John Salter

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title: "John Salter" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["1985-births", "living-people", "american-male-mixed-martial-artists", "mixed-martial-artists-from-alabama", "mixed-martial-artists-utilizing-collegiate-wrestling", "mixed-martial-artists-utilizing-brazilian-jiu-jitsu", "american-practitioners-of-brazilian-jiu-jitsu", "people-awarded-a-black-belt-in-brazilian-jiu-jitsu", "american-male-sport-wrestlers", "sportspeople-from-tuscaloosa,-alabama", "people-from-gardendale,-alabama", "lindenwood-university-alumni", "ultimate-fighting-championship-male-fighters"] description: "American mixed martial artist (born 1985)" topic_path: "technology/web" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Salter" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary American mixed martial artist (born 1985) ::

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

Field	Value
name	John Salter
image_size	200px
nickname	Salty
birth_date
birth_place	Gardendale, Alabama, U.S.
height
weight	185 lb
weight_class	Middleweight
reach_in	74
stance	Orthodox
fighting_out_of	Wilmington, North Carolina, U.S.,
Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.,
Birmingham, Alabama, U.S.
team	Gym-O
Dethrone Base Camp (2012–2016)
SaltyDog Jiu Jitsu (2016–2023)
rank	Second degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Shawn Hammonds
years_active	2007–2023
wrestling	NAIA Wrestling
mma_kowin	7
mma_subwin	10
mma_decwin	2
mma_koloss	2
mma_subloss	3
mma_decloss	1
sherdog	44683
university	Gardendale High School
::

| name = John Salter | image = | image_size = 200px | alt = | caption = | nickname = Salty | birth_date = | birth_place = Gardendale, Alabama, U.S. | residence = | nationality = | height = | weight = 185 lb | weight_class = Middleweight | reach_in = 74 | style = | stance = Orthodox | fighting_out_of = Wilmington, North Carolina, U.S., Nashville, Tennessee, U.S., Birmingham, Alabama, U.S. | team = Gym-O Dethrone Base Camp (2012–2016) SaltyDog Jiu Jitsu (2016–2023) | rank = Second degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Shawn Hammonds | years_active = 2007–2023 | wrestling = NAIA Wrestling | mma_kowin = 7 | mma_subwin = 10 | mma_decwin = 2 | mma_koloss = 2 | mma_subloss = 3 | mma_decloss = 1 | mma_draw = | mma_nc = | url = | sherdog = 44683 | footnotes = | updated = |medaltemplates = |university=Gardendale High School Lindenwood University}}

John Salter (born March 21, 1985) is an American retired mixed martial artist, he competed in the Middleweight division of Bellator MMA. A professional competitor since 2007, he has also competed for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), Strikeforce, King of the Cage, and the Aggression Fighting Championship (AFC).

Background

John Salter began training in wrestling at age 12, going on to win a 2002 Alabama state title while in high school. He went on to attend Lindenwood University in St. Louis, Missouri, where he won the 2007 NAIA National Wrestling Championship at 174 lbs.

Following college, Salter won various national grappling tournaments, including the 2007 NAGA Nationals (No-Gi, middleweight) Expert Division, as well as the 2007 Casca Grossa (No-Gi, 175 lb and up) Professional Division. In addition, Salter began training kickboxing and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Salter made his amateur MMA debut in 2007 and compiled an undefeated record of 7–0. He made his professional debut in March 2009 at middleweight and has maintained a record of 17–4.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

On January 11, 2010, Salter made his UFC debut, stepping in as a last-minute replacement for Mike Massenzio against Gerald Harris at UFC Fight Night 20. Salter lost the fight due to TKO (strikes) in the third round.

Salter was scheduled to face Nick Catone on May 8, 2010, at UFC 113, but Catone was forced off the card with an injury and instead faced UFC veteran, Jason MacDonald. After 2:42 of the first round, MacDonald suffered a suspected broken ankle and Salter was declared the winner by TKO (injury).

