Issue 154
May 2017
Larry Cureton was unprepared for MMA but still has fond memories of his flirtation with MMA
Alias: Thunderfoot,
From: Jersey City, NJ,
First seen: April 1995 (UFC 5),
Last seen: September 1995 (UFC 7),
Record: 0-2.
“When I began working out, I would train in the basement of a church,” says Larry Cureton.
“One day, I was kicking the bag very hard. The instructor came in and asked, ‘What is that?’ Some of the guys replied, ‘That’s Larry in the back kicking the bag.’ He said, ‘It sounds like Thunder.’ I’ve been ‘Thunderfoot’ ever since.”
In more than four decades as a martial artist, the Jersey City native earned a 7th-degree black belt, trained in various martial arts and captured a number of super heavyweight full-contact kickboxing titles. He was a destructive knockout artist with his hands and feet.
When no-holds-barred fighting emerged, Cureton was quick to test himself in a new arena. Despite having no knowledge of jiu-jitsu, wrestling – or any ground fighting – he entered the Octagon for the first time at UFC 5.
He had a strong 17-5 kickboxing record when he came in the UFC, but Todd Medina, who was a student of Carlson Gracie, took his tools away. He was taken down quickly and succumbed to punishment on the ground – including groin punches and head-butts – within three minutes.
He recalls: “Going into the UFC for the first time, I felt like it was just another fight. I tried to do what I do. Overall, I feel that I did OK for a guy with no grappling skills. Looking back now I wish the guys who fought back then did more stand-up fighting, like they do now.
That’s what made it the ultimate. No holds barred. Not too many fighters will get in the ring and fight bare knuckle fights.”
Cureton returned to the Octagon at UFC 7, but drew an incredibly tough first-round opponent: the eventual winner, Marco Ruas. Though Cureton got top position, the Brazilian still submitted him painfully and quickly.
Though it was unsuccessful, Cureton reflects on his time in the Octagon with fondness, as well as a little regret: “It’s nice to have been one of the pioneers,” Cureton says. “My least favorite and worst memories are both the same. When Marco Ruas broke my ankle with a heel hook.”
His MMA career was over after that night, but he did continue to compete as a kickboxer. He also served as a fireman on the Jersey City Fire Department for nearly three decades and used his boxing skills to raise money for it by fighting in several charity shows – benefiting fire victims and widows of firefighters.
Cureton retired from the Jersey City Fire Department in July 2012, but even though he’s in his late 50s, he’s still active in the gym, staying in shape and training with the next generation of athletes.
“I still train two to three times a week to keep my skills sharp,” Cureton adds. “I box and kickbox at least 12 rounds every day go in the gym. Anything less is a waste of time. I still talk to all my training partners. We still work out together. I’ve worked with a few MMA guys with their standup fighting, too.”
He’s also drawn to fellow high-level strikers when he sits down to watch fights. Although he didn’t have the tools to succeed in the early days of the UFC, he remains a fan.
“I do watch a few fighters. Anderson Silva, Lyoto Machida and Jon Jones – those guys are my favorites. The growth is amazing and it came a little late for me and fighters my age.”
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