Dustin Pague

{{Infobox boxer

| name = Dustin Pague

| image =

| image_size =

| alt =

| caption =

| realname =

| nickname = The Disciple

| weight = {{convert|147|lb|kg st|abbr=on}}

| height = {{height|ft=5|in=9}}

| reach = {{convert|74.5|in|cm|abbr=on}}

| nationality = American

| birth_name = Dustin William Pague

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1987|08|05}}

| birth_place = Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, United States

| death_date =

| death_place =

| style = Orthodox

| total = 1

| wins = 1

| KO = 0

| losses = 0

| draws =

| no contests =

| website = {{URL|http://www.dustinpague.com}}

| medaltemplates =

| show-medals =

}}

{{Infobox martial artist

| name = Dustin Pague - MMA

| other_names = The Disciple

| image =

| image_size = 200px

| alt =

| caption =

| birth_name =

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1987|08|05}}

| birth_place = Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, United States

| death_date =

| death_place =

| death_cause =

| residence =

| nationality = American

| height = {{height|ft=5|in=9}}

| weight = {{convert|136|lb|kg st|abbr=on}}

| weight_class = Lightweight (2006–2008)
Featherweight (2008–2010)
Bantamweight (2011–present)

| reach = {{convert|74.5|in|cm|abbr=on}}

| style =

| stance =

| fighting_out_of = Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, United States

| team = Unrivaled Athletics

| rank =

| years_active = 2006–present

| mma_kowin = 3

| mma_subwin = 9

| mma_decwin =

| mma_koloss = 4

| mma_subloss = 3

| mma_decloss = 4

| url = [http://www.dustinpague.com Official Website]

| sherdog = 39781

| footnotes =

| updated =

}}

Dustin William Pague (born August 5, 1987) is a former American mixed martial artist who most recently fought in the Bantamweight division of the UFC. He was a competitor on Spike TV's The Ultimate Fighter: Team Bisping vs. Team Miller, and has formerly competed as a Lightweight and Featherweight.

Pague is currently a professional boxer after announcing his switch from MMA in January 2016. He currently competes as a bare-knuckle boxer in Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship.{{cite web|url=https://www.bkfc.com/fighters/dustin-pague:1c14a414-911c-4ff4-ad9b-1e5b5952e301|title=Dustin Pague|website=BKFC|access-date=2024-03-19}}

Background

Pague began boxing when he was 15 years old and graduated from Central Dauphin East High School, then attended Harrisburg Area Community College but transferred before eventually earning a degree. Six months after viewing a video of a UFC event, Pague began his amateur career.{{Cite web |url=http://web.poptower.com/dustin-pague-ultimate-fighter.htm |title=Dustin Pague Ultimate Fighter pictures, bio, news |access-date=2013-10-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029193056/http://web.poptower.com/dustin-pague-ultimate-fighter.htm |archive-date=2013-10-29 |url-status=dead }}

After suffering a series of back injuries throughout his MMA career, Pague decided to make the transition to professional boxing as a way to continue fighting and reduce the daily strain he was putting on his back.{{Citation needed|date=May 2019}}

Professional boxing career

Pague won his professional boxing debut on April 19, 2016, by unanimous decision over Rafael Davis.{{cite web|url=http://boxrec.com/en/boxer/750853|title=BoxRec: Rafael Davis|website=boxrec.com|access-date=May 14, 2019}}

Mixed martial arts career

=Early career=

In late 2008, Pague made the decision to turn professional after a successful 7–4 amateur career.{{cite web|url=http://www.mixedmartialarts.com/f/3995B507C9766AC0/Dustin-Pague/|title=Dustin Pague MMA.tv|publisher=MMA.tv|date=2011-10-12}} Pague's pro debut took place on October 11, 2008, against Jon Owens. The fight was contested at Featherweight instead of Lightweight, where Pague spent the entirety of his amateur career. Pague lost the fight via KO in only 18 seconds. Two months after the loss, Pague returned against John Myers. He won the fight via kimura submission in round one.{{cite web|url=http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Dustin-Pague-39781|title=Fight Finder|publisher=Sherdog.com|date=2011-10-12}}

Pague built up a five-fight win streak before losing three straight fights to future TUF contestant Jeff Lentz, WEC veteran Anthony Leone, and longtime UFC veteran Din Thomas.

