Quick Facts
Biography
Justin Bernard Salas (born March 13, 1982) is an American mixed martial artist who competes as a lightweight. He is currently signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Background
Salas is from Green River, Wyoming and had a very successful career in wrestling. Salas was a two-time State Champion in high school, as well as a two-time high school All-American, in addition to winning the Dave Schultz High School Hall of Fame Award. Salas then went on to wrestle for the University of Wyoming's NCAA Division I program from 2000 to 2003, but dropped out of college to pursue a career in mixed martial arts.
Mixed martial arts career
Ultimate Fighting Championship
On January 16, 2012 it was announced that Salas has signed a multi-fight deal with the UFC. He made his promotional debut on February 15 against fellow newcomer Anton Kuivanen in UFC on Fuel TV 1. He won via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28).
Salas faced Tim Means on June 8, 2012 at UFC on FX 3. Means defeated Salas via first round TKO.
Salas was expected to face Edson Barboza on January 19, 2013 at UFC on FX 7. However, Salas was forced out of the bout with an injury and replaced by promotional newcomer Lucas Martins.
Salas faced Aaron Riley on July 27, 2013 at UFC on Fox 8. He won the back-and-forth fight by split decision.
Salas faced Thiago Tavares on November 9, 2013 at UFC Fight Night 32, replacing an injured Quinn Mulhern. He lost the fight via submission in the first round.
Salas faced Ben Wall on May 10, 2014 at UFC Fight Night 40. He won the fight via knockout in the first round.
Salas faced Joe Proctor on July 16, 2014 at UFC Fight Night 45. Salas lost the bout via second round TKO.
Salas faced Jason Saggo on March 5, 2016 at UFC 196. He lost the fight via TKO in the first round and was subsequently released from the promotion.
Championships and accomplishments
- Full Force Fighting
- FFF Lightweight Championship (One time)
Mixed martial arts record
| Professional record breakdown | ||
| 19 matches | 12 wins | 7 losses |
| By knockout | 4 | 4 |
| By submission | 3 | 3 |
| By decision | 5 | 0 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 12–7 | Jason Saggo | TKO (punches) | UFC 196 | March 5, 2016 | 1 | 4:31 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 12–6 | Joe Proctor | TKO (punches) | UFC Fight Night: Cerrone vs. Miller | July 16, 2014 | 2 | 3:27 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
| Win | 12–5 | Ben Wall | KO (punches) | UFC Fight Night: Brown vs. Silva | May 10, 2014 | 1 | 2:41 | Cincinnati, Ohio, United States | |
| Loss | 11–5 | Thiago Tavares | Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFC Fight Night: Belfort vs. Henderson | November 9, 2013 | 1 | 2:38 | Goiânia, Brazil | |
| Win | 11–4 | Aaron Riley | Decision (split) | UFC on Fox: Johnson vs. Moraga | July 27, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Seattle, Washington, United States | |
| Loss | 10–4 | Tim Means | TKO (knee and punches) | UFC on FX: Johnson vs. McCall | June 8, 2012 | 1 | 1:06 | Sunrise, Florida, United States | |
| Win | 10–3 | Anton Kuivanen | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on Fuel TV: Sanchez vs. Ellenberger | February 15, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Omaha, Nebraska, United States | |
| Win | 9–3 | Joe Ellenberger | Decision (unanimous) | Victory Fighting Championship 36 | October 14, 2011 | 5 | 5:00 | Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States | |
| Win | 8–3 | Rob Emerson | Decision (unanimous) | Full Force Fighting - Vol. 1 | January 30, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Denver, Colorado, United States | Won the FFF Lightweight Championship. |
| Win | 7–3 | Matt Simms | TKO (punches) | Fight To Win/King of Champions: Worlds Collide | July 24, 2010 | 2 | 2:14 | Denver, Colorado, United States | |
| Win | 6–3 | Robert Simmons | TKO (punches) | Fight To Win: Phenoms | January 30, 2010 | 1 | 1:40 | Denver, Colorado, United States | |
| Win | 5–3 | Josh Arocho | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Midwest Championship Fighting: Resurrection | October 24, 2009 | 1 | 3:53 | North Platte, Nebraska, United States | |
| Loss | 4–3 | Eddie Pelczynski | TKO (punches) | Ring of Fire 35: Summer Brawl | August 1, 2009 | 1 | 0:09 | Broomfield, Colorado, United States | |
| Loss | 4–2 | Andrew Chappelle | Submission (triangle choke) | Ring of Fire 33: Adrenaline | January 10, 2009 | 1 | 2:06 | Broomfield, Colorado, United States | |
| Win | 4–1 | Eric Fagyas | Submission (guillotine choke) | Warriors Collide 4 | July 19, 2008 | 1 | 1:09 | Cripple Creek, Colorado, United States | |
| Win | 3–1 | Max Smith | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Ring of Fire 32: Respect | June 13, 2008 | 1 | 1:26 | Broomfield, Colorado, United States | |
| Win | 2–1 | Kris Hartman | Decision (majority) | Ring of Fire 27: Collision Course | December 9, 2006 | 2 | 5:00 | Castle Rock, Colorado, United States | |
| Win | 1–1 | Corey Lieberth | KO (punches) | Midwest Championship Fighting: Genesis | November 18, 2006 | 1 | 1:33 | North Platte, Nebraska, United States | |
| Loss | 0–1 | Corey Lieberth | Submission (armbar) | Victory Fighting Championship 13: Redemption | May 13, 2006 | 3 | N/A | North Platte, Nebraska, United States |