Josh Hill (born November 24, 1986) is a Canadian
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 competes in the
Bantamweight
Bantamweight is a weight class in combat sports. For boxing, the range is above and up to . In kickboxing, a bantamweight fighter generally weighs between . In mixed martial arts, MMA, bantamweight is .
The name for the class is derived from Ba ...
division. He currently fights for
Bellator MMA
Bellator MMA (formerly Bellator Fighting Championships) is an American mixed martial arts promotion (entertainment), promotion founded in 2008 and based in Santa Monica, California, owned and operated as a subsidiary of television and media cong ...
. In the past he has competed for the
WSOF,
RXF, TKO Major League MMA, the Score Fighting Series and Aggression MMA. Hill also appeared on
Season 18 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 ...
.
Background
Hill was born in
Hamilton, Ontario
Hamilton is a port city in the Canadian province of Ontario. Hamilton has a population of 569,353, and its census metropolitan area, which includes Burlington and Grimsby, has a population of 785,184. The city is approximately southwest of T ...
, Canada. He started training martial arts at age 20 and took his first professional MMA fight three years later.
Mixed martial arts career
Regional MMA
Josh Hill took his first fight on two weeks notice and won by second-round TKO.
His fifth pro fight was for the Aggression MMA Bantamweight title. He won the championship with a unanimous decision victory over then undefeated Diego Wilson (5-0).
The Ultimate Fighter
Starting his career undefeated, with 8 professional wins, Hill was accepted onto
Season 18 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 ...
with
Ronda Rousey
Ronda Jean Rousey (; born February 1, 1987) is an American professional wrestler, actress, former judoka and mixed martial artist. She is currently signed to WWE, where she performs on the SmackDown brand and is the current SmackDown Women’s ...
and
Miesha Tate
Miesha Theresa Tate ( ; born August 18, 1986) is an American professional mixed martial arts, mixed martial artist. She currently competes in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), in which she is a former UFC Women's Bantamweight Champions ...
.
The first episode of the show featured an elimination bout to get into the fighter house. Hill earned his place in the house by winning a majority decision over
Patrick Holohan
Patrick Holohan (born 3 May 1988) is an Irish politician and retired mixed martial artist who notably competed in the flyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. A professional MMA competitor from 2007 until his retirement in 2016, ...
. He lost his quarterfinal bout by unanimous decision to Mike Wooten and was eliminated from the tournament.
World Series of Fighting
Josh Hill signed with the
World Series of Fighting
The Professional Fighters League (PFL) is an American mixed martial arts league founded by Venture capital, venture capitalist Donn Davis in 2017 and launched in 2018, following the acquisition and restructuring of the former World Series of Fight ...
and made his debut at WSOF Canada 2 against Mike Adams on June 7, 2014 in Edmonton, Alberta. He won the fight via knockout in the first round.
In his next fight for the promotion, Hill faced
Marlon Moraes
Marlon Luiz Moraes (born April 26, 1988) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who competes in the Featherweight division of the Professional Fighters League (PFL). He previously competed in the bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Champi ...
for the
WSOF Bantamweight Championship
Professional Fighters League (formerly the World Series of Fighting, or "WSOF") is an American mixed martial arts promotion, and the following is a history of its champions in each weight class. As well as championship history for their Internation ...
on February 12, 2015 in the main event at WSOF 18: Moraes vs Hill. He lost the fight via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46).
After two fights outside of WSOF Hill returned at WSOF 26 to defeat Bekbulat Magomedov via split decision.
Hill earned a second shot against
Marlon Moraes
Marlon Luiz Moraes (born April 26, 1988) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who competes in the Featherweight division of the Professional Fighters League (PFL). He previously competed in the bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Champi ...
for the
WSOF Bantamweight Championship
Professional Fighters League (formerly the World Series of Fighting, or "WSOF") is an American mixed martial arts promotion, and the following is a history of its champions in each weight class. As well as championship history for their Internation ...
on July 30, 2016 in the main event at WSOF 32: Moraes vs. Hill 2. He lost the fight via TKO in the second round.
Bellator MMA
Josh Hill signed with
Bellator MMA
Bellator MMA (formerly Bellator Fighting Championships) is an American mixed martial arts promotion (entertainment), promotion founded in 2008 and based in Santa Monica, California, owned and operated as a subsidiary of television and media cong ...
in November 2019. His debut fight came against Vinicius Zani at
Bellator 239 on February 21, 2020. He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Hill faced UFC veteran
Érik Pérez
Érik Gregorio Pérez Ruvalcaba (born November 19, 1989) is a Mexican mixed martial artist who competes in the Bantamweight division of the Bellator MMA promotion.
