Justin Bernard Salas[3] (born March 13, 1982) is an American mixed martial artist who competes as a lightweight. He was signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship from 2012 to 2016.
| Justin Salas | |
|---|---|
| Born | Justin Bernard Salas March 13, 1982 Green River, Wyoming, U.S. |
| Other names | J-Bomb |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (173 cm) |
| Weight | 155 lb (70 kg; 11 st 1 lb) |
| Division | Lightweight (155 lb) |
| Reach | 70.0 in (178 cm)[1] |
| Fighting out of | Denver, Colorado |
| Team | Grudge Training Center |
| Rank | Blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu[2] |
| Wrestling | NCAA Division I Wrestling[2] |
| Years active | 2006-present |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 19 |
| Wins | 12 |
| By knockout | 4 |
| By submission | 3 |
| By decision | 5 |
| Losses | 7 |
| By knockout | 4 |
| By submission | 3 |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
Background
Salas is from Green River, Wyoming, and had a very successful career in wrestling. Salas was a two-time State Champion in high school, as well as a two-time high school All-American, in addition to winning the Dave Schultz High School Hall of Fame Award. Salas then went on to wrestle for the University of Wyoming's NCAA Division I program from 2000 to 2003, but dropped out of college to pursue a career in mixed martial arts.
Mixed martial arts career
Ultimate Fighting Championship
On January 16, 2012, it was announced that Salas has signed a multi-fight deal with the UFC. He made his promotional debut on February 15 against fellow newcomer Anton Kuivanen in UFC on Fuel TV 1.[4] He won via unanimous decision.
Salas faced Tim Means on June 8, 2012, at UFC on FX 3.[5] Means defeated Salas via first-round TKO.
Salas was expected to face Edson Barboza on January 19, 2013, at UFC on FX 7.[6] However, Salas was forced out of the bout with an injury and replaced by promotional newcomer Lucas Martins.[7]
Salas faced Aaron Riley on July 27, 2013, at UFC on Fox 8.[8] He won the back-and-forth fight by split decision.
Salas faced Thiago Tavares on November 9, 2013, at UFC Fight Night 32, replacing an injured Quinn Mulhern.[9] He lost the fight via submission in the first round.
Salas faced Ben Wall on May 10, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 40.[10] He won the fight via knockout in the first round.
Salas faced Joe Proctor on July 16, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 45.[11] Salas lost the bout via second-round TKO.[12]
Salas faced Jason Saggo on March 5, 2016, at UFC 196.[13] He lost the fight via TKO in the first round and was subsequently released from the promotion.[14]
Championships and accomplishments
Mixed martial arts record
| 19 matches | 12 wins | 7 losses |
| By knockout | 4 | 4 |
| By submission | 3 | 3 |
| By decision | 5 | 0 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 12–7 | Jason Saggo | TKO (punches) | UFC 196 | March 5, 2016 | 1 | 4:31 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 12–6 | Joe Proctor | TKO (punches) | UFC Fight Night: Cowboy vs. Miller | July 16, 2014 | 2 | 3:27 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
| Win | 12–5 | Ben Wall | KO (punches) | UFC Fight Night: Brown vs. Silva | May 10, 2014 | 1 | 2:21 | Cincinnati, Ohio, United States | |
| Loss | 11–5 | Thiago Tavares | Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFC Fight Night: Belfort vs. Henderson 2 | November 9, 2013 | 1 | 2:38 | Goiânia, Brazil | |
| Win | 11–4 | Aaron Riley | Decision (split) | UFC on Fox: Johnson vs. Moraga | July 27, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Seattle, Washington, United States | |
| Loss | 10–4 | Tim Means | TKO (knee and punches) | UFC on FX: Johnson vs. McCall 2 | June 8, 2012 | 1 | 1:06 | Sunrise, Florida, United States | |
| Win | 10–3 | Anton Kuivanen | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on Fuel TV: Sanchez vs. Ellenberger | February 15, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Omaha, Nebraska, United States | |
| Win | 9–3 | Joe Ellenberger | Decision (unanimous) | Victory Fighting Championship 36 | October 14, 2011 | 5 | 5:00 | Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States | |
| Win | 8–3 | Rob Emerson | Decision (unanimous) | Full Force Fighting - Vol. 1 | January 30, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Denver, Colorado, United States | Won the FFF Lightweight Championship. |
| Win | 7–3 | Matt Simms | TKO (punches) | Fight To Win/King of Champions: Worlds Collide | July 24, 2010 | 2 | 2:14 | Denver, Colorado, United States | |
| Win | 6–3 | Robert Simmons | TKO (punches) | Fight To Win: Phenoms | January 30, 2010 | 1 | 1:40 | Denver, Colorado, United States | |
| Win | 5–3 | Josh Arocho | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Midwest Championship Fighting: Resurrection | October 24, 2009 | 1 | 3:53 | North Platte, Nebraska, United States | |
| Loss | 4–3 | Eddie Pelczynski | TKO (punches) | Ring of Fire 35: Summer Brawl | August 1, 2009 | 1 | 0:09 | Broomfield, Colorado, United States | |
| Loss | 4–2 | Andrew Chappelle | Submission (triangle choke) | Ring of Fire 33: Adrenaline | January 10, 2009 | 1 | 2:06 | Broomfield, Colorado, United States | |
| Win | 4–1 | Eric Fagyas | Submission (guillotine choke) | Warriors Collide 4 | July 19, 2008 | 1 | 1:09 | Cripple Creek, Colorado, United States | |
| Win | 3–1 | Max Smith | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Ring of Fire 32: Respect | June 13, 2008 | 1 | 1:26 | Broomfield, Colorado, United States | |
| Win | 2–1 | Kris Hartman | Decision (majority) | Ring of Fire 27: Collision Course | December 9, 2006 | 2 | 5:00 | Castle Rock, Colorado, United States | |
| Win | 1–1 | Corey Lieberth | KO (punches) | Midwest Championship Fighting: Genesis | November 18, 2006 | 1 | 1:33 | North Platte, Nebraska, United States | |
| Loss | 0–1 | Corey Lieberth | Submission (armbar) | Victory Fighting Championship 13: Redemption | May 13, 2006 | 3 | N/A | North Platte, Nebraska, United States |
