Mike Easton

Last updated
Mike Easton
BornMichael Raymond Easton
(1984-01-25) January 25, 1984 (age 39)
Washington, D.C. [1]
Other namesThe Hulk
Nationality American
Height5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)
Weight135 lb (61 kg; 9.6 st)
Division Bantamweight
Reach70 in (180 cm) [2] [3]
Stance Southpaw
Fighting out of Camp Springs, Maryland, U.S.
Team Alliance MMA
Team Lloyd Irvin
Rank Black belt in Taekwondo [4]
 Black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under Lloyd Irvin [5]
Years active2003–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total19
Wins13
By knockout4
By submission2
By decision7
Losses6
By knockout1
By decision5
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Michael Raymond Easton [6] (born January 25, 1984) is an American mixed martial artist, who is perhaps best known for his stint in the Bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. A professional competitor since 2003, he was the reigning Ultimate Warrior Challenge Bantamweight Champion when he joined the UFC.

Contents

Background

Easton was born and raised in Washington D.C. Growing up dyslexic in a rough area of the city, Easton sought an outlet through martial arts, beginning with Taekwondo from a young age and going on to earn a black belt. At the age of 17, Easton began training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under the tutelage of Lloyd Irvin. [7] Easton was also a World Kickboxing Association World Champion and WKA U.S. National Champion, and won a bronze medal at the 2008 Brown Belt Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Mundials. [8]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Easton made his professional debut in 2003 for Reality Fighting at the age of 20. He fought and defeated Anibal Torres via unanimous decision. Almost a year after his debut, Easton returned to defeat Jason Taylor, again winning the fight via unanimous decision.

In 2007, Easton was awarded his black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under Lloyd Irvin. That year Easton also lost for the first time. During a bout against Reynaldo Duarte, Easton misjudged a kick taking the full force of the blow on his elbow. He recalled the injury in an interview with The Washington Post . "My arm just flopped backward, I'm having a full-blown conversation with my coach while this guy's trying to punch me in the face. I'm like, 'Man, my arm's not working. What's going on with my arm?' This guy's just hitting me in the face....I wasn't worried about him. I don't fear no man." Because of the severity of the injury his corner was forced to throw in the towel and Easton was immediately rushed to the hospital. [9] After claiming a 5–1 record, Easton signed with Virginia-based promotion, Ultimate Warrior Challenge. He fought twice for the promotion before earning himself a title shot against Justin Robbins. Easton submitted Robbins in the third round of their five round fight, winning him the bantamweight championship.

His first defense of the title was against Josh Ferguson at UWC 6: Capital Punishment in April 2009. Easton won the fight in the first round via submission due to a guillotine choke.

Easton then fought former WEC title holder, Chase Beebe. The fight went all five rounds. However, Easton won the fight via split decision, and retained his title. The crowd heavily booed the results, and the fight went on to be named Sherdog's Robbery of the Year. [10]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

After nearly a two-year hiatus from competing, Easton signed with the UFC on July 26, 2011. His promotional debut was expected to take place against Jeff Hougland on October 1, 2011, at UFC on Versus 6. [11] However, Hougland was forced out of the bout with an injury and replaced by fellow UFC newcomer Byron Bloodworth. [12] Bloodworth failed to make the 135 pound weight limit, thus the match was changed to a 138-pound catchweight bout, with Bloodworth being fined for the infraction. Easton won by TKO in the second round.

Easton was expected to face Ken Stone on January 20, 2012, at UFC on FX 1. [13] However, Stone was forced out of the bout with an injury and replaced by promotional newcomer Jared Papazian. [14] Easton won the bout via majority decision.

Easton was expected to face Yves Jabouin on May 15, 2012, at UFC on Fuel TV: Korean Zombie vs. Poirier. [15] However, Easton was forced out of the bout with an injury and replaced by Jeff Hougland. [16]

Easton fought Ivan Menjivar on July 7, 2012, at UFC 148 [17] and won the fight via unanimous decision.