A professional competitor since 2008, he has competed for Shark Fights, BAMMA, UF ...
at
Bellator 244 on August 21, 2020. He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Hill faced
Raufeon Stots
Raufeon Stots (born December 16, 1988) is an American mixed martial artist and graduated collegiate wrestler currently competing in the bantamweight division of Bellator MMA, where he is the current Interim Bellator Bantamweight Champion. As a ...
at
Bellator 258
Bellator 258: Archuleta vs. Pettis was a mixed martial arts event produced by Bellator MMA that took place on May 7, 2021 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. This fight card is notable for being Anthony Johnson's final fight before ...
on May 7, 2021. He lost the bout via unanimous decision.
Hill faced Jared Scoggins on December 3, 2021 at
Bellator 272
Bellator 272: Pettis vs. Horiguchi was a mixed martial arts event produced by Bellator MMA that took place on December 3, 2021 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.
Background
Sergio Pettis made his first defence of the Bell ...
. At the weigh-ins, Jared Scoggins missed weight for his bout, weighing in at 140 pounds, 4 pounds over the bantamweight non-title fight limit. The bout proceeded at catchweight and Scoggins was fined 35% of his purse which went to Hill. Hill would go on to win the fight via KO at 0:56 of round 2.
Hill was scheduled to face
Enrique Barzola
Enrique Johnatan Barzola Acosta (born 28 April 1989) is a Peruvian mixed martial artist who competes in the Bantamweight division of Bellator MMA. He was the lightweight winner on The Ultimate Fighter: Latin America 2. and he competed in the ...
on April 22, 2022 at
Bellator 278
''Bellator 278: Velasquez vs. Carmouche'' was a mixed martial arts event produced by Bellator MMA that took place on April 22, 2022, at the Neal S. Blaisdell Arena in Honolulu, Hawaii, United States.
Background
Bellator 278 was dedicated for ...
. Due to the pull out of two fighters from the
Bellator Bantamweight World Grand Prix due to injuries, the bout was changed to a wild card qualifier for one of the spots in the tournament. Due to Covid, Hill had to pull out of the bout.
Hill was scheduled to face Matheus Mattos at
Bellator 284
''Bellator 284: Gracie vs. Yamauchi'' was a mixed martial arts event produced by Bellator MMA that took place on August 12, 2022, at Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States.
Background
The main event will feature a battl ...
on August 12, 2022. However, Mattos pulled out due to a knee injury requiring knee surgery and was replaced by Marcos Breno. Hill lost the bout via unanimous decision.
Hill is scheduled to face Cass Bell on March 10, 2023 at
Bellator 292
''Bellator 292: Nurmagomedov vs. Henderson'' was a mixed martial arts event produced by Bellator MMA that took place on March 10, 2023, at the SAP Center in San Jose, California, United States.
Background
To kick off the $1 million Bellator L ...
.
Personal life
Josh was a volunteer firefighter before opening his gym and becoming a fulltime fighter.
Hill does color commentary for BTC Fight Promotions.
Championships and accomplishments
Mixed martial arts
* Aggression MMA
** Aggression MMA Bantamweight Championship (One time)
Mixed martial arts record
, -
, Loss
, align=center, 21–5
, Marcos Breno
, Decision (unanimous)
,
Bellator 284
''Bellator 284: Gracie vs. Yamauchi'' was a mixed martial arts event produced by Bellator MMA that took place on August 12, 2022, at Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States.
Background
The main event will feature a battl ...
,
, align=center, 3
, align=center, 5:00
,
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Sioux Falls () is the most populous city in the U.S. state of South Dakota and the 130th-most populous city in the United States. It is the county seat of Minnehaha County and also extends into Lincoln County to the south, which continues up ...
, United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 21–4
, Jared Scoggins
, KO (punch)
,
Bellator 272
Bellator 272: Pettis vs. Horiguchi was a mixed martial arts event produced by Bellator MMA that took place on December 3, 2021 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.
Background
Sergio Pettis made his first defence of the Bell ...
,
, align=center, 2
, align=center, 0:56
,
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
,
, -
, Loss
, align=center, 20–4
,
Raufeon Stots
Raufeon Stots (born December 16, 1988) is an American mixed martial artist and graduated collegiate wrestler currently competing in the bantamweight division of Bellator MMA, where he is the current Interim Bellator Bantamweight Champion. As a ...
, Decision (unanimous)
,
Bellator 258
Bellator 258: Archuleta vs. Pettis was a mixed martial arts event produced by Bellator MMA that took place on May 7, 2021 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. This fight card is notable for being Anthony Johnson's final fight before ...
