Tom Erikson

Tom Erikson is an American former amateur wrestler and mixed martial artist who competed in the super heavyweight division. Weighing between 125 kg (276 lb; 19.7 st) and 139.8 kg (308 lb; 22.01 st) throughout his career, "The Big Cat" began wrestling at an early age and was twice National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Junior Collegiate Champion at Triton College before achieving National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I honors twice at Oklahoma State University–Stillwater. Erikson was the 1997 U.S. National Champion, and a member of the 1997 U.S. Senior Freestyle World Team, placing fourth in the World Championships at 130 kg. He embarked on his career in MMA in 1996 and went on to fight in the Pride Fighting Championships, being a founding member of the prestigious RAW team. Erikson was a long time assistant wrestling coach at Purdue University, where he has been coaching since 1997.