Stav Economou

Stavros Economou (Greek: Σταύρος Οικονόμου, born 7 July 1986) is an English mixed martial artist of Cypriot descent, who fights at heavyweight. He is known for his rotund figure, strange hairsyles and nickname "Crazy Bear".

Mixed martial arts career

Economou had his first professional fight at the age of 20 against Carlo Massara in his home town of Southend-on-Sea. He won the fight by knock out and went on to win his next six fight in similar fashion. Now 6-0, he was given his chance to shine in the UK's biggest MMA promotion, Cage Rage. He took on Polish muscleman Piotr Kuśmierz in July 2008 at Cage Rage 27: Step Up. The fight wore on as both fighters tired themselves out and Economou emerged the victor by way of unanimous decision. Cage Rage then went bankrupt, however, and Crazy Bear returned to the Ultimate Warrior Challenge, where he had the majority of his early fights.

In July 2009, he recorded his first loss to the unbeaten Karlos Vemola at the Cage Fighters Championship 7. He was submtted by rear-[...] choke. His next fight saw him turn it around against Linton Vassell to win the Ultimate Warrior Challenge Heavyweight Title at Ultimate Warrior Challenge 11: Onslaught.

He then entered Ultimate Challenge MMA. In his first fight with the promotion, he beat Shola Adeniran by rear-[...] choke at Ultimate Challenge MMA: Resurrection. After this, he was given a title shot and faced Heavyweight Champion Neil Grove at Ultimate Challenge MMA: Never Back Down in May 2010. Despite Economou's flurry of powerful punches late in the third round, the fight ended in a draw and Grove retained his title. A rematch was expected later in the year. However, Grove then signed with the Bellator Fighting Championships and vacated his belt.

Economou was then set to headline BAMMA 5 aganst American super heavyweight Bob Sapp on December 4, 2010. The event was cancelled, however, due to a snow storm. Stav ended up fighting Sapp on March 11, 2011 and won the fight via first round TKO.

Mixed martial arts record