Jason High

Jason High (born October 12, 1981 in Kansas City, Missouri)^[1] is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Welterweight division of the UFC. High has also competed for Strikeforce, Affliction, Titan FC, and DREAM. He currently trains at American Top Team, which is based out of Coconut Creek, Florida.

Background

High was born in Kansas City, Missouri, the son of Perry High and Leslie Siskey, he also has two brothers: Lamont and Perry Jr. as well as a sister named Vanessa Siskey. High began playing football and baseball from a young age, before moving to Blue Springs, Missouri at the age of 10, where he discovered wrestling. By his sophomore year at Blue Springs High School he was on the varsity squad. He was a standout in high school, holding a record of 102-23 over three years, with a 44-7 record in his senior year while setting the school's takedown record and finishing fifth in Missouri's state championships. High was also an all-state selection in 1999. He then continued at the collegiate level for five years. He first spent two years at Meramec Community College in St. Louis where he did very well and also qualified twice for the national championships. High then spent three years at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln as a walk-on player, which has a very prestigious Division I program. High had a rough start to his career for Nebraska, going 4-16 in his first year on campus, but was able to turn his career around and had winning record of 11-10 in his last year of eligibility. High graduated with three varsity letters from Nebraska. In his last semester at Nebraska, High attended a college in Costa Rica where he discovered jiu-jitsu. He earned a degree in history and used to work as an operations manager and full-time EMT for a private ambulance company. He was still working in the early part of his mixed martial arts career.^[3]

Mixed martial arts

Early career

High had one amateur fight in 2005, a submission win, before making his professional debut a month later. High won his first seven professional fights before making his debut in Affliction.

Affliction

Jason High made his Affliction debut losing to Jay Hieron at the Day of Reckoning card. High was knocked unconscious by one of Hieron's punches.^[4]

DREAM

High later entered DREAM's welterweight grand prix. In the opening round of the tournament on April 5, 2009, he faced Yuya Shirai. High defeated Shirai quickly in the first round by rear naked choke. In the next round, at Dream 10, he upset Brazilian André Galvão by decision. He faced Marius Zaromskis in the finals, but was knocked out in the first round of the match.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

High later signed with the UFC and made his debut against Charlie Brenneman on the preliminary card of UFC Fight Night: Florian vs. Gomi, losing via unanimous decision. After the loss to Brenneman, High was released from the organization.^[5]

Post-UFC

High moved back to his hometown of Kansas City and opened a facility in Leawood, Kansas with LC Davis and also began training at American Top Team in Coconut Creek, Florida. He rebounded from his two consecutive losses with a unanimous decision victory against Jordan Mein, a young, up and comer from Canada at RITC 40 in Taber, Alberta.^[6] He followed that with a first round stoppage of the previously undefeated Keto Allen at Heat XC 6 on the 15th of October.

High faced Hayato Sakurai on December 31, 2010 at Dynamite!! 2010.^[7] He won the fight via split decision.

High next faced Rudy Bears on January 28, 2011 at Titan Fighting 16. He won via submission in the first round.

Strikeforce

On February 7, 2011, it was announced that High had signed a multi-fight contract with Strikeforce.^[8] He made his debut at Strikeforce Challengers: Fodor vs. Terry and defeated Quinn Mulhern via unanimous decision.

In his second fight for the promotion, High faced Todd Moore in September 2011 at Strikeforce Challengers: Larkin vs. Rossborough. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

For his third Strikeforce fight, High fought Nate Moore in July 2012 on the preliminary card of Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Kennedy. He won the fight via guillotine choke submission at just 26 seconds into the first round.

Return to the UFC

On January 8, 2013, High announced he signed a contract with the UFC.^[9]

High was expected to face Ildemar Alcantara on June 8, 2013 at UFC on Fuel TV 10.^[10] However, High was pulled from the bout with Alcantara in late April in favor of a bout on the same card against Erick Silva, after Silva's original opponent, John Hathaway was pulled from the event.^[11] He lost the fight via triangle armbar submission.

High faced James Head on August 28, 2013 at UFC Fight Night 27.^[12] He won the bout via first round guillotine choke submission.

High faced Anthony Lapsley on November 16, 2013 at UFC 167.^[13] He won the fight via unanimous decision.

On an appearance with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour on November 18th, 2013, High indicated an interest in dropping down to the 155lb/lightweight division. He is hoping to have his next fight (and lightweight debut) sometime in early first quarter 2014.

High was expected to face Adlan Amagov on January 15, 2014 at UFC Fight Night 35,^[14] However, Amagov pulled out of the bout due to injury and was replaced by promotional newcomer Baneil Dariush.^[15] In turn, High pulled out of the bout citing appendicitis and was replaced by returning veteran Charlie Brenneman.^[16]

Championships and Accomplishments

• DREAM
  • 2009 DREAM Welterweight Grand Prix Runner Up

Mixed martial arts record

References

External links

• Professional MMA record for Jason High from Sherdog
• Official website
• http://www.HighDavisMMA.com