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Tim Means (born February 20, 1984) is an American professional mixed martial artist currently competing in the Welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. A professional competitor since 2004, Means has also formerly competed for King of the Cage and Legacy FC. Means is the former King of the Cage Lightweight Champion and the former King of the Cage Junior Welterweight Champion.
| Tim Means | |
|---|---|
| Born | February 20, 1984 Wilburton, Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Other names | The Dirty Bird |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Weight | 171 lb (78 kg; 12 st 3 lb) |
| Division | Light Heavyweight Middleweight Welterweight Lightweight |
| Reach | 75 in (191 cm)[1] |
| Fighting out of | Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States |
| Team | Power MMA Fit NHB[2] |
| Trainer | Tom Vaughn |
| Years active | 2004–present |
| Professional boxing record | |
| Total | 3 |
| Wins | 2 |
| Losses | 1 |
| By knockout | 1 |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 52 |
| Wins | 33 |
| By knockout | 20 |
| By submission | 5 |
| By decision | 8 |
| Losses | 17 |
| By knockout | 3 |
| By submission | 8 |
| By decision | 6 |
| Draws | 1 |
| No contests | 1 |
| Other information | |
| Boxing record from BoxRec | |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
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Born in Wilburton, Oklahoma, and raised in New Mexico, Means began training at the age of 12, as he was a troubled kid and was taken under the wing of a local trainer. In 2004, Means was involved in a shooting incident outside of a bar and suffered a nine-inch gunshot wound in the femoral artery of his thigh. Means was prescribed painkillers and morphine, and developed a morphine dependency. After Means's prescriptions ran out, he began experimenting with methamphetamine. A few years after Means began using meth, he found himself in trouble with the law, and was charged with aggravated assault after punching a man who broke into his home. After serving more than three years in prison early in his MMA career, Means turned his life around.[3] He works as a high school wrestling coach at Moriaty High School.[4]
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Early career
Means began his MMA career in 2004, recording a 3–2 record before serving a prison sentence.[5] His two losses were to future UFC fighters Spencer Fisher and Luke Caudillo.[1]
King of the Cage
Means returned to MMA in 2009 and reeled off six consecutive victories via first round stoppage, including a nine-second TKO win over Matt Green at KOTC: New Breed. He earned his first title at KOTC: Steel on Oct. 7, 2010 when he defeated Bobby Green to win the KOTC Junior Welterweight (160 lbs) belt. He defended the belt on four occasions, most recently in a first-round TKO victory over Mario Ramos at KOTC: High Performance on Nov. 19, 2011. He added the KOTC Lightweight title with a victory over Tye Brown at KOTC: Total Destruction on Jan. 21, 2012.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Means made his UFC debut on February 15, 2012, defeating Bernardo Magalhaes by unanimous decision at UFC on Fuel TV 1.[6]
Means overwhelmed Justin Salas on June 8, 2012, at UFC on FX 3, knocking him down multiple times before finishing him with punches in just over a minute.[7]
Means was expected to face promotional newcomer Abel Trujillo on September 1, 2012, at UFC 151.[8] However, after UFC 151 was cancelled, the bout was rescheduled for December 8, 2012, at UFC on Fox 5.[9] On the day of the weigh-ins for the event, Means fell in a hotel sauna, injuring his head, and was replaced by Marcus LeVesseur.[10]
Means lost a unanimous decision to Jorge Masvidal on April 20, 2013, at UFC on Fox 7.[11]
Means, replacing an injured Bobby Green, lost a unanimous decision to Danny Castillo on July 27, 2013, at UFC on Fox 8, and was subsequently released from UFC.[12][13]
Legacy FC
