| Joey Beltran | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1981-12-08)December 8, 1981 (age 44) Oceanside,California, U.S. |
| Other names | The Mexicutioner |
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
| Weight | 236 lb (107 kg; 17 st) |
| Division | Heavyweight (2007–2012, 2016, 2018) Light Heavyweight (2012–2016, 2019) Middleweight (2015) |
| Reach | 75 in (191 cm) |
| Style | Boxing,BJJ,Greco-Roman wrestling |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Fighting out of | Carlsbad, California, United States |
| Team | Bulls Pen (formerly)[1] North County Fight Club / Blackline Fight Group (2006–2012)[2] Alliance MMA (2010–2017)[3][4] HB Ultimate Training Center (formerly)[5] UFC Gym Oceanside (2017–2021)[6] |
| Rank | Brown belt inBrazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Jimmy Harbison[7] |
| Years active | 2007–present |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 34 |
| Wins | 18 |
| By knockout | 12 |
| By submission | 2 |
| By decision | 4 |
| Losses | 15 |
| By knockout | 5 |
| By submission | 1 |
| By decision | 9 |
| No contests | 1 |
| Other information | |
| Mixed martial arts record fromSherdog | |
Joey Beltran (born December 9, 1981) is an Americanbare-knuckle fighter andmixed martial artist. A professional mixed martial artist since 2007, he has competed for theUFC,Bellator,Strikeforce, andKing of the Cage. He also competed in theBare Knuckle Fighting Championship where he was the formerBKFC Heavyweight Champion.[8]
Beltran was born inOceanside, California, and raised inCarlsbad, California, by a single mother.[1] He has an older sister.[9] Beltran beganboxing when he was 10 years old, and also was involved instreet fighting from a young age.[10] Beltran also beganwrestling in middle school[11] and was talented, but was initially not allowed to compete outside of practice because of poor grades and was eventually kicked out from the junior high.[10] Beltran continued wrestling atCarlsbad High School during his sophomore year and picked up his grades, going on to compete on the varsity team as a Heavyweight for all three years and also became involved inGreco-Roman Wrestling.[10] Beltran originally attendedPalomar College, and after two years heacademically transferred to theUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa.[12] During the first semester, Beltran was introduced to mixed martial arts at a local gym, Bulls Pen.[11][12] After the semester, Beltran moved back to California, attendingMiraCosta College for a spell before dropping out in pursuit of a career in mixed martial arts.[1][12] When he began training, Beltran weighed 300 lbs.[1]
Beltran made his professional debut on February 10, 2007, atStrikeforce: Young Guns and lost via unanimous decision. He went on to compile a record of 6–2 before being signed byBellator.[13]
Beltran made his Bellator debut atBellator 5 on May 1, 2009, against formerUFC fighter Sherman Pendergarst.[14] Beltran won the fight in the first round via TKO.[15]
In his next appearance, under theKing of the Cage banner, Beltran defeated Wes Combs via TKO only 25 seconds into the fight.
Beltran would go 1–1 before picking up another TKO win over another UFC veteran,Houston Alexander, and was subsequently signed by theUFC.[16]
Beltran made hisUFC debut atUFC 109 againstBrazilian jiu-jitsublack belt,Rolles Gracie. Beltran was stepping in as a last minute replacement for Gracie's original opponent,Mostapha Al-turk.[17] Beltran upset the fatigued Gracie and was victorious via a second roundTKO.[18]
Beltran returned to action on May 8, 2010, atUFC 113.[19] He was originally set to fight Chad Corvin, but after Corvin's paperwork was not approved by the Quebec Athletic Commission he was pulled from the card and replaced byTim Hague.[20] Beltran defeated Hague after three rounds, taking the unanimous decision.[21]
Beltran next facedMatt Mitrione on September 25, 2010, atUFC 119.[22] Beltran fought and lost to Mitrione via unanimous decision.[23] Even though he lost, he still earnedFight of the Night honors.[24]
Beltran then fought highly regardedkickboxerPat Barry atUFC Fight for the Troops 2 on January 22, 2011, inFort Hood, Texas.[25] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[26] During the fight, Beltran received a high volume of leg kicks from Barry, a formerK-1 kickboxing competitor, yet only collapsed at the end of the final round.[26] Barry has since expressed his bewilderment at the level of punishment that Beltran was able to absorb.
