Kevin Jousset
{{short description|French mixed martial artist (born 1993)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox martial artist
| name = Kevin Jousset
| other_names = Air
| image =
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption =
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1993|5|2}}
| birth_place = Bordeaux, France
| nationality =
| height = {{height|ft=6|in=2}}
| weight_lb = 170.5
| weight_class = Welterweight (2019–2022, 2023–present)
Middleweight (2022–2023)
| reach = 75 in{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/mma/fighter/bio/_/id/4830364/kevin-jousset |title=Kevin Jousset Biography |website=ESPN |access-date=8 May 2024}}
| style =
| stance =
| fighting_out_of = Auckland, New Zealand
| team = Absolute MMA (2016–2020)
City Kickboxing (main) (2020–present)
Boxing Squad (secondary) (2024–present)
| trainer = Eugene Bareman
| rank = 2nd dan black belt in Judo{{cite web |url=https://www.ufc.com/athlete/kevin-jousset |title=Kevin Jousset {{!}} UFC |website=UFC |access-date=8 May 2024}}
{{No break|Purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu}}
| wrestling =
| years_active = 2019–present
| mma_kowin = 4
| mma_subwin = 1
| mma_decwin = 5
| mma_otherwin =
| mma_koloss = 2
| mma_subloss =
| mma_decloss = 2
| mma_draw =
| mma_nc =
| am_win = 3
| am_kowin = 3
| am_subwin =
| am_decwin =
| am_loss =
| am_koloss =
| am_subloss =
| university =
| school =
| url = {{URL|airjousset.com}}
| sherdog = 300519
| footnotes =
| updated =
| pb =
}}
Kevin Jousset (born 2 May 1993) is a French professional mixed martial artist, who competed in the Welterweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), receiving a 2-2 record in the promotion. A professional competitor since 2019, Jousset formerly competed for the Hex Fight Series in Australia, where he has been the first simultaneous double Welterweight and Middleweight Champion.
Early life
Kevin Jousset was born on {{Birth date|1993|5|2|df=yes}}{{cite web |url=http://ufcstats.com/fighter-details/dda15dbfafb792df |title=Stats - Kevin Jousset |website=UFC Stats |access-date=8 May 2024}}{{cite web |url=https://www.judoinside.com/judoka/86005/Kevin_Jousset/judo-results |title=Kevin Jousset Judoka |website=JudoInside |access-date=8 May 2024}} in Bordeaux, France{{cite news |url=https://fansidedmma.com/posts/ufc-293-kevin-jousset-01h9j4mxy8pt |title=UFC 293: Who is Kevin Jousset? |last=Castillo |first=Andre |date=6 September 2023 |website=FanSided |access-date=8 May 2024}}{{cite web |language=fr |url=https://airjousset.com/?page_id=381 |title=Kevin Jousset - Biographie |website=AirJousset |access-date=8 May 2024}} and then quickly moved with his family to Gap where he grew up. Jousset started judo as a child and received his 2nd dan black belt at the age of 14. He pursued his judo career along with other French prospects at the Rennes Academy and Bordeaux France Academy before moving to Paris and joining INEF and INSEP.{{cite news |language=fr |url=https://rmcsport.bfmtv.com/sports-de-combat/mma/ufc/ufc-293-judoka-pote-d-adesanya-a-la-decouverte-de-kevin-jousset-le-nouveau-francais-de-l-ufc_AV-202309070703.html |title=UFC 293: judoka, pote d’Adesanya... à la découverte de Kevin Jousset, le nouveau Français de l’UFC |last=Herbinet |first=Alexandre |date=7 September 2023 |website=RMC Sport |access-date=8 May 2024}}
Unfortunately, he had to stop his career after a serious shoulder injury and chose to spend one year and a half in Scotland for learning English at the age of 21.{{cite news |url=https://absolutemma.com.au/2019/01/25/meet-team-kevin-jousset |title=Meet the team: Kevin Jousset |date=25 January 2019 |website=Absolute MMA |access-date=8 May 2024}} Two years later, he moved to Melbourne, Australia in November 2016 where he got a fitness coach diploma and started mixed martial arts.
