Josh Sampo
American mixed martial arts fighter
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Joshua Ashley Sampo[5] (born July 24, 1984) is an American mixed martial artist who most recently competed in Ultimate Fighting Championship's flyweight division.
| Josh Sampo | |
|---|---|
| Born | Joshua Ashley Sampo July 24, 1984 Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. |
| Other names | The Gremlin |
| Height | 5 ft 4 in (163 cm)[1] |
| Weight | 125 lb (57 kg; 8 st 13 lb) |
| Division | Flyweight Bantamweight |
| Reach | 64.5 in (164 cm)[2] |
| Fighting out of | St. Charles, Missouri, U.S. |
| Team | St. Charles MMA Rodrigo Vaghi Jiu-Jitsu |
| Rank | Brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu[3] |
| Wrestling | NAIA Wrestling[4] |
| Years active | 2008–present |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 17 |
| Wins | 11 |
| By submission | 6 |
| By decision | 5 |
| Losses | 6 |
| By knockout | 1 |
| By submission | 1 |
| By decision | 4 |
| Other information | |
| University | Lindenwood University |
| Notable school | Pahranagat Valley High School |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Sampo started his professional career in 2009. He fought mainly for Missouri-based promotions as Fight Me MMA, Wright Fights and Rumble Time Promotions. He is now a high school science teacher at Francis Howell High School in St. Charles county, Missouri.
Legacy Fighting Championship
Sampo was expected to face Rafael de Freitas on September 14, 2012, at Legacy FC 14.[6] However, instead he faced Antonio Banuelos. He won via unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) .[7]
Championship Fighting Alliance
Sampo faced Olympic medallist and Bellator MMA veteran Alexis Vila on January 19, 2013, at CFA 9: Night of Champions for the inaugural flyweight title. Sampo defeated Vila via submission due to a guillotine choke in the fifth round and became the CFA flyweight champion.[8]
Sampo defended his title once against Sam Thao on October 12, 2013, at CFA 12: Sampo vs. Thao. He won via unanimous decision (49–46, 49–46, 49–46) after five rounds.[9]
In November 2013, it was announced that Sampo had signed with the UFC.[10]
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Sampo made his promotional debut against fellow newcomer Ryan Benoit on November 30, 2013, at The Ultimate Fighter 18 Finale. Sampo won via submission due to a rear-naked choke and the performance earned both participants Fight of the Night honors, but Sampo was not eligible for the bonus due to missing weight.[11][12]
Sampo faced Zach Makovsky on February 22, 2014, at UFC 170. Sampo had his first octagon defeat via unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, 29–28).[13]
Sampo faced promotional newcomer Paddy Holohan on July 19, 2014, at UFC Fight Night: McGregor vs. Brandao. He lost via submission due to a rear-naked choke in the first round.[14]
Sampo faced Justin Scoggins on May 23, 2015, at UFC 187.[15] Sampo lost the fight via unanimous decision.[16] Subsequently, he was released from the promotion.[17]
Bellator MMA
Sampo faced Dominic Mazzotta at Bellator 197 on April 13, 2018.[18] He lost the fight by unanimous decision.