,
, align=center, 3
, align=center, 5:00
,
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, 20–3
,
Érik Pérez
Érik Gregorio Pérez Ruvalcaba (born November 19, 1989) is a Mexican mixed martial artist who competes in the Bantamweight division of the Bellator MMA promotion.
A professional competitor since 2008, he has competed for Shark Fights, BAMMA, UF ...
, Decision (unanimous)
,
Bellator 244
,
, align=center, 3
, align=center, 5:00
,
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, 19–3
, Vinicius Zani
, Decision (unanimous)
,
Bellator 239
,
, align=center, 3
, align=center, 5:00
,
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. ...
, United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 18–3
, Gilberto Aguilar
, Submission (rear naked choke)
, Fight Night 11: Lethbridge
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 2:38
,
Lethbridge, Alberta
Lethbridge ( ) is a city in the province of Alberta, Canada. With a population of 101,482 in its 2019 municipal census, Lethbridge became the fourth Alberta city to surpass 100,000 people. The nearby Canadian Rocky Mountains contribute to ...
, Canada
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 17–3
, Jesse Arnett
, KO (punches)
, TKO 48
,
, align=center, 2
, align=center, 2:11
,
Gatineau, Quebec
Gatineau ( ; ) is a city in western Quebec, Canada. It is located on the northern bank of the Ottawa River, immediately across from Ottawa, Ontario. Gatineau is the largest city in the Outaouais administrative region and is part of Canada's N ...
, Canada
,
, -
, Loss
, align=center, 16–3
,
Taylor Lapilus
Taylor Lapilus (born 8 April 1992) is a French mixed martial artist and boxer who currently competes in Bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He is the former TKO Major League MMA Bantamweight Championship.
Backgrou ...
, Decision (split)
, TKO 45
,
, align=center, 3
, align=center, 5:00
,
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-pea ...
, Canada
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 16–2
, Grachik Engibaryan
, Submission (rear naked choke)
,
Fight Nights Global 72
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 4:12
,
Sochi
Sochi ( rus, Со́чи, p=ˈsotɕɪ, a=Ru-Сочи.ogg) is the largest resort city in Russia. The city is situated on the Sochi River, along the Black Sea in Southern Russia, with a population of 466,078 residents, up to 600,000 residents in ...
, Russia
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 15–2
, Xavier Alaoui
, Decision (split)
, TKO 36
,
, align=center, 3
, align=center, 5:00
,
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-pea ...
, Canada
,
, -
, Loss
, align=center, 14–2
,
Marlon Moraes
Marlon Luiz Moraes (born April 26, 1988) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who competes in the Featherweight division of the Professional Fighters League (PFL). He previously competed in the bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Champi ...
, KO (head kick and punch)
,
WSOF 32: Moraes vs. Hill 2
,
, align=center, 2
, align=center, 0:38
,
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, 14–1
,
Bendy Casimir
Bendy Casimir (born June 10, 1980) is a French professional Lightweight mixed martial artist. He has competed for the WEC and M-1 Global.
WEC career
He made his WEC debut against Ricardo Lamas on March 6, 2010 at WEC 47, losing via first-round ...
, Decision (unanimous)
, Fight Night 1
,
, align=center, 3
, align=center, 5:00
,
Rama, Ontario
Rama is a First Nations in Canada, First Nations community on the Chippewas of Rama First Nation reserve in Ontario, Canada. It is the home of Casino Rama.
The community sports complex is called the Mnjikaning Arena Sports Ki, which was the ho ...
, Canada
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 13–1
, Bekbulat Magomedov
, Decision (split)
,
WSOF 26
,
, 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, 12–1
, Ioan Vrânceanu
, Decision (unanimous)
,
RXF 19
,
, align=center, 3
, align=center, 5:00
,
Galați, Romania
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 11–1
, Josh Rettinghouse
, Submission (rear naked choke)
, GWFC 2
,
, align=center, 3
, align=center, 2:01
,
Burlington, Ontario
Burlington is a city in the Regional Municipality of Halton at the northwestern end of Lake Ontario in Ontario, Canada. Along with Milton to the north, it forms the western end of the Greater Toronto Area and is also part of the Hamilton met ...
, Canada
,
, -
, Loss
, align=center, 10–1
,
Marlon Moraes
Marlon Luiz Moraes (born April 26, 1988) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who competes in the Featherweight division of the Professional Fighters League (PFL). He previously competed in the bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Champi ...
