James Michael Hettes (born June 9, 1987) is a retired American

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 ...

who competed as a

featherweight Featherweight is a weight class in the combat sports of boxing, kickboxing, mixed martial arts, and Greco-Roman wrestling. Boxing Professional boxing History A featherweight boxer weighs in at a limit of . In the early days of the division, this ...

in 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 ...

Background

Hettes is a 2-time Keystone State Games Judo Gold Medalist and earned the nickname "Judo Jim" at Greg Jackson's Camp in Albuquerque, NM. Hettes started boxing at age 14 and started training in

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ; pt, jiu-jitsu brasileiro ) is a self-defence martial art and combat sport based on grappling, ground fighting (ne-waza) and submission holds. BJJ focuses on the skill of taking an opponent to the ground, control ...

at the age of 16 and is currently the head instructor at Northeastern Ju-Jitsu in

Swoyersville, Pennsylvania Swoyersville is a borough in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 5,008 at the 2020 census. Swoyersville is located within the Wyoming Valley West School District. History The community was originally called ''Swoyervil ...

. Hettes attended

Luzerne County Community College Luzerne County Community College (LCCC) is a public community college in Nanticoke, Pennsylvania. LCCC offers over 100 academic, technical, and career programs. The institution uses an open admissions policy for most programs, and has over 35,000 ...

for Criminal Justice.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Hettes was originally expected to make his UFC debut in December 2010 as part of The Ultimate Fighter: Team GSP vs. Team Koscheck Finale card; Hettes turned the offer down due to prior engagements with another promotion. On July 16, 2011, Hettes officially signed with the UFC after winning the MMA Melee - MASS Featherweight Championship Belt. As a late replacement to an injured

Leonard Garcia Leonard Garcia (born July 14, 1979, in Plainview, Texas) is an American former mixed martial artist who most recently competed in the Featherweight division of the Legacy Fighting Championship, and is the former Legacy FC Featherweight Champion. ...

. Hettes made his promotional debut on August 14, 2011 against

Alex Caceres Alex Caceres (born June 20, 1988) is an American mixed martial arts, mixed martial artist who competes in the Featherweight (MMA), featherweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, UFC. A professional MMA competitor since 2008, Cacer ...

on 10 days notice. He won via submission (rear naked choke) at 3:12 of round 2. Hettes defeated

Nam Phan Nhat Nam Si Phan (born March 13, 1983), better known as Nam Phan, is an American retired mixed martial arts, mixed martial artist and professional boxer. A professional in mixed martial arts since 2001, Phan has also competed for the Ultimate Fig ...

on December 30, 2011 at

UFC 141 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 ...

. Hettes used his superior judo to take Phan down repeatedly, and also utilized excellent control on the ground. He landed a great deal of unanswered ground and pound and threatened with submissions throughout, taking a dominant unanimous decision (30-25, 30-25, 30-26). Hettes was expected to face

Steven Siler Steven Scott Siler (born February 15, 1987) is an American mixed martial artist currently competing in the Featherweight division of the Professional Fighters League. A professional competitor since 2005, he has competed for the UFC, Titan FC, Ta ...

on June 22, 2012 at

UFC on FX 4 The year 2012 was the 20th year in the history of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), a mixed martial arts promotion based in the United States. 2012 started with UFC 142: Aldo vs. Mendes and ended with UFC 155: dos Santos vs. Velasquez 2 ...

. However, Hettes was forced out of the bout with an injury and replaced by promotional newcomer Joey Gambino. Hettes faced

Marcus Brimage Marcus Clyde Brimage (born April 6, 1985) is an American mixed martial artist currently competing in the Featherweight division. A professional competitor since 2007, he has formerly competed for the UFC and was a competitor on The Ultimate Figh ...

on September 22, 2012 at

UFC 152 ''UFC 152: Jones vs. Belfort '' was a mixed martial arts pay-per-view event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on September 22, 2012, at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Background Rory MacDonald was expected to face fo ...

