Gianpiero Villante is an American mixed martial artist

Mixed martial arts

Mixed Martial Arts is a full contact combat sport that allows the use of both striking and grappling techniques, both standing and on the ground, including boxing, wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, muay Thai, kickboxing, karate, judo and other styles. The roots of modern mixed martial arts can be...

. He is currently the heavyweight

Heavyweight (MMA)

The heavyweight division in mixed martial arts generally groups fighters between .Although many ambiguities exist within the lower weight classes regarding division naming and weight limits, the Heavyweight division is, for the most part, uniform...

 champion for Lou Neglia's Ring of Combat

Ring of Combat

Ring of Combat is a US-based Mixed Martial Arts organization based in Atlantic City, NJ.. Several Ring of Combat events have aired on HDNet Fights, including ROC XVIII and ROC XXI.- History :...

 promotion. Fighting out of Long Island, New York, he trains at Bellmore Kickboxing Academy under trainer Keith Trimble, as well as Long Island MMA. Prior to his fighting career, he projected as a linebacker prospect in the NFL.

Biography

Villante was born in Wantagh, New York

Wantagh, New York

Wantagh is a hamlet and census-designated place in Nassau County, New York, United States...

. He graduated from General Douglas Macarthur High School Class of 2003. During his junior year, he placed 3rd in the New York State Wrestling Championships. He followed this up his senior year by winning the state championship. He was equally accomplished in football, in which he received the 2002 Thorpe Award winner as the top football player in Nassau County, also the Bill Piner Award as the top linebacker in Nassau County and was named to the High School Heisman All-Star team. He attended Hofstra University

Hofstra University

Hofstra University is a private, nonsectarian institution of higher learning located in the Village of Hempstead, New York, United States, about east of New York City: less than an hour away by train or car...

 from 2003-2007 where he continued his highly successful football and wrestling careers .. Having been named a 2004 1st Team Defensive I-AA All-American by The Sports Network

The Sports Network

The Sports Network, commonly abbreviated as TSN, is a Canadian English language Category C specialty channel and is Canada's leading English language sports TV channel. TSN premiered in 1984, in the first group of Canadian specialty cable channels...

, he was regarded as a potential NFL quality linebacker, the New York Giants

New York Giants

The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...

, New York Jets

New York Jets

The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...

, Indianapolis Colts

Indianapolis Colts

The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League ....

, & Philadelphia Eagles

Philadelphia Eagles

The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...

 all expressed interest in Villante.

Mixed Martial Arts Career

After defeating Strikeforce

Strikeforce

Strikeforce is a U.S.-based mixed martial arts and kickboxing organization based in San Jose, California. It is headed by CEO Scott Coker and owned by Zuffa, LLC...

 veteran Mike Cook in his last fight for the vacant Ring of Combat

Ring of Combat

Ring of Combat is a US-based Mixed Martial Arts organization based in Atlantic City, NJ.. Several Ring of Combat events have aired on HDNet Fights, including ROC XVIII and ROC XXI.- History :...

 Heavyweight

Heavyweight (MMA)

The heavyweight division in mixed martial arts generally groups fighters between .Although many ambiguities exist within the lower weight classes regarding division naming and weight limits, the Heavyweight division is, for the most part, uniform...

 title, Villante will make his light heavyweight debut at Ring of Combat XXIX with aspirations on becoming a champion in two weight classes. However Villante lost this fight due to breaking his elbow and has moved back up to Heavyweight.

Strikeforce

On January 11, 2011, it was announced that Villante had signed a multi-fight deal with Strikeforce

Strikeforce

Strikeforce is a U.S.-based mixed martial arts and kickboxing organization based in San Jose, California. It is headed by CEO Scott Coker and owned by Zuffa, LLC...

. For his debut, he face Chad Griggs

Chad Griggs

Chad Griggs is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the heavyweight division. A professional MMA competitor since 2005, Griggs has made a name for himself fighting in his home state of Arizona. He is currently signed with Strikeforce...

 in one of three heavyweight grand prix reserve bouts at Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Silva

Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Silva

Strikeforce / M-1 Global: Fedor vs. Silva was a mixed martial arts event. It took place on February 12th, 2011 at the Izod Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey...

. He lost the fight via TKO in the first round.

Mixed martial arts record

|-
| Win
|align=center| 8-3
|   Keith Berry
| Decision (unanimous)
| Strikeforce Challengers: Gurgel vs. Duarte

Strikeforce Challengers: Gurgel vs. Duarte

Strikeforce Challengers: Gurgel vs. Duarte was a mixed martial arts event held by Strikeforce. The eighteenth Challengers episode took place on August 12, 2011 at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada.-Background:...

|
|align=center| 3
|align=center| 5:00
|Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...

