Shamar Bailey

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title: "Shamar Bailey" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["1982-births", "living-people", "american-male-mixed-martial-artists", "mixed-martial-artists-from-illinois", "welterweight-mixed-martial-artists", "lightweight-mixed-martial-artists", "mixed-martial-artists-utilizing-wrestling", "martial-artists-from-chicago", "people-from-greenwood,-indiana", "sportspeople-from-johnson-county,-indiana", "ultimate-fighting-championship-male-fighters"] description: "American mixed martial arts fighter" topic_path: "technology/web" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shamar_Bailey" 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	Shamar Bailey
other_names	The Watchman
image_size	200px
birth_date
birth_place	Chicago, Illinois, United States
nationality	American
height
weight	170 lb
weight_class	Welterweight
Lightweight
reach	75 in
fighting_out_of	Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
team	Integrated Fighting Academy
years_active	2006–2014
mma_kowin	5
mma_subwin	3
mma_decwin	7
mma_dqwin	1
mma_koloss	6
mma_subloss	1
mma_decloss	4
sherdog	20744
::

| name = Shamar Bailey | other_names = The Watchman | image = | image_size = 200px | alt = | caption = | birth_name = | birth_date = | birth_place = Chicago, Illinois, United States | death_date = | death_place = | death_cause = | nationality = American | height = | weight = 170 lb | weight_class = Welterweight Lightweight | reach = 75 in | style = | stance = | fighting_out_of = Indianapolis, Indiana, United States | team = Integrated Fighting Academy | rank = | years_active = 2006–2014 | mma_kowin = 5 | mma_subwin = 3 | mma_decwin = 7 | mma_dqwin = 1 | mma_koloss = 6 | mma_subloss = 1 | mma_decloss = 4 | mma_draw = | mma_nc = | url = | sherdog = 20744 | footnotes = | updated =

Shamar Bailey is a retired American mixed martial artist who competed in the Lightweight division. A professional MMA competitor since 2006, Bailey has formerly competed for the UFC, Strikeforce, Bellator, M-1 Global, and was a competitor on The Ultimate Fighter: Team Lesnar vs. Team dos Santos.

Background

The son of a devoted pastor father, Shamar Bailey was raised in a strict Christian household which moved him across state lines six times before his 20th birthday. These moves were due to his dad's full-time corporate re-locations. Bailey was homeschooled until his senior year of high school when he elected to attend the local Greenwood, Indiana, public school. During his senior season at Center Grove High School, Bailey excelled on the varsity wrestling team, going undefeated over the course of the year. After high school, Bailey attended Maranatha Bible College and majored in church-ministry.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Building on his impressive senior year at Center Grove, Bailey entered Division III Maranatha Baptist Bible College in Wisconsin where he continued to thrive on the mats, earning All-Conference three times and being named NCAA National Qualifier. The Church Ministries major returned to Indianapolis after graduation and began to train with Jake O'Brien and Chris Lytle to stay active as he mulled over an offer to move to Colorado Springs to train at the Olympic Training Center with the World Team training camp. Bailey began to feel more comfortable in the sport and decided to decline the invitation in order to pursue mixed martial arts and soon after, in 2006, Bailey had his first professional fight, a first-round TKO victory over Jason Cook.

For the past four years, Bailey has trained with Integrated Fighting Academy while also working part-time for the Indianapolis Fire Department with Chris Lytle. During this time, he has earned notable victories over John Kolosci and Waachiim Spiritwolf.

Strikeforce

Bailey made his Strikeforce on November 7, 2009, when he faced John Kolosci at Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers. He won his debut via unanimous decision. Bailey then replaced an injured Bryan Travers, as he fought Justin Wilcox at Strikeforce Challengers 7 on March 26, 2010. He lost via unanimous decision and was subsequently released.

The Ultimate Fighter

In 2011, it was announced that Bailey had signed with the UFC to compete in The Ultimate Fighter: Team Lesnar vs. Team dos Santos.

Bailey was picked first on Team dos Santos and second overall. In the first preliminary bout of the season, Bailey was selected to fight Nordin Asrih. Bailey used his wrestling to control Asrih on the ground and win a clear-cut decision.

In the quarterfinals, he fought Chris Cope but lost via unanimous decision after two rounds. After the fight Shamar was visibly upset with the decision, saying numerous times, "he fought well, but not that good".

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Even though he lost in the quarterfinals, Bailey remained signed after the show. He made his official UFC debut June 4, 2011 on The Ultimate Fighter 13 Finale card, fighting against fellow quarterfinalist and teammate, Ryan McGillivray. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Bailey dropped to Lightweight in order to face Evan Dunham at UFC Fight Night 25. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Bailey faced Danny Castillo on November 19, 2011, at UFC 139. During the official weigh ins, Bailey failed to make the weight limit for the Lightweight division. Bailey came in three pounds over, which resulted being fined 20 percent of his earnings, and the bout took place at a Catchweight of 158 lb. He lost the fight via TKO in the first round. After the loss to Castillo, Bailey was released from the promotion.