Salter was expected to face Phil Baroni on August 28, 2010, at UFC 118,{{cite web |url=http://www.mmafighting.com/2010/05/29/pearson-miller-at-ufn-22-baroni-salter-at-ufc-118/|title= Pearson-Miller at UFN 22; Baroni-Salter at UFC 118 |publisher=MMAFighting.com |date=2010-05-29}} however Baroni was forced off the card with an injury. Late replacement Dan Miller defeated Salter via guillotine choke in the 2nd round.

Salter was released from the UFC with a 1–2 record.

Strikeforce

Salter was expected to make his Strikeforce debut against undefeated Yancy Medeiros at Strikeforce Challengers: Woodley vs. Saffiedine on January 7, 2011, but Medeiros was forced from the bout with an injury. As a result, Salter was pulled from the card, but later re-added, fighting Casey Huffman who he defeated via TKO due to strikes in the 1st round.

Armageddon

Salter defeated former UFC fighter Kalib Starnes in the main event of AFC 6: Conviction for Armageddon FC in Victoria, BC, Canada, on June 18. This fight was for the AFC middleweight title belt.

Bellator MMA

In his Bellator MMA debut, Salter faced Dustin Jacoby on January 16, 2015, at Bellator 132. He won the fight via submission in the second round. On June 17, 2016, John faced the former Middle Weight title holder Brandon Halsey on the main card for Bellator 156. Salter won via submission by triangle choke.

Salter faced Kendall Grove at Bellator 181 on July 14, 2017. He won the fight via technical submission in the first round.

Salter was expected to face Anatoly Tokov at Bellator 188 on November 16, 2017. However, Tokov pulled out of the bout due to an ACL injury and was replaced by Jason Radcliffe. Salter won the fight via submission in the first round.

Salter was expected to face Rafael Lovato Jr. at Bellator 198 on April 28, 2018. However, Salter was pulled by the Illinois Athletic Commission due to an eye issue on April 24 and replaced by Gerald Harris.

Salter faced Rafael Lovato Jr. on September 21, 2018, at Bellator 205. He lost the fight via a submission.

Salter stepped in to replace Melvin Manhoef against Chidi Njokuani on November 30, 2018, at Bellator 210. He won the fight via submission in the first round.

Salter faced Costello van Steenis on November 8, 2019, at Bellator 233. Salter outlasted van Steenis and won the bout unanimous decision, becoming the first time that Salter went to the judges.

Salter faced Andrew Kapel on August 21, 2020, at Bellator 244. Salter won the bout via arm-triangle choke in the third round.

Salter faced Gegard Mousasi for the Bellator Middleweight Championship on August 13, 2021, at Bellator 264. After having success with his takedowns in the first two rounds, Salter ultimately lost the bout via TKO in round three.

Salter faced Johnny Eblen on March 12, 2022, at Bellator 276. He lost the bout via unanimous decision.

Salter faced Aaron Jeffrey on March 31, 2023, at Bellator 293. He won the fight via unanimous decision and announced his retirement during the post-fight interview.

Championships and accomplishments

Brazilian Ju-jitsu

• 2017 ADCC West Coast Trials Winner

Mixed martial arts

• Bellator MMA
  • Most submission wins in Bellator Middleweight division history (six)
• Aggression Fighting Championship
  • AFC Middleweight Championship (One time)

Grappling

• 2017 ADCC West Coast Trials Winner
• NAGA (North American Grappling Association) National Champion
  • Casca-Grossa Champion in professional division
• UEP Professional Middle Weight Title Holder – 2009

Folkstyle wrestling

• National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
  • NAIA 174 lb National Champion out of Lindenwood University (2007)
  • NAIA 174 lb All-American out of Lindenwood University (2007)
• Alabama High School Athletic Association
  • AHSAA 145 lb State Champion out of Gardendale High School (2002)

