Charlie Valencia

Carlos Enrique "Charlie" Valencia (born October 31, 1974) is an American mixed martial artist. He has fought for the WEC and UFC in their Bantamweight divisions, and is the former King of the Cage Bantamweight Champion. He is one of only three men to ever finish Ian McCall in a professional MMA fight.

Background
Valencia grew up in Rosemead, California, as the son of a machinist for an aerospace company and a stay-at-home mother. He has three brothers, two older and one younger. He attended Mark Keppel High in Monterey Park, California. He took sixth in the state championships in his senior year. After high school, he went on to East Los Angeles College where he won a junior college state championship. He moved on to Fresno State where he had a successful career on the Bulldogs wrestling team. He graduated from Fresno State in 1995.

Mixed martial arts career
Valencia made his WEC debut on March 24, 2007, at WEC 26: Condit vs. Alessio and was victorious over Antonio Banuelos via KO. Valencia defeated Ian McCall at WEC 31 via submission (guillotine choke) at 3:19 of the first round. He most recently defeated Coty Wheeler on October 10, 2009, at WEC 43.

Valencia most recently defeated Japanese striker Akitoshi Tamura on January 10, 2010, at WEC 46.

Valencia was scheduled to face former WEC Bantamweight Champion Eddie Wineland on June 20, 2010, at WEC 49, but Valencia was forced off the card with an injury.

Valencia faced former WEC Bantamweight Champion Miguel Torres on September 30, 2010, at WEC 51. He lost the fight via submission in the second round.

Ultimate Fighting Championship
On October 28, 2010, World Extreme Cagefighting merged with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. As part of the merger, all WEC fighters were transferred to the UFC.

Valencia faced Ivan Menjivar on April 30, 2011, at UFC 129. Valencia lost via first round TKO after a series of elbow strikes and punches.

After the loss, Valencia was released from the promotion.

Personal life
Valencia and his wife Cris have three children.

Championships and accomplishments

 * King of the Cage
 * KOTC Bantamweight Championship (one time)