Keith Jardine (born October 31, 1975) is an American actor and retired mixed martial artist who most notably competed in the UFC and Strikeforce.

Keith Jardine
Jardine at UFC 100 Fan Expo in Las Vegas
Born (1975-10-31) October 31, 1975 (age 49)
Butte, Montana, United States
Other namesThe Dean of Mean
Height6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight185 lb (84 kg; 13.2 st)
DivisionMiddleweight
Light Heavyweight
Heavyweight
Reach76 in (193 cm)
Fighting out ofAlbuquerque, New Mexico, United States
TeamJackson Wink MMA Academy
RankBlack belt in Gaidojutsu[1]
Years active2001–2012
Professional boxing record
Total4
Wins3
By knockout1
Draws1
Kickboxing record
Total1
Wins1
Mixed martial arts record
Total30
Wins17
By knockout8
By submission2
By decision7
Losses11
By knockout6
By decision5
Draws2
Other information
Websitehttp://www.keithjardine.net
Boxing record from BoxRec
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Background

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Jardine was born in Butte, Montana, moved to Oregon, and finally settled in Los Angeles, California, where he attended Canoga Park High School. Jardine played football and competed in Greco-Roman wrestling in high school under Coach Rudy Lugo, and continued to compete at Los Angeles Pierce College,[2][non-primary source needed] then for his final two years of college as a defensive lineman at New Mexico Highlands University, which has a Division II program. He received a degree in Human Performance and Sport from New Mexico Highlands University. Before focusing on a career in mixed martial arts, Jardine worked as a personal trainer, firefighter, football coach, miner, and bounty hunter. He also played rugby and competed in high-level wrestling tournaments after college before traveling to Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he began training for MMA with Greg Jackson.[citation needed]

Mixed martial arts career

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Jardine made his professional mixed martial arts debut in 2001, defeating Amir Rahnavardi via armbar submission. He would win five out of his next six bouts, suffering one knockout loss to Travis Wiuff six seconds into the fight, before debuting in the Japanese Pancrase organization in 2003. Jardine's bout in Pancrase, with Keiichiro Yamamiya, ended in a draw. Jardine defeated his next two opponents, including a submission win over Red Devil Sport Club fighter Arman Gambaryan, before appearing on The Ultimate Fighter 2.[3][4]

The Ultimate Fighter

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In 2005, Jardine was cast on The Ultimate Fighter 2, a team-based reality television show created by the UFC, as a Heavyweight competitor. He was the first Heavyweight to be chosen by team coach and then UFC Middleweight Champion Rich Franklin. Although considered a favorite to proceed to the Heavyweight division's finals, Jardine was not selected to fight until the semi-finals, where he was defeated by eventual Heavyweight winner and his future sparring partner, Rashad Evans.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

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Jardine made his first appearance on an official UFC fight card at The Ultimate Fighter 2 Finale, defeating fellow TUF 2 Heavyweight Kerry Schall by TKO due to leg kicks. Jardine was signed to the UFC and subsequently dropped down a weight class to the Light Heavyweight division. His next appearance was at UFC 57 where he defeated Mike Whitehead, another The Ultimate Fighter 2 competitor, by unanimous decision.

In April 2006, Jardine fought The Ultimate Fighter 1 Light Heavyweight finalist Stephan Bonnar at Ultimate Fight Night 4. Jardine lost the fight in part due to a very controversial unanimous decision,[5][6] but gained a great deal of fan and media support after the bout. After the fight Jardine stated, "Everyone knows that that Bonnar fight should have been my fight[...] I still get approached everyday about that. I am 3–1, but I don't necessarily look at it that way."[7]

Jardine next faced American Top Team's Wilson Gouveia at The Ultimate Fighter 3 Finale. Although color commentator Joe Rogan believed that he lost the first round, Jardine managed to bounce back and defeat Gouveia via unanimous decision after three rounds. Jardine was then scheduled to fight Mike Nickels, a Light Heavyweight competitor from The Ultimate Fighter 3, but Nickels was forced to withdraw due to a back injury.[8] Instead, he next faced The Ultimate Fighter 1 Light Heavyweight winner Forrest Griffin at UFC 66. Although considered an underdog in the bout, Jardine scored a TKO victory in the first round after he floored Forrest then took the full guard and brought many right hands over the top to cause the stoppage. At UFC 71, Jardine was scheduled to fight UFC newcomer Houston Alexander. During his pre-fight interview, Jardine complained about being matched against an unknown newcomer, believing that he deserved an opponent with a higher profile. During the fight, Jardine quickly knocked Alexander down with a punch, but the newcomer promptly returned to his feet and knocked Jardine out just 48 seconds into the first round in a major upset.

