Shamar Bailey is a retired American mixed martial artist who competed in the Lightweight division. A professional MMA competitor since 2006, Bailey has formerly competed for the UFC, Strikeforce, Bellator, M-1 Global, and was a competitor on The Ultimate Fighter: Team Lesnar vs. Team dos Santos.

Shamar Bailey
Born (1982-09-22) September 22, 1982 (age 42)
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Other namesThe Watchman
ResidenceIndiana, United States
NationalityAmerican
Height5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Weight170 lb (77 kg; 12 st)
DivisionWelterweight
Lightweight
Reach75 in (190 cm)
Fighting out ofIndianapolis, Indiana, United States
TeamIntegrated Fighting Academy
Years active2006–2014
Mixed martial arts record
Total27
Wins16
By knockout5
By submission3
By decision7
By disqualification1
Losses11
By knockout6
By submission1
By decision4
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Background

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The son of a devoted pastor father, Shamar Bailey was raised in a strict Christian household which moved him across state lines six times before his 20th birthday. These moves were due to his dad's full-time corporate re-locations. Bailey was homeschooled until his senior year of high school when he elected to attend the local Greenwood, Indiana, public school. During his senior season at Center Grove High School, Bailey excelled on the varsity wrestling team, going undefeated over the course of the year.[1] After high school, Bailey attended Maranatha Bible College and majored in church-ministry.[2][3]

Mixed martial arts career

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Early career

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Building on his impressive senior year at Center Grove, Bailey entered Division III Maranatha Baptist Bible College in Wisconsin where he continued to thrive on the mats, earning All-Conference three times and being named NCAA National Qualifier. The Church Ministries major returned to Indianapolis after graduation and began to train with Jake O'Brien and Chris Lytle to stay active as he mulled over an offer to move to Colorado Springs to train at the Olympic Training Center with the World Team training camp. Bailey began to feel more comfortable in the sport and decided to decline the invitation in order to pursue mixed martial arts and soon after, in 2006, Bailey had his first professional fight, a first-round TKO victory over Jason Cook.

For the past four years, Bailey has trained with Integrated Fighting Academy while also working part-time for the Indianapolis Fire Department with Chris Lytle. During this time, he has earned notable victories over John Kolosci and Waachiim Spiritwolf.[1]

Strikeforce

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Bailey made his Strikeforce on November 7, 2009, when he faced John Kolosci at Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers.[4] He won his debut via unanimous decision. Bailey then replaced an injured Bryan Travers, as he fought Justin Wilcox at Strikeforce Challengers 7 on March 26, 2010.[5] He lost via unanimous decision and was subsequently released.

The Ultimate Fighter

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In 2011, it was announced that Bailey had signed with the UFC to compete in The Ultimate Fighter: Team Lesnar vs. Team dos Santos.

Bailey was picked first on Team dos Santos and second overall. In the first preliminary bout of the season, Bailey was selected to fight Nordin Asrih. Bailey used his wrestling to control Asrih on the ground and win a clear-cut decision.[6]

In the quarterfinals, he fought Chris Cope but lost via unanimous decision after two rounds. After the fight Shamar was visibly upset with the decision, saying numerous times, "he fought well, but not that good".[7]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

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Even though he lost in the quarterfinals, Bailey remained signed after the show. He made his official UFC debut June 4, 2011 on The Ultimate Fighter 13 Finale card, fighting against fellow quarterfinalist and teammate, Ryan McGillivray.[8] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[9]

Bailey dropped to Lightweight in order to face Evan Dunham at UFC Fight Night 25.[10] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Bailey faced Danny Castillo on November 19, 2011 at UFC 139.[11] During the official weigh ins, Bailey failed to make the weight limit for the Lightweight division. Bailey came in three pounds over, which resulted being fined 20 percent of his earnings, and the bout took place at a Catchweight of 158 lb.[12] He lost the fight via TKO in the first round.[13] After the loss to Castillo, Bailey was released from the promotion.[14]

Post UFC

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Bailey was scheduled to face UFC veteran Karo Parisyan at ShoFight 20 on June 16, 2012 for the vacant ShoFight Welterweight Championship. However, due to a medical suspension, Bailey was pulled from the fight and replaced by John Gunderson[15]

