Tony Gravely (born September 28, 1991) 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, 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 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 ...

Background

Gravely's father was a Tae Kwon Do instructor for over 25 years, so he started taking Tae Kwon Do when he was about three or four years old. He trained and competed in Tae Kwon Do until he started wrestling in sixth grade, continuing wrestling from sixth grade all the way through college. A native of

Martinsville, Virginia Martinsville is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 13,485. A community of both Southside and Southwest Virginia, it is the county seat of Henry County, although ...

, Gravely attended Magna Vista High School, where he was a four-time all-state wrestler. He had two undefeated seasons and was a two-time

Virginia Virginia, officially the Commonwealth of Virginia, is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern regions of the United States, between the Atlantic Coast and the Appalachian Mountains. The geography and climate of the Commonwealth ar ...

state champion while wrestling in high school. After high school, Gravely attended

Appalachian State University Appalachian State University (; Appalachian, App State, App, or ASU) is a public university in Boone, North Carolina. It was founded as a teachers college in 1899 by brothers B. B. and D. D. Dougherty and the latter's wife, Lillie Shull Dough ...

in North Carolina on a wrestling scholarship. In three seasons wrestling for the Mountaineers, Gravely appeared in two NCAA Tournaments and won a Southern Conference Tournament Championship. He left Appalachian State with a major in construction management. According to the Martinsville Bulletin, Gravely quit his construction project manager day job in 2016 and decided to focus full-time on an MMA career. He trained at Tech MMA Academy in Southwest Virginia for years as he pursued a professional fighting career.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Following a 6-1 amateur career, Gravely had his first professional fight in October 2015 against Chad Wiggington. He won the fight at the Elite 8 Warrior Challenge in a unanimous decision to claim his first victory. In his second bout, Gravely lost to

Pat Sabatini Patrick Daniel Sabatini (born November 9, 1990) is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Featherweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Background Born and raised in Bristol, Pennsylvania, Sabatini initially played ...

by first-round rear-naked choke submission at CFFC 52. After a six fight winning streak, Gravely suffered dropped three of his next four fights, getting submitted by Ricky Bandejas in the second round, outpointed by Merab Dvalishili, and armbarred by

Manny Bermudez Manny Bermudez (born July 19, 1994) is an American mixed martial artist who competed in the bantamweight and featherweight divisions. A professional mixed martial artist since 2015, Bermudez has also competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championshi ...

. For his lone outing with Legacy Fighting Alliance at LFA 17, Gravely defeated Keith Richardson via unanimous decision. He also defeated Jerrell Hodge and Jordan Morales. On the strength of that run, Gravely challenged

Patchy Mix Patrick "Patchy" Mix (born August 16, 1993) is an American professional mixed martial artist, currently signed to Bellator MMA where he competes in the Bantamweight division. As of February 1, 2022, he is #2 in the Bellator Bantamweight Rankings ...

(11-0) for the KOTC Bantamweight Championship at KOTC: No Retreat in May 2018. Gravely was submitted by the first round, falling to Mix’s dangerous guillotine. Gravely defeated his next three foes via TKO that saw wins over Drako Rodriguez, earning him the KOTC Bantamweight Championship and James Quigg. In the main event of CES MMA 53, he knocked out Kody Nordby in the first round for the CES MMA Bantamweight Championship. Gravely would defend his CES MMA title twice with back to back stoppages at CES MMA 54 where he knocked out Kris Moutinho in the fourth round and CES MMA 55 where Gravely submitted Darren Mima in round two via rear-naked choke. Gravely got his break in UFC when he was selected to be a part of Dana White's Contender Series 24 in 2019. He earned the formal invite to join the UFC after recording a knockout of Ray Rodriguez in the third round of his Contender Series fight.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Gravely made his UFC debut against

Brett Johns Thomas Brett Johns (born 21 February 1992) is a Welsh professional mixed martial artist who currently competes in the bantamweight division of Bellator MMA. Prior to signing with Bellator, Johns competed for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (U ...

on January 25, 2020 at UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. dos Santos. He lost the fight via a rear-naked choke in round three. This bout earned him the Fight of the Night award. Brett Johns in Raleigh, North Carolina. After his debut, Gravely announced he would be moving to Florida to train with American Top Team. Gravely faced Geraldo de Freitas on November 14, 2020 at UFC Fight Night: Felder vs. dos Anjos. He won the fight via unanimous decision. Gravely was scheduled to face