 
Jardine aboard USS Enterprise (CVN-65) demonstrating grappling techniques during a USO tour

Jardine was then matched up against former long-time UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, Chuck Liddell at UFC 76.[9] The bout was Liddell's first fight since losing his belt to Quinton Jackson. Jardine landed numerous unchecked leg kicks and several body kicks to Liddell's side throughout the fight, which was spent almost totally on the feet. The bout was ruled a split decision in Jardine's favor, turning him into a top contender for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship. First, however, Jardine faced former PRIDE Middleweight Champion Wanderlei Silva. Silva swarmed Jardine with punches and knocked him out just 36 seconds into the first round. Jardine had to be helped up after the fight and was sent to the local hospital for observation.[10]

After this loss, Jardine faced Brandon Vera at UFC 89. Although it appeared that Vera damaged Jardine's knee with a front kick in the second round, Jardine ultimately earned a split decision victory over Vera. In a post-fight interview, Jardine stated that the injury was minor. With the victory, Jardine earned a shot at Quinton Jackson at UFC 96. Although the fight was considered an elimination bout for title contention, Jardine and former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Rashad Evans are close friends and training partners and both have stated that they will not fight each other. In a close fight, Jardine lost by unanimous decision. The bout was the Fight of the Night earning them a $60,000 bonus.[11] Jardine was the last man to fight Jackson before his temporary retirement.

Jardine was knocked out by Thiago Silva at UFC 102 1:35 in the first round.

Jardine suffered his second consecutive knockout and third straight loss at the hands of Ryan Bader on February 21, 2010, at UFC 110.[12] After being rocked by a straight right from Bader, he received a flying knee to the ribs and then a hook punch to the chin that knocked him out, two minutes into the third round.[13]

Jardine faced Matt Hamill on June 19, 2010, at The Ultimate Fighter: Team Liddell vs. Team Ortiz Finale.[14] He lost the fight via majority decision, in a bout that earned Fight of the Night honors. Subsequently, he was released by the UFC on June 24, 2010.[15]

Independent promotions

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Jardine's first fight since leaving the UFC was against Shark Fights Light Heavyweight Champion Trevor Prangley in a non-title bout at Shark Fights 13: Jardine vs. Prangley on September 11, 2010. Jardine lost to Prangley via split decision, bringing his losing streak to five-in-a-row.[16] After the fight he was given an indefinite suspension by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation for shoving referee Steve Armstrong prior to the fight.[17]

Jardine was scheduled to face Francisco France at Nemesis Fighting: MMA Global Invasion on November 13, 2010,[18] but the event was postponed to avoid a storm. The new date for the event was December 10, 2010.[19][20]

Jardine defeated Francisco via unanimous decision and snapped his five fight losing streak. The win at Nemesis was surrounded by controversy, as there were no judges at the event. Jardine and other fighters on the card were also never paid by the promotion.[21]

Jardine next took on MFC veteran Aron Lofton in an event near Albuquerque, New Mexico.[22] Jardine was victorious via TKO (punches) at 3:30 of the first round.

Strikeforce

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Jardine signed with Strikeforce as a late replacement for the injured Mike Kyle to face Gegard Mousasi on the April 9th card in San Diego.[23] The hard-fought fight ultimately ended in a majority draw due to Mousasi being docked one point in the first round for an illegal upkick. Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker has stated a rematch may be in the cards in the near future.[24]

Jardine stated that after his fight with Mousasi, he will drop down to the Middleweight division and that he wants to fight former Strikeforce Middleweight Champion Cung Le.[25][26]

Jardine faced Luke Rockhold for the Strikeforce Middleweight Championship at Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Jardine on January 7, 2012.[27] He lost the fight via TKO in the first round.

Jardine next faced Roger Gracie at Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Kennedy on July 14 and lost via unanimous decision after being cut open in the first round by an elbow from mount by Gracie.[28]

In an interview with MMA Fight Corner in 2013, Jardine described himself as "semi-retired" and is unsure if he will return to the cage.[29]

Boxing

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Jardine has fought four bouts as a professional boxer. His professional boxing record is three wins with one draw. His last boxing bout was a draw against Jason Cordova that took place on August 20, 2004.

