Jay Hieron facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Jay Hieron |
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|---|---|
| Born | July 29, 1976 Freeport, New York, U.S. |
| Other names | The Thoroughbred |
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) |
| Weight | 170 lb (77 kg; 12 st) |
| Division | Welterweight |
| Reach | 75 in (191 cm) |
| Fighting out of | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States |
| Team | Xtreme Couture |
| Rank | NJCAA Division I Wrestling |
| Years active | 2003–2014 |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 30 |
| Wins | 23 |
| By knockout | 7 |
| By submission | 6 |
| By decision | 10 |
| Losses | 7 |
| By knockout | 4 |
| By decision | 3 |
| University | Hofstra University |
| Notable school(s) | Nassau Community College Freeport High School (New York) |
Jay Hieron, born on July 29, 1976, is an American actor, stuntman, and former mixed martial artist. He was the last IFL Welterweight Champion. He also fought in major organizations like the UFC, WEC, Strikeforce, and Bellator.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Jay Hieron was adopted by John and Theo Hieronymous when he was eight years old. He had lived with them since he was a baby.
Hieron was a talented wrestler in high school. He was a two-time state championship runner-up at Freeport High School in New York. Later, he became a national Junior College Champion at Nassau Community College. He earned an associate degree there before attending Hofstra University.
Jay Hieron's Mixed Martial Arts Career
After leaving the wrestling team at Hofstra University, Hieron started boxing. He found that boxing helped him relieve stress. With encouragement from friends who trained in MMA, he decided to combine his wrestling skills with his boxing abilities. This led him to a professional career in mixed martial arts.
Beginning His MMA Journey
In March 2006, Hieron won the Lockdown in Paradise event in Lahaina, Hawaii. In June 2006, he won his first fight in the International Fight League (IFL). This win happened at the IFL Team Championships in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
The International Fight League later closed down due to money problems. Hieron then signed with Affliction in August 2008. However, this promotion also stopped operating. So, Hieron then signed with Strikeforce.
Fighting in Strikeforce
Hieron's first fight in Strikeforce was planned against Nick Diaz. It was supposed to be for the first Strikeforce welterweight title. But Diaz could not compete, so Jesse Taylor took his place. The fight became a non-title match, and Hieron won by unanimous decision.
Hieron then faced Joe Riggs on January 30, 2010, at Strikeforce: Miami. Hieron won this fight by unanimous decision as well. After this fight, his contract with Strikeforce ended. He wanted a title shot against Nick Diaz if he signed a new contract.
Competing in Bellator
Hieron later signed to fight in the Bellator Fighting Championships Season 4 welterweight tournament. In the first round, he won against Anthony Lapsley. He then won a unanimous decision victory over Brent Weedman at Bellator 40. This moved him to the tournament finals.
At Bellator 43, Hieron defeated Rick Hawn by split decision. This win made him the Season 4 Welterweight Tournament Champion. With this victory, Hieron earned a chance to fight for the Bellator Welterweight Championship against Ben Askren. Askren defeated Hieron by split decision in their championship bout.
Time in the Ultimate Fighting Championship
Hieron was set to fight Jake Ellenberger again on September 1, 2012, at UFC 151. This fight happened because Josh Koscheck was injured. However, UFC 151 was canceled. So, the fight between Ellenberger and Hieron took place on October 5, 2012, at UFC on FX 5. Hieron lost this fight by unanimous decision.
Hieron was then scheduled to fight Erick Silva on February 2, 2013, at UFC 156. Silva pulled out due to an injury. Tyron Woodley replaced him. Hieron lost this fight by knockout in the first round. After this, he was released from the UFC.
On March 7, 2014, Jay Hieron announced that he was retiring from MMA.
