Mark was born in 1975 and went to high school in Chesapeake, VA.  While at Great Bridge High School, he won two state titles and held the school's record for pins until 1998.  He was a Junior College National Champion at Garden City Community College, then wrestled collegiately at Oklahoma State University under two-time olympic gold medalist, John Smith and at Old Dominion under two-time Olympian Gray Simons.  He is a product of the Granby School of Wrestling.  After college, Mark became a coach first becoming assistant at his alma matter, Great Bridge and then becoming assistant for one year and finally head coach at Jesuit High School in New Orleans.  He was the 2004 National Wrestling Coach of the Year by Wrestling USA Magazine.  After New Orleans, he moved back to Virginia where he was head coach at Poquoson High School.  Mark currently is head coach for VA Team Predator.

He trains at MMA Institute in Richmond, VA.  His first pro MMA fight was in September 2012.  As of September 2013, he has two wins, no draws, and no losses under his belt.  His next fight is scheduled to be on September 28, 2013 against Colby Covington at the Richmond Rumble.

Wrestling Credentials

 

• Undefeated Junior College National Champion, 1994

• Placed 3rd at Olympic Regional Trials New Orleans, LA, 2000

• CAA Conference Most Outstanding Wrestler, 1998

• Outstanding Wrestler at Southeast Regional Freestyle Open, 2001

• Top Finisher in Vegas US Nationals, 2001

• Member of the Gator Club International coached by John Smith

• Qualified and competed for USA vs Russia World Dual, 2001

• 2x Virginia High School State Champion

• Virginia High School All American

• 3x Virginia Freestyle State Champion

• Ranked 4th in the Country by AWN, 1993

• Norfolk Sports Club Virginia Athlete of the Year, 1993

• Junior College All American, 1995

• Starter and Letterman on the wrestling team at Oklahoma State, 1996

• ODU Athlete of the Year, 1998

• NCA Top 12 Placer, 1998

  Coaching Credentials

• USA Wrestling Coach of the Year, 2004

• Coached 46 state champions

• Brute National Most Outstanding Coach Award Winner, 2004

• #2 Most Improved Program in the USA according to WIN magazine, 2005

• UCWA Southern Region Coach of the Year, 2005

• 3 Louisiana High School State Championship Titles

• 2x Nationally ranked high school team by AMN

• Louisiana High School Coach of the Year, 2004