Lance Palmer

Lance Palmer
Born	Lance Tyler Palmer [1] (1987-02-07) February 7, 1987 (age 36) Columbia Station, Ohio, United States
Other names	The Party
Height	5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)
Weight	145 lb (66 kg; 10.4 st)
Division	Featherweight
Reach	69 in (180 cm) [2]
Style	Wrestling
Fighting out of	Toms River, New Jersey, United States
Team	Team Alpha Male (2010–2017) [3] [4] Xtreme Couture (2018–2019) [5] Nick Catone MMA (2019–present) [4]
Rank	Black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under Dustin Akbari [6]
Wrestling	NCAA Division I Wrestling [7]
Years active	2011–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total	30
Wins	23
By knockout	1
By submission	8
By decision	14
Losses	7
By knockout	1
By submission	1
By decision	5
University	Ohio State University
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Medal record Collegiate Wrestling Representing the Ohio State Buckeyes NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships 2010 Omaha 149 lb Big Ten Championships 2007 East Lansing 149 lb 2009 State College 149 lb 2010 Ann Arbor 149 lb

Lance Palmer (born February 7, 1987) is an American professional mixed martial artist and former collegiate wrestler, who currently competes in the featherweight division. A professional since 2011, he is most notable for competing in Professional Fighters League (PFL), where he was the 2018 and 2019 tournament champion. As a folkstyle wrestler, he was a four-time NCAA Division I All-American and four-time OHSAA state champion.

Wrestling career

High school

Palmer started wrestling at the age of nine and won every OHSAA (state) tournament since his freshman year of high school, making him a four-time Ohio champion out of St. Edward High School in Lakewood, Ohio. He graduated with a record of 150-6 and also won a NHSCA Senior National championship while coached by Greg Urbas. ^[8]

College

After graduating, he attended Division I powerhouse Ohio State University, where he competed at 149 pounds in all of his 4 seasons.

2006-07

True Freshman: Earned All-American status after placing fourth at the NCAA tournament, becoming the second Buckeye to do so in their first year of competition. He also placed third at the Big Ten Championships, and defeated 3 ranked opponents at the tournament. ^[9]

2007-08

Sophomore: Became a two-time All-American placing eight at the NCAA championship. At the Big Ten's, he placed sixth and was the fifth seed. ^[9]

2008-09

Junior: Placed fourth at the NCAA's, making him a three-time All-American. He also placed third at the Big Ten Conference championship. ^[9]

2009-10

Senior: Palmer had the most success in his college career as he became the NCAA's tournament runner-up and champion of the Big Ten Conference before graduating. ^[10]

Over his career, Palmer compiled a 121–33 record and became a four-time NCAA Division I All-American, one-time NCAA finalist and one-time Big Ten Champion. He defeated notable opponents such as future Olympic Gold Medalist and 2x NCAA Champion Jordan Burroughs, NCAA Champion and future Olympian Frank Molinaro, future NCAA Champion and MMA Fighter Bubba Jenkins, former NCAA Champion (later two-time) Brent Metcalf and University Freestyle National Champion Jason Chamberlain ^{[11] [12]}

On June 16, 2020, Palmer was inducted into the Ohio State University's Hall of Fame by his legendary collegiate wrestling career. ^{[13] [14]}

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Palmer made his professional mixed martial arts debut on May 20, 2011. He began his career at 7-0 and won the Resurrection Fighting Alliance Featherweight Championship a little over two years after his debut. ^[15]

World Series of Fighting

On December 7, 2013, Palmer made his World Series of Fighting debut at WSOF 7 against Bellator veteran Georgi Karakhanyan for the inaugural WSOF Featherweight Championship. ^[16] He lost via guillotine choke in the third round.

On June 21, 2014, Palmer faced Nick LoBasco at WSOF 10. ^[17] He won via rear naked choke submission in the first round.

On December 13, 2014, Palmer challenged Rick Glenn for the WSOF Featherweight Championship at WSOF 16. ^[18] He won via rear naked choke submission in the third round to become the WSOF Featherweight Champion.