Nate Maness Nate Maness (born June 27, 1991), is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Mixed martial arts career Early career Maness made his amateur debut in 2013, winning four bou ...

at UFC on ESPN: Whittaker vs. Gastelum on April 17, 2021. However, Maness was removed from the bout for undisclosed reasons and he was replaced by Anthony Birchak. Gravely won the fight via technical knockout in round two. This fight earned him a

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 ...

award. The bout with Maness was rescheduled for September 18, 2021 at UFC Fight Night: Smith vs. Spann. Gravely lost the fight via technical knockout in round two. Gravely faced promotional newcomer Saimon Oliveira on January 22, 2022 at

UFC 270 ''UFC 270: Ngannou vs. Gane'' was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that took place on January 22, 2022 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. Background A UFC Heavyweight Championship title unificati ...

. He won the fight via unanimous decision. Gravely faced

Johnny Muñoz Jr. Johnny Muñoz Jr (born February 16, 1993) is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Background With his parents founding the BJJ school CQuence Jiu Jitsu in Norco, Califor ...

on June 4, 2022, at

UFC Fight Night 207 ''UFC Fight Night: Volkov vs. Rozenstruik'' (also known as ''UFC Fight Night 207'' and ''UFC on ESPN+ 65'' or ''UFC Vegas 56'') was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that took place on June 4, 2022, at the ...

. He won the bout in the first round after knocking down Muñoz after the latter ran into an uppercut on a takedown attempt. Gravely faced Javid Basharat on September 17, 2022 at

UFC Fight Night 210 ''UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Song'' (also known as ''UFC Fight Night 210'', ''UFC on ESPN+ 68'' and ''UFC Vegas 60'') was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that took place on September 17, 2022, at the ...

. He lost the bout via unanimous decision.

Championships and accomplishments

** Fight of the Night (One time) **

(One time) * CES MMA **CES MMA Bantamweight Championship (One time) ***Two successful defenses *

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 ...

** King of the Cage Bantamweight Championship (One time) *Fight Lab **Fight Lab Bantamweight Championship (One time) *PA Cage Fight **PACF Bantamweight Championship (One time)

Mixed martial arts record

, - , Loss , align=center, 23–8 , Javid Basharat , Decision (unanimous) , UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Song , , 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, 23–7 ,

, KO (punches) , UFC Fight Night: Volkov vs. Rozenstruik , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 1:08 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 22–7 , Saimon Oliveira , Decision (unanimous) ,

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

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 , , - , Loss , align=center, 21–7 ,

, TKO (punches) , UFC Fight Night: Smith vs. Spann , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 2:10 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 21–6 , Anthony Birchak , TKO (punches) , UFC on ESPN: Whittaker vs. Gastelum , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 1:31 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 20–6 , Geraldo de Freitas , Decision (split) , UFC Fight Night: Felder vs. dos Anjos , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 19–6 ,

, Submission (rear-naked choke) , UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. dos Santos , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 2:53 ,

Raleigh, North Carolina Raleigh (; ) is the capital city of the state of North Carolina and the List of North Carolina county seats, seat of Wake County, North Carolina, Wake County in the United States. It is the List of municipalities in North Carolina, second-most ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 19–5 , Ray Rodriguez , TKO (punches) , Dana White's Contender Series 24 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 2:16 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 18–5 , Darren Mima , Submission (rear-naked choke) , CES 55: Wells vs. de Jesus , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 4:54 ,

Hartford, Connecticut Hartford is the capital city of the U.S. state of Connecticut. It was the seat of Hartford County until Connecticut disbanded county government in 1960. It is the core city in the Greater Hartford metropolitan area. Census estimates since the ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 17–5 , Kris Moutinho , KO (punches) , CES 54: Andrews vs. Logan , , align=center, 4 , align=center, 4:02 ,

Lincoln, Rhode Island Lincoln is a town in Providence County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 22,529 at the 2020 census. Lincoln is located in northeastern Rhode Island, north of Providence. Lincoln is part of the Providence metropolitan statistical are ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 16–5 , Kody Nordby , KO (slam) , CES 53: Gravely vs. Nordby , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 0:36 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 15–5 , Drako Rodriguez , TKO (punches) , KOTC: Territorial Conflict , , align=center, 5 , align=center, 3:49 ,

Niagara Falls, New York Niagara Falls is a City (New York), city in Niagara County, New York, United States. As of the 2020 United States Census, 2020 census, the city had a total population of 48,671. It is adjacent to the Niagara River, across from the city of Niagara ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 14–5 , Bruno Ferreira , TKO (punches) , Road to M-1 USA , , align=center, 1 , align=center, N/A ,

Nashville, Tennessee Nashville is the capital city of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat, seat of Davidson County, Tennessee, Davidson County. With a population of 689,447 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 U.S. census, Nashville is the List of muni ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 13–5 , James Quigg , TKO , Fight Lab 59 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 1:08 ,

Charlotte, North Carolina Charlotte ( ) is the most populous city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. Located in the Piedmont region, it is the county seat of Mecklenburg County. The population was 874,579 at the 2020 census, making Charlotte the 16th-most populo ...