Film career

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In 2009, Jardine appeared in the movies Crank: High Voltage (starring Jason Statham) and Gamer (starring Gerard Butler). He was also featured in the Breaking Bad (starring fellow Canoga Park High School Alumnus Bryan Cranston) Season 3 episode "I.F.T", where he played a criminal who gets into a bar fight. He has appeared in small roles in various other films such as Tactical Force, Beer For My Horses, Unrivaled[30] and Death Warrior.[31] On February 11, 2013, he starred in the Hawaii Five-O episode titled, Kekoa. In 2014, he appeared in the movies John Wick, Inherent Vice and Shot Caller.[32] In 2016, he appears in Preacher, playing one of Odin's employees, named Verne. He makes a brief appearance in the Bruce Willis film Once Upon a Time in Venice. Jardine played Dyer Howe, a member of Frank Griffin's gang, in the Netflix series Godless, released in November 2017, appearing in the film Bird Box, released in December 2018, and appearing in Season 2, episode 5 of the Marvel/Netflix superhero series The Punisher as the Russian.

He portrays Pete in Vincent D'Onofrio's 2019 film The Kid.[33] In December 2023, he served as director on the psychological thriller Killer Kafé, in his directorial debut.[34]

He also had a minor role playing as Chester in Rose Glass's Love Lies Bleeding (2024).[35]

Personal life

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Jardine is currently[when?] engaged to MMA Women's Atomweight fighter Jodie Esquibel, who was a contestant on The Ultimate Fighter: Team Joanna vs. Team Cláudia.[citation needed] In 2014 Jardine featured on a social media video that went viral where he proceeded to track down a thief and make a citizen's arrest.[36]

Championships and accomplishments

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Mixed martial arts record

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Professional record breakdown
30 matches 17 wins 11 losses
By knockout 8 6
By submission 2 0
By decision 7 5
Draws 2
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 17–11–2 Roger Gracie Decision (unanimous) Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Kennedy July 14, 2012 3 5:00 Portland, Oregon, United States
Loss 17–10–2 Luke Rockhold TKO (punches) Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Jardine January 7, 2012 1 4:26 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Middleweight debut. For the Strikeforce Middleweight Championship.
Draw 17–9–2 Gegard Mousasi Draw (majority) Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Daley April 9, 2011 3 5:00 San Diego, California, United States Mousasi was deducted one point due to an illegal upkick.
Win 17–9–1 Aron Lofton TKO (punches) Fresquez Productions March 4, 2011 1 3:30 Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
Win 16–9–1 Francisco France Decision (unanimous) Nemesis Fighting: MMA Global Invasion December 10, 2010 3 5:00 Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Loss 15–9–1 Trevor Prangley Decision (split) Shark Fights 13: Jardine vs Prangley September 11, 2010 3 5:00 Amarillo, Texas, United States
Loss 15–8–1 Matt Hamill Decision (majority) The Ultimate Fighter: Team Liddell vs. Team Ortiz Finale June 19, 2010 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Fight of the Night.
Loss 15–7–1 Ryan Bader KO (punch) UFC 110 February 21, 2010 3 2:10 Sydney, Australia
Loss 15–6–1 Thiago Silva TKO (punches) UFC 102 August 29, 2009 1 1:35 Portland, Oregon, United States
Loss 15–5–1 Quinton Jackson Decision (unanimous) UFC 96 March 7, 2009 3 5:00 Columbus, Ohio, United States Fight of the Night.
Win 15–4–1 Brandon Vera Decision (split) UFC 89 October 18, 2008 3 5:00 Birmingham, England
Loss 14–4–1 Wanderlei Silva KO (punches) UFC 84 May 24, 2008 1 0:36 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 14–3–1 Chuck Liddell Decision (split) UFC 76 September 22, 2007 3 5:00 Anaheim, California, United States
Loss 13–3–1 Houston Alexander KO (punches) UFC 71 May 26, 2007 1 0:48 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 13–2–1 Forrest Griffin TKO (punches) UFC 66: Liddell vs. Ortiz December 30, 2006 1 4:41 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Knockout of the Night.
Win 12–2–1 Wilson Gouveia Decision (unanimous) The Ultimate Fighter: Team Ortiz vs. Team Shamrock Finale June 24, 2006 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 11–2–1 Stephan Bonnar Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night 4 April 6, 2006 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 11–1–1 Mike Whitehead Decision (unanimous) UFC 57: Liddell vs. Couture 3 February 4, 2006 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Light Heavyweight debut.
Win 10–1–1 Kerry Schall TKO (leg kicks) The Ultimate Fighter 2 Finale November 5, 2005 2 3:28 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 9–1–1 Arman Gambaryan Submission (armbar) M-1 MFC: Heavyweight GP December 4, 2004 1 2:37 Moscow, Russia
Win 8–1–1 Tom Elrite KO (punches) Independent Event November 13, 2004 1 2:50 New Mexico, United States
Win 7–1–1 Brian Bair TKO (punches) Venom: First Strike September 18, 2004 1 2:02 Huntington Beach, California, United States
Draw 6–1–1 Keiichiro Yamamiya Draw (unanimous) Pancrase - Hybrid 8 October 4, 2003 2 5:00 Osaka, Japan
Win 6–1 George Allen Decision (unanimous) KOTC 24: Mayhem June 14, 2003 2 5:00 Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
Win 5–1 Allan Sullivan TKO (punches) KOTC 21: Invasion February 21, 2003 2 1:56 Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
Win 4–1 Bryan Pardoe KO (punches) KOTC 20 - Crossroads December 15, 2002 1 1:09 Bernalillo, New Mexico, United States
Win 3–1 Philip Preece Decision (unanimous) KOTC 14 - 5150 June 19, 2002 2 5:00 Bernalillo, New Mexico, United States
Loss 2–1 Travis Wiuff KO (punch) EC 46 February 16, 2002 1 0:06 Clive, Iowa, United States
Win 2–0 Abe Andujo TKO (punches) Rage in the Cage 31 November 7, 2001 1 1:20 Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Win 1–0 Amir Rahnavardi Submission (armbar) GC 5 August 19, 2001 1 2:44 Denver, Colorado, United States

