James Thomas Hieronymus (born July 29, 1976) is an American

actor An actor or actress is a person who portrays a character in a performance. The actor performs "in the flesh" in the traditional medium of the theatre or in modern media such as film, radio, and television. The analogous Greek term is (), li ...

stuntman A stunt performer, often called a stuntman or stuntwoman and occasionally stuntperson or stunt-person, is a trained professional who performs daring acts, often as a career. Stunt performers usually appear in films or on television, as opposed ...

and former

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, incorp ...

. Hieron was the final IFL Welterweight Champion, competing for the Los Angeles Anacondas, and has also competed in the

UFC 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 ...

, WEC,

Affliction Affliction or Afflicted may refer to: Books * ''Affliction'' (novel), a 2013 Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter novel by Laurell K. Hamilton * ''Affliction'', a novel by Russell Banks, basis of the 1998 film Film and TV * ''Affliction'' (1997 film), ...

Strikeforce Strike Force may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Games * ''Strike Force'' (video game), a 1991 arcade game *'' Commandos: Strike Force'', a 2006 video game *'' Dynasty Warriors: Strikeforce'', a 2009 video game *''Marvel Strike Force'', ...

, and Bellator.

Early life

Hieron went to live with John and Theo Hieronymous when he was a newborn due to the fact that his mother had trouble raising him. He was officially adopted by the couple when he was eight years old. Hieron, a two-time state wrestling championship runner-up at Freeport (N.Y.) High School and national Junior College Champion at Nassau (N.Y.) Community College, where he earned an associate degree, Hieron later attended

Hofstra University Hofstra University is a private university in Hempstead, New York. It is Long Island's largest private university. Hofstra originated in 1935 as an extension of New York University (NYU) under the name Nassau College – Hofstra Memorial of Ne ...

. Before his senior year at Hofstra University, he tested positive for marijuana, and was unable to wrestle his senior year.

Mixed martial arts

After being kicked off the wrestling team at Hofstra University, Hieron began dealing drugs before being charged with a felony. He turned to

boxing Boxing (also known as "Western boxing" or "pugilism") is a combat sport in which two people, usually wearing protective gloves and other protective equipment such as hand wraps and mouthguards, throw punches at each other for a predetermined ...

to let his aggressions out on the bags. Finding this to be a good stress-reliever, and with the encouragement of some friends who trained in MMA, Hieron combined his

wrestling Wrestling is a series of combat sports involving grappling-type techniques such as clinch fighting, throws and takedowns, joint locks, pins and other grappling holds. Wrestling techniques have been incorporated into martial arts, combat ...

skills and burgeoning boxing prowess into a professional MMA career.

Early career

In March 2006, Hieron won the Lockdown in Paradise in

Lahaina Lahaina ( haw, Lāhainā) is the largest census-designated place (CDP) in West Maui, Maui County, Hawaii, United States and includes the Kaanapali and Kapalua beach resorts. As of the 2020 census, the CDP had a resident population of 12,702. Laha ...

, Hawaii, and in June 2006 won his IFL debut at the IFL Team Championships in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Following the demise of the

International Fight League The International Fight League was an American mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion billed as the world's first MMA league. It was founded on January 7, 2006, and closed on July 31, 2008.

due to financial concerns, Hieron signed with Affliction in August 2008. However, that promotion soon folded as well, so Hieron signed with Strikeforce.

Strikeforce

Hieron's first Strikeforce fight was set to be against fellow former Zuffa competitor

Nick Diaz Nickolas Robert Diaz (born August 2, 1983) is an American professional mixed martial artist who competes in the middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Diaz is a former Strikeforce, WEC and IFC welterweight champion ...

at Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg for the inaugural

welterweight title. However, Diaz missed a pre-fight drug test mandated by the California State Athletic Commission and was denied a license to compete.

Jesse Taylor Jesse Marcus Taylor (born January 2, 1983) is an American professional mixed martial arts (MMA) and 10th Planet Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt fighter currently competing in the Welterweight division. A professional competitor since 2006, he was ...

was named to replace Diaz and the fight was changed to a non-title bout. Hieron won by unanimous decision. He had his heart set on a title shot against Nick Diaz, but has stated that he would be comfortable fighting any top level opponent, as long as the fight, and name is helping him move forward in his career. Hieron faced

Joe Riggs Joseph Jonathan Riggs (born September 23, 1982) is an American professional bare-knuckle boxer and former mixed martial artist who is currently signed to Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. A professional competitor since 2001, Riggs formerly c ...

on January 30, 2010 at Strikeforce: Miami. Hieron won the fight via unanimous decision. After the fight had finished, Hieron's contract with Strikeforce was completed, prompting Hieron to immediately call for demands should he sign a new one. The demands included a shot at champion

and guaranteed television spots.

