James McSweeney
James McSweeney | |
---|---|
Born | James Adam McSweeney[1] 24 October 1980 London,England |
Other names | The Hammer |
Nationality | British |
Height | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) |
Weight | 251 lb (114 kg; 17 st 13 lb) |
Division | Heavyweight Light Heavyweight |
Reach | 77.0 in (196 cm) |
Style | Kickboxing |
Fighting out of | Plano, Texas,United States |
Team | McSweeney Martial Arts |
Trainer | Valentijn Overeem |
Rank | Black belt inBrazilian jiu-jitsu[2] |
Years active | 2005–2008, 2018–present (kickboxing) 2008–2021 (MMA) |
Kickboxingrecord | |
Total | 55 |
Wins | 47 |
By knockout | 31 |
Losses | 8 |
By knockout | 4 |
Mixed martial artsrecord | |
Total | 33 |
Wins | 15 |
By knockout | 9 |
By submission | 6 |
Losses | 18 |
By knockout | 11 |
By submission | 4 |
By decision | 3 |
Other information | |
Mixed martial arts recordfromSherdog | |
Last updated on: 12 December 2022 |
James Adam McSweeney[1](born 24 October 1980) is a retired Britishkickboxerand retiredmixed martial artist.A professional MMA competitor since 2005, McSweeney is well known for being a cast member ofSpike TV'sThe Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweightsand competing in theUFC,but he has also competed in major European promotions such asKSW,Cage RageandBAMMA.
Background[edit]
Born inLondonto anIrishfather and aNorthern Irishmother, McSweeney started kickboxing in England when he was six years old. At 18, he finished school and moved toAmsterdamto train full-time in Dutchkickboxing.He joinedLucien Carbin's gym, and still trains with the team today. Team mates and sparring partners have includedAlistair Overeem,Valentijn Overeem,andTyrone Spong.An accomplished kickboxer and Muay Thai fighter, McSweeney has won numerous British, Dutch, European and World titles.[3]
Mixed martial arts career[edit]
In 2006, McSweeney transitioned to mixed martial arts and moved in withThe Ultimate FightercoachRashad Evans.The two quickly struck up a bond after McSweeney helped prepare Evans for his bout againstForrest Griffinin December 2008. While training for his fight againstTravis Browne,McSweeney switched his camp fromJackson's Submission Fightingin Albuquerque, New Mexico to the Grudge Training Centre in Denver, Colorado to train full-time along with fellow UFC competitorsShane Carwin,Brendan SchaubandNate Marquardt.McSweeney recently moved out of the Grudge Training Centre to return to the tutelage of European Muay Thai legendLucien Carbinand to open up his own gym Sledgehammer MMA inKent, England.
The Ultimate Fighter[edit]
McSweeney was onThe Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweightsfighting alongside Team Rashad. McSweeney was the first overall pick and fought on the second episode of the show againstWes Shiversdefeating him via majority decision. McSweeney moved on to the next round of the tournament, fighting teammate,Matt Mitrione.McSweeney won viaguillotine chokein the first round. In the semi-finals, McSweeney lost against formerIFL Heavyweight ChampionRoy NelsonviaTKOafter getting caught in the crucifix position.
Ultimate Fighting Championship[edit]
McSweeney was given another chance by the UFC despite losing onThe Ultimate Fighter.He foughtDarrill SchoonoveronThe Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights Finalecard in Las Vegas, Nevada, on 5 December, winning by TKO in the third round.
McSweeney made his second appearance for the UFC onThe Ultimate Fighter: Team Liddell vs. Team Ortiz Finalepreliminary card, fighting against undefeated newcomerTravis Browne.The fight ended in a TKO victory for Browne due to punches at 4:32 of the first round. McSweeney claims he was hit with illegal elbows and briefly tried to appeal the loss.[4]McSweeney later decided against the appeal to focus on his next fight instead.[5]
McSweeney was to drop to theLight Heavyweightdivision atUFC 120to fight Tom Blackledge.[6]However, McSweeney would instead faceFábio Maldonadoafter Blackledge was forced to pull out of the bout.[7]McSweeney lost the bout in the third round via TKO due to punches.
