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Tyson Griffin

{{short description|American mixed martial arts fighter}}

{{Infobox martial artist

| name = Tyson Griffin

| image = Tyson Griffin.jpg

| image_size = 200px

| alt =

| caption =

| birth_name = Tyson Lee Griffin

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1984|04|20}}

| birth_place = Sacramento, California, United States

| death_date =

| death_place =

| death_cause =

| other_names =

| residence =

| height = {{height|ft=5|in=6}}

| weight = {{convert|155|lb|kg st|abbr=on}}

| weight_class = Featherweight (2004-2006, 2011)
Lightweight (2006-2010, 2012-2014, 2018)

| reach = 69 in (175 cm)

| stance =

| fighting_out_of = Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

| team = American Kickboxing Academy

| trainer =

| rank = {{Color box|black}} Black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

| years_active = 2004–2014, 2018

| mma_kowin = 6

| mma_subwin = 3

| mma_decwin = 8

| mma_koloss = 3

| mma_subloss =

| mma_decloss = 5

| mma_draw =

| mma_nc =

| occupation =

| university = Santa Rosa Junior College

| spouse =

| relatives =

| students =

| club =

| school = Albany High School

| url = http://www.tysongriffin.com/

| boxrec =

| sherdog = 11689

| footnotes =

| updated =

}}

Tyson Lee Griffin (born April 20, 1984) is a retired{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2016/04/tyson-griffin-on-living-the-dream-and-consequences-therein|title=Tyson Griffin on living the dream and consequences therein|publisher=mmajunkie.com|date=April 30, 2016}} American mixed martial artist who competed in the lightweight division. He competed for the UFC, Strikeforce, the RFA, and the World Series of Fighting.

Background

Griffin was a standout wrestler at Albany High School and moved on to wrestle at Santa Rosa Junior College before dropping out. He began training at David Terrell's NorCal Fighting Alliance and the Cesar Gracie Academy. During his first mixed martial arts training session, Terrell cut two gashes over Griffin's left eye, requiring stitches. Griffin states that he committed himself to a career in MMA while in the hospital waiting room. His mother supported him during his first year of training, but after his professional debut he had to get side jobs to support himself through his early career.{{cite web |last=Griffin |first=Tyson |title=Tyson Griffin Bio |url=http://www.tysongriffin.tv/about/index.html |work=TysonGriffin.tv |access-date=February 17, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090726065725/http://www.tysongriffin.tv/about/index.html |archive-date=July 26, 2009 }}

Mixed martial arts career

Tyson Griffin began his professional career in 2004 in the Gladiator Challenge promotion. In his third bout, he dropped to featherweight to earn a TKO victory over future World Extreme Cagefighting featherweight champion Urijah Faber, which stood as Faber's only defeat for over three years. Griffin went on to win all of his first six fights before facing Duane Ludwig at Strikeforce: Revenge. He won the bout by TKO in the first round, attracting the attention of major promotions. After considering offers from Pride Fighting Championship and the UFC, Griffin signed with the UFC so that he could continue to fight stateside. While cornering for David Terrel at UFC 59 in Las Vegas, Griffin had an opportunity to meet members of the Xtreme Couture camp for the first time.

=Ultimate Fighting Championship=

Griffin made his UFC debut at UFC 63 against David Lee. He won the bout via rear-naked choke submission in the first round, and later used the prize money to move to Las Vegas and joined the Xtreme Couture camp. Former teammate Nick Diaz criticized Griffin as a "gym jumper", but Griffin rejected the accusation.{{cite web |last=Caplan |first=Sam |url=http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/10/13/tyson-griffin-talks-future-ufc-lightweight-title-shot-possible-rematch-vs-urijah-faber-whether-hes-a-gym-jumper-and-more-in-new-5-oz-interview/ |title=Tyson Griffin talks future UFC lightweight title shot, possible rematch vs. Urijah Faber, whether he's a gym jumper, and more in new 5 Oz. interview |work=FiveOuncesOfPain.com |date=October 13, 2008 |access-date=February 17, 2009}} He began 2007 with a fight against Frank Edgar at UFC 67. The back-and-forth bout ended with Edgar trapped in a tight kneebar, but the judges unanimously scored the bout in his favor, handing Griffin his first professional loss. He rebounded with two decision victories over Clay Guida and Thiago Tavares at UFC 72 and UFC 76, respectively. All three of his bouts in 2007 were judged in the top 10 best of year.{{cite web |url=http://www.mmafighting.com/articles/features/top_10_ufc_fights_of_2007.html |title=Best 10 UFC fights of 2007 |date=January 5, 2008 |access-date=February 12, 2008 |work=MMAFighting.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080219052116/http://www.mmafighting.com/articles/features/top_10_ufc_fights_of_2007.html |archive-date=February 19, 2008 }}

