Sam Sicilia

Sam Sicilia
Born Samuel Travis Sicilia
February 1, 1986
Spokane, Washington, United States
Nationality American
Height 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Weight 145 lb (66 kg; 10.4 st)
Division Lightweight
Featherweight
Reach 66.0 in (168 cm)[1]
Fighting out of Spokane, Washington, United States
Team Sikjitsu
Years active 2007-present
Mixed martial arts record
Total 19
Wins 14
By knockout 8
By submission 4
By decision 2
Losses 5
By knockout 1
By submission 3
By decision 1
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Samuel Travis Sicilia (born February 1, 1986) is an American professional mixed martial artist who currently competes in the Featherweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. A professional competitor since 2007, Sicilia also was formerly a competitor on FX's The Ultimate Fighter: Live.

Background

Born and raised in Spokane, Washington, Sicilia competed in wrestling at Mt. Spokane High School and now works as an assistant coach for the team.[2][3]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Sicilia began training in MMA in 2007, taking his first amateur fights late in the year before turning professional shortly after. After his first professional win Sicilia took a nearly four-year break from fighting. Sicilia then returned in 2011, and went 9-1 fighting for several regional promotions in the Northwestern United States.

The Ultimate Fighter

In February 2012, it was revealed that Sicilia was selected to be a participant on The Ultimate Fighter: Live.[4] Sicilia defeated Dominick Cruz training partner, Erin Beach, via an eight second KO to move into the Ultimate Fighter house, and become an official cast member.[5]

Sicilia was selected as the second pick (third overall) by Dominick Cruz to take part on Team Cruz. In the first round of the tournament, Sicilia was selected to fight former Bellator Fighting Championships fighter, Chris Saunders. Sicilia lost the fight via split decision after two rounds. The decision was heavily disputed by many, including UFC president Dana White who claimed, "I think Sicilia got robbed of the opportunity of going to a third round, though. But great fight."[6]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Sicilia made his UFC debut at The Ultimate Fighter 15 Finale on June 1, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada against TUF cast mate, Cristiano Marcello.[7] He won the fight via KO in the second round. After the win Sicilia expressed interest in returning to the featherweight division.

Sicilia dropped to the featherweight division and faced Rony Jason on October 13, 2012 at UFC 153.[8] Sicilia lost via second round TKO due to punches.

Sicilia next face Maximo Blanco on April 13, 2013 at The Ultimate Fighter 17 Finale.[9] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Sicilia was expected to face Godofredo Pepey on September 4, 2013 at UFC Fight Night 28.[10] However, Pepey pulled out of the bout citing an injury and was replaced by Felipe Arantes.[11] Subsequently, Sicilia also pulled out of the bout for undisclosed reasons and was replaced by Kevin Souza.[12]

The bout with Pepey eventually took place on November 9, 2013 at UFC Fight Night 32.[13] Sicilia won the fight via TKO in the first round.

Sicilia faced Cole Miller on January 15, 2014 at UFC Fight Night 35.[14] He lost the fight via submission in the second round.

Sicilia was expected to face promotional newcomer Doo Ho Choi on May 24, 2014 at UFC 173.[15] However, Choi pulled out of the bout citing an injury.[16] Sicilia instead faced promotional newcomer Aaron Phillips. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Sicilia faced Katsunori Kikuno at UFC Fight Night 52 on September 20, 2014.[17] He lost the fight via submission in the second round.

Sicilia next fought Akira Corassani on January 24, 2015 at UFC on Fox 14.[18] He won the fight via KO in the first round.

Film and television

Sicilia was featured in the award-winning mixed martial arts documentary Fight Life, the film is directed by James Z. Feng and released in 2013.[19]

