Quick Facts
PiscesBiography
Journey Ja-rel Newson (born March 7, 1989) is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Bantamweight division. A professional since 2015, he is most notable for his time in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Background
Newson grew up in the Merced, California area. Due to his mother's drug addiction and despite father's attempts to keep the family together, Journey and his siblings were taken into foster care when he was around the age of seven. He started training Tae Kwon Do around the age of 12. He began training Brazilian jiu-jitsu for self-defense around the age of 20 and shifted to mixed martial arts in a couple of years.
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Newson started out his career in 2015, fighting for a variety of regional West Coast organizations, such as Cage Sport and King of the Cage. During this time, he compiled a 9–1 record, capturing the Cage Sport and Prime Fighting Bantamweight titles.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Newson made his UFC debut as a late replacement for Sergio Pettis against Ricardo Ramos on June 29, 2019 at UFC on ESPN 3. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.
Newson next faced Domingo Pilarte at UFC 247 on February 8, 2020. He won the fight by TKO within the first minute of the fight. However, on March 25, it was announced by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) that Newson had tested positive for marijuana during in-competition drug tests. His victory was overturned to a no contest and he was suspended for 30 days.
Newson was initially scheduled to face Randy Costa on September 26, 2020 at UFC Fight Night: Covington vs. Woodley. However, the event was shifted to take place on September 19, 2020, as UFC 253 was later scheduled for the original date. He lost the fight via knockout in round one.
Newson was scheduled to face Felipe Colares on May 1, 2021 at UFC on ESPN 23. However, Newson withdrew from the bout and was replaced by Luke Sanders.
Newson faced promotional newcomer Fernie Garcia on May 7, 2022 at UFC 274. He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Newson faced Sergey Morozov on December 17, 2022 at UFC Fight Night 216. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.
Newson was scheduled to face Brian Kelleher on April 29, 2023 at UFC on ESPN: Song vs. Simón. However, Kelleher pulled out of the bout and was replaced by Marcus McGhee. He lost the fight via rear-naked choke in round two.
On June 8, it was announced that Newson was not extended a new contract and no longer on the UFC roster.
Championships and accomplishments
- CageSport MMA
- CageSport Bantamweight Championship (one time)
- Prime Fighting MMA
- Prime Fighting Bantamweight Championship (one time)
Mixed martial arts record
| 16 matches | 10 wins | 5 losses |
| By knockout | 3 | 2 |
| By submission | 3 | 1 |
| By decision | 4 | 2 |
| No contests | 1 | |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 10–5 (1) | Marcus McGhee | Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFC on ESPN: Song vs. Simón | April 29, 2023 | 2 | 2:03 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Catchweight (140 lb) bout. |
| Loss | 10–4 (1) | Sergey Morozov | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Cannonier vs. Strickland | December 17, 2022 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 10–3 (1) | Fernie Garcia | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 274 | May 7, 2022 | 3 | 5:00 | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | |
| Loss | 9–3 (1) | Randy Costa | KO (head kick) | UFC Fight Night: Covington vs. Woodley | September 19, 2020 | 1 | 0:41 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| NC | 9–2 (1) | Domingo Pilarte | NC (overturned) | UFC 247 | February 8, 2020 | 1 | 0:38 | Houston, Texas, United States | Originally a TKO (punches) win for Newson; overturned after he tested positive for marijuana. |
| Loss | 9–2 | Ricardo Ramos | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on ESPN: Ngannou vs. dos Santos | June 29, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States | |
| Win | 9–1 | Soslan Abanokov | KO (punch) | Final Fight Championship 36 | May 9, 2019 | 1 | 1:20 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 8–1 | Chris SanJose | TKO (punches) | Prime Fighting 11 | November 10, 2018 | 2 | 4:41 | Ridgefield, Washington, United States | Won the Prime Fighting Bantamweight Championship. |
| Win | 7–1 | Tycen Lynn | Decision (unanimous) | Combat Games 60 | February 17, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Tulalip, Washington, United States | |
| Win | 6–1 | Anthony Zender | TKO | CageSport 46 | July 15, 2017 | 2 | 0:24 | Tacoma, Washington, United States | Won the CageSport Bantamweight Championship. |
| Win | 5–1 | Jordan Mackin | Submission (rear-naked choke) | CageSport 44 | February 25, 2017 | 3 | 4:55 | Tacoma, Washington, United States | Catchweight (140 lb) bout. |
| Win | 4–1 | Anthony Zender | Submission (guillotine choke) | CageSport 43 | December 17, 2016 | 3 | 1:27 | Tacoma, Washington, United States | Catchweight (140 lb) bout. |
| Loss | 3–1 | Benito Lopez | KO (punches) | KOTC: Unchallenged | October 8, 2016 | 1 | 3:04 | Oroville, California, United States | |
| Win | 3–0 | Shane Friesz | Decision (unanimous) | Super Fight League 49 | May 7, 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Tacoma, Washington, United States | |
| Win | 2–0 | Justin Hugo | Submission (triangle choke) | Super Fight League 45 | December 12, 2015 | 1 | 2:17 | Tacoma, Washington, United States | |
| Win | 1–0 | Damon Wood | Decision (unanimous) | KOTC: Rogue Wave | September 5, 2015 | 3 | 5:00 | Lincoln City, Oregon, United States | Bantamweight debut. |
Professional boxing record
| 2 fights | 0 wins | 1 loss |
|---|---|---|
| By decision | 0 | 1 |
| Draws | 1 | |
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Draw | 0–1–1 | Gerardo Esquivel | MD | 4 | 20 Apr 2019 | Green River Center, Auburn, Texas, US | |
| 1 | Loss | 0–1 | Carlos Green | SD | 4 | 11 Jan 2019 | Emerald Queen Casino, Tacoma, Washington, US |