. He lost the fight via unanimous decision, his first professional loss. Hettes was expected to face

on April 27, 2013 at

UFC 159 ''UFC 159: Jones vs. Sonnen'' was a mixed martial arts event held on April 27, 2013, at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Background Jimy Hettes was expected to face Steven Siler at the event; however, Hettes was forced out of the bou ...

. However, Hettes was forced to pull out of the bout with an injury and replaced by Kurt Holobaugh. After 13 months away, Hettes returned to the UFC in October 2013. He was expected to face Mike Wilkinson on October 26, 2013 at

UFC Fight Night 30 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 ...

. However, Wilkinson pulled out of the bout in the week leading up the bout and was replaced by newcomer

Robert Whiteford Robert Whiteford (born 12 April 1983) is a Scottish mixed martial artist who is currently signed to Bellator MMA having spent a period of time in limbo due to contractual issues with ACB. Whiteford competed in Featherweight division of Absolute ...

. Hettes won the fight via submission in the second round. Hettes next faced

Dennis Bermudez Dennis Ross Bermudez (born December 13, 1986) is a retired American mixed martial artist who competed in the Featherweight division of the UFC. Bermudez has been a professional MMA competitor since 2009. He has made a name for himself mainly fig ...

on March 15, 2014 at

UFC 171 ''UFC 171: Hendricks vs. Lawler'' was a mixed martial arts event that was held on March 15, 2014, at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. The event was released on DVD on June 17, 2014. The DVD was distributed by '' Anchor Bay Entertai ...

. He lost the bout via TKO due to strike in the third round. Hettes was expected to face

Diego Brandão Diego Pereira Brandão (born 27 May 1987) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist currently competing in the Lightweight division. A professional since 2005, he formerly competed for the UFC, RIZIN, and Fight Nights Global. He was the winner of ...

on January 31, 2015 at

UFC 183 ''UFC 183: Silva vs. Diaz'' was a mixed martial arts event held on January 31, 2015, at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Background The event was headlined by a middleweight bout between former UFC Middleweight champion Anderson Silv ...

. However, the fight was canceled right before the event started, as Hettes passed out backstage. He was taken to a local hospital for precautionary reasons. Subsequently, the bout with Brandão was rescheduled for April 18, 2015 at

UFC on Fox 15 ''UFC on Fox: Machida vs. Rockhold'' (also known as ''UFC on Fox 15'') was a mixed martial arts event held on April 18, 2015, at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Background The event was the sixth event that the UFC has hosted in New ...

. During a back-and-forth first round, an elbow strike from Brandão opened up Hettes' cauliflower ear. The attending doctor stopped the fight between the first and second rounds, resulting in a TKO loss for Hettes. Hettes was expected to face

Charles Rosa Charles Rosa (born August 24, 1986) is an American professional mixed martial artist currently competing in the Featherweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Background Charles is of Italian descent and, the son of Chucky and Mar ...

on January 17, 2016 at

UFC Fight Night 81 ''UFC Fight Night: Dillashaw vs. Cruz'' (also known as ''UFC Fight Night 81'') was a mixed martial arts event held on January 17, 2016, at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. Background A UFC Bantamweight Championship bout between defending ...

, but pulled out of the fight due to injury.

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

*Martial Arts Super Sport **MASS Featherweight Championship (One time) *Pennsylvania Cage Fight Series **Pennsylvania Cage Fight Series Featherweight Championship (One time)

Mixed martial arts record

, - , Loss , align=center, 11–3 ,

, TKO (doctor stoppage) , UFC on Fox: Machida vs. Rockhold , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Newark, New Jersey Newark ( , ) is the most populous city in the U.S. state of New Jersey and the seat of Essex County and the second largest city within the New York metropolitan area.Dennis Bermudez Dennis Ross Bermudez (born December 13, 1986) is a retired American mixed martial artist who competed in the Featherweight division of the UFC. Bermudez has been a professional MMA competitor since 2009. He has made a name for himself mainly fig ...