After his release from the UFC, Means was called to replace Danny Salinas in the main event against Pete Spratt on September 13, 2013, at Legacy FC 23. He won via first-round knockout.[14] The win was not without controversy, as after the event Pete Spratt in an interview later claimed that it in the combination that knocked him out, the elbow had knocked him down but it was the follow-up punches to the back head, which are illegal, that knocked him out, and expressed he would appeal the decision. Means manager Tom Vaughn when asked for statement didn't respond for comment to the allegations.[15]
Means then defeated Artenas Young via first-round technical knockout at Legacy FC 27, on January 31, 2014.[16]
UFC return
Following two wins on the regional circuit, Means was re-signed by the UFC and lost a unanimous decision to Neil Magny in a welterweight bout on May 10, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 40, replacing William Macário.[17]
Means beat Hernani Perpetuo by unanimous decision on July 26, 2014, at UFC on Fox 12.[18]
Means won a split decision over Márcio Alexandre on December 20, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 58.[19]
Means earned a Performance of the Night bonus for defeating Dhiego Lima via TKO in the first round on February 28, 2015, at UFC 184.[20][21][22]
Means, replacing an injured Kenny Robertson, defeated George Sullivan via submission (arm-triangle choke) in round three on April 18, 2015, at UFC on Fox 15.[23][24]
Means faced Matt Brown on July 11, 2015, at UFC 189.[25] Despite finding some success via striking early in the fight, Means lost the fight by submission due to a guillotine choke.[26]
Means faced John Howard on December 10, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 80.[27] He won the fight via knockout in the second round.[28] The win also earned Means his second Performance of the Night bonus award.[29]
Means was expected to face Donald Cerrone on February 21, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 83.[30] However, Means was pulled from the fight as a result of a violation of the USADA anti-doping policy. He was replaced by Alex Oliveira.[31][32]
At the conclusion of his suspension, Means was expected to face Sean Strickland on August 20, 2016, at UFC 202.[33] However Strickland pulled out of the fight in early August citing a knee injury.[34] He was replaced by promotional newcomer Sabah Homasi.[35] Means defeated Homasi by technical knockout in the second round.[36]
Means faced Alex Oliveira on December 30, 2016, at UFC 207.[37] The bout was halted in the first round after Means landed several knees to the head of Oliveira while he was considered a grounded opponent. As a result, Oliveira was unable to continue after the foul occurred. Subsequently, referee Dan Miragliotta judged that the foul was accidental, and in turn, the result was scored a no contest.[38][39]
A rematch with Oliveira eventually took place on March 11, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 106.[40] Means lost the fight via submission in the second round.[41]
Means faced Alex Garcia on June 25, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 112.[42] He won by unanimous decision.[43]
Means faced Belal Muhammad on November 19, 2017, at UFC Fight Night: Werdum vs. Tybura.[44] He lost the fight via split decision.[45]
On December 20, 2017, Means announced he had signed a new, five-fight contract with UFC.[46]
Means faced Sérgio Moraes on February 3, 2018, at UFC Fight Night: Machida vs. Anders.[47] He lost the fight via split decision.[48] Means was given win bonus.[49]
Means faced Ricky Rainey on November 30, 2018, at The Ultimate Fighter 28 Finale.[50] He won the fight via a technical knockout in round one.[51]
Means faced Niko Price on March 9, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 146.[52] He lost the fight via knockout in the first round, marking the first time he's been stopped due to strikes.[53]
In the last fight of his prevailing contract, Means faced Thiago Alves on December 7, 2019, at UFC on ESPN 7.[54] He won the fight via a submission in round one.[55] Means signed a new contract with the UFC in the following week.[56]
Means was scheduled to face Ramazan Emeev on February 15, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 167.[57] However, Emeev was removed from the bout in late-January for undisclosed reasons and replaced by Daniel Rodriguez.[58] Means lost the fight via submission in the second round. Means dedicated his fight to two teenage boys who had died in a car crash in his community. He had a special mouth piece made in their honor and claimed to had "fought his hardest" for them that night.[59]