Beltran was expected to face promotional newcomerDave Herman on June 11, 2011, atUFC 131.[27] However, after Herman was shuffled to the main card, Beltran instead faced another UFC newcomer inAaron Rosa.[28] After a back-and-forth first two rounds, Beltran defeated Rosa via TKO in the third round.[29]
Beltran foughtStipe Miocic on October 8, 2011, atUFC 136, losing via unanimous decision.[30]
Beltran faced formerStrikeforce heavyweightLavar Johnson on January 28, 2012, atUFC on Fox: Evans vs. Davis,[31] where he was knocked out for the first time in his career in the first round. Following the loss, Beltran was released from the promotion.[32]
After being released, Beltran announced that he would be dropping down to compete in theLight heavyweight division. He officially made his Light heavyweight debut on April 28, 2012, at C3 Fights in Oklahoma, where he defeated Anton Talamantes via unanimous decision.
Beltran made his return to the UFC replacingBrandon Vera againstAustralianJames Te Huna on July 11, 2012, atUFC on Fuel TV 4.[33] Although Beltran lost via unanimous decision, the back and forth bout earnedFight of the Night honors.[34]
Beltran was expected to faceAnthony Perosh on December 15, 2012, atUFC on FX 6.[35] However, Perosh was forced from the bout with a toe injury and replaced byIgor Pokrajac.[36] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[37] On January 10, 2013, it was announced that Beltran had failed his post fight drug test, testing positive fornandrolone. Beltran was subsequently suspended for 9 months, retroactive to December 14, 2012. His win over Pokrajac was changed to a No Contest.[38]
Returning from his suspension, Beltran facedFábio Maldonado on October 9, 2013, atUFC Fight Night 29 in Maldonado's home-country ofBrazil.[39] He lost the back-and-forth fight via split decision. He was subsequently released from the promotion.[40]
On October 30, 2013, it was announced that Beltran had signed with Bellator MMA. He faced formerUFC Light heavyweight ChampionQuinton "Rampage" Jackson on November 15, 2013, in the main event atBellator 108.[41] He lost the fight via TKO in the first round.[42]
Beltran facedVladimir Matyushenko atBellator 116 on April 11, 2014, winning by third round submission,[43] his first submission win since 2007.
Beltran challengedEmanuel Newton for theBellator Light heavyweight Championship atBellator 124 on September 12, 2014.[44] He lost the fight via knockout in the third round.[45]
Beltran made his Middleweight debut againstBrian Rogers on April 10, 2015, atBellator 136.[46] He won the fight by majority decision.[47]
Beltran next facedKendall Grove atBellator 143 on September 25, 2015.[48] He lost the fight via TKO in the third round.[49]
On September 21, 2016, it was announced that Beltran would be facingAlessio Sakara in the co-main event ofBellator 168 on December 10, 2016.[50] He lost via knockout in the first round.[51] He was subsequently released from the promotion.
After the latest loss and release, Beltran succumbed into alcohol and drug addiction and enteredrehabilitation.[12][4] Having already essentially retired after his latest fight, Beltran was lured to faceSergei Kharitonov at Russian Cagefighting Championship 1 on February 25, 2018.[4] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[52]
He would take yet another fight in the Russian circuit against Dmitry Tebekin at S-70 event on August 14, 2019, winning the fight via unanimous decision.
After having problems with getting fights in the regional circuit, an opportunity presented itself to compete in bare-knuckle boxing.[4] In his debut Beltran faced Tony Lopez - who he had twice previously lost to in MMA - at the inauguralBare Knuckle FCBKFC 1 event held on June 2, 2018. The bout also served as an alternate bout for theBKFC Heavyweight Tournament.[53] He won the brutal back-and-forth fight via unanimous decision.[54]
AtBKFC 9 Beltran won a unanimous decision victory overChase Sherman, becoming theBKFC World Heavyweight Champion, as well as theNational Police Gazette Heavyweight American Champion.[55]
Beltran was expected to defend his title against Mark Godbeer atBKFC 12 on April 11, 2020.[56] However, the whole event was postponed due to theCOVID-19 pandemic and the bout was scrapped.[57]