, TKO (punches and knee) ,

, , align=center, 3 , align=center, 2:57 ,

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, 11–1 ,

, Technical Submission (triangle choke) , UFC Fight Night: Machida vs. Munoz , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 2:17 ,

Manchester Manchester () is a city in Greater Manchester, England. It had a population of 552,000 in 2021. It is bordered by the Cheshire Plain to the south, the Pennines to the north and east, and the neighbouring city of Salford to the west. The t ...

, England , , - , Loss , align=center, 10–1 ,

, Decision (unanimous) ,

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

Toronto Toronto ( ; or ) is the capital city of the Canadian province of Ontario. With a recorded population of 2,794,356 in 2021, it is the most populous city in Canada and the fourth most populous city in North America. The city is the ancho ...

Ontario Ontario ( ; ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada.Ontario is located in the geographic eastern half of Canada, but it has historically and politically been considered to be part of Central Canada. Located in Central Ca ...

, Canada , , - , Win , align=center, 10–0 ,

, Decision (unanimous) ,

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Las Vegas 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 ...

Nevada Nevada ( ; ) is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States, Western region of the United States. It is bordered by Oregon to the northwest, Idaho to the northeast, California to the west, Arizona to the southeast, and Utah to the east. N ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 9–0 ,

, Submission (rear-naked choke) , UFC Live: Hardy vs. Lytle , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 3:12 ,

Milwaukee, Wisconsin Milwaukee ( ), officially the City of Milwaukee, is both the most populous and most densely populated city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, Milwaukee County. With a population of 577,222 at th ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 8–0 , Jacob Kirwan , Submission (triangle choke) , MASS: Inauguration , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 3:58 ,

Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania Wilkes-Barre ( or ) is a city in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, Luzerne County. Located at the center of the Wyoming Valley in Northeastern Pennsylvania, it had a population of 44,328 in th ...

, United States , Won the MASS Featherweight Championship , - , Win , align=center, 7–0 , George Sheppard , Submission (rear-naked choke) , Cage Fight 6 , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 3:05 ,

Scranton, Pennsylvania Scranton is a city in the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, United States, and the county seat of Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, Lackawanna County. With a population of 76,328 as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 U ...

, United States , Catchweight (152 lbs) bout. , - , Win , align=center, 6–0 , Dwayne Shelton , Submission (guillotine choke) , Cage Fight 5 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 0:49 ,

, United States , Won the Pennsylvania CFS Featherweight Championship , - , Win , align=center, 5–0 , James Jones , Submission (rear-naked choke) , Shogun Fights 2 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 0:28 ,

Baltimore, Maryland Baltimore ( , locally: or ) is the List of municipalities in Maryland, most populous city in the U.S. state of Maryland, fourth most populous city in the Mid-Atlantic (United States), Mid-Atlantic, and List of United States cities by popula ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 4–0 ,

Jay Haas Jay Dean Haas (born December 2, 1953) is an American professional golfer formerly of the PGA Tour who now plays on the PGA Tour Champions. Early life and amateur career Haas was born in St. Louis, Missouri, and grew up in Belleville, Illinois. ...

, Submission (heel hook) , Cage Fight 2 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 0:47 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 3–0 , Steven Baker , Submission (armbar) , Shogun Fights , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 1:25 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 2–0 , Nick Gentile , Submission (triangle choke) , Premier Cage Fighting , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 3:11 ,

Hamburg, Pennsylvania Hamburg (Pennsylvania Dutch language, Pennsylvania German: ''Hambarig'') is a Borough (Pennsylvania), borough in Berks County, Pennsylvania, Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 4,270 at the 2020 United States Census, 2020 ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 1–0 , Bobby Gorham , Submission (rear-naked choke) , Cage Fight 1 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 1:51 ,

, United States ,

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Hettes, Jim 1987 births American male mixed martial artists Mixed martial artists from Pennsylvania Featherweight mixed martial artists Mixed martial artists utilizing boxing Mixed martial artists utilizing judo Mixed martial artists utilizing Brazilian jiu-jitsu People from Kingston, Pennsylvania People from Swoyersville, Pennsylvania People from Luzerne County, Pennsylvania Ultimate Fighting Championship male fighters American male judoka American practitioners of Brazilian jiu-jitsu Living people