Jason High

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American mixed martial arts fighter

title: "Jason High" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["living-people", "american-male-mixed-martial-artists", "mixed-martial-artists-from-missouri", "welterweight-mixed-martial-artists", "nebraska-cornhuskers-wrestlers", "mixed-martial-artists-utilizing-collegiate-wrestling", "mixed-martial-artists-utilizing-brazilian-jiu-jitsu", "1981-births", "sportspeople-from-kansas-city,-missouri", "sportspeople-from-blue-springs,-missouri", "sportspeople-from-lakewood,-california", "ultimate-fighting-championship-male-fighters", "american-bare-knuckle-boxers", "american-male-sport-wrestlers", "american-practitioners-of-brazilian-jiu-jitsu", "people-awarded-a-black-belt-in-brazilian-jiu-jitsu"] description: "American mixed martial arts fighter" topic_path: "technology/web" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jason_High" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary American mixed martial arts fighter ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox martial artist"]

Field	Value
name	Jason High
other_names	The Kansas City Bandit
image_size	200px
birth_date
birth_place	Kansas City, Missouri, United States
height
weight	155 lb
weight_class	Lightweight (2014–present)
Welterweight (2005–2013)
reach	71 in
stance	Southpaw
fighting_out_of	Lakewood, California, United States
team	Team Bodyshop (2007–2011)
American Top Team HD MMA (2014–present)
Cleber Jiu-Jitsu (formerly)
rank	Black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Ricardo Libório
years_active	2005–present
mma_kowin	7
mma_subwin	8
mma_decwin	8
mma_koloss	4
mma_subloss	3
mma_decloss	1
sherdog	14185
university	University of Nebraska–Lincoln
::

Jason High (born October 12, 1981) is an American mixed martial artist who most recently competed in the Lightweight division of the Professional Fighters League. A professional competitor since 2005, High has also competed for Strikeforce, Affliction, Titan FC, the World Series of Fighting, DREAM and the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Background

High was born in Kansas City, Missouri and has two brothers and a sister. High began playing football and baseball from a young age, before moving to Blue Springs, Missouri at the age of 10, where he discovered wrestling. By his sophomore year at Blue Springs High School he was on the varsity squad. He was a standout in high school, holding a record of 102–23 over three years, with a 44–7 record in his senior year while setting the school's takedown record and finishing fifth in Missouri's state championships. High was also an all-state selection in 1999. He then continued at the collegiate level for five years. He first spent two years at Meramec Community College in St. Louis where he did very well and also qualified twice for the national championships. High then spent three years at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln as a walk-on player, which has a very prestigious Division I program. High had a rough start to his career for Nebraska, going 4–16 in his first year on campus, but was able to turn his career around and had winning record of 11–10 in his last year of eligibility. High graduated with three varsity letters from Nebraska. In his last semester at Nebraska, High attended a college in Costa Rica where he discovered jiu-jitsu. He earned a degree in history and used to work as an operations manager and full-time EMT for a private ambulance company. He was still working in the early part of his mixed martial arts career.

Mixed martial arts

Early career

High had one amateur fight in 2005, a submission win, before making his professional debut a month later. High won his first seven professional fights before making his debut in Affliction.

Affliction

Jason High made his Affliction debut losing to Jay Hieron at the Day of Reckoning card. High was knocked unconscious by one of Hieron's punches.

DREAM

High later entered DREAM's welterweight grand prix. In the opening round of the tournament on April 5, 2009, he faced Yuya Shirai. High defeated Shirai quickly in the first round by rear naked choke. In the next round, at Dream 10, he upset Brazilian André Galvão by decision. He faced Marius Zaromskis in the finals, but was knocked out in the first round of the match.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

High later signed with the UFC and made his debut against Charlie Brenneman on the preliminary card of UFC Fight Night: Florian vs. Gomi, losing via unanimous decision. After the loss to Brenneman, High was released from the organization.