In 2008, Griffin won unanimous decisions over Gleison Tibau at UFC 81 and Marcus Aurélio at UFC 86.

He next faced Sean Sherk at UFC 90, in a fight with title contention implications. In another three-round war, Griffin lost by unanimous decision, after a hard fought fight.

Griffin defeated Rafael dos Anjos at UFC Fight Night: Condit vs Kampmann via unanimous decision.

He won against Hermes Franca via KO in the second round at UFC 103, earning his first victory via stoppage in three years.{{Cite web|url=http://mmafrenzy.com/10709/tyson-griffin-vs-hermes-franca-likely-for-ufc-103|title=Tyson Griffin vs. Hermes Franca Likely for UFC 103|publisher=MMAFrenzy}}

Griffin was scheduled to face Jim Miller on January 2, 2010 at UFC 108,{{cite news|url=http://mmajunkie.com/news/16514/tyson-griffin-vs-jim-miller-in-the-works-for-ufc-108-lightweight-contest-in-las-vegas.mma|title=Tyson Griffin vs. Jim Miller in the works for UFC 108 lightweight contest in Las Vegas|publisher=mmajunkie.com|access-date=2009-10-16|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091019040210/http://mmajunkie.com/news/16514/tyson-griffin-vs-jim-miller-in-the-works-for-ufc-108-lightweight-contest-in-las-vegas.mma|archive-date=2009-10-19}} but was forced off the card with an injury.{{cite news|url=http://mmajunkie.com/news/17172/ufc-108-evans-vs-silva-takes-another-hit-lightweight-tyson-griffin-out.mma|title= "UFC 108: Evans vs. Silva" takes another hit; lightweight Tyson Griffin out |publisher=mmajunkie.com |access-date=2009-12-11}}

Griffin fought Xtreme Couture training partner Evan Dunham on June 12, 2010 at UFC 115.{{cite news|url=http://www.mmamania.com/2010/2/3/1290545/ufc-115-tyson-griffin-vs-evan|title= UFC 115: Tyson Griffin vs Evan Dunham on tap for June 12 |publisher=mmamania.com |access-date=2010-02-03}} He lost the fight via split decision.

Griffin faced former PRIDE Lightweight Champion, Takanori Gomi on August 1, 2010 at UFC Live: Jones vs. Matyushenko, replacing an injured Joe Stevenson.{{cite web |url=http://www.f4wonline.com/content/view/13890/|title=Change to UFC main card bout |publisher=f4wonline.com |date=2010-06-28}} Griffin lost via KO (punch) at 1:04 of the first round. This marked the first time Griffin had lost back to back fights, as well as the first time he had been stopped in a fight as all of his previous losses had gone to a decision. Griffin was visibly upset with the loss; pacing around the octagon and refusing to shake Gomi's hand.

