Jay Hieron
Jay Hieron | “The Thoroughbred”
Ht: 6’0 – Wt: 170 – Age: 36
Born: New York, USA
Fights out of: Las Vegas, NV, USA
Team: Xtreme Couture
Overall Record: 23-6
Promotion: UFC
2012 Forecast:
Jay Hieron has proven to be one of the top welterweight fighters in the world. Hieron would have likely enjoyed a solid UFC career, but he chose to follow a nomadic path of competing for a wide variety of promotions that never earned him the fame or career success he likely desired. Hieron, a longtime member of Xtreme Couture, began his mixed martial arts career in 2003. In just his 5th career fight, Hieron signed with the UFC and made his debut against fellow prospect and future UFC champion Georges St.Pierre. Hieron lost via 1st round TKO, briefly returning to the independent circuit where he picked up solid wins over Ronald Jhun, Adam Lynn, and Pat Healy. Hieron was given another opportunity to prove himself in the UFC, but lost to Jonathan Goulet due to a nasty cut that led to one of the bloodiest fights in UFC history. Hieron moved on to the IFL promotion where he went 7-2 overall, defeating Jake Ellenberger and Delson Heleno, the latter of which earned him the IFL welterweight championship. Hieron’s only two losses came to future UFC veterans Chris Wilson and Brad Blackburn. Following the IFL’s demise, Hieron was thought to possibly be joining the UFC, but he instead chose to sign with Affliction. Hieron scored a dominating knockout over Jason High in his Affliction debut, but the promotion soon went under, but Hieron once again chose to sign elsewhere, this time with Strikeforce. Hieron won both his fights for the San Jose-based promotion, claiming decisions over Jesse Taylor and Joe Riggs. Hieron was rumored to be the next challenger for Strikeforce welterweight champion Nick Diaz, but the fight never happened and Hieron asked for his release. Hieron sat on the sidelines for nearly all of 2010 before ultimately signing with Bellator in 2011. Hieron took part in Bellator’s season 4 tournament, winning his first fight by controversially submitting Anthony Lapsley in what proved to be an early stoppage. Hieron struggled in his next two fights, winning razor-thin, controversial decisions over Brent Weedman and Rick Hawn to win the Bellator tournament. Hieron moved on to face Ben Askren for the welterweight championship, nearly scoring the upset in what proved to be another controversial decision, but this time Hieron was the one who may have been robbed. Hieron has since requested a rematch with Askren, but Bellator has made it clear that Hieron will have to re-enter the tournament in order to earn another title shot.
Hieron has been a tough fighter to deal with throughout his career, at times believing way too much in his own hype. Hieron has never been one to lack confidence, which has not earned him many fans in recent years. Hieron is 35 years old and he does not have much time to continue battling it out with various promoters. Hieron has made it known that he is not interested in re-entering a Bellator tournament, so he is likely to once again seek his release. Having already burned bridges with Bellator and Strikeforce, the only viable option seems to be the UFC. Hieron is a solid wrestler with knockout power, though 5 of his last 6 fights have ended via decision. It is a shame that Hieron has not been able to test his skills against the elite of the welterweight division. Hieron has continually made bad choices throughout his career, but hopefully he will finally make his way back to the UFC in 2012.
Jay Hieron Fight Record
Overall Record: 22-4
2008-2011 Record: 8-1
2011 Record: 3-1
Loss | Ben Askren | Dec | Rd 5 | Bellat | 10/29/2011
Win | Rick Hawn | Dec | Rd 3 | Bellat | 05/07/2011
Win | Brent Weedman | Dec | Rd 3 | Bellat | 04/09/2011
Win | Anthony Lapsley | Sub | Rd 1 | Bellat | 03/05/2011
2010 Record: 1-0
Win | Joe Riggs | Dec | Rd 3 | Sforce | 01/30/2010
2009 Record: 2-0
Win | Jesse Taylor | Dec | Rd 3 | Sforce | 08/15/2009
Win | Jason High | KO | Rd 1 | Afflict | 01/24/2009
2008 Record: 2-0
Win | Chris Kennedy | Dec | Rd 3 | | 10/11/2008
Win | Mark Miller | Tko | Rd 1 | IFL | 04/04/2008