Means faced Laureano Staropoli on August 8, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 174.[60] At the weigh-ins, Staropoli weighed in at 174.5 pounds, three and a half pounds over the welterweight non-title fight limit. The bout proceeded at a catchweight and Stropoli was fined 20% of his purse, which went to Means.[61] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[62]
Means replaced Robbie Lawler to face Mike Perry on November 21, 2020, at UFC 255.[63] At the weigh-ins on November 20, Perry missed weight, weighing in at 175.5 pounds, over the non-title welterweight limit of 171.0 pounds. As a result, the bout proceeded at a catchweight and Perry was fined 30 percent of his purse, which went to Means.[64] Means won the fight via unanimous decision.[65]
Means was scheduled to face Danny Roberts on June 19, 2021, at UFC on ESPN 25.[66] However, Roberts was removed from the pairing due to COVID-19 protocols in the days leading up to the event.[67] Subsequently Means was shifted to face Nicolas Dalby at UFC Fight Night 190 on June 26, 2021.[68] Means won the fight via unanimous decision.[69]
Means faced Kevin Holland on June 18, 2022, at UFC on ESPN 37.[70] He lost the bout in the second round after getting submitted with a D'arce choke.[71]
Means faced Max Griffin on October 29, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 213.[72] He lost the fight via a split decision.[73]
Means faced Alex Morono on May 13, 2023, at UFC on ABC 4.[74] He lost fight via guillotine choke in the second round.[75]
Means faced André Fialho on September 23, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 228.[76] He won the fight via technical knockout in round three.[77] This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award.[78]
Means faced Uroš Medić on April 27, 2024 at UFC on ESPN 55.[79] He lost the fight by knockout in the first round.[80]
Means faced Court McGee on October 5, 2024 at UFC 307.[81] He lost the fight via a neck crank submission in the first round.[82]
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- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- Fight of the Night (One time) vs. André Fialho[78]
- Performance of the Night (Two times) vs. John Howard and Dhiego Lima[29][22]
- Tied (Thiago Alves) for third most bouts in UFC Welterweight division history (26)[83]
- Third most significant strikes landed in UFC Welterweight division history (1262)[83]
- King of the Cage
- KOTC Lightweight Champion (One time)
- KOTC Junior Welterweight Champion (One time)
- Two successful title defenses
| 52 matches | 33 wins | 17 losses |
| By knockout | 20 | 3 |
| By submission | 5 | 8 |
| By decision | 8 | 6 |
| Draws | 1 | |
| No contests | 1 | |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 33–17–1 (1) | Court McGee | Submission (neck crank) | UFC 307 | October 5, 2024 | 1 | 3:19 | Salt Lake City, Utah, United States | |
| Loss | 33–16–1 (1) | Uroš Medić | TKO (punches) | UFC on ESPN: Nicolau vs. Perez | April 27, 2024 | 1 | 2:09 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 33–15–1 (1) | André Fialho | TKO (punches) | UFC Fight Night: Fiziev vs. Gamrot | September 23, 2023 | 3 | 1:15 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Fight of the Night |
| Loss | 32–15–1 (1) | Alex Morono | Submission (guillotine choke) | UFC on ABC: Rozenstruik vs. Almeida | May 13, 2023 | 2 | 2:09 | Charlotte, North Carolina, United States | |
| Loss | 32–14–1 (1) | Max Griffin | Decision (split) | UFC Fight Night: Kattar vs. Allen | October 29, 2022 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 32–13–1 (1) | Kevin Holland | Submission (brabo choke) | UFC on ESPN: Kattar vs. Emmett | June 18, 2022 | 2 | 1:28 | Austin, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 32–12–1 (1) | Nicolas Dalby | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Gane vs. Volkov | June 26, 2021 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 31–12–1 (1) | Mike Perry | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 255 | November 21, 2020 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Catchweight (175.5 lb) bout; Perry missed weight. |