Mixed martial arts record

| draws= | nc= | ko-wins= 7 | ko-losses= 2 | sub-wins= 10 | sub-losses= 3 | dec-wins= 2 | dec-losses= 1 | dq-wins= | dq-losses= | other-wins=

other-losses=
Win
align=center
Aaron Jeffery
Decision (unanimous)
Bellator 293

| |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Temecula, California, United States | |- | Loss | align=center|18–6 | Johnny Eblen | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 276 | | align=center|3 | align=center|5:00 | St. Louis, Missouri, United States | |- |Loss |align=center|18–5 |Gegard Mousasi |TKO (punches) |Bellator 264 | |align=center|3 |align=center|2:07 |Uncasville, Connecticut, United States

For the Bellator Middleweight World Championship.
Win
align=center
Andrew Kapel
Submission (arm-triangle choke)
Bellator 244

| |align=center|3 |align=center|3:11 |Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | |- | Win | align=center| 17–4 | Costello van Steenis | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 233 | | align=center| 3 | align=center| 5:00 | Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States | |- | Win | align=center| 16–4 | Chidi Njokuani | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Bellator 210 | | align=center| 1 | align=center| 4:32 | Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States | |- | Loss | align=center| 15–4 | Rafael Lovato Jr. | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Bellator 205 | | align=center| 3 | align=center| 4:27 | Boise, Idaho, United States | |- | Win | align=center| 15–3 | Jason Radcliffe | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Bellator 188 | | align=center| 1 | align=center| 1:55 | Tel Aviv, Israel | |- | Win | align=center| 14–3 | Kendall Grove | Technical Submission (rear-naked choke) | Bellator 181 | | align=center| 1 | align=center| 4:37 | Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States | |- | Win | align=center| 13–3 | Claudio Annicchiarico | TKO (punches) | Bellator 168 | | align=center| 1 | align=center| 1:40 | Florence, Italy | |- | Win | align=center| 12–3 | Brandon Halsey | Submission (triangle choke) | Bellator 156 | | align=center| 1 | align=center| 4:03 | Fresno, California, United States | |- | Win | align=center| 11–3 | Dustin Jacoby | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Bellator 132 | | align=center| 2 | align=center| 3:33 | Temecula, California, United States | |- | Win | align=center| 10–3 | Jaime Jara | Submission (triangle choke) | TWC 18: Halloween Havoc 3 | | align=center| 1 | align=center| 2:20 | Porterville, California, United States | |- | Win | align=center| 9–3 | Fred Weaver | TKO (punches) | Strikehard 23 | | align=center| 1 | align=center| 2:58 | Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States | |- | Loss | align=center| 8–3 | Reggie Peña | Submission (guillotine choke) | XFC 18: Music City Mayhem | | align=center| 2 | align=center| 0:36 | Nashville, Tennessee, United States | |- | Win | align=center| 8–2 | Ryan Machan | Submission (rear-naked choke) | PFC 8 | | align=center| 1 | align=center| 2:47 | Red Deer, Alberta, Canada | |- | Win | align=center| 7–2 | Kalib Starnes | KO (punches) | AFC 6: Conviction | | align=center| 2 | align=center| 4:13 | Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Won AFC Middleweight Championship.
Win
align=center
Casey Huffman
TKO (punches)
Strikeforce Challengers: Woodley vs. Saffiedine

| | align=center| 1 | align=center| 2:59 | Nashville, Tennessee, United States | |- | Loss | align=center| 5–2 | Dan Miller | Submission (guillotine choke) | UFC 118 | | align=center| 2 | align=center| 1:53 | Boston, Massachusetts, United States | |- | Win | align=center| 5–1 | Jason MacDonald | TKO (leg injury) | UFC 113 | | align=center| 1 | align=center| 2:42 | Montreal, Quebec, Canada | |- | Loss | align=center| 4–1 | Gerald Harris | TKO (punches) | UFC Fight Night: Maynard vs. Diaz | | align=center| 3 | align=center| 3:24 | Fairfax, Virginia, United States | |- | Win | align=center| 4–0 | Jeremiah Riggs | TKO (punches) | CCCW: The 3rd Degree | | align=center| 1 | align=center| 4:44 | Springfield, Illinois, United States | |- | Win | align=center| 3–0 | James Hammortree | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | Ultimate Event Promotions: Vendetta | | align=center| 3 | align=center| 1:58 | Daphne, Alabama, United States | |- | Win | align=center| 2–0 | Roberto Traven | KO (punches) | Adrenaline MMA 3: Bragging Rights | | align=center| 1 | align=center| 2:15 | Birmingham, Alabama, United States | |- | Win | align=center| 1–0 | Patrick Mandio | Submission (armbar) | KOTC: Invincible | | align=center| 1 | align=center| 4:35 | Atlanta, Georgia, United States |