Mixed martial arts career
=Early years=
Jousset quickly joined Absolute MMA in Melbourne where he met former UFC Featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski and elite grappler Craig Jones. He stayed there for four years and prepared his first fights with the team.{{cite news |language=fr |url=https://rmcsport.bfmtv.com/sports-de-combat/mma/ufc/mma-cinq-choses-a-savoir-sur-kevin-jousset-le-francais-du-bout-du-monde-a-l-ufc_AV-202312090041.html |title=MMA: cinq choses à savoir sur Kevin Jousset, le Français du bout du monde à l’UFC |last=Herbinet |first=Alexandre |date=9 December 2023 |website=RMC Sport |access-date=8 May 2024}} After a few amateur wins, he made his professional debut in March 2019 at Hex Fight Series 18 and went on to win the bout via knockout with a knee strike in the first round.{{cite AV media |date=6 October 2023 |title=HEX FULL FIGHT - Kevin Jousset vs Sam McNally |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAjnjsjmDCs |access-date=8 May 2024 |publisher=HEX FIGHT SERIES |via=YouTube}} For his third professional fight, he lost against Jack Della Maddalena on 4 October at Eternal MMA 48 for the EMMA Welterweight Championship after a doctor stoppage at the end of round 2.{{cite web |url=https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/bouts/457836-eternal-mma-48-jack-della-maddalena-vs-kevin-jousset |title=Jack Della Maddalena vs. Kevin Jousset, Eternal MMA 48 |date=4 October 2019 |website=Tapology |access-date=8 May 2024}} He then settled down in Auckland, New Zealand in January 2020 and joined City Kickboxing where he made a training camp the previous year.{{cite news |language=fr |url=https://www.cnews.fr/sport/2023-09-08/kevin-jousset-judo-volkanovski-adesanya-tout-savoir-sur-le-francais-qui-vient-de |title=Kevin Jousset : Judo, Volkanovski, Adesanya… tout savoir sur le Français qui vient de rejoindre l’UFC |last=El Abadi |first=Saïd |date=8 September 2023 |website=CNews |access-date=8 May 2024}}
In 2023, he became the first fighter ever to become a two-division champion in the Australian elite MMA promotion HEX Fight Series after winning the HEX Vacant Middleweight Belt in February and then the HEX Welterweight Belt in May.{{cite news |language=fr |url=https://www.actumma.com/le-francais-kevin-jousset-signe-a-lufc/71088 |title=Le Français Kevin Jousset signe à l’UFC |last=Lalanne |first=Gaspard |date=24 August 2023 |website=Actu MMA |access-date=8 May 2024}}{{cite news |url=https://www.fightnewsaustralia.com/hex-double-champ-kevin-jousset-signed-with-ufc-set-to-debut-in-sydney-at-ufc-293 |title=Hex double champ Kevin Jousset signed with UFC, set to debut in Sydney at UFC 293 |last=Rasmussen |first=Joel |date=26 August 2023 |website=Fight News Australia |access-date=8 May 2024}}
=Ultimate Fighting Championship=
In August 2023, Jousset signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) after becoming the first HEX double champion.{{Cite Instagram |user=citykickboxing |postid=CwTYKxWBI1r |title=Welcome to the UFC Kevin Jousset @joussetkevin. He's a Frenchmen but he's Kiwi/Australian made. |date=23 August 2023}} His City Kickboxing teammate and friend, former two-time UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya as well as his coach Eugene Bareman recommended to the UFC staff to sign him after Jousset's progress and dominance in training.{{cite news |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/mma/news-israel-adesanya-s-coach-spills-pushed-ckb-fighter-get-ufc-contract-destroyed-the-last-stylebender-sparring |title=Israel Adesanya's coach spills on how he pushed for CKB fighter to get UFC contract after he "destroyed" 'The Last Stylebender' in sparring |last=Fresen |first=Liam |date=1 September 2023 |website=Sportskeeda |access-date=8 May 2024}} On 10 September 2023, he made his promotional debut against Irish fighter Kiefer Crosbie at UFC 293 in Sydney, Australia and won by submitting him with a rear-naked choke at the end of round one.{{cite news |url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2023/09/ufc-293-kevin-jousset-vs-kiefer-crosbie-city-kickboxing |title=UFC 293 video: Kevin Jousset slickly squeezes Kiefer Crosbie into submission, calls out Ian Garry |last=King |first=Nolan |date=9 September 2023 |website=MMA Junkie |access-date=8 May 2024}} Following his fast win, he called out fellow UFC Welterweight Ian Machado Garry in an attempt to continue the theme of defeating Irish fighters.
