Darrion Caldwell

Darrion Caldwell (born December 19, 1987) is an American mixed martial artist currently competing in the Featherweight division of Bellator MMA. He also formerly competed in the Bantamweight division where he is the former Bellator Bantamweight World Champion. A professional since 2012, he has also competed for Legacy FC. He was the 2009 NCAA national wrestling champion at 149 pounds.

Darrion Caldwell
Born (1987-12-19) December 19, 1987
Rahway, New Jersey, United States
Other namesThe Wolf
NationalityAmerican
Height5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight135 lb (61 kg; 9.6 st)
DivisionBantamweight (2015–2019)
Featherweight (2012–2014, 2019–present)
Reach74 in (188 cm)
Fighting out ofRedlands, California, United States
TeamPinnacle Mixed Martial Arts
RankBlue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
WrestlingNCAA Division I Wrestling[1]
Years active2012–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total18
Wins15
By knockout2
By submission6
By decision7
Losses3
By submission2
By decision1
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Medal record
Collegiate Wrestling
Representing the NC State Wolfpack
NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships
2009 St. Louis149 lb
ACC Championships
2007 Raleigh 141 lb
2008 Philadelphia 149 lb
2009 Blacksburg 149 lb
2011 Charlottesville 149 lb

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 146-4 (three losses came as a freshman), and compiled three NJSIAA championships.[2]

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.[3] 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.[4]

2007-08

As a sophomore, he compiled 36 wins and 5 losses and also won the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational during regular season.[3] Post-season, he won his second straight ACC championship[5] 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.[6]

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.[3] In the post-season, he won his third ACC championship[7] 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 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.[8]

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[9] 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.[10]

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 Qualifier, where he once again did not place and became an MMA fighter shortly after.[11]

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.[12] He lost the bout on points.[13]

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.[14]

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.[15]

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.[16]

Caldwell next faced Gerzan Chaw at Legacy FC 21 on July 19, 2013. He won the fight via unanimous decision after three rounds.[17]

Bellator MMA

Featherweight

Caldwell signed with Bellator MMA in November 2013.[18]

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.[19]

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.[20]

In his third appearance for the promotion, Caldwell faced Anthony Dizi at Bellator 130 on October 24, 2014.[21] He won the fight via unanimous decision. He later stated in an interview that he plans to move down to the bantamweight division.[22]

Bantamweight

Caldwell made his bantamweight debut against Rafael Silva on May 15, 2015 at Bellator 137.[23] He won the fight by unanimous decision.

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

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.

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

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. He won the bout via unanimous decision.

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.[24] An injury, however, forced Caldwell out of the bout. Thus, he was replaced with Bellator newcomer Leandro Higo.[25] Dantas would go on to defeat the latter via split decision in a non-title affair.[26]

The bantamweight title bout against Dantas was rescheduled for Bellator 184 on October 6, 2017.[27] Caldwell won via unanimous decision to become the Bellator Bantamweight Champion.[28]

In the first defense of his title, Caldwell faced Leandro Higo on March 2, 2018 in the main event at Bellator 195.[29] He won the fight via guillotine choke submission in the first round.[30]

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.[31] He won the fight by knockout in the second round.[32]

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.[33] 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.[34] 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.[35] He won the fight by unanimous decision.

In the quarterfinals, Caldwell faced Ádám Borics at Bellator 238 on January 25, 2020.[36][37] He won the bout via first round submission.[38]

In the semifinals, Caldwell was slated to face A. J. McKee at Bellator 244 on June 6, 2020.[39] However, the event was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[40]

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.[41]

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.[42]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts
  • Bellator MMA
    • Bellator Bantamweight World Championship (One time)
      • One successful title defense
    • Most submission wins in Bellator Bantamweight division history (three)

