John Salter (born March 21, 1985) is an 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, incorpo ...

currently competing in the Middleweight division of Bellator. A professional competitor since 2007, he has also competed for 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 ...

and Strikeforce,

King of the Cage King of the Cage (KOTC) is a mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion based in Southern California, United States. History KOTC was founded in 1998 by Terry Trebilcock. KOTC features mostly amateur as well as up and coming MMA stars and former mainstr ...

, and the AFC. As of December 13, 2022, he is #4 in the Bellator Middleweight Rankings.

Background

John Salter began training in wrestling at age 12, going on to win a 2002

Alabama (We dare defend our rights) , anthem = "Alabama" , image_map = Alabama in United States.svg , seat = Montgomery , LargestCity = Huntsville , LargestCounty = Baldwin County , LargestMetro = Greater Birmingham , area_total_km2 = 135,765 ...

state title while in high school. He went on to attend

Lindenwood University Lindenwood University is a private university in St. Charles, Missouri. Founded in 1827 by George Champlin Sibley and Mary Easton Sibley as The Lindenwood School for Girls, it is the second-oldest higher-education institution west of the Mis ...

St. Louis, Missouri St. Louis () is the second-largest city in Missouri, United States. It sits near the confluence of the Mississippi and the Missouri Rivers. In 2020, the city proper had a population of 301,578, while the bi-state metropolitan area, which e ...

, where he won the 2007 NAIA National Wrestling Championship at 174 lbs. Following college, Salter won various national grappling tournaments, including the 2007 NAGA Nationals (No-Gi, middleweight) Expert Division, as well as the 2007 Casca Grossa (No-Gi, 175 lb and up) Professional Division. In addition, Salter began training kickboxing and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Salter made his amateur MMA debut in 2007 and compiled an undefeated record of 7–0. He made his professional debut in March 2009 at middleweight and has maintained a record of 17–4.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

On January 11, 2010, Salter made his

debut, stepping in as a last-minute replacement for

Mike Massenzio Mike Vito Massenzio (born November 1, 1982) is an American mixed martial artist who has competed as a Middleweight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He wrestled in New Jersey and was a two-time high school state champion in 2000 (160 lb ...

against Gerald Harris at

UFC Fight Night 20 ''UFC Fight Night: Maynard vs. Diaz'' (also known as ''UFC Fight Night 20'') was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) on January 11, 2010 at the Patriot Center in Fairfax, Virginia. Background Nik Lentz ...

. Salter lost the fight due to TKO (strikes) in the third round. Salter was scheduled to face

Nick Catone Nicholas Catone (born September 1, 1981) is a retired American mixed martial artist. Catone competed most recently in the Ultimate Fighting Championship in their Middleweight division. Mixed martial arts career Wrestling Catone began wrestling ...

on May 8, 2010 at

UFC 113 ''UFC 113: Machida vs. Shogun 2'' was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on May 8, 2010, at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Background UFC 113 featured the rematch between Lyoto Machida and Mauríci ...

, but Catone was forced off the card with an injury and instead faced UFC veteran,

Jason MacDonald Jason Anthony MacDonald (born June 3, 1975) is a Canadian former mixed martial artist. A professional from 1999 until 2013, he is perhaps best remembered for his two stints in the UFC, but also fought for King of the Cage, and the Maximum Fight ...

. After 2:42 of the first round, MacDonald suffered a suspected broken ankle and Salter was declared the winner by TKO (injury). Salter was expected to face

Phil Baroni Philip George Baroni (April 16, 1976) is a retired American mixed martial artist, professional wrestler and former kickboxer. A professional MMA competitor since 2000, Baroni has competed for the UFC, PRIDE, Strikeforce, Cage Rage, DREAM, Elit ...

on August 28, 2010 at

UFC 118 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 Baroni was forced off the card with an injury. Late replacement Dan Miller defeated Salter via guillotine choke in the 2nd round. Salter was released from the UFC with a 1–2 record.

Strikeforce

Salter was expected to make his Strikeforce debut against undefeated

Yancy Medeiros Yancy Medeiros Jr. (born September 7, 1987) is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Lightweight division of Bellator MMA. A professional competitor since 2007, he has competed for the Ultimate Fighting Championship and Strikefor ...

at Strikeforce Challengers: Woodley vs. Saffiedine on January 7, 2011, but Medeiros was forced from the bout with an injury. As a result, Salter was pulled from the card, but later re-added, fighting Casey Huffman who he defeated via TKO due to strikes in the 1st round.

