Joey Beltran

Background

Beltran was born in Oceanside, California, and raised in Carlsbad, California, by a single mother. He has an older sister. Beltran began boxing when he was 10 years old, and also was involved in street fighting from a young age. Beltran also began wrestling in middle school During the first semester, Beltran was introduced to mixed martial arts at a local gym, Bulls Pen. After the semester, Beltran moved back to California, attending MiraCosta College for a spell before dropping out in pursuit of a career in mixed martial arts. When he began training, Beltran weighed 300 lbs.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Beltran made his professional debut on February 10, 2007, at Strikeforce: Young Guns and lost via unanimous decision. He went on to compile a record of 6–2 before being signed by Bellator.

Bellator

Beltran made his Bellator debut at Bellator 5 on May 1, 2009, against former UFC fighter Sherman Pendergarst. Beltran won the fight in the first round via TKO.

In his next appearance, under the King of the Cage banner, Beltran defeated Wes Combs via TKO only 25 seconds into the fight.

Beltran would go 1–1 before picking up another TKO win over another UFC veteran, Houston Alexander, and was subsequently signed by the UFC.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Beltran made his UFC debut at UFC 109 against Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, Rolles Gracie. Beltran was stepping in as a last minute replacement for Gracie's original opponent, Mostapha Al-turk. Beltran upset the fatigued Gracie and was victorious via a second round TKO.

Beltran returned to action on May 8, 2010, at UFC 113. He was originally set to fight Chad Corvin, but after Corvin's paperwork was not approved by the Quebec Athletic Commission he was pulled from the card and replaced by Tim Hague. Beltran defeated Hague after three rounds, taking the unanimous decision.

Beltran next faced Matt Mitrione on September 25, 2010, at UFC 119. Beltran fought and lost to Mitrione via unanimous decision. Even though he lost, he still earned Fight of the Night honors.

Beltran then fought highly regarded kickboxer Pat Barry at UFC Fight for the Troops 2 on January 22, 2011, in Fort Hood, Texas. He lost the fight via unanimous decision. During the fight, Beltran received a high volume of leg kicks from Barry, a former K-1 kickboxing competitor, yet only collapsed at the end of the final round. Barry has since expressed his bewilderment at the level of punishment that Beltran was able to absorb.

Beltran was expected to face promotional newcomer Dave Herman on June 11, 2011, at UFC 131. However, after Herman was shuffled to the main card, Beltran instead faced another UFC newcomer in Aaron Rosa. After a back-and-forth first two rounds, Beltran defeated Rosa via TKO in the third round.

Beltran fought Stipe Miocic on October 8, 2011, at UFC 136, losing via unanimous decision.

Beltran faced former Strikeforce heavyweight Lavar Johnson on January 28, 2012, at UFC on Fox: Evans vs. Davis, where he was knocked out for the first time in his career in the first round. Following the loss, Beltran was released from the promotion.

Post-UFC

After being released, Beltran announced that he would be dropping down to compete in the Light heavyweight division. He officially made his Light heavyweight debut on April 28, 2012, at C3 Fights in Oklahoma, where he defeated Anton Talamantes via unanimous decision.

Return to the UFC

Beltran made his return to the UFC replacing Brandon Vera against Australian James Te Huna on July 11, 2012, at UFC on Fuel TV 4. Although Beltran lost via unanimous decision, the back and forth bout earned Fight of the Night honors.

Beltran was expected to face Anthony Perosh on December 15, 2012, at UFC on FX 6. However, Perosh was forced from the bout with a toe injury and replaced by Igor Pokrajac. He won the fight via unanimous decision. On January 10, 2013, it was announced that Beltran had failed his post fight drug test, testing positive for nandrolone. Beltran was subsequently suspended for 9 months, retroactive to December 14, 2012. His win over Pokrajac was changed to a No Contest.

Returning from his suspension, Beltran faced Fábio Maldonado on October 9, 2013, at UFC Fight Night 29 in Maldonado's home-country of Brazil. He lost the back-and-forth fight via split decision. He was subsequently released from the promotion.

Return to Bellator

On October 30, 2013, it was announced that Beltran had signed with Bellator MMA. He faced former UFC Light heavyweight Champion Quinton "Rampage" Jackson on November 15, 2013, in the main event at Bellator 108. He lost the fight via TKO in the first round.

Beltran faced Vladimir Matyushenko at Bellator 116 on April 11, 2014, winning by third round submission, his first submission win since 2007.