Championships and accomplishments
Mixed martial arts
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- Fight of the Night (one time) vs. Ryan Benoit
- Championship Fighting Alliance
- CFA flyweight title (one time)
- One successful title defense
- Cage Championships
- CC amateur bantamweight title (one time)[19]
- Fight Matrix
- 2012 Most Improved Fighter of the Year[20]
Amateur wrestling
- National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics[21][22]
- NAIA Wrestling National Championship All-American out of Lindenwood University (2005, 2006, 2007)
- NAIA Wrestling National Championship 125 lb: Fourth place out of Lindenwood University (2006)
- NAIA Wrestling National Championship 125 lb: Fifth place out of Lindenwood University (2005, 2007)
- Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association[22][23]
- Nevada State High School Wrestling 103 lb: Champion out of Pahranagat Valley High School (2001)
- Nevada State High School Wrestling 112 lb: Champion out of Pahranagat Valley High School (2002)
Mixed martial arts record
| 17 matches | 11 wins | 6 losses |
| By knockout | 0 | 1 |
| By submission | 6 | 1 |
| By decision | 5 | 4 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 11–6 | Dominic Mazzotta | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 197 | April 13, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | St. Charles, Missouri, United States | |
| Loss | 11–5 | Justin Scoggins | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 187 | May 23, 2015 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 11–4 | Paddy Holohan | Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFC Fight Night: McGregor vs. Brandao | July 19, 2014 | 1 | 3:06 | Dublin, Ireland | |
| Loss | 11–3 | Zach Makovsky | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 170 | February 22, 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 11–2 | Ryan Benoit | Submission (rear-naked choke) | The Ultimate Fighter 18 Finale | November 30, 2013 | 2 | 4:31 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Catchweight (127.5 lbs) bout; Sampo missed weight. Fight of the Night. |
| Win | 10–2 | Sam Thao | Decision (unanimous) | CFA 12: Sampo vs. Thao | October 12, 2013 | 5 | 5:00 | Coral Gables, Florida, United States | Defended the CFA Flyweight Championship. |
| Win | 9–2 | Alexis Vila | Submission (guillotine choke) | CFA 9: Night of Champions | January 19, 2013 | 5 | 2:26 | Coral Gables, Florida, United States | Won the inaugural CFA Flyweight Championship. |
| Win | 8–2 | Antonio Banuelos | Decision (unanimous) | Legacy FC 14 | September 14, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Houston, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 7–2 | Carson Gainey | Submission (kimura) | Rumble Time Promotions: Clash of the Warriors | July 27, 2012 | 1 | 1:23 | St. Charles, Missouri, United States | |
| Loss | 6–2 | Will Campuzano | KO (knee) | Rumble Time Promotions | May 19, 2012 | 3 | 1:18 | St. Charles, Missouri, United States | |
| Win | 6–1 | Czar Sklavos | Decision (unanimous) | Fight Me MMA | April 13, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | St. Charles, Missouri, United States | |
| Win | 5–1 | Gor Mnatsakanyan | Decision (unanimous) | UFF: X | November 5, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Salina, Kansas, United States | |
| Win | 4–1 | Jeremy Freeman | Submission (leg triangle) | Wright Fights 4 | July 16, 2011 | 1 | 3:12 | St. Charles, Missouri, United States | |
| Loss | 3–1 | Mike French | Decision (unanimous) | Wright Fights 2 | May 11, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | St. Charles, Missouri, United States | |
| Win | 3–0 | Eric Acuna | Decision (unanimous) | Fight Me MMA 1: The Battle Begins | August 14, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | St. Charles, Missouri, United States | |
| Win | 2–0 | Jake Rosenbaum | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Hoosier FC 4: Showdown at the Steel Yard | June 11, 2010 | 3 | 0:57 | Gary, Indiana, United States | |
| Win | 1–0 | Josh Phillips | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Friday Night Fight Night | November 6, 2009 | 1 | 4:35 | Sedalia, Missouri, United States |
Mixed martial arts amateur record
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 4–0 | Chris Butler | TKO (strikes) | Xtreme Fight League | May 9, 2009 | 1 | 1:17 | St. Louis, Missouri, United States | |
| Win | 3–0 | Albert Mendoza | Submission (strikes) | Cage Championships 16 | March 14, 2009 | 2 | 1:29 | Sullivan, Missouri, United States | Won CC amateur bantamweight title. |
| Win | 2–0 | Robert Peralez | N/A | Midwest Fight League: Battle at the Bluenote 6 | May 2, 2008 | N/A | N/A | Columbia, Missouri, United States | |
| Win | 1–0 | Jon Hollis | TKO | Midwest Fight Fest | March 22, 2008 | 1 | N/A | St. Louis, Missouri, United States |
