Dan Severn

Dan Severn
Severn in 2016
BornDaniel DeWayne Severn
(1958-06-09) June 9, 1958
Coldwater, Michigan, U.S.
Other namesThe Beast
Height6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight253 lb (115 kg; 18 st 1 lb)
DivisionHeavyweight
Openweight
StyleWrestling
StanceSouthpaw
Fighting out ofMontrose, Michigan
Rank5th Dan Black Belt in Judo
2nd Dan Black Belt in Jujutsu
WrestlingTwo-time NCAA Division I All-American, Olympic alternate 1984, 1988
Years active1991–present (Professional wrestling)
1994–2013 (MMA)
Mixed martial arts record
Total120
Wins101
By knockout23
By submission54
By decision24
Losses19
By knockout5
By submission7
By decision7
Other information
UniversityArizona State University
SpouseRhiannon Severn
Websitedansevern.com
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Medal record
Representing the  United States
Men's freestyle wrestling
World Cup
1986 Toledo100 kg
World Super Championships
1985 Tokyo100 kg
Pan American Championships
1986 Colorado Springs100 kg
Junior World Championships
1977 Las Vegas90 kg
Collegiate Wrestling
Representing the Arizona State Sun Devils
NCAA Division I Championships
1980 Corvallis190 lb
Ring names
  • Dan Severn
  • The Beast
Billed height6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Billed weight250 lb (113 kg)
Billed fromFlint, Michigan
Trained byAl Snow
Debut1992
Retired2023

Daniel DeWayne Severn (born June 8, 1958), nicknamed "the Beast", is an American retired professional wrestler, retired mixed martial artist and amateur wrestler. A UFC Hall of Fame member, Severn is considered one of the leading pioneers of mixed martial arts and the first true world-class wrestler to compete in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He is best known for his success in the early years of the UFC where he became the first UFC Triple Crown champion in history by winning the UFC 5 tournament, Ultimate Ultimate 1995, and UFC Superfight Championship. Severn has also competed in King of the Cage, PRIDE FC, Cage Rage, WEC, RINGS and MFC, and holds a professional MMA Record of 101–19–7.

In professional wrestling, Severn is a two-time world champion by winning the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship twice, with his first reign lasting for over four years, and an NWA Hall of Fame member. During his almost year-long tenure with the World Wrestling Federation, he was managed by Jim Cornette. He is the first man to compete in UFC and WWF at the same time and held the NWA and UFC championships at the same time. Severn is a world record holder for holding 13 championships. He is also the only person to be honored by the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame three times.

In amateur wrestling, Severn was a two time All-American at Arizona State University and a U.S. Olympic Team alternate.