Sam Oropeza

Sam Oropeza (born June 17, 1985) is an American mixed martial artist who competes in Bellator's middleweight division.

Oropeza was born in Briarcliffe, Pennsylvania as the youngest of six children. At the age of 10, Oropeza lost his father to liver failure. During his youth, Oropeza wrestled at Monsignor Bonner High School. In 2006, he started to practice Brazilian jiu-jitsu and in 2008 he earned a purple belt. In the same year, he fought as an amateur in mixed martial arts for the first time.

Early career: King of the Cage and Strikeforce

Oropeza started his professional career in 2009. He made his Professional debut vs Mitch Filer and defeated him via rear naked choke in the first round. From 2009 to 2010, he was victorious against Dustin Collins, Dave Concepcion, Koa Ramos at KOTC: Honor and Don Carlo-Clauss at Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Silva. Oropeza's first defeat (professional or amateur) was against fellow undefeated prospect Myles Jury at KOTC: No Mercy.

Early Career TV Appearances

Sam Oropeza did a taping in 2010 for the MTV show Bully Beatdown in which real life bullies fight professional fighters and if they are defeated the bullies victims get up to $10,000. If the bully defeats the Fighter, he gets $10,000. The episode Aired on MTV2 in 2012 titled David: Tears of A Clown. Oropeza made the bully tap out 5 times in round 1 and stopped the fight with a TKO in round 2, earning the bullies victims $10,000.

Oropeza also appeared on Kevin Smith's show, Comic Book Men, on AMC. Oropeza was seen portraying Jay from the Jay and Silent Bob Duo in a staged fight between the 2 cult heroes.

Bellator Fighting Championships, Matrix Fights and Xtreme Fight Events

Oropeza made his Bellator debut against Giedrius Karavackas on May 14, 2011 at Bellator 44. He was defeated via submission due to a scarf hold armlock in the third round.

After an extended break from competition (10 months) Oropeza returned to face Aung La Nsang on March 16, 2012 at Matrix Fights 5. He won via submission due to a triangle choke in the second round.

Oropeza faced Richard Rigmaden on October 13, 2012 at XFE: Cage Wars 18. He won via submission due to an armbar early in the first round.

In February 2013, it was announced that Oropeza has signed a long-term contract with Bellator.

Bellator return

Oropeza returned to the Bellator cage 2 years after he debuted with them to face Shedrick Goodridge on April 4, 2013 at Bellator 95. He won via TKO in the second round. It was later revealed Oropeza finished his opponent despite having suffered a broken tibia in the round.

On September 20, 2013 At Matrix Fights 8, in front of a home town crowd in South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Oropeza defeated Brett Oteri via TKO (strikes) in the first round.

Oropeza faced Chip Moraza-Pollard on November 15, 2013 at Bellator 108. He won via TKO early in round one.

Oropeza was expected to face Fight Master winner Joe Riggs in the quarterfinal match of Bellator season ten welterweight tournament on March 14, 2014 at Bellator 112. Riggs, however, pulled out of the bout and was replaced by Cristiano Souza. Oropeza won the fight via TKO in the first round.

Move to Middleweight

Oropeza was unable to make weight for the rescheduled semi final bout of the Bellator Season 10 Welterweight Tournament vs Andrey Koreshkov. It is expected he will be making a move up in weight after difficulties with weight cutting. Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney stated “He got within 1.7 pound this time but then he just said I’m done. I am going to end up going to the hospital. I am finished but last time he was seven or eight over. Last time he was clearly missing and this time he could have conceptually made it, but you get to that point where you say stop because you are going to end up in the hospital and he did. One Seventy is just to small for him.”

Oropeza made his middleweight return against Gary Tapusoa on October 24, 2014 at Bellator 130. He won the fight via TKO in the first round.

Moving on from Bellator, Global Proving Ground & CFFC

After 4 straight first round TKO wins, 3 under the Bellator banner, Oropeza asked for and was granted his release from Bellator MMA. Oropeza was very open about his desire to fight in the UFC and is hopeful to sign a contract with the UFC before the end of 2015. Oropeza fought on January 17, 2015 for Global Proving Ground and defeated Timothy Woods in the first round, in the Main Event at Global Proving Ground 17 "Fighters Against Dog Fighting". He has Since Signed a multifight deal with Caged Fury Fighting Championships a contract which includes a UFC clause allowing him to leave CFFC if the UFC offers him a fight.

CFFC Debut

Sam Oropeza was scheduled to fight at CFFC 52 on Halloween 10/31/2015 at the Borgata Casino Hotel, in Atlantic City, New Jersey. This would be his official CFFC debut. His opponent was scheduled to be Levon Maynard. The fight was a 175lb Catchweight fight. Maynard defeated Oropeza by unanimous decision. Oropeza later Announced he will be taking some time off for personal reasons.