Gregor_Gillespie

Gregor Gillespie

Gregor Gillespie

American mixed martial artist (born 1987)

Gregor Volz Gillespie[1] (born March 18, 1987) is an American professional mixed martial artist and graduated collegiate wrestler who currently competes in the lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A professional since 2012, he formerly competed for Ring of Combat where he was the Lightweight Champion.

Quick Facts Born, Other names ...

As a folkstyle wrestler, Gillespie was the 2007 NCAA Division I National Champion at 149 pounds, a four–time NCAA Division I All–American and a three–time EWL and PSAC conference champion for the Edinboro Fighting Scots.[5] He also competed briefly in freestyle wrestling.[6]

Background

Born and raised in Webster, New York, Gillespie attended Webster Schroeder High School where he was a standout in wrestling, winning two state titles. He continued wrestling for Edinboro University, where he was a four-time NCAA Division I All-American and won a national championship in 2007.[7] He was the first true freshman All-American in school history, and also holds the school record for most career wins (152), most wins as a freshman (40), and highest winning percentage (.917). Gillespie stated that he ended his wrestling career because he didn't think he could beat Jordan Burroughs. He graduated from Edinboro with a bachelor's degree in individualized studies and a concentration in psychology.[8][4] He was an assistant coach at Hofstra University and as a side gig, taught private lessons to an MMA fighter. Despite having vowed never to fight, he started studying MMA and quit his job in order to pursue a full-time career in the sport.[9]

Mixed martial arts

Early career

In 2012, Gillespie was scheduled to make his mixed martial arts debut but suffered a broken arm during a sparring session which caused serious health issues and infections, pushing his debut over to January 2014.[10] After compiling an undefeated 7–0 record with six finishes on the regional scene in New Jersey, Gillespie signed a contract with the Ultimate Fighting Championship.[11]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Gillespie made his promotional debut against Glaico Franca on September 24, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 95.[12] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[13]

Gillespie next faced Andrew Holbrook on April 8, 2017, at UFC 210.[14] He won the fight via knockout in the first round and was awarded a Performance of the Night bonus.[15][16]

Gillespie faced Jason Gonzalez on September 16, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 116.[17] He won the back-and-forth fight via submission in the second round.[18] The win also earned Gillespie his first Fight of the Night bonus award.[19]

Gillespie faced Jordan Rinaldi on January 27, 2018, at UFC on Fox: Jacaré vs. Brunson 2.[20] He won the fight via technical knock out.[21]

Gillespie faced Vinc Pichel on June 1, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 131.[22] Gillespie won via arm-triangle choke in the second round.[23] This win earned him Performance of the Night award.[24]

Gillespie faced Yancy Medeiros on January 19, 2019, at UFC Fight Night: Cejudo vs. Dillashaw.[25] He won the fight via TKO in the second round.[26]

Gillespie faced Kevin Lee on November 2, 2019, at UFC 244.[27] He lost the fight via knockout in round one, marking his first professional defeat. [28]

Gillespie was expected to face Brad Riddell on March 20, 2021, at UFC on ESPN 21.[29] However, the bout was cancelled due to COVID-19 protocols in the day of the event.[30] Instead, Gillespie faced No-Gi Jiu Jitsu World medalist Carlos Diego Ferreira on May 8, 2021, at UFC on ESPN 24.[31] At the weigh–ins, Ferreira weighed in at 160.5 pounds, four and a half pounds over the lightweight non-title fight limit and was fined 30% of his purse, which went to Gillespie.[32] After a back-and-forth first round, where Gillespie appeared to fatigue, he was able to keep composure and rallied, winning the fight via TKO in round two.[33][34] This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award.[35]

Championships and accomplishments

Folkstyle wrestling

Mixed martial arts

  • Ring of Combat
    • ROC Regional Lightweight Championship (One time)[37]

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
15 matches 14 wins 1 loss
By knockout 7 1
By submission 5 0
By decision 2 0
More information Res., Record ...

NCAA record

More information NCAA Championships Matches, Res. ...

Stats

More information Season, Year ...