As of 20 January 2011, conversations over McSweeney'sTwitteraccount were strongly indicative that he is no longer a part of the UFC.[8]
Independent Promotions[edit]
McSweeney lost a unanimous decision to formerUFC Heavyweight ChampionRicco RodriguezatBAMMA 5: Daley vs Shiraion 26 February 2011. He then had a further loss to submissions ace Francisco France in April 2011 at a Crowbar MMA event.[9]Fighting on 22 July 2011, Mcsweeney defeated Lee Mein by TKO (Punches) in the 1st round.[10]On 20 August 2011, McSweeney defeated Sam Brown by Submission (armbar) in the 1st round.
McSweeney faced formerMFC Light Heavyweight ChampionEmanuel Newtonat Superior Cage Combat 3.[11]He lost by submission in the first round.
McSweeney faced fellow UFC veteranPaul Buentelloin a Light Heavyweight bout on 23 August 2013 at Legacy Fighting Championship 22.[12]He lost the fight via TKO in the second round.
ONE Fighting Championship[edit]
In 2014, McSweeney signed with the Asian promotionONE Championship.He faced Chris Lokteff in his debut atONE Fighting Championship: Rise of Heroesin May and won via KO due to a flying knee in round 1.
In his second fight for the promotion, McSweeney faced Cristiano Kaminishi atONE FC: Reign of Championsin August. He again won the fight via KO in the first round.
For his third fight with the promotion, McSweeney facedRoger GracieatONE FC 23: Warrior's Wayin December.[13]He lost the fight via TKO in the third round.
KSW[edit]
McSweeney was expected to face Polish prospect Michal Andryszak atKSW 45on 6 October 2018.[14]However, Andryszak was pulled from the event due to injury and was replaced byThiago Silva.[15]McSweeney lost the fight by unanimous decision.
McSweeney faced Hatef Moeil at Mix Fight Championship 26 on 22 June 2019, losing the bout via first-round technical knockout.[16]In September 2021, McSweeney announced that he had retired from mixed martial arts competition in order to continue his kickboxing career.[2]
Kickboxing career[edit]
Having already fought in numerous kickboxing bouts during his career, McSweeney signed withGloryin September 2021.[2]He was scheduled to faceAntonio PlazibatatGlory: Collision 3on 23 October 2021.[17]However, Plazibat was replaced byGökhan Sakiafter Plazibat replacedJamal Ben SaddikagainstBenjamin Adegbuyi.[18]McSweeney lost by second-round knockout via leg kicks.[19][20][21]
In December 2022, McSweeney defeated Bugra Erdogan to win the Mix Fight Heavyweight Championship. The event took place in Frankfurt, Germany.
McSweeney was going to faceBadr Hariin the main event ofGlory 88on 9 September 2023.[22][23]
In 2024 McSweeny retired from kickboxing.
Personal life[edit]
McSweeney is married with one daughter. They reside inRockwall, Texas.He is a former security guard.[24]On 15 August 2012, he stopped an attempted robbery at a convenience store in Las Vegas by subduing a man armed with a knife.[25]
Championships and accomplishments[edit]
Kickboxing[edit]
- Mix Fight Championship
- Mix Fight Heavyweight Champion (one time, current)
Kickboxing record (Incomplete)[edit]
47 Wins(31 (T)KO's),8 Losses, 0 Draw, No Contest | ||||||||
Date | Result | Opponent | Event | Location | Method | Round | Time | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2022-12-03 | Win | ![]() |
Mix Fight Championship | Frankfurt,Germany | Decision (Split) | 3 | 3:00 | |
2021-10-23 | Loss | ![]() |
Glory: Collision 3 | Arnhem,Netherlands | KO (Leg Kicks) | 2 | 2:13 | |
2019-12-07 | Loss | ![]() |
Mix Fight 27, Heavyweight Tournament Final | Frankfurt,Germany | TKO (Doctor Stoppage) | 2 | ||
2019-12-07 | Win | ![]() |
Mix Fight 27, Heavyweight Tournament Semi Final | Frankfurt,Germany | TKO (Doctor Stoppage) | 2 | ||
