Mike Ciesnolevicz

Michael David Ciesnolevicz (born October 28, 1979 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania) is an American mixed martial artist. He fought for the Quad City Silverbacks of the International Fight League. Ciesnolevicz is also a veteran of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Biography
Mike was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and grew up in Williamstown, Pennsylvania. While growing up, Mike attended high school at Williams Valley High School. Mike competed in baseball, basketball, and football, while taking karate, judo and kickboxing classes. After graduating from high school, Mike enrolled in Lock Haven University. There he graduated with a B.S. in Health and Physical Education. While Mike was fighting and training, he was a substitute teacher.

Mixed martial arts
Mike Ciesnolevicz is a lifelong martial artist with a background in Karate in which he received his black belt. Ciesnolevicz attended Lock Haven University, a wrestling power, where he walked on to the squad and honed his grappling skills. But it wasn’t until he met and began training with Pat Miletich that his mixed martial arts career began.

Ultimate Fighting Championships
Mike made his UFC debut at UFC 95. There he defeated Neil Grove after applying a heel hook. Grove refused to tap until his knee popped out of its socket. Mike won the fight in the first round. Ciesnolevicz received his black belt in the Miletich Fighting System from the legendary 5x UFC champion Pat Miletich after this dramatic victory.

At The Ultimate Fighter: United States vs. United Kingdom Finale he fought then light-heavyweight Tomasz Drwal. The bout was changed to a catchweight of 208 lbs after Ciesnolevicz failed to make the 205 pound limit. Ciesnolevicz lost by TKO.

Post-UFC
Ciesnolevicz fought Demian Decorah at Prestige - MMA 1 on September 20, 2010 winning via Submission in the 3rd round.

Ciesnolevicz has since moved from Iowa and Miletich Fighting Systems to Las Vegas, Nevada where he trains with the Mayweather Boxing Club, Sergio Penha Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and One Kick Nicks for his striking skills.

Ciesnolevicz was scheduled to face Rolles Gracie at a to-be-announced Shine Fights event on January 8, 2011. The event, however, has yet to materialize.

Ciesnolevicz fought and defeated Bruce Nelson at Prestige-MMA 2 on May 28, 2011 winning via headkick KO in the 2nd round to bring his post UFC record to 2-0.

On September 21, 2012 it was annonuced that Ciesnolevicz signed with Las Vegas-based promotion World Series of Fighting.