He built up another winning streak that earned him a title shot for the vacant Ring of Combat Bantamweight Championship. The fight marked the first time Pague fought at Bantamweight. He fought Steve De Angelis, defeating him via knockout in the second round.

Pague co-owns and operates his own gym, Disciple MMA.{{cite web|url=http://www.disciplemmaacademy.com/|title=Disciple MMA Academy|publisher=disciplemmaacademy.com|date=2011-10-12}} He also trains at the TapouT Ranch owned by Donald Cerrone.{{cite web|url=http://www.dustinpague.com/|title=Dustin Pague Official Website|publisher=DustinPague.com|date=2011-10-12}}

=The Ultimate Fighter=

In 2011, Pague had signed with the UFC to compete on The Ultimate Fighter: Team Bisping vs. Team Miller.{{cite web |url=http://mmajunkie.com/news/24909/the-ultimate-fighter-14-cast-unveiled-with-32-bantamweights-and-featherweights.mma |title="The Ultimate Fighter 14" cast unveiled with 32 bantamweights and featherweights |publisher=MMAJunkie.com |date=2011-08-22 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111028071725/http://mmajunkie.com/news/24909/the-ultimate-fighter-14-cast-unveiled-with-32-bantamweights-and-featherweights.mma |archivedate=2011-10-28 }} In the first episode, Pague fought Tateki Matsuda and won via majority decision (19-19, 20-18, 20-18) after two close rounds.{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/news/25327/episode-no-1-recap-the-ultimate-fighter-14-team-bisping-vs-team-miller.mma|title=Episode No. 1 recap: 'The Ultimate Fighter 14: Team Bisping vs. Team Miller'|publisher=MMAJunkie.com|date=2011-09-21|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111025001836/http://mmajunkie.com/news/25327/episode-no-1-recap-the-ultimate-fighter-14-team-bisping-vs-team-miller.mma|archivedate=2011-10-25}} The win gained Pague entry into the Ultimate Fighter house. He was selected as a part of Team Mayhem.{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/news/25436/episode-no-2-recap-the-ultimate-fighter-14-team-bisping-vs-team-miller.mma |title=Episode No. 2 recap: 'The Ultimate Fighter 14: Team Bisping vs. Team Miller' |publisher=MMAJunkie.com |date=2011-09-28 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111001090049/http://mmajunkie.com/news/25436/episode-no-2-recap-the-ultimate-fighter-14-team-bisping-vs-team-miller.mma |archivedate=2011-10-01 }}

Pague next fought against Team Bisping's top Bantamweight pick, Louis Gaudinot. Pague won the fight in the second round via submission (rear-naked choke) to get into the semi-finals.{{cite web |url=http://mmajunkie.com/news/25640/episode-no-4-recap-the-ultimate-fighter-14-team-bisping-vs-team-miller.mma |title=Episode No. 4 recap: 'The Ultimate Fighter 14: Team Bisping vs. Team Miller' |publisher=MMAJunkie.com |date=2011-10-12 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111016003937/http://mmajunkie.com/news/25640/episode-no-4-recap-the-ultimate-fighter-14-team-bisping-vs-team-miller.mma |archivedate=2011-10-16 }} The fight also won Pague and Gaudinot an additional $25,000 for the fan voted "Fight of the Season".

In the semi-finals Pague fought and lost to T.J. Dillashaw. Dillashaw controlled Pague on the ground throughout three rounds while landing heavy ground and pound en route to a unanimous decision.

=Ultimate Fighting Championship=

Pague officially made his UFC debut on December 3, 2011 at The Ultimate Fighter 14 Finale losing to John Albert via TKO in the first round. Pague was dropped by a combination from Albert in the opening moments, and then was put in the giftwrap position while getting hit with heavy ground and pound causing the referee to intervene.