, United States

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

|
|-
| Loss
|align=center| 7-3
|   Lorenz Larkin

Lorenz Larkin

Lorenz Larkin is an American mixed martial artist, who competes in the light heavyweight division for the Strikeforce promotion.-Early life:...

| Decision (unanimous)
| Strikeforce Challengers: Terry vs. Fodor
|
|align=center| 3
|align=center| 5:00
|Kent, Washington

Kent, Washington

Kent is a city located in King County, Washington, United States, and is the third largest city in King County and the sixth largest in the state. An outlying suburb of Seattle, Kent is also the corporate home for companies such as REI and Oberto Sausage...

, United States

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

|
|-
| Loss
|align=center| 7–2
|   Chad Griggs

Chad Griggs

Chad Griggs is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the heavyweight division. A professional MMA competitor since 2005, Griggs has made a name for himself fighting in his home state of Arizona. He is currently signed with Strikeforce...

| TKO (punches)
| Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Silva

Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Silva

Strikeforce / M-1 Global: Fedor vs. Silva was a mixed martial arts event. It took place on February 12th, 2011 at the Izod Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey...

|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 2:49
|East Rutherford, New Jersey

East Rutherford, New Jersey

East Rutherford is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 8,913. It is an inner-ring suburb of New York City, located west of Midtown Manhattan....

, United States

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 7–1
|   Joseph Reyes
| TKO (punches)
| Ring of Combat XXXIII
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 1:03
|Atlantic City, New Jersey

Atlantic City, New Jersey

Atlantic City is a city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States, and a nationally renowned resort city for gambling, shopping and fine dining. The city also served as the inspiration for the American version of the board game Monopoly. Atlantic City is located on Absecon Island on the coast...

, United States

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

|
|-
| Loss
|align=center| 6–1
|   Demetrius Richards
| TKO (arm injury)
| Ring of Combat XXIX
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 3:27
|Atlantic City, New Jersey

Atlantic City, New Jersey

Atlantic City is a city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States, and a nationally renowned resort city for gambling, shopping and fine dining. The city also served as the inspiration for the American version of the board game Monopoly. Atlantic City is located on Absecon Island on the coast...

, United States

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 6–0
|   Mike Cook
| Submission (rear-naked choke)
| Ring of Combat XXVIII
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 1:36
|Atlantic City, New Jersey

Atlantic City, New Jersey

Atlantic City is a city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States, and a nationally renowned resort city for gambling, shopping and fine dining. The city also served as the inspiration for the American version of the board game Monopoly. Atlantic City is located on Absecon Island on the coast...

, United States

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 5–0
|   Marcelo Pereira
| KO (punch)
| Ring of Combat XXVII
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 3:59
|Atlantic City, New Jersey

Atlantic City, New Jersey

Atlantic City is a city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States, and a nationally renowned resort city for gambling, shopping and fine dining. The city also served as the inspiration for the American version of the board game Monopoly. Atlantic City is located on Absecon Island on the coast...

, United States

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 4–0
|   Rob Wince
| KO (head kick)
| Ring of Combat XXVI
|
|align=center| 2
|align=center| 1:25
|Atlantic City, New Jersey

Atlantic City, New Jersey

Atlantic City is a city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States, and a nationally renowned resort city for gambling, shopping and fine dining. The city also served as the inspiration for the American version of the board game Monopoly. Atlantic City is located on Absecon Island on the coast...

, United States

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 3–0
|   Joe Abouata

Joe Abouata

Joe Abouata is an American heavyweight mixed martial artist. "A-Poc" holds titles as the BCX North American Heavyweight Champion and the USKBA North American Heavyweight Champion....

| TKO (punches)
| Ring of Combat XXV
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 1:48
|Atlantic City, New Jersey

Atlantic City, New Jersey

Atlantic City is a city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States, and a nationally renowned resort city for gambling, shopping and fine dining. The city also served as the inspiration for the American version of the board game Monopoly. Atlantic City is located on Absecon Island on the coast...

, United States

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 2–0
|   Paul White
| Submission (rear-naked choke)
| Ring of Combat XXIV
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 1:46
|Atlantic City, New Jersey

Atlantic City, New Jersey

Atlantic City is a city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States, and a nationally renowned resort city for gambling, shopping and fine dining. The city also served as the inspiration for the American version of the board game Monopoly. Atlantic City is located on Absecon Island on the coast...

, United States

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 1–0
|   Randy Durant
| TKO (cut)
| Ring of Combat XXIII
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 0:35
|Atlantic City, New Jersey

Atlantic City, New Jersey

Atlantic City is a city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States, and a nationally renowned resort city for gambling, shopping and fine dining. The city also served as the inspiration for the American version of the board game Monopoly. Atlantic City is located on Absecon Island on the coast...

, United States

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

|