Bellator title shot

Beltran challenged Emanuel Newton for the Bellator Light heavyweight Championship at Bellator 124 on September 12, 2014. He lost the fight via knockout in the third round.

Drop down to middleweight

Beltran made his Middleweight debut against Brian Rogers on April 10, 2015, at Bellator 136. He won the fight by majority decision.

Beltran next faced Kendall Grove at Bellator 143 on September 25, 2015. He lost the fight via TKO in the third round.

On September 21, 2016, it was announced that Beltran would be facing Alessio Sakara in the co-main event of Bellator 168 on December 10, 2016. He lost via knockout in the first round. He was subsequently released from the promotion.

Post-Bellator and rehab

After the latest loss and release, Beltran succumbed into alcohol and drug addiction and entered rehabilitation.

He would take yet another fight in the Russian circuit against Dmitry Tebekin at S-70 event on August 14, 2019, winning the fight via unanimous decision.

Bare knuckle boxing

After having problems with getting fights in the regional circuit, an opportunity presented itself to compete in bare-knuckle boxing. He won the brutal back-and-forth fight via unanimous decision.

BKFC World Heavyweight Championship

At BKFC 9 Beltran won a unanimous decision victory over Chase Sherman, becoming the BKFC World Heavyweight Champion, as well as the National Police Gazette Heavyweight American Champion.

Beltran was expected to defend his title against Mark Godbeer at BKFC 12 on April 11, 2020. However, the whole event was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the bout was scrapped.

On October 10, 2020, at BKFC 13, Beltran became the first man to defend the BKFC World Heavyweight title by defeating former University of Alabama football linebacker Marcel Stamps via fourth round TKO. The outcome of this bout also resulted in Beltran retaining the Police Gazette Heavyweight World Championship, a title that had not been in the ring since 1899.

Beltran's second defense of the BKFC World Heavyweight Championship at BKFC 18 was against Sam Shewmaker. He won the bout via unanimous decision.

Beltran's next defense of the BKFC World Heavyweight Championship was against former BKFC World Heavyweight Champion Arnold Adams in a rematch on November 6, 2021, at BKFC Fight Night: New York. He lost by unanimous decision, ending his reign as champion. This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award.

Post-championship reign

Beltran then faced Frank Tate at BKFC Fight Night: Ft. Lauderdale on April 21, 2022. He was knocked out just 23 seconds into the bout.

He then headlined BKFC 33 on November 18, 2022, against Houston Alexander in a rematch of their MMA bout in 2010. He lost the bout via second-round knockout. A month later, BKFC President Dave Feldman stated that Beltran would not fight for the company anymore.

Personal life

Beltran was married to the BKFC Women's Strawweight Champion Britain Hart but divorced in 2023. He had his first child in July 2024.

Championships and accomplishments

Bare-knuckle boxing

• Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship
  • BKFC World Heavyweight Champion (one time; former)
    • Two successful title defenses
  • Police Gazette World Heavyweight Champion (one time; former)
  • Fight of the Night (One time) vs. Arnold Adams 2

Mixed martial arts

• 5150 Combat League / Xtreme Fighting League
  • 5150 Combat League Heavyweight Championship (One time)
• Ultimate Fighting Championship
  • Fight of the Night (Two times) vs. James Te Huna and Matt Mitrione
  • UFC.com Awards
    • 2010: Ranked #6 Newcomer of the Year & Ranked #4 Upset of the Year vs. Rolles Gracie Jr.
    • 2012: Ranked #9 Fight of the Year vs. James Te Huna

Mixed martial arts record

| ko-wins= 12 | ko-losses= 5 | sub-wins= 2 | sub-losses= 1 | dec-wins= 4 | dec-losses= 9 | dq-wins= | dq-losses= | other-wins=

| | Sochi, Russia

| | Yekaterinburg, Russia

| | Florence, Italy

| | Boise, Idaho, United States

| | Newkirk, Oklahoma, United States

| | Hidalgo, Texas, United States | |- | Win | Brian Rogers | Decision (majority) | Bellator 136 | | Irvine, California, United States

| | Plymouth Township, Michigan, United States

| | Temecula, California, United States | |- | Loss | Quinton Jackson | KO (punches) | Bellator 108 | | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States

| | Barueri, Brazil | |- | NC | Igor Pokrajac | NC (overturned) | UFC on FX: Sotiropoulos vs. Pearson | | Gold Coast, Australia

