Jay Hieron

James Thomas Hieronymus popularly known as Jay “The Thoroughbred” Hieron is a retired mix martial artist from New York. Hieron is well-known for being the first and the last IFL Welterweight Champion who competed for the Los Angeles Anacondas. He is currently a free agent and a full member of Xtreme Couture.

He discovered boxing bags as a good-stress reliever after being kicked off from a wrestling team at Hofstra University. After surpassing drug abuse, he later on decided to combine his skills in wrestling and boxing prowess and turned into a professional MMA athlete.

His first fight was against Keith Plate during the Reality Fighting 4 back in 2003. He won via TKO in 1:28 minutes. He won in the three succeeding fights after defeating Jermaine Johnson, Fernando Munoz and Fabio Holanda, respectively. His first lost was with Georges St. Pierre during the UFC 48 –Payback via TKO in less than two minutes.

His biggest break came in 2007 after winning the IFL Welterweight Championship and the IFL 2007 Grand Prix Championship. Unfortunately the IFL folded soon enough forcing Hieron to move on with his career under Affliction, defeating Jason High back in 2009. After the demise of Affliction, he later on became a Strikeforce member.

He was defeated two consecutive times during the UFC 156 in 2013 and the UFC on FXon 2012 against Tyron Woodley and Jake Ellenberger respectively. Ellenberger won via unanimous decision and Woodley with a TKO.

Hieron has a career record of 30 fights with 23 wins and 7 losses.