Jousset faced Song Kenan on 9 December at UFC Fight Night 233.{{Cite web |last=Angelini |first=Olivier |date=10 November 2023 |title=Kevin Jousset connait maintenant le nom de son adversaire pour son deuxième combat à l'UFC |url=https://boxemag.com/ufc/kevin-jousset-connait-maintenant-le-nom-de-son-adversaire-pour-son-deuxieme-combat-a-lufc |access-date=8 May 2024 |website=BoxeMag |language=fr}} He won the fight via unanimous decision with all three judges scoring 30–27 for the Frenchman.{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Jay |date=10 December 2023 |title=UFC Vegas 83: Kevin Jousset Has Strong Showing Against Song Kenan |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2023/12/09/ufc-vegas-83-kevin-jousset-has-strong-showing-against-song-kenan |access-date=8 May 2024 |website=Cageside Press}} For his third bout in the UFC, he was scheduled to face Jared Gooden on 11 May 2024 at UFC on ESPN 56.{{Cite web |last=Raghuwanshi |first=Vipin |date=23 February 2024 |title=Jared Gooden vs Kevin Jousset Bout Reported for UFC May 11 Event |url=https://www.itnwwe.com/mma/jared-gooden-vs-kevin-jousset-bout-reported-for-ufc-may-11-event |access-date=8 May 2024 |website=ITN WWE}} However, for medical reasons, Gooden was unable to compete and the bout was cancelled.{{Cite web |date=2024-05-10 |title=UFC on ESPN 56 loses welterweight bout for 'medical reasons' |url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2024/05/ufc-on-espn-56-st-louis-jared-gooden-vs-kevin-jousset-medical-issue |access-date=2024-05-11 |website=MMA Junkie |last=King |first=Nolan}} Since January 2024, Jousset partly trains at Manon Fiorot's team Boxing Squad in Nice when he goes back to France for short or medium stays.{{cite AV media |language=fr |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVGBiFt_rJA |title=ITW d'Aldric Cassata sur Kevin Jousset, Manon Fiorot, l'UFC et ses autres athlètes du Boxing squad |type=Interview |date=3 July 2024 |access-date=1 October 2024 |publisher=AirJousset |via=YouTube}}
Jousset faced Bryan Battle on 28 September 2024 at UFC Fight Night 243.{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2024/07/ufc-paris-kevin-jousset-vs-bryan-battle-fight-booking-mma-matchup|title=Kevin Jousset vs. 'TUF' winner Bryan Battle set for UFC Paris in September|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Nolan King and Farah Hannoun|date=2024-07-15|access-date=2024-07-15}} He lost the fight by technical knockout in the second round.{{Cite web|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2024/09/28/ufc-paris-bryan-battle-pumps-up-volume-stops-kevin-jousset/|title=UFC Paris: Bryan Battle Pumps Up Volume, Stops Kevin Jousset|publisher=cagesidepress.com|author=Jay Anderson|date=2024-09-28|access-date=2024-09-28}}
Jousset faced Jonathan Micallef on February 9, 2025, at UFC 312.{{Cite web |date=2025-01-05 |title=Sydney UFC return booked for City Kickboxing fighter |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/ufc/ufc-312-city-kickboxings-kevin-jousset-books-return-against-jonathan-micallef-in-sydney/2AO5X2BSTFDGBP722CANL4XFOI/ |access-date=2025-01-10 |website=NZ Herald |language=en-NZ}} He lost the fight by unanimous decision.{{Cite web|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2025/02/08/ufc-312-newcomer-jonathan-micallef-looks-strong-against-kevin-jousset/|title=UFC 312: Newcomer Jonathan Micallef Looks Strong Against Kevin Jousset|publisher=cagesidepress.com|author=Shawn Bitter|date=2025-02-08|access-date=2025-02-08}}
On April 29, 2025, it was reported that Jousset was removed from the UFC roster.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mmamania.com/2025/4/29/24419988/ufc-parts-ways-with-two-more-fighters-including-guram-kutateladze-kevin-jousset|title=UFC parts ways with two more fighters, including former Lightweight super prospect|publisher=mmamania.com|author=Alexander Behunin|date=2025-04-29|access-date=2025-04-29}}
Championships and accomplishments
=Mixed martial arts=
- Hex Fight Series
- First ever HEX double champion
- HEX Welterweight Championship (One time)
- HEX Middleweight Championship (One time)
Mixed martial arts record
{{MMArecordbox
|draws=
|nc=
|ko-wins=4
|sub-wins=1