Mixed martial arts exhibition record

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Professional record breakdown
1 match 0 wins 1 loss
By knockout 0 0
By submission 0 0
By decision 0 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 0–1 Rashad Evans Decision (unanimous) The Ultimate Fighter 2 October 31, 2005 (air date) 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States TUF 2 Semi-finals bout.

Professional boxing record

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4 fights 3 wins 0 losses
By knockout 1 0
By decision 2 0
Draws 1
No. Result Record Opponent Method Round, time Date Location Notes
4 Draw 3–0–1   Jason Cordova PTS 6 Aug 20, 2004   Isleta Casino & Resort, Albuquerque, New Mexico
3 Win 3–0   Augustine Trujillo MD 4 Jun 27, 2004   Sandia Casino, Albuquerque, New Mexico
2 Win 2–0   Che Velarde UD 4 May 5, 2004   Radisson Graystone Castle, Thornton, Colorado
1 Win 1–0   Jose Beltran TKO 2 (4) Dec 12, 2003   Kiva Auditorium, Albuquerque, New Mexico Professional debut

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Martial Arts Styles". Archived from the original on 2009-09-05. Retrieved 2009-09-16.
  2. ^ "LA Pierce College-Keith Jardine". Retrieved 2014-01-01.
  3. ^ Gross, Josh (March 6, 2009). "For Jardine, It's Friends First, Business Second". Sports Illustrated. CNN. Archived from the original on March 10, 2009. Retrieved August 24, 2011.
  4. ^ "Keith Jardine". Best Fighters. Retrieved August 24, 2011.
  5. ^ Sloan, Mike (June 27, 2006). "TUF Veterans Bonnar, Evans Vying for Respect". Sher Dog. Retrieved August 4, 2011.
  6. ^ "UFC 96: Jackson vs. Jardine Predictions: The Main Card". 7 March 2009.
  7. ^ Archuleta, Daniel (October 13, 2006). "Keith Jardine: Climbing to the Top". Sherdog.
  8. ^ Nickels vs. Jardine is Off - MMA on Tap
  9. ^ "UFC 76 Fight Card". UFC. Archived from the original on 2007-08-24.
  10. ^ "UFC 84: Ill Will". UFC.com. Archived from the original on 2008-02-29. Retrieved 2008-03-08.
  11. ^ "Jackson, Jardine and Hamill earn $60K UFC 96 bonuses". MMAjunkie.com. February 8, 2009. Archived from the original on July 10, 2012. Retrieved February 8, 2009.
  12. ^ "RYAN BADER VS. KEITH JARDINE FOR UFC 110". MMAWeekly.com. Retrieved 2009-12-02.
  13. ^ "UFC 110: Ryan Bader KOs Keith Jardine". 20 February 2010.
  14. ^ "Matt Hamill vs. Keith Jardine targeted for The Ultimate Fighter 11 Finale". MMAjunkie.com. Archived from the original on 2010-03-27. Retrieved 2010-03-25.
  15. ^ "Longtime UFC Fighter Keith Jardine Cut Following Recent Loss". 24 June 2010.
  16. ^ Hunt, Loretta (12 September 2010). "Prangley Hands Jardine 5th Straight Loss". Sherdog. Mandatory. Evolve Media, LLC. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
  17. ^ Saenz, Oliver (18 September 2010). "It Just Keeps Getting Worse: Keith Jardine Dealt a Possible Death-Blow Via an Indefinite Suspension". Fighters. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
  18. ^ Holland, Jesse (5 October 2010). "MMA 'Global Invasion' featuring Keith Jardine, Paul Buentello, Dean Lister and more on Nov. 13 in Punta Cana". MMA MANIA. Vox Media, LLC. Retrieved 9 October 2010.
