Eric Maurice Shelton (born February 2, 1991) is an American

mixed martial arts Mixed martial arts (MMA), sometimes referred to as cage fighting, no holds barred (NHB), and ultimate fighting, and originally referred to as Vale Tudo is a full-contact combat sport based on striking, grappling and ground fighting, inc ...

fighter competed in the

Flyweight Flyweight is a weight class in combat sports. Boxing Flyweight is a class in boxing which includes fighters weighing above 49 kg (108 lb) and up to 51 kg (112 lb). Professional boxing The flyweight division was the last of bo ...

division of the

Ultimate Fighting Championship The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is an American mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion company based in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is owned and operated by Zuffa, a wholly owned subsidiary of Endeavor Group Holdings. It is the largest MMA ...

. A professional competitor since 2013, he has also competed for the RFA and was a contestant on The Ultimate Fighter: Tournament of Champions.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Shelton began his professional MMA career in July 2013, upon compiling an impressive 11–2 record during his amateur career. Over the next three-and-a-half years he fought mainly in the mid-west, amassing a record of 10–2.

The Ultimate Fighter

In July 2016, it was announced that Shelton would be a cast member of The Ultimate Fighter: Tournament of Champions. He was ranked #15 and selected by Team Benavidez. In the first round, Shelton defeated Yoni Sherbatov via technical submission (rear-naked choke) in the second round. In the quarterfinals, he defeated Ronaldo Candido by unanimous decision. In the semifinals, Shelton lost to eventual winner

Tim Elliott Timothy Samuel Elliott (born December 24, 1986) is an American mixed martial artist who currently competes in the Flyweight (MMA), Flyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He is the former Titan FC Titan Fighting Champions ...

via unanimous decision after two rounds.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

After The Ultimate Fighter, Shelton was signed to a UFC contract. He faced

Alexandre Pantoja Alexandre Pantoja Passidomo (born, April 16, 1990) is a Brazilian mixed martial arts fighter, currently fighting for the UFC and is the flyweight champion of the Resurrection Fighting Alliance and Shooto Brazil. As of August 20, 2022, he is ...

in his debut on January 28, 2017, at UFC on Fox: Shevchenko vs. Peña. He lost the fight via split decision. In his second fight for the promotion, Shelton faced

Jarred Brooks Jarred Brooks (born May 2, 1993) is an American professional mixed martial artist currently competing in ONE Championship, where he is the current ONE Strawweight World Champion. A professional competitor since 2014, he has also competed for the ...

on July 29, 2017, at

UFC 214 ''UFC 214: Cormier vs. Jones 2'' was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship and held on July 29, 2017 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. Background A PPV event was initially planned for Anaheim on Janu ...

. He again lost the fight via split decision. In his third fight for the promotion, Shelton faced

Jenel Lausa Jenel Lausa (born August 1, 1988) is a Filipino professional boxer and a mixed martial artist who was known to have competed in the Flyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Mixed martial arts career Lausa made his professional ...

on November 19, 2017, at UFC Fight Night: Werdum vs. Tybura. He won the fight via unanimous decision to earn his first UFC victory. Shelton faced Alex Perez on February 24, 2018, at UFC on Fox: Emmett vs. Stephens. At the weigh-ins, Perez weighed in at 126.5 pounds, half a pound over the lightweight non title fight upper limit of 126 pounds. As a result, the bout proceeded at catchweight and Perez was fined 20% of his purse, which went to Shelton. Shelton lost the fight via unanimous decision. Shelton faced Joseph Morales on November 10, 2018, at UFC Fight Night: Korean Zombie vs. Rodríguez. He won the fight via split decision. Shelton faced

Jordan Espinosa Jordan Andrew Espinosa (born November 8, 1989) is an American mixed martial artist competing in the flyweight division. He is most notable for his time in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Background Espinosa wrestled with the West Mesa High S ...

on March 23, 2019, at UFC Fight Night: Thompson vs. Pettis. He lost the fight via unanimous decision. On May 26, 2019, it was reported that Shelton was released by UFC.

Post-UFC career

After being released from the UFC, Shelton signed with the WXC. He made his promotional debut against Jesse Bazzi at WXC 83 on October 30, 2019. He won the fight via unanimous decision. With the win, Shelton earned a title shot against Juancamilo Ronderos at WXC 85 on December 18, 2019. He lost the fight via split decision. On June 6, 2020, news surfaced that Shelton had signed with ARES FC. Shelton faced Rilley Dutro for the vacant Caged Aggression Flyweight Championship on May 8, 2021. He claimed the championship after Dutro suffered an elbow injury in the fourth round. Shelton faced Jacob Silva on December 19, 2021, at Fury FC 55. He won the bout via unanimous decision.

Championships and accomplishments

*Caged Aggression **Flyweight Champion (Two times; current)

Mixed martial arts record

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Mixed martial arts exhibition record

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Professional boxing record

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Shelton, Eric 1991 births Living people American male mixed martial artists Sportspeople from Lawton, Oklahoma Flyweight mixed martial artists Bantamweight mixed martial artists Mixed martial artists utilizing boxing Ultimate Fighting Championship male fighters American male boxers