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Aaron Simpson (fighter)

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Aaron Simpson
Born (1974-07-20) July 20, 1974 (age 50)
Gunnison, Colorado, U.S.
Other namesA-Train
NationalityAmerican
Height6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight170 lb (77 kg; 12 st)
DivisionWelterweight
Middleweight
Reach73 in (190 cm)
StyleWrestling
StanceOrthodox
Fighting out ofPhoenix, Arizona, U.S.
TeamPower MMA Team
WrestlingNCAA Division I Wrestling
Mixed martial arts record
Total17
Wins12
By knockout6
By submission1
By decision5
Losses5
By knockout3
By decision2
Other information
UniversityArizona State University
Notable school(s)Antelope Union High School
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Aaron Michael Simpson (born July 20, 1974) is an American mixed martial artist who competes as a Welterweight in the World Series of Fighting organization and has also fought as a Middleweight. While perhaps best known for his 12-fight stint in the UFC, holding an 8-4 record while fighting mostly as a Middleweight and also competed in the WEC.

Background

Simpson was born in Gunnison, Colorado and grew up in Wellton, Arizona, where he attended Antelope Union High School. In high school he was a standout wrestler, compiling an amazing 142-1 record, and earned four state wrestling championships before going to compete in the sport for Arizona State University originally as a walk on before earning his scholarship. He compiled 110 wins and earned NCAA All-American status in 1996 and 1998 and then became an assistant coach for ASU and spent nine years there in that position. Simpson then worked as an assistant coach at California Polytechnic State University.[1]

Mixed martial arts

World Extreme Cagefighting

Simpson made his WEC debut against accomplished grappler David Avellan at WEC 36. Simpson won in the first round with a highlight-reel KO.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Simpson was part of the transfer of Light Heavyweight and Middleweight fighters in the WEC to the UFC. He made his debut at UFC Fight Night 18 by defeating Tim McKenzie via TKO in the first round.

He was set to have his second fight against Dan Miller on September 16, 2009, at UFC Fight Night 19.[2] Instead the fight was moved to UFC 102 where he fought Ed Herman. Simpson won by technical knockout when Herman went down with a knee injury in the second round.

Simpson faced Tom Lawlor on January 11, 2010, at UFC Fight Night 20, defeating him via controversial split decision.[3]

Simpson was expected to face Chris Leben at UFC 114, but the bout took place instead on June 19, 2010, at The Ultimate Fighter: Team Liddell vs. Team Ortiz Finale.[4] Simpson lost the fight via TKO at 4:17 of round 2. Simpson started out strong, using his wrestling to bring the heavier hitting Leben down multiple times. In the second round, Simpson came out gassed and ate multiple shots against the cage before turning and running away, falling against the cage, forcing the referee to save him.

Simpson was expected to face David Branch on September 15, 2010, at UFC Fight Night 22, but was forced to pull out of the bout with a staph infection.[5]

Simpson faced Mark Muñoz on November 20, 2010, at UFC 123.[6] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Simpson returned to winning by defeating Mario Miranda on March 26, 2011, at UFC Fight Night 24.[7] Simpson dominated the fight by controlling Miranda on the ground en route to a unanimous decision victory. The judges scored the fight (30–27, 30–27, 30–26).

Simpson was expected to face returning UFC veteran Jason Miller on July 2, 2011 at UFC 132.[8] However, on May 27, 2011, it was revealed that Miller would be one of the coaches of The Ultimate Fighter Season 14, opposite to Michael Bisping and had been pulled from the bout,[9] while Simpson faced Brad Tavares.[10] Simpson won via unanimous decision.

Simpson was expected to face Nick Catone on October 8, 2011 at UFC 136.[11] However, Catone was forced out of the bout after tearing an Achilles tendon,[12] and replaced by Eric Schafer, who he defeated by unanimous decision.[13]

Simpson faced Ronny Markes on February 15, 2012 at UFC on Fuel TV 1.[14] Markes defeated Simpson via split decision.

Following his split decision loss to Markes, Simpson confirmed he would drop down to the Welterweight division.[15]

Simpson was expected to face Jon Fitch on July 11, 2012 at UFC on Fuel TV: Munoz vs. Weidman.[16] However, Fitch pulled out of the bout citing a knee injury and was replaced by returning veteran Kenny Robertson.[17] Simpson won a unanimous decision over Robertson.

Simpson fought Mike Pierce on October 5, 2012 at UFC on FX 5.[18] After nearly finishing Pierce on two separate occasions in the first round, Simpson was knocked out 29 seconds into the second round. After the loss, the UFC chose not to renew Simpson's contract.[19]

World Series of Fighting

Following his UFC release, Simpson signed with the new MMA company World Series of Fighting. He fought Josh Burkman at World Series of Fighting 2 on March 23, 2013.[19] He lost his debut via TKO in the first round.

