| Tywan Claxton | |
|---|---|
| Born | Tywan Claxton (1992-11-25)November 25, 1992 (age 33) Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. |
| Other names | Air |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) |
| Weight | 145 lb (66 kg; 10.4 st) |
| Division | Featherweight |
| Reach | 74 in (188 cm) |
| Style | Wrestling,Boxing,Muay Thai,Jujitsu |
| Fighting out of | Cleveland,Ohio, United States |
| Team | Warehouse warriors Blackzilians (formerly)[1] Elevation Fight Team (2020–present)[2] |
| Wrestling | NCAADivision IWrestling[3] |
| Years active | 2017–present |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 11 |
| Wins | 8 |
| By knockout | 4 |
| By decision | 4 |
| Losses | 3 |
| By submission | 1 |
| By decision | 2 |
Tywan Claxton (born November 25, 1992) is an Americanmixed martial artist and formeramateur wrestler.[4] He most notably competed inBellator MMA at featherweight.[5]
Claxton was born inCleveland, Ohio, where he went to Frank L. Wiley Middle School.[6] Claxton formerly wrestled atKing University inBristol, Tennessee, where he studied medicine. He also wrestled and gained All-American status in NCAA Division II at the 141-pound weight class.[7]
In 2015, Claxton transferred toOhio University. He wrestled for two years for theOhio Bobcats and was a two-time NCAA Division I national qualifier; Claxton was set to compete his senior year, however, days before the season was scheduled to start, Claxton was deemed ineligible to wrestle because of a transfer rule set by the NCAA. Claxton graduated with a degree in Healthcare Marketing.[8] Claxton taught himself how to code and spends his spare time on the computer. Claxton compiled a 6–0 amateur MMA record after deciding to train in MMA.
Claxton began training inmixed martial arts after not being able to compete in wrestling his senior year at Ohio University. Although he dabbled in the sport in college, he ultimately started real training once he received an invitation to move to Florida to train with the Blackzilians from wrestling coach Greg Jones. Claxton trained among the best fighters in the world, with teammates in bothUltimate Fighting Championship and Bellator MMA.[9]
It was announced that Claxton had signed with Bellator MMA in August 2017.[10]
Claxton made his professional MMA debut atBellator 186 inUniversity Park, Pennsylvania, vs Johnny Bonilla-Bowman. Claxton successfully made his debut with an emphatic flying knee to knock out his opponent in the first round. It was deemed as a knockout of the year contender.[11]
Claxton had his second professional fight atBellator 194 inUncasville,Connecticut, vs Jose Perez. Claxton used his wrestling and top game to dominate his opponent and ultimately won the fight by second round tko.[12]
On the 18th of August 2018, Claxton had his third professional bout atBellator 204 inSioux Falls,South Dakota, vs Cris Lencioni, who gave up a percentage of his fight purse by missing weight by 2.4 pounds.[13][14] Claxton used his superior striking and ultimately using his wrestling to win a clear decision over three rounds.[15]
Tywan then had his fourth fight against Kaeo Meyer atBellator 212, inBellator's debut inHawaii, at theNeal S. Blaisdell Center inHonolulu. Claxton would win the fight by TKO in the second round.
Claxton's fifth fight came against James Bennett atBellator 221 inChicago on May 11, 2019. He won the bout by TKO in the third round.[16] Claxton infamously began speaking to50 Cent, seated near the cage, during the fight while engaging with Bennett on the ground.
Claxton next facedEmmanuel Sanchez in the opening round of the Bellator featherweight world grand prix atBellator 226 on September 7, 2019. He lost the bout via second round submission.[17]
Claxton faced Braydon Akeo atBellator 235 on December 20, 2019. After largely winning the striking exchanges and taking Akeo down, Claxton won the bout via unanimous decision.[18]
Claxton faced formerLegacy Fighting Alliance Featherweight Champion Justin Gonzales atBellator 260 on June 11, 2021.[19] He lost the fight by split decision.[20]
On July 10, 2021, it was announced that he was no longer under contract with Bellator.[21]
| 11 matches | 8 wins | 3 losses |
| By knockout | 4 | 0 |
| By submission | 0 | 1 |
| By decision | 4 | 2 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 8–3 | Tynchtykbek Kanybek Uulu | Decision (unanimous) | Tuff-N-Uff 142 | March 14, 2025 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 7–3 | Sitik Muduev | Decision (unanimous) | Tuff-N-Uff 138 | July 26, 2024 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 6–3 | Justin Gonzales | Decision (split) | Bellator 260 | June 11, 2021 | 3 | 5:00 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | |
| Loss | 6–2 | Jay Jay Wilson | Decision (split) | Bellator 242 | July 24, 2020 | 3 | 5:00 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | Catchweight (147.9 lbs) bout; Wilson missed weight. |
| Win | 6–1 | Braydon Akeo | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 235 | December 20, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States | |
| Loss | 5–1 | Emmanuel Sanchez | Submission (triangle choke) | Bellator 226 | September 7, 2019 | 2 | 4:11 | San Jose, California, United States | Bellator Featherweight World Grand Prix Opening Round. |
| Win | 5–0 | James Bennett | TKO (punches) | Bellator 221 | May 11, 2019 | 3 | 2:09 | Rosemont, Illinois, United States | |
| Win | 4–0 | Kaeo Meyer | TKO (punches) | Bellator 212 | December 14, 2018 | 1 | 2:56 | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States | Catchweight (150 lb) bout. |
| Win | 3–0 | Cris Lencioni | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 204 | August 18, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States | |
| Win | 2–0 | Jose Perez | TKO (elbows and punches) | Bellator 194 | February 16, 2018 | 2 | 3:39 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | |
| Win | 1–0 | Jonny Bonilla-Bowman | KO (flying knee) | Bellator 186 | November 3, 2017 | 1 | 1:29 | University Park, Pennsylvania, United States | Featherweight debut. |