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| Charlie "The Spaniard" Brenneman |
Charlie Brenneman has had an interesting journey. Born in the small Central Pennsylvania town of Hollidaysburg, he began wrestling at the age of 8 years old. Because of wrestling, Brenneman was able to travel, and his success on a high school level resulted with him attending Division 1 Lock Haven University. In 2004 Charlie was a top 12 finisher at Nationals. After college, Brenneman began teaching Spanish at the school he attended, Hollidaysburg High School. From this Charlie got the nickname "The Spaniard". In 2005 Charlie had the opportunity to audition for a new sports themed reality show on Spike called "Pros Vs. Joes". The audition tape he submitted was accepted and Charlie was a contestant on the first season of the show. He travelled to Los Angeles, and competed against such former professional athletes as Hershel Walker, Kevin Greene, Bill Goldberg, Clyde Drexler, John Rocker, Dominique Wilkins among others. After winning his first show, he went on to the finals and took home the grand prize along with his brother, Ben.
Following the success he had on Pros Vs. Joes, Charlie found Mixed Martial Arts after his need to compete left him feeling like something was missing. In November of 2006 he had his first MMA fight, defeating Kellen Hughes by Unanimous Decision at "Next Level Fighting 7". Between November 2006 and June 2007 Charlie had 5 amateur fights and remained undefeated before turning pro in July of 2007 when he defeated Marcello Olivera at "Extreme Challenge 81". Over the next 14 months Brenneman remained undefeated in 4 more fights before eventually being defeated by future UFC veteran John Howard in a title fight at "Ring of Combat 21" in September of 2008. After this loss, Charlie went back to his winning ways, and amassed 6 more victories for local/regional promotions such as "Iron Will Fighting Championship" (a now defunct promotion formerly operating out of Johnstown, Pa) and "Valley Fight League" out of Virginia that holds events in the Altoona area. In July of 2009 Charlie fought in the first VFL event in Altoona, also know as "Broad Avenue Brawlers 1", where he defeated Mitch Whitesel by Unamious Decision. This win earned him a shot at the VFL Welterweight title, and on October 11th 2009 Brenneman defeated Philip Wyman by TKO in the first round to become the VFL 170 lb champion.
Charlie defended his title for VFL one time before being signed in early 2010 with the Ultimate Fighting Championship, the premier promotion world-wide for Mixed Martial Arts. Charlie started training at AMA Fight Club (American Martial Arts) in New Jersey, training side-by-side with noted UFC fighters as Jim & Dan Miller, Jamie Varner, Andy Main and women's MMA fighter Amanda Nunes. Between March of 2010 and September of 2012 Charlie fought 8 times for the UFC and his record was 4 - 4. Brenneman began his UFC career win a win over Jason High at "UFC Fight Night: Florian Vs. Gomi". His next fight was a loss by KO to the current UFC #1 contender at 170 lbs, Johny Hendricks at "UFC 117: Silva Vs. Sonnen" just 5 months later. Hendricks is a powerhouse that has been on a 5 fight win streak (3 of them by KO or TKO) as he staked his claim for a title shot against long-time UFC Welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre.
In June of 2011 Brenneman was scheduled to fight on the Preliminary fight card at a UFC event in Pittsburgh, but when his opponent had to pull out due to illness it seemed like his opportunity to fight in front of a "home crowd" of Pennsylvanians wouldn't happen. He reported to Pittsburgh to weigh-in so that he could receive his base pay for that fight as stipulated in his contract if he made weight, and at that time Charlie was informed of another option that could result in him being able to fight after-all. When headliner Nate Marquardt was disqualified from fighting due to levels of testosterone being higher than allowable by the Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission Brenneman was offered a spot in the co-main event facing the other competitor of the former main event fight, Rick Story. Another fight match-up was elevated to the main event & Brenneman Vs. Story became the co-main event. Rick Story was a higher ranked fighter than Brenneman had previously faced, and when he won by Unanimous Decision UFC President Dana White praised Brenneman in stepping up to fight Rick Story on such short notice and for his upset win.