Griffin was defeated by Nik Lentz on November 20, 2010 at UFC 123 by split decision.{{cite web|url=http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/dailynews.asp?articleid=12547&zoneid=13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100912152848/http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/dailynews.asp?articleid=12547&zoneid=13|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 12, 2010|title=Lentz vs. Griffin headed to UFC 123|publisher=mmaweekly.com|date=September 9, 2010}} After the bout it was revealed that Griffin had failed a post-fight drug screening, testing positive for marijuana.{{cite web |url=http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2012/3/9/2854621/tyson-griffin-marijuana-ufc-drug-testing|title=Tyson Griffin Tested Positive For Marijuana At UFC 123 |publisher=bloodyelbow.com |date=March 9, 2012}}

Griffin next faced Manvel Gamburyan in his featherweight debut on June 26, 2011 at UFC on Versus 4.{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/news/23123/tyson-griffin-meets-featherweight-manny-gamburyan-at-ufc-on-versus-4.mma|title=Tyson Griffin meets featherweight Manny Gamburyan at UFC on Versus 4|publisher=mmajunkie.com|date=April 5, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120718001941/http://mmajunkie.com/news/23123/tyson-griffin-meets-featherweight-manny-gamburyan-at-ufc-on-versus-4.mma|archive-date=July 18, 2012}} He won the fight via majority decision.

Griffin lost to Bart Palaszewski on October 29, 2011 at UFC 137 via first-round KO.{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/news/24494/bart-palaszewski-vs-tyson-griffin-targeted-for-ufc-137-in-las-vegas.mma|title=Bart Palaszewski vs. Tyson Griffin targeted for UFC 137 in Las Vegas. Griffin lost by KO in round 1|publisher=mmajunkie.com|date=July 20, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722160619/http://mmajunkie.com/news/24494/bart-palaszewski-vs-tyson-griffin-targeted-for-ufc-137-in-las-vegas.mma|archive-date=July 22, 2011}} During weigh ins, Griffin had failed to make the featherweight limit, coming in 3 pounds over. Griffin was fined 25 percent of his earnings and the bout took place at a catchweight of 148 lb.{{cite web | url=http://mmajunkie.com/news/25840/ufc-137-penn-vs-diaz-live-and-official-weigh-in-results.mma | title=UFC 137 weigh-in results: Penn and Diaz make weight before brief scuffle | publisher=MMAJunkie.com | date=October 28, 2011 | access-date=October 28, 2011 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111029120439/http://mmajunkie.com/news/25840/ufc-137-penn-vs-diaz-live-and-official-weigh-in-results.mma | archive-date=October 29, 2011 }} It wasn't announced until June 2012 that he was released from the promotion shortly after the fight.{{cite web|url=http://blogs.thescore.com/mma/2012/06/06/tyson-griffin-was-cut-by-ufc-last-november/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120610190614/http://blogs.thescore.com/mma/2012/06/06/tyson-griffin-was-cut-by-ufc-last-november/|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 10, 2012|title=Tyson Griffin was cut by UFC last November|author=Adam Martin|date=June 6, 2012|publisher=thescore.com}}

=Resurrection Fighting Alliance=

Griffin signed a 3-fight contract with the Resurrection Fighting Alliance (RFA).{{cite web|url=http://www.onthemat.com/blogs-posts/rfa-signs-mma-star-tyson-griffin|title=RFA signs MMA star Tyson Griffin|date=30 November 2001 |publisher=onthemat.com}}

Tyson faced TUF 8 winner Efrain Escudero in a lightweight bout at Resurrection Fighting Alliance 4 on November 2, 2012.{{Cite web|url=http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/RFA-4-Heads-to-Las-Vegas-with-UFC-Vets-Gilbert-Yvel-Marcio-Cruz-Tyson-Griffin-Efrain-Escudero-45117|title=RFA 4 Heads to Las Vegas with UFC Vets Gilbert Yvel, Marcio Cruz, Tyson Griffin, Efrain Escudero|access-date=23 August 2012}} He won the fight via unanimous decision.

=World Series Of Fighting=

In June 2013, it was announced that Griffin had signed a multi-fight deal with World Series of Fighting.{{Cite web|url=http://www.mmamania.com/2013/4/30/4286600/ufc-tyson-griffin-signs-multi-year-deal-world-series-fighting-wsof-mma|title = Tyson Griffin inks multi-fight deal with WSOF|date = 30 April 2013}} On August 10, 2013, he faced Strikeforce veteran Gesias Cavalcante.{{Cite web|url=http://www.mmamania.com/2013/6/7/4406724/tyson-griffin-vs-gesias-cavalcante-lightweight-fight-set-for-wsof-4-aug-10-mma|title = Griffin vs. Cavalcante Set for WSOF 4 on Aug. 10|date = 7 June 2013}} He lost the fight via TKO in the third round.