Pague captured his first UFC win after defeating Jared Papazian on June 8, 2012 at UFC on FX 3.{{cite web |url=http://mmajunkie.com/news/27911/johnson-mccall-rematch-pague-papazian-slated-for-ufc-on-fx-3.mma |title=Pague-Papazian slated for UFC on FX 3 |publisher=mmajunkie.com |date=March 20, 2012 |accessdate=March 20, 2012 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324222104/http://mmajunkie.com/news/27911/johnson-mccall-rematch-pague-papazian-slated-for-ufc-on-fx-3.mma |archivedate=March 24, 2012 }} Pague won the fight via submission (rear-naked choke) in the first round.

Two weeks after his win over Papazian and with six days notice, Pague fought Ken Stone at UFC on FX 4 on June 22, 2012, replacing an injured Francisco Rivera.{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/news/29218/dustin-pague-in-for-injured-francisco-rivera-meets-ken-stone-at-ufc-on-fx-4.mma|title=Dustin Pague in for injured Francisco Rivera meets Ken Stone at UFC on FX 4|publisher=mmajunkie.com|date=June 15, 2012|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120619071912/http://mmajunkie.com/news/29218/dustin-pague-in-for-injured-francisco-rivera-meets-ken-stone-at-ufc-on-fx-4.mma|archivedate=June 19, 2012}} Pague was defeated via split decision.

Pague faced promotional newcomer Chico Camus on August 11, 2012, at UFC 150.{{Cite web|url=http://mmadiehards.com/live/features/chico-camus-vs-dustin-pague-slated-for-ufc-150/ |title=Chico Camus vs. Dustin Pague slated for UFC 150|publisher=mmadiehards.com |last=Kelly |first=Jason |date=July 24, 2012}} Pague lost via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 29-28).

Pague faced Yves Jabouin on June 15, 2013, at UFC 161.{{cite web |url=http://www.mmajunkie.com/news/2013/04/dustin-pague-vs-yves-jabouin-joins-ufc-161-lineup |title=Dustin Pague vs. Yves Jabouin joins UFC 161 lineup |publisher=mmajunkie.com |author=Staff |date=April 3, 2013 |accessdate=April 3, 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130406072421/http://www.mmajunkie.com/news/2013/04/dustin-pague-vs-yves-jabouin-joins-ufc-161-lineup |archivedate=April 6, 2013 }} He lost the back-and-forth fight via split decision.

Pague faced promotional newcomer Kyoji Horiguchi on October 19, 2013 at UFC 166.{{cite web|url=http://www.asianmma.com/?p=7415|title=Kyoji Horiguchi UFC Bound – Faces Dustin Pague At UFC 166|publisher=asianmma.com|author=Staff|date=2013-09-13|accessdate=2013-09-13|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130920080945/http://www.asianmma.com/?p=7415|archivedate=2013-09-20}} Despite controlling Horiguchi for the first round, Pague lost via TKO in the second round.

On April 23, 2014, Pague was released from his UFC contract following a four-fight losing streak in the promotion.{{cite web|url=http://www.fightline.com/ufc-cuts-ties-tuf-alum-dustin-pague/|title=UFC Cuts Ties With TUF Alum Dustin Pague|publisher=fightline.com|date=April 24, 2014}}

=Post-UFC career=

In his first post-UFC fight, Pague faced D'Juan Owens at The Victorium: Episode 3 on July 12, 2014. He lost the fight via rear-naked choke.{{cite web|url=http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2014/7/15/5899751/beyond-the-octagon-ufc-vet-nam-phan-rebounds-plus-akihiro-gono-hideo|title=Beyond the Octagon: UFC vet Nam Phan rebounds, plus Akihiro Gono, Hideo Tokoro, and more|publisher=bloodyelbow.com|date=July 15, 2014}}

Championships and accomplishments

=Mixed martial arts=

Ring of Combat
ROC Bantamweight Championship (One time)
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Fight of the Season (The Ultimate Fighter 14)

Personal life

Pague is a devoted Christian and has the word "Forgiven" tattooed across his chest.

