John Albert (fighter)

Growing up Albert idolized martial arts legends Jackie Chan and Jet Li, claiming he wanted to be a "karate master" just like them. He began taking Tae Kwon Do classes, and received his third level belt before giving it up due to not being able to afford it.[2] In junior high Albert was a part of his school's wrestling team, but did not pursue it during high school like his brother who was a two-time state placer.[1]

Albert began looking into training MMA after a friend asked him to help sharpen up his wrestling skills. After only two weeks of training, his friend invited him to come train with UFC veteran Dennis Hallman.[2] Albert obliged and started training with Hallman and his team. Albert claims he fell in love with the sport after being "explicit rocked".[1]

Only three months into training Albert began fighting as an amateur. He spent two years on the amateur circuit, obtaining a 12-1 record while collecting 4 championships.[1][2] In 2007 he made his professional debut winning via TKO in only 48 seconds into round one. His next bout also ended via first-round TKO, taking Albert's record to 2-0. After his second bout Albert took nearly a two-year hiatus before returning to competition. He returned with four wins, (three submissions and one knockout), all in a five-month span.[3]

He took another hiatus from the sport, returning one year later from his sixth fight, taking a highly controversial loss to journeymen, Roy Bradshaw.[3] During the fight Albert dislocated his rib and while on the ground in pain, Bradshaw put Albert in a guillotine, but since his rib was causing so much pain, he tapped. The commission deemed it submission by guillotine, and since Albert was at the hospital he could not dispute it.[1]

In 2011, Albert had signed with the UFC to compete on The Ultimate Fighter: Team Bisping vs. Team Miller.[4] In the first episode, Albert fought Orville Smith, winning via first round submission (rear-naked choke).[5] The win gained Albert entry into the Ultimate Fighter house. He was selected as a part of Team Bisping.[6]

Albert next fought against Team Mayhem's top bantamweight pick, John Dodson. Albert lost the fight via unanimous decision.[7]

Though he did not win the Ultimate Fighter, Albert was signed to an exclusive contract with the UFC. Albert officially made his UFC debut on December 3, 2011 at The Ultimate Fighter 14 Finale, defeating Dustin Pague via TKO in the first round. Albert dropped Pague with a combination in the opening moments, put him in the giftwrap position and unloaded on him with heavy ground and pound causing the referee to intervene.[8]

Albert next faced Ivan Menjivar at UFC on Fuel TV 1 on February 15, 2012.[9] After a back-and-forth first round, Albert lost the fight via submission.[10]

Albert was expected to face Byron Bloodworth on June 1, 2012 at The Ultimate Fighter 15 Finale.[11] However, Bloodworth was forced out of the bout and replaced by promotional newcomer Érik Pérez.[12] Albert lost the fight via controversial armbar submission as he did not appear to verbally submit or tap out but the fight was stopped by referee Kim Winslow.[13] Despite the loss, according to a tweet from Dana White, both fighters would receive a win bonus.[14]

Albert faced Scott Jorgensen on December 8, 2012 at UFC on Fox 5.[15] He lost the fight via submission in the first round. The fight was awarded Fight of the Night honors.[16]

Albert faced Yaotzin Meza on July 27, 2013 at UFC on Fox 8.[17] He lost the back-and-forth fight via submission in the second round and was released from the promotion shortly after.[18]