Gregor Gillespie Explained

Gregor Gillespie
Other Names:The Gift
Birth Name:Gregor Volz Gillespie[1]
Birth Date:November 13, 1987
Birth Place:Webster, New York, U.S.
Residence:Long Island, New York, U.S.
Height:[2]
Weight:155lb
Weight Class:Lightweight
Reach:71 in
Style:Wrestling
Stance:Orthodox
Fighting Out Of:Long Island, New York, U.S.
Team:Long Island MMA
Bellmore Kickboxing Academy
Rank:Blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Joe Scarola and Carlos Rosado[3]
Wrestling:NCAA Division I Wrestling[4]
Years Active:2012–present
Mma Kowin:7
Mma Subwin:5
Mma Decwin:2
Mma Koloss:1
Sherdog:111701
Medaltemplates: Edinboro Fighting Scots
Show-Medals:yes

Gregor Volz Gillespie[1] (born November 13, 1987) is an American professional mixed martial artist and graduated collegiate wrestler who competed in the lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) with a record of 7–1. A professional since 2012, he formerly competed for Ring of Combat where he was the Lightweight Champion.

As a folkstyle wrestler, Gillespie was the 2007 NCAA Division I National Champion at 149 pounds, a four–time NCAA Division I All–American and a three–time EWL and PSAC conference champion for the Edinboro Fighting Scots.[5] He also competed briefly in freestyle wrestling.[6]

Background

Born and raised in Webster, New York, Gillespie attended Webster Schroeder High School where he was a standout in wrestling, winning two state titles. He continued wrestling for Edinboro University, where he was a four-time NCAA Division I All-American and won a national championship in 2007.[7] He was the first true freshman All-American in school history, and also holds the school record for most career wins (152), most wins as a freshman (40), and highest winning percentage (.917). Gillespie stated that he ended his wrestling career because he didn't think he could beat Jordan Burroughs. He graduated from Edinboro with a bachelor's degree in individualized studies and a concentration in psychology.[8] He was an assistant coach at Hofstra University and as a side gig, taught private lessons to an MMA fighter. Despite having vowed never to fight, he started studying MMA and quit his job in order to pursue a full-time career in the sport.[9]

Mixed martial arts

Early career

In 2012, Gillespie was scheduled to make his mixed martial arts debut but suffered a broken arm during a sparring session which caused serious health issues and infections, pushing his debut over to January 2014.[10] After compiling an undefeated 7–0 record with six finishes on the regional scene in New Jersey, Gillespie signed a contract with the Ultimate Fighting Championship.[11]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Gillespie made his promotional debut against Glaico Franca on September 24, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 95.[12] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[13]

Gillespie next faced Andrew Holbrook on April 8, 2017, at UFC 210.[14] He won the fight via knockout in the first round and was awarded a Performance of the Night bonus.[15] [16]

Gillespie faced Jason Gonzalez on September 16, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 116.[17] He won the back-and-forth fight via submission in the second round.[18] The win also earned Gillespie his first Fight of the Night bonus award.[19]

Gillespie faced Jordan Rinaldi on January 27, 2018, at .[20] He won the fight via technical knock out.[21]

Gillespie faced Vinc Pichel on June 1, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 131.[22] Gillespie won via arm-triangle choke in the second round.[23] This win earned him Performance of the Night award.[24]

Gillespie faced Yancy Medeiros on January 19, 2019, at .[25] He won the fight via TKO in the second round.[26]

Gillespie faced Kevin Lee on November 2, 2019, at UFC 244.[27] He lost the fight via knockout in round one, marking his first professional defeat. [28]

Gillespie was expected to face Brad Riddell on March 20, 2021, at UFC on ESPN 21.[29] However, the bout was cancelled due to COVID-19 protocols in the day of the event.[30] Instead, Gillespie faced No-Gi Jiu Jitsu World medalist Carlos Diego Ferreira on May 8, 2021, at UFC on ESPN 24.[31] At the weigh–ins, Ferreira weighed in at 160.5 pounds, four and a half pounds over the lightweight non-title fight limit and was fined 30% of his purse, which went to Gillespie.[32] After a back-and-forth first round, where Gillespie appeared to fatigue, he was able to keep composure and rallied, winning the fight via TKO in round two.[33] [34] This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award.[35]

In May 2022, it was reported that Gillespie was removed from UFC roster.[36] After the report, Gillespie posted on social media that he had wanted to fight above the rankings and that many bouts failed to come together.[36]