| Win | 30–12–1 (1) | Laureano Staropoli | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Oleinik | August 8, 2020 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Catchweight (174.5 lb) bout; Staropoli missed weight. |
| Loss | 29–12–1 (1) | Daniel Rodriguez | Submission (guillotine choke) | UFC Fight Night: Anderson vs. Błachowicz 2 | February 15, 2020 | 2 | 3:37 | Rio Rancho, New Mexico, United States | |
| Win | 29–11–1 (1) | Thiago Alves | Submission (guillotine choke) | UFC on ESPN: Overeem vs. Rozenstruik | December 7, 2019 | 1 | 2:38 | Washington, D.C., United States | |
| Loss | 28–11–1 (1) | Niko Price | KO (punches) | UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. dos Santos | March 9, 2019 | 1 | 4:50 | Wichita, Kansas, United States | |
| Win | 28–10–1 (1) | Ricky Rainey | TKO (punches) | The Ultimate Fighter: Heavy Hitters Finale | November 30, 2018 | 1 | 1:18 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 27–10–1 (1) | Sérgio Moraes | Decision (split) | UFC Fight Night: Machida vs. Anders | February 3, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Belém, Brazil | |
| Loss | 27–9–1 (1) | Belal Muhammad | Decision (split) | UFC Fight Night: Werdum vs. Tybura | November 19, 2017 | 3 | 5:00 | Sydney, Australia | |
| Win | 27–8–1 (1) | Alex Garcia | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Chiesa vs. Lee | June 25, 2017 | 3 | 5:00 | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States | |
| Loss | 26–8–1 (1) | Alex Oliveira | Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFC Fight Night: Belfort vs. Gastelum | March 11, 2017 | 2 | 2:38 | Fortaleza, Brazil | |
| NC | 26–7–1 (1) | Alex Oliveira | NC (illegal knees) | UFC 207 | December 30, 2016 | 1 | 3:33 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Means landed two knees to Oliveira's head while he was determined to be a grounded opponent. |
| Win | 26–7–1 | Sabah Homasi | TKO (punches) | UFC 202 | August 20, 2016 | 2 | 2:56 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 25–7–1 | John Howard | KO (punch) | UFC Fight Night: Namajunas vs. VanZant | December 10, 2015 | 2 | 0:21 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Performance of the Night. |
| Loss | 24–7–1 | Matt Brown | Submission (guillotine choke) | UFC 189 | July 11, 2015 | 1 | 4:44 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 24–6–1 | George Sullivan | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | UFC on Fox: Machida vs. Rockhold | April 18, 2015 | 3 | 3:41 | Newark, New Jersey, United States | |
| Win | 23–6–1 | Dhiego Lima | TKO (punches) | UFC 184 | February 28, 2015 | 1 | 2:17 | Los Angeles, California, United States | Performance of the Night. |
| Win | 22–6–1 | Márcio Alexandre Jr. | Decision (split) | UFC Fight Night: Machida vs. Dollaway | December 20, 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | Barueri, Brazil | |
| Win | 21–6–1 | Hernani Perpétuo | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on Fox: Lawler vs. Brown | July 26, 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | San Jose, California, United States | |
| Loss | 20–6–1 | Neil Magny | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Brown vs. Silva | May 10, 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | Cincinnati, Ohio, United States | |
| Win | 20–5–1 | Artenas Young | TKO (punches) | Legacy FC 27 | January 31, 2014 | 1 | 1:38 | Houston, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 19–5–1 | Pete Spratt | KO (elbows and punches) | Legacy FC 23 | September 13, 2013 | 1 | 2:24 | San Antonio, Texas, United States | Return to Welterweight. |
| Loss | 18–5–1 | Danny Castillo | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on Fox: Johnson vs. Moraga | July 27, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Seattle, Washington, United States | Catchweight (160 lb) bout; Means missed weight. |
| Loss | 18–4–1 | Jorge Masvidal | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on Fox: Henderson vs. Melendez | April 20, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | San Jose, California, United States | |
