Journey Ja-rel Newson (born March 7, 1989)[1] is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Bantamweight division. A professional since 2015, he is most notable for his time in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Journey Newson
BornJourney Ja-rel Newson[1]
(1989-03-07) March 7, 1989 (age 35)
Hayward, California, United States
Height5 ft 5 in (1.65 m)
Weight135.5 lb (61 kg; 9 st 10 lb)
DivisionBantamweight
Reach67.5 in (171 cm)[2]
StyleTaekwondo, Boxing, Brazilian jiu-jitsu
Fighting out ofPortland, Oregon
TeamImpact Jiu Jitsu (2008–present)[3][4]
TrainerRudy Garza (boxing, 2016–present)[5]
RankBlack belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu
Orange belt in Tae Kwon Do[6]
Years active2015–present
Professional boxing record
Total2
Losses1
Draws1
Mixed martial arts record
Total16
Wins10
By knockout3
By submission3
By decision4
Losses5
By knockout2
By submission1
By decision2
No contests1
Other information
Boxing record from BoxRec
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Background

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Newson grew up in the Merced, California area.[7] Due to his mother's drug addiction and despite father's attempts to keep the family together, Journey and his siblings were taken into foster care when he was around the age of seven.[7] He started training Tae Kwon Do around the age of 12.[8] He began training Brazilian jiu-jitsu for self-defense around the age of 20 and shifted to mixed martial arts in a couple of years.[4]

Mixed martial arts career

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Early career

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Newson started out his career in 2015, fighting for a variety of regional West Coast organizations, such as Cage Sport and King of the Cage. During this time, he compiled a 9–1 record, capturing the Cage Sport and Prime Fighting Bantamweight titles.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

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Newson made his UFC debut as a late replacement for Sergio Pettis against Ricardo Ramos on June 29, 2019 at UFC on ESPN 3.[9] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[10]

Newson next faced Domingo Pilarte at UFC 247 on February 8, 2020. He won the fight by TKO within the first minute of the fight. However, on March 25, it was announced by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) that Newson had tested positive for marijuana during in-competition drug tests. His victory was overturned to a no contest and he was suspended for 30 days.[11]

Newson was initially scheduled to face Randy Costa on September 26, 2020 at UFC Fight Night: Covington vs. Woodley.[12] However, the event was shifted to take place on September 19, 2020, as UFC 253 was later scheduled for the original date.[13] He lost the fight via knockout in round one.[14]

Newson was scheduled to face Felipe Colares on May 1, 2021 at UFC on ESPN 23.[15] However, Newson withdrew from the bout and was replaced by Luke Sanders.[16]

Newson faced promotional newcomer Fernie Garcia on May 7, 2022 at UFC 274.[17] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[18]

Newson faced Sergey Morozov on December 17, 2022 at UFC Fight Night 216.[19] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[20]

Newson was scheduled to face Brian Kelleher on April 29, 2023 at UFC on ESPN: Song vs. Simón.[21] However, Kelleher pulled out of the bout and was replaced by Marcus McGhee.[22] He lost the fight via rear-naked choke in round two.[23]

On June 8, it was announced that Newson was not extended a new contract and no longer on the UFC roster.[24]

Championships and accomplishments

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  • CageSport MMA
    • CageSport Bantamweight Championship (one time)
  • Prime Fighting MMA
    • Prime Fighting Bantamweight Championship (one time)

Mixed martial arts record

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Professional record breakdown
16 matches 10 wins 5 losses
By knockout 3 2
By submission 3 1
By decision 4 2
No contests 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 10–5 (1) Marcus McGhee Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC on ESPN: Song vs. Simón April 29, 2023 2 2:03 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Catchweight (140 lb) bout.
Loss 10–4 (1) Sergey Morozov Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Cannonier vs. Strickland December 17, 2022 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 10–3 (1) Fernie Garcia Decision (unanimous) UFC 274 May 7, 2022 3 5:00 Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Loss 9–3 (1) Randy Costa KO (head kick) UFC Fight Night: Covington vs. Woodley September 19, 2020 1 0:41 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
NC 9–2 (1) Domingo Pilarte NC (overturned) UFC 247 February 8, 2020 1 0:38 Houston, Texas, United States Originally a TKO (punches) win for Newson; overturned after he tested positive for marijuana.
Loss 9–2 Ricardo Ramos Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Ngannou vs. dos Santos June 29, 2019 3 5:00 Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Win 9–1 Soslan Abanokov KO (punch) Final Fight Championship 36 May 9, 2019 1 1:20 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 8–1 Chris SanJose TKO (punches) Prime Fighting 11 November 10, 2018 2 4:41 Ridgefield, Washington, United States Won the Prime Fighting Bantamweight Championship.
Win 7–1 Tycen Lynn Decision (unanimous) Combat Games 60 February 17, 2018 3 5:00 Tulalip, Washington, United States
Win 6–1 Anthony Zender TKO CageSport 46 July 15, 2017 2 0:24 Tacoma, Washington, United States Won the CageSport Bantamweight Championship.
Win 5–1 Jordan Mackin Submission (rear-naked choke) CageSport 44 February 25, 2017 3 4:55 Tacoma, Washington, United States Catchweight (140 lb) bout.
Win 4–1 Anthony Zender Submission (guillotine choke) CageSport 43 December 17, 2016 3 1:27 Tacoma, Washington, United States Catchweight (140 lb) bout.
Loss 3–1 Benito Lopez KO (punches) KOTC: Unchallenged October 8, 2016 1 3:04 Oroville, California, United States
Win 3–0 Shane Friesz Decision (unanimous) Super Fight League 49 May 7, 2016 3 5:00 Tacoma, Washington, United States
Win 2–0 Justin Hugo Submission (triangle choke) Super Fight League 45 December 12, 2015 1 2:17 Tacoma, Washington, United States
Win 1–0 Damon Wood Decision (unanimous) KOTC: Rogue Wave September 5, 2015 3 5:00 Lincoln City, Oregon, United States Bantamweight debut.