Easton was expected to face T.J. Dillashaw on December 8, 2012, at UFC on Fox 5. [18] However, Dillashaw was forced out of the bout with an injury and Bryan Caraway was briefly linked as a replacement. [19] Caraway himself was injured and was replaced by Raphael Assunção. [20] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Easton next faced Brad Pickett on April 6, 2013, at UFC on Fuel TV 9. [21] He lost the back-and-forth fight via split decision. Despite the loss on the scorecards, Easton earned his first Fight of the Night bonus with this bout. [22]

Easton faced T.J. Dillashaw on January 15, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 35. [23] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Easton faced Yves Jabouin on June 14, 2014, at UFC 174. [24] He lost the fight via unanimous decision, and was subsequently released from the promotion shortly after. [25]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
19 matches13 wins6 losses
By knockout41
By submission20
By decision75
Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Loss13–6Jesse StirnDecision (split)Shogun Fights XVIApril 8, 201735:00 Baltimore, Maryland, United StatesFor Shogun Fights Bantamweight Championship.
Loss13–5 Yves Jabouin Decision (unanimous) UFC 174 June 14, 201435:00 Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Loss13–4 T.J. Dillashaw Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Rockhold vs. Philippou January 15, 201435:00 Duluth, Georgia, United States
Loss13–3 Brad Pickett Decision (split) UFC on Fuel TV: Mousasi vs. Latifi April 6, 201335:00 Stockholm, SwedenFight of the Night.
Loss13–2 Raphael Assunção Decision (unanimous) UFC on Fox: Henderson vs. Diaz December 8, 201235:00 Seattle, Washington, United States
Win13–1 Ivan Menjivar Decision (unanimous) UFC 148 July 7, 201235:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win12–1Jared PapazianDecision (majority) UFC on FX: Guillard vs. Miller January 20, 201235:00 Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Win11–1Byron BloodworthTKO (knee to the body and punches) UFC Live: Cruz vs. Johnson October 1, 201124:52 Washington, D.C., United StatesCatchweight (138 lbs.) bout.
Win10–1 Chase Beebe Decision (split)UWC 7: RedemptionOctober 3, 200955:00 Fairfax, Virginia, United StatesDefended UWC Bantamweight Championship.
Win9–1Josh FergusonSubmission (guillotine choke)UWC 6: Capital PunishmentApril 25, 200914:06 Fairfax, Virginia, United StatesDefended UWC Bantamweight Championship.
Win8–1Justin RobbinsSubmission (guillotine choke)UWC 5: Man 'O' WarFebruary 21, 200934:44 Fairfax, Virginia, United StatesWon UWC Bantamweight Championship.
Win7–1 John Dodson Decision (split)UWC 4: ConfrontationOctober 11, 200835:00 Fairfax, Virginia, United States
Win6–1Gerald LovatoKO (punch)UWC 3: InvasionApril 26, 200812:48 Fairfax, Virginia, United States
Loss5–1Reynaldo Walter DuarteTKO (corner stoppage)Combat Sport ChallengeSeptember 29, 200711:36 Richmond, Virginia, United StatesEaston's corner threw in towel due to broken arm.
Win5–0Hudson RochaKO (punch)Fury FC 2: Final CombatNovember 30, 200620:45 São Paulo, Brazil
Win4–0Rick DesperDecision (unanimous)Reality Fighting 12: Return to Boardwalk HallApril 29, 200634:00 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Bantamweight debut; Won Reality Fighting Bantamweight Championship.
Win3–0Jay IsipTKO (punches)Reality Fighting 6April 3, 200421:42 Wildwood, New Jersey, United StatesWon Reality Fighting Featherweight Championship.
Win2–0Jason TaylorDecision (unanimous)Combat Sport ChallengeJanuary 31, 200425:00 Richmond, Virginia, United States
Win1–0Anibal TorresDecision (unanimous)Reality Fighting 3February 8, 200335:00 Bayonne, New Jersey, United States

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brad Pickett</span> English mixed martial arts fighter

Brad Pickett is an English former mixed martial artist. He is a former Cage Rage British Featherweight Champion. He competed as a bantamweight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship; Dana White stated that Pickett was one of his favourite fighters to watch. He has also competed for World Extreme Cagefighting and BodogFIGHT, and at the Dynamite!! USA event.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Urijah Faber</span> American mixed martial arts fighter

Urijah Faber is an American mixed martial artist and actor who is signed to the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He competed as a bantamweight and formerly competed as a featherweight. He is also the founder of Team Alpha Male.