| | San Jose, California, United States

| | Newkirk, Oklahoma, United States

| | Chicago, Illinois, United States | |- | Loss | Stipe Miocic | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 136 | | Houston, Texas, United States | |- | Win | Aaron Rosa | TKO (punches) | UFC 131 | | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | |- | Loss | Pat Barry | Decision (unanimous) | UFC: Fight For The Troops 2 | | Fort Hood, Texas, United States | |- | Loss | Matt Mitrione | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 119 | | Indianapolis, Indiana, United States

| | Montreal, Quebec, Canada | |- | Win | Rolles Gracie Jr. | TKO (punches) | UFC 109 | | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |- | Win | Houston Alexander | TKO (punches) | 5150 Combat League / Xtreme Fighting League: New Year's Revolution | | Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States

| | Highland, California, United States

| | Sparks, Oklahoma, United States | |- | Win | Wes Combs | TKO (punches) | KOTC: Legends | | Winterhaven, California, United States | |- | Win | Sherman Pendergarst | TKO (punches) | Bellator 5 | | Dayton, Ohio, United States | |- | Win | Jacob Browy | TKO (punches) | Gladiator Challenge: Warriors | | Pauma Valley, California, United States | |- | Win | Wes Fenton | TKO (punches) | Total Combat 32 | | El Cajon, California, United States | |- | Loss | Tony Lopez | Submission (kimura) | KOTC: Opposing Force | | Highland, California, United States | |- | Win | Phil Friedman | TKO (punches) | Total Combat 28 | | San Diego, California, United States | |- | Win | Ray Seraile | TKO (punches) | TC 25: Fight Club | | San Diego, California, United States | |- | Win | Tony Velarde | Submission (kimura) | Total Combat 21 | | San Diego, California, United States | |- | Win | Paul Ingrassia | TKO (punches) | Total Combat 20 | | San Diego, California, United States | |- | Loss | Yohan Banks | Decision (unanimous) | Strikeforce: Young Guns | | San Jose, California, United States |

Bare knuckle record

|ko-wins=2 |ko-losses=3 |dec-wins=3

| |Omaha, Nebraska, United States

| |Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States | |- |Loss |Arnold Adams |Decision (unanimous) |BKFC Fight Night: New York | |Salamanca, New York, United States

| |Miami, Florida, United States

| |Salina, Kansas, United States

| |Biloxi, Mississippi, United States

| |Tampa, Florida, United States | |- |Draw |Tony Lopez |Draw (split) |BKFC 4: USA vs. Mexico | |Cancun, Mexico | |- |Loss |Arnold Adams |TKO (doctor stoppage) ||BKFC 2: A New Era | |Biloxi, Mississippi, United States | |- |Win |Tony Lopez |Decision (unanimous) |BKFC 1: The Beginning | |Cheyenne, Wyoming, United States | |-

