Alex Caceres

Alex Caceres
Born Alex Caceres
(1988-06-20) June 20, 1988
Other names Bruce Leeroy
Nationality American
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[1]
Weight 135 lb (61 kg; 9.6 st)
Division Bantamweight
Featherweight
Lightweight
Reach 72.0 in (183 cm)[2]
Stance Southpaw
Fighting out of Miami, Florida, United States
Team MMA Lab
Years active 2008–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total 20
Wins 11
By knockout 2
By submission 5
By decision 4
Losses 8
By knockout 1
By submission 5
By decision 2
No contests 1
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Alex Caceres (born June 20, 1988) is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the bantamweight division of the UFC. A professional MMA competitor since 2008, Caceres mostly competed in his regional circuit, before signing with the Ultimate Fighting Championships to appear on The Ultimate Fighter: Team GSP vs. Team Koscheck.[3]

Mixed Martial Arts career

Background

Caceres comes from Miami, Florida where he trains at Young Tigers Foundation. Caceres claims to be "inventive and creative" during the fights, often smiling during competition.[3] Caceres also never went the distance in any of his fights prior to joining the TUF cast.[4] Caceres' nickname, "Bruce Leeroy" stems from the character in the film The Last Dragon.[5]

Early career

Caceres initially fought in an underground backyard street fighting organization in Miami. Caceres mostly appeared in promotions based in Florida. Amongst these was an appearance for the King of the Cage promotion at "King of the Cage: Hurricane" in February 2009. His opponent in that fight was Eric Kovarik, who was coming off multiple consecutive losses. In under two minutes, Caceres submitted his opponent with a rear naked choke.

Caceres then won his next fight against Joel Garcia in May 2009 via submission (triangle choke) early in the first round before going on a two-fight losing streak. These two losses were both by armbar, taking his record to 4-2 at that time.

In his final fight before joining The Ultimate Fighter, Caceres defeated Jahmal McLennan via TKO midway through the third round to snap his losing streak.[6]

The Ultimate Fighter

Caceres then signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship to appear on The Ultimate Fighter: Team GSP vs. Team Koscheck.[3]

In the debut episode, Caceres faced Paul Barrow, who was 3-0 going into the show. Caceres, who smiled almost the entire fight, would go to defeat Barrow via submission (rear naked choke) in the first round.[7]

In the second episode, Caceres was picked as GSP's fourth pick (eighth overall). Caceres competed in his preliminary round fight during this episode against Jeff Lentz. Prior to the fight, Lentz's cardio was called into question due to his smoking and drinking. However, Lentz went on to arguably win the first round of the fight against Caceres. Midway through the second round, Caceres locked in a triangle choke, forcing the tapout and advancing him into the quarter-finals.[8]

In episode 8, Team GSP had to pick which team members would fight each other (considering they had 5 members in the quarter-finals). St. Pierre asked each member to pick the fighter they would prefer to fight. Both Caceres and Michael Johnson picked each other and they were scheduled to fight.[9] Johnson defeated Caceres via unanimous decision (20-18, 20-18, 20-18) after two rounds in episode 10.[10]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Caceres made his official debut in March 2011 against Mackens Semerzier at UFC Fight Night: Nogueira vs. Davis.[11] He lost the fight via submission in the first round.

Caceres was expected to face Leonard Garcia August 14, 2011 at UFC Live: Hardy vs. Lytle.[12] However, Garcia was forced out of the bout with an injury and replaced by promotional newcomer Jimy Hettes.[13] Caceres was submitted with a rear naked choke at 3:12 of round 2.

Caceres then dropped to the bantamweight division and faced former WEC Bantamweight champion Cole Escovedo on November 12, 2011 at UFC on Fox 1.[14] Caceres won via unanimous decision in a bout where he showed a vastly improved striking and ground game.

Caceres faced Edwin Figueroa on February 4, 2012 at UFC 143 [15] but lost the fight in a split decision. Caceres was docked two points by referee Herb Dean for 2 groin strikes.

Caceres next faced Damacio Page on July 11, 2012 at UFC on Fuel TV: Munoz vs. Weidman.[16] He won the fight via submission in the second round. The finish also earned him the Submission of the Night honors.

Caceres was expected to face promotional newcomer Kyung Ho Kang on November 10, 2012 at UFC on Fuel TV 6.[17] However, Kang was forced out of the bout with an injury and was replaced by promotional newcomer Motonobu Tezuka.[18] Caceres defeated the UFC newcomer by split decision.

Caceres/Kang was rescheduled for March 3, 2013 at UFC on Fuel TV 8.[19] Caceres won the back-and-forth fight via split decision. On March 20, 2013, it was announced that Caceres had failed his post fight drug test, testing positive for marijuana. Caceres was subsequently suspended for six months, retroactive to March 3, 2013 and his win over Kang was changed to a No Contest.[20]

Caceres next faced Roland Delorme on September 21, 2013 at UFC 165.[21] He displayed good striking skills and takedown defense, winning the fight via split decision.