Ivan Menjivar is a Salvadorian-Canadian mixed martial artist who formerly fought in the featherweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eddie Wineland</span> American mixed martial arts fighter (born 1984)

Edward Alan Wineland Jr. is an American retired mixed martial artist, who competed in the Bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A professional competitor since 2003 until 2022, Wineland was the inaugural WEC Bantamweight Champion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dominick Cruz</span> American mixed martial artist

Dominick Cruz is an American professional mixed martial artist, sports analyst and commentator. He currently competes in the Bantamweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he is a former two-time UFC Bantamweight Champion. Cruz has also competed for World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC), and was the promotions final WEC Bantamweight Champion. As of May 9, 2023, he is #9 in the UFC bantamweight rankings.

Raphael Oliveira Assunção is a Brazilian retired mixed martial artist, he competed in the Bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

Takeya Mizugaki is a retired Japanese mixed martial artist who most notably competed in the Bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. A professional competitor from 2005 to 2020, Mizugaki also competed for Absolute Championship Berkut, WEC, Shooto, and Cage Force.

Fernand Yves Jabouin is a retired Haitian-Canadian mixed martial artist who formerly competed in the Bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. A professional competitor since 2001, Jabouin also formerly competed for the WEC.

Bryan Caraway (born August 4, 1984) is an American mixed martial artist currently competing in Battlefield Fighting Championship. A professional MMA competitor since 2005, Caraway has fought in the UFC, Strikeforce, EliteXC, and the WEC. He was a competitor on Spike TV's The Ultimate Fighter: Team Bisping vs. Team Miller.

Renan Mota do Nascimento Pegado, better known as Renan Barão, is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist and the former UFC Bantamweight Champion. He held one of the longest unbeaten streaks in MMA history - following a loss in his professional debut, he recorded 32 straight fights without a loss over a span of 9 years. During his championship reign, he was ranked as a top 3 pound for pound fighter and regarded as one of the best mixed martial artists in the world. His nickname Barão (baron), which predates his athletic career, was given to him by his grandmother after a character in the 1986 Brazilian soap opera Sinhá Moça.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeff Hougland</span> American mixed martial arts fighter

Jeffery Ryan Hougland is a retired American professional mixed martial artist. A professional from 2002 until 2012, he competed for the UFC and WEC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">UFC Live: Cruz vs. Johnson</span> UFC mixed martial arts event in 2011

UFC Live: Cruz vs. Johnson was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on October 1, 2011 at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C.

Walel Watson is an American mixed martial artist. A professional since 2008, he has fought in the UFC, Titan FC, and Tachi Palace Fights.

Dustin William Pague is a former American mixed martial artist who most recently fought in the Bantamweight division of the UFC. He was a competitor on Spike TV's The Ultimate Fighter: Team Bisping vs. Team Miller, and has formerly competed as a Lightweight and Featherweight.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">T.J. Dillashaw</span> American mixed martial artist

Tyler Jeffrey Dillashaw is an American former professional mixed martial artist who competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he is a former two-time UFC Bantamweight Champion.

Johnny Eduardo is a Brazilian mixed martial artist currently fighting in the bantamweight division. He has formerly competed for the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Francisco Rivera Jr. is an American mixed martial artist who last competed in XMMA. A professional since 2008, he has also competed for the WEC and Tachi Palace Fights. Rivera is known for his heavy hands and wild fighting style.

Érik Gregorio Pérez Ruvalcaba is a Mexican mixed martial artist who competes in the Bantamweight division of the Bellator MMA promotion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aljamain Sterling</span> American mixed martial artist (born 1989)

Aljamain Antoine Sterling is an American mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Bantamweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he is the current UFC Bantamweight Champion. Sterling is the first UFC champion to win a title by disqualification. He also competed for Cage Fury Fighting Championship, where he is the former Cage Fury Fighting Championship Bantamweight Champion. Sterling holds the record for most wins, most consecutive wins as well as the most consecutive title defenses in UFC Bantamweight history. As of April 11, 2023, he is #6 in the UFC men's pound-for-pound rankings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cory Sandhagen</span> American mixed martial arts fighter

Cory Sandhagen is an American professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Bantamweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A professional competitor since 2015, Sandhagen has also competed for Legacy Fighting Alliance. As of May 9, 2023, he is #4 in the UFC bantamweight rankings.

