Darrion Caldwell

Last updated

Darrion Caldwell
Darrion Caldwell in 2019.png
Caldwell in 2019
Born (1987-12-19) December 19, 1987 (age 36)
Rahway, New Jersey, U.S.
Other namesThe Wolf
Nationality American
Height5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight145 lb (66 kg; 10.4 st)
Division Bantamweight (2015–2019, 2021–present)
Featherweight (2012–2014, 2019–2021)
Reach74 in (188 cm)
Style Wrestling
Fighting out of Redlands, California, U.S.
TeamPinnacle Mixed Martial Arts (formerly)
Sanford MMA (2021–present) [1]
RankBlue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Wrestling NCAA Division I Wrestling [2]
Years active2012–2023
Mixed martial arts record
Total22
Wins15
By knockout2
By submission6
By decision7
Losses7
By knockout1
By submission3
By decision3
University North Carolina State University
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Medal record
Collegiate Wrestling
Representing the NC State Wolfpack
NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg2009 St. Louis149 lb
ACC Championships
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg2007 Raleigh 141 lb
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg2008 College Park 149 lb
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg2009 Blacksburg 149 lb
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg2011 Charlottesville 149 lb

Darrion Caldwell (born December 19, 1987) is an American retired mixed martial artist and graduated collegiate wrestler, who competed in the bantamweight division. He formely competed in Bellator MMA, where he is the former Bellator Bantamweight World Champion. [3] A professional since 2012, he has also competed for Legacy FC. [4] As a folkstyle wrestler, Caldwell was the 2009 NCAA Division I National Champion, and a two-time All-American at 149 pounds out of the North Carolina State University. He was also a four-time ACC Conference champion. [5]

Contents

Wrestling career

High school

Born and raised in Rahway, New Jersey, Caldwell was an outstanding athlete, lettering in wrestling, football, and baseball at Rahway High School. He was a two-time All-Region football player, but had his most success on the wrestling mats, as he had a record of 148-4 (three losses came as a freshman), and compiled three NJSIAA championships. [6]

University

Caldwell continued wrestling at North Carolina State University.

2006-07

As a true freshman, he compiled 20 wins and 6 losses and was named ACC Wrestler of the year and Rookie of the year, as he won the Conference championship and posted an undefeated 9–0 record against ACC competition. [5] Entering the NCAA championships unseeded, he opened up with a fall over the ninth seed and a forfeit over the eight seed, but was subsequently downed by the undefeated top-seed and ultimately eliminated by eventual NCAA champion J. Jaggers, missing All-American status. [7]

2007-08

As a sophomore, he compiled 36 wins and 5 losses and also won the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational during regular season. [5] Post-season, he won his second straight ACC championship [8] and made it to the semifinals of the NCAA's with a notable win over former NCAA champion Dustin Schlatter. However, he was defeated at the semifinals by the reigning Junior World Champion later turned MMA fighter Bubba Jenkins and by Josh Churella at the consolation semifinals. He ended up placing fifth after winning one more match. [9] For that year's performance, he received the 2008 Wade Schalles Award for best collegiate pinner. [10]

2008-09

As a junior, he compiled 38 wins and a lone loss that was an injury default, putting on one of the most outstanding seasons in the history of the program. [5] In the post-season, he won his third ACC championship [11] and entered the NCAA's as the third seed. At the tournament, he opened up with two wins over unranked opponents (one of them would go on to become a UFC fighter, Desmond Green) and two more victories over seeded opponents (all four matches with bonus points) to make it to the finale, where he faced the returning Dan Hodge Trophy winner Brent Metcalf. He would end up easily beating Metcalf 11–6 in one of the most iconic matches in NCAA Division I history to claim the championship and earn the Outstanding Wrestler award. [12]

2009-11

Caldwell was forced to redshirt his next season due to a shoulder injury and came back as a senior in 2010–11. He compiled 15 wins and a lone loss and became a four-time Conference champion [13] before the shoulder injury resurged during his second match at the NCAA's (where he was the top-seed). This forced him to end his collegiate career as an NCAA champion and four-time ACC champion with a record of 109–13. [14]

