Coach Jens Pulver cheers on his son who has just won his match. Photo Credit to Diana Williams

Former UFC fighter, inaugural UFC lightweight champion and UFC Hall of Famer Jens Pulver is a new wrestling coach for the boys wrestling team, stepping up from volunteer coach to full-time coach. 

Pulver is no stranger to wrestling, beginning his career early in fifth grade. In high school, he wrestled for Tahoma Senior High School, where he earned himself two state championships and thus kicking off his successful career in martial arts.

Pulver would go on to wrestle at Highline Community College and Boise State University before he met an unfortunate end to his wrestling career due to wrist fractures.

Pulver would shift his focus from wrestling to mixed martial arts where he would work his way up to his first UFC match in Sept. 1999. Only four UFC fights later, he would compete in the first lightweight title fight, arguably the most competitive division in UFC. He was declared victorious by unanimous decision. 

Pulver was well known for his sprawl and brawl fighting style which involved defending takedowns while staying upright. His early wrestling career played a huge role in his success with this fighting tactic.  

Pulver would defend his title twice before leaving the organization due to a contract dispute, relinquishing his title of the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world. 

As the new wrestling coach, Pulver hopes to spread his knowledge of what it takes to work hard and become a champion. “I trained like a madman. Dan Gable once talked about the lonely hours you will face as a wrestler and in life. The hours you are on the road running, the gym lifting and the room training. Nothing was going to stop me, what I lacked in skills, I made up for with conditioning. These are my dreams. No one else is going to drive you the way you will push yourself if it’s truly what you want,” said Pulver.

Pulver began coaching full-time at the start of the 2024 wrestling season. He is very passionate about his job as a coach and chose the district because his son, sophomore Karson Pulver, will be wrestling on the team. Pulver will work his hardest to make sure his son and team thrive on the mat.

Senior and varsity wrestler Chase Cournoyer appreciates the work Pulver puts into the team. “The fighting mentality that he brings to the room really rubs off on the whole team. It makes us all want to work harder and become better wrestlers and people,” Cournoyer commented.

The mentality the wrestlers develop from their training will give them a strong work ethic and drive to achieve their best. “Wrestling is the reason I am who I am today. I love being able to go out there today and represent my friends, team and family. It’s just you out there on that mat, nowhere to hide. The accountability is on you. Did you put in that work?” Pulver remarked.

The Spartan wrestling team is expecting a strong year, with six out of the seven state wrestlers returning for another season. With Pulver’s help, they are looking forward to an amazing season ahead of them.