On June 5, 2015, Palmer made his first defense of the WSOF Featherweight Championship at WSOF 21 against IFL and WEC veteran Chris Horodecki. ^[19] He won via neck crank submission in the first round to retain the WSOF Featherweight Championship.

On December 18, 2015, Palmer made the second defense of the WSOF Featherweight Championship at WSOF 26 against Alexandre Almeida. ^[20] He lost via unanimous decision.

On May 10, 2016, it was announced that Palmer will have a rematch against Alexandre Almeida for the WSOF Featherweight Championship at WSOF 32 on July 30, 2016 in the co-main event. ^[21] He won via unanimous decision to become a two time WSOF Featherweight Champion.

On June 30, 2016, Palmer fought Andre Harrison in for the first title defense of his second reign as champion at WSOF 35 in the co-main event. He lost the fight via unanimous decision. ^[22]

Professional Fighters League

After World Series of Fighting became the Professional Fighters League, Palmer next fought on November 2, 2017. He fought Steven Siler at Professional Fighters League: Fight Night where Palmer won the fight via unanimous decision. ^[23]

Palmer then competed in the inaugural season of the Professional Fighters League. He fought on at the first event of the new format at PFL 1 in the Featherweight division. On June 7, 2018, he faced Bekbulat Magomedov and won the fight by second round submission. ^[24] On July 19, 2018, Palmer fought Jumabieke Tuerxun at PFL 4. He won the fight by third round submission. ^[25]

In the fall of 2018, Palmer entered the PFL Featherweight tournament as the second seed. At PFL 8 on October 5, 2018, he defeated Max Coga by unanimous decision in the quarterfinal round and then rematched Andre Harrison and earned unanimous decision win in the semifinal round. ^[26]

Palmer fought another rematch against Steven Siler in the finals at PFL 11 on December 31, 2018. He won the fight via unanimous decision, winning the PFL Featherweight tournament and earning the $1 million cash prize. ^[27]

2019 Season

In the opening round of the second season of PFL, Palmer faced Alex Gilpin at PFL 2 on May 23, 2019. He won the fight via unanimous decision, collecting three regular season points. ^[28]

In the second round Palmer faced Luis Rafael Laurentino at PFL 5 on July 25, 2019. He won the fight via third-round TKO and advanced to the playoffs. ^[29]

Palmer next faced Alexandre de Almeida and Alex Gilpin at PFL 8 on October 17, 2019. He won both fights by unanimous decision. He was expected to face Daniel Pineda in the Featherweight tournament finals, but after Pineda failed a drug test after PFL 8, Palmer was set to face Alex Gilpin in the finals again.

Palmer and Gilpin faced each other for the third time during the season at PFL 10 on December 31, 2019. Palmer implemented his grappling-heavy fight style, winning the bout via unanimous decision and claiming his second PFL Featherweight tournament victory. ^[30]

2021 Season

Palmer was scheduled to face Jason Soares in the opening round of the third season on May 21, 2020. ^[31] However, the event was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. ^[32]

Palmer faced 2011 NCAA Division I champion Bubba Jenkins on April 23, 2021 at PFL 1. ^[33] He lost for the first time during his PFL run via unanimous decision. ^[34]

Palmer was scheduled to face Lazar Stojadinovic at PFL 4 on June 10, 2021. ^[35] However, on May 24, it was announced that Stojadinovic had to pull out of the bout and was replaced by Jesse Stirn. ^[36] A day before the event, Palmer was pulled and rescheduled to face Movlid Khaybulaev on June 25, 2021 at PFL 6. ^[37] He lost the bout via unanimous decision, eliminating Palmer from the playoffs for the first time in his PFL career. ^[38]

2022 Season

Palmer faced Chris Wade on April 28, 2022 at PFL 2. ^[39] He lost the bout via unanimous decision. ^[40]