On October 10, 2020, atBKFC 13, Beltran became the first man to defend the BKFC World Heavyweight title by defeating former University of Alabama football linebacker Marcel Stamps via fourth round TKO.[58] The outcome of this bout also resulted in Beltran retaining the Police Gazette Heavyweight World Championship, a title that had not been in the ring since 1899.[59]
Beltran's second defense of the BKFC World Heavyweight Championship atBKFC 18 was against Sam Shewmaker.[60] He won the bout via unanimous decision.[61]
Beltran's next defense of the BKFC World Heavyweight Championship was against former BKFC World Heavyweight Champion Arnold Adams in a rematch on November 6, 2021, atBKFC Fight Night 3. He lost by unanimous decision, ending his reign as champion.[62] This fight earned him theFight of the Night award.[63]
Beltran then faced Frank Tate atBKFC Fight Night 7 on April 21, 2022.[64] He was knocked out just 23 seconds into the bout.[65]
He then headlinedBKFC 33 on November 18, 2022, againstHouston Alexander in a rematch of their MMA bout in 2010.[66] He lost the bout via second-round knockout.[67] A month later, BKFC President Dave Feldman stated that Beltran would not fight for the company anymore.[8]
Beltran was married to theBKFC Women's Strawweight ChampionBritain Hart but divorced in 2023. He had his first child in July 2024.[68]
| 34 matches | 18 wins | 15 losses |
| By knockout | 12 | 5 |
| By submission | 2 | 1 |
| By decision | 4 | 9 |
| No contests | 1 | |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 18–15 (1) | Dmitry Tebekin | Decision (unanimous) | S-70: Plotforma Cup 2019 | August 14, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Sochi, Russia | Light Heavyweight bout. |
| Loss | 17–15 (1) | Sergei Kharitonov | Decision (unanimous) | Russian Cagefighting Championship | February 25, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Yekaterinburg, Russia | Heavyweight bout. |
| Loss | 17–14 (1) | Alessio Sakara | KO (punches) | Bellator 168 | December 10, 2016 | 1 | 1:20 | Florence, Italy | Light Heavyweight bout. |
| Loss | 17–13 (1) | Chase Gormley | Decision (split) | Bellator 155 | May 20, 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Boise, Idaho, United States | Heavyweight bout. |
| Win | 17–12 (1) | Lamont Stafford | TKO (punches) | C3 Fights: Beltran vs Stafford | December 5, 2015 | 1 | 4:14 | Newkirk, Oklahoma, United States | Light Heavyweight bout. |
| Loss | 16–12 (1) | Kendall Grove | TKO (punches) | Bellator 143 | September 25, 2015 | 3 | 2:27 | Hidalgo, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 16–11 (1) | Brian Rogers | Decision (majority) | Bellator 136 | April 10, 2015 | 3 | 5:00 | Irvine, California, United States | Middleweight debut. |
| Loss | 15–11 (1) | Emanuel Newton | KO (spinning back fist) | Bellator 124 | September 12, 2014 | 3 | 3:07 | Plymouth Township, Michigan, United States | For theBellator Light Heavyweight World Championship. |
| Win | 15–10 (1) | Vladimir Matyushenko | Submission (north-south choke) | Bellator 116 | April 11, 2014 | 3 | 3:06 | Temecula, California, United States | |
| Loss | 14–10 (1) | Quinton Jackson | KO (punches) | Bellator 108 | November 15, 2013 | 1 | 4:59 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | Catchweight (210) lbs bout. |
| Loss | 14–9 (1) | Fábio Maldonado | Decision (split) | UFC Fight Night: Maia vs. Shields | October 9, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Barueri, Brazil | |
| NC | 14–8 (1) | Igor Pokrajac | NC (overturned) | UFC on FX: Sotiropoulos vs. Pearson | December 15, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Gold Coast, Australia | Originally unanimous decision win; Overturned as Beltran tested positive fornandrolone. |
| Loss | 14–8 | James Te Huna | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on Fuel TV: Munoz vs. Weidman | July 11, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | San Jose, California, United States | Fight of the Night. |
| Win | 14–7 | Anton Talamantes | Decision (unanimous) | C3 Fights | April 28, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Newkirk, Oklahoma, United States | Light Heavyweight debut. |
| Loss | 13–7 | Lavar Johnson | KO (punches) | UFC on Fox: Evans vs. Davis | January 28, 2012 | 1 | 4:24 | Chicago, Illinois, United States | |
| Loss | 13–6 | Stipe Miocic | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 136 | October 8, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Houston, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 13–5 | Aaron Rosa | TKO (punches) | UFC 131 | June 11, 2011 | 3 | 1:26 | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | |
| Loss | 12–5 | Pat Barry | Decision (unanimous) | UFC: Fight For The Troops 2 | January 22, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Fort Hood, Texas, United States | |
| Loss | 12–4 | Matt Mitrione | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 119 | September 25, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | Indianapolis, Indiana, United States | Fight of the Night. |
| Win | 12–3 | Tim Hague | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 113 | May 8, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | Montreal, Quebec, Canada | |
| Win | 11–3 | Rolles Gracie Jr. | TKO (punches) | UFC 109 | February 6, 2010 | 2 | 1:31 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 10–3 | Houston Alexander | TKO (punches) | 5150 Combat League / Xtreme Fighting League: New Year's Revolution | January 16, 2010 | 2 | 3:49 | Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States | Won the 5150 Combat League Heavyweight Championship. |
| Loss | 9–3 | Tony Lopez | Decision (unanimous) | KOTC: Distorted | October 1, 2009 | 5 | 5:00 | Highland, California, United States | For theKOTC Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 9–2 | Tracy Willis | TKO (punches and elbows) | 5150 Combat League: Rumble at the Rally | June 27, 2009 | 1 | 3:33 | Sparks, Oklahoma, United States | |
| Win | 8–2 | Wes Combs | TKO (punches) | KOTC: Legends | June 6, 2009 | 1 | 0:25 | Winterhaven, California, United States | |
| Win | 7–2 | Sherman Pendergarst | TKO (punches) | Bellator 5 | May 1, 2009 | 1 | 2:24 | Dayton, Ohio, United States | |
| Win | 6–2 | Jacob Browy | TKO (punches) | Gladiator Challenge: Warriors | February 4, 2009 | 1 | 1:20 | Pauma Valley, California, United States | |
| Win | 5–2 | Wes Fenton | TKO (punches) | Total Combat 32 | October 2, 2008 | 1 | 2:15 | El Cajon, California, United States | |
| Loss | 4–2 | Tony Lopez | Submission (kimura) | KOTC: Opposing Force | May 15, 2008 | 1 | 3:15 | Highland, California, United States | |
| Win | 4–1 | Phil Friedman | TKO (punches) | Total Combat 28 | April 26, 2008 | 1 | 0:50 | San Diego, California, United States | |
| Win | 3–1 | Ray Seraile | TKO (punches) | TC 25: Fight Club | December 15, 2007 | 2 | 0:56 | San Diego, California, United States | |
| Win | 2–1 | Tony Velarde | Submission (kimura) | Total Combat 21 | June 8, 2007 | 1 | 2:35 | San Diego, California, United States | |
| Win | 1–1 | Paul Ingrassia | TKO (punches) | Total Combat 20 | April 13, 2007 | 1 | 2:54 | San Diego, California, United States | |
| Loss | 0–1 | Yohan Banks | Decision (unanimous) | Strikeforce: Young Guns | February 10, 2007 | 3 | 3:00 | San Jose, California, United States |
| 10 matches | 5 wins | 4 losses |
| By knockout | 2 | 3 |
| By decision | 3 | 1 |
| Draws | 1 | |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 5–4–1 | Houston Alexander | KO (punches) | BKFC 33 | November 18, 2022 | 2 | 0:38 | Omaha, Nebraska, United States | Cruiserweight debut. |
| Loss | 5–3–1 | Frank Tate | KO (punches) | BKFC Fight Night: Ft. Lauderdale: Beltran vs. Tate | April 21, 2022 | 1 | 0:23 | Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States | |
| Loss | 5–2–1 | Arnold Adams | Decision (unanimous) | BKFC Fight Night New York: Beltran vs. Adams | November 6, 2021 | 5 | 2:00 | Salamanca, New York, United States | Lost theBKFC Heavyweight Championship. Fight of the Night. |
| Win | 5–1–1 | Sam Shewmaker | Decision (unanimous) | BKFC 18 | June 26, 2021 | 5 | 2:00 | Miami, Florida, United States | Defended theBKFC Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 4–1–1 | Marcel Stamps | KO (punches) | BKFC 13 | October 10, 2020 | 4 | 1:55 | Salina, Kansas, United States | Defended theBKFC Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 3–1–1 | Chase Sherman | Decision (unanimous) | BKFC 9 | November 16, 2019 | 5 | 2:00 | Biloxi, Mississippi, United States | Won theBKFC Heavyweight Championship &Police Gazette Heavyweight American Championship. |
| Win | 2–1–1 | Jamie Campbell | TKO (punches) | BKFC 6 | June 22, 2019 | 2 | 1:50 | Tampa, Florida, United States | |
| Draw | 1–1–1 | Tony Lopez | Draw (split) | BKFC 4 | February 2, 2019 | 5 | 2:00 | Cancun, Mexico | |
| Loss | 1–1 | Arnold Adams | TKO (doctor stoppage) | BKFC 2 | August 25, 2018 | 4 | 0:09 | Biloxi, Mississippi, United States | |
| Win | 1–0 | Tony Lopez | Decision (unanimous) | BKFC 1 | June 2, 2018 | 5 | 2:00 | Cheyenne, Wyoming, United States |