, Decision (unanimous)
,
WSOF 18: Moraes vs. Hill
,
, align=center, 5
, align=center, 5:00
,
Edmonton, Alberta
Edmonton ( ) is the capital city of the Canadian province of Alberta. Edmonton is situated on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Metropolitan Region, which is surrounded by Alberta's central region. The city anchor ...
, Canada
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 10–0
, Mike Adams
, KO (punch)
,
WSOF Canada 2
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 4:20
,
Edmonton, Alberta
Edmonton ( ) is the capital city of the Canadian province of Alberta. Edmonton is situated on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Metropolitan Region, which is surrounded by Alberta's central region. The city anchor ...
, Canada
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 9–0
, John Fraser
, Decision (unanimous)
, Score Fighting Series 5: Fraser vs. Hill
,
, align=center, 3
, align=center, 5:00
,
Hamilton, Ontario
Hamilton is a port city in the Canadian province of Ontario. Hamilton has a population of 569,353, and its census metropolitan area, which includes Burlington and Grimsby, has a population of 785,184. The city is approximately southwest of T ...
, Canada
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 8–0
, Eric Wilson
, Decision (unanimous)
, Score Fighting Series 4
,
, align=center, 3
, align=center, 5:00
,
Hamilton, Ontario
Hamilton is a port city in the Canadian province of Ontario. Hamilton has a population of 569,353, and its census metropolitan area, which includes Burlington and Grimsby, has a population of 785,184. The city is approximately southwest of T ...
, Canada
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 7–0
, Federico Lopez
, Decision (unanimous)
, Global Warriors FC 1: Uprising
,
, align=center, 3
, align=center, 5:00
,
Hamilton, Ontario
Hamilton is a port city in the Canadian province of Ontario. Hamilton has a population of 569,353, and its census metropolitan area, which includes Burlington and Grimsby, has a population of 785,184. The city is approximately southwest of T ...
, Canada
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 6–0
, Darin Cooley
, Decision (unanimous)
, Score Fighting Series 1
,
, align=center, 3
, align=center, 5:00
,
Mississauga, Ontario
Mississauga ( ), historically known as Toronto Township, is a city in the Canadian province of Ontario. It is situated on the shores of Lake Ontario in the Regional Municipality of Peel, adjoining the western border of Toronto. With a popul ...
, Canada
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 5–0
, Diego Wilson
, Decision (unanimous)
, AMMA 6: Punishment
,
, align=center, 3
, align=center, 5:00
,
Edmonton, Alberta
Edmonton ( ) is the capital city of the Canadian province of Alberta. Edmonton is situated on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Metropolitan Region, which is surrounded by Alberta's central region. The city anchor ...
, Canada
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 4–0
, Brent Franczuz
, Submission (rear naked choke)
, W-1 MMA 5: Judgment Day
,
, align=center, 3
, align=center, 4:00
,
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-pea ...
, Canada
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 3–0
, Dennis Gagne
, TKO (punches)
, W-1 MMA 4: Bad Blood
,
, align=center, 3
, align=center, 5:00
,
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-pea ...
, Canada
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 2–0
, Randy Turner
, Decision (unanimous)
, Wreck MMA: Fight for the Troops
,
, align=center, 3
, align=center, 5:00
,
Gatineau, Quebec
Gatineau ( ; ) is a city in western Quebec, Canada. It is located on the northern bank of the Ottawa River, immediately across from Ottawa, Ontario. Gatineau is the largest city in the Outaouais administrative region and is part of Canada's N ...
, Canada
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 1–0
, Vito Attanasi
, TKO (punches)
, W-1 MMA 3: High Voltage
,
, align=center, 2
, align=center, 1:42
,
Gatineau, Quebec
Gatineau ( ; ) is a city in western Quebec, Canada. It is located on the northern bank of the Ottawa River, immediately across from Ottawa, Ontario. Gatineau is the largest city in the Outaouais administrative region and is part of Canada's N ...
, Canada
,
''Sources''
See also
*
List of current Bellator fighters
List of current Bellator MMA fighters records current Bellator MMA (Bellator) fighters' information, country origins, recent fighter signings and departures, fight schedules and results and the champion of each division. Unlike the UFC, Bellator do ...
*
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 ...
*
List of Bellator MMA alumni
This is a list of former employees of the professional mixed martial arts promotion Bellator MMA (previously known as Bellator Fighting Championship). The fighters are listed in order by weight class.
Alumni
See also
* List of current Bellat ...
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hill, Josh
1986 births
Canadian male mixed martial artists
Bantamweight mixed martial artists
Mixed martial artists utilizing Brazilian jiu-jitsu
Canadian practitioners of Brazilian jiu-jitsu
Living people
Sportspeople from Hamilton, Ontario