Jay Hieron

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Jay Hieron

Jay Hieron in 2009, at the weigh-in before the Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg event.
Born James Thomas Hieronymus
(1976-07-29) July 29, 1976
Freeport, New York, United States
Other names The Thoroughbred
Nationality American
Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
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
Mixed martial arts record
Total 30
Wins 23
By knockout 6
By submission 7
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)
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

James Thomas Hieronymus (born July 29, 1976), is an American mixed martial artist. Hieron was the final IFL Welterweight Champion, competing for the Los Angeles Anacondas, and has also competed in the UFC, WEC, Affliction, Strikeforce, and Bellator.

Early life

Hieron went to live with John and Theo Hieronymous when he was a newborn due to the fact that his mother had trouble raising him. He was officially adopted by the couple when he was eight years old.[1]

Hieron, a two-time state wrestling championship runner-up at Freeport (N.Y.) High School and national Junior College Champion at Nassau (N.Y.) Community College, where he earned an Associates Degree, Hieron later attended Hofstra University. Before his senior year at Hofstra University, he tested positive for marijuana, and was unable to wrestle his senior year.

Mixed martial arts

After being kicked off the wrestling team at Hofstra University, Hieron began dealing drugs before being charged with a felony.[2] He turned to boxing to let his aggressions out on the bags. Finding this to be a good stress-reliever, and with the encouragement of some friends who trained in MMA, Hieron combined his wrestling skills and burgeoning boxing prowess into a professional MMA career.

Early career

In March 2006, Hieron won the Lockdown in Paradise in Lahaina, Hawaii, and in June 2006 won his IFL debut at the IFL Team Championships in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Following the demise of the International Fight League due to financial concerns, Hieron signed with Affliction in August 2008.[3] However, that promotion soon folded as well, so Hieron signed with Strikeforce.

Strikeforce

Hieron's first Strikeforce fight was set to be against fellow former Zuffa competitor Nick Diaz at Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg for the inaugural Strikeforce welterweight title. However, Diaz missed a pre-fight drug test mandated by the California State Athletic Commission and was denied a license to compete. Jesse Taylor was named to replace Diaz and the fight was changed to a non-title bout.[4] Hieron won by unanimous decision. He had his heart set on a title shot against Nick Diaz, but has stated that he would be comfortable fighting any top level opponent, as long as the fight, and name is helping him move forward in his career.

Hieron faced Joe Riggs on January 30, 2010 at Strikeforce: Miami.[5] Hieron won the fight via unanimous decision. After the fight had finished, Hieron's contract with Strikeforce was completed, prompting Hieron to immediately call for demands should he sign a new one. The demands included a shot at champion Nick Diaz and guaranteed television spots.

Bellator Fighting Championships

Hieron and Explosion Entertainment were unable to come to terms, so Hieron instead ended up signing to fight on Bellator Fighting Championships in the promotion's Season 4 welterweight tournament. In the opening quarterfinal round Hieron won via controversial stoppage when referee Josh Rosenthal stopped the bout when Lapsley did not respond to a hand check. Lapsley contested he wasn't out and this appeared to be the case, but given the position, it is unlikely that he would have survived the round. Hieron stated in a post-fight interview that Lapsley was gurgling and he felt him going out.[6] Hieron won a controversial unanimous decision victory over Brent Weedman at Bellator 40 to move on to the tournament finals. At Bellator 43 Hieron defeated Rick Hawn via split decision to win the Season 4 Welterweight Tournament. With this victory Hieron earned a title shot against Bellator Welterweight Champion Ben Askren. Askren defeated Hieron via controversial split decision.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Hieron was expected to face Jake Ellenberger in a rematch on September 1, 2012 at UFC 151, replacing an injured Josh Koscheck.[7] However, after the UFC 151 event was cancelled, Ellenberger/Hieron took place on October 5, 2012 at UFC on FX 5.[8] Hieron lost via unanimous decision.

