returning home to South Africa. Those thoughts soon disappeared as he began to receive numerous scholarship offers to continue wrestling at four-year schools. He was now motivated to begin aggressive rehab.
Despite doctor's predictions that it would be 9 months before being able to wrestle again, Trevor found a local Jiu-Jitsu school and began to train. Jiu-Jitsu enabled him to stay in shape and still have something to compete in while recovering. Just six months later, in 1998, he had his first amateur MMA fight. Even though he lost this fight to decision, he realized that mixed martial arts was the sport for him. He cancelled his plans to resume college wrestling and went on a 19 fight winning streak before turning pro in 2001.
His pro-career started as a light heavyweight at 205 pounds. He achieved six straight wins before fighting Renato "Babalu" Sobral, his toughest fight to date. It was losing this fight that made Trevor realize he was too small for the 205 weight class. He decided to drop to a middleweight where he could feel more comfortable and strong. This proved to be a good decision. Trevor won his first fight at 185 pounds over Andrei Semenov of Russia and secured a fight in the UFC.
Brandon Dudley vs Trevor Prangley
"During my career I have had the opportunity to train with many great fighters and coaches. I feel privileged as I received something from all of them and they all have a claim to my success and getting to my goal of fighting in the UFC. Among these are Derek Cleveland, Guy Mezger, Tra Telligman, Ken Shamrock, Travis Lutter, Josh Thomson, Dave Camorelo, Javier Mendez and Crazy Bob Cook who is the best corner man in the game today. I want to thank them all."
Trevor currently lives in Couer D' Alene, Idaho with his wife and son. There is he co-owner, along with friend and partner Derek Cleveland, of Lions Den Team Idaho a MMA and fitness school. They also promote pro and amateur shows in the Northern Idaho area.
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