Griffin faced Luiz Firmino at WSOF 10 on June 21, 2014. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.{{cite web|url=http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/World-Series-of-Fighting-10-Results-PlaybyPlay-Updates-69421#tyson-griffin-luiz-firmino|title=Tyson Griffin vs. Luiz Firmino|publisher=Sherdog.com|date=June 21, 2014}}

=Universal Reality Combat Championship=

On August 24 2018, after a four year hiatus, Griffin returned to face former Bellator fighter, Jordan Bailey at URCC 34. Griffin won the fight via unanimous decision.

Championships and achievements

Mixed martial arts record

{{MMArecordbox

| draws=

| nc=

| ko-wins= 6

| ko-losses= 3

| sub-wins= 3

| sub-losses=

| dec-wins= 8

| dec-losses= 5

| dq-wins=

| dq-losses=

| other-wins=

| other-losses=

}}

{{MMA record start}}

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 17–8

| Jordan Bailey

| Decision (unanimous)

| URCC 34

| {{dts|2018|August|4}}

| align=center| 3

| align=center| 5:00

| Richmond, California, United States

|

|-

| {{no2}}Loss

| align=center| 16–8

| Luiz Firmino

| Decision (unanimous)

| WSOF 10

| {{dts|2014|June|21}}

| align=center| 3

| align=center| 5:00

| Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

|

|-

| {{no2}}Loss

| align=center| 16–7

| Gesias Cavalcante

| TKO (punches)

| WSOF 4

| {{dts|2013|August|10}}

| align=center| 3

| align=center| 1:37

| Ontario, California, United States

|

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 16–6

| Efrain Escudero

| Decision (unanimous)

| RFA 4: Griffin vs. Escudero

| {{dts|2012|November|2}}

| align=center| 3

| align=center| 5:00

| Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

| {{small|Return to Lightweight.}}

|-

| {{no2}}Loss

| align=center| 15–6

| Bart Palaszewski

| KO (punches)

| UFC 137

| {{dts|2011|October|29}}

| align=center| 1

| align=center| 2:45

| Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

| {{small|148 lb Catchweight bout; Griffin missed weight.}}

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 15–5

| Manvel Gamburyan

| Decision (majority)

| UFC Live: Kongo vs. Barry

| {{dts|2011|June|26}}

| align=center| 3

| align=center| 5:00

| Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

| {{small|Return to Featherweight.}}

|-

| {{no2}}Loss

| align=center| 14–5

| Nik Lentz

| Decision (split)

| UFC 123

| {{dts|2010|November|20}}

| align=center| 3

| align=center| 5:00

| Auburn Hills, Michigan, United States

|

|-

| {{no2}}Loss

| align=center| 14–4

| Takanori Gomi

| KO (punch)

| UFC Live: Jones vs. Matyushenko

| {{dts|2010|August|01}}

| align=center| 1

| align=center| 1:04

| San Diego, California, United States

|

|-

| {{no2}}Loss

| align=center| 14–3

| Evan Dunham

| Decision (split)

| UFC 115

| {{dts|2010|June|12}}

| align=center| 3

| align=center| 5:00

| Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

|

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 14–2

| Hermes França

| KO (punches)

| UFC 103

| {{dts|2009|September|19}}

| align=center| 2

| align=center| 3:26

| Dallas, Texas, United States

| {{small|159 lb Catchweight bout; Franca missed weight.}}

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 13–2

| Rafael dos Anjos

| Decision (unanimous)

| UFC Fight Night: Condit vs. Kampmann

| {{dts|2009|April|01}}

| align=center| 3

| align=center| 5:00

| Nashville, Tennessee, United States

| {{small|Fight of the Night.}}

|-

| {{no2}}Loss

| align=center| 12–2

| Sean Sherk

| Decision (unanimous)

