James William Vick
(born February 23, 1987) is a retired
American
American(s) may refer to:
* American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America"
** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America
** American ancestry, pe ...
mixed martial artist
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, incorpo ...
and boxer who formerly competed in the
welterweight
Welterweight is a weight class in combat sports. Originally the term "welterweight" was used only in boxing, but other combat sports like Muay Thai, taekwondo, and mixed martial arts also use it for their own weight division system to classify th ...
and
lightweight
Lightweight is a weight class in combat sports and rowing.
Boxing
Professional boxing
The lightweight division is over 130 pounds (59 kilograms) and up to 135 pounds (61.2 kilograms) weight class in the sport of boxing.
Notable lightweight boxe ...
divisions 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 ...
(UFC). Vick was a cast member of ''
The Ultimate Fighter: Live''.
Background
Vick was born to a modest Texan family on February 23, 1987.
He grew up in
Olney, Texas
Olney is a city in Young County, Texas, United States. Its population was 3,007 in 2020.
History
On May 18, 1951, the city was devastated by a violent F4 tornado. Thomas P. Grazulis noted this tornado was possible F5 on the Fujita scale.
Geogr ...
with his five siblings.
Vick took up boxing following his senior year at
Olney High School
Olney Charter High School, formerly Aspira Charter School at Olney, and Olney High School, is a public high school located in the Olney neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Previously directly controlled by the School District of Philade ...
in 2005. Mixed martial arts piqued his interest initially when he saw
The Ultimate Fighter 1 around the time he graduated from high school.
Nevertheless, he wound up playing basketball in
junior college
A junior college (sometimes referred to colloquially as a juco, JuCo or JC) is a post-secondary educational institution offering vocational training designed to prepare students for either skilled trades and technical occupations and workers in ...
only to be kicked out of the team due to physical altercations and eventually dropping out of college too.
After the failed attempt at college, Vick started training boxing under Jarred Kemp.
Eventually, he became two-time
Golden Gloves
The Golden Gloves is the name given to annual competitions for amateur boxing in the United States, where they are awarded a belt and a ring. And the title of nations champion is awarded. The Golden Gloves is a term used to refer to the Nationa ...
champion in the open division, winning the first title in 2007. Having already been training mixed martial arts during his amateur boxing tenure, Vick decided to drop off boxing in order to pursue MMA career.
Mixed martial arts career
Vick began his professional career fighting in regional shows in his home state of Texas. His first four fights all came in 2011, where he went undefeated with four straight wins.
The Ultimate Fighter
Vick was one of 32 lightweight fighters announced by the UFC to participate in the first live season of
The Ultimate Fighter
''The Ultimate Fighter'' is an American reality television series and mixed martial arts (MMA) competition produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and Pilgrim Media Group currently airing on ESPN+. It previously aired for fourteen s ...
reality show.
Vick won his way into the house when he defeated
Dakota Cochrane by split decision after one round. He was then chosen to be part of Team Cruz as Cruz's fifth pick and ninth overall.
For the first official fight of the show, he was chosen to fight Team Faber's third pick
Daron Cruickshank. After a rough first part of the round, Vick landed a knee on Cruickshank as he shot in for a takedown, and won the fight by knockout in the first round.
His quarter-final fight came against Team Faber's
Joe Proctor. Vick was able to dominate the fight, out-striking Proctor on the feet and successfully defending all of Proctor's take down attempts. Vick won the fight by unanimous decision, earning his way into the semi-final round.
Vick was selected to fight Team Faber fighter and eventual show winner,
Michael Chiesa, in the semi-final round. Vick lost the fight via TKO in the second round.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Vick was scheduled to face castmate Vinc Pichel on June 1, 2012, at
The Ultimate Fighter: Live Finale. However, due to his TKO loss in the semifinals, Vick was unable to compete at the event and Pichel was pulled from the card as well.
In his official debut, Vick faced
Ramsey Nijem on August 17, 2013, at
UFC Fight Night 26. He won the fight via submission at just 58 seconds into the first round.
Vick was expected to face promotional newcomer Valmir Lazaro on August 2, 2014, at
UFC 176. However, after
UFC 176 was cancelled, Vick/Lazaro was rescheduled and eventually took place on August 23, 2014, at
UFC Fight Night 49. He won the back-and-forth fight via unanimous decision.
Vick faced
Nick Hein
Nick Hein (born April 24, 1984) is a German retired mixed martial artist and actor, who is best known for appearing in the German television show Diese Kaminskis. Before Hein became an actor, he was also a national judo champion and police offic ...
on November 22, 2014, at
UFC Fight Night 57. Vick won the fight by unanimous decision.
Vick faced
Jake Matthews on May 10, 2015, at
UFC Fight Night 65. Vick won the fight via submission in the first round. The win also earned Vick his first ''Performance of the Night'' bonus award.
