Deron Winn
American mixed martial arts fighter and freestyle wrestler
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Deron Winn (born June 13, 1989) is an American mixed martial artist, freestyle wrestler and bare-kncukle boxer.[5] A professional mixed martial artist since 2017, he formerly competed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and Bellator MMA, fighting in their middleweight divisions.
Liberty, Missouri, U.S.
Light heavyweight (2017–2018)
| Deron Winn | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Born | June 13, 1989 Liberty, Missouri, U.S. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 186 lb (84 kg; 13.3 st) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Division | Middleweight (2019–present) Light heavyweight (2017–2018) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reach | 70 in (178 cm)[1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Style | Wrestling | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fighting out of | Gilroy, California, U.S. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Team | American Kickboxing Academy (2015–present)[2] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wrestling | Freestyle wrestling[3] NAIA Wrestling[4] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years active | 2017–present | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mixed martial arts record | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wins | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| By knockout | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| By decision | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Losses | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| By knockout | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| By submission | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| By decision | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| University | Lindenwood University | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Notable schools | St. Louis Community College Liberty High School | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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Background and wrestling career
Winn was born and raised in Liberty, Missouri.[6] He began wrestling for Liberty High School, where he became a three-time MSHSAA state champion and compiled a record of 163–6.[7]
After high school, Winn attended St. Louis Community College–Meramec where he won the NJCAA national junior college championship and earned the NJCAA Outstanding Wrestler award as a true freshman.[8] In his sophomore year he was awarded All-American status.[9]
Following his career at St. Louis Community College, in his senior year he transferred to the wrestling program of Lindenwood University where he earned NAIA All-American honors by advancing to the NAIA Wrestling Championships, where he placed third at nationals.[10][11]
After his successful collegiate wrestling career, he focused in freestyle wrestling, where he competed nationally and internationally, compiled wins over notable wrestlers such as J'den Cox and Pat Downey and also placed at competitions such as the US Open, the Pan American Championships and the US World Team Trials.[12] After more than two years since his last wrestling showdown, Winn wrestled the heavily accomplished in collegiate wrestling Kollin Moore on August 30, 2020, at Chael Sonnen's Wrestling Underground I.[13] He lost the match by decision.[14]
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
After failing to make it to the 2016 Summer Olympics wrestling team, Winn relocated to California in 2016 to continue training mixed martial arts.[6] He began his professional career in 2017 and fought under various promotions, most notably Bellator MMA.[15] He amassed an undefeated record of 5–0 with all but one of his wins ending by knockout in the first round.[16] On December 20, 2018, it was announced that Winn had signed with the UFC.[17]
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Winn was scheduled to make his promotional debut against Markus Perez on June 22, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 154.[18] However, on May 9 it was reported that Perez had pulled out of the fight citing injury and was replaced by Bruno Silva.[19] On June 16, it was reported that Silva was forced to pull out of the contest due to a potential anti-doping violation by USADA and was replaced by returning veteran Eric Spicely.[20] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[21] This win earned both competitors the Fight of the Night award.[22]
Winn faced Darren Stewart on October 18, 2019, at UFC on ESPN 6. At the weigh-in, Winn weighed in at 188.5 pounds, 2.5 pounds over the middleweight non-title fight limit of 186. The bout was held at catchweight and he was fined 20% of his purse which went to his opponent.[23] He lost the fight by split decision.[24]
Winn faced Gerald Meerschaert on March 7, 2020, at UFC 248.[25] He lost the fight via submission in the third round.[26] Winn was suspended for nine months and fined $1,800 of his purse by the Nevada State Athletic Commission on September 3, 2020, after testing positive for amphetamines. The suspension was retroactive to March 7, 2020, and he became eligible to compete again on December 7, 2020.[27]
Winn was scheduled to face Antônio Braga Neto on December 19, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Thompson vs. Neal.[28] However, Braga Neto was removed from the contest due to undisclosed reasons and replaced by Antônio Arroyo.[29] Winn won the fight via unanimous decision.[30]
Winn was scheduled to face Phil Hawes at UFC on ESPN 26 on July 17, 2021.[31] However, Winn was forced to pull out from the event, citing separated rib and torn cartilage,[32] and the bout was rescheduled at UFC Fight Night 194 on October 9, 2021.[33] In turn, Winn withdrew the day before the event due to health issues.[34] He was briefly expected to be replaced by Chris Curtis, however Hawes declined the bout and it was ultimately scrapped.[35]
Winn faced Phil Hawes on June 18, 2022, at UFC on ESPN 37.[36] He lost the bout in the second round via standing TKO stoppage.[37]
Winn was scheduled to face Julian Marquez on December 17, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 216.[38] However, just two days before the event, Winn was forced to withdraw after fainting and falling down a set of stairs, at the UFC Performance Institute, sustaining a minor concussion.[39] Approximately one week later, Winn was released from his UFC contract.[40]
Submission grappling career
Winn was scheduled to face Pat Downey in a no gi submission grappling superfight at Spokane Submission Series 4 on March 1, 2025.[41] Both Winn and Downey withdrew from the match for undisclosed reasons.