Xtreme Fighting Championships

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Bailey faced Bellator veteran Luis Santos at XFC 23 on April 19, 2013.[16] He lost the fight via TKO at just over a minute into the first round.[17]

Retirement

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On October 7, 2014, Bailey announced his retirement from MMA competition.[18]

Mixed martial arts record

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Professional record breakdown
27 matches 16 wins 11 losses
By knockout 5 6
By submission 3 1
By decision 7 4
By disqualification 1 0
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 16–11 Mark Stoddard TKO (punches) Pinnacle Combat XVII October 4, 2014 1 1:44 Cedar Rapids, Iowa, United States For the Pinnacle Combat Welterweight Championship.
Loss 16–10 Kevin Nowaczyk Decision (unanimous) HFC 19[19] February 8, 2014 3 5:00 Valparaiso, Indiana, United States
Win 16–9 Jordin Hinman Decision (unanimous) APFC 11: Champion vs. Champion[20] June 22, 2013 3 5:00 McCook, Illinois, United States
Loss 15–9 Luis Santos TKO (head kick and punches) XFC 23: Louisville Slugfest April 19, 2013 1 1:02 Louisville, Kentucky, United States
Win 15–8 Gideon Ray Decision (unanimous) Flawless FC 2: Hated December 15, 2012 3 5:00 Chicago, Illinois, United States
Win 14–8 David Overfield TKO (punches) Colosseum Combat 22 September 29, 2012 2 0:18 Kokomo, Indiana, United States
Loss 13–8 Joshua Williams Submission (armbar) Warfare 6 - Fight Night August 24, 2012 2 2:25 Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, United States
Loss 13–7 Lucas Pimenta Borges TKO (punches) Ultimate Warrior Fighting: Tournament of Warriors May 4, 2012 1 2:30 Corpus Christi, Texas, United States
Loss 13–6 Josh Shockley Decision (unanimous) Bellator 60 March 9, 2012 3 5:00 Hammond, Indiana, United States 165 lb Catchweight bout.
Win 13–5 Darrell Smith Submission (D'arce choke) Colosseum Combat XIX January 7, 2012 3 3:53 Kokomo, Indiana, United States
Loss 12–5 Danny Castillo TKO (punches) UFC 139 November 19, 2011 1 4:52 San Jose, California, United States 158 lb Catchweight bout; Bailey missed weight.
Loss 12–4 Evan Dunham Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Shields vs. Ellenberger September 17, 2011 3 5:00 New Orleans, Louisiana, United States Lightweight debut.
Win 12–3 Ryan McGillivray Decision (unanimous) The Ultimate Fighter 13 Finale June 4, 2011 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 11–3 Kurt Kinser TKO (cut) LOF 41: Damage Incorporated September 10, 2010 1 5:00 Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
Loss 11–2 Justin Wilcox Decision (unanimous) Strikeforce Challengers: Johnson vs. Mahe March 26, 2010 3 5:00 Fresno, California, United States 160 lb Catchweight bout.
Win 11–1 John Kolosci Decision (unanimous) Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers November 7, 2009 3 5:00 Hoffman Estates, Illinois, United States
Win 10–1 Raymond Jarman TKO (punches) M-1 Challenge 18: Netherlands Day Two August 16, 2009 2 3:15 Hilversum, Netherlands
Win 9–1 Rodney Sleepers Decision (unanimous) KOTC: The Renewal June 20, 2009 3 5:00 Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
Win 8–1 James George Submission (guillotine choke) UFL: Fight Night at The Murat December 13, 2008 1 2:04 Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
Loss 7–1 Roger Bowling TKO (punches) RFL: Hostile Takeover April 26, 2008 1 0:28 Louisville, Kentucky, United States
Win 7–0 Gabriel Miranda DQ Warriors Collide 2 February 9, 2008 3 3:30 Pueblo, Colorado, United States
Win 6–0 Waachiim Spiritwolf Decision (unanimous) Revolution Fight League 1 December 1, 2007 3 5:00 Louisville, Kentucky, United States
Win 5–0 Matt Delanoit Decision (unanimous) UFL: Fight Night at Conseco Fieldhouse May 19, 2007 3 5:00 Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
Win 4–0 Mike Firari TKO (punches) Madtown Throwdown 10 January 12, 2007 N/A N/A Madison, Wisconsin, United States
Win 3–0 Salazar Sanchez TKO (punches) LOF 12: Black Tie Battles December 31, 2006 2 2:39 Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
Win 2–0 Courtney Ray Submission United Fight League 3 October 20, 2006 1 N/A Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
Win 1–0 Jason Cook TKO (punches) United Fight League 2 August 25, 2006 1 N/A Indianapolis, Indiana, United States Welterweight debut.