See also

References

  1. [1]
    "STATE OF NEVADA" (PDF). boxing.nv.gov. Retrieved June 7, 2021.
  2. [2]
    "Stats | UFC".
  3. [3]
    @gregorthegift (February 14, 2020). "This has been 9 years in the making, I've sacrificed so much to get this piece of cloth ...to all the guys that I've beaten....yes you were actually beaten by a white belt. Thanks to professor @graciebarrajupiter and @graciebarra631nb professor Carlos. #bluebelt #bjj #jiujitsu #jiujitsulifestyle". Retrieved June 6, 2021 – via Instagram.
  4. [4]
    "Gregor Gillespie | UFC". UFC.com. 14 September 2018. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
  5. [5]
    "Gregor Gillespie Wrestling Training". longislandwrestling.org. Retrieved 2021-02-11.
  6. [6]
    Doctor, Urgent (2012-10-11). "Gregor Gillespie 'Faced The Demons' and is Getting Ready For MMA Stardom". New York Wrestling News 2012-2013 Archive. Retrieved 2021-02-11.
  7. [7]
    Gallo, Ed (2019-11-01). "Wrestling for MMA: Gregor Gillespie". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved 2020-02-21.
  8. [8]
    "Gregor Gillespie Wrestling Training".
  9. [9]
    Steven Marrocco (January 18, 2019). "How a Frankie Edgar fight foreshadowed Gregor Gillespie's MMA career". mmajunkie.com.
  10. [10]
    "LI's Gillespie excited to begin MMA career". Newsday. Retrieved 2021-04-15.
  11. [11]
    Zane Simon (2016-09-21). "Welcome to the UFC Gregor Gillespie". bloodyelbow.com. Retrieved 2016-09-21.
  12. [12]
    Ryan Gerbosi (2016-08-04). "LI's Gregor Gillespie to make UFC debut at UFC Fight Night 95 in September". newsday.com. Retrieved 2016-08-04.
  13. [13]
    Steven Marrocco (2016-09-24). "UFC Fight Night 95 results: Gregor Gillespie stays unbeaten, dominates Glaico Franca in UFC debut". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-09-24.
  14. [14]
    Staff (2017-02-22). "Gregor Gillespie vs. Andrew Holbrook booked for UFC 210 in Buffalo". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2017-02-22.
  15. [15]
    Ben Fowlkes (2017-04-08). "UFC 210 results: Gregor Gillespie knocks out Andrew Holbrook in 21 seconds to stay undefeated". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2017-04-08.
  16. [16]
    Tristen Critchfield (2017-04-08). "UFC 210 Bonuses: Oliveira, Burgos, Rosa, Gillespie receive $50K Awards". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2017-04-09.
  17. [17]
    Staff (2017-08-12). "Gregor Gillespie vs. Jason Gonzalez added to UFC Fight Night 116 in Pittsburgh". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2017-08-12.
  18. [18]
    "UFC-Pittsburgh results: Gregor Gillespie taps out Jason Gonzalez in absolute barnburner". MMAjunkie. 2017-09-17. Retrieved 2017-09-17.
  19. [19]
    Mazique, Brian. "UFC Fight Night 116 Results, Bonus Winners, Fight Scores, Highlights, Attendance & Gate Info". Forbes. Retrieved 2017-09-17.
  20. [20]
    "UFC adds 3 bouts to stacked Fight Night Charlotte card; tickets go on sale Friday". charlotteobserver. Retrieved 2017-12-15.
  21. [21]
    "UFC on FOX 27 results: Gregor Gillespie pounds out Jordan Rinaldi for first-round TKO". MMAjunkie. 2018-01-28. Retrieved 2018-01-28.
  22. [22]
    Staff (2018-02-28). "Gregor Gillespie vs. Vinc Pichel added to UFC's 'Fight Night' event in Utica, N.Y." mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2018-02-28.
  23. [23]
    "UFC Fight Night 131 results: Gregor Gillespie stays perfect, taps Vinc Pichel in second". MMAjunkie. 2018-06-02. Retrieved 2018-06-02.
  24. [24]
    "UFC Fight Night 131 bonuses: You know Marlon Moraes won $50,000 for that KO". MMAjunkie. 2018-06-02. Retrieved 2018-06-02.
  25. [25]
    Mark La Monica (2018-12-20). "Gregor Gillespie to face Yancy Medeiros at UFC Brooklyn". newsday.com. Retrieved 2018-12-20.
  26. [26]
    Dave Doyle (2019-01-19). "UFC Brooklyn results: Gregor Gillespie finishes Yancy Medeiros in final second of round two". MMAFighting.com. Retrieved 2019-01-21.
  27. [27]
    Farah Hannoun (2019-09-30). "Kevin Lee vs. Gregor Gillespie targeted for UFC 244 in New York". MMAJunkie.com. Retrieved 2019-10-01.
  28. [28]
    Richardson, Andrew (2019-11-02). "Lee Knocks Gillespie Out With Huge High Kick!". MMAmania.com. Retrieved 2019-11-03.
  29. [29]
    Marvin France (2021-02-19). "Brad Riddell again left frustrated by MIQ voucher system after booking big UFC bout". stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 2021-02-19.
  30. [30]
    Mike Bohn (2021-03-20). "COVID-19 protocols cause Gregor Gillespie vs. Brad Riddell scratch from UFC on ESPN 21". mma fighting.com. Retrieved 2021-03-20.
  31. [31]
    A Brett Okamoto (2019-04-13). "Sources: Diego Ferreira-Gregor Gillespie bout added to UFC Fight Night card on May 8". espn.com. Retrieved 2021-04-13.
  32. [32]
    Alexander K. Lee (2021-05-07). "UFC Vegas 26 weigh-in results: Marina Rodriguez, Michelle Waterson make weight for headliner, two other fights cancelled". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2021-05-07.
  33. [33]
    Doherty, Dan (2021-05-08). "UFC Vegas 26 Results: Gregor Gillespie Digs Deep, Stops Diego Ferreira". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-05-09.
  34. [34]
    Bonada, Author Frank (2021-05-09). "Gregor Gillespie Gets The Ground & Pound Finish Over Diego Ferreira - UFC Vegas 26 Results (Highlights)". MiddleEasy. Retrieved 2021-05-09. {{cite web}}: |first= has generic name (help)
  35. [35]
    "UFC on ESPN 24 bonuses: Gregor Gillespie gets $100,000 because Diego Ferreira missed weight". MMA Junkie. 2021-05-09. Retrieved 2021-05-09.
  36. [36]
    Gallo, Ed (2019-11-01). "Wrestling for MMA: Gregor Gillespie". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved 2021-03-19.
  37. [37]
    "Ring of Combat 51 | Lou Neglia's Ring of Combat | Next Generation of Mixed Martial Arts!". Retrieved 2019-02-24.
  38. [38]
    Mazique, Brian. "UFC Fight Night 116 Results, Bonus Winners, Fight Scores, Highlights, Attendance & Gate Info". Forbes. Retrieved 2017-09-17.
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