Ryan Jimmo

Ryan Jimmo (born November 27, 1981) is a Canadian mixed martial artist who competes as a Light Heavyweight for the Ultimate Fighting Championship. A professional competitor since 2007, Jimmo mostly fought in Canada, as well as competing in the eighth season of The Ultimate Fighter. He is the former MFC Light Heavyweight Champion.

Background

Jimmo is from New Brunswick, Canada and is the youngest of his four siblings. He has a background in karate, beginning the martial art from a very young age and was taught by his father, a 5th degree black belt. Jimmo's father competed in Japan twice and was placed 5th in the world in his style. Jimmo himself began competition when he was 10 years old, winning state and regional championships. He also competed nationally before being show mixed martial arts. At St. Malachy's Memorial High School, Jimmo was captain of the football team but was also president of the chess club. He began amateur bodybuilding after breaking his leg from karate in 2004.^[1]

Mixed martial arts career

Maximum Fighting Championship

Jimmo began his career in the Maximum Fighting Championship. His professional debut came at MFC 11 against former professional football player Adam Braidwood. The fight ended via TKO (punches) in the first round. Jimmo then appeared at MFC - Unplugged 3 and defeated Dwayne Lewis via unanimous decision.

After this, Jimmo appeared at MFC 14 and 15, in between three local appearances. Amassing a 5-0 record over that span with two wins by rear-naked choke and three by TKO. Ryan currently trains out of the Hayabusa Training Centre in St. Albert, Alberta.

The Ultimate Fighter

After compiling a 6–1 record, Jimmo successfully navigated tryouts for The Ultimate Fighter. Jimmo was selected as one of the sixteen light heavyweights in the eighth season. Jimmo's first fight, to get entry into the house was against Antwain Britt. Britt took the victory in a majority decision after two rounds. Jimmo later expressed disappointment in his performance, but did add that "Dana White said it was probably one of the better fights of the day so that’s good. The UFC already has their eye on me"^[2]

After his elimination from TUF 8, Jimmo went back to the local circuit, where he recorded three victories; one of which was over Jesse Forbes via unanimous decision.

Return to Maximum Fighting Championship

Jimmo then re-joined Maximum Fighting Championship and made his promotional debut at MFC 21 against Mychal Clark. Jimmo was untroubled throughout and took a unanimous decision with all judges scoring the bout 30–27.^[3]

Jimmo followed this up with a slightly controversial split decision victory over UFC veteran Marvin Eastman at MFC 22. The fight largely revolved around exchanges in the clinch. Sherdog gave the bout to Eastman, but the official result was in favor of Jimmo, with scorecards of 29–28, 28–29, 29–28).^[4]

Jimmo's third fight in MFC was against Emanuel Newton at MFC 23. Jimmo reportedly controlled most of the bout in the clinch and took a unanimous decision victory (30–27, 29–28, 29–28).^[5]

Jimmo's most notable fight at that point of his career was against Wilson Gouveia at MFC 25.^[6] Prior to the fight, Sherdog discussed Jimmo's position in his division and stated that "Jimmo has all the tools and an affable personality that makes him championship material. Unfortunately, though, Jimmo has failed to capitalize on numerous opportunities to cement himself in the title picture because he hasn’t been a big finisher despite a 12-fight winning streak." Sherdog also added that they didn't believe that Jimmo could "grind out another win" as Gouveia, who was making his return to the light heavyweight division, would not gas out, as he had done on occasion at middleweight in the UFC.^[7]

The fight was later made a catchweight bout of 208 lbs, after Gouveia once again came in overweight; this, despite moving up a weight class originally. Jimmo used various striking techniques to control his opponent and dropped Gouveia on a few occasions. Jimmo walked away with a unanimous decision (30–27, 30–26, 30–26). Jimmo attributed the victory to Gouveia gassing out after his difficulty with making weight.^[8]

Jimmo was then scheduled to fight for the Maximum Fighting Championship's Light Heavyweight title against newcomer Glover Teixeira, but Jimmo questioned why he had been made to work for a title shot, while Teixeira, "a relative unknown" received a shot immediately.^[9] MFC then placed Bobby Southworth into the title bout, though Southworth would later withdraw from the fight due to personal problems. Jimmo still has no opponent scheduled.^[9]

Jimmo defeated fellow Canadian, Dwayne Lewis at MFC 28 on February 25, 2011 to win the vacant MFC Light Heavyweight Championship.^[10]

Jimmo was expected to face former MFC Light-Heavyweight champion Emanuel Newton at MFC 29 on April 8.^[11] However, he took on replacement Zak Cummings and won the fight via unanimous decision.

Jimmo defended his title against Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou at MFC 31, winning a controversial unanimous decision.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Jimmo was expected to make his promotional debut against Karlos Vemola on January 20, 2012 at UFC on FX 1.^[12] However, Jimmo was forced from the bout with an injury.^[13]

Jimmo defeated Anthony Perosh in seven seconds via first round KO at UFC 149, tying for the fastest knockout in UFC history.^[14]

For his second fight with the promotion, Jimmo faced James Te-Huna on February 16, 2013 at UFC on Fuel TV: Barao vs. McDonald.^[15] He had a successful first round as Jimmo dropped Te-Huna with a head kick. However, Te-Huna then rebounded by controlling the second and third rounds with his striking and wrestling, resulting in a unanimous decision loss for Jimmo.

Jimmo next fought Igor Pokrajac at UFC 161 on June 15, 2013.^[16] Jimmo won the fight via unanimous decision.

Jimmo faced Jimi Manuwa on October 26, 2013 at UFC Fight Night 30.^[17] He lost the fight via TKO in the second round due to a leg injury.^[18]

Championships and accomplishments

• Ultimate Fighting Championship
  • Knockout of the Night (One time)
  • Tied fastest knockout (Todd Duffee and Jung Chan-Sung) in UFC history (0:07 seconds)

• Maximum Fighting Championship
  • MFC Light Heavyweight Championship (One time)
  • Most Consecutive Title Defenses (Two)
  • Most fights in MFC history (Eleven)

Mixed martial arts record

References

External links

• Professional MMA record for Ryan Jimmo from Sherdog