Mike Easton

Michael Raymond Easton[6] (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. A professional competitor since 2003, he was the reigning Ultimate Warrior Challenge Bantamweight Champion when he joined the UFC.

Mike Easton
BornMichael Raymond Easton
(1984-01-25) January 25, 1984
Washington, D.C.[1]
Other namesThe Hulk
NationalityAmerican
Height5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)
Weight135 lb (61 kg; 9.6 st)
DivisionBantamweight
Reach70 in (180 cm)[2][3]
StanceSouthpaw
Fighting out ofCamp Springs, Maryland, U.S.
TeamAlliance MMA
Team Lloyd Irvin
Rank  Black belt in Taekwondo[4]
  Black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under Lloyd Irvin[5]
Years active2003–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total19
Wins13
By knockout4
By submission2
By decision7
Losses6
By knockout1
By decision5
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

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 Taekwondo 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.[7] Easton was also a World Kickboxing Association World Champion and WKA U.S. National Champion, and won a bronze medal at the 2008 Brown Belt Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Mundials.[8]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

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.[9] 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.[10]

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.[11] However, Hougland was forced out of the bout with an injury and replaced by fellow UFC newcomer Byron Bloodworth.[12] 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.[13] However, Stone was forced out of the bout with an injury and replaced by promotional newcomer Jared Papazian.[14] 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.[15] However, Easton was forced out of the bout with an injury and replaced by Jeff Hougland.[16]

Easton fought Ivan Menjivar on July 7, 2012, at UFC 148[17] and won the fight via unanimous decision.

Easton was expected to face T.J. Dillashaw on December 8, 2012, at UFC on Fox 5.[18] However, Dillashaw was forced out of the bout with an injury and Bryan Caraway was briefly linked as a replacement.[19] Caraway himself was injured and was replaced by Raphael Assunção.[20] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Easton next faced Brad Pickett on April 6, 2013, at UFC on Fuel TV 9.[21] 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.[22]

Easton faced T.J. Dillashaw on January 15, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 35.[23] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Easton faced Yves Jabouin on June 14, 2014, at UFC 174.[24] He lost the fight via unanimous decision, and was subsequently released from the promotion shortly after.[25]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown
19 matches 13 wins 6 losses
By knockout 4 1
By submission 2 0
By decision 7 5
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 13–6 Jesse Stirn Decision (split) Shogun Fights XVI April 8, 2017 3 5:00 Baltimore, Maryland, United States For Shogun Fights Bantamweight Championship.
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) Reality Fighting 12: Return to Boardwalk Hall April 29, 2006 3 4:00 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Bantamweight debut; Won Reality Fighting Bantamweight Championship.
Win 3–0 Jay Isip TKO (punches) Reality Fighting 6 April 3, 2004 2 1:42 Wildwood, New Jersey, United States Won Reality Fighting Featherweight Championship.
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

See also

References
  1. Gerbasi, Thomas (January 18, 2012). "Fighting Since Birth, Mike Easton has Arrived". UFC.com.
  2. "Fight Card - UFC 174 Johnson vs. Bagautinov". UFC.com. Retrieved June 15, 2014.
  3. "Stats | UFC".
  4. "Mike "The Hulk" Easton". tapology.com.
  5. Lloyd Irvin. "Mike "the Hulk" Easton Receives his black belt in bjj from Lloyd Irvin Jr". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved January 13, 2014.
  6. http://www.boxing.nv.gov/2012%20Results%20Web/07-07-12%20MMA.pdf%5B%5D
  7. "Communities — Voices and Insights - Washington Times".
  8. "Mike Easton ("The Hulk") | MMA Fighter Page".
  9. Dan Steinberg (February 16, 2009). "MMA Fighter Mike Easton: "All D.C.'d Up"". washingtonpost.com.
  10. "Robbery of the Year". sherdog.com. January 11, 2010.
  11. "Mike Easton vs. Jeff Hougland bantamweight fight planned for UFC on Versus 6". mmamania.com. 2011-07-26.
  12. "Jeff Hougland out, Byron Bloodworth in against Mike Easton at UFC on Versus 6". mmajunkie.com. September 27, 2011. Archived from the original on September 30, 2011.
  13. "Mike Easton vs. Ken Stone completes UFC on FX 1 main card". mmajunkie.com. January 2, 2012. Archived from the original on February 11, 2012.
  14. "UFC on FX 1: Jared Papazian vs Mike Easton possible for Jan. 20 with Ken Stone hurt". mmamania.com. January 6, 2012.
  15. "Mike Easton vs. Yves Jabouin added to UFC on FUEL TV 3". mmajunkie.com. February 13, 2012. Archived from the original on February 15, 2012.
  16. "Bantamweight shakeup: Easton out, Hougland meets Jabouin". mmajunkie.com. March 23, 2012. Archived from the original on March 25, 2012.
  17. "Ivan Menjivar Draws Mike Easton After Renan Barão Promoted to UFC Title Fight". mmaweekly.com. May 19, 2012.
  18. "T.J. Dillashaw vs. Mike Easton verbally agreed to for UFC on FOX 5 in Seattle". mmajunkie.com. October 20, 2012. Archived from the original on 2012-10-22. Retrieved 2012-10-22.
  19. "Bryan Caraway in for injured T.J. Dillashaw, faces Mike Easton at UFC on FOX 5". MMAjunkie.com. October 30, 2012. Archived from the original on November 1, 2012.
  20. "Raphael Assuncao replaces Bryan Caraway, faces Mike Easton at UFC on FOX 5". mmajunkie. November 21, 2012. Archived from the original on January 3, 2013.
  21. "Pickett vs. Easton: UFC Stockholm". YourMMA.tv. Feb 7, 2013. Archived from the original on April 18, 2013.
  22. Staff (2013-04-06). "UFC on FUEL TV 9 bonuses: McGregor, Madadi, Pickett, Easton win $60,000". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved 2013-04-06.
  23. Mike Whitman. "UFC Returns to Georgia in January with T.J. Dillashaw-Mike Easton". sherdog.com. Retrieved November 4, 2013.
  24. Staff (2014-03-26). "Yves Jabouin vs. Mike Easton slated for UFC 174 in Vancouver". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-03-26.
  25. C.J. Tuttle (2014-09-23). "UFC Releases Mike Easton After 4 Consecutive Decision Losses". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2014-09-23.
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