Post UFC

Bailey was scheduled to face UFC veteran Karo Parisyan at ShoFight 20 on June 16, 2012, for the vacant ShoFight Welterweight Championship. However, due to a medical suspension, Bailey was pulled from the fight and replaced by John Gunderson

Xtreme Fighting Championships

Bailey faced Bellator veteran Luis Santos at XFC 23 on April 19, 2013. He lost the fight via TKO at just over a minute into the first round.

Retirement

On October 7, 2014, Bailey announced his retirement from MMA competition.

Mixed martial arts record

| draws= | nc= | ko-wins= 5 | ko-losses= 6 | sub-wins= 3 | sub-losses= 1 | dec-wins= 7 | dec-losses= 4 | dq-wins= 1 | dq-losses= | other-wins=

other-losses=
Loss
align=center
Mark Stoddard
TKO (punches)
Pinnacle Combat XVII

| | align=center| 1 | align=center| 1:44 | Cedar Rapids, Iowa, United States

For the Pinnacle Combat Welterweight Championship.
Loss
align=center
Kevin Nowaczyk
Decision (unanimous)
HFC 19

| | align=center| 3 | align=center| 5:00 | Valparaiso, Indiana, United States | |- | Win | align=center| 16–9 | Jordin Hinman | Decision (unanimous) | APFC 11: Champion vs. Champion | | align=center| 3 | align=center| 5:00 | McCook, Illinois, United States | |- | Loss | align=center| 15–9 | Luis Santos | TKO (head kick and punches) | XFC 23: Louisville Slugfest | | align=center| 1 | align=center| 1:02 | Louisville, Kentucky, United States | |- | Win | align=center| 15–8 | Gideon Ray | Decision (unanimous) | Flawless FC 2: Hated | | align=center| 3 | align=center| 5:00 | Chicago, Illinois, United States | |- | Win | align=center| 14–8 | David Overfield | TKO (punches) | Colosseum Combat 22 | | align=center| 2 | align=center| 0:18 | Kokomo, Indiana, United States | |- | Loss | align=center| 13–8 | Joshua Williams | Submission (armbar) | Warfare 6 - Fight Night | | align=center| 2 | align=center| 2:25 | Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, United States | |- | Loss | align=center| 13–7 | Lucas Pimenta Borges | TKO (punches) | Ultimate Warrior Fighting: Tournament of Warriors | | align=center| 1 | align=center| 2:30 | Corpus Christi, Texas, United States | |- | Loss | align=center| 13–6 | Josh Shockley | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 60 | | align=center| 3 | align=center| 5:00 | Hammond, Indiana, United States

165 lb Catchweight bout.
Win
align=center
Darrell Smith
Submission (D'arce choke)
Colosseum Combat XIX

| | align=center| 3 | align=center| 3:53 | Kokomo, Indiana, United States | |- | Loss | align=center| 12–5 | Danny Castillo | TKO (punches) | UFC 139 | | align=center| 1 | align=center| 4:52 | San Jose, California, United States

158 lb Catchweight bout; Bailey missed weight.
Loss
align=center
Evan Dunham
Decision (unanimous)
UFC Fight Night: Shields vs. Ellenberger

| | align=center| 3 | align=center| 5:00 | New Orleans, Louisiana, United States

Lightweight debut.
Win
align=center
Ryan McGillivray
Decision (unanimous)
The Ultimate Fighter 13 Finale

| | align=center| 3 | align=center| 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |- | Loss | align=center| 11–3 | Kurt Kinser | TKO (cut) | LOF 41: Damage Incorporated | | align=center| 1 | align=center| 5:00 | Indianapolis, Indiana, United States | |- | Loss | align=center| 11–2 | Justin Wilcox | Decision (unanimous) | Strikeforce Challengers: Johnson vs. Mahe | | align=center| 3 | align=center| 5:00 | Fresno, California, United States

160 lb Catchweight bout.
Win
align=center
John Kolosci
Decision (unanimous)
Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers

| | align=center| 3 | align=center| 5:00 | Hoffman Estates, Illinois, United States | |- | Win | align=center| 10–1 | Raymond Jarman | TKO (punches) | M-1 Challenge 18: Netherlands Day Two | | align=center| 2 | align=center| 3:15 | Hilversum, Netherlands | |- | Win | align=center| 9–1 | Rodney Sleepers | Decision (unanimous) | KOTC: The Renewal | | align=center| 3 | align=center| 5:00 | Indianapolis, Indiana, United States | |- | Win | align=center| 8–1 | James George | Submission (guillotine choke) | UFL: Fight Night at The Murat | | align=center| 1 | align=center| 2:04 | Indianapolis, Indiana, United States | |- | Loss | align=center| 7–1 | Roger Bowling | TKO (punches) | RFL: Hostile Takeover | | align=center| 1 | align=center| 0:28 | Louisville, Kentucky, United States | |- | Win | align=center| 7–0 | Gabriel Miranda | DQ | Warriors Collide 2 | | align=center| 3 | align=center| 3:30 | Pueblo, Colorado, United States | |- | Win | align=center| 6–0 | Waachiim Spiritwolf | Decision (unanimous) | Revolution Fight League 1 | | align=center| 3 | align=center| 5:00 | Louisville, Kentucky, United States | |- | Win | align=center| 5–0 | Matt Delanoit | Decision (unanimous) | UFL: Fight Night at Conseco Fieldhouse | | align=center| 3 | align=center| 5:00 | Indianapolis, Indiana, United States | |- | Win | align=center| 4–0 | Mike Firari | TKO (punches) | Madtown Throwdown 10 | | align=center| N/A | align=center| N/A | Madison, Wisconsin, United States | |- | Win | align=center| 3–0 | Salazar Sanchez | TKO (punches) | LOF 12: Black Tie Battles | | align=center| 2 | align=center| 2:39 | Indianapolis, Indiana, United States | |- | Win | align=center| 2–0 | Courtney Ray | Submission | United Fight League 3 | | align=center| 1 | align=center| N/A | Indianapolis, Indiana, United States | |- | Win | align=center| 1–0 | Jason Cook | TKO (punches) | United Fight League 2 | | align=center| 1 | align=center| N/A | Indianapolis, Indiana, United States | Welterweight debut.

Amateur mixed martial arts record

|ko-wins=0 |ko-losses=0 |sub-wins=0 |sub-losses=0 |dec-wins=1 |dec-losses=0 |Win |align=center| 1–0 |Rod Montoya |Decision (unanimous) |United Fight League 1 | |align=center| 3 |align=center| 5:00 |Indianapolis, Indiana, United States |

References

References

1. [http://www.ultimatefighter.com/fighter/shamar-bailey Shamar Bailey] ultimatefighter.com {{dead link. (February 2023)
2. (April 4, 2011). "Meet "The Ultimate Fighter 13" cast: Shamar Bailey, the church-ministry major". mmajunkie.com.
3. Ogara, Joe. (January 20, 2022). "Shamar Bailey "reaching out" in the MMA ring".
4. (October 10, 2009). "Report: John Kolosci vs. Shamar Bailey set for "Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers" prelims". mmajunkie.com.
5. (February 19, 2010). "Shamar Bailey replaces injured Bryan Travers on Strikeforce Challengers VII main card". mmajunkie.com.
6. (March 30, 2011). "Ultimate Fighter 13: Episode 1 Recap and Discussion for 'Lesnar vs dos Santos'". mmamania.com.
7. (May 19, 2011). "Episode No. 8 recap: "The Ultimate Fighter 13: Team Lesnar vs. Team Dos Santos"". mmajunkie.com.
8. (June 2, 2011). "TUF 13 Finale prelims add Edwards vs. Harvison, Bailey vs. McGillivray". mmajunkie.com.
9. (June 4, 2011). "UFC Results TUF 13 Finale: Shamar Bailey Smothers Ryan McGillivray, Wins by Unanimous Decision". bloodyelbow.com.
10. (July 17, 2011). "Evan Dunham vs. Shamar Bailey set for UFC Fight Night 25". mmajunkie.com.
11. (October 18, 2011). "Shamar Bailey vs. Danny Castillo is 12th addition to UFC 139 fight card". mmajunkie.com.
12. (November 18, 2011). "UFC 139 official weigh-in results: Henderson (203), 'Shogun' (205) on weight (Updated)". MMAJunkie.com.
13. (November 19, 2011). "UFC 139 results: Danny Castillo stops Shamar Bailey via ground and pound". mmajunkie.com.
14. (December 2, 2011). "The axe falls on Shamar Bailey's short octagon career". mmabay.co.uk.
15. (May 25, 2012). "Karo Parisyan vs. John Gunderson Now Headlines ShoFights on June 16 in Missouri". mmaweekly.com.
16. (April 17, 2013). "Why XFC 23 headliner Shamar Bailey wanted an opponent with 54 career victories". mmajunkie.com.
17. (April 20, 2013). "XFC 23 results: Luis Santos makes quick and easy work of Shamar Bailey". MMAJunkie.com.
18. (October 7, 2014). "UFC, 'TUF 13,' Bellator vet Shamar Bailey announces MMA retirement". MMAJunkie.com.
19. (February 8, 2014). "HFC 19 Official Results". mixedmartialarts.com.
20. (June 22, 2013). "APFC 11: Champion vs Champion Official Results". mixedmartialarts.com.

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