Bare knuckle record

{{MMArecordbox

|draws= 0

|ko-wins=3

|ko-losses=1

|dec-wins=1

|dec-losses=0

|dq-wins=0

|dq-losses=1

}}

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|4–2

|Andrew Angelcor

|TKO

|BKFC Fight Night: Philly

|{{dts|2025|March|21}}

|align=center|2

|align=center|2:00

|Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center|3–2

|Carlos Trinidad-Snake

|TKO

|BKFC Fight Night: Omaha

|{{dts|2024|May|17}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|2:00

|Ralston, Nebraska, United States

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|3–1

|Joe Elmore

|Decision (unanimous)

|BKFC 51: Salem

|{{dts|2023|September|30}}

|align=center|5

|align=center|2:00

|Salem, Virginia, United States

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|2–1

|Wade Johnson

|TKO

|BKFC 42: Greenville

|{{dts|2023|May|12}}

|align=center|2

|align=center|1:38

|Greenville, South Carolina, United States

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|1–1

|Eddie Hoch

|KO (punch)

|BKFC Fight Night: New York 2

|{{dts|2022|March|12}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|0:45

|Salamanca, New York, United States

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center|0–1

|Jake Young

|DQ (repeated illegal ground strikes)

|BKFC Fight Night: New York

|{{dts|2021|November|6}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|0:57

|Salamanca, New York, United States

Professional boxing record

| style="text-align:center;" colspan="8"|1 Win (0 knockouts, 1 decisions), 0 Losses, 0 Draws, 0 No Contests{{cite web | url =http://boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_id=000474&cat=boxer | title =Mike Tyson Professional boxing record | publisher =BoxRec.com | access-date =2016-06-01 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20120928085946/http://boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_id=000474&cat=boxer | archive-date =2012-09-28 | url-status =dead }}

|- style="text-align:center; background:#e3e3e3;"

| style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|Res.

| style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|Record

| style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|Opponent

| style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|Type

| style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|Rd., Time

| style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|Date

| style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|Location

| style="border-style:none none solid solid; "|Notes

|- align=center

|{{yes2}}Win

|1-0

|align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Rafael Davis

|{{small|UD}}

|{{small|4}}

|{{small|2016-04-19}}

|align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|USA}} Sands Bethlehem Event Center, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania}}

|align=left|Debut.

Mixed martial arts record

{{MMArecordbox

|ko-wins=3

|ko-losses=4

|sub-wins=9

|sub-losses=3

|dec-wins=0

|dec-losses=4

}}

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center|12–11

|Anthony Morgan

|Submission (rear-naked choke)

|World Cagefighting Championships 14

|{{dts|2015|September|4}}

|align=center|2

|align=center|2:41

|Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, United States

|{{small|Lightweight bout.}}

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|12–10

|Charlie Gathers

|Submission (rear-naked choke)

|World Cagefighting Championships 13

|{{dts|2015|March|20}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|1:52

|Lancaster, Pennsylvania, United States

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center|11–10

|D'Juan Owens

|Submission (rear-naked choke)

|The Victorium: Episode 3

|{{dts|2014|July|12}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|2:52

|Hayes, Virginia, United States

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center|11–9

|Kyoji Horiguchi

| TKO (punches)

|UFC 166

|{{dts|2013|October|19}}

|align=center|2

|align=center|3:51

|Houston, Texas, United States

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center|11–8

|Yves Jabouin

| Decision (split)

|UFC 161

|{{dts|2013|June|15}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center|11–7

|Chico Camus

| Decision (unanimous)

|UFC 150

|{{dts|2012|August|11}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Denver, Colorado, United States

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center|11–6

|Ken Stone

| Decision (split)

|UFC on FX: Maynard vs. Guida

|{{dts|2012|June|22}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|11–5

|Jared Papazian

| Submission (rear-naked choke)

|UFC on FX: Johnson vs. McCall

|{{dts|2012|June|8}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|3:21

|Sunrise, Florida, United States

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center|10–5

|John Albert

| TKO (punches)

|The Ultimate Fighter 14 Finale

|{{dts|2011|December|3}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|1:09

|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|10–4

|Steve De Angelis

|KO (punch)

|Ring of Combat 34

|{{dts|2011|February|4}}

|align=center|2

|align=center|0:25

|Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States

|{{small|Won the vacant ROC Bantamweight Championship.{{cite web|url=http://www.mixedmartialarts.com/mma.cfm?go=stats.fightCard&eid=9A2E63D6-72A8-49CD-B946-801775CC9374#fight_148471|title=Ring of Combat XXXIV Official Results|publisher=mixedmartialarts.com|accessdate=July 15, 2014}}}}