Post-UFC

High moved back to his hometown of Kansas City and opened a facility in Leawood, Kansas with LC Davis and also began training at American Top Team in Coconut Creek, Florida. He rebounded from his two consecutive losses with a unanimous decision victory against Jordan Mein, a young, up and comer from Canada at RITC 40 in Taber, Alberta. He followed that with a first round stoppage of the previously undefeated Keto Allen at Heat XC 6 on the 15th of October.

High faced Hayato Sakurai on December 31, 2010, at Dynamite!! 2010. He won the fight via split decision.

High next faced Rudy Bears on January 28, 2011, at Titan Fighting 16. He won via submission in the first round.

Strikeforce

On February 7, 2011, it was announced that High had signed a multi-fight contract with Strikeforce. He made his debut at Strikeforce Challengers: Fodor vs. Terry and defeated Quinn Mulhern via unanimous decision.

In his second fight for the promotion, High faced Todd Moore in September 2011 at Strikeforce Challengers: Larkin vs. Rossborough. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

For his third Strikeforce fight, High fought Nate Moore in July 2012 on the preliminary card of Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Kennedy. He won the fight via guillotine choke submission at just 26 seconds into the first round.

Return to the UFC

On January 8, 2013, High announced he signed a contract with the UFC.

High was expected to face Ildemar Alcantara on June 8, 2013, at UFC on Fuel TV 10. However, High was pulled from the bout with Alcantara in late April in favor of a bout on the same card against Erick Silva, after Silva's original opponent, John Hathaway was pulled from the event. He lost the fight via triangle armbar submission.

High faced James Head on August 28, 2013, at UFC Fight Night 27. He won the bout via first round guillotine choke submission.

High faced Anthony Lapsley on November 16, 2013, at UFC 167. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

On an appearance with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour on November 18, 2013, High indicated an interest in dropping down to the Lightweight division. He is hoping to have his next fight (and Lightweight debut) sometime in early first quarter 2014.

High was expected to face Adlan Amagov on January 15, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 35, However, Amagov pulled out of the bout due to injury and was replaced by promotional newcomer Baneil Dariush. In turn, High pulled out of the bout citing appendicitis and was replaced by returning veteran Charlie Brenneman.

High faced Rafael dos Anjos in a Lightweight bout on June 7, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 42. He lost the fight via TKO in round two. High protested the stoppage, believing it to be too early, and proceeded to shove the referee. High was released from his UFC contract as a result.

World Series of Fighting

On August 18, 2015, it was announced that High had signed with the World Series of Fighting. He made his promotional debut again fellow Strikeforce and UFC veteran Estevan Payan on November 20, 2015, at WSOF 25. High won the fight via knockout in the second round.

On March 23, 2016, it was announced that High will fight in the co-main event at WSOF 31 on June 17, 2016, against Bellator and UFC vet Mike Ricci. He won via technical knockout in the second round.

High faced João Zeferino at WSOF 33 on October 7, 2016. He lost via technical knockout in the third round.

Professional Fighters League

High next faced Caros Fodor on June 30, 2017, at Professional Fighters League 36: Fitch vs. Foster. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

High faced Efrain Escudero in a lightweight tournament bout at PFL 2 in Chicago on June 21, 2018. He lost the fight via technical submission in the third round. The ending was controversial as the referee stopped the bout when High quickly moved his hand under Escudero's body, resulting in the referee believing it was a tap. However, upon review of replays, it was clear High had not tapped.

In his second fight in the tournament, High faced Natan Schulte on August 2, 2018, at PFL 5. He lost the fight via technical submission due to a rear-naked choke in the first round.

High was then scheduled to face Johnny Case at PFL 7 on August 30, 2018, for the PFL playoff eliminator bout. However, High could not make weight and Case advanced to playoffs via walkover win.

Regional circuit

After the season 2018 of PFL, High was scheduled to face Josh Weston at FAC 2 on February 22, 2020. However, High withdrew due to unknown reason and the bout was rebooked to October 9, 2020. High won the bout via second-round knockout, claiming the inaugural FAC Welterweight Championship.