Armageddon

Salter defeated former UFC fighter

Kalib Starnes Kalib Starnes (born January 6, 1975) is a Canadian mixed martial artist. Early life Starnes became involved in the martial arts at an early age and began teaching when he was a teenager. He started training in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu at the Gracie Aca ...

in the main event of AFC 6: Conviction for Armageddon FC in Victoria, BC, Canada, on June 18. This fight was for the AFC middleweight title belt.

Bellator MMA

In his Bellator MMA debut, Salter faced

Dustin Jacoby Dustin Jacoby (born April 4, 1988) is an American mixed martial artist and kickboxer who currently competes in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. In kickboxing, he has competed for GLORY, and in MMA, he has competed also for Bellator, World S ...

on January 16, 2015 at Bellator 132. He won the fight via submission in the second round. On June 17, 2016 John faced the former Middle Weight title holder Brandon Halsey on the main card for Bellator 156. Salter won via submission by triangle choke. Salter faced

Kendall Grove Kendall Grove (born November 12, 1982) is an American mixed martial artist who is currently signed to Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. A professional competitor since 2003, he has also competed for the Bellator MMA, UFC, KSW, ProElite, King ...

at Bellator 181 on July 14, 2017. He won the fight via technical submission in the first round. Salter was expected to face Anatoly Tokov at Bellator 188 on November 16, 2017. However, Tokov pulled out of the bout due to an ACL injury and was replaced by Jason Radcliffe. Salter won the fight via submission in the first round. Salter was expected to face Rafael Lovato Jr. at Bellator 198 on April 28, 2018. However, Salter was pulled by the Illinois Athletic Commission due to an eye issue on April 24 and replaced by Gerald Harris. Salter faced Rafael Lovato Jr. on September 21, 2018 at Bellator 205. He lost the fight via a submission. Salter stepped in to replace

Melvin Manhoef Melvin Manhoef (born 11 May 1976) is a retired Surinamese-born Dutch mixed martial artist and kickboxer. In kickboxing, he is a former It's Showtime Middleweight Champion, and in MMA he was the Cage Rage Light Heavyweight Champion. In mixed mar ...

against

Chidi Njokuani Chidi Godson Njokuani (born December 31, 1988) is an American former Muay Thai kickboxer and current professional mixed martial artist who currently competes in the Middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A professio ...

on November 30, 2018 at Bellator 210. He won the fight via submission in the first round. Salter faced Costello van Steenis on November 8, 2019 at Bellator 233. Salter outlasted van Steenis and won the bout unanimous decision, becoming the first time that Salter went to the judges. Salter faced Andrew Kapel on August 21, 2020 at Bellator 244. Salter won the bout via arm-triangle choke in the third round. Salter faced

Gegard Mousasi Gegard Mousasi (born 1 August 1985), is a Dutch mixed martial artist and former kickboxer, currently competing in Bellator MMA, where he is the former two-time Bellator Middleweight Champion. As of December 13, 2022, he is #10 in the Bellator me ...

for the Bellator Middleweight Championship on August 13, 2021 at

Bellator 264 Bellator 264: Mousasi vs. Salter was a mixed martial arts event produced by Bellator MMA that took place on August 13, 2021 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. Background Current Bellator Middleweight World Champion Gegard M ...

. After having success with his takedowns in the first two rounds, Salter ultimately lost the bout via TKO in round three. Salter faced

Johnny Eblen Johnny Eblen (born December 13, 1991) is an American professional mixed martial artist currently signed to Bellator MMA, where he is the current Bellator Middleweight Champion. As of December 13, 2022, he is #5 in the Bellator men's pound-for-po ...

on March 12, 2022 at Bellator 276. He lost the bout via unanimous decision.

Championships and accomplishments

Brazilian Ju-jitsu

*2017 ADCC West Coast Trials Winner

Mixed martial arts

* Bellator MMA **Most submission wins in Bellator Middleweight division history (six) * Aggression Fighting Championship ** AFC Middleweight Championship (One time)

Wrestling/Grappling

*2017 ADCC West Coast Trials Winner *2007 NAIA National Champion Wrestler for Lindenwood University, MO *2007 All American Wrestler for Lindenwood University, MO *NAGA (North American Grappling Association) National Champion **Casca-Grossa Champion in professional division *UEP Professional Middle Weight Title Holder - 2009 *2002 State Champion Wrestler for Gardendale High School, Alabama

Mixed martial arts record

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Thackerville, Oklahoma Thackerville is a town in Love County, Oklahoma. It is located in South Central Oklahoma. The population was 445 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Ardmore, Oklahoma Micropolitan Statistical Area. Geography Thackerville is located at (33. ...