Freestyle

Caldwell made his senior freestyle debut at the 2009 US World Team Trials. He ended up placing third at the tournament. He came back in 2012 at the Dave Schultz Memorial, where he did not place. In his final senior freestyle competition, Caldwell competed at the 2012 US Olympic Team Trials Challenge, where he once again did not place and became an MMA fighter shortly after. [15]

After more than eight years since his last freestyle wrestling showdown, Caldwell wrestled '20 Big Ten Conference champion Luke Pletcher on July 25, 2020, at FloWrestling: Dake vs. Chamizo. [16] He lost the bout on points. [17]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career: Legacy Fighting Championship

In July 2012, it was revealed that Caldwell had signed with Texas-based promotion Legacy Fighting Championship. [18]

Caldwell made his MMA and promotional debut against David Armas at Legacy FC 14 on September 14, 2012. For the majority of the fight, Caldwell was able to control the fight on the ground, mounting and taking Armas' back several times. He won via unanimous decision. [19]

In his second professional fight, Caldwell met Quaint Kempf at Legacy FC 16 on December 14, 2012. He won the fight via TKO after dropping Kempf with a left hand and unloading with a series of punches on the ground. [20]

Caldwell next faced Gerzan Chaw at Legacy FC 21 on July 19, 2013. He won the fight via unanimous decision after three rounds. [21]

Bellator MMA

Featherweight

Caldwell signed with Bellator MMA in November 2013. [22]

Caldwell made his debut for the promotion against Lance Surma on March 14, 2014 at Bellator 112. He won via guillotine choke submission at 0:50 in the first round. [23]

In his second appearance for Bellator, Caldwell faced Joe Pingitore at Bellator 118 on May 2, 2014. He won via submission in the first round, improving his record to 5–0. [24]

In his third appearance for the promotion, Caldwell faced Anthony Dizi at Bellator 130 on October 24, 2014. [25] He won the fight via unanimous decision. He later stated in an interview that he plans to move down to the bantamweight division. [26]

Bantamweight

Caldwell made his bantamweight debut against Rafael Silva on May 15, 2015 at Bellator 137. [27] He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Caldwell next faced Shawn Bunch at Bellator 143 on September 25, 2015. [28] He won the fight via submission in the first round. [29]

In his highest profile fight to date, Caldwell faced former two-time Bellator champion Joe Warren in the main event at Bellator 151 on March 4, 2016. Caldwell dominated the fight, winning via technical submission due to a rear-naked choke in the first round. [30]

Caldwell then faced Joe Taimanglo at Bellator 159. He lost the bout via guillotine choke in the third round. [31]

Due to Taimanglo missing weight in their first bout, Caldwell faced Taimanglo in a rematch in the main event at Bellator 167 on December 3, 2016. [32] He won the bout via unanimous decision. [33]

After avenging his first loss, Caldwell was set to face champion Eduardo Dantas for the Bellator bantamweight championship at Bellator 177 on April 14, 2017. [34] An injury, however, forced Caldwell out of the bout. Thus, he was replaced with Bellator newcomer Leandro Higo. [35] Dantas would go on to defeat the latter via split decision in a non-title affair. [36]

The bantamweight title bout against Dantas was rescheduled for Bellator 184 on October 6, 2017. [37] Caldwell won via unanimous decision to become the Bellator Bantamweight Champion. [38]

In the first defense of his title, Caldwell faced Leandro Higo on March 2, 2018 in the main event at Bellator 195. [39] He won the fight via guillotine choke submission in the first round. [40]

Return to Featherweight

In August 2018, Caldwell moved up to featherweight and faced Noad Lahat in a non-title fight at Bellator 204 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. [41] He won the fight by knockout in the second round. [42]

Rizin FF

Caldwell took part in a Bellator vs. Rizin interpromotional champion vs. champion bout and faced Kyoji Horiguchi for the Rizin Bantamweight Championship at Rizin 14 on December 31, 2018. [43] He lost the fight via submission in the third round

Return to Bellator and losing the Bellator Bantamweight World title

In April 2019, it was announced that Caldwell would make his second Bellator Bantamweight title defense against Kyoji Horiguchi on June 14, 2019 at Bellator 222 in a rematch of their Rizin title bout. [44] Caldwell lost the rematch by unanimous decision.