Championships and accomplishments

Folkstyle wrestling

Mixed martial arts

Mixed martial arts record

|-|Win|align=center|14–1|Carlos Diego Ferreira|TKO (elbows and punches)|||align=center|2|align=center|4:51|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Loss|align=center|13–1|Kevin Lee||KO (head kick)|UFC 244 ||align=center|1|align=center|2:47|New York City, New York, United States||-|Win|align=center|13–0|Yancy Medeiros|TKO (punches)| ||align=center|2|align=center|4:59|Brooklyn, New York, United States||- |Win|align=center|12–0|Vinc Pichel|Submission (arm-triangle choke)|||align=center|2|align=center|4:06|Utica, New York, United States||-|Win|align=center|11–0|Jordan Rinaldi|TKO (punches)| ||align=center|1|align=center|4:46|Charlotte, North Carolina, United States||-|Win|align=center|10–0|Jason Gonzalez|Submission (arm-triangle choke)| ||align=center|2|align=center|2:10|Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States||-|Win|align=center|9–0|Andrew Holbrook|KO (punches)|UFC 210||align=center|1|align=center|0:21|Buffalo, New York, United States||-| Win| align=center| 8–0| Glaico França| Decision (unanimous)| | | align=center|3| align=center|5:00| Brasília, Brazil||-| Win| align=center| 7–0| Sidney Outlaw| Decision (split) | Ring of Combat 55| | align=center|3| align=center|5:00 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States||-| Win| align=center| 6–0| Jose Mariscal | TKO (punches) | Ring of Combat 54 | | align=center|1| align=center|4:09 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States||-| Win| align=center| 5–0| George Sheppard | Submission (arm-triangle choke)| Ring of Combat 51 | | align=center|1| align=center|3:45| Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States||-| Win| align=center| 4–0| Justin Stewart| TKO (punches) | Ring of Combat 50| | align=center|1| align=center|2:51| Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States||-| Win| align=center| 3–0| Justin Harrington| Submission (arm-triangle choke)| Ring of Combat 49| | align=center|1| align=center|3:21| Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States||-| Win| align=center| 2–0| Brandon Priest| Submission (rear-naked choke)| Ring of Combat 48| | align=center|2| align=center|2:37| Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States||-| Win| align=center| 1–0| Kenny Gaudreau| TKO (punches)| Ring of Combat 47| | align=center|1| align=center|1:48| Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States|

NCAA record

! colspan="8"| NCAA Championships Matches|-! Res.! Record! Opponent! Score! Date! Event|-! style=background:white colspan=6 |2009 NCAA Championships 4th at 157 lbs|-|Loss|19–6|align=left|Jordan Leen|style="font-size:88%"|0–4|style="font-size:88%" rowspan=6|March 19–21, 2009|style="font-size:88%" rowspan=6|2009 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships|-|Win|19–5|align=left|Michael Chandler|style="font-size:88%"|MD 10–2|-|Loss|18–5|align=left|Jordan Burroughs|style="font-size:88%"|MD 4–12|-|Win|18–4|align=left|J.P O’Connor|style="font-size:88%"|1–0|-|Win|17–4|align=left|Jason Welch|style="font-size:88%"|3–2|-|Win|16–4|align=left|Shane Smith|style="font-size:88%"|TF 16–0|-! style=background:white colspan=6 |2008 NCAA Championships 5th at 157 lbs|-|Win|15–4|align=left|Josh Zupancic|style="font-size:88%"|TF 15–0|style="font-size:88%" rowspan=7|March 20–22, 2008|style="font-size:88%" rowspan=7|2008 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships|-|Loss|14–4|align=left|Dan Vallimont|style="font-size:88%"|1–2|-|Win|14–3|align=left|Cyler Sanderson|style="font-size:88%"|Fall|-|Win|13–3|align=left|Matt Kocher|style="font-size:88%"|1–0|-|Loss|12–3|align=left|Jordan Leen|style="font-size:88%"|6–8|-|Win|12–2|align=left|Jason Johnstone|style="font-size:88%"|6–0|-|Win|11–2|align=left|Spencer Maley|style="font-size:88%"|TF 17–0|-! style=background:white colspan=6 |2007 NCAA Championships at 149 lbs|-|Win|10–2|align=left|Josh Churella|style="font-size:88%"|SV 3–1|style="font-size:88%" rowspan=5|March 15–17, 2007|style="font-size:88%" rowspan=5|2007 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships|-|Win|9–2|align=left|Dustin Schlatter|style="font-size:88%"|3–2|-|Win|8–2|align=left|Jordan Leen|style="font-size:88%"|6–2|-|Win|7–2|align=left|Dan Vallimont|style="font-size:88%"|MD 10–2|-|Win|6–2|align=left|Sam Alvarenga|style="font-size:88%"|9–5|-! style=background:white colspan=6 |2006 NCAA Championships 7th at 149 lbs|-|Win|5–2|align=left|Mark DiSalvo|style="font-size:88%"|Fall|style="font-size:88%" rowspan=7|March 16–18, 2006|style="font-size:88%" rowspan=7|2006 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships|-|Loss|4–2|align=left|Jon Masa|style="font-size:88%"|4–11|-|Win|3–1|align=left|Patrick Simpson|style="font-size:88%"|8–1|-|Loss|2–1|align=left|Ty Eustice|style="font-size:88%"|4–2|-|Win|2–0|align=left|Keith Dickey|style="font-size:88%"|Fall|-|Win|1–0|align=left|Trevor Chinn|style="font-size:88%"|Fall|-