  19. ^ Whitman, Mike (3 November 2010). "Nemesis Fight Postponed to Avoid Storm". Sherdog. Mandatory. Evolve Media, LLC. Retrieved 10 November 2010.
  20. ^ "UFC vet Keith Jardine returns December 13 at "Nemesis Fighting: MMA Global Invasion"". Fighters. 2011. Archived from the original on 19 March 2016. Retrieved 29 November 2010.
  21. ^ Petit, John (14 December 2010). "Keith Jardine Win At Nemesis Surrounded By Controversy". Sports Betting World. Retrieved 14 December 2010.
  22. ^ Whitman, Mike (15 January 2011). "Jardin Returns, Holm Debuts on March 4 in New Mexico". Sherdog. Mandatory. Evolve Media, LLC. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
  23. ^ Tim (2 April 2011). "Keith Jardine replaces Mike Kyle, faces Gegard Mousasi on April 9th Strikeforce card". MMA Interplay. Archived from the original on 24 March 2012. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
  24. ^ Morgan, John (10 April 2011). "Strikeforce boss: Keith Jardine and Gegard Mousasi will "probably" meet again to break tie". MMA Junkie. USA Today UFC Media Group. Archived from the original on 15 May 2012. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
  25. ^ Helwani, Ariel (10 April 2011). "Keith Jardine Explains Why He Thinks He Beat Gegard Mousasi". MMAFighting.com. San Diego: Vox Media, LLC. Retrieved 10 April 2011.
  26. ^ Burke, Tim (2 August 2011). "leweight-cung-le". Bloody Elbow. Vox Media, LLC. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
  27. ^ Brookhouse, Brent (2 December 2011). "Keith Jardine vs. Luke Rockhold Planned for Strikeforce Middlweight Title". bloodyelbow.com. Vox Media, LLC. Retrieved 22 December 2011.
  28. ^ Martin, Damon (10 May 2012). "Lawler vs. Larkin, Gracie vs. Jardine Confirmed for Strikeforce July 14 Show". mmaweekly.com. Retrieved 22 May 2012.
  29. ^ Fang, Heidi (January 27, 2013). "Keith Jardine "I'm semi-retired"". MMA Fight Corner. Archived from the original on 1 July 2013. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
  30. ^ "Preview of MMA actioner 'Unrivaled'". Kung Fu Cinema. 2009. Archived from the original on 26 October 2009. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
  31. ^ Erickson, Matt (11 June 2010). "As Rampage Jackson's 'A-Team' Hits Theaters, a Look at MMA Stars on Film". MMA Fighting. Vox Media, LLC. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
  32. ^ Bryan (1 August 2013). "Keith Jardine Joins 'Vice'". Cigs and Red Vines. Blogspot. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
  33. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (19 July 2017). "Vincent D'Onofrio Taps 'Valerian's Dane DeHaan To Play Billy The Kid In Suretone Western". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
  34. ^ Cardinale, John (December 13, 2023). "First movie begins filming in New Mexico since SAG AFTRA strike". KOAT. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
  35. ^ "Love Lies Bleeding (2024) - IMDb". IMDb.
  36. ^ Scott, Ben (January 25, 2014). "Note to thieves: it's not a good idea to steal from former UFC fighters". MMA Kanvas. Archived from the original on February 23, 2014. Retrieved February 21, 2014.
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