Julien Solomita | iBN Sports/StreetMade MMA Journalist
For a guy that never had an official UFC fight, Joseph Henle is suspiciously popular. Initially recognized on Spike TV as "the guy who looks like a spartan", the Ventura native is now with Maximum Fighting Championships thanks to a 7-0-1 record.
Henle now mixes it up with all kinds of UFC talent (Mark Muñoz and Jake Ellenberger) at Reign Training Center, and has grown leaps and bounds as a fighter since joining the team. "Leonidas" was thrust into the spotlight by The Ultimate Fighter Season 11 where the middleweight went 1-1 on the show, submitting (now UFC title contender) Constantinos Phillipou, and dropping a decision to Seth Bacyznski. It was the silence of not hearing back from the promotion once the show had finished that frustrated Henle, who many believed deserved another fight.
"[After the show] I felt like I had to get to the UFC for a long time," Henle said. "A lot of fighters in my position who have had a taste of the limelight, are in a strange situation. [For me] Being on the show and then getting cut."
Being on the UFC's reality show helped Henle in more than one way. In addition to having Chuck Liddell as a coach and training with top tier fighters, the cameras left many opportunities for error both in the cage and out. For Henle, the high school students and athletes he coaches back home kept him grounded, and turned him into the roll model that he is today.
"I have the patience of a high school teacher," he said. "I find myself being slightly more reserved not because that's not me, but because I know that people are watching me. I have that personal relationship with the kids, and I want to be a better person for them."
After leaving the show, Henle didn't waited for the UFC. The Thousand Oaks High School substitute teacher and coach has since put together a handy seven-win unbeaten streak. After fighting for numerous promotions that included BAMMA, California Fight Syndicate and Tachi Palace Fights, Maximum Fighting Championships strapped Henle in with a multi-fight deal. The contract gives Henle his first task on August 10th with Judo specialist, Luke Harris.
"It's not like I'm fearful of [Harris'] ground game. Respectful? Yes. Fearful? No," he said. "I don't see the ground as dangerous as other people do."
Henle has been able to attack his opponents with jiu-jitsu without even submitting them. In his fight with Mike Moreno in January of 2012, Henle instigated the grappling with takedowns, and constantly attacked chokes and advanced position en route to a lopsided decision.
"In my last fight, I really wanted to stay standing, but I didn't pressure myself to only stand," Henle said of his recent first round guillotine victory. "Wherever this fight goes, I'm going to be happy and I'm still going to win."
Splitting time at Knuckleheads Boxing in Ventura, Henle has sharpened his striking and is prepared to deliver for the promotion that brought him to the next level.
"I'm happy to be with MFC, and I appreciate them coming to get me," he said. "I'm going to win as many fights in as brutal fashion as I possibly can for them, and hopefully they want to keep me."