Stats

! Season! Year! School! Placement! Weigh Class! Record! Win|-|2009|Senior|rowspan=4|Edinboro University of Pennsylvania|4th|rowspan=2|157|41–3|93.18%|-|2008|Junior|5th|37–4|90.24%|-|2007|Sophomore|1st|rowspan=2|149|34–2|94.44%|-|2006|Freshman|7th|40–4|90.91%|-|colspan=5 bgcolor="LIGHTGREY"|Career|bgcolor="LIGHTGREY"|152–13|bgcolor="LIGHTGREY"|92.12%

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: boxing.nv.gov. June 7, 2021. STATE OF NEVADA.
  2. Web site: Stats | UFC.
  3. B8jjKvABA43. This has been 9 years in the making, I've sacrificed so much to get this piece of cloth ...to all the guys that I've beaten....yes you were actually beaten by a white belt. Thanks to professor @graciebarrajupiter and @graciebarra631nb professor Carlos. #bluebelt #bjj #jiujitsu #jiujitsulifestyle. Instagram. gregorthegift. February 14, 2020. June 6, 2021.
  4. Web site: Gregor Gillespie UFC. UFC.com. 14 September 2018. June 6, 2021.
  5. Web site: Gregor Gillespie Wrestling Training. 2021-02-11. longislandwrestling.org.
  6. Web site: Doctor. Urgent. 2012-10-11. Gregor Gillespie 'Faced The Demons' and is Getting Ready For MMA Stardom. 2021-02-11. New York Wrestling News 2012-2013 Archive. en.
  7. Web site: Wrestling for MMA: Gregor Gillespie. Gallo. Ed. 2019-11-01. Bloody Elbow. en. 2020-02-21.
  8. Web site: Gregor Gillespie Wrestling Training.
  9. Web site: How a Frankie Edgar fight foreshadowed Gregor Gillespie's MMA career. Steven Marrocco. January 18, 2019. mmajunkie.com.
  10. Web site: LI's Gillespie excited to begin MMA career. 2021-04-15. Newsday. en.
  11. Web site: Welcome to the UFC Gregor Gillespie. bloodyelbow.com. Zane Simon. 2016-09-21. 2016-09-21. 2019-04-26. https://web.archive.org/web/20190426195803/https://www.bloodyelbow.com/2016/9/21/13002020/ufc-brasilia-signs-gregor-gillespie-prospect-woman-bantamweight-lina-lansberg-vs-cyborg-mma-news. dead.
  12. Web site: LI's Gregor Gillespie to make UFC debut at UFC Fight Night 95 in September. newsday.com. Ryan Gerbosi. 2016-08-04. 2016-08-04.
  13. Web site: UFC Fight Night 95 results: Gregor Gillespie stays unbeaten, dominates Glaico Franca in UFC debut. mmajunkie.com. Steven Marrocco. 2016-09-24. 2016-09-24.
  14. Web site: Gregor Gillespie vs. Andrew Holbrook booked for UFC 210 in Buffalo. mmajunkie.com. Staff. 2017-02-22. 2017-02-22.
  15. Web site: UFC 210 results: Gregor Gillespie knocks out Andrew Holbrook in 21 seconds to stay undefeated. Ben Fowlkes. mmajunkie.com. 2017-04-08. 2017-04-08.
  16. Web site: UFC 210 Bonuses: Oliveira, Burgos, Rosa, Gillespie receive $50K Awards. Tristen Critchfield. sherdog.com. 2017-04-08. 2017-04-09.
  17. Web site: Gregor Gillespie vs. Jason Gonzalez added to UFC Fight Night 116 in Pittsburgh. mmajunkie.com. Staff. 2017-08-12. 2017-08-12.
  18. News: UFC-Pittsburgh results: Gregor Gillespie taps out Jason Gonzalez in absolute barnburner. 2017-09-17. MMAjunkie. 2017-09-17. en-US.
  19. News: UFC Fight Night 116 Results, Bonus Winners, Fight Scores, Highlights, Attendance & Gate Info. Mazique. Brian. Forbes. 2017-09-17. en.
