Date of Birth:
Justin Robert Levens was born on April 18, 1980, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
MMA Organizations:
During his MMA career, Levens competed in IFL, WEC, and UFC, as well as several other smaller market organizations.
Weight Class:
Middleweight
Training Camp:
At the time of his death, Levens was training at Erik Paulson’s CSW Training Center. Prior to that, he had trained at Marco Ruas’ Vale Tudo academy in Orange County, California.
Before Fighting:
Levens grew up on the tough streets of Philadelphia. When he moved to California, he found himself in constant trouble, which prompted him to start training in martial arts at a school called U Extreme in Mission Viejo. He continued training there for two years before joining the U.S. Navy.
Controversial Death:
Levens and his wife, Sarah McLean-Levens were found dead due to gunshot wounds in their Laguna Niguel, California home on December 17, 2008. McLean-Levens’ mother found them when she became worried because she had not heard from her daughter in several days.
Levens was 28 and his wife was 25 at the time of their deaths. At this time, the police are investigating the situation as a possible murder-suicide.
Fighting Style:
Though Levens trained at Marco Ruas’ Vale Tudo, a place known for great Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, he was more proficient at ground control, positioning, and striking than submissions. Along with this, he posted seven knockouts in nine victories during his MMA career.
He was a fighter that attempted to finish fights, in that all of his victories came by way of stoppage.
Fighting Career:
Levens started his MMA career on a good note, winning his first seven fights by way of stoppage. However, he then lost three straight, including two in the UFC. Ironically, one of those losses came against Evan Tanner, who also died in 2008.
In an unfortunate turn of events, Levens was drug tested for an upcoming fight at Affliction: Banned that never materialized. He tested positive for the painkiller Oxymorphone. Levens was fined $1,000 and was serving a suspension at the time of his death for this.
At the time of his death, he was on a five fight losing streak.
Biggest Wins:
- Justin Levens vs. Jorge Oliveira: When Levens slammed his way to a TKO victory over Jorge Oliveira, a man that had just come off a victory over Shonie Carter, bigger organizations like the UFC took notice.
- Justin Levens vs. Tony Lopez: When Levens managed to win via rear naked choke against Lopez, he proved that his submission game had made strides.
- Justin Levens vs. Hector Carrilo: This was his first MMA fight and victory. That counts for something.
