Dean Richard “Boogeyman” Lister is an American mixed martial arts fighter and a former KOTC champion. Currently, Dean competes under the Middleweight division. He was the assistant coach on the third season of The Ultimate Fighter.
Dean Lister grew up in a military family. He spent his early years in various South American countries including Venezuela and Panama. After moving around numerous cities in the United States, his family decided to settle in San Diego, where Dean joined High School.
During his high school years, Dean Lister was a wrestling champion. After high school, there was an inclination towards Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Around this time period, Dean Lister was already the U.S. National Sambo Champion. In San Diego, he enrolled for an introductory class at Fabio Santos Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy. In the unique sport of Jiu Jitsu, Dean found a new challenge; as he was already well versed with the concept of groundwork.
Since 1996, Dean Lister has contended in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Dean earned a supreme place for himself in the sport within a short time span. He is considered as one of the greatest grappler ever. Dean Lister is also a National Gracie Jiu Jitsu Champion.
He undertook training for Fabio Santos in 1997. In 2002, Dean Lister traveled to Brazil to train the highly acclaimed “Top Team” Academy or Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Rio de Janeiro.
In 2000, Dean Lister was an Abu Dhabi invitee. It was a great honor considering the fact that the Prince of Abu Dhabi selects only the top 16 fighters of each weight class from Olympic wrestlers, world class Sambo and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu fighters. He returned to Abu Dhabi in 2003 and defeated four world champion grapplers consecutively. He set a new tournament record and became the Absolute Champion.
Dean won the North American ADCC in 2002. He was also nominated as the Tap Out (MVP) Fighter of the Night.
In ‘King of the Cage’, a mixed martial arts (MMA) event, Dean Lister secured the #1 Middleweight ranking. He has also defended his title in many events.
Dean Lister’s fighting carrier boasts of 111 wins and 12 losses. More than 90 victories came by submission. Dean Lister has never been knocked out in the MMA tournament. |
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