  20. News: UFC adds 3 bouts to stacked Fight Night Charlotte card; tickets go on sale Friday. charlotteobserver. 2017-12-15. en.
  21. News: UFC on FOX 27 results: Gregor Gillespie pounds out Jordan Rinaldi for first-round TKO. 2018-01-28. MMAjunkie. 2018-01-28. en-US.
  22. Web site: Gregor Gillespie vs. Vinc Pichel added to UFC's 'Fight Night' event in Utica, N.Y.. mmajunkie.com. Staff. 2018-02-28. 2018-02-28.
  23. News: UFC Fight Night 131 results: Gregor Gillespie stays perfect, taps Vinc Pichel in second. 2018-06-02. MMAjunkie. 2018-06-02. en-US.
  24. News: UFC Fight Night 131 bonuses: You know Marlon Moraes won $50,000 for that KO. 2018-06-02. MMAjunkie. 2018-06-02. en-US.
  25. Web site: Gregor Gillespie to face Yancy Medeiros at UFC Brooklyn. newsday.com. Mark La Monica. 2018-12-20. 2018-12-20.
  26. News: UFC Brooklyn results: Gregor Gillespie finishes Yancy Medeiros in final second of round two. MMAFighting.com. Dave Doyle. 2019-01-19. 2019-01-21.
  27. Web site: Kevin Lee vs. Gregor Gillespie targeted for UFC 244 in New York. Farah Hannoun. 2019-09-30. MMAJunkie.com. 2019-10-01.
  28. Web site: Lee Knocks Gillespie Out With Huge High Kick!. Richardson. Andrew. 2019-11-02. MMAmania.com. en. 2019-11-03.
  29. Web site: Brad Riddell again left frustrated by MIQ voucher system after booking big UFC bout. stuff.co.nz. Marvin France. 2021-02-19. 2021-02-19.
  30. Web site: COVID-19 protocols cause Gregor Gillespie vs. Brad Riddell scratch from UFC on ESPN 21. mma fighting.com. Mike Bohn. 2021-03-20. 2021-03-20.
  31. Web site: Sources: Diego Ferreira-Gregor Gillespie bout added to UFC Fight Night card on May 8. espn.com. A Brett Okamoto. 2019-04-13. 2021-04-13.
  32. Web site: UFC Vegas 26 weigh-in results: Marina Rodriguez, Michelle Waterson make weight for headliner, two other fights cancelled. mmafighting.com. Alexander K. Lee. 2021-05-07. 2021-05-07.
  33. Web site: Doherty. Dan. 2021-05-08. UFC Vegas 26 Results: Gregor Gillespie Digs Deep, Stops Diego Ferreira. 2021-05-09. Cageside Press. en-US.
  34. Web site: Bonada. Author Frank. 2021-05-09. Gregor Gillespie Gets The Ground & Pound Finish Over Diego Ferreira - UFC Vegas 26 Results (Highlights). 2021-05-09. MiddleEasy. en.
  35. Web site: 2021-05-09. UFC on ESPN 24 bonuses: Gregor Gillespie gets $100,000 because Diego Ferreira missed weight. 2021-05-09. MMA Junkie. en-US.
  36. Web site: 'I'm not f*cking going anywhere': Gregor Gillespie assures UFC roster spot, explains recent inactivity. mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Matthew Wells. 2022-05-15. 2024-08-10.
  37. Web site: Gallo. Ed. 2019-11-01. Wrestling for MMA: Gregor Gillespie. 2021-03-19. Bloody Elbow. en.
  38. Web site: Ring of Combat 51 Lou Neglia's Ring of Combat Next Generation of Mixed Martial Arts!. 2019-02-24.
  39. News: UFC Fight Night 116 Results, Bonus Winners, Fight Scores, Highlights, Attendance & Gate Info. Mazique. Brian. Forbes. 2017-09-17. en.

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