Palmer faced Sheymon Moraes on June 24, 2022 at PFL 5. ^[41] He won the bout via unanimous decision. ^[42]

Absolute Championship Akhmat

Palmer was scheduled to take part in the 2023 ACA Featherweight Grand Prix, facing Bibert Tumenov in the quarter-finals on August 11, 2023 at ACA 161. However, Palmer withdrew from the fight due to injury and the bout was postponed for the following event on September 2, 2023 at ACA 162. ^[43] At weigh-ins, Palmer (148 lbs / 67.1 kg) missed weight and was fined a 30% of his purse with went to his opponent. ^[44] He subsequently lost the bout via knockout at the end of the first round. ^[45]

Personal life

Palmer was an assistant wrestling coach at the Virginia Tech program. ^[46]

Palmer’s high school career was documented in the movie "Pinned." ^[8]

Palmer and his fiancée Jessie have a daughter, Maya (born 2021). ^[47]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed Martial Arts

• Professional Fighters League
  • 2018 PFL Featherweight Championship
  • 2019 PFL Featherweight Championship
• Resurrection Fighting Alliance
  • RFA Featherweight Championship (One time)
• World Series of Fighting
  • WSOF Featherweight Championship (Two times)
  • One Successful Title Defense

Folkstyle Wrestling

Collegiate

• National Collegiate Athletic Association
  • Ohio State University Hall of Fame Inductee (2020)
  • NCAA Division I All-American out of Ohio State University (2007, 2008, 2009, 2010)
  • NCAA Division I 149 lbs - 4th place out of Ohio State University (2007)
  • NCAA Division I 149 lbs - 8th place out of Ohio State University (2008)
  • NCAA Division I 149 lbs - 4th place out of Ohio State University (2009)
  • NCAA Division I 149 lbs - 2nd place out of Ohio State University (2010)
• Big Ten Conference
  • B1G 149 lbs - 3rd place out of Ohio State University (2007)
  • B1G 149 lbs - 6th place out of Ohio State University (2008)
  • B1G 149 lbs - 3rd place out of Ohio State University (2009)
  • B1G 149 lbs - 1st place out of Ohio State University (2010)

High school

• Ohio High School Athletic Association
  • OHSAA 103 lb Division I State Champion out of St. Edward High School (2003) ^[48]
  • OHSAA 112 lb Division I State Champion out of St. Edward High School (2004) ^[49]
  • OHSAA 125 lb Division I State Champion out of St. Edward High School (2005) ^[50]
  • OHSAA 140 lb Division I State Champion out of St. Edward High School (2006) ^[51]

