NAME:Bernard Rutherford

RECORD: 2 - 2

BIRTHYEAR:

WEIGHT: 200    HEIGHT: 5'10"

TEAM: Shamrock Submission Fighting Team

SCHOOL: Shamrock Martial Arts Academy

TRAINERS: Frank Shamrock, Tony DeMaria

SKILLS: Pro MMA, Battle Demo.

It wasn't until 2003 that Rutherford started to train in mixed martial arts. He had been involved in martial arts for years, participating in karate tournaments that usually involved point fighting.

He spent all his time training, but when it came to tournaments, he could barely touch his opponent.

"I wanted to participate in a sport that what you learn, you can actually use, you know," Rutherford said. "I started doing Muay Thai, kickboxing and stuff like that. After that, I found out about MMA. I felt at home kind of doing that, so that's what sparked it for me."

He trained for about a year before his first MMA fight, in which he knocked his opponent out in the first 28 seconds in August 2004.

"Oh, man, I was hooked ever since then," Rutherford said. "The adrenaline, the rush, everything that goes along with it. I was hooked ever since then."

Rutherford had compiled a 7-2 record leading up to his fight with Wince.

His coach will be former UFC middleweight champion Frank Shamrock, the brother of UFC Hall of Famer Ken Shamrock. Which is why Rutherford's fight with Wince is more than just picking up a prize check. It likely is his last fight before he flies to San Jose next month for training camp with the Razorclaws, and likely is his last chance to build his confidence with another win before earning a spot in the five-man lineup.

"I'm sure Frank is looking for the best 205-(pound)er he can get," Rutherford said. "That's why I've been working my (butt) off, staying in shape, setting up good fights like this that will show him I'm definitely the primary man he needs to put in the 205 slot."

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