Personal life

Simpson and his wife have twins, a boy named Domenico and a girl named Mia, who were born in June 2008 via a surrogate, Simpson's mother-in-law. The couple also adopted a 16-year-old girl named Claire. Simpson was also featured on an episode of American Gladiators Season Two.[20] Simpson and his wife are vegetarians. "I read a book called ‘Eating Animals’ that changed my thoughts,” he said. “And I’m an animal lover. I couldn’t justify what I was eating any more by the way meat is factory produced now and full of hormones, the way the animals are killed, it really turns me off."[21]

Championships and accomplishments

Collegiate wrestling

Mixed martial arts

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
17 matches 12 wins 5 losses
By knockout 6 3
By submission 1 0
By decision 5 2
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 12–5 Josh Burkman KO (knee and punches) World Series of Fighting 2 March 23, 2013 1 3:04 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Loss 12–4 Mike Pierce KO (punch) UFC on FX: Browne vs. Bigfoot October 5, 2012 2 0:29 Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Win 12–3 Kenny Robertson Decision (unanimous) UFC on Fuel TV: Munoz vs. Weidman July 11, 2012 3 5:00 San Jose, California, United States Welterweight debut
Loss 11–3 Ronny Markes Decision (split) UFC on Fuel TV: Sanchez vs. Ellenberger February 15, 2012 3 5:00 Omaha, Nebraska, United States
Win 11–2 Eric Schafer Decision (unanimous) UFC 136 October 8, 2011 3 5:00 Houston, Texas, United States
Win 10–2 Brad Tavares Decision (unanimous) UFC 132 July 2, 2011 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 9–2 Mario Miranda Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Nogueira vs. Davis March 26, 2011 3 5:00 Seattle, Washington, United States
Loss 8–2 Mark Muñoz Decision (unanimous) UFC 123 November 20, 2010 3 5:00 Auburn Hills, Michigan, United States
Loss 8–1 Chris Leben TKO (punches) The Ultimate Fighter: Team Liddell vs. Team Ortiz Finale June 19, 2010 2 4:17 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 8–0 Tom Lawlor Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Maynard vs. Diaz January 11, 2010 3 5:00 Fairfax, Virginia, United States Fight of the Night
Win 7–0 Ed Herman TKO (knee injury) UFC 102 August 29, 2009 2 0:17 Portland, Oregon, United States
Win 6–0 Tim McKenzie TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Condit vs. Kampmann April 1, 2009 1 1:40 Nashville, Tennessee, United States Knockout of the Night
Win 5–0 David Avellan KO (punch) WEC 36: Faber vs. Brown November 5, 2008 1 0:18 Hollywood, Florida, United States
Win 4–0 Travis Degraw TKO (punches) Full Moon Fighting 2 May 31, 2008 3 3:22 Rocky Point, Mexico
Win 3–0 Scott Dingman TKO (punches) Tuff-N-Uff: Thompson vs. Troyer February 8, 2008 1 2:40 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 2–0 Tim Coulson TKO (punches) Proving Grounds 2 October 5, 2007 1 3:44 Cayman Islands
Win 1–0 Billy Onlewski Submission (rear-naked choke) Arizona Cage Combat April 16, 2000 1 4:02 Payson, Arizona, United States

References

  1. ^ http://www.ufc.com/fighter/Aaron-Simpson
  2. ^ "Aaron Simpson vs. Dan Miller for UFN 19". Bloody Elbow.
  3. ^ "UFC Fight Night 20 recap". mmajunkie. January 12, 2010.
  4. ^ "Chris Leben vs. Aaron Simpson Moved From UFC 114 to The Ultimate Fighter 11 Finale". mmafrenzy.com. April 5, 2010.
  5. ^ "AARON SIMPSON HOSPITALIZED AFTER SURGERY". mmaweekly.com. August 6, 2010.
  6. ^ "MUNOZ FACES SIMPSON AT UFC 123 IN DETROIT". mmaweekly.com. September 14, 2010.
  7. ^ "Aaron Simpson vs. Mario Miranda At UFC Fight Night in Seattle". mmaweekly.com. December 29, 2010.
  8. ^ "Jason "Mayhem" Miller faces Aaron Simpson in his return at UFC 132 in July". MMA Weekly. April 23, 2011.
  9. ^ ""The Ultimate Fighter 14" coaches? Michael Bisping and "Mayhem" Miller". Retrieved May 27, 2011.
  10. ^ "UFC 132: Aaron Simpson vs Brad Tavares fight booked for July 2 in Las Vegas". mmamania.com. May 31, 2011.
  11. ^ "Nick Catone vs. Aaron Simpson added to October's UFC 136 event". mmajunkie.com. July 18, 2011.
  12. ^ Becker, Dana (September 8, 2011). "Nick Catone Out Of UFC 136 Fight With Aaron Simpson". FightLine.com. Retrieved September 8, 2011.
  13. ^ "Eric Schafer returns to UFC, meets Aaron Simpson at UFC 136". mmajunkie.com. September 10, 2011. Retrieved September 10, 2011.
  14. ^ "UFC on FUEL TV 1 adds Simpson vs. Markes". mmajunkie.com. December 14, 2011. Retrieved December 14, 2011.
  15. ^ Damon Martin (March 3, 2012). "Aaron Simpson Headed in for Surgery Then to a Drop to Welterweight". mmaweekly.com.
  16. ^ "Aaron Simpson vs. Jon Fitch". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved May 14, 2012.
  17. ^ "UFC on FUEL TV 4: Aaron Simpson vs Kenny Robertson fight booked with Jon Fitch hurt". mmamania.com. Retrieved June 5, 2012.
  18. ^ "Mike Pierce vs. Aaron Simpson on tap for UFC on FX 5 in Minneapolis". mmajunkie.com. August 2, 2012.
  19. ^ a b MMAjunkie.com Staff (February 13, 2013). "WSOF 2 main card includes Burkman-Simpson, Branch-Filho, Cavalcante-Gaethje". MMAjunkie.com.
  20. ^ "UFN 18's Aaron Simpson has been blessed multiple times". MMAJUNKIE.com. March 26, 2009. Retrieved July 19, 2009.
  21. ^ "Vegetarian Simpson Hungry for More". March 24, 2011. Retrieved August 8, 2011.
  22. ^ "Aaron Simpson - Arizona State Sun Devils". thesundevils.com.
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