Mike Easton

American mixed-martial artist
The basics

Quick Facts

IntroAmerican mixed-martial artist
A.K.A.Michael Raymond Easton
A.K.A.Michael Raymond Easton
PlacesUnited States of America
isAthlete Mixed martial artist
Work fieldSports
Gender
Male
Birth25 January 1984, Washington, D.C.
Age40 years
The details

Biography

Michael Raymond "Mike" Easton (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. He was the reigning Ultimate Warrior Challenge Bantamweight Champion when he joined the UFC.

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 Tae Kwon Do 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.

Mixed martial arts career

Beginnings

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. 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.

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. However, Hougland was forced out of the bout with an injury and replaced by fellow UFC newcomer Byron Bloodworth. 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. However, Stone was forced out of the bout with an injury and replaced by promotional newcomer Jared Papazian. 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. However, Easton was forced out of the bout with an injury and replaced by Jeff Hougland.

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

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

Easton next faced Brad Pickett on April 6, 2013 at UFC on Fuel TV 9. 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.

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

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

Championships and accomplishments

  • Ultimate Fighting Championship
    • Fight of the Night (One time) vs. Brad Pickett
  • Ultimate Warrior Challenge
    • UWC Bantamweight Championship (One time)

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
18 matches13 wins5 losses
By knockout41
By submission20
By decision74
Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Loss13–5Yves JabouinDecision (unanimous)UFC 174000000002014-06-14-0000June 14, 201435:00Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Loss13–4T.J. DillashawDecision (unanimous)UFC Fight Night: Rockhold vs. Philippou000000002014-01-15-0000January 15, 201435:00Duluth, Georgia, United States
Loss13–3Brad PickettDecision (split)UFC on Fuel TV: Mousasi vs. Latifi000000002013-04-06-0000April 6, 201335:00Stockholm, SwedenFight of the Night.
Loss13–2Raphael AssunçãoDecision (unanimous)UFC on Fox: Henderson vs. Diaz000000002012-12-08-0000December 8, 201235:00Seattle, Washington, United States
Win13–1Ivan MenjivarDecision (unanimous)UFC 148000000002012-07-07-0000July 7, 201235:00Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win12–1Jared PapazianDecision (majority)UFC on FX: Guillard vs. Miller000000002012-01-20-0000January 20, 201235:00Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Win11–1Byron BloodworthTKO (knee to the body and punches)UFC Live: Cruz vs. Johnson000000002011-10-01-0000October 1, 201124:52Washington, D.C., United StatesCatchweight (138 lbs.) bout.
Win10–1Chase BeebeDecision (split)UWC 7: Redemption000000002009-10-03-0000October 3, 200955:00Fairfax, Virginia, United StatesDefended UWC Bantamweight Championship.
Win9–1Josh FergusonSubmission (guillotine choke)UWC 6: Capital Punishment000000002009-04-25-0000April 25, 200914:06Fairfax, Virginia, United StatesDefended UWC Bantamweight Championship.
Win8–1Justin RobbinsSubmission (guillotine choke)UWC 5: Man 'O' War000000002009-02-21-0000February 21, 200934:44Fairfax, Virginia, United StatesWon UWC Bantamweight Championship.
Win7–1John DodsonDecision (split)UWC 4: Confrontation000000002008-10-11-0000October 11, 200835:00Fairfax, Virginia, United States
Win6–1Gerald LovatoKO (punch)UWC 3: Invasion000000002008-04-26-0000April 26, 200812:48Fairfax, Virginia, United States
Loss5–1Reynaldo Walter DuarteTKO (corner stoppage)Combat Sport Challenge000000002007-09-29-0000September 29, 200711:36Richmond, Virginia, United StatesEaston's corner threw in towel due to broken arm.
Win5–0Hudson RochaKO (punch)Fury FC 2: Final Combat000000002006-11-30-0000November 30, 200620:45São Paulo, Brazil
Win4–0Rick DesperDecision (unanimous)RF 12: Return to Boardwalk Hall000000002006-04-29-0000April 29, 200634:00Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win3–0Jay IsipTKO (punches)Reality Fighting 6000000002004-04-03-0000April 3, 200421:42Wildwood, New Jersey, United States
Win2–0Jason TaylorDecision (unanimous)Combat Sport Challenge000000002004-01-31-0000January 31, 200425:00Richmond, Virginia, United States
Win1–0Anibal TorresDecision (unanimous)Reality Fighting 3000000002003-02-08-0000February 8, 200335:00Bayonne, New Jersey, United States

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