2018-12-01 | Win | ![]() |
Mix Fight Gala 25 | Germany | KO (Spinning Backfist) | 3 | 1:10 | |
2018-01-27 | Win | ![]() |
Mix Fight Gala 24 | Izmir,Turkey | KO (Knee) | 2 | 2:29 | |
2008-04-22 | Loss | ![]() |
K-1 World Grand Prix 2008 in Amsterdam | Amsterdam,Netherlands | KO (Left Hook) | 1 | 1:10 | |
2008-03-29 | Win | ![]() |
WFC 4 | Ljubljana,Slovenia | TKO (Flying Knee) | 2 | ||
2007-04-21 | Win | ![]() |
Cage Rage 21: Judgement Day | London, England | Decision (Majority) | 3 | 3:00 | |
2006-02-17 | Loss | ![]() |
K-1 European League 2006 in Bratislava | Bratislava,Slovakia | KO (Strikes) | 2 | ||
2005-12-10 | Loss | ![]() |
Fights at the Border IV | Lommel, Belgium | Decision | 3 | 3:00 | |
Legend:WinLossDraw/No contestNotes |
Mixed martial arts record[edit]
33 matches | 15 wins | 18 losses |
By knockout | 9 | 11 |
By submission | 6 | 4 |
By decision | 0 | 3 |
Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Loss | 15–18 | Hatef Moeil | TKO (punches) | Mix Fight Championship 26 | 22 June 2019 | 1 | 4:13 | Hessen,Germany | For the MFC Heavyweight Championship. |
Loss | 15–17 | Thiago Silva | Decision (unanimous) | KSW 45: The Return to Wembley | 6 October 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | London,England | |
Loss | 15–16 | Fernando Rodrigues Jr. | Decision (unanimous) | Superior Challenge 17 | 19 May 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Stockholm,Sweden | For the SC Heavyweight Championship. |
Loss | 15–15 | Tai Tuivasa | TKO (corner stoppage) | Australian Fighting Championship 17 | 15 October 2016 | 1 | 5:00 | Melbourne,Australia | For the AFC Heavyweight Championship. |
Loss | 15–14 | Karol Bedorf | TKO (elbows) | KSW 34: New Order | 5 March 2016 | 1 | 3:33 | Warsaw,Poland | For theKSW Heavyweight Championship.Fight of the Night. |
Win | 15–13 | Marcin Różalski | Submission (rear-naked choke) | KSW 32: Road to Wembley | 31 October 2015 | 1 | 2:13 | London,England | KSW Heavyweighttitle eliminator. |
Loss | 14–13 | Denis Goltsov | TKO (head kick and punches) | Tech-Krep FC - Prime Selection 4: Grandmasters | 24 July 2015 | 2 | 0:46 | Krasnodar,Russia | |
Loss | 14–12 | Roger Gracie | TKO (front kick to the body and punches) | ONE FC 23: Warrior's Way | 5 December 2014 | 3 | 3:15 | Pasay, Philippines | |
Win | 14–11 | Cristiano Kaminishi | KO (punch and soccer kick) | ONE FC: Reign of Champions | 29 August 2014 | 1 | 1:17 | Dubai,United Arab Emirates | |
Win | 13–11 | Chris Lokteff | KO (flying knee) | ONE Fighting Championship: Rise of Heroes | 2 May 2014 | 1 | 3:04 | Pasay,Philippines | |
Win | 12–11 | Stefan Traunmuller | Submission (armbar) | FFC09: McSweeney vs. Traunmuller | 15 November 2013 | 1 | 0:35 | Ljubljana,Slovenia | Return to Heavyweight. |
Loss | 11–11 | Paul Buentello | TKO (body punch) | Legacy FC 22 | 23 August 2013 | 2 | 2:44 | Lubbock, Texas,United States | |
Win | 11–10 | Dion Staring | TKO (head kick and punches) | CFA 10: McSweeney vs. Staring | 2 March 2013 | 1 | 0:38 | Coral Gables, Florida,United States | |
Loss | 10–10 | Matti Mäkelä | TKO (punches) | Superior Challenge 8 | 6 October 2012 | 2 | 0:00 | Malmö,Sweden | |
Win | 10–9 | Jeff King | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Shamrock Events Kings of Kombat 7 | 23 June 2012 | 1 | 2:30 | Melbourne,Australia | |
Win | 9–9 | Kym Robinson | TKO (punches and elbows) | Shamrock Events Night of Mayhem 4 | 14 April 2012 | 1 | 3:03 | Dandenong, Victoria,Australia | Return to Light Heavyweight. |
Win | 8–9 | Felis Leniu | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Shamrock Events Kings of Kombat 6 | 17 March 2012 | 1 | 0:00 | Keysborough, Victoria,Australia | Heavyweight bout. |