Caceres was expected to face Mitch Gagnon on December 7, 2013 at UFC Fight Night 33.[22] However, the bout was scrapped during the week leading up to the event due to an alleged visa issue for Gagnon, restricting his entry to Australia.[23]

Caceres faced Sergio Pettis on January 25, 2014 at UFC on Fox 10.[24] He won the back-and-forth fight by rear-naked choke submission at 4:49 of the third round. The win also earned Caceres his first Fight of the Night and second Submission of the Night bonus awards.[25]

For his tenth fight with the promotion, Caceres faced Urijah Faber at UFC 175 on July 5, 2014.[26] He lost the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in the third round.[27]

Caceres faced promotional newcomer Masanori Kanehara on September 20, 2014 at UFC Fight Night 52.[28] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[29]

Cacares faced Francisco Rivera on June 6, 2015 at UFC Fight Night 68.[30] He lost the fight via knockout in the first round, marking the first time he has ever been knocked out in his career.[31]

Caceres faced Masio Fullen in a featherweight bout on January 30, 2016 at UFC on Fox 18. Caceres won the fight via unanimous decision.[32]

Championships and achievements

Mixed martial arts

Mixed martial arts record

Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 11–8 (1) Masio Fullen Decision (unanimous) UFC on Fox: Johnson vs. Bader January 30, 2016 3 5:00 Newark, New Jersey, United States Return to Featherweight.
Loss 10–8 (1) Francisco Rivera KO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Boetsch vs. Henderson June 6, 2015 1 0:21 New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
Loss 10–7 (1) Masanori Kanehara Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Hunt vs. Nelson September 20, 2014 3 5:00 Saitama, Japan
Loss 10–6 (1) Urijah Faber Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC 175 July 5, 2014 3 1:09 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 10–5 (1) Sergio Pettis Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC on Fox: Henderson vs. Thomson January 25, 2014 3 4:39 Chicago, Illinois, United States Submission of the Night. Fight of the Night.
Win 9–5 (1) Roland Delorme Decision (split) UFC 165 September 21, 2013 3 5:00 Toronto, Ontario, Canada
NC 8–5 (1) Kyung Ho Kang NC (overturned) UFC on Fuel TV: Silva vs. Stann March 3, 2013 3 5:00 Saitama, Japan Originally a split decision win for Caceres; overturned after he tested positive for marijuana.
Win 8–5 Motonobu Tezuka Decision (split) UFC on Fuel TV: Franklin vs. Le November 10, 2012 3 5:00 Macau, SAR, China
Win 7–5 Damacio Page Submission (triangle choke) UFC on Fuel TV: Munoz vs. Weidman July 11, 2012 2 1:27 San Jose, California, United States Submission of the Night.
Loss 6–5 Edwin Figueroa Decision (split) UFC 143 February 4, 2012 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Caceres was deducted two points for multiple kicks to the groin.
Win 6–4 Cole Escovedo Decision (unanimous) UFC on Fox: Velasquez vs. Dos Santos November 12, 2011 3 5:00 Anaheim, California, United States Bantamweight debut.
Loss 5–4 Jimy Hettes Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC Live: Hardy vs. Lytle August 14, 2011 2 3:12 Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
Loss 5–3 Mackens Semerzier Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC Fight Night: Nogueira vs. Davis March 26, 2011 1 3:18 Seattle, Washington, United States Featherweight debut.
Win 5–2 Ketema Jahmal McLennan TKO (punches) G-Force Fights: Bad Blood 3 February 4, 2010 3 2:48 Miami, Florida, United States
Loss 4–2 Matt McCook Submission (armbar) WFC: Battle of the Bay 8 July 10, 2009 2 3:56 Tampa, Florida, United States
Loss 4–1 Farkhad Sharipov Submission (armbar) Best of the Best June 12, 2009 3 3:01 Columbus, Georgia, United States
Win 4–0 Joel Garcia Submission (triangle choke) XFN: Da Matta vs. Thorne May 14, 2009 1 1:05 Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, United States
Win 3–0 Eric Kovarik Submission (rear-naked choke) KOTC: Hurricane February 21, 2009 1 1:58 Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, United States
Win 2–0 Tulio Quintanilla TKO (punches) MFA: There Will Be Blood December 3, 2008 2 4:14 Miami, Florida, United States
Win 1–0 Eric Luke Submission (armbar) G-Force Fights: Bad Blood 1 November 6, 2008 2 1:45 Miami, Florida, United States