Championships and Achievements
Mixed Martial Arts
- Bellator Fighting Championships
- Bellator Season 4 Welterweight Tournament Winner
- International Fight League
- IFL Welterweight Championship (One time; First; Last)
- IFL 2007 Welterweight Grand Prix Champion
Amateur Wrestling
- National Junior College Athletic Association
- NJCAA Junior Collegiate Championship (1997)
- NJCAA All-American (1996, 1997)
- New York State Public High School Athletic Association
- NYSPHSAA Division I High School State Championship Runner-up (1992, 1994)
Mixed martial arts record
| Professional record breakdown | ||
| 30 matches | 23 wins | 7 losses |
| By knockout | 7 | 4 |
| By submission | 6 | 0 |
| By decision | 10 | 3 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 23–7 | Tyron Woodley | KO (punches) | UFC 156 | February 28, 2013 | 1 | 0:36 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 23–6 | Jake Ellenberger | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on FX: Browne vs. Bigfoot | October 5, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States | |
| Win | 23–5 | Romario da Silva | Technical Submission (d'arce choke) | Legacy Fighting Championship 12 | July 13, 2012 | 2 | 2:04 | Houston, Texas, United States | |
| Loss | 22–5 | Ben Askren | Decision (split) | Bellator 56 | October 29, 2011 | 5 | 5:00 | Kansas City, Missouri, United States | For the Bellator Welterweight World Championship. |
| Win | 22–4 | Rick Hawn | Decision (split) | Bellator 43 | May 7, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Newkirk, Oklahoma, United States | Bellator Season 4 Welterweight Tournament Final |
| Win | 21–4 | Brent Weedman | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 40 | April 9, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Newkirk, Oklahoma, United States | Bellator Season 4 Welterweight Tournament Semifinal |
| Win | 20–4 | Anthony Lapsley | Technical Submission (rear-naked choke) | Bellator 35 | March 5, 2011 | 1 | 3:39 | Lemoore, California, United States | Bellator Season 4 Welterweight Tournament Quarterfinal |
| Win | 19–4 | Joe Riggs | Decision (unanimous) | Strikeforce: Miami | January 30, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | Sunrise, Florida, United States | |
| Win | 18–4 | Jesse Taylor | Decision (unanimous) | Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg | August 15, 2009 | 3 | 5:00 | San Jose, California, United States | |
| Win | 17–4 | Jason High | KO (punch) | Affliction: Day of Reckoning | January 24, 2009 | 1 | 1:04 | Anaheim, California, United States | |
| Win | 16–4 | Chris Kennedy | Decision (unanimous) | SuperFights MMA: Night of Combat 2 | October 11, 2008 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 15–4 | Mark Miller | TKO (punches) | IFL: New Jersey | April 4, 2008 | 1 | 2:10 | East Rutherford, New Jersey, United States | Defended the IFL Welterweight Championship. |
| Win | 14–4 | Delson Heleno | TKO (leg injury) | IFL World Grand Prix Finals | December 29, 2007 | 1 | 4:00 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | IFL 2007 Welterweight Grand Prix Final; Won the inaugural IFL Welterweight Championship. |
| Win | 13–4 | Donnie Liles | Decision (unanimous) | IFL: World Grand Prix Semifinals | November 3, 2007 | 3 | 4:00 | Chicago, Illinois, United States | IFL 2007 Welterweight Grand Prix Semifinal |
| Loss | 12–4 | Brad Blackburn | KO (punches) | IFL: Everett | June 1, 2007 | 1 | 0:40 | Everett, Washington, United States | |
| Win | 12–3 | Donnie Liles | Submission (guillotine choke) | IFL: Los Angeles | March 17, 2007 | 1 | 2:49 | Los Angeles, California, United States | |
| Win | 11–3 | Victor Moreno | Submission (rear-naked choke) | IFL: Houston | February 2, 2007 | 1 | 1:55 | Houston, Texas, United States | |
| Loss | 10–3 | Chris Wilson | Decision (unanimous) | IFL: World Championship Semifinals | November 2, 2006 | 3 | 4:00 | Portland, Oregon, United States | |
| Win | 10–2 | Amos Sotelo | Submission (guillotine choke) | IFL: Portland | September 9, 2006 | 1 | 0:26 | Portland, Oregon, United States | |
| Win | 9–2 | Jake Ellenberger | Decision (unanimous) | IFL: Championship 2006 | June 3, 2006 | 3 | 4:00 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
| Win | 8–2 | Steve Schneider | TKO (punches) | Titan FC 1 | March 11, 2006 | 1 | 0:55 | Kansas City, Kansas, United States | |
| Loss | 7–2 | Jonathan Goulet | TKO (doctor stoppage) | UFC Fight Night 2 | October 3, 2005 | 3 | 1:05 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 7–1 | Pat Healy | Decision (unanimous) | IFC: Rock N' Rumble | July 30, 2005 | 3 | 5:00 | Reno, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 6–1 | Richard Brass | Decision (unanimous) | WEC 15: Judgment Day | May 19, 2005 | 3 | 5:00 | Lemoore, California, United States | |
| Win | 5–1 | Ronald Jhun | TKO (doctor stoppage) | Lockdown in Paradise 1 | March 19, 2005 | 1 | 4:34 | Hawaii, United States | |
| Loss | 4–1 | Georges St-Pierre | TKO (punches) | UFC 48 | June 19, 2004 | 1 | 1:42 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 4–0 | Fabio Holanda | Decision (unanimous) | MMA: Eruption | April 30, 2004 | 3 | 5:00 | Lowell, Massachusetts, United States | |
| Win | 3–0 | Fernando Munoz | TKO (submission to punches) | Ring of Combat 6 | April 24, 2004 | 1 | 0:33 | Elizabeth, New Jersey, United States | |
| Win | 2–0 | Jermaine Johnson | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Ring of Combat 5 | December 14, 2003 | 1 | 1:02 | Elizabeth, New Jersey, United States | |
| Win | 1–0 | Keith Plate | TKO (punches) | Reality Fighting 4 | July 19, 2003 | 1 | 1:28 | Bayonne, New Jersey, United States |
See also
- List of Bellator MMA alumni
- List of Strikeforce alumni