Win | 7–9 | Doug Viney | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Shamrock Events Kings of Kombat 5 | 10 December 2011 | 1 | 2:30 | Keysborough, Victoria,Australia | |
Loss | 6–9 | Emanuel Newton | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Superior Cage Combat 3 | 4 November 2011 | 1 | 1:45 | Las Vegas,Nevada,United States | |
Win | 6–8 | Sam Brown | Submission (armbar) | Shamrock Events Kings of Kombat 4 | 20 August 2011 | 1 | 2:25 | Melbourne,Australia | |
Win | 5–8 | Lee Mein | TKO (punches) | Bully's Fight Night 2 | 22 July 2011 | 1 | 2:01 | Lethbridge, Alberta,Canada | |
Loss | 4–8 | Francisco France | Submission (kimura) | Crowbar MMA Spring Brawl 2011 | 29 April 2011 | 1 | 1:35 | Fargo, North Dakota,United States | |
Loss | 4–7 | Ricco Rodriguez | Decision (unanimous) | BAMMA 5: Daley vs. Shirai | 26 February 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Manchester,England | 215 poundcatchweightbout. |
Loss | 4–6 | Fábio Maldonado | TKO (punches) | UFC 120 | 16 October 2010 | 3 | 0:48 | London,England | Light Heavyweight debut. |
Loss | 4–5 | Travis Browne | TKO (punches) | The Ultimate Fighter: Team Liddell vs. Team Ortiz Finale | 19 June 2010 | 1 | 4:32 | Las Vegas, Nevada,United States | |
Win | 4–4 | Darrill Schoonover | TKO (punches and knees) | The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights Finale | 5 December 2009 | 3 | 3:20 | Las Vegas,Nevada,United States | |
Loss | 3–4 | Ricardo Romero | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Ring of Combat 24 | 17 April 2009 | 1 | 2:27 | Atlantic City, New Jersey,United States | |
Loss | 3–3 | Neil Grove | KO (punches) | UCMMA 1: Bad Breed | 6 December 2008 | 2 | 1:38 | London,England | |
Win | 3–2 | Roman Webber | KO (knee) | Cage Rage 28 | 20 September 2008 | 1 | 0:10 | London,England | |
Win | 2–2 | Chris Cooper | TKO (punches) | FX3: Fight Night 9 | 13 September 2008 | 1 | 3:09 | Reading, Berkshire,England | |
Loss | 1–2 | Mostapha al-Turk | TKO (punches) | Cage Rage 27 | 12 July 2008 | 1 | 2:06 | London,England | For Cage Rage British Heavyweight Championship. |
Loss | 1–1 | Robert Paczków | Submission (smother choke) | Cage Rage 24 | 1 December 2007 | 1 | 2:09 | London,England | |
Win | 1–0 | Mark Buchanan | TKO (punches) | Cage Rage 22 | 14 July 2007 | 1 | 1:30 | London,England |
Mixed martial arts exhibition record[edit]
Exhibition record breakdown | ||
3 matches | 2 wins | 1 loss |
By knockout | 0 | 1 |
By submission | 1 | 0 |
By decision | 1 | 0 |
Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Loss | 2–1 | Roy Nelson | TKO (punches) | The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights | 1 | 4:13 | Las Vegas,Nevada,United States | Semi-finals. | |
Win | 2–0 | Matt Mitrione | Submission (guillotine choke) | The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights | 1 | 3:38 | Las Vegas,Nevada,United States | Quarter-finals. | |
Win | 1–0 | Wes Shivers | Decision (majority) | The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights | 2 | 5:00 | Las Vegas,Nevada,United States | Preliminary bout. |
Bare-knuckle boxing[edit]
1 match | 0 wins | 1 loss |
By knockout | 0 | 1 |
By decision | 0 | 0 |
By disqualification | 0 | 0 |
Draws | 0 |
Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Loss | 0–1 | Lavar Johnson | KO (punch) | Valor Bare Knuckle 1 | September 21, 2019 | 1 | 0:27 | New Town, North Dakota,USA |
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^abMixed martial arts show results Date: November 4, 2011
- ^abcDamon Martin (22 September 2021)."UFC veteran James McSweeney signs with GLORY to return to kickboxing but adds 'my MMA career has come to an end'".mmafighting.com.