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown

30 matches	23 wins	7 losses
By knockout	1	1
By submission	8	1
By decision	14	5

Res.	Record	Opponent	Method	Event	Date	Round	Time	Location	Notes
Loss	23–7	Bibert Tumenov	KO (punches)	ACA 162: Tumenov vs. Palmer	September 2, 2023	1	4:53	Krasnodar, Russia	2023 ACA Featherweight Grand Prix Quarter-Final. Catchweight (148 lb) bout; Palmer missed weight.
Win	23–6	Sheymon Moraes	Decision (unanimous)	PFL 5 (2022)	June 24, 2022	3	5:00	Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Loss	22–6	Chris Wade	Decision (unanimous)	PFL 2 (2022)	April 28, 2022	3	5:00	Arlington, Texas, United States
Loss	22–5	Movlid Khaybulaev	Decision (unanimous)	PFL 6 (2021)	June 25, 2021	3	5:00	Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Loss	22–4	Bubba Jenkins	Decision (unanimous)	PFL 1 (2021)	April 23, 2021	3	5:00	Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win	22–3	Alex Gilpin	Decision (unanimous)	PFL 10 (2019)	December 31, 2019	5	5:00	New York City, New York, United States	Won the 2019 PFL Featherweight Tournament.
Win	21–3	Alex Gilpin	Decision (unanimous)	PFL 8 (2019)	October 17, 2019	3	5:00	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States	2019 PFL Featherweight Semifinal bout.
Win	20–3	Alexandre Almeida	Decision (unanimous)			2	5:00		2019 PFL Featherweight Quarterfinal bout.
Win	19–3	Luis Rafael Laurentino	TKO (punches)	PFL 5 (2019)	July 25, 2019	3	2:45	Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States	2019 PFL Featherweight Second Round.
Win	18–3	Alex Gilpin	Decision (unanimous)	PFL 2 (2019)	May 23, 2019	3	5:00	Uniondale, New York, United States	2019 PFL Featherweight Opening Round.
Win	17–3	Steven Siler	Decision (unanimous)	PFL 11 (2018)	December 31, 2018	5	5:00	New York City, New York, United States	Won the 2018 PFL Featherweight Tournament.
Win	16–3	Andre Harrison	Decision (unanimous)	PFL 8 (2018)	October 5, 2018	3	5:00	New Orleans, Louisiana, United States	2018 PFL Featherweight Semifinal bout.
Win	15–3	Max Coga	Decision (unanimous)			2	5:00		2018 PFL Featherweight Quarterfinal bout.
Win	14–3	Jumabieke Tuerxun	Submission (rear-naked choke)	PFL 4 (2018)	July 19, 2018	3	4:34	Uniondale, New York, United States
Win	13–3	Bekbulat Magomedov	Submission (rear-naked choke)	PFL 1 (2018)	June 7, 2018	2	3:21	New York City, New York, United States
Win	12–3	Steven Siler	Decision (unanimous)	PFL: Fight Night	November 2, 2017	3	5:00	Washington, D.C., United States
Loss	11–3	Andre Harrison	Decision (unanimous)	WSOF 35	March 18, 2017	5	5:00	Verona, New York, United States	Lost the WSOF Featherweight Championship
Win	11–2	Alexandre Almeida	Decision (majority)	WSOF 32	July 30, 2016	5	5:00	Everett, Washington, United States	Won the WSOF Featherweight Championship
Loss	10–2	Alexandre Almeida	Decision (unanimous)	WSOF 26	December 18, 2015	5	5:00	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States	Lost the WSOF Featherweight Championship
Win	10–1	Chris Horodecki	Submission (neck crank)	WSOF 21	June 5, 2015	1	4:28	Edmonton, Alberta, Canada	Defended the WSOF Featherweight Championship
Win	9–1	Rick Glenn	Submission (rear naked choke)	WSOF 16	December 13, 2014	3	3:09	Sacramento, California, United States	Won the WSOF Featherweight Championship
Win	8–1	Nick LoBosco	Submission (rear naked choke)	WSOF 10	June 21, 2014	1	4:15	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss	7–1	Georgi Karakhanyan	Submission (guillotine choke)	WSOF 7	December 7, 2013	3	4:40	Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada	For the Inaugural WSOF Featherweight Championship
Win	7–0	Jared Downing	Decision (split)	RFA 8: Pettis vs. Pegg	June 21, 2013	5	5:00	Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States	Won the RFA Featherweight Championship
Win	6–0	Patrick Reeves	Submission (guillotine choke)	Showdown Fights 11: Buchholz vs. Bell	May 10, 2013	1	3:40	Orem, Utah, United States
Win	5–0	Fredson Paixao	Decision (split)	RFA 4: Griffin vs. Escudero	November 2, 2012	3	5:00	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win	4–0	Joe Washington	Decision (unanimous)	UVC 20: Clash at the Coliseum	August 4, 2012	3	5:00	Columbus, Ohio, United States
Win	3–0	Jordan Chandler	Submission (arm triangle choke)	Showdown Fights 6: Breakout	February 24, 2012	2	4:07	Orem, Utah, United States
Win	2–0	Chris David	Decision (unanimous)	Fight For Wrestling 4	October 1, 2011	3	5:00	San Luis Obispo, California, United States
Win	1–0	Emilio Gonzales	Submission (rear naked choke)	Fight For Wrestling 3: Back in Bakersfield	May 11, 2011	1	2:22	Bakersfield, California, United States