Bellator Fighting Championships

Hieron and Explosion Entertainment were unable to come to terms, so Hieron instead ended up signing to fight on

Bellator Fighting Championships Bellator MMA (formerly Bellator Fighting Championships) is an American mixed martial arts promotion founded in 2008 and based in Santa Monica, California, owned and operated as a subsidiary of television and media conglomerate Paramount Global. ...

in the promotion's Season 4 welterweight tournament. In the opening quarterfinal round Hieron won via controversial stoppage when referee Josh Rosenthal stopped the bout when Lapsley did not respond to a hand check. Lapsley contested he wasn't out and this appeared to be the case, but given the position, it is unlikely that he would have survived the round. Hieron stated in a post-fight interview that Lapsley was gurgling and he felt him going out. Hieron won a controversial unanimous decision victory over

Brent Weedman Brent Weedman (born February 10, 1984) is a retired American mixed martial artist who has competed in Bellator's Welterweight division. He has competed in several Bellator Tournaments, including the: Bellator Season Four Welterweight Tournamen ...

Bellator 40 2011 in Bellator MMA was the fourth installment of the Bellator Fighting Championships. Mixed martial arts tournaments were held in multiple weight classes, including three of the original tournament classes: Welterweight, Lightweight and Feathe ...

to move on to the tournament finals. At

Bellator 43 2011 in Bellator MMA was the fourth installment of the Bellator Fighting Championships. Mixed martial arts tournaments were held in multiple weight classes, including three of the original tournament classes: Welterweight, Lightweight and Feathe ...

Hieron defeated

Rick Hawn Rick Hawn (born September 15, 1976) is a former Olympic judoka and professional mixed martial artist. A professional MMA fighter from 2009 - 2015, Hawn most notably competed for Bellator MMA, where he won the Bellator Season 6 Lightweight Tourn ...

via split decision to win the Season 4 Welterweight Tournament. With this victory Hieron earned a title shot against Bellator Welterweight Champion

Ben Askren Benjamin Michael Askren (born July 18, 1984) is an American former professional mixed martial artist and amateur wrestler. Askren was the former Bellator and ONE Welterweight Champion, remaining undefeated for over a decade before competing in ...

. Askren defeated Hieron via controversial split decision.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Hieron was expected to face

Jake Ellenberger Jacob Steven "Jake" Ellenberger (born March 28, 1985) is an American retired mixed martial artist and former United States Marine who was known for competing in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A professional competitor from 2005–2018, ...

in a rematch on September 1, 2012 at

UFC 151 ''UFC 151: Jones vs. Henderson'' was a planned mixed martial arts event that was to be held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on September 1, 2012, at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. It was to be headlined by a UFC Light ...

, replacing an injured

Josh Koscheck Edinboro Fighting Scots Josh D. Koscheck (born November 30, 1977) is an American retired mixed martial artist who fought at Welterweight for the UFC and Bellator MMA. Koscheck made his debut with the UFC on the first season of the realit ...

. However, after the UFC 151 event was cancelled, Ellenberger/Hieron took place on October 5, 2012 at

UFC on FX 5 ''UFC on FX: Browne vs. Bigfoot'' (also known as ''UFC on FX 5'') was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on October 5, 2012, at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It was the fifth UFC event broadcast l ...

. Hieron lost via unanimous decision. Hieron was expected to face

Erick Silva Erick Vinicius Silva (born June 21, 1984) is a Brazilian former mixed martial artist who competed in the Welterweight division. A professional from 2005 till 2019, he competed for the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Bellator MMA, and Jungle Fight, ...

on February 2, 2013 at

UFC 156 ''UFC 156: Aldo vs. Edgar '' was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on February 2, 2013, at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Paradise, Nevada. Background A bout between Dan Henderson and Lyoto Machida was brie ...

. However, Silva pulled out of the bout citing an injury and was replaced by promotional newcomer

Tyron Woodley Tyron Woodley (born April 17, 1982) is an American professional mixed martial artist. He is a former UFC Welterweight Champion who defended his title four times. A professional since 2009, Woodley also competed at Strikeforce and was an NCAA Di ...

. He lost the fight KO (punches) in round 1 and was subsequently released from the promotion. On March 7, 2014, Hieron announced his retirement from MMA competition.

Championships and accomplishments

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 ...

** Bellator Season 4 Welterweight Tournament Winner *

** IFL Welterweight Championship (One time; First; Last) ** IFL 2007 Welterweight Grand Prix Champion

Amateur wrestling Amateur wrestling is a variant of wrestling practiced in collegiate, school, or other amateur level competitions. There are two international wrestling styles performed in the Olympic Games: freestyle and Greco-Roman. Both styles are under the ...