Vick next faced Glaico França on April 23, 2016, at
UFC 197. He won the fight by unanimous decision.
Vick was expected to face
Evan Dunham on June 4, 2016, at
UFC 199, filling in for an injured
Leonardo Santos. In turn, Dunham pulled out for undisclosed reasons and was replaced by
Beneil Dariush. He lost the fight via knockout in the first round.
Vick was scheduled to face
Johnny Case on February 4, 2017, at
UFC Fight Night 104. However On January 19, Case pulled out the fight citing injury and was replaced by
Abel Trujillo
Abel Nazario Trujillo (born September 18, 1983) is an American mixed martial artist who most recently competed in the Lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Background
Born in Greensboro, North Carolina, Trujillo attended Ri ...
. Vick won by submission via submission in the third round.
Vick faced
Polo Reyes on May 13, 2017, at
UFC 211. He won the fight via TKO in the first round. After the bout with Reyes, Vick signed a new, four-fight contract with UFC.
Vick faced
Joseph Duffy on November 4, 2017, at
UFC 217. He won the fight via TKO in the second round.
Vick faced
Francisco Trinaldo on February 18, 2018, at
UFC Fight Night: Cowboy vs. Medeiros. He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Vick was scheduled to face
Paul Felder
Paul Felder (born April 25, 1984) is an American retired professional mixed martial artist and color commentator for UFC. He competed in the Lightweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A professional since 2011, Felder als ...
on July 14, 2018, at
UFC Fight Night 133
''UFC Fight Night: dos Santos vs. Ivanov'' (also known as ''UFC Fight Night 133'') was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that was held on July 14, 2018 at CenturyLink Arena in Boise, Idaho, United States. ...
. However, Vick was pulled from that fight in favor of a main event bout with
Justin Gaethje
Justin Ray Gaethje (; born November 14, 1988) is an American professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Lightweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He is a former Interim UFC Lightweight Champion. As ...
on August 25, 2018, at
UFC Fight Night 135. He lost the fight via KO in the first round.
Vick faced
Paul Felder
Paul Felder (born April 25, 1984) is an American retired professional mixed martial artist and color commentator for UFC. He competed in the Lightweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A professional since 2011, Felder als ...
on February 17, 2019, at
UFC on ESPN 1
''UFC on ESPN: Ngannou vs. Velasquez'' (also known as ''UFC on ESPN 1'') was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that was held on February 17, 2019 at Talking Stick Resort Arena, now known as Footprint Center ...
.
He lost via unanimous decision.
Vick faced
Dan Hooker on July 20, 2019, at
UFC on ESPN 4
UFC on ESPN: dos Anjos vs. Edwards (also known as ''UFC on ESPN 4'') was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that took place on July 20, 2019 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas.
Background
The event ma ...
. He lost the fight via knockout in the first round. Subsequently, Vick announced he will be moving up to the welterweight division.
Vick faced
Niko Price on October 12, 2019, at
UFC on ESPN+ 19
''UFC on ESPN: Hermansson vs. Vettori'' (also known as ''UFC on ESPN 19'' and ''UFC Vegas 16'') was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that took place on December 5, 2020 at the UFC Apex facility in Enterpr ...
. He lost the fight via knockout in the first round.
Following this fight, Vick's contract expired and the UFC elected not to renew it, making him a free agent.
Post-UFC career
Following his release from the UFC, Vick fought
André Fialho
André Fialho Mensurado (born April 7, 1994) is a Portuguese mixed martial artist, currently competing in the Welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He is the former UAE Warriors champion and has also competed for the PFL ...
at XMMA event on January 30, 2021. Vick lost the fight by second-round technical knockout. Vick announced his retirement after the loss,
stating:
Professional boxing career
After a successful amateur boxing career, Vick turned professional in 2010, losing his debut via majority decision. Following retirement from mixed martial arts after a decade in the sport, Vick returned to boxing in 2022. He faced Simon Alejandro Heredia Cortes on March 26, 2022, and won the bout via second-round technical knockout.
Personal life
James and his wife Ada have a son, James Jr (born 2018).
Championships and accomplishments
*
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 ...
**
Performance of the Night
UFC Bonus Awards are three separate cash bonuses usually awarded to four fighters after each UFC event, based on internal decisions by UFC management. More/fewer bonuses have been awarded at some events, especially when no knockouts or submissions ...
(One time)
vs. Jake Matthews
Mixed martial arts record
, -
, Loss
, align=center, 13–6
,
André Fialho
André Fialho Mensurado (born April 7, 1994) is a Portuguese mixed martial artist, currently competing in the Welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He is the former UAE Warriors champion and has also competed for the PFL ...