NCAA record

NCAA Championships Matches
Res.	Record	Opponent	Score	Date	Event
2010 NCAA Championships at 149 lbs
Loss	15-7	Brent Metcalf	2-3	March 20, 2010	2010 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships
Win	15-6	Frank Molinaro	2-0
Win	14-6	Jason Chamberlain	Fall
Win	13-6	Nick Bertucci	Fall
Win	12-6	Seth Morton	8-1
2009 NCAA Championships 4th at 149 lbs
Win	11-6	Jake Patacsil	8-7	March 21, 2009	2009 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships
Loss	10-5	Brent Metcalf	2-6
Win	10-4	Kyle Ruschell	4-0
Win	9-4	Mitch Mueller	3-0
Win	8-4	Matt Cathell	4-3
2008 NCAA Championships 8th at 149 lbs
Loss	7-4	Dustin Schlatter	2-3	March 22, 2008	2008 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships
Loss	7-3	Josh Churella	2-6
Win	7-2	Brandon Carter	MD 11-3
Loss	6-2	Brent Metcalf	2-3
Win	6-1	Jake Patacsil	MD 14-6
Win	5-1	Kyle Larson	MD 14-3
2007 NCAA Championships 4th at 149 lbs
Win	4-1	Tyler Turner	OT 6-5	March 17, 2007	2007 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships
Loss	3-1	Josh Churella	2-5
Win	3-0	Matt Coughlin	2-1
Win	2-0	Scott Ervin	10-3
Win	1-0	John Cox	MD 10-2

