Darrion Caldwell facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Darrion Caldwell
Caldwell in 2019
Born	(1987-12-19) December 19, 1987 (age 37) Rahway, New Jersey, U.S.
Other names	The Wolf
Height	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight	145 lb (66 kg; 10.4 st)
Division	Bantamweight (2015–2019, 2021–present) Featherweight (2012–2014, 2019–2021)
Reach	74 in (188 cm)
Style	Wrestling
Fighting out of	Redlands, California, U.S.
Team	Pinnacle Mixed Martial Arts (formerly) Sanford MMA (2021–present)
Rank	Blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Wrestling	NCAA Division I Wrestling
Years active	2012–2023
Mixed martial arts record
Total	22
Wins	15
By knockout	2
By submission	6
By decision	7
Losses	7
By knockout	1
By submission	3
By decision	3
University	North Carolina State University
Medal record Collegiate Wrestling Representing the NC State Wolfpack NCAA Division I Championships Gold 2009 St. Louis 149 lb ACC Championships Gold 2007 Raleigh 141 lb Gold 2008 College Park 149 lb Gold 2009 Blacksburg 149 lb Gold 2011 Charlottesville 149 lb

Darrion Caldwell (born December 19, 1987) is an American athlete. He is known for his skills in mixed martial arts (MMA) and college wrestling. Caldwell used to compete in the bantamweight division. He was a champion in Bellator MMA, a big fighting organization.

Before his MMA career, Caldwell was a top college wrestler. He won the NCAA Division I National Championship in 2009. He was also a four-time champion in the ACC Conference. Caldwell retired from fighting in 2023.

Wrestling Career

High School Achievements

Darrion Caldwell grew up in Rahway, New Jersey. He was a talented athlete in high school. He played football and baseball, but he was best at wrestling. His high school wrestling record was amazing: 148 wins and only 4 losses. He also won three state championships in New Jersey.

College Wrestling Journey

Caldwell continued his wrestling career at North Carolina State University.

First Year (2006-07)

As a first-year student, Caldwell won 20 matches and lost 6. He was named the ACC Wrestler of the Year and Rookie of the Year. He won the ACC Conference championship without losing a single match in the conference. He almost became an All-American at the NCAA championships.

Second Year (2007-08)

In his second year, Caldwell had 36 wins and 5 losses. He won his second ACC championship. He also made it to the semifinals of the NCAA championships. He placed fifth overall that year. He even won an award for being the best collegiate pinner.

Third Year (2008-09)

As a third-year student, Caldwell had an incredible season with 38 wins and only one loss. He won his third ACC championship. At the NCAA championships, he reached the finals. He faced a very tough opponent, Brent Metcalf. Caldwell won the match 11–6, becoming the NCAA champion. He was also named the Outstanding Wrestler of the tournament.

Final Years (2009-11)

Caldwell had to take a year off due to a shoulder injury. He returned for his final year in 2010–11. He won 15 matches and became a four-time ACC champion. However, his shoulder injury returned during the NCAA championships. This forced him to end his college wrestling career. He finished with a great record of 109 wins and 13 losses.

Freestyle Wrestling

After college, Caldwell also competed in Freestyle wrestling. This is a different style of wrestling. He took part in the US World Team Trials in 2009. He placed third in that tournament. He also competed in the 2012 US Olympic Team Trials. After these events, he decided to become a mixed martial artist.

In 2020, Caldwell had a special freestyle wrestling match against Luke Pletcher. He lost the match on points.

Mixed Martial Arts Career

Starting Out: Legacy Fighting Championship

In 2012, Darrion Caldwell began his professional mixed martial arts career. He signed with a promotion called Legacy Fighting Championship.

He won his first fight in September 2012 by a unanimous decision. In his second fight, he won by TKO (Technical Knockout). This means the referee stopped the fight because his opponent couldn't defend himself. He won his third fight in Legacy FC by unanimous decision.

Joining Bellator MMA

Featherweight Division

Caldwell joined Bellator MMA in November 2013. This is one of the biggest MMA organizations.

He won his first fight in Bellator in March 2014. He won by a submission called a guillotine choke. He won his next two fights in Bellator as well. After these wins, he decided to move to a lighter weight class, called bantamweight.

Bantamweight Division

Caldwell's first fight in the bantamweight division was in May 2015. He won by unanimous decision. He continued his winning streak, including a big win against former Bellator champion Joe Warren. Caldwell won that fight by submission.

He then faced Joe Taimanglo and lost by submission. However, he got a rematch and won by unanimous decision. This win set him up for a title shot.

In October 2017, Caldwell fought Eduardo Dantas for the Bellator Bantamweight World Championship. Caldwell won the fight by unanimous decision, becoming the new champion!

He successfully defended his title in March 2018 against Leandro Higo. He won by guillotine choke submission in the first round.

Back to Featherweight

In August 2018, Caldwell moved back up to the featherweight division. He won his fight against Noad Lahat by knockout in the second round.

Fighting in Rizin FF

Caldwell also had a special fight against Kyoji Horiguchi in Japan. This was a champion vs. champion fight between Bellator and Rizin FF. Caldwell lost this fight by submission in December 2018.

Losing the Bellator Bantamweight Title

Caldwell had a rematch with Kyoji Horiguchi in June 2019. This time, it was for his Bellator Bantamweight title. Caldwell lost the rematch by unanimous decision, losing his championship.

Bellator Featherweight Grand Prix

In 2019, Caldwell joined a big tournament called the Bellator Featherweight Grand Prix. He won his first two fights in the tournament. He reached the semifinals, where he faced A. J. McKee. Caldwell lost this fight by submission in November 2020.

Later Career

Caldwell returned to the bantamweight division in May 2021. He lost a close fight by split decision. He had two more fights in Bellator, losing both. In November 2023, Caldwell announced that he was no longer fighting for Bellator. He had a fight scheduled for April 2024, but it was canceled.

Celebratory Backflip Moments

Darrion Caldwell is known for his exciting backflips. Sometimes, these flips have led to funny or surprising moments!

In his 2009 NCAA championship match, Caldwell tried to do a backflip to celebrate early. His opponent, Brent Metcalf, pushed him, making him fall. Metcalf later apologized, saying it was just his competitive spirit.

After winning a fight in Bellator in 2015, Caldwell did a backflip off the cage. He accidentally landed on a camerawoman who was filming live! She was okay, and Caldwell quickly apologized.

Championships and Accomplishments

Mixed Martial Arts

• Bellator MMA
  • Bellator Bantamweight World Championship (One time)
    • Successfully defended his title once
  • Holds the record for most submission wins in Bellator's Bantamweight division (three)

Folkstyle Wrestling

• National Collegiate Athletic Association
  • NCAA Division I Champion (2009)
  • NCAA Division I All-American (2008, 2009)
  • NCAA Division I 149 lb - 5th Place (2008)
  • NCAA Division I 149 lb - 1st Place (2009)
• Atlantic Coast Conference
  • ACC 141 lb Conference Championship (2007)
  • ACC 149 lb Conference Championship (2008, 2009, 2011)