Grand Canyon University Athletics
Escudero turns wrestling into MMA/UFC career
10/1/2008 10:17:34 AM | Wrestling
Efrain Escudero grew up in Somerton, Ariz., wanting to fight. Now the Grand Canyon University wrestler is doing it professionally.
Escudero, who is still attending the Christian university, was selected by Ultimate Fighting Championships for "The Ultimate Fighter," a Mixed Martial Arts reality show based in Las Vegas.
Following the completion of the school year in May, Escudero attended trials after applying for the UFC show. He was interviewed during the selection process in Las Vegas. After passing all of his medical exams, he was selected for the show.
Now Escudero is one of 16 finalists who advanced to The Ultimate House, where televised fighting has already begun. He beat Ido Pariente last week, enabling him to find his way into the house. Escudero will fight next week in the round of 16 -- a televised bout on Spike TV.
"I was always a fighter outside of my career. I just decided one day, why not get paid for it?" said Escudero, who wrestled at GCU in the program's first year in 2007-08. "Sure enough, I met the right people. I was at the right time, and he took me under his wing, and that's where I'm at right now."
Escudero signed a financial contract with UFC for the six-week show. As part of the agreement with UFC, he will not be able to continue wrestling. Last year, he went 8-6 on the mat in open tournaments, winning the Utah Valley Open. He placed fourth at the Embry Riddle Open and fifth at the Northern Colorado Open.