, TKO (punches)
, XMMA: Vick vs Fialho
,
, align=center, 2
, align=center, 2:21
,
West Palm Beach, Florida
West Palm Beach is a city in and the county seat of Palm Beach County, Florida, United States. It is located immediately to the west of the adjacent Palm Beach, which is situated on a barrier island across the Lake Worth Lagoon. The populati ...
, United States
,
, -
, Loss
, align=center, 13–5
,
Niko Price
, KO (upkick)
,
UFC Fight Night: Joanna vs. Waterson
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 1:44
,
Tampa, Florida
Tampa () is a city on the Gulf Coast of the United States, Gulf Coast of the U.S. state of Florida. The city's borders include the north shore of Tampa Bay and the east shore of Old Tampa Bay. Tampa is the largest city in the Tampa Bay area and ...
, United States
,
, -
, Loss
, align=center, 13–4
,
Dan Hooker
, KO (punch)
,
UFC on ESPN: dos Anjos vs. Edwards
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 2:33
,
San Antonio, Texas
("Cradle of Freedom")
, image_map =
, mapsize = 220px
, map_caption = Interactive map of San Antonio
, subdivision_type = Country
, subdivision_name = United States
, subdivision_type1= State
, subdivision_name1 = Texas
, subdivision_t ...
, United States
,
, -
, Loss
, align=center, 13–3
,
Paul Felder
Paul Felder (born April 25, 1984) is an American retired professional mixed martial artist and color commentator for UFC. He competed in the Lightweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A professional since 2011, Felder als ...
, Decision (unanimous)
,
UFC on ESPN: Ngannou vs. Velasquez
,
, align=center, 3
, align=center, 5:00
,
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix ( ; nv, Hoozdo; es, Fénix or , yuf-x-wal, Banyà:nyuwá) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of cities and towns in Arizona#List of cities and towns, most populous city of the U.S. state of Arizona, with 1 ...
, United States
,
, -
, Loss
, align=center, 13–2
,
Justin Gaethje
Justin Ray Gaethje (; born November 14, 1988) is an American professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Lightweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He is a former Interim UFC Lightweight Champion. As ...
, KO (punch)
,
UFC Fight Night: Gaethje vs. Vick
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 1:27
,
Lincoln, Nebraska
Lincoln is the capital city of the U.S. state of Nebraska and the county seat of Lancaster County. The city covers with a population of 292,657 in 2021. It is the second-most populous city in Nebraska and the 73rd-largest in the United Sta ...
, United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 13–1
,
Francisco Trinaldo
, Decision (unanimous)
,
UFC Fight Night: Cowboy vs. Medeiros
,
, align=center, 3
, align=center, 5:00
,
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of Texas, as well as the county seat, seat and largest city of Travis County, Texas, Travis County, with portions extending into Hays County, Texas, Hays and Williamson County, Texas, Williamson co ...
, United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 12–1
,
Joseph Duffy
, TKO (punches)
,
UFC 217
,
, align=center, 2
, align=center, 4:59
,
New York City
New York, often called New York City or NYC, is the List of United States cities by population, most populous city in the United States. With a 2020 population of 8,804,190 distributed over , New York City is also the L ...
,
New York
New York most commonly refers to:
* New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York
* New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States
New York may also refer to:
Film and television
* '' ...
, United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 11–1
,
Polo Reyes
, TKO (punches)
,
UFC 211
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 2:39
,
Dallas, Texas
Dallas () is the third largest city in Texas and the largest city in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, the fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States at 7.5 million people. It is the largest city in and seat of Dallas County w ...
, United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 10–1
,
Abel Trujillo
Abel Nazario Trujillo (born September 18, 1983) is an American mixed martial artist who most recently competed in the Lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Background
Born in Greensboro, North Carolina, Trujillo attended Ri ...
, Submission (D'Arce choke)
,
UFC Fight Night: Bermudez vs. The Korean Zombie
,
, align=center, 3
, align=center, 0:49
,
Houston, Texas
Houston (; ) is the most populous city in Texas, the most populous city in the Southern United States, the fourth-most populous city in the United States, and the sixth-most populous city in North America, with a population of 2,304,580 in ...
, United States
,
, -
, Loss
, align=center, 9–1
,
Beneil Dariush
, KO (punch)
,
UFC 199
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 4:16
,
Inglewood, California
Inglewood is a city in southwestern Los Angeles County, California, in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. As of the 2020 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 107,762. It was incorporated on February 14, 1908. The city is in the South Bay ...
, United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 9–0
, Glaico França
, Decision (unanimous)
,
UFC 197
,
, align=center, 3
, align=center, 5:00
,
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas (; Spanish for "The Meadows"), often known simply as Vegas, is the 25th-most populous city in the United States, the most populous city in the state of Nevada, and the county seat of Clark County. The city anchors the Las Vegas ...