National Junior College Athletic Association The National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), founded in 1938, is the governing association of community college, state college and junior college athletics throughout the United States. Currently the NJCAA holds 24 separate regions ...

NJCAA The National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), founded in 1938, is the governing association of community college, state college and junior college athletics throughout the United States. Currently the NJCAA holds 24 separate regions ...

Junior Collegiate Championship (1997) **

All-American (1996, 1997) *

New York State Public High School Athletic Association The New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) is the governing body of interscholastic sports for most public schools in New York outside New York City.http://www.nysphsaa.org/ ''nysphsaa.org'', accessed 15-JAN-2008. Th ...

NYSPHSAA The New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) is the governing body of interscholastic sports for most public schools in New York outside New York City.http://www.nysphsaa.org/ ''nysphsaa.org'', accessed 15-JAN-2008. Th ...

Division I High School State Championship Runner-up (1992, 1994)

Mixed martial arts record

, - , Loss , align=center, 23–7 ,

, KO (punches) ,

, , align=center, 1 , align=center, 0:36 ,

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 , , - , Loss , align=center, 23–6 ,

, Decision (unanimous) , UFC on FX: Browne vs. Bigfoot , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Minneapolis, Minnesota Minneapolis () is the largest city in Minnesota, United States, and the county seat of Hennepin County. The city is abundant in water, with thirteen lakes, wetlands, the Mississippi River, creeks and waterfalls. Minneapolis has its origins ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 23–5 , Romario da Silva , Technical Submission (d'arce choke) , Legacy Fighting Championship 12 , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 2:04 , Houston, Texas, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 22–5 ,

, Decision (split) , Bellator 56 , , align=center, 5 , align=center, 5:00 , Kansas City, Missouri, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 22–4 ,

, Decision (split) ,

, , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Newkirk, Oklahoma Newkirk is a city and county seat of Kay County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 2,172 at the 2020 census. History Newkirk is on land known as the Cherokee Outlet (popularly called the "Cherokee Strip"), which belonged to the Chero ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 21–4 ,

, Decision (unanimous) ,

, , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 , Newkirk, Oklahoma, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 20–4 , Anthony Lapsley , Technical Submission (rear-naked choke) , Bellator 35 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 3:39 , Lemoore, California, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 19–4 ,

, Decision (unanimous) , Strikeforce: Miami , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Sunrise, Florida Sunrise is a city in central-western Broward County, Florida, United States, and is a principal city of the Miami metropolitan area. As of the 2020 census, the city had a total population of 97,335. Sunrise was incorporated in 1961 and founded ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 18–4 ,

, Decision (unanimous) , Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 , San Jose, California, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 17–4 ,

Jason High Jason High (born October 12, 1981) is an American mixed martial artist who most recently competed in the Lightweight division of the Professional Fighters League. A professional competitor since 2005, High has also competed for Strikeforce, Aff ...

, KO (punch) , Affliction: Day of Reckoning , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 1:04 ,

Anaheim, California Anaheim ( ) is a city in northern Orange County, California, part of the Los Angeles metropolitan area. As of the 2020 United States Census, the city had a population of 346,824, making it the most populous city in Orange County, the 10th-most p ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 16–4 , Chris Kennedy , Decision (unanimous) , SuperFights MMA: Night of Combat 2 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 , Las Vegas, Nevada, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 15–4 , Mark Miller , TKO (punches) , IFL: New Jersey , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 2:10 ,

East Rutherford, New Jersey East Rutherford is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2020 U.S. census, the borough's population was 10,022, reflecting an increase of 1,109 (+12.4%) from the 8,913 counted in the 2010 census.

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 14–4 , Delson Heleno , TKO (leg injury) , IFL World Grand Prix Finals , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 4:00 ,

Uncasville, Connecticut Uncasville is an area in the New England town, town of Montville, Connecticut, Montville, Connecticut, United States. It is a Administrative divisions of Connecticut#Village, neighborhood, section of town, village in southeastern Montville, at the ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 13–4 , Donnie Liles , Decision (unanimous) , IFL: World Grand Prix Semifinals , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 4:00 , Chicago, Illinois, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 12–4 ,

Brad Blackburn Brad Lavale Blackburn Jr. (born May 25, 1977) is a retired American mixed martial artist. A professional from 2000 until 2011, he fought for the UFC, Bellator, the Maximum Fighting Championship, and the Seattle Tiger Sharks of the now defunct ...