Folkstyle wrestling

Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown
18 matches 15 wins 3 losses
By knockout 2 0
By submission 6 2
By decision 7 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 15–3 Ádám Borics Submission (rear-naked choke) Bellator 238 January 25, 2020 1 2:20 Inglewood, California, United States Bellator Featherweight World Grand Prix Quarterfinals.
Win 14–3 Henry Corrales Decision (unanimous) Bellator 228 September 28, 2019 3 5:00 Inglewood, California, United States Return to Featherweight. Bellator Featherweight World Grand Prix Opening Round.
Loss 13–3 Kyoji Horiguchi Decision (unanimous) Bellator 222 June 14, 2019 5 5:00 New York City, New York, United States Lost the Bellator Bantamweight World Championship.
Loss 13–2 Kyoji Horiguchi Submission (guillotine choke) Rizin 14 December 31, 2018 3 1:12 Saitama, Japan For the inaugural Rizin Bantamweight Championship.
Win 13–1 Noad Lahat KO (punches) Bellator 204 August 17, 2018 2 2:46 Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States Featherweight bout.
Win 12–1 Leandro Higo Submission (guillotine choke) Bellator 195 March 2, 2018 1 2:36 Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States Defended the Bellator Bantamweight World Championship.
Win 11–1 Eduardo Dantas Decision (unanimous) Bellator 184 October 6, 2017 5 5:00 Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States Won the Bellator Bantamweight World Championship.
Win 10–1 Joe Taimanglo Decision (unanimous) Bellator 167 December 3, 2016 3 5:00 Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States
Loss 9–1 Joe Taimanglo Submission (guillotine choke) Bellator 159 July 22, 2016 3 0:09 Mulvane, Kansas, United States Catchweight (138 lbs); Taimanglo missed weight.
Win 9–0 Joe Warren Technical Submission (rear-naked choke) Bellator 151 March 4, 2016 1 3:23 Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States
Win 8–0 Shawn Bunch Submission (rear-naked choke) Bellator 143 September 25, 2015 1 2:35 Hidalgo, Texas, United States
Win 7–0 Rafael Silva Decision (unanimous) Bellator 137 May 15, 2015 3 5:00 Temecula, California, United States Bantamweight debut.
Win 6–0 Anthony Dizy Decision (unanimous) Bellator 130 October 24, 2014 3 5:00 Mulvane, Kansas, United States
Win 5–0 Joe Pingitore Submission (rear-naked choke) Bellator 118 May 2, 2014 1 1:32 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win 4–0 Lance Surma Submission (guillotine choke) Bellator 112 March 14, 2014 1 0:50 Hammond, Indiana, United States
Win 3–0 Gerzan Chaw Decision (unanimous) Legacy FC 21 July 19, 2013 3 5:00 Houston, Texas, United States
Win 2–0 Quaint Kempf TKO (punches) Legacy FC 16 December 14, 2012 1 1:00 Dallas, Texas, United States
Win 1–0 David Armas Decision (unanimous) Legacy FC 14 September 14, 2012 3 3:00 Houston, Texas, United States

Freestyle record
Senior Freestyle Matches
Res. Record Opponent Score Date Event Location
FloWrestling: Dake vs. Chamizo at 149lb
Loss 6-6 Luke Pletcher 2-9 July 25, 2020 FloWrestling: Dake vs. Chamizo

Austin, Texas

2012 US Olympic Team Trials at 66 kg
Loss 6-5 Destin McCauley 3-3, 1-1 March 31 - April 1, 2012 2012 US Olympic Team Trials

Cedar Falls, Iowa

Loss 6-4 Jason Tsirtsis 0-8, 1-1
Win 6-3 Jacob Wadley 7-1, 8-3
Win 5-3 Brandon Bradley TF 6-0, 7-0
2012 Dave Schultz Memorial International at 66 kg
Loss 4-3 Chase Pami 0-3, 0-2 February 2 - 4, 2012 2012 Dave Schultz Memorial International

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Win 4-2 Rahul Mann Fall
2009 Heydar Aliyev Golden Grand Prix 15th at 66 kg
Loss 3-2 Koba Kakaladze 4-2, 2-4, 1-3 July 27, 2009 2009 Heydar Aliyev Golden Grand Prix

