Jay Hieron

From CageWiki

1 Profile
2 Early MMA Career
3 UFC Career
4 IFL
5 Affliction
6 Mixed martial arts record
7 Gallery
8 External links

Profile

Jay "Thoroughbred" Hieron (born July 29, 1976) is an American professional mixed martial artist who trains out of Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas, Nevada.

He stands 6 ft. tall and fights in the welterweight division.

He was the first and last IFL welterweight champion and is a former UFC veteran. He is next contracted to fight under the Affliction banner.

Early MMA Career

Jay Hieron made his professional mixed martial arts debut at a Reality Fighting event against Keith Plate on July 19, 2003. Hieron kickstarted his career in impressive fashion, with a first round TKO over Plate.

Just under five months later, Hieron returned to competition at a Ring of Combat event where he defeated Jermaine Johnson quickly with a rear naked choke submission.

In early 2004, Hieron fought twice in six days, knocking off Fernando Munoz and Fabio Holando to improve to 4-0.

UFC Career

Hieron's undefeated start to his career earned him a call up to the big show. In the biggest bout of his young career, Hieron faced off against Georges St. Pierre at UFC 48: Payback.

Hieron was clearly overmatched and was continously dropped by GSP until the fight was waved off due to a TKO, 1.42 into round 1.

Allowed to get some tune-up fights away from the UFC, Hieron defeated UFC veteran Ronald Jhun 9 months after the GSP loss.

Hieron followed that victory with decision wins over Adam Lynn and Pat Healy.

At UFC Fight Night 2, Hieron made his return to the UFC's octagon. He faced another French Canadian, in the form of Jonathan Goulet. The fight was stopped in the third round due a cut pushing Hieron's UFC record to a disappointing 0-2.

IFL

Following his departure from the UFC, Hieron picked up a 55 second TKO victory over Steve Schneider in a smaller promotion before signing with the International Fight League.

The IFL was billed as the first ever MMA "league". Each show would feature two teams consisting of at least three fighters each fighting one fight against a member from the opposite team.

Hieron was a member of the Los Angeles Anacondas and made his IFL debut at the IFL Championships 2006, where he scored a unanimous decision victory over Jake Ellenberger.

The IFL had Hieron fighting fairly regularly, with two more fights in 2006 against Amos Sotelo (win: guillotine choke) and Chris Wilson (loss: decision).

Hieron fought five times in 2007 going 4-1. He began the year with two first round submission victories over Victor Moreno and Donnie Liles. Those two wins were followed with a knockout loss to "Bad" Brad Blackburn in June.

In November of 2007, Hieron was one of four IFL welterweights to recieve a shot at winning the first ever belt in the welterweight class. The four fighters would face off in a tournament spread over two events a month apart.

In the opening round, Hieron defeated Donnie Liles for a second time, this time by decision, to move into the championship bout.

At the Grand Prix finals, Hieron defeated Delson Heleno via TKO (leg injury) to capture the first ever IFL welterweight title.

Hieron successfully defended his title in April, 2008 at a New Jersey event against Mark Miller. Hieron looked mighty impressive in a 2.10 TKO destruction of his opponent.

The IFL closed up shop a few months later making Hieron the first and last ever IFL welterweight champion.

Affliction

Following the IFL's demise, Hieron turned down offers from the UFC and WEC to sign with Affliction. Hieron was scheduled to face Drew Fickett at Affliction's sophomore effort, Affliction: Day of Reckoning on October 11th, 2008. However, due to lack of ticket sales for the event, the card was "rescheduled" until January, 2008.

Left without a fight, Hieron's Xtreme Couture teammate and part owner, Kim Couture helped organize "Night of Combat 2". The event featured a number of Xtreme Couture fighters.

In the main event, Hieron faced and defeated last minute replacement, Chris Kennedy via unanimous decision.

Hieron is next scheduled to face Jason High at Affliction: Day of Reckoning on January 24th.