| Win | 18–3–1 | Justin Salas | TKO (knee and punches) | UFC on FX: Johnson vs. McCall | June 8, 2012 | 1 | 1:06 | Sunrise, Florida, United States | |
| Win | 17–3–1 | Bernardo Magalhães | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on Fuel TV: Sanchez vs. Ellenberger | February 15, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Omaha, Nebraska, United States | |
| Win | 16–3–1 | Tye Brown | TKO (punches) | KOTC: Total Destruction | January 21, 2012 | 1 | 0:30 | Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States | Won the vacant KOTC Lightweight Championship. |
| Win | 15–3–1 | Mario Ramos | TKO (punches) | KOTC: High Performance | November 19, 2011 | 1 | 1:07 | Santa Fe, New Mexico, United States | Lightweight debut. |
| Win | 14–3–1 | Cody Pfister | Submission (rear-naked choke) | KOTC: Kingpin | August 27, 2011 | 1 | 2:15 | Lubbock, Texas, United States | Defended the KOTC Junior Welterweight Championship. |
| Win | 13–3–1 | Cris Leyva | TKO (knees and punches) | KOTC: Fight to Live | May 14, 2011 | 3 | 1:28 | Santa Fe, New Mexico, United States | Defended the KOTC Junior Welterweight Championship. |
| Win | 12–3–1 | Ricky Musgrave | KO (punches) | ECSC: Friday Night Fights 2 | February 11, 2011 | 3 | 4:53 | Clovis, New Mexico, United States | |
| Win | 11–3–1 | Dom O'Grady | Decision (split) | KOTC: Steel | December 9, 2010 | 5 | 5:00 | San Bernardino, California, United States | Defended the KOTC Junior Welterweight Championship. |
| Win | 10–3–1 | Bobby Green | TKO (retirement) | KOTC: Inferno | October 7, 2010 | 2 | 5:00 | Highland, California, United States | Won the KOTC Junior Welterweight Championship. |
| Draw | 9–3–1 | Dom O'Grady | Draw (majority) | KOTC: Lock Down | July 30, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | Edmonton, Alberta, Canada | Welterweight bout. Means was penalized for an elbow to the back of the head. |
| Win | 9–3 | Cody Garlett | TKO (punches) | KOTC: Honor | May 14, 2010 | 1 | 1:17 | Mescalero, New Mexico, United States | |
| Loss | 8–3 | Jaime Jara | Submission (guillotine choke) | KOTC: Legacy | March 26, 2010 | 1 | 2:19 | Reno, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 8–2 | John Cronk | Submission (rear-naked choke) | KOTC: Horse Power | November 28, 2009 | 1 | 0:46 | Mescalero, New Mexico, United States | Return to Middleweight. |
| Win | 7–2 | Marcio Navarro | TKO (punches) | KOTC: Gunslinger | August 8, 2009 | 1 | 3:53 | Concho, Oklahoma, United States | Welterweight bout. |
| Win | 6–2 | Matt Butterfield | KO (knee) | KOTC: El Lobo | May 23, 2009 | 1 | 0:04 | Towaoc, Colorado, United States | Light Heavyweight debut. |
| Win | 5–2 | Matt Green | TKO (punches) | KOTC: New Breed | March 7, 2009 | 1 | 0:09 | Mescalero, New Mexico, United States | Middleweight debut. |
| Win | 4–2 | Brad Nordquist | KO (punches) | KOTC: Rapture | February 28, 2009 | 1 | 2:07 | Towaoc, Colorado, United States | |
| Win | 3–2 | July Guiterrez | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Fightworld 4 | March 26, 2005 | N/A | N/A | Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States | |
| Loss | 2–2 | Spencer Fisher | Submission (triangle choke) | IFC 22: Eve of Destruction | March 5, 2005 | 1 | 1:44 | Salt Lake City, Utah, United States | |
| Loss | 2–1 | Luke Caudillo | TKO (injury) | Ring of Fire 13: Bring the Heat | September 24, 2004 | 1 | 1:40 | Castle Rock, Colorado, United States | |
| Win | 2–0 | Nathan Brown | TKO (punches) | Extreme Fighting Championships 2 | May 1, 2004 | 1 | N/A | Ardmore, Oklahoma, United States | |
| Win | 1–0 | Josh Barlowe | TKO (punches) | Rumble in the Desert | March 13, 2004 | N/A | N/A | Grand Junction, Colorado, United States |
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| 3 fights | 2 wins | 1 loss |
|---|---|---|
| By knockout | 0 | 1 |
| By decision | 2 | 0 |
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Win | 2–1 |  Adrian Lopez |
UD | 4 | 2 Apr 2011 |  Santa Ana Star Casino Hotel, Bernalillo, New Mexico, US |
|
| 2 | Win | 1–1 | Ramel Brown |
MD | 4 | 14 Aug 2010 | Santa Ana Star Casino Hotel, Bernalillo, New Mexico, US |
|
| 1 | Loss | 0–1 | Jonathan Embry |
TKO | 2 (4), 2:15 | 27 Apr 2006 | San Manuel Casino, Highland, California, US |
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