Baku, Azerbaijan

2009 US World Team Trials at 66 kg
Win 3-1 Josh Churella 1-0, 4-1 May 29 - 31, 2009 2009 US World Team Trials Challenge

Council Bluffs, Iowa

Loss 2-1 Jared Frayer 2-2, 2-3
Win 2-0 Brian Stith 1-0, 1-0
Win 1-0 Doug Schwab 1-0, 2-1

NCAA record
NCAA Championships Matches
Res. Record Opponent Score Date Event
2011 NCAA Championships at 149 lbs
Win 10–4 Ivan Lopouchanski MD 18-7 March 17-19, 2011 2011 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships
2009 NCAA Championships at 149 lbs
Win 9–4 Brent Metcalf 11-6 March 19-21, 2009 2009 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships
Win 8–4 Bryce Saddoris MD 13-2
Win 7–4 Jake Patacsil MD 10-1
Win 6–4 Desmond Green MD 10-2
Win 5–4 Cesar Grajales Fall
2008 NCAA Championships 5th at 149 lbs
Loss 4–4 Josh Churella 1-6 March 20-22, 2008 2008 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships
Loss 4–3 Bubba Jenkins 8-12
Win 4–2 Dustin Schlatter 4-1
Win 3–2 Brandon Carter Fall
Win 2–2 Michael Roberts Fall
2007 NCAA Championships at 141 lbs
Loss 1–2 J. Jaggers Fall March 15-17, 2007 2007 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships
Loss 1–1 Ryan Lang Fall
Win 1–0 Kenneth Hashimoto Fall
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See also

