Darrell Gholar, a Greco-Roman champion and former UFC competitor, passed away at 63.
An accomplished Greco-Roman wrestler, Gholar captained the University of Minnesota wrestling team while in college and went on to become a three-time National champion after his collegiate career was over. Following his wrestling career, Gholar shifted his focus to the burgeoning MMA scene, moving to Brazil, where he competed in fights and trained with fighters like Vitor Belfort and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira. He also helped coach Dan Henderson and Bas Rutten.
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Gholar took part in UFC 18 in 1999, losing by rear-naked choke to future champion Evan Tanner. Two years later, he won the World Vale Tudo Championship. Gholar was also an accomplished playwright and poet, and was featured in the series American Gladiator in 2001, where he defeated the gladiator Nitro in a modified sumo match before losing in the semifinals.
Gholar suffered a stroke in 2013 due to complications from high blood pressure, which left him paralyzed. In 2023, he was awarded the Medal of Courage from the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.