References

  1. ↑ Gerbasi, Thomas (January 18, 2012). "Fighting Since Birth, Mike Easton has Arrived". UFC.com.
  2. ↑ "Fight Card - UFC 174 Johnson vs. Bagautinov". UFC.com. Retrieved June 15, 2014.
  3. ↑ "Stats | UFC".
  4. ↑ "Mike "The Hulk" Easton". tapology.com.
  5. ↑ Lloyd Irvin. "Mike "the Hulk" Easton Receives his black belt in bjj from Lloyd Irvin Jr". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved January 13, 2014.
  6. ↑ http://www.boxing.nv.gov/2012%20Results%20Web/07-07-12%20MMA.pdf%5B%5D
  7. ↑ "Communities — Voices and Insights - Washington Times".
  8. ↑ "Mike Easton ("The Hulk") | MMA Fighter Page".
  9. ↑ Dan Steinberg (February 16, 2009). "MMA Fighter Mike Easton: "All D.C.'d Up"". washingtonpost.com.
  10. ↑ "Robbery of the Year". sherdog.com. January 11, 2010.
  11. ↑ "Mike Easton vs. Jeff Hougland bantamweight fight planned for UFC on Versus 6". mmamania.com. 2011-07-26.
  12. ↑ "Jeff Hougland out, Byron Bloodworth in against Mike Easton at UFC on Versus 6". mmajunkie.com. September 27, 2011. Archived from the original on September 30, 2011.
  13. ↑ "Mike Easton vs. Ken Stone completes UFC on FX 1 main card". mmajunkie.com. January 2, 2012. Archived from the original on February 11, 2012.
  14. ↑ "UFC on FX 1: Jared Papazian vs Mike Easton possible for Jan. 20 with Ken Stone hurt". mmamania.com. January 6, 2012.
  15. ↑ "Mike Easton vs. Yves Jabouin added to UFC on FUEL TV 3". mmajunkie.com. February 13, 2012. Archived from the original on February 15, 2012.
  16. ↑ "Bantamweight shakeup: Easton out, Hougland meets Jabouin". mmajunkie.com. March 23, 2012. Archived from the original on March 25, 2012.
  17. ↑ "Ivan Menjivar Draws Mike Easton After Renan Barão Promoted to UFC Title Fight". mmaweekly.com. May 19, 2012.
  18. ↑ "T.J. Dillashaw vs. Mike Easton verbally agreed to for UFC on FOX 5 in Seattle". mmajunkie.com. October 20, 2012. Archived from the original on 2012-10-22. Retrieved 2012-10-22.
  19. ↑ "Bryan Caraway in for injured T.J. Dillashaw, faces Mike Easton at UFC on FOX 5". MMAjunkie.com. October 30, 2012. Archived from the original on November 1, 2012.
  20. ↑ "Raphael Assuncao replaces Bryan Caraway, faces Mike Easton at UFC on FOX 5". mmajunkie. November 21, 2012. Archived from the original on January 3, 2013.
  21. ↑ "Pickett vs. Easton: UFC Stockholm". YourMMA.tv. Feb 7, 2013. Archived from the original on April 18, 2013.
  22. ↑ Staff (2013-04-06). "UFC on FUEL TV 9 bonuses: McGregor, Madadi, Pickett, Easton win $60,000". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved 2013-04-06.
  23. ↑ Mike Whitman. "UFC Returns to Georgia in January with T.J. Dillashaw-Mike Easton". sherdog.com. Retrieved November 4, 2013.
  24. ↑ Staff (2014-03-26). "Yves Jabouin vs. Mike Easton slated for UFC 174 in Vancouver". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-03-26.
  25. ↑ C.J. Tuttle (2014-09-23). "UFC Releases Mike Easton After 4 Consecutive Decision Losses". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2014-09-23.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.