Bellator Featherweight Grand Prix

On July 15, 2019, Bellator MMA president Scott Coker announced a 16-man Featherweight Grand Prix tournament and announced Caldwell as one of the participants. Caldwell faced Henry Corrales in the opening round of the tournament at Bellator 228 on September 28. [45] He won the fight by unanimous decision.

In the quarterfinals, Caldwell faced Ádám Borics at Bellator 238 on January 25, 2020. [46] [47] He won the bout via first round submission. [48]

In the semifinals, Caldwell was slated to face A. J. McKee at Bellator 244 on June 6, 2020. [49] However, the event was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. [50] The bout was rescheduled and is set to take place on November 19 at Bellator 253. [51] Caldwell was defeated via first round submission. [52]

Return to Bantamweight

Caldwell made his return to bantamweight against Leandro Higo at Bellator 259 on May 21, 2021. [53] At the weigh-ins, Higo weighed in at 137.5 pounds, one and a half pounds over the bantamweight non-title fight limit. The bout proceeded at catchweight and Higo was fined a percentage of his purse, which went to Caldwell. [54] Caldwell lost the bout via split decision. [55]

Caldwell faced Enrique Barzola on January 29, 2022 at Bellator 273. [56] He lost the bout via ground and pound TKO in the third round. [57]

Caldwell faced Nikita Mikhailov on February 4, 2023 at Bellator 290. [58] Despite dominating in the wrestling and maintaining top control throughout the bout, Caldwell lost the bout via unanimous decision due to not outputting much damage from top. [59]

On November 22, 2023, Caldwell announced his retirement from MMA. [60]

Celebratory backflip incidents

In the last seconds of his 2009 NCAA championship match against Brent Metcalf, Caldwell attempted to celebrate early with a handspring and backflip. While in the middle of his backflip, Metcalf pushed him, making him fall hard on his back. The push occurred slightly after the whistle. Metcalf later apologized, citing a fight-to-the-end wrestler mentality and frustration. [61]

After defeating Shawn Bunch at Bellator 143 in 2015, Caldwell did a backflip off the cage and landed on a camerawoman, whose shot was live at the time. Though knocked down, she was uninjured, and Caldwell apologized. [62]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

