Justin Wilcox (martial arts)

Justin Wilcox (born March 12, 1979) is an American mixed martial artist currently competing in the Lightweight division of Bellator. A professional competitor since 2006, Wilcox has also competed for Strikeforce, holding a record of 5-3 (1) in the promotion.[1][2]

This article is about the mixed martial artist. For the football coach, see Justin Wilcox (American football).
Justin Wilcox
Wilcox in 2009
Born (1979-03-12) March 12, 1979
Other namesThe Silverback
NationalityAmerican
Height5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)
Weight145 lb (66 kg; 10.4 st)
DivisionLightweight
Featherweight
Reach65 in (165 cm)
Fighting out ofSan Jose, California, United States
TeamAmerican Kickboxing Academy
Years active2006-present
Mixed martial arts record
Total22
Wins14
By knockout2
By submission2
By decision10
Losses7
By knockout4
By submission2
By decision1
No contests1
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Background

Wilcox began wrestling when he was five years old and was talented, continuing in the sport through high school and in college at the Edinboro University of Pennsylvania alongside current UFC Welterweight Josh Koscheck, who was an NCAA Champion. Wilcox himself continued excelling at the collegiate level, becoming an NCAA qualifier as a true freshman and continued competing well after redshirting in his sophomore season, winning several tournaments. However, after being hit with an inadvertent headbutt which may have caused a concussion, Wilcox was preparing for another match when he slipped and knocked himself out when he hit the floor. The concussion, along with multiple bone fractures, were severe enough to end his career. Wilcox had been inspired to compete in mixed martial arts after seeing Koscheck on the first season of "The Ultimate Fighter" and began training in the sport himself. At the time, Wilcox was a professional bodybuilder, winning various contests while also running a gym in Pennsylvania, and weighed 205 lbs.[1][2]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

After a shaky 2-2 start to his career, Wilcox moved to train with Koscheck at American Kickboxing Academy as well as dropping down a weight class to compete at Lightweight.[1][2]

Strikeforce

In his Strikeforce debut, Wilcox fought against Mitsuhiro Ishida and lost by submission (armbar) at 1:21 of the first round.

After that loss Wilcox won three straight fights over David Douglas, PRIDE veteran Daisuke Nakamura and The Ultimate Fighter 13 alumni Shamar Bailey.[3]

On November 19, 2010, Wilcox faced DREAM veteran Vítor Ribeiro in the main event of Strikeforce Challengers: Wilcox vs. Ribeiro. He won the fight via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).[4]

Wilcox upped his win streak to five with a TKO victory over veteran Rodrigo Damm at Strikeforce Challengers: Wilcox vs. Damm. The fight was stopped by a ringside doctor at the end of the first round due to lacerations above both of Damm's eyes.

Wilcox fought Gesias Cavalcante at Strikeforce: Overeem vs. Werdum. The bout was declared a no-contest after Wilcox was poked in the eye in the second round and could not continue.

In his next fight, Wilcox competed at Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Masvidal against rising prospect Caros Fodor. He lost the fight via knockout in the first round.

Wilcox fought former lightweight title challenger Jorge Masvidal at Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Kennedy. He lost the fight via split decision.

Bellator MMA

After over a year a way from the sport, Wilcox was signed by Bellator as a last minute replacement for their Season Nine Featherweight tournament. This would mark the first time Wilcox had ever competed as a Featherweight. Wilcox replaced Shahbulat Shamhalaev on just a few days notice and fought against Akop Stepanyan at Bellator 99.[5] Despite losing the first round decisively due to a series of low kicks that visibly injured his leg and hindered his ability to stand and walk, Wilcox mounted a comeback in the second round and won via rear-naked choke submission moving him into the next round of the tournament.

Wilcox faced up and comer Joe Taimanglo in the semifinals at Bellator 103. Wilcox controlled the entire matchup and won via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27).

In the finals of the Featherweight Tournament taking place at Bellator 108, Wilcox fought Top 15 Featherweight, Patricio Freire. Wilcox lost the fight via first-round technical knockout. After the loss Wilcox decided to return to his natural weight class of Lightweight (155 lbs.).

Wilcox returned to Lightweight and faced Jason Fischer on March 28, 2014 at Bellator 114. He won via unanimous decision.[6]

Wilcox faced Daniel Mason-Straus in the main event at Bellator 127 on October 3, 2014.[7] He lost the fight via knockout in the first round.