Hieron was expected to face Erick Silva on February 2, 2013 at UFC 156.[9] However, Silva pulled out of the bout citing an injury and was replaced by promotional newcomer Tyron Woodley.[10] He lost the fight KO (punches) in round 1 and was subsequently released from the promotion and is 0–4 in the UFC.[11]

Championships and accomplishments

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

Mixed martial arts record

Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 23–7 Tyron Woodley KO (punches) UFC 156 February 2, 2013 1 0:36 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 23–6 Jake Ellenberger Decision (unanimous) UFC on FX: Browne vs. Bigfoot October 5, 2012 3 5:00 Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |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
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 22–5 Ben Askren Decision (split) Bellator 56 October 29, 2011 5 5:00 Kansas City, Missouri, United States For Bellator Welterweight Championship
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |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
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |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
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |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
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 19–4 Joe Riggs Decision (unanimous) Strikeforce: Miami January 30, 2010 3 5:00 Sunrise, Florida, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 18–4 Jesse Taylor Decision (unanimous) Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg August 15, 2009 3 5:00 San Jose, California, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 17–4 Jason High KO (punch) Affliction: Day of Reckoning January 24, 2009 1 1:04 Anaheim, California, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 16–4 Chris Kennedy Decision (unanimous) SuperFights MMA: Night of Combat 2 October 11, 2008 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 15–4 Mark Miller TKO (punches) IFL: New Jersey April 4, 2008 1 2:10 East Rutherford, New Jersey, United States Defended IFL Welterweight Championship
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |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 inaugural IFL Welterweight Championship
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |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
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 12–4 Brad Blackburn KO (punches) IFL: Everett June 1, 2007 1 0:40 Everett, Washington, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 12–3 Donnie Liles Submission (guillotine choke) IFL: Los Angeles March 17, 2007 1 2:49 Los Angeles, California, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 11–3 Victor Moreno Submission (rear-naked choke) IFL: Houston February 2, 2007 1 1:55 Houston, Texas, United States
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 10–3 Chris Wilson Decision (unanimous) IFL: World Championship Semifinals November 2, 2006 3 4:00 Portland, Oregon, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 10–2 Amos Sotelo Submission (guillotine choke) IFL: Portland September 9, 2006 1 0:26 Portland, Oregon, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 9–2 Jake Ellenberger Decision (unanimous) IFL: Championship 2006 June 3, 2006 3 4:00 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 8–2 Steve Schneider TKO (punches) Titan Fighting Championships 1 March 11, 2006 1 0:55 Kansas City, Kansas, United States
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 7–2 Jonathan Goulet TKO (cut) UFC Ultimate Fight Night 2 October 3, 2005 3 1:05 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 7–1 Pat Healy Decision (unanimous) IFC: Rock N' Rumble July 30, 2005 3 5:00 Reno, Nevada, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 6–1 Richard Brass Decision (unanimous) WEC 15 May 19, 2005 3 5:00 Lemoore, California, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 5–1 Ronald Jhun TKO (cut) Lockdown in Paradise 1 March 19, 2005 1 4:34 Hawaii, United States
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 4–1 Georges St. Pierre TKO (punches) UFC 48 June 19, 2004 1 1:42 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 4–0 Fabio Holanda Decision (unanimous) MMA: Eruption April 30, 2004 3 5:00 Lowell, Massachusetts, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 3–0 Fernando Munoz Submission (punches) Ring of Combat 6 April 24, 2004 1 0:33 Elizabeth, New Jersey, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 2–0 Jermaine Johnson Submission (rear-naked choke) Ring of Combat 5 December 14, 2003 1 1:02 Elizabeth, New Jersey, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 1–0 Keith Plate TKO (punches) Reality Fighting 4 July 19, 2003 1 1:28 Bayonne, New Jersey, United States

References

External links

New championship 1st IFL Welterweight Champion
December 29, 2007 – July 31, 2008
Succeeded by
IFL ceased operations
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