Sam Caplan

While working as a security guard in Philadelphia clubs, Sam Caplan was motivated by colleagues to expand his fight style from Long Fist Kung Fu to include Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, and later Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). A longtime fan of Bruce Lee, Caplan started training in 2001 with Master Jeong Jeon Hoon in Pennsylvania's Elkins Park. Four years later, Caplan began MMA training, and, after a few amateur MMA and Muay Thai bouts, decided he could not compete at a high level. Caplan worked for CBSSports.com, Sports Illustrated and America Online, where he wrote about professional sports organizations like Major League Baseball, National Football League and National Basketball Association. Caplan started writing about MMA in December 2006, and was hired by CBSSports.com two months later to cover MMA. He also wrote for 411 Mania and FIGHT! Magazine. Caplan later founded Five Ounces of Pain, which occasionally partnered with CBSSports.com. In October, 2007, Caplan joined Pro Elite as its lead