High made his first title defense against Jake Lindsey at FAC 5 on December 11, 2020. He won the fight via technical knockout in the fifth round.

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

DREAM
- 2009 DREAM Welterweight Grand Prix Runner Up
Fighting Alliance Championship
- FAC Welterweight Championship (one time; current)
  - One successful title defense

Brazilian jiu-jitsu

International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation
- 2012 IBJJF World Championship winner (blue belt, medium-heavyweight)

Mixed martial arts record

other-losses=
Win
align=center
Jake Lindsey
TKO (punches)
FAC 5

Defended the FAC Welterweight Championship.
Win
align=center
Josh Weston
KO (punch)
FAC 4

Won the FAC Welterweight Championship.
Loss
align=center
Natan Schulte
Technical Submission (rear-naked choke)
PFL 5

| |align=center|1 |align=center|4:18 |Uniondale, New York, United States | |- |Loss |align=center|21–7 |Efrain Escudero |Technical Submission (guillotine choke) |PFL 2 | |align=center|3 |align=center|0:35 |Chicago, Illinois, United States

Catchweight (162 lb) bout; Escudero missed weight
Win
align=center
Caros Fodor
Decision (unanimous)
Professional Fighters League - PFL: Daytona

Catchweight (160 lbs) bout.
Win
align=center
Mike Ricci
TKO (punches)
WSOF 31

Lightweight debut.
Win
align=center
Anthony Lapsley
Decision (unanimous)
UFC 167

DREAM Welterweight Grand Prix Final Round
Win
align=center
André Galvão
Decision (split)
Dream 10

DREAM Welterweight Grand Prix Semi-Final Round
Win
align=center
Yuya Shirai
Submission (rear-naked choke)
Dream 8

DREAM Welterweight Grand Prix Opening Round
Loss
align=center
Jay Hieron
KO (punch)
Affliction: Day of Reckoning

| | align=center| 1 | align=center| 1:04 | Anaheim, California, United States | |- | Win | align=center| 7–0 | Markhaile Wedderburn | Submission (guillotine choke) | Iroquois: MMA Championships 4 | | align=center| 1 | align=center| 0:45 | Hagersville, Ontario, Canada | |- | Win | align=center| 6–0 | Troy Acker | KO (punch) | GC 74: Evolution | | align=center| 1 | align=center| 0:24 | Los Angeles, California, United States | |- | Win | align=center| 5–0 | Jay Diamond | Submission (guillotine choke) | International Gladiator Championships | | align=center| 1 | align=center| 1:41 | Guatemala City, Guatemala | |- | Win | align=center| 4–0 | Kevin Burns | TKO (doctor stoppage) | VFC 18: Hitmen | | align=center| 2 | align=center| 5:00 | Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States | |- | Win | align=center| 3–0 | James Giboo | Submission (rear-naked choke) | MCC 3: Mayhem | | align=center| 2 | align=center| 0:56 | Des Moines, Iowa, United States | |- | Win | align=center| 2–0 | Bryce Teager | Decision (unanimous) | VFC 12: Warpath | | align=center| 3 | align=center| 5:00 | Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States | |- | Win | align=center| 1–0 | Sean Westbrook | Submission (rear-naked choke) | AFC 3: Impact | | align=center| 2 | align=center| 2:50 | Omaha, Nebraska, United States |