Mixed martial arts record

Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 14–5 Akira Corassani KO (punch) UFC on Fox: Gustafsson vs. Johnson January 24, 2015 1 3:26 Stockholm, Sweden
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 13–5 Katsunori Kikuno Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC Fight Night: Hunt vs. Nelson September 20, 2014 2 1:38 Saitama, Japan
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 13–4 Aaron Phillips Decision (unanimous) UFC 173 May 24, 2014 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 12–4 Cole Miller Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC Fight Night: Rockhold vs. Philippou January 15, 2014 2 1:54 Duluth, Georgia, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 12–3 Godofredo Pepey TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Belfort vs. Henderson November 9, 2013 1 1:42 Goiânia, Brazil
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 11–3 Maximo Blanco Decision (unanimous) The Ultimate Fighter 17 Finale April 13, 2013 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 11–2 Rony Jason TKO (punches) UFC 153 October 13, 2012 2 4:16 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Featherweight debut.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 11–1 Cristiano Marcello KO (knees and punches) The Ultimate Fighter 15 Finale June 1, 2012 2 2:53 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 10–1 Arley George KO (punch) Conquest of the Cage 10 December 15, 2011 1 0:25 Airway Heights, Washington, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 9–1 Jared Haller TKO (punches) Caged Conflict November 12, 2011 1 0:25 Canyonville, Oregon, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 8–1 Josiah Mitchell KO (punch) CageSport 16 October 1, 2011 1 0:29 Tacoma, Washington, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 7–1 Dominic Rivera Submission (rear-naked choke) Fight Night Round 16 August 13, 2011 1 2:38 Anacortes, Washington, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 6–1 Josh Snodgrass Submission (rear-naked choke) Caged Combat 4 July 29, 2011 1 1:48 Grand Ronde, Oregon, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 5–1 Angel Diaz KO (punch) Lords of the Cage 7 July 16, 2011 1 3:35 Manson, Washington, United States
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 4–1 Daniel Swain Submission (rear-naked choke) Lords of the Cage 6 June 10, 2011 1 2:37 Yakima, Washington, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 4–0 Charon Spain Submission (neck crank) Lords of the Cage 5 April 28, 2011 1 4:03 Airway Heights, Washington, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 3–0 Marc Forsyth Submission (rear-naked choke) Rumble on the Ridge 17 March 5, 2011 2 4:07 Snoqualmie, Washington, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 2–0 Jason Gybels KO (punches) Rumble on the Ridge 16 January 15, 2011 1 2:54 Snoqualmie, Washington, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 1–0 Brian Clayton Decision (unanimous) Combat Caged Warriors 4 September 15, 2007 3 5:00 Tri-Cities, Washington, United States

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Fight Card - UFC Fight Night Gustafsson vs. Johnson". UFC.com. Retrieved January 25, 2015.
  2. ↑ http://www.khq.com/story/25606878/local-mma-fighters-chiesa-sicilia-victorious-in-ufc-173
  3. ↑ http://m.spokesman.com/stories/2012/mar/09/blanchette-local-men-get-shot-on-the-ultimate/
  4. ↑ "'The Ultimate Fighter 15' cast unveiled with 32 lightweight fighters". MMAJunkie.com. February 27, 2012. Retrieved March 19, 2012.
  5. ↑ "Mixed martial arts results, Season 15 - The Ultimate Fighter". State of Nevada, Department of Business and Industry Athletic Commission. March 9, 2012. Retrieved March 25, 2012.
  6. ↑ "Dana White: Sam Sicilia deserved a third round on 'TUF: Live'". MMAJunkie.com. April 28, 2012. Retrieved May 31, 2012.
  7. ↑ "TUF Live Finale adds Marcello-Sicilia". MMAJunkie.com. May 23, 2012. Retrieved May 23, 2012.
  8. ↑ "Rony 'Jason' Mariano Bezerra meets Sam Sicilia at UFC 153". mmajunkie.com. July 25, 2012.
  9. ↑ Staff (February 16, 2013). "TUF 17 Finale Adds Maximo Blanco vs. Sam Sicilia". mmaweekly.com.
  10. ↑ Christoffer Esping (July 12, 2013). "Godofredo ‘Pepey’ Castro möter Sam Sicilia på UFC on FOX Sports 1 #3". mmanytt.se.
  11. ↑ Staff (2013-07-18). "Felipe Arantes Steps in to Replace Injured Godofredo Pepey at UFC Fight Night 28 on FS1". mmaweekly.com. Retrieved 2013-07-18.
  12. ↑ Guilherme Cruz (2013-08-07). "Edimilson Souza replaces Sam Sicilia, will fight Felipe Arantes at UFC Fight Night 28". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2013-08-07.
  13. ↑ Ivan Raupp (2013-09-12). "Duelo entre Pepey e Sam Sicilia é remarcado para o UFC em Goiânia (Brazilian Portuguese)". sportv.globo.com. Retrieved 2013-09-12.
  14. ↑ Mike Whitman. "UFC Returns to Georgia in January with Cole Miller-Sam Sicilia". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2013-11-14.
  15. ↑ Matt Erickson (2014-02-21). "Sam Sicilia meets newcomer Doo Ho Choi at UFC 173 in May". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-02-21.
  16. ↑ B Wylie (2014-04-20). "Doo Ho Choi injured, out of next months Featherweight clash with Sam Sicilia at UFC 173". fightsportasia.com. Retrieved 2014-04-24.
  17. ↑ Damon Martin (2014-07-01). "Sam Sicilia vs Katsunori Kikuno at 145lbs at UFC Fight Night in Japan.". Twitter. Retrieved 2014-07-01.
  18. ↑ Lee W (2014-12-04). "Akira Corassani vs Sam Sicilia joins UFC on FOX 14 lineup". mmacrazytv.com. Retrieved 2014-12-04.
  19. ↑ Fight Life: MMA Documentary

External links