Folkstyle wrestling

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
22 matches15 wins7 losses
By knockout21
By submission63
By decision73
Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Loss15–7Nikita MikhailovDecision (unanimous) Bellator 290 February 4, 202335:00 Inglewood, California, United States
Loss15–6 Enrique Barzola TKO (punches and elbows) Bellator 273 January 29, 202233:01 Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Loss15–5 Leandro Higo Decision (split) Bellator 259 May 21, 202135:00 Uncasville, Connecticut, United StatesReturn to Bantamweight; Higo missed weight (137.5 lb).
Loss15–4 A. J. McKee Submission (neck crank) Bellator 253 November 19, 202011:11 Uncasville, Connecticut, United StatesBellator Featherweight World Grand Prix Semifinals.
Win15–3 Ádám Borics Submission (rear-naked choke) Bellator 238 January 25, 202012:20 Inglewood, California, United StatesBellator Featherweight World Grand Prix Quarterfinals.
Win14–3 Henry Corrales Decision (unanimous) Bellator 228 September 28, 201935:00 Inglewood, California, United StatesReturn to Featherweight. Bellator Featherweight World Grand Prix Opening Round.
Loss13–3 Kyoji Horiguchi Decision (unanimous) Bellator 222 June 14, 201955:00 New York City, New York, United StatesLost the Bellator Bantamweight World Championship.
Loss13–2 Kyoji Horiguchi Submission (guillotine choke) Rizin 14 December 31, 201831:12 Saitama, JapanFor the inaugural Rizin Bantamweight Championship.
Win13–1 Noad Lahat KO (punches) Bellator 204 August 17, 201822:46 Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United StatesFeatherweight bout.
Win12–1 Leandro Higo Submission (guillotine choke) Bellator 195 March 2, 201812:36 Thackerville, Oklahoma, United StatesDefended the Bellator Bantamweight World Championship.
Win11–1 Eduardo Dantas Decision (unanimous) Bellator 184 October 6, 201755:00 Thackerville, Oklahoma, United StatesWon the Bellator Bantamweight World Championship.
Win10–1 Joe Taimanglo Decision (unanimous) Bellator 167 December 3, 201635:00 Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States
Loss9–1 Joe Taimanglo Submission (guillotine choke) Bellator 159 July 22, 201630:09 Mulvane, Kansas, United StatesCatchweight (138 lbs); Taimanglo missed weight.
Win9–0 Joe Warren Technical Submission (rear-naked choke) Bellator 151 March 4, 201613:23 Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States
Win8–0 Shawn Bunch Submission (rear-naked choke) Bellator 143 September 25, 201512:35 Hidalgo, Texas, United States
Win7–0 Rafael Silva Decision (unanimous) Bellator 137 May 15, 201535:00 Temecula, California, United StatesBantamweight debut.
Win6–0Anthony DizyDecision (unanimous) Bellator 130 October 24, 201435:00 Mulvane, Kansas, United States
Win5–0Joe PingitoreSubmission (rear-naked choke) Bellator 118 May 2, 201411:32 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win4–0Lance SurmaSubmission (guillotine choke) Bellator 112 March 14, 201410:50 Hammond, Indiana, United States
Win3–0Gerzan ChawDecision (unanimous)Legacy FC 21July 19, 201335:00 Houston, Texas, United States
Win2–0Quaint KempfTKO (punches)Legacy FC 16December 14, 201211:00 Dallas, Texas, United States
Win1–0David ArmasDecision (unanimous)Legacy FC 14September 14, 201233:00 Houston, Texas, United StatesFeatherweight debut.

Freestyle record

Senior Freestyle Matches
Res.RecordOpponentScoreDateEventLocation
Loss6-6 Flag of the United States.svg Luke Pletcher2-9July 25, 2020 FloWrestling: Dake vs. Chamizo

Flag of the United States.svg Austin, Texas

2012 US Olympic Team Trials at 66 kg
Loss6-5 Flag of the United States.svg Destin McCauley3-3, 1-1March 31 - April 1, 20122012 US Olympic Team Trials

Flag of the United States.svg Cedar Falls, Iowa

Loss6-4 Flag of the United States.svg Jason Tsirtsis0-8, 1-1
Win6-3 Flag of the United States.svg Jacob Wadley7-1, 8-3
Win5-3 Flag of the United States.svg Brandon BradleyTF 6–0, 7-0
2012 Dave Schultz Memorial International at 66 kg
Loss4-3 Flag of the United States.svg Chase Pami0-3, 0-2February 2–4, 20122012 Dave Schultz Memorial International

Flag of the United States.svg Colorado Springs, Colorado

Win4-2 Flag of India.svg Rahul MannFall
2009 Heydar Aliyev Golden Grand Prix 15th at 66 kg
Loss3-2 Flag of Georgia.svg Koba Kakaladze4-2, 2–4, 1-3July 27, 20092009 Heydar Aliyev Golden Grand Prix

Flag of Azerbaijan.svg Baku, Azerbaijan

2009 US World Team Trials Bronze medal icon.svg at 66 kg
Win3-1 Flag of the United States.svg Josh Churella1-0, 4-1May 29–31, 20092009 US World Team Trials Challenge

