Costas_Philippou

Costas Philippou

Costas Philippou

Cypriot mixed martial arts fighter

Constantinos Philippou (Greek: Κωνσταντίνος Φιλίππου, born November 29, 1979) is a retired Greek-Cypriot mixed martial artist. He formerly fought for the UFC's Middleweight division.

Quick Facts Born, Residence ...

Early life

Philippou was born in Limassol on 29 November 1979.

Career

Boxing

Philippou began boxing in 1994 and had his first fight six months later. In 2005, his best friend and coach Polis encouraged him to move to the United States to become a professional. Costas fought in the Golden Gloves two months after coming to the United States, but lost in the finals at Madison Square Garden by a split decision to Nagy Aguilera. Philippou then turned pro and had three fights three wins, the third being featured on ESPN. Costas transitioned to MMA after disputes with his manager and coach.

MMA

Philippou made his professional MMA debut in May 2008 for the Ring of Combat promotion, losing to fellow future UFC fighter Ricardo Romero by split decision. However, he subsequently amassed a record of 7 wins, 1 loss and 1 no contest within that promotion. Philippou had previously trained with the Serra-Longo Fight Team, but as of May 30, 2013, he decided to switch camps to Bellmore Kickboxing Academy. According to Matt Serra, Philippou left the team on good terms.[3]

The Ultimate Fighter 11

Philippou first made his appearance in the UFC on The Ultimate Fighter: Team Liddell vs. Team Ortiz. However, he never made it as part of the cast to move into the house after losing to Joseph Henle via submission in the opening elimination bout.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Philippou got a second chance in the UFC after stepping in as a late replacement for Dan Miller, who was moved up the card to face Nate Marquardt, facing Nick Catone at UFC 128 in a catchweight bout of 195 pounds.[4] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Philippou was expected to face BJJ black belt Rafael Natal on August 6, 2011, at UFC 133, replacing an injured Riki Fukuda.[5] However, an injury forced Alessio Sakara out of his main card bout against Jorge Rivera, and Philippou was pulled from his bout with Natal and named as Sakara's replacement against Rivera.[6] Philippou won the fight via split decision, earning his first UFC victory.

Philippou faced off against Jared Hamman on December 10, 2011, at UFC 140.[7] He won the match via KO at 3:11 in the first round.

Philippou fought TUF 11 winner Court McGee on March 3, 2012, at UFC on FX 2.[8] He won the fight via unanimous decision after a back and forth bout.

Philippou next defeated Riki Fukuda via unanimous decision on July 7, 2012, at UFC 148.[9]

Philippou was expected to face Nick Ring on November 17, 2012, at UFC 154[10] however, the fight was cancelled on the day of the event as Ring fell ill.[11]

Philippou replaced his injured training partner Chris Weidman against Tim Boetsch at UFC 155 on December 29, 2012.[12] Philippou was victorious with a third round TKO stoppage.

Philippou was expected to face Ronaldo Souza on May 18, 2013, at UFC on FX 8.[13] However, Philippou pulled out of the bout in early May, citing a cut above his eye, and was replaced by Chris Camozzi.[14][15]

Philippou next faced Francis Carmont at UFC 165.[16] He lost the fight via unanimous decision (30–26, 30–27, 30–27).

Philippou faced Luke Rockhold on January 15, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 35.[17] He lost the fight via KO in the first round.[18]

Philippou faced Lorenz Larkin in the co-main event at UFC Fight Night 40.[19] He won the fight via knockout in the first round.

Philippou was expected to face Uriah Hall on January 18, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 59,[20] however, Philippou would be forced out the bout due to injury.[21]

Philippou faced Gegard Mousasi on May 16, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 66.[22] He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

On July 7, 2015, Philippou retired from MMA. Earlier in the day, he made his Twitter account private, with an avatar that read, "THIS ACCOUNT IS NO LONGER IN SERVICE. PLEASE UNFOLLOW."[23] The UFC then confirmed via Twitter that he had told them of his retirement.[24][25]

Personal life

Philippou resides in New York City.

Championships and accomplishments

  • Ring of Combat
    • ROC Middleweight Championship (1 time)

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
19 matches 13 wins 5 losses
By knockout 7 1
By submission 1 0
By decision 5 4
No contests 1
More information Res., Record ...