, KO (punches) , IFL: Everett , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 0:40 ,

Everett, Washington Everett is the county seat and largest city of Snohomish County, Washington, United States. It is north of Seattle and is one of the main cities in the metropolitan area and the Puget Sound region. Everett is the seventh-largest city in the ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 12–3 , Donnie Liles , Submission (guillotine choke) , IFL: Los Angeles , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 2:49 , Los Angeles, California, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 11–3 , Victor Moreno , Submission (rear-naked choke) , IFL: Houston , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 1:55 , Houston, Texas, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 10–3 , Chris Wilson , Decision (unanimous) , IFL: World Championship Semifinals , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 4:00 , Portland, Oregon, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 10–2 , Amos Sotelo , Submission (guillotine choke) , IFL: Portland , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 0:26 , Portland, Oregon, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 9–2 ,

, Decision (unanimous) , IFL: Championship 2006 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 4:00 , Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 8–2 , Steve Schneider , TKO (punches) , Titan FC 1 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 0:55 ,

Kansas City, Kansas Kansas City, abbreviated as "KCK", is the third-largest city in the U.S. state of Kansas, and the county seat of Wyandotte County. It is an inner suburb of the older and more populous Kansas City, Missouri, after which it is named. As of ...

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 7–2 ,

Jonathan Goulet Jonathan Goulet (born July 13, 1979) is a retired French Canadian mixed martial artist. A professional from 2001 until 2010, Goulet fought in the UFC. He earned his nickname, "The Road Warrior," after taking a fight on very short notice, traveli ...

, TKO (doctor stoppage) , UFC Fight Night 2 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 1:05 , Las Vegas, Nevada, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 7–1 ,

Pat Healy Patrick Healy, Pat Healy, Patrick Healey or Pat Healey may refer to: * Felix Healy (Patrick Joseph Healy, born 1955), former Northern Irish football player and manager * Pat Healy (actor) (born 1971), American actor, writer, and director * Pat H ...

, Decision (unanimous) , IFC: Rock N' Rumble , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Reno, Nevada Reno ( ) is a city in the northwest section of the U.S. state of Nevada, along the Nevada-California border, about north from Lake Tahoe, known as "The Biggest Little City in the World". Known for its casino and tourism industry, Reno is the ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 6–1 , Richard Brass , Decision (unanimous) , WEC 15: Judgment Day , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 , Lemoore, California, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 5–1 ,

Ronald Jhun Ronald Andrew Jhun Jr. (born September 21, 1970) is an American professional mixed martial artist who most recently competed in the Welterweight division. A professional competitor since 1998, Jhun has formerly competed for the UFC, Strikeforce, ...

, TKO (doctor stoppage) , Lockdown in Paradise 1 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 4:34 , Hawaii, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 4–1 ,

Georges St-Pierre Georges St-Pierre (; born May 19, 1981) is a Canadian actor and former professional mixed martial artist. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest fighters in mixed martial arts (MMA) history. St-Pierre was a two-division champion in the Ult ...

, TKO (punches) ,

UFC 48 ''UFC 48: Payback'' was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on June 19, 2004, at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event was broadcast live on pay-per-view in the United States, and was late ...

, , align=center, 1 , align=center, 1:42 , Las Vegas, Nevada, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 4–0 , Fabio Holanda , Decision (unanimous) , MMA: Eruption , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Lowell, Massachusetts Lowell () is a city in Massachusetts, in the United States. Alongside Cambridge, It is one of two traditional seats of Middlesex County. With an estimated population of 115,554 in 2020, it was the fifth most populous city in Massachusetts as of ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 3–0 , Fernando Munoz , TKO (submission to punches) , Ring of Combat 6 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 0:33 ,

Elizabeth, New Jersey Elizabeth is a city and the county seat of Union County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey.New J ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 2–0 , Jermaine Johnson , Submission (rear-naked choke) , Ring of Combat 5 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 1:02 , Elizabeth, New Jersey, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 1–0 , Keith Plate , TKO (punches) , Reality Fighting 4 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 1:28 ,

Bayonne, New Jersey Bayonne ( ) is a city in Hudson County, New Jersey, United States. Located in the Gateway Region, Bayonne is situated on a peninsula located between Newark Bay to the west, the Kill Van Kull to the south, and New York Bay to the east. As of ...

, United States ,

References

External links

Official site
* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Hieron, Jay 1976 births African-American mixed martial artists American male mixed martial artists American male sport wrestlers Hofstra University alumni Living people Mixed martial artists from New York (state) Nassau Community College alumni People from Freeport, New York Sportspeople from Nassau County, New York Welterweight mixed martial artists Mixed martial artists utilizing collegiate wrestling American adoptees Ultimate Fighting Championship male fighters 21st-century African-American sportspeople 20th-century African-American sportspeople