| UFC 90

| {{dts|2008|October|25}}

| align=center| 3

| align=center| 5:00

| Rosemont, Illinois, United States

| {{small|Fight of the Night.}}

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 12–1

| Marcus Aurélio

| Decision (unanimous)

| UFC 86

| {{dts|2008|July|05}}

| align=center| 3

| align=center| 5:00

| Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

|

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 11–1

| Gleison Tibau

| Decision (unanimous)

| UFC 81

| {{dts|2008|February|02}}

| align=center| 3

| align=center| 5:00

| Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

|

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 10–1

| Thiago Tavares

| Decision (unanimous)

| UFC 76

| {{dts|2007|September|22}}

| align=center| 3

| align=center| 5:00

| Anaheim, California, United States

| {{small|Fight of the Night.}}

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 9–1

| Clay Guida

| Decision (split)

| UFC 72

| {{dts|2007|June|16}}

| align=center| 3

| align=center| 5:00

| Belfast, Northern Ireland

| {{small|Fight of the Night. Fight of the Year.}}

|-

| {{no2}}Loss

| align=center| 8–1

| Frankie Edgar

| Decision (unanimous)

| UFC 67

| {{dts|2007|February|03}}

| align=center| 3

| align=center| 5:00

| Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

| {{small|Fight of the Night.}}

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 8–0

| David Lee

| Submission (rear-naked choke)

| UFC 63

| {{dts|2006|September|23}}

| align=center| 1

| align=center| 1:50

| Anaheim, California, United States

| {{small|Submission of the Night.}}

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 7–0

| Duane Ludwig

| TKO (punches)

| Strikeforce: Revenge

| {{dts|2006|June|09}}

| align=center| 1

| align=center| 3:57

| San Jose, California, United States

|

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 6–0

| Chuck Kim

| Submission (rear-naked choke)

| GC 49: Face Off

| {{dts|2006|April|08}}

| align=center| 1

| align=center| 3:34

| Lakeport, California, United States

|

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 5–0

| Melchor Manibusan

| TKO (punches)

| FFCF 5: Unleashed

| {{dts|2006|January|27}}

| align=center| 1

| align=center| 4:05

| Mangilao, Guam

| {{small|Lightweight debut.}}

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 4–0

| Jorge Evangelista

| KO (punches)

| GC 46: Avalanche

| {{dts|2005|December|11}}

| align=center| 1

| align=center| 3:14

| Coarsegold, California, United States

|

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 3–0

| Urijah Faber

| TKO (punches)

| GC 42: Summer Slam

| {{dts|2005|September|10}}

| align=center| 3

| align=center| 0:05

| Lakeport, California, United States

| {{small|Won Gladiator Challenge Featherweight Championship.}}

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 2–0

| Cody Williams

| Submission (rear-naked choke)

| GC 36: Proving Grounds

| {{dts|2005|April|09}}

| align=center| 1

| align=center| 2:05

| Porterville, California, United States

|

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 1–0

| Ryan Frost

| TKO (punches)

| GC 32: King of the Hill

| {{dts|2004|November|18}}

| align=center| 1

| align=center| 1:16

| Colusa, California, United States

|

{{S-end}}

References

{{reflist}}

External links

  • {{UFC|tyson-griffin}}
  • {{Sherdog}}
  • [https://www.tysongriffin.com/ Homepage of Tyson Griffin]
  • [https://teekostore.com/collections/tyson-griffin Official Tyson Griffin Tee KO Page]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Griffin, Tyson}}

Category:1984 births

Category:Living people

Category:American male mixed martial artists

Category:Mixed martial artists from California

Category:Lightweight mixed martial artists

Category:Featherweight mixed martial artists

Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing Brazilian jiu-jitsu

Category:American practitioners of Brazilian jiu-jitsu

Category:Martial artists from Sacramento, California

Category:Santa Rosa Junior College alumni

Category:Ultimate Fighting Championship male fighters