See also

References

  1. [1]
    "Fight Card - UFC Fight Night Brown vs. Silva". UFC.com. Archived from the original on May 10, 2014. Retrieved May 11, 2014.
  2. [2]
    Michael Drahota (September 17, 2013). "UFC 165 fight card: Costa Philippou vs Francis Carmont fight preview". MMAmania.
  3. [3]
    "Costa Philippou leaves Team Serra-Longo". mmafighting.com. May 30, 2013.
  4. [4]
    "Nick Catone now meets Costa Philippou in UFC 128 catchweight fight". mmajunkie.com. March 12, 2011. Archived from the original on 2012-10-26.
  5. [5]
    "Replacement Costa Philippou meets Rafael "Sapo" Natal at UFC 133". MMA Junkie. June 20, 2011. Archived from the original on July 10, 2012. Retrieved June 20, 2011.
  6. [6]
    "With Alessio Sakara out, Costa Philippou faces Jorge Rivera at UFC 133". MMA Junkie. July 25, 2011. Archived from the original on October 26, 2012. Retrieved July 25, 2011.
  7. [7]
    "Jared Hamman vs. Costa Philippou added to UFC 140 in Toronto". mmajunkie.com. October 25, 2011. Archived from the original on July 14, 2012. Retrieved December 28, 2011.
  8. [8]
    "Court McGee vs. Costa Philippou added to UFC on FX 2". mmajunkie.com. December 27, 2011. Archived from the original on July 22, 2012. Retrieved December 28, 2011.
  9. [9]
    "UFC 148 adds middleweights Fukuda vs. Philippou". mmajunkie.com. 2012-03-21. Archived from the original on 2012-07-10. Retrieved 2012-03-21.
  10. [10]
    "Middleweights Nick Ring, Costa Philippou Set to Square Off at UFC 154 in Toronto". Sherdog.com. 2012-09-16.
  11. [11]
    "Nick Ring Ill, Philippou Bout Pulled from 154 | UFC".
  12. [12]
    "Chris Weidman out at UFC 155, Constantinos Philippou now fights Tim Boetsch". mmajunkie.com. November 21, 2012. Archived from the original on January 3, 2013. Retrieved November 21, 2012.
  13. [13]
    "Constantinos Philippou vs. 'Jacare' Souza targeted for UFC on FX 8 in Brazil". mmajunkie.com. 2013-02-15. Retrieved 2013-02-15.
  14. [14]
    Ariel Helwani (May 3, 2013). "Injury forces Costa Philippou out of 'Jacare' Souza fight at UFC on FX 8". mmafighting.com. Retrieved May 3, 2013.
  15. [15]
    Staff (May 3, 2013). "Chris Camozzi ersätter mot 'Jacare', Natal möter nu nykomlingen Joao Zeferino". mmanytt.se. Retrieved May 3, 2013.
  16. [16]
    Staff (2013-07-30). "Francis Carmont meets Constantinos Philippou at UFC 165 in Toronto". MMA Junkie. Retrieved 2013-07-30.
  17. [17]
    Staff (2013-11-17). "UFC Fight Night 35 in Georgia adds Luke Rockhold-Constantinos Philippou as main event". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2013-11-17.
  18. [18]
    "UFC Fight Night 35 - Rockhold vs. Philippou".
  19. [19]
    Staff (2014-03-02). "Lorenz Larkin vs. Constantinos Philippou slated for UFC Fight Night 40 in Cincinnati". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-03-02.
  20. [20]
    Staff (2014-10-29). "Uriah Hall-Costas Philippou added to UFC Fight Night 59". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-10-29.[permanent dead link]
  21. [21]
    Staff (2015-01-01). "Costas Philippou forced off UFC Fight Night 59 main card with injury". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-01-01.
  22. [22]
    Staff (2015-03-02). "UFC Fight Night 66 adds Mousasi vs. Philippou, Lim vs. Magny". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-03-02.
  23. [23]
    Mookie Alexander [@mookiealexander] (July 7, 2015). "Pretty ominous sign regarding Costas Philippou. Check the profile pic" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  24. [24]
    Dave Sholler [@DaveSholler] (July 7, 2015). "@mookiealexander he has indicated to UFC that he has retired. That should end the speculation for you" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  25. [25]
    Mookie Alexander (2015-07-07). "UFC middleweight Costas Philippou retires". bloodyelbow.com.
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