- ^James McSweeneyvalorbk.com
- ^Hui, Ray (21 June 2010)."James McSweeney to Appeal TUF 11 Finale Loss to Travis Browne".MMA Fighting.Retrieved10 August2012.
- ^Marrocco, Steven (12 July 2010)."James McSweeney decides against NSAC appeal, will focus on UFC 120 fight".MMAjunkie.com. Archived fromthe originalon 10 August 2012.Retrieved10 August2012.
- ^"James McSweeney Dropping to Light Heavyweight vs. Newcomer Tom Blackledge at UFC 120".MMAFrenzy.com. 12 July 2010.Retrieved10 August2012.
- ^"Fabio Maldonado in Against James McSweeney on UFC 120 Prelims".MMAFrenzy.com. 29 September 2010.Retrieved10 August2012.
- ^"James McSweeney (@mcsweeneymma) op Twitter".Twitter.com.Retrieved10 August2012.
- ^Scrawled by MMAmadman (30 April 2011)."CROWBAR MMA: SPRING BRAWL 2 RESULTS: Kiko France Submits James McSweeney in Fargo, Honchak and Maxwell Win - 4/29/11 | MMAmadman - UFC News MMA Blog Fight Rumors Odds Rankings Results Videos Strikeforce Bellator".MMAmadman. Archived fromthe originalon 23 August 2012.Retrieved10 August2012.
- ^"Bully's Fight Night II Play-by-Play | Top MMA News at".Topmmanews.com. 22 July 2011.Retrieved10 August2012.
- ^"SCC returns to Las Vegas on Nov 4th with 11 pro MMA bouts".Retrieved14 September2011.
- ^"James McSweeney Replaces Marcus Sursa, Faces Paul Buentello in Legacy FC 22 Main Event".sherdog.com. 21 July 2013.Retrieved5 August2013.
- ^"Roger Gracie returns to light heavyweight, meets James McSweeney at One FC 23".mmafighting.com. 3 November 2014.
- ^"Towering heavyweight Michal Andryszak vs. James McSweeney added to next month's KSW 45 event in London".mmajunkie.com. 19 September 2018.
- ^"Thiago Silva moves to heavyweight, faces James McSweeney at KSW 45".mmajunkie.com. 14 September 2018.
- ^"Mix Fight Championship 26 Results".kickboxingz.com.22 June 2019.
- ^"Plazibat making quick return at GLORY Collision 3".kickboxingz.com.23 September 2021.
- ^Blaine Henry (8 October 2021)."Gokhan Saki Re-Signs With Glory Kickboxing, Joins Collision 3 Lineup".Sherdog.
- ^"GLORY Collision 3 and GLORY 79 Results: Verhoeven Retains".Combat Press.23 October 2021.Retrieved25 October2021.
- ^"Glory Collision 3 Results".MMA Sucka.23 October 2021.Retrieved25 October2021.
- ^"COLLISION 3 AND GLORY 79 RESULTS".Glory Kickboxing.24 October 2021.Retrieved25 October2021.
- ^"Badr Hari returns against James McSweeney in GLORY 88 main event from Paris in September".MMA Fighting.27 May 2023.Retrieved23 June2023.
- ^"Badr Hari Versus James McSweeney Headlines GLORY 88 in Paris, France on September 9".Beyond Kick.28 May 2023.Retrieved23 June2023.
- ^Ex-UFC fighter James McSweeney thwarts armed robbery attemptLarry Brown, larrybrownsports.com (17 August 2012)
- ^Former UFC Fighter James McSweeney Stops Armed Robbery in Las VegasAriel Helwani,MMA Fighting(16 August 2012)
External links[edit]
- 1980 births
- Living people
- English male mixed martial artists
- Light heavyweight mixed martial artists
- Heavyweight mixed martial artists
- Mixed martial artists utilizing Muay Thai
- Mixed martial artists utilizing Brazilian jiu-jitsu
- English male kickboxers
- Heavyweight kickboxers
- English Muay Thai practitioners
- English practitioners of Brazilian jiu-jitsu
- People awarded a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu
- Martial artists from London
- English people of Irish descent
- British expatriates in Thailand
- British expatriates in the United States
- Ultimate Fighting Championship male fighters
- English bare-knuckle boxers
- ONE Championship mixed martial artists