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 12–5 ,

, Submission (guillotine choke) , King of the Cage: No Retreat , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 1:44 ,

Salamanca, New York Salamanca (Seneca language, Seneca: ''Onë:dagö:h'') is a city in Cattaraugus County, New York, Cattaraugus County, New York (state), New York, United States, inside the Allegany Indian Reservation, one of two governed by the Seneca Nation of Ne ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 12–4 , Jerrell Hodge , Decision (unanimous) , CFFC 68 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Atlantic City, New Jersey Atlantic City, often known by its initials A.C., is a coastal resort city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States. The city is known for its casinos, boardwalk, and beaches. In 2020, the city had a population of 38,497.

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 11–4 , Jordan Morales , Decision (unanimous) , PA Cage Fight 29 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

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 , , - , Win , align=center, 10–4 , Keith Richardson , Decision (unanimous) , LFA 17 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 9–4 , Francis Healy , Decision (unanimous) , KOTC: Heavy Hands , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Washington, Pennsylvania Washington is a city in and the county seat of Washington County, Pennsylvania. A part of the Greater Pittsburgh area in the southwestern part of the state, the city is home to Washington & Jefferson College and Pony League baseball. The populat ...

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 8–4 ,

, Submission (armbar) , Cage Titans 33 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, N/A ,

Plymouth, Massachusetts Plymouth (; historically known as Plimouth and Plimoth) is a town in Plymouth County, Massachusetts, United States. Located in Greater Boston, the town holds a place of great prominence in American history, folklore, and culture, and is known as ...

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 8–3 ,

Merab Dvalishvili Merab Dvalishvili (born January 10, 1991) is a Georgian professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Bantamweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). As of March 13, 2023, he is #1 in the UFC bantamweight ran ...

, Decision (unanimous) , Ring of Combat 57 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 8–2 , Tim Sosa , Decision (unanimous) , KOTC: Harm's Way , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 7–2 , Ricky Bandejas , Submission (rear-naked choke) , CFFC 60 , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 2:32 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 7–1 , Dave Roberts , TKO (punches) , CFFC 58 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 2:37 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 6–1 , Dylan Cala , Submission (rear-naked choke) , Cage Rage 4 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 3:01 ,

Greensboro, North Carolina Greensboro (; formerly Greensborough) is a city in and the county seat of Guilford County, North Carolina, United States. It is the third-most populous city in North Carolina after Charlotte and Raleigh, the 69th-most populous city in the Un ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 5–1 , Paul Grant , TKO (punches) , Ring of Combat 54 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 1:02 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 4–1 , Reginald Barnett Jr. , Decision (unanimous) , Elite Warrior Challenge 9 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Salem, Virginia Salem is an independent city in the U.S. commonwealth of Virginia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 25,346. It is the county seat of Roanoke County, although the two are separate jurisdictions. The Bureau of Economic Analysis combin ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 3–1 , Dwayne Holman Jr. , Decision (unanimous) , CFFC 55: Chookagian vs. Varela , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 2–1 , Vladimir Kazbekov , Submission (rear-naked choke) , Global Proving Ground 22 , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 4:20 , Mt. Laurel, New Jersey, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 1–1 ,

, Submission (rear-naked choke) , CFFC 52: Horcher vs. Regman , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 2:47 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 1–0 , Chad Wiggington , Decision (unanimous) , Elite Warrior Challenge 8 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, United States ,

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Gravely, Tony Living people Bantamweight mixed martial artists 1991 births American male mixed martial artists Mixed martial artists utilizing taekwondo Mixed martial artists utilizing collegiate wrestling Mixed martial artists utilizing Brazilian jiu-jitsu American male taekwondo practitioners American practitioners of Brazilian jiu-jitsu Ultimate Fighting Championship male fighters American male sport wrestlers Amateur wrestlers