Amateur mixed martial arts record

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Professional record breakdown
1 match 1 win 0 losses
By knockout 0 0
By submission 0 0
By decision 1 0
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 1–0 Rod Montoya Decision (unanimous) United Fight League 1 June 23, 2006 3 5:00 Indianapolis, Indiana, United States

References

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  1. ^ a b Shamar Bailey ultimatefighter.com [dead link]
  2. ^ "Meet "The Ultimate Fighter 13" cast: Shamar Bailey, the church-ministry major". mmajunkie.com. April 4, 2011. Retrieved April 14, 2014.
  3. ^ Ogara, Joe (January 20, 2022). "Shamar Bailey "reaching out" in the MMA ring". NUVO.
  4. ^ "Report: John Kolosci vs. Shamar Bailey set for "Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers" prelims". mmajunkie.com. October 10, 2009. Retrieved April 15, 2014.
  5. ^ "Shamar Bailey replaces injured Bryan Travers on Strikeforce Challengers VII main card". mmajunkie.com. February 19, 2010. Retrieved April 15, 2014.
  6. ^ "Ultimate Fighter 13: Episode 1 Recap and Discussion for 'Lesnar vs dos Santos'". mmamania.com. March 30, 2011. Retrieved April 15, 2014.
  7. ^ "Episode No. 8 recap: "The Ultimate Fighter 13: Team Lesnar vs. Team Dos Santos"". mmajunkie.com. May 19, 2011. Retrieved April 14, 2014.
  8. ^ "TUF 13 Finale prelims add Edwards vs. Harvison, Bailey vs. McGillivray". mmajunkie.com. June 2, 2011. Retrieved April 14, 2014.
  9. ^ "UFC Results TUF 13 Finale: Shamar Bailey Smothers Ryan McGillivray, Wins by Unanimous Decision". bloodyelbow.com. June 4, 2011. Retrieved April 14, 2014.
  10. ^ "Evan Dunham vs. Shamar Bailey set for UFC Fight Night 25". mmajunkie.com. July 17, 2011. Archived from the original on July 19, 2011.
  11. ^ "Shamar Bailey vs. Danny Castillo is 12th addition to UFC 139 fight card". mmajunkie.com. October 18, 2011. Archived from the original on October 20, 2011.
  12. ^ "UFC 139 official weigh-in results: Henderson (203), 'Shogun' (205) on weight (Updated)". MMAJunkie.com. November 18, 2011. Archived from the original on November 19, 2011. Retrieved November 18, 2011.
  13. ^ "UFC 139 results: Danny Castillo stops Shamar Bailey via ground and pound". mmajunkie.com. November 19, 2011. Retrieved April 15, 2014.
  14. ^ "The axe falls on Shamar Bailey's short octagon career". mmabay.co.uk. December 2, 2011. Retrieved April 14, 2014.
  15. ^ "Karo Parisyan vs. John Gunderson Now Headlines ShoFights on June 16 in Missouri". mmaweekly.com. May 25, 2012. Retrieved April 14, 2014.
  16. ^ "Why XFC 23 headliner Shamar Bailey wanted an opponent with 54 career victories". mmajunkie.com. April 17, 2013. Retrieved April 15, 2014.
  17. ^ "XFC 23 results: Luis Santos makes quick and easy work of Shamar Bailey". MMAJunkie.com. April 20, 2013. Retrieved April 14, 2014.
  18. ^ "UFC, 'TUF 13,' Bellator vet Shamar Bailey announces MMA retirement". MMAJunkie.com. October 7, 2014. Retrieved October 7, 2014.
  19. ^ "HFC 19 Official Results". mixedmartialarts.com. February 8, 2014.
  20. ^ "APFC 11: Champion vs Champion Official Results". mixedmartialarts.com. June 22, 2013.
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