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Fight Card - UFC Fight Night Boetsch vs. Henderson". UFC.com. Retrieved June 5, 2014.
  2. ↑ "Alex Caceres". fightmetric.com.
  3. 1 2 3 "Meet the cast for "The Ultimate Fighter 12," field includes 28 lightweights". mmajunkie.com. August 3, 2010.
  4. ↑ "Spike TV unveils TUF 12 cast: Alex Caceres". sherdog.com. August 3, 2010.
  5. ↑ "Alex Caceres kicks". spike.com. August 19, 2010.
  6. ↑ "Alex Caceres wins 'Bad Blood 3' MMA battle over Jahmal McLennan". sun-sentinel.com. Retrieved September 7, 2010.
  7. ↑ "Episode no.1 recap: "The Ultimate Fighter 12: Team GSP vs. Team Koscheck"". mmajunkie.com. September 16, 2010.
  8. ↑ "Episode No. 2 recap: "The Ultimate Fighter 12: Team GSP vs. Team Koscheck"". mmajunkie.com. September 22, 2010.
  9. ↑ "Episode No. 8 recap: "The Ultimate Fighter 12: Team GSP vs. Team Koscheck"". mmajunkie.com. November 4, 2010.
  10. ↑ "Episode No. 10 recap: "The Ultimate Fighter 12: Team GSP vs. Team Koscheck"". mmajunkie.com. November 18, 2010.
  11. ↑ ""Bruce Leroy" vs. Mackens Semerzier in the works for UFC Fight Night 24". mmajunkie.com. December 30, 2010.
  12. ↑ "Alex Caceres vs. Leonard Garcia slotted for UFC on Versus 5". MMAjunkie.com. May 25, 2011.
  13. ↑ "Leonard Garcia out, Jimy Hettes in against "Bruce Leroy" at UFC on Versus 5". mmajunkie.com. August 2, 2011.
  14. ↑ "Alex Caceres drops to bantamweight, fights Cole Escovedo at UFC on FOX 1". mmajunkie.com. October 5, 2011.
  15. ↑ "Alex Caceres vs. Edwin Figueroa added to UFC 143". mmajunkie.com. November 17, 2011.
  16. ↑ "UFC on FUEL TV 4 adds Page vs. Caceres". mmajunkie.com. May 24, 2012.
  17. ↑ http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2012/7/27/3193211/ufc-signs-korean-champ-kyung-ho-kang-for-macau-asian-mma-news
  18. ↑ "Kyung Ho Kang out, Motonobu Tezuka meets Alex Caceres at UFC on FUEL TV 6". mmajunkie. November 2, 2012.
  19. ↑ "Alex Caceres vs. Kyung Ho Kang Confirmed for UFC on Fuel 8". mmaweekly.com. 13 December 2012.
  20. ↑ John Petit (March 20, 2013). "Alex Caceres Fails UFC On Fuel 8 Drug Test". fighters.com.
  21. ↑ John Petit (2013-08-04). "Roland Delorme Vs Alex Caceres Tapped For UFC 165". Fighters.com. Retrieved August 4, 2013.
  22. ↑ Adam Ireland (October 9, 2013). "Alex "Bruce Leeroy" Caceres takes on Mitch Gagnon in Brisbane". MMAKanvas.com. Retrieved October 9, 2013.
  23. ↑ Staff (2013-12-02). "Alex Caceres vs. Mitch Gagnon scratched from Friday’s UFC Fight Night 33 main card". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2013-12-02.
  24. ↑ Dave Reid (2013-12-19). "Alex Caceres vs Sergio Pettis Expected For UFC on FOX 10". mmainsider.net. Retrieved December 19, 2013.
  25. ↑ Staff (2014-01-25). "UFC on FOX 10 bonuses: Caceres earns $100K, Cerrone and Pettis each pocket $50K". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-01-25.
  26. ↑ Brett Okamoto (2014-05-14). "Urijah Faber-Alex Caceres set". ESPN. Retrieved 2014-05-14.
  27. ↑ Ryan Yamamoto (2014-07-05). "Urijah Faber dominates at UFC 175, wins by rear naked choke". news10.net. Retrieved 2014-07-05.
  28. ↑ Staff (2014-08-08). "Alex Caceres replaces Urijah Faber, meets Masanori Kanehara at UFC Fight Night 52". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-08-08.
  29. ↑ Steven Marrocco (2014-09-20). "UFC Fight Night 52 results: Masanori Kanehara outworks Alex Caceres for decision". MMAJunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-09-20.
  30. ↑ Damon Martin (2015-04-14). "Francisco Rivera vs. Alex Caceres joins UFC Fight Night in New Orleans". foxsports.com. Retrieved 2015-04-14.
  31. ↑ Damon Martin (2015-06-06). "Francisco Rivera needs just 21 seconds to finish Alex Caceres". foxsports.com. Retrieved 2015-06-06.
  32. ↑ Steven Marrocco (2016-01-30). "UFC on FOX 18 results: Alex Caceres takes wide decision over Masio Fullen". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-01-30.
  33. ↑ http://mmajunkie.com/2014/02/mmajunkies-submission-of-the-month-for-january-2014

External links

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