Bare knuckle boxing record

dq-losses=
Win
align=center
Rocky Long
TKO (punches)
BKFC 21

References

"Fight Card - UFC Fight Night Henderson vs. Khabilov". UFC.com.
Mick Hammond. (October 28, 2011). "Jason High and LC Davis Open New MMA Gym". mmaweekly.com.
Jason High. (November 3, 2014). "How I'm Spending My Year Off and How You Can Be a Part of It".
Jordan Newmark. (July 10, 2012). "Jason High - Back in the Cage and Looking for a Real Fight". UFC.com.
Jason High. (December 11, 2015). "Jason High Earns his Black Belt".
"Jason High Profile — Jason High".
Coach Mike R. (June 6, 2013). "UFC on Fuel 10: Coach Mike's Fact Grinder Examines Jason High's Wrestling Resume". bloodyelbow.com.
Karkoski, Kris. (January 25, 2009). "Affliction "Day of Reckoning" Results: Fedor Emelianeko Retains Title With First-Round Knockout of Andrei Arlovski". MMAFrenzy.com.
"Welterweight Jason High one and done in UFC". mmajunkie.com.
"Can Young Gun Mein Apprehend The Kansas City Bandit?". topmmanews.
"Jason High vs. Hayato Sakurai expected for DREAM "Dynamite!! 2010"". mmajunkie.com.
Steven Marrocco. "UFC and DREAM vet Jason High signs with Strikeforce". MMajunkie.
Hunter Homistek. (January 9, 2013). "UFC Books Fight for Former Strikeforce Welterweight Jason High". [[Bleacher Report]].
George Halvatsis, Jr.. (2013-03-07). "Ildemar Alcantara vs Jason High Fortaleza fight booked". MMAmania.com.
Staff. (2013-04-25). "Jason High replaces John Hathaway, meets Erick Silva at UFC on FUEL TV 10". mmajunkie.com.
Staff. (2013-07-18). "James Head vs. Jason High completes UFC Fight Night 27's 13-bout lineup in Indy". mmajunkie.com.
Staff. (2013-10-17). "Jason High vs. Anthony Lapsley Added to UFC 167". mmaweekly.com.
Staff. "UFC Fight Night 35 adds Amagov vs. High, Houston vs. Smith, Edwards vs. Nijem". MMAjunkie.com.
Staff. (2013-12-20). "Jason High announces he's fighting newcomer Baneil Dariush at UFC Fight Night 35". mmajunkie.com.
Staff. (2013-01-02). "Jason High out of UFC Fight Night 35, Charlie Brenneman returns to meet Beneil Dariush". mmajunkie.com.
Matt Erickson. (2014-04-30). "Rafael dos Anjos vs. Jason High set for UFC Fight Night 42 in Albuquerque". mmajunkie.com.
Dann Stupp. (June 10, 2014). "UFC releases Jason High after shoving referee". MMAjunkie.com.
(2015-08-18). "Jason High signs with World Series of Fighting". mmafighting.com.
(2015-10-18). "Jason High vss Estevan Payan, plus eight man lightweight tourney field set for WSOF 25". mmajunkie.com.
(November 20, 2015). "WSOF 25 results: Brian Foster caps unlikely comeback, KOs Joao Zeferino to win tourney". MMA Junkie.
(23 March 2016). "Jason High vs. Mike Ricci targeted for co-main event at June's WSOF 31".
(30 August 2016). "Shawn Jordan's WSOF debut, two other bouts round out WSOF 33 six-fight main card".
"PFL 2018 #2: Regular Season".
(June 21, 2018). "Efrain Escudero says Jason High tapped out, 'overreacted' to controversial PFL 2 fight". MMAjunkie.com.
(2018-08-03). "PFL 5 results: Natan Schulte chokes out Jason High in first round".
Steven Marrocco. (2018-08-29). "Jason High misses weight for PFL 7 vs. Johnny Case, who qualifies for playoffs after cancellation". mmajunkie.com.
Alexander K. Lee. (October 16, 2020). "Missed Fists: Veterans Jason High, Mamed Khalidov snap three-year droughts with spectacular knockouts". mmafighting.com.
Nathan Rogers. (December 8, 2020). "Fighting Alliance Championship 5 and 6".
Fighting Alliance Championship. (December 12, 2020). "AND STILL! Jason High gets the comeback TKO finish in the final round to retain his title!".
Anton Tabuena. (June 5, 2012). "Video: Strikeforce Fighter Jason High Wins BJJ World Championship At Blue Belt". bloodyelbow.com.

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