, United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 8–0
,
Jake Matthews
, Submission (guillotine choke)
,
UFC Fight Night: Miocic vs. Hunt
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 4:53
,
Adelaide
Adelaide ( ) is the capital city of South Australia, the state's largest city and the fifth-most populous city in Australia. "Adelaide" may refer to either Greater Adelaide (including the Adelaide Hills) or the Adelaide city centre. The dem ...
, Australia
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 7–0
,
Nick Hein
Nick Hein (born April 24, 1984) is a German retired mixed martial artist and actor, who is best known for appearing in the German television show Diese Kaminskis. Before Hein became an actor, he was also a national judo champion and police offic ...
, Decision (unanimous)
,
UFC Fight Night: Edgar vs. Swanson
,
, align=center, 3
, align=center, 5:00
,
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of Texas, as well as the county seat, seat and largest city of Travis County, Texas, Travis County, with portions extending into Hays County, Texas, Hays and Williamson County, Texas, Williamson co ...
, United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 6–0
, Valmir Lazaro
, Decision (unanimous)
,
UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. dos Anjos
,
, align=center, 3
, align=center, 5:00
,
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Tulsa () is the second-largest city in the state of Oklahoma and 47th-most populous city in the United States. The population was 413,066 as of the 2020 census. It is the principal municipality of the Tulsa Metropolitan Area, a region with ...
, United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 5–0
,
Ramsey Nijem
, Submission (guillotine choke)
,
UFC Fight Night: Shogun vs. Sonnen
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 0:58
,
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 4–0
, Chris Pecero
, Decision (unanimous)
, Back Alley Promotions
,
, align=center, 3
, align=center, 5:00
,
Arlington, Texas
Arlington is a city in the U.S. state of Texas, located in Tarrant County. It forms part of the Mid-Cities region of the Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington metropolitan statistical area, and is a principal city of the metropolis and region. ...
, United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 3–0
, Mike Salazar
, TKO (punches)
, STFC 16 - All or Nothing
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 2:17
,
McAllen, Texas
McAllen is the largest city in Hidalgo County, Texas, United States, and the 22nd-most populous city in Texas. It is located at the southern tip of the state in the Rio Grande Valley, on the Mexico–United States border. The city limits extend ...
, United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 2–0
, Jimmy Taylor
, Submission (armbar)
, Xtreme Knockout 11
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 1:56
,
Arlington, Texas
Arlington is a city in the U.S. state of Texas, located in Tarrant County. It forms part of the Mid-Cities region of the Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington metropolitan statistical area, and is a principal city of the metropolis and region. ...
, United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 1–0
, Cody Carrillo
, Submission (rear-naked choke)
, Undisputed MMA 1
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 3:30
,
Amarillo, Texas
Amarillo ( ; Spanish for "yellow") is a city in the U.S. state of Texas and the seat of Potter County. It is the 14th-most populous city in Texas and the largest city in the Texas Panhandle. A portion of the city extends into Randall County ...
, United States
,
Mixed martial arts exhibition record
, -
, Loss
, align=center, 3–1
,
Michael Chiesa
, TKO (punches)
, rowspan=4,
The Ultimate Fighter: Live
, (Live airdate)
, align=center, 2
, align=center, 1:55
, rowspan=4,
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas (; Spanish for "The Meadows"), often known simply as Vegas, is the 25th-most populous city in the United States, the most populous city in the state of Nevada, and the county seat of Clark County. The city anchors the Las Vegas ...
, United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 3–0
,
Joe Proctor
, Decision (unanimous)
, (Live airdate)
, align=center, 3
, align=center, 5:00
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 2–0
,
Daron Cruickshank
, KO (knee)
, (Live airdate)
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 2:16
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 1–0
,
Dakota Cochrane
, Decision (split)
, (Live airdate)
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 5:00
,
, -
Professional boxing record
See also
*
List of male mixed martial artists
This is a list of notable professional male mixed martial arts fighters in alphabetical order.
__NOTOC__
A
* Shamil Abdurakhimov - ( M-1, UFC)
* Daichi Abe - (UFC, Pancrase)
* Hiroyuki Abe - (Shooto, KOTC, Cage Rage, DEEP, Pride)
* Papy Ab ...
References
External links
*
*
*https://www.patreon.com/asterios
{{DEFAULTSORT:Vick, James
1987 births
Living people
American male mixed martial artists
Lightweight mixed martial artists
Welterweight mixed martial artists
Mixed martial artists utilizing boxing
Mixed martial artists utilizing Brazilian jiu-jitsu
People from Mineral Wells, Texas
Mixed martial artists from Texas
American male boxers
American practitioners of Brazilian jiu-jitsu
Ultimate Fighting Championship male fighters