See also

• List of male mixed martial artists

References

1. Mixed martial arts show results Date: October 17, 2019
2. "Lance Palmer". www.pflmma.com.
3. Damon Martin (May 7, 2011). "The Evolution of a Champion: Lance Palmer's Journey Into MMA – Part 1". mmaweekly.com.
4. Dan Dohery (May 24, 2019). "PFL 2 2019: Lance Palmer Feeling Benefits of Training with Mark Henry". cagesidepress.com.
5. Danny Segura (June 7, 2018). "Lance Palmer discusses training camp switch from Team Alpha Male heading into PFL 1". mmafighting.com.
6. Lance Palmer Promoted to Jiu Jitsu Black Belt under Dustin Akbari
7. "Four-time All-American Lance Palmer is NCAA Championships Runner-up". ohiostatebuckeyes.com. Retrieved March 19, 2020.
8. Damon Martin (2011-05-20). "The Evolution of a Champion – Lance Palmer's Journey Into MMA – Part 3". MMAWeekly.com. Retrieved 2016-01-08.
9. "Lance Palmer Ohio State Bio". Ohio State Buckeyes .
10. Dave Weaver / Associated Press (2010-03-20). "Ohio State wrestler Lance Palmer has rematch against Iowa standout Brent Metcalf at NCAA wrestling tournament". cleveland.com. Retrieved 2016-01-08.
11. Damon Martin (2013-05-10). "Lance Palmer Could Be the Most Coveted Prospect for Either the UFC or Bellator". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 2016-01-08.
12. "Lance Palmer Ohio State Bio".
13. "Dennis Inducted Into OSU Hall of Fame". Ohio State Buckeyes. 2020-06-16. Retrieved 2020-06-26.
14. "Top position again: Columbia Station's Lance Palmer named to Ohio State Hall of Fame for dominating wrestling career". chroniclet.com. Retrieved 2020-06-26.
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17. "WSOF 10 results: David Branch chokes Jesse Taylor to win middleweight title; Rick Glenn, Jessica Aguilar victorious".
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19. "WSOF 21 Results: Palmer vs. Horodecki".
20. "WSOF 26 Results: Palmer vs. Almeida".
21. "WSOF 32 Gets New Main Event, 2nd Title Fight With Addition of Marlon Moraes vs. Josh Hill".
22. "WSOF 35 IVANOV VS. JORDAN".
23. "PROFESSIONAL FIGHTERS LEAGUE PFL: FIGHT NIGHT".
24. "PFL 1".
25. "PFL 4".
26. "PFL 8".
27. "PFL 11".
28. Dave Doyle (May 23, 2019). "PFL 2019, Week 2 results: Lance Palmer earns one-sided decision over Alex Gilpin". mmajunkie.com.
29. Damon Martin (July 25, 2019). "PFL 5 results: Chris Wade, Lance Palmer win as playoff positions are set". mmafighting.com.
30. Adam Guillen Jr. (December 31, 2019). "PFL 10 results: Lance Palmer wins second straight $1 million prize, featherweight tournament in NYC". mmamania.com.
31. @ProFightLeague (March 7, 2020). "Season 3 May 21 @LancePalmer vs. Jason Soares #EarnIt x #PFLmma" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
32. "PFL 'Adjusting Plan' for 2020 Season Due to Coronavirus Pandemic". Sports Bacon. 2020-04-01. Retrieved 2020-05-17.
33. Head, Simon. "Anthony Pettis vs. Clay Collard to headline PFL 2021 season opener". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
34. Anderson, Jay (2021-04-23). "PFL 1 Results: Bubba Jenkins Becomes First to Beat Lance Palmer in PFL". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-04-24.
35. "Anthony Pettis to headline 2021 PFL 4 as lightweights, featherweights get second fights". MMA Junkie. 2021-05-13. Retrieved 2021-05-14.
36. @PFLMMA (May 25, 2021). "Anthony Dizy & Lazar Stojadinovic will not compete at PFL 4" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
37. Martin, Damon (2021-06-09). "PFL 4 card loses two-time champ Lance Palmer, rescheduled with new opponent at PFL 6". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2021-06-09.
38. "2021 PFL 6 results: Movlid Khaybulaev wins decision, eliminates Lance Palmer from playoffs". MMA Junkie. 2021-06-26. Retrieved 2021-06-26.
39. "Cappelozza, Austin to headline PFL 2 on April 28". ESPN.com. 2022-03-29. Retrieved 2022-03-29.
40. Anderson, Jay (2022-04-28). "PFL 2 2022: Chris Wade Takes Unanimous Decision Over Ex-Champ Palmer". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-04-29.
41. "Cappelozza to fight Scheffel in PFL 5 main event". ESPN.com. 2022-05-26. Retrieved 2022-05-26.
42. Gonzaga, VH (2022-06-24). "Sheymon Moraes é superado na PFL 5 2022 e tem vaga na próxima fase do torneio dos penas ameaçada". SUPER LUTAS (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2022-06-25.
43. "Бой Биберта Туменова против американца Палмера перенесен на ACA 162". mma.metaratings.ru (in Russian). July 26, 2023.
44. "ACA 162: ТУМЕНОВ VS ПАЛМЕР — РЕЗУЛЬТАТЫ ЦЕРЕМОНИИ ВЗВЕШИВАНИЯ". ACA MMA.
45. "Результат боя Биберт Туменов – Лэнс Палмер 2 сентября на турнире ACA 162". mma.metaratings.ru (in Russian). 2023-09-02. Retrieved 2023-09-14.
46. "Wrestling :: Lance Palmer". hokiesports.com. Retrieved 2016-01-08.
47. Lance Palmer [@lancepalmer] (February 15, 2021). "Happy Valentine's Day to my girls!" – via Instagram.
48. "2003 Wrestling Championships".
49. "2004 Wrestling Championships".
50. "2005 Wrestling Championships".
51. "2006 Wrestling Championships".

External links

• Lance Palmer at PFL
• Lance Palmer at ESPN.com
• Lance Palmer at Sherdog
• Lance Palmer at Tapology.com
• Lance Palmer at Fight Matrix
• Lance Palmer at ESPN
• Lance Palmer on Instagram