Dieusel Berto Explained

Dieuseul Berto
Other Names:Tiger
Birth Name:Dieuseul Berto
Birth Date:24 March 1958
Birth Place:Modle, Haiti
Death Place:Florida
Weight:200lb
Weight Class:Lightweight
Fighting Out Of:Winter Haven, Florida, United States
Team:Tiger's World of Martial Arts
Years Active:1996, 2001
Mma Kowin:0
Mma Koloss:1
Mma Subloss:1
Mma Decloss:1
Sherdog:2007

Dieuseul Berto, (March 24, 1958 – December 29, 2018) was a Haitian-American professional wrestler and mixed martial artist. He is the father of professional boxers Andre Berto and James Edson Berto.

Background

Originally from Modle, Haiti, Berto moved to Florida in 1980. Berto first worked picking fruit and worked in the restaurant industry. Began training in martial arts. He practiced, Shotokan karate and Jeet Kune Do, until he was introduced to the world of professional wrestling, where he was known as ‘The Caribbean Kid.”[1]

Professional wrestling career

Berto made his professional wrestling debut in 1992 where he worked in Japan for Pro Wrestling Fujiwara Gumi until 1994.[2] His biggest victory was a win over Katsumi Usuda.

On September 10, 1993 Berto wrestled one night for Fighting Network Rings where he lost to Masayuki Naruse.

In 1996, he last wrestled for Battlarts where he would retire from wrestling that year.

Mixed martial arts career

In 1996, Berto competed only at UFC 10 where he lost to Geza Kalman by knockout.[3]

On November 17, 2001, he returned for one more fight losing to Chris Kaouk.[4]

Personal life

In 1996, after retiring from fighting, Berto opened a gym called Tigers World of Martial Arts where he taught MMA and fitness. In 1998, he was critically injured in a car crash where he broke many bones confining him to a wheelchair. He eventually was able to walk again.[5]

On December 29, 2018, Berto died at the age of 60 after battling an illness.[1]

In 2021, Berto was inducted into the FL MMA Hall of Fame.[6]

Mixed martial arts record

|-| Loss| align=center| 0-3-0| Chris Kaouk| Decision (unanimous)| Dixie Rumble| | align=center| 3| align=center| 5:00| United States| Lightweight debut.|-| Loss| align=center| 0-2-0| Geza Kalman| TKO (punches)| UFC 10| | align=center| 1| align=center| 5:57| Birmingham, Alabama, United States| |-| Loss| align=center| 0-1-0| Hugo Duarte| Submission (kimura)| Universal Vale Tudo Fighting| | align=center| 1| align=center| 1:28| Japan|

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Legendary Haitian Kickboxer and Trainer Dieuseul "Tiger" Berto Dies at Age 60 - L'union Suite. January 6, 2019.
  2. Web site: https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=10245&page=20. August 31, 2022.
  3. Web site: UFC 10 | The Tournament | UFC. September 14, 2018. www.ufc.com.
  4. Web site: DR - Dixie Rumble. Sherdog.
  5. Web site: Celebrating those who have impacted Mixed Martial Arts in Florida .
  6. Web site: Celebrating those who have impacted Mixed Martial Arts in Florida . 2023-11-16 . FL MMA Hall of Fame . en-US.