Flag of the United States.svg Council Bluffs, Iowa

Loss2-1 Flag of the United States.svg Jared Frayer 2-2, 2-3
Win2-0 Flag of the United States.svg Brian Stith1-0, 1-0
Win1-0 Flag of the United States.svg Doug Schwab 1-0, 2-1

NCAA record

NCAA Championships Matches
Res.RecordOpponentScoreDateEvent
2011 NCAA Championships at 149 lbs
Win10–4Ivan LopouchanskiMD 18-7March 17–19, 20112011 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships
2009 NCAA Championships Gold medal icon.svg at 149 lbs
Win9–4 Brent Metcalf 11-6March 19–21, 20092009 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships
Win8–4Bryce SaddorisMD 13-2
Win7–4Jake PatacsilMD 10-1
Win6–4 Desmond Green MD 10-2
Win5–4Cesar GrajalesFall
2008 NCAA Championships 5th at 149 lbs
Loss4–4Josh Churella1-6March 20–22, 20082008 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships
Loss4–3 Bubba Jenkins 8-12
Win4–2 Dustin Schlatter 4-1
Win3–2Brandon CarterFall
Win2–2Michael RobertsFall
2007 NCAA Championships at 141 lbs
Loss1–2J. JaggersFallMarch 15–17, 20072007 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships
Loss1–1Ryan LangFall
Win1–0Kenneth HashimotoFall

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References

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  47. ↑ Farah Hannoun (December 3, 2019). "Adam Borics vs. Darrion Caldwell grand prix matchup set for Bellator 238". mmafighting.com.
  48. ↑ "Bellator 238 results: Live 'Cyborg vs Budd' streaming play-by-play updates". MMAMania.com. January 25, 2020. Retrieved January 25, 2020.
  49. ↑ Matt Erickson (March 9, 2020). "Michael Chandler-Benson Henderson 2, A.J. McKee-Darrion Caldwell set for Bellator 244 in Chicago". mmajunkie.com.
  50. ↑ Alexander, Mookie (July 8, 2020). "Report: Bellator MMA aiming for July 24th return in Connecticut". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
  51. ↑ Steven Marrocco (October 15, 2020). "Bellator featherweight grand prix bouts set with Daniel Weichel vs. Emmanuel Sanchez, A.J. McKee vs. Darrion Caldwell". MMAFighting.com.
  52. ↑ Marc Raimondi (November 19, 2020). "A.J. McKee submits Darrion Caldwell in Bellator 253 main event". ESPN.
  53. ↑ Lee, Alexander K. (April 27, 2021). "Darrion Caldwell returns to bantamweight for Leandro Higo rematch at Bellator 259". MMA Fighting. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  54. ↑ "Bellator 259 weigh-in results: Two fighters come in heavy, including co-headliner". MMA Junkie. May 20, 2021. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
  55. ↑ "Bellator 259: Leandro Higo edges Darrion Caldwell in rematch". FanSided. May 21, 2021. Retrieved May 22, 2021.
  56. ↑ ATSteveDuncan (December 13, 2021). "Enrique Barzola debutará en Bellator MMA el 29 de enero". MMA.uno , #1 En noticias de Artes Marciales Mixtas (MMA) en Español. (in Spanish). Retrieved December 13, 2021.
  57. ↑ Briggs, Brady (January 30, 2022). "Enrique Barzola breaks, stops Darrion Caldwell at Bellator 273". MyMMANews.com. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  58. ↑ Bohn, Mike (December 22, 2022). "On two-fight skid, Neiman Gracie draws Michael Lombardo at Bellator 290". MMA Junkie. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
  59. ↑ Sherdog.com. "Bellator 290 'Bader vs. Fedor 2' Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring". Sherdog. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
  60. ↑ "Thank you for the ride @bellatormma". www.instagram.com. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
  61. ↑ "Metcalf apologizes for NCAA wrestling push", from Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier
  62. ↑ "WATCH: MMA Fighter’s Backflip Off Cage Ends In Epic Fail", by Ross Kelly, CBS Local Sports
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