Bare-knuckle boxing
Winn is scheduled to make his debut with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship against Erick Lozano on April 17, 2026 at BKFC 88.[42]
Personal life
Winn is in a relationship with fellow mixed martial artist Mallory Martin.[citation needed]
He has openly talked about his late father's homelessness and alcoholism, and his older brother's drug addiction.[43]
Championships and accomplishments
Mixed martial arts
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- Fight of the Night (One time) vs. Eric Spicely[22]
Freestyle wrestling
- United World Wrestling
- 2018 Bill Ferrell International Senior Freestyle Silver Medalist
- 2016 Dave Schultz Memorial International Open Senior Freestyle Silver Medalist
- 2016 Outstanding Ukrainian Memorial Open Senior Freestyle Bronze Medalist
- 2014 Pan American Championships Senior Freestyle Bronze Medalist
- 2014 Dave Schultz Memorial International Open Senior Freestyle Silver Medalist
- 2014 Bill Farrell International Open Senior Freestyle Silver Medalist
- 2013 Cerro Pelado International Senior Freestyle Bronze Medalist
- USA Wrestling
- 2018 World Team Trials Challenge Tournament Senior Freestyle Silver Medalist
- 2018 U.S. Open Senior Freestyle 4th Place
- 2015 U.S. Open Senior Freestyle 4th Place
- 2014 U.S. Open Senior Freestyle 4th Place
- 2014 U.S. World Team Trials Open Senior Freestyle 4th Place
Folkstyle Wrestling
- National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
- NAIA 197 lb 3rd place out of Lindenwood University (2011)[11]
- NAIA All-American out of Lindenwood University (2011)[10]
- National Junior College Athletic Association
- NJCAA 184 lb National Championship out of St. Louis Community College (2008, 2010)[8]
- NJCAA All-American out of St. Louis Community College (2008, 2010)[9]
- NJCAA Most Outstanding Wrestler out of St. Louis Community College (2008)[8]
- Missouri State High School Activities Association[46][47][48][49]
- MSHSAA State Championship out of Liberty High School (2005, 2006, 2007)
- MSHSAA All-State out of Liberty High School (2004, 2005, 2006, 2007)
Mixed martial arts record
| 10 matches | 7 wins | 3 losses |
| By knockout | 4 | 1 |
| By submission | 0 | 1 |
| By decision | 3 | 1 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 7–3 | Phil Hawes | TKO (elbows) | UFC on ESPN: Kattar vs. Emmett | June 18, 2022 | 2 | 4:25 | Austin, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 7–2 | Antônio Arroyo | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Thompson vs. Neal | December 19, 2020 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Catchweight (195 lb) bout. |
| Loss | 6–2 | Gerald Meerschaert | Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFC 248 | March 7, 2020 | 3 | 2:13 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Winn tested positive for amphetamines. |
| Loss | 6–1 | Darren Stewart | Decision (split) | UFC on ESPN: Reyes vs. Weidman | October 18, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Boston, Massachusetts, United States | Catchweight (188.5 lb) bout; Winn missed weight. |
| Win | 6–0 | Eric Spicely | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Moicano vs. The Korean Zombie | June 22, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Greenville, South Carolina, United States | Middleweight debut. Fight of the Night. |
| Win | 5–0 | Tom Lawlor | Decision (unanimous) | Golden Boy Promotions: Liddell vs. Ortiz 3 | November 24, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Inglewood, California, United States | |
| Win | 4–0 | Ahmed White | TKO (punches) | Bellator 199 | May 12, 2018 | 1 | 2:32 | San Jose, California, United States | |
| Win | 3–0 | Cody Sons | TKO (punches) | URCC 32 Fury: Battle of the Islands | September 30, 2017 | 1 | 1:57 | San Mateo, California, United States | |
| Win | 2–0 | Deven Fisher | TKO (punches) | LFA Fight Night 1 | May 5, 2017 | 1 | 1:40 | Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States | Catchweight (190 lb) bout. |
| Win | 1–0 | Mike Morales | TKO (punches) | Conquer Fighting Championship 3 | March 18, 2017 | 1 | 0:28 | Richmond, California, United States | Light Heavyweight debut. |
