Tom Erikson Martial artist

Tom Erikson (born July 6, 1964) is an American former amateur wrestler and mixed martial artist who competed in the super heavyweight division. Weighing between 127.1 kg (280 lb; 20.01 st) and 139.8 kg (308 lb; 22.01 st) throughout his career, "The Big Cat" began wrestling at an early age and was a two-time NJCAA Junior Collegiate Champion at Triton College before going on to achieve NCAA Division I honours twice at Oklahoma State University–Stillwater. He embarked on his career in MMA in 1996 and went on to fight in the Pride Fighting Championships.Erikson is an assistant wrestling coach at Purdue University, where he has been coaching since 1997.