After some disappointing losses and some wins where Brenneman was over critical of his inability to "finish fights" in convincing manner to please the decision-makers of the UFC, Charlie was released from the UFC. This would naturally lead to some introspective thinking and a re-evaluation of his career. The UFC is considered to be the pinnacle of Mixed Martial Arts competition, and to be cut from the roster reasonably could result in a person questioning many aspects of life.But, Charlie doesn't seem like most people when it comes to this. According to his website at http://www.charlie-brenneman.com in the "BIO" section we learn this about "The Spaniard":
"Charlie is the product of a great family, to whom he owes all of his successes. They have been with him through the dreams that became reality, but more importantly, the dreams that never came to be. Charlie truly believes adversity is a blessing in disguise; defeat teaches you more than any victory.
Charlie is an idealist. Mixed Martial Arts is a way for him to live the kind of life that he wants to live. His goal is to one day own a gym, which encompasses both wrestling and MMA. In the perfect world, MMA and wrestling will give him the opportunity to affect kids in a positive way and help them reach their maximum potential in life."
Charlie made the decision to drop from the 170 lb division (Welterweight) to the 155 lb division (Lightweight) and began training for his first post-UFC fight. Brenneman returned to the promotion where he reigned as Welterweight champion, and on January 19th 2013 Charlie fought at "VFL 40: Broad Avenue Brawlers 6" and defeated Eric Irvin in the 2nd round by Submission (Rear Naked Choke). With his first fight at Lightweight Brenneman seems to be on his road to redemption and a possible return to the UFC. When asked, Charlie said that he takes "one fight at a time" and that he is hoping to fight again in March or April.
While it is clear that Charlie's main weapon in his arsenal is his wrestling, he has been developing other aspects of his game to become a more well-rounded mixed martial artist. His submission victory over Irvin at
VFL 40 shows how he is evolving as a fighter. While the fight did have him going to the wrestling take-down when Irvin began landing some punches, it was refreshing to see that Brenneman finished the fight with his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu skills rather than his wrestling. When Charlie is on, he's as talented as current Bellator 170 lb champion Ben Askren, he has that much potential & room for improvement. At times when he has put too much emphasis on his wrestling, the results have been less than Brenneman would hope to have. After seeing the video from his VFL 40 performance "The Spaniard" could just be on that road to redemption. I hope he is, and I wish him well in his attempt to get back to the UFC.
Charlie is sponsored by several local companies such as Sheetz, Kranich's Jewelers, Al's Tavern, The Summit Tennis & Athletic Club and RC's Print Specialists as well as Ohio-based MMA apparel company, Intimidation Clothing.
Charlie also developed a fitness program with late friend and coach Don Messing called "Spaniard Fit". The DVD plus other "Spaniard Nation" items can be purchased online at http://spaniard-nation.goodsie.com/
Recently I had the opportunity to ask him a few questions, and I grateful that Charlie took time out of his busy schedule to be interviewed. Here's 10 Questions With Charlie "The Spaniard" Brenneman.
1. Tell us a little about yourself.
I fight at lightweight. My record is 16-5, and I had eight fights in the UFC.
2. How did you get started in MMA?
I started fighting a few years into my teaching career. I had gotten a teaching job, which I liked very much, but I still wanted to compete. Once I competed on Pros vs Joes, my itch to compete was very strong.
3. How did you make the jump from teaching High School into combat sports & MMA?
I did it gradually. When I left teaching, I got my Master's Degree, and once that was completed, I began fighting full time.
4. What do you feel your strengths are as a fighter? What aspects of your training do you feel you need to work on to become a more complete fighter?
Wrestling is by far my greatest attribute. I am consistently working on every aspect of the game.
5. How has training with the Miller Brothers and everyone at AMA in New Jersey helped you develop as a fighter?
Training in NJ has been great. AMA Fight Club, Renzo Gracie, Ricardo Almeida, Frankie Edgar and Chris Liguori - all of these guys have helped me tremendously.
6. Tell us about the Spaniard Fit program?
I developed it w/ my late friend and coach Don Messing. We were having these great workouts, and decided that we would like to share these workouts w/ everyone, so we put them on a DVD, Spaniard Fit. It's a great workout.
7. Who are some of your role models?
My parents and family. I don't really have any athletic role models. Everything I strive for is a result of the way I was raised.
8. Which of your previous fights do you feel is your favorite? (Is there any fighter you would like to fight again?)
My Rick Story fight was my favorite.
9. Now that you won your fight at VFL 40, what's next for you in and what are your continued goals in MMA?
One fight at a time. I am hoping to fight sometime in March or April.
10. Is there anyone you'd like to thank?
My entire team, Team Spaniard. I couldn't do this alone. And of course all of my sponsors, who can be seen at http://www.Charlie-Brenneman.com
