A one-time UFC fighter with an 11-fight career starting in the late 90s, national wrestling champ, and Illinois Medal of Courage recipient has died.
Darrell Gholar, who claimed three U.S. national championships in Greco-Roman wrestling, died Monday following a lengthy health battle. He was 63.
Gholar, who fought Evan Tanner at UFC 18, had suffered a stroke in 2013 that left him paralyzed on his right side. Despite that setback, he doggedly and successfully worked towards walking again, earning the Illinois Medal of Courage in 2023 in the process.
The former fighter’s passing was confirmed by multiple sources this week including Minnesota USA Wrestling.
Among many accomplishments, including being a published poet, the 1985 graduate of the University of Minnesota captained the U.S. National Team in 1986, and was an Olympic Team alternate in 1988. He would later appear on American Gladiators and the lesser known TV series Battle Dome, and would train Vitor Belfort for his fight with Tito Ortiz, among other feats.
In film, Darrell Gholar worked on productions including Looking for Bruce and Sonic Impact, and in 2003, was named one of the top 200 living poets, invited to speak at the National Society of Poets convention that year.
In MMA, Gholar made his debut in 1998 against the far more experienced Brazilian Johil de Oliveira, losing a closely contested bout that lasted 30 minutes. Despite losing his lone UFC fight at UFC 18 the following year, Gholar’s fighting career picked up – he would go 2-2 for M-1 while competing around the globe.
Gholar (5-6) retired from fighting in 2001 off back-to-back wins, in a single night, at the World Vale Tudo Championship 12.
