Erin Toughill

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Erin Toughill bigraphy, stories - American martial artist

Erin Toughill : biography

June 13, 1977 –

Erin Young Toughill (born June 13, 1977) is a mixed martial artist and former boxer and American Gladiator.

She began kickboxing at the age of 18 and started training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu soon after.

Under the watch of her LA Boxing trainer Sean McCully, Toughill debuted in mixed martial arts on September 27, 1999 and fought to a draw with Irma Verhoeff at World Vale Tudo Championship 9 in Aruba.

Less than a year later, she made her professional boxing debut on July 20, 2000.

Along with her MMA career, Toughill holds a professional boxing record of 8 wins, 2 losses, 1 draw and 1 no contest.

She counts IBF Super Middleweight contender Librado Andrade, a long-time sparring partner, among her close friends.

Mixed martial arts career

After going 1-1-1 in her first three bouts, Toughill won five straight fights before losing in the finals of the 2004 Smackgirl World ReMix Tournament to Megumi Yabushita.

She competed once more and scored a TKO victory over Jen Case in 2006.

In 2007, Toughill retired from both boxing and MMA.

She later appeared as "Steel" on the second season of the American Gladiators remake.

Toughill came out of retirement from MMA and fought Jan Finney on November 20, 2008 at Palace Fighting Championships 11.

Despite cutting over to make the contracted weight limit, Toughill was victorious and later went on to defeat Karen Williams and Emily Thompson in subsequent events for PFC after a fight with Adrienna Jenkins was cancelled due to injury.

Personal life

Erin married Neil Melanson, a grappling coach and lead Jiu-Jitsu instructor at Xtreme Couture, in a private ceremony on November 20, 2009. Melanson also serves as the primary grappling coach for UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture, and has cornered Couture during several recent MMA fights. The couple is currently going through a divorce.

Toughill’s younger sister, Megan, was killed in a car accident on September 19, 2004, which was about three weeks before her title fight with Yvonne Reis.

Accomplishments

  • Brown Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under James Boran
  • 2001 ReMix Golden Gate Japan Champion
  • W-Fusion 2001 Japan Champion

Boxing record

Win
Draw
Loss
Date Opponent Result Location
August 31, 2006 Laura Ramsey TKO (Round 1) Harveys Lake Tahoe, Stateline, Nevada, United States
January 27, 2006 Laura Ramsey Unanimous Decision The Palladium, Hollywood, California, United States
June 11, 2005 Laila Ali TKO (Round 3) MCI Center, Washington, DC, United States
October 22, 2004 Yvonne Reis Unanimous Decision Municipal Auditorium, Sarasota, Florida, United States
July 31, 2004 Cassandra Giger Unanimous Decision Sam’s Town Casino, Tunica, Mississippi, United States
November 14, 2003 Kuulei Kupihea Unanimous Decision Quiet Cannon, Montebello, California, United States
July 24, 2003 Nicole Conant Unanimous Decision Performing Arts Center, Oxnard, California, United States
June 4, 2002 Jackie Frazier-Lyde No Contest The Temple Corps, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
December 6, 2001 Dakota Stone Draw Palace Indian Gaming Center, Lemoore, California, United States
October 7, 2000 Veronica Sanchez Majority Decision Centennial Garden Arena, Bakersfield, California, United States
August 26, 2000 Correena Grizoffi Unanimous Decision Selland Arena, Fresno, California, United States
July 20, 2000 Elizabeth Rumpf Unanimous Decision Marriott Hotel, Irvine, California, United States