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|9–4

|Bret Thomas

|Submission (punches)

|Shogun Fights 3

|{{dts|2010|November|13}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|2:52

|Baltimore, Maryland, United States

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|8–4

|Dustin Caplinger

|TKO (punches)

|Fight Night in the Cage 1

|{{dts|2010|September|10}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|2:19

|Lancaster, Pennsylvania, United States

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|7–4

|Scott Heckman

|Submission (rear-naked choke)

|Xtreme Caged Combat 2

|{{dts|2010|July|16}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|0:42

|Feasterville, Pennsylvania, United States

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|6–4

|Justin Hickey

|Technical Submission (rear-naked choke)

|Ultimate Warrior Challenge 8

|{{dts|2010|May|22}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|0:54

|Fairfax, Virginia, United States

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center|5–4

|Din Thomas

|TKO (doctor stoppage)

|World Extreme Fighting 41

|{{dts|2010|January|8}}

|align=center|2

|align=center|2:14

|Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center|5–3

|Anthony Leone

|Submission (choke)

|PA Fighting Championships 1

|{{dts|2009|November|6}}

|align=center|2

|align=center|4:58

|Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, United States

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center|5–2

|Jeff Lentz

|Decision (unanimous)

|The Arena Assault 1

|{{dts|2009|August|21}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|5–1

|Joel Roberts

|TKO (punches)

|Inkosi Promotions 1

|{{dts|2009|July|11}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|3:14

|Bushkill, Pennsylvania, United States

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|4–1

|Will Childs

|Submission (armbar)

|The Smoky Mountain Brawl

|{{dts|2009|May|9}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|1:47

|Asheville, North Carolina, United States

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|3–1

|Biff Walizer

|Submission (rear-naked choke)

|Respect Is Earned 2

|{{dts|2009|April|30}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|3:03

|Oaks, Pennsylvania, United States

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|2–1

|Charles Cooper

|Submission (ankle lock)

|Southern Fight League 2

|{{dts|2009|March|28}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|0:45

|Greenville, North Carolina, United States

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|1–1

|John Myers

|Submission (triangle choke)

|Southern Fight League 1

|{{dts|2008|December|7}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|1:05

|Greenville, North Carolina, United States

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center|0–1

|Jon Owens

|KO (punch)

|The Carolina Crown

|{{dts|2008|October|11}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|0:18

|Raleigh, North Carolina, United States

Amateur mixed martial arts record

{{MMArecordbox

|ko-wins=1

|ko-losses=0

|sub-wins=6

|sub-losses=1

|dec-wins=0

|dec-losses=2

|dq-losses=1

}}

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|7–4

|Joey Ponce

|Submission (triangle choke)

|Valhalla MMA 8

|{{dts|2008|September|6}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|1:20

|Richmond, Virginia, United States

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|6–4

|Don Torrenti

|Submission (armbar)

|Valhalla MMA 7

|{{dts|2008|August|9}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|0:26

|Sterling, Virginia, United States

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|5–4

|Justin Dalton

|Submission (rear-naked choke)

|Total Cage Combat: Retaliation

|{{dts|2008|June|14}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|0:43

|Richmond, Virginia, United States

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center|4–4

|Khris Gonzalez

|Decision (unanimous)

|Valhalla MMA 4

|{{dts|2008|January|19}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Richmond, Virginia, United States

|{{small|For the Valhalla Amateur Lightweight Championship.{{cite web|url=http://www.mixedmartialarts.com/mma.cfm?go=stats.fightCard&eid=35577A27-5740-4CC1-B4AF-E0D5A661A849#fight_62875|title=Valhalla MMA 4 Official Results|publisher=mixedmartialarts.com|date=January 19, 2008}}}}

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|4–3

|Doug Hunsucker

|Submission (rear-naked choke)

|Valhalla MMA 3: Domination

|{{dts|2007|November|10}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|1:38

|Fort Lee, Virginia, United States

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center|3–3

|Luiz Rodrigues