Quick Facts
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 matches | 13 wins | 5 losses |
| By knockout | 4 | 1 |
| By submission | 2 | 0 |
| By decision | 7 | 4 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 13–5 | Yves Jabouin | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 174 | June 14, 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | |
| Loss | 13–4 | T.J. Dillashaw | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Rockhold vs. Philippou | January 15, 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | Duluth, Georgia, United States | |
| Loss | 13–3 | Brad Pickett | Decision (split) | UFC on Fuel TV: Mousasi vs. Latifi | April 6, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Stockholm, Sweden | Fight of the Night. |
| Loss | 13–2 | Raphael Assunção | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on Fox: Henderson vs. Diaz | December 8, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Seattle, Washington, United States | |
| Win | 13–1 | Ivan Menjivar | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 148 | July 7, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 12–1 | Jared Papazian | Decision (majority) | UFC on FX: Guillard vs. Miller | January 20, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Nashville, Tennessee, United States | |
| Win | 11–1 | Byron Bloodworth | TKO (knee to the body and punches) | UFC Live: Cruz vs. Johnson | October 1, 2011 | 2 | 4:52 | Washington, D.C., United States | Catchweight (138 lbs.) bout. |
| Win | 10–1 | Chase Beebe | Decision (split) | UWC 7: Redemption | October 3, 2009 | 5 | 5:00 | Fairfax, Virginia, United States | Defended UWC Bantamweight Championship. |
| Win | 9–1 | Josh Ferguson | Submission (guillotine choke) | UWC 6: Capital Punishment | April 25, 2009 | 1 | 4:06 | Fairfax, Virginia, United States | Defended UWC Bantamweight Championship. |
| Win | 8–1 | Justin Robbins | Submission (guillotine choke) | UWC 5: Man 'O' War | February 21, 2009 | 3 | 4:44 | Fairfax, Virginia, United States | Won UWC Bantamweight Championship. |
| Win | 7–1 | John Dodson | Decision (split) | UWC 4: Confrontation | October 11, 2008 | 3 | 5:00 | Fairfax, Virginia, United States | |
| Win | 6–1 | Gerald Lovato | KO (punch) | UWC 3: Invasion | April 26, 2008 | 1 | 2:48 | Fairfax, Virginia, United States | |
| Loss | 5–1 | Reynaldo Walter Duarte | TKO (corner stoppage) | Combat Sport Challenge | September 29, 2007 | 1 | 1:36 | Richmond, Virginia, United States | Easton's corner threw in towel due to broken arm. |
| Win | 5–0 | Hudson Rocha | KO (punch) | Fury FC 2: Final Combat | November 30, 2006 | 2 | 0:45 | São Paulo, Brazil | |
| Win | 4–0 | Rick Desper | Decision (unanimous) | RF 12: Return to Boardwalk Hall | April 29, 2006 | 3 | 4:00 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
| Win | 3–0 | Jay Isip | TKO (punches) | Reality Fighting 6 | April 3, 2004 | 2 | 1:42 | Wildwood, New Jersey, United States | |
| Win | 2–0 | Jason Taylor | Decision (unanimous) | Combat Sport Challenge | January 31, 2004 | 2 | 5:00 | Richmond, Virginia, United States | |
| Win | 1–0 | Anibal Torres | Decision (unanimous) | Reality Fighting 3 | February 8, 2003 | 3 | 5:00 | Bayonne, New Jersey, United States |