|dec-wins=5
|ko-losses=2
|sub-losses=
|dec-losses=2
}}
{{MMA record start}}
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|10–4
|Jonathan Micallef
|Decision (unanimous)
|{{dts|2025|February|9}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|Sydney, Australia
|
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|10–3
| TKO (punches)
|UFC Fight Night: Moicano vs. Saint Denis
|{{dts|2024|September|28}}
|align=center|2
|align=center|3:47
|Paris, France
|
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|10–2
|Decision (unanimous)
|UFC Fight Night: Song vs. Gutiérrez
|{{dts|2023|December|9}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
|
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|9–2
|Kiefer Crosbie
|Submission (rear-naked choke)
|{{dts|2023|September|10}}
|align=center|1
|align=center|4:49
|Sydney, Australia
|
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|8–2
|Kitt Campbell
|TKO (punches)
|Hex Fight Series 26
|{{dts|2023|May|26}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|4:53
|Melbourne, Australia
|{{small|Return to Welterweight. Won the HEX Welterweight Championship.}}
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|7–2
|Priscus Fogagnolo
|Decision (split)
|Hex Fight Series 25
|{{dts|2023|February|24}}
|align=center|5
|align=center|5:00
|Melbourne, Australia
|{{small|Won the vacant HEX Middleweight Championship.}}
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|6–2
|James Craughwell
|Decision (unanimous)
|Shuriken Fight Series 13
|{{dts|2022|December|10}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|Auckland, New Zealand
|{{small|Middleweight debut.}}
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|5–2
|Kaleb Rideout
|Decision (split)
|Eternal MMA 67
|{{dts|2022|July|16}}
|align=center|5
|align=center|5:00
|Gold Coast, Australia
|{{small|For the vacant Eternal MMA Welterweight Championship.}}
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|5–1
|Saeed Fatahifar
|Decision (majority)
|Eternal MMA 59
|{{dts|2021|May|7}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|Melbourne, Australia
|
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|4–1
|Paul McMah
|TKO (knee and punches)
|Shuriken Fight Series 9
|{{dts|2021|March|26}}
|align=center|1
|align=center|2:39
|Auckland, New Zealand
|
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|3–1
|Mat Myers
|Decision (unanimous)
|Hex Fight Series 20
|{{dts|2019|December|13}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|Melbourne, Australia
|
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|2–1
|TKO (doctor stoppage)
|Eternal MMA 48
|{{dts|2019|October|4}}
|align=center|2
|align=center|5:00
|Melbourne, Australia
|{{small|For the Eternal MMA Welterweight Championship.}}
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|2–0
|James O'Brien
|TKO (elbows)
|Eternal MMA 45
|{{dts|2019|May|25}}
|align=center|1
|align=center|2:32
|Southport, Australia
|
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|1–0
|Sam McNally
|KO (knee)
|Hex Fight Series 18
|{{dts|2019|March|29}}
|align=Center|1
|align=center|1:01
|Melbourne, Australia
|{{small|Welterweight debut.}}
{{end}}
=Amateur record=
{{MMA amateur record box
|draws=
|nc=
|ko-wins=1
|ko-losses=
|sub-wins=
|sub-losses=
|dec-wins=
|dec-losses=
|dq-wins=
|dq-losses=
|other-wins=1
|other-losses=
}}
{{MMA record start}}
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|2–0
|Marc Luty
|KO (slam)
|Eternal MMA 38
|{{dts|2018|October|27}}
|align=center|1
|align=center|2:17
|Findon, Australia
|
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|1–0
|Jayden Groen
|{{n/a}}
|Path to Hex 6
|{{dts|2018|September|22}}
|{{n/a}}
|{{n/a}}
|Melbourne, Australia
|
{{end}}
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Tapology|195097-kevin-jousset|Kevin Jousset}}
- {{UFC|kevin-jousset}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Jousset, Kevin}}
Category:French male mixed martial artists
Category:Welterweight mixed martial artists
Category:Middleweight mixed martial artists
Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing judo
Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing Brazilian jiu-jitsu
Category:Ultimate Fighting Championship male fighters