Gianpiero Villante, known popularly as Gian Villante, is an American mixed martial artist. He currently fights for Ultimate Fighting Championship in the light heavyweight division. Born in Wantagh, New York, he used to take part in New York State Championships in his early years. During his junior year, he stood at the third position in the Championship. Also an avid footballer, he had won the Thorpe Award while playing for MacArthur High School. Later, he started training at MMA, and shortly after, he made his MMA debut. Eventually he also made his debut at the Ring of Combat. During his fighting career at the UFC, he has won the Fight of the Night championship three times. He also won the Ring of Combat Heavyweight Championship twice. He signed a deal with Strikeforce in 2011, after which he faced Chad Griggs in a Heavyweight Grand Prix Reserve Bout. However, he lost the fight. Later, at the ‘Strikeforce Challengers: Gurgel vs Duarte’, he won his first fight at the Strikeforce after defeating Keith Berry.