Personal life

Wilcox and his wife Leslie have a daughter named Natalie. [8]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown
22 matches 14 wins 7 losses
By knockout 2 4
By submission 2 2
By decision 10 1
No contests 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 14–7 (1) Daniel Mason-Straus KO (punches) Bellator 127 October 3, 2014 1 0:50 Temecula, California, United States
Win 14–6 (1) Jason Fischer Decision (unanimous) Bellator 114 March 28, 2014 3 5:00 West Valley City, Utah, United States Returns to Lightweight.
Loss 13–6–1 Patrício Freire TKO (punches) Bellator 108 November 15, 2013 1 2:23 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Bellator Season Nine Featherweight Tournament Final.
Win 13–5–1 Joe Taimanglo Decision (unanimous) Bellator 103 October 11, 2013 3 5:00 Mulvane, Kansas, United States Bellator Season Nine Featherweight Tournament Semifinal.
Win 12–5–1 Akop Stepanyan Technical Submission (rear naked choke) Bellator 99 September 13, 2013 2 2:20 Temecula, California, United States Bellator Season Nine Featherweight Tournament Quarterfinal.
Loss 11–5–1 Jorge Masvidal Decision (split) Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Kennedy July 14, 2012 3 5:00 Portland, Oregon, United States
Loss 11–4–1 Caros Fodor KO (punches) Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Masvidal December 17, 2011 1 0:13 San Diego, California, United States
NC 11–3–1 Gesias Cavalcante NC (accidental eye poke) Strikeforce: Overeem vs. Werdum June 18, 2011 2 0:31 Dallas, Texas, United States Cavalcante poked Wilcox in the eye.
Win 11–3 Rodrigo Damm TKO (doctor stoppage) Strikeforce Challengers: Wilcox vs. Damm April 1, 2011 1 5:00 Stockton, California, United States
Win 10–3 Vítor Ribeiro Decision (unanimous) Strikeforce Challengers: Wilcox vs. Ribeiro November 19, 2010 3 5:00 Jackson, Mississippi, United States
Win 9–3 Shamar Bailey Decision (unanimous) Strikeforce Challengers: Johnson vs. Mahe March 26, 2010 3 5:00 Fresno, California, United States
Win 8–3 Daisuke Nakamura Decision (unanimous) Strikeforce: Evolution December 19, 2009 3 5:00 San Jose, California, United States
Win 7–3 David Douglas Submission (rear naked choke) Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg August 15, 2009 3 3:16 San Jose, California, United States
Win 6–3 Moses Baca Decision (unanimous) Disturbing the Peace June 27, 2009 3 5:00 Fresno, California, United States
Loss 5–3 Mitsuhiro Ishida Submission (armbar) Strikeforce: At The Mansion II September 20, 2008 1 1:21 Los Angeles, California, United States
Win 5–2 Gabe Ruediger Decision (unanimous) JG and TKT Promotions: Fighting 4 Kidz August 30, 2008 3 5:00 Santa Monica, California, United States
Win 4–2 Todd Murphey TKO (punches) Extreme Challenge 82 August 18, 2007 3 2:35 Springfield, Illinois, United States
Win 3–2 Allan Lee Decision (unanimous) Extreme Challenge 77 April 28, 2007 3 5:00 Mason, Ohio, United States Drops to Lightweight.
Win 2–2 Bryce Teager Decision (unanimous) Extreme Challenge 76 March 31, 2007 3 5:00 Sloan, Iowa, United States
Loss 1–2 Dan Hornbuckle TKO (punches) Total Fight Challenge 6 September 9, 2006 1 1:20 Hammond, Indiana, United States
Loss 1–1 Chad Reiner Submission (armbar) Extreme Challenge 68 July 15, 2006 1 2:54 Hayward, Wisconsin, United States
Win 1–0 Bobby Voelker Decision (unanimous) Extreme Challenge 68 July 15, 2006 2 5:00 Hayward, Wisconsin, United States
gollark: It's a shame you can't get a longer stack trace somehow.
gollark: /seen
gollark: <@!202992030685724675> Install potatOS.
gollark: Admittedly a lot of that is probably AFK time.
gollark: 45.95 days!

References
  1. "Justin Wilcox". MMALinker.
  2. "Wilcox won't give up on MMA dreams". Yahoo Sports.
  3. Press Release (20 February 2010). "Strikeforce Challengers: Shamar Bailey vs Justin Wilcox announced with Bryan Travers hurt". MMAmania.com.
  4. ""Shaolin Ribeiro" Vs. Justin Wilcox, Ryan Couture At Strikeforce Challengers In Nov. - Fightline.com". Fightline.com. Archived from the original on 2012-07-22. Retrieved 2010-10-29.
  5. "Shahbulat Shamhalaev Withdraws From Featherweight Tournament, Justin Wilcox Now Faces Akop Stepanyan". bellator.com. September 9, 2013. Archived from the original on November 4, 2013.
  6. "Bellator 114 results: Alexander Shlemenko defends title, notches win No. 50". mmajunkie.com. March 28, 2014.
  7. "Daniel Straus-Justin Wilcox Featherweight Clash Headlines Bellator 127 on Oct. 3". sherdog.com. August 22, 2014.
  8. "Wilcox won't give up on MMA dreams". Yahoo! sports. 2011-03-31. Retrieved 2011-03-31.
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