Josh Sampo

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 (1984-07-24) July 24, 1984 (age 40) 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
University	Lindenwood University
Notable school(s)	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]

Amateur wrestling National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics[20][21] 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[21][22] Nevada State High School Wrestling 112 lb: Champion out of Pahranagat Valley High School (2002) Nevada State High School Wrestling 103 lb: Champion out of Pahranagat Valley High School (2001)

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown

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

^[19]

See also

• List of current UFC fighters
• List of male mixed martial artists

References

1. "Fight Card – UFC 187 Johnson vs. Cormier". UFC.com. Retrieved May 31, 2015.
2. "Josh Sampo's profile". Tapology.com. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
3. "Josh Sampo – Official UFC Fighter Profile". UFC.com. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
4. "2006 NAIA Wrestling All-Americans – NAIA – National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics". NAIA.org. March 21, 2006. Retrieved May 31, 2015.
5. "State Of Nevada" (PDF). Boxing.nv.gov. Retrieved 2016-08-01.
6. "Josh Sampo vs. Rafael de Freitas (Legacy FC 14)". Tapology.com. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
7. Brian Knapp (September 14, 2012). "Modified triangle choke gives Jeff Rexroad interim Legacy FC welterweight crown". Sherdog.com. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
8. Staff (January 21, 2013). "CFA 9 results: Luiz Buscape, Josh Sampo, Marcelo Alfaya and Sean Soriano win titles at 'Night of Champions' on 1/19/13". MMAmadman.com. Archived from the original on September 20, 2014. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
9. Jesse Denis (October 12, 2013). "Josh Sampo retains flyweight crown, Ashlee Evans-Smith stops Fallon Fox at CFA 12". Sherdog.com. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
10. Matt Erickson (November 20, 2013). "UFC signs flyweights Ryan Benoit, Josh Sampo for fight at TUF 18 Finale in Las Vegas". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
11. Ben Fowlkes (November 30, 2013). "TUF 18 Finale results: Joshua Sampo taps out fellow newcomer Ryan Benoit". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
12. Staff (December 1, 2013). "TUF 18 Finale fighter bonuses: Ryan Benoit scores $100,000 in odd twist on fight of the night". MMAweekly.com. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
13. Ben Fowlkes (February 22, 2014). "UFC 170 results, photos: Zach Makovsky tops a game Josh Sampo via decision". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
14. Steven Marocco (July 19, 2014). "UFC Fight Night 46 results: Dublin rejoices as Patrick Holohan upsets Josh Sampo". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
15. Sean Bio (2015-02-25). "Justin Scoggins vs. Josh Sampo set for UFC 187 in Las Vegas". cagepages.com. Retrieved 2015-02-25.
16. Brent Brookhouse (2015-05-23). "UFC 187 results: Justin Scoggins outworks Josh Sampo for unanimous decision". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-05-23.
17. Anton Tabuena (2015-07-06). "Hatsu Hioki and Ryan Jimmo among 14 fighters released by the UFC". bloodyelbow.com. Retrieved 2015-07-06.
18. Tristen Critchfield (March 7, 2018). "Former UFC Talent Josh Sampo to Meet Dominic Mazzotta at Bellator 197". sherdog.com.
19. "Josh Sampo's profile". Mixedmartialarts.com. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
20. "NAIA wrestling championship history" (PDF). NAIA.org. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
21. Dave Maxwell (December 6, 2013). "Former PVHS wrestler signs contract with UFC". LCcentral.com. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
22. "Pahranagat Valley wrestling". Nevadapreps.com. Retrieved September 19, 2014.

External links

• Josh Sampo at UFC
• Professional MMA record for Josh Sampo from Sherdog