[25]

Professional boxing record

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2 fights 0 wins 1 loss
By decision 0 1
Draws 1
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
2 Draw 0–1–1   Gerardo Esquivel MD 4 20 Apr 2019   Green River Center, Auburn, Texas, US
1 Loss 0–1   Carlos Green SD 4 11 Jan 2019   Emerald Queen Casino, Tacoma, Washington, US

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Mixed martial arts show results Date: September 19, 2020
  2. ^ ufc.com (24 June 2019). "Journey Newson". ufc. Retrieved 2020-09-18.
  3. ^ "Instructors — Impact Jiu Jitsu". impactjj.com. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  4. ^ a b The MMA Report (June 9, 2019). Journey Newson hopes to be an inspiration to kids that are going through a similar situation he did – via YouTube.
  5. ^ James Lynch (September 11, 2020). UFC star Journey Newson talks about facing Randy Costa in the Octagon – via YouTube.
  6. ^ Mike Heck (February 12, 2020). Newson relishing underdog role while it lasts – via YouTube.
  7. ^ a b Alexander K. Lee (June 29, 2019). "Journey Newson carries rock-and-roll-inspired name into UFC debut". mmafighting.com.
  8. ^ "E98 - Journey Newson, UFC Bantamweight" (Podcast). February 25, 2020.
  9. ^ Ryan Fortune (2019-06-17). "Journey Newson Replaces Sergio Pettis, Faces Ricardo Ramos at UFC Minneapolis". cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 2019-06-18.
  10. ^ Bitter, Shawn (2019-06-29). "UFC Minneapolis Results: Ricardo Ramos Takes Decision Win Against Journey Newson". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2019-06-30.
  11. ^ Nolan King (2020-05-03). "Journey Newson: UFC 247 marijuana suspension is a 'blessing in disguise,' though Texas rule outdated". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2020-05-03.
  12. ^ "UFC adds Randy Costa vs. Journey Newson to Sept. 26 event". MMA Junkie. 2020-08-13. Retrieved 2019-09-16.
  13. ^ Tristen Critchfield (August 15, 2020). "UFC 253, Israel Adesanya-Paulo Costa Title Bout Official for Sept. 26". Sherdog.
  14. ^ Evanoff, Josh (2020-09-19). "UFC Vegas 11 Results: Randy Costa Lands Dazzling Head Kick KO on Journey Newson". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-09-20.
  15. ^ Guilherme Cruz and Mike Heck (2021-02-25). "Felipe Colares to fight Journey Newson at May 1 UFC show". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2021-02-25.
  16. ^ Guilherme Cruz (April 26, 2021). "Luke Sanders vs. Felipe Colares now set for UFC Vegas 25 after original opponents pulled". mmafighting.com.
  17. ^ Heck, Mike (2022-02-24). "Journey Newson vs. Fernie Garcia on tap for UFC 274". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2022-02-25.
  18. ^ Bitter, Shawn (2022-05-07). "UFC 274: Journey Complete — Newson Secures First Octagon Win Against Fernie Garcia". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-05-08.
  19. ^ Nolan King (2022-08-24). "UFC books Sergey Morozov vs. Journey Newson for December". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2022-08-25. (in Spanish)
  20. ^ Dewar, Val (2022-12-17). "UFC Vegas 66: Sergey Morozov Uses Wrestling to Win Decision Over Journey Newson". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-12-18.
  21. ^ Jay Anderson (2023-02-01). "UFC: Journey Newson vs. Brian Kelleher booked for April 29". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-02-01.
  22. ^ Newswire (2023-04-26). "With Brian Kelleher out, Marcus McGhee faces Journey Newson at UFC Vegas 72". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2023-04-26.
  23. ^ Theodosi, Jamie (2023-04-29). "UFC Vegas 72: Marcus McGhee Dominates Journey Newson on Three Days' Notice". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
  24. ^ "8 more UFC fighters removed, just days after recent roster purge". Bloody Elbow. 2023-06-09. Retrieved 2023-06-10.
  25. ^ Sherdog.com. "Journey Newson". Sherdog. Retrieved 2020-08-07.
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