References
  1. "Darrion Caldwell - 2010-11 - Wrestling". NC State University Athletics. Retrieved 2020-07-11.
  2. Kania, Joe. "Wrestling: Rahway's Darrion Caldwell wins homecoming fight in Atlantic City", The Star-Ledger, May 3, 2014. Accessed May 30, 2016. "Caldwell, who won three New Jersey state wrestling title for Rahway just down the boardwalk at Boardwalk Hall, earned a submission in 1:38 over Joe Pingitore to improve to 5-0 on his career and 2-0 since entering the Bellator."
  3. "Darrion Caldwell - 2010-11 - Wrestling". NC State University Athletics. Retrieved 2020-07-10.
  4. "Caldwell the latest to feel unforgettable pain". WIN Magazine: Wrestling News. 2011-03-30. Retrieved 2020-07-10.
  5. "Caldwell Repeats, Wrestling Falls At ACC Championships". NC State University Athletics. Retrieved 2020-07-10.
  6. Pilcher, K. J. "Rematch set between Metcalf and Caldwell". The Gazette. Retrieved 2020-07-10.
  7. "Caldwell voted ACC Wrestler of the Year". NC State University Athletics. Retrieved 2020-07-10.
  8. "#ChampionshipTradition: 2009 NCAA Champion Darrion Caldwell". NC State University Athletics. Retrieved 2020-07-10.
  9. "Maryland Captures 2011 ACC Wrestling Championship #ACCwres". theacc.com. Retrieved 2020-07-10.
  10. "Caldwell's Quest Ends With Injury Default". NC State University Athletics. Retrieved 2020-07-10.
  11. R, Coach Mike (2012-06-27). "Darrion Caldwell Enters MMA: Can The NCAA Champion Wrestler Maximize His Superstar Potential?". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved 2020-07-10.
  12. "Darrion Caldwell vs. Luke Pletcher and Vito Arujau vs. Sammy Alvarez added to Flowrestling's July 25th card". Team USA. July 10, 2020.
  13. "Dake vs Chamizo Match Notes". www.flowrestling.org. Retrieved 2020-07-26.
  14. Staff (July 2, 2012). "NCAA champ Darrion Caldwell signs with Legacy FC, targeted for November debut". mmajunkie.com.
  15. Shaun Al-Shatti (September 15, 2012). "Legacy 14 Results: 'Caged' Star Matt Schnell Earns Split Decision Win in Debut". mmafighting.com.
  16. "LFC 16 - Legacy Fighting Championship 16". sherdog.com.
  17. Staff (July 20, 2013). "Legacy FC 21 results: Hobar, Bush claim titles; Garcia, Holm earn knockouts". mmajunkie.com.
  18. "Bellator signs undefeated former NCAA champion Darrion Caldwell". mmamania.com. November 27, 2013.
  19. "Bellator 112 results: Pat Curran taps Straus to recapture featherweight title". mmajunkie.com. March 14, 2014.
  20. "Bellator 118 results: Joe Warren rallies to win interim title fight with Rafael Silva". mmajunkie.com. May 2, 2014.
  21. MMAjunkie Staff (September 30, 2014). "Emanuel Newton headlines Bellator 130 in title tilt with Linton Vassell". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved October 1, 2014.
  22. Jason Floyd (October 29, 2014). "Darrion Caldwell planning a move to bantamweight". themmareport.com.
  23. Tristen Critchfield (April 15, 2015). "Darrion Caldwell-Rafael Silva Matchup Added to Bellator 137 Main Card". sherdog.com.
  24. Danny Segura (February 8, 2017). "Eduardo Dantas vs. Darrion Caldwell set to headline Bellator 177 in Budapest". mmafighting.com.
  25. Mookie Alexander (March 15, 2017). "Eduardo Dantas vs. Leandro Higo set for Bellator 177 following Darrion Caldwell injury". bloodyelbow.com.
  26. Staff (April 14, 2017). "Bellator 177 results: Eduardo Dantas takes split from Leandro Higo in non-title fight". mmajunkie.com.
  27. Staff (July 14, 2017). "Bellator 184 set for Oct. 6 with champ Eduardo Dantas vs. Darrion Caldwell, Emmanuel Sanchez vs. Daniel Straus". mmajunkie.com.
  28. "Bellator 184 results: Darrion Caldwell outpoints Eduardo Dantas to win bantamweight title, Emmanuel Sanchez submits Straus". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2018-02-17.
  29. "Darrion Caldwell to face Leandro Higo in title defense at Bellator 195". MMAmania.com. Retrieved 2018-02-17.
  30. "Bellator 195 results: Champ Darrion Caldwell taps out Leandro Higo in first round". The 5th News. Retrieved 2018-03-03.
  31. "Champ Darrion Caldwell headlines Bellator 204 with non-title fight against Noad Lahat". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2018-06-23.
  32. Sherdog.com. "Darrion Caldwell Knocks Out Noad Lahat in Bellator 204 Main Event". Sherdog. Retrieved 2018-08-18.
  33. Damon Martin (November 29, 2018). "Bellator Champ Darrion Caldwell vs. RIZIN Champ Kyoji Horiguchi Set for RIZIN 14". mmaweekly.com.
  34. "Bellator 222: Machida vs. Sonnen". bellator.com. 2019-04-08. Retrieved 2019-04-08.
  35. "Bellator announces 16-man field for featherweight grand prix". MMAFighting.com. July 15, 2019.
  36. Damon Martin (September 29, 2019). "Bellator Featherweight Grand Prix quarterfinal fights determined, dates revealed". mmafighting.com.
  37. Farah Hannoun (December 3, 2019). "Adam Borics vs. Darrion Caldwell grand prix matchup set for Bellator 238". mmafighting.com.
  38. "Bellator 238 results: Live 'Cyborg vs Budd' streaming play-by-play updates". MMAMania.com. January 25, 2020. Retrieved January 25, 2020.
  39. Matt Erickson (March 9, 2020). "Michael Chandler-Benson Henderson 2, A.J. McKee-Darrion Caldwell set for Bellator 244 in Chicago". mmajunkie.com.
  40. Alexander, Mookie (2020-07-08). "Report: Bellator MMA aiming for July 24th return in Connecticut". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved 2020-07-18.
  41. "Metcalf apologizes for NCAA wrestling push", from Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier
  42. "WATCH: MMA Fighter’s Backflip Off Cage Ends In Epic Fail", by Ross Kelly, CBS Local Sports
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