References

References

1. "John Salter".
2. (February 25, 2020). "Black Belt promotion held in MTSU". fox34.com}}{{Dead link.
3. [https://www.bellator.com/fighter/594 Bellator MMA. John Salter]. Retrieved July 27, 2022.
4. "John Salter {{!}} BJJ Heroes".
5. News, Steve Irvine-- The Birmingham. (2010-07-19). "John Salter looking to make a splash in the UFC".
6. Dann Stupp. "Nick Catone vs. John Salter on tap for UFC 113 prelims in Montreal". MMAjunkie.
7. Steven Marrocco. "Source: Jason MacDonald will face John Salter at UFC 113 in May". MMAjunkie.
8. (July 27, 2010). "Phil Baroni off UFC 118 card due to collarbone injury". mmajunkie.com.
9. Dann Stupp. "St. Preux-Humphrey replaces Medeiros-Salter at Strikeforce Challengers 13". MMAjunkie.
10. Dann Stupp. "Massive 13-fight preliminary card set for Strikeforce Challengers 13". MMAjunkie.
11. MMAjunkie Staff. (January 8, 2015). "Bellator 132 complete with seven prelims, including Dustin Jacoby vs. John Salter". mmajunkie.com.
12. John Morgan. (July 14, 2017). "Bellator 181 results: Derek Campos scores trilogy win over Brandon Girtz in blood-soaked instant classic". mmajunkie.com.
13. Steven Marrocco. (August 23, 2017). "Bellator 188 features title rematch between champ Patricio Freire, Daniel Weichel". mmajunkie.com.
14. Steve Juon. (April 25, 2018). "Bellator 198 fight card shakeup: Gerald Harris vs Rafael Lovato Jr. booked with John Salter scratched". mmamania.com.
15. (2018-09-18). "John Salter ready for both he and Rafael Lovato Jr. to be 'carried out of the cage' at Bellator 205". MMAjunkie.
16. (2018-09-22). "Bellator 205 results: Rafael Lovato Jr. stays perfect, taps out gritty John Salter". MMAjunkie.
17. Sherdog.com. "Melvin Manhoef Out, John Salter in Against Chidi Njokuani at Bellator 210".
18. Meshew, Jed. (2018-11-30). "Bellator 210 Results: John Salter makes quick work of Chidi Njokuani with first-round submission".
19. (2019-11-09). "Bellator 233 results: John Salter earns unanimous nod over Costello van Steenis".
20. (2019-11-09). "Bellator 233 results: John Salter earns unanimous nod over Costello van Steenis".
21. (2021-06-25). "Gegard Mousasi to defend title vs. John Salter at Bellator 264 in Connecticut".
22. Anderson, Jay. (2021-08-13). "Bellator 264 Results: Gegard Mousasi Finishes John Salter, Austin Vanderford Up Next".
23. Heck, Mike. (2022-02-15). "Cat Zingano vs. Pam Sorenson, John Salter vs. Johnny Eblen among additions to Bellator 276 lineup".
24. Sherdog.com. "Bellator 276 'Borics vs. Burnell' Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring".
25. (2023-01-23). "Marcelo Golm vs. Daniel James, Cat Zingano vs. Leah McCourt headline Bellator 293 on March 31".
26. Jay Anderson. (2023-03-31). "UFC vet, Bellator title challenger John Salter announces retirement following win over Aaron Jeffery".
27. Mike Bohn. (November 5, 2019). "Bellator 233 pre-event facts: 'King Mo' Lawal drops weight for retirement fight". mmajunkie.com.
28. Sherdog.com. "John Salter MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, Biography - Sherdog.com".

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