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, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 15–4 , Rafael Lovato Jr. , Submission (rear-naked choke) , Bellator 205 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 4:27 ,

Boise, Idaho Boise (, , ) is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Idaho and is the county seat of Ada County. On the Boise River in southwestern Idaho, it is east of the Oregon border and north of the Nevada border. The downtown ar ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 15–3 , Jason Radcliffe , Submission (rear-naked choke) , Bellator 188 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 1:55 ,

Tel Aviv, Israel Tel Aviv-Yafo ( he, תֵּל־אָבִיב-יָפוֹ, translit=Tēl-ʾĀvīv-Yāfō ; ar, تَلّ أَبِيب – يَافَا, translit=Tall ʾAbīb-Yāfā, links=no), often referred to as just Tel Aviv, is the most populous city in the G ...

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, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 13–3 , Claudio Annicchiarico , TKO (punches) , Bellator 168 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 1:40 , Florence, Italy , , - , Win , align=center, 12–3 , Brandon Halsey , Submission (triangle choke) , Bellator 156 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 4:03 ,

Fresno, California Fresno () is a major city in the San Joaquin Valley of California, United States. It is the county seat of Fresno County and the largest city in the greater Central Valley region. It covers about and had a population of 542,107 in 2020, maki ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 11–3 ,

, Submission (rear-naked choke) , Bellator 132 , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 3:33 ,

Temecula, California Temecula (; es, Temécula, ; Luiseño: ''Temeekunga'') is a city in southwestern Riverside County, California, United States. The city had a population of 110,003 as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census and was Municipal corporation, i ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 10–3 , Jaime Jara , Submission (triangle choke) , TWC 18: Halloween Havoc 3 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 2:20 ,

Porterville, California Porterville is a city in the San Joaquin Valley, in Tulare County, California, United States. It is part of the Visalia-Porterville metropolitan statistical area. Since its incorporation in 1902, the city's population has grown as it annexed n ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 9–3 , Fred Weaver , TKO (punches) , Strikehard 23 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 2:58 ,

Tuscaloosa, Alabama Tuscaloosa ( ) is a city in and the seat of Tuscaloosa County in west-central Alabama, United States, on the Black Warrior River where the Gulf Coastal and Piedmont plains meet. Alabama's fifth-largest city, it had an estimated population o ...

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 8–3 , Reggie Peña , Submission (guillotine choke) , XFC 18: Music City Mayhem , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 0:36 ,

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, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 8–2 , Ryan Machan , Submission (rear-naked choke) , PFC 8 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 2:47 ,

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, KO (punches) , AFC 6: Conviction , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 4:13 ,

Victoria, British Columbia Victoria is the capital city of the Canadian province of British Columbia, on the southern tip of Vancouver Island off Canada's Pacific coast. The city has a population of 91,867, and the Greater Victoria area has a population of 397,237. The ...

, Canada , , - , Win , align=center, 6–2 , Casey Huffman , TKO (punches) , Strikeforce Challengers: Woodley vs. Saffiedine , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 2:59 ,

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 5–2 , Dan Miller , Submission (ninja choke) ,

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Montreal, Quebec Montreal ( ; officially Montréal, ) is the second-most populous city in Canada and most populous city in the Canadian province of Quebec. Founded in 1642 as '' Ville-Marie'', or "City of Mary", it is named after Mount Royal, the triple-pe ...

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Jeremiah Riggs Jeremiah Riggs (born December 12, 1982) is an American professional wrestler, and mixed martial artist who competes in the welterweight and middleweight divisions. A professional MMA competitor since 2007, Riggs has made a name for himself main ...

, TKO (punches) , CCCW: The 3rd Degree , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 4:44 , Springfield, Illinois, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 3–0 , James Hammortree , Submission (arm-triangle choke) , Ultimate Event Promotions: Vendetta , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 1:58 ,

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Roberto Traven Roberto "Spider" Traven (born September 16, 1968) is a retired Brazilian mixed martial artist whose fighting style is based in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and submission wrestling. He was a sporty person growing up, it took him 16 years to find Brazilia ...

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Atlanta, Georgia Atlanta ( ) is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Georgia. It is the seat of Fulton County, the most populous county in Georgia, but its territory falls in both Fulton and DeKalb counties. With a population of 498,7 ...

, United States ,

References

External links

Official Website
* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Salter, John 1985 births Living people American male mixed martial artists Mixed martial artists utilizing collegiate wrestling Mixed martial artists utilizing Brazilian jiu-jitsu American practitioners of Brazilian jiu-jitsu People awarded a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu American male sport wrestlers Sportspeople from Tuscaloosa, Alabama People from Gardendale, Alabama Lindenwood University alumni Ultimate Fighting Championship male fighters