References

References

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2. (December 8, 2016). "Bellator 168: Joey Beltran Q&A".
3. (March 13, 2019). "Bare Knuckle Fighting".
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5. The Black Sheep Perspective. (September 21, 2021). "Britain Hart & Joey Beltran found True Love thru Bare Knuckle Fighting and are unstoppable(Ep.39)".
6. Joey Beltran. (December 30, 2022). "Throwback to December 12 2014 I was promoted to Brown Belt under @jimmyharbison211".
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9. Abraham Renteria. (May 24, 2009). "The Mexicutioner Joey Beltran (Part 1 of 2)".
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19. Ray Hui. (March 11, 2010). "Joey Beltran to Face Chad Corvin at UFC 113". mmafighting.com.
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24. Jesse Holland. (September 26, 2010). "UFC 119 bonuses and awards for 'Mir vs Cro Cop' PPV fights". mmamania.com.
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26. Nathan Wilcox. (January 22, 2011). "UFC Fight for the Troops 2 Results: Pat Barry Edges Out Joey Beltran". bloodyelbow.com.
27. (March 31, 2011). "Joey Beltran vs. Dave Herman added to UFC 131 in Vancouver". mmajunkie.com.com.
28. (May 13, 2011). "Einemo gets Herman, Beltran draws Strikeforce vet Rosa at UFC 131". mmajunkie.com.
29. Jeffrey McKinney. (June 12, 2011). "UFC 131 Results: Joey Beltran TKO's Aaron Rosa In Exciting Heavyweight Slugfest". [[Bleacher Report]].
30. Whitehead, Lee. (July 20, 2011). "Joey Beltran Welcomes Octagon Rookie Stipe Miocic at UFC 136 in Houston". mmaweekly.com.
31. (December 20, 2011). "Strikeforce import Lavar Johnson meets Joey Beltran at UFC on FOX 2". mmajunkie.com.
32. (February 1, 2012). "Joey Beltran has been released by the UFC". fightersonlymag.com.
33. (June 11, 2012). "Joey Beltran returns to octagon, faces James te Huna at UFC on FUEL TV 4 | MMAjunkie.com".
34. (July 12, 2012). "UFC on FUEL TV 4 bonuses: Weidman, Te Huna, Beltran, Caceres each earn $40,000". [[MMAjunkie.com]].
35. (September 25, 2012). "Anthony Perosh vs. Joey Beltran added to UFC on FX 6 in Australia". mmajunkie.com.
36. (November 13, 2012). "Igor Pokrajac replaces injured Anthony Perosh, meets Joey Beltran at UFC on FX 6". MMAjunkie.com.
37. Matt Erickson. (December 15, 2012). "UFC on FX 6 results: Joey Beltran outslugs Igor Pokrajac for first UFC 205 win". [[MMAjunkie.com]].
38. (January 10, 2012). "Rousimar Palhares and Joey Beltran fail UFC on FX 6 drug tests, each suspended nine months". mmamania.com.
39. Guilherme Cruz. (2013-08-15). "Joey Beltran meets Fabio Maldonado at UFC Fight Night 29". mmafighting.com.
40. (September 6, 2017). "Joey Beltran Released". cagepotato.com.
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42. Steven Marrocco. (November 15, 2013). "Bellator 108 results: 'Rampage' knocks out Beltran, Minakov takes title from Volkov". [[MMAjunkie.com]].
43. (April 11, 2014). "Bellator 116 results and gif". bloodyelbow.com.
44. (August 5, 2014). "Emanuel Newton vs. Joey Beltran title fight headlines Bellator 124". mmafighting.com.
45. Steven Marrocco. (September 12, 2014). "Bellator 124 results: Emanuel Newton defends title with another spinning backfist". [[MMAjunkie.com]].
46. Staff. (March 5, 2015). "Bellator 136 gets five new fights, including Held vs. Sarnavskiy, Beltran vs. Rogers". mmajunkie.com.
47. (April 10, 2015). "Bellator 136 results: Will Brooks outgrinds Dave Jansen to retain title". [[MMAjunkie.com]].
48. (August 11, 2015). "Joe Warren vs. L.C. Davis headlines Bellator 143; Joey Beltran vs. Kendall Grove set as co-main event".
49. (September 25, 2015). "REPLAY! Kendall Grove Takes Out Beltran With Huge Right Hand –– Super Slow-Mo".
50. (2016-09-21). "Joey Beltran vs. Alessio Sakara headlines Bellator 167 in Italy".
51. Danny Segura. (December 10, 2016). "Bellator 168 results: Alessio Sakara knocks out Joey Beltran". mmafighting.com.
52. (February 25, 2018). "Sergei Kharitonov decisions Joey Beltran at RCC event". mmafighting.com.
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54. Anton Tabuena. (June 3, 2018). "Bare Knuckle FC results: UFC vets Rodriguez, Rawlings and Beltran pick up wins". bloodyelbow.com.
55. Alexander K. Lee. (November 17, 2019). "BKFC 9 Results: Jason Knight avenges loss to Artem Lobov with fifth-round KO, Joey Beltran captures heavyweight title". mmafighting.com.
56. Bare Knuckle FC. (March 7, 2020). "Tickets available NOW 👊BKFC12 April 11 Birmingham, AL. Main Event: Leben vs Stamps Co-Main Event: Beltran vs Godbeer for the BKFC Heavyweight Title".
57. Bare Knuckle FC. (March 19, 2020). "BKFC12 is being postponed. At this time with the whole world being affected, we need to concentrate on finding a solution to the virus and everyone's health. This comes first.".
58. Taylor, Christopher. (2020-10-11). "BKFC 13 Results: Joey Beltran TKO's Marcel Stamps (Photo) {{!}} BJPenn.com".
59. "Police Gazette News – National Police Gazette".
60. (2021-05-01). "Hector Lombard vs. Joe Riggs set for BKFC 18 in June; Thiago Alves, Joey Beltran also on card".
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66. John Morgan. (November 17, 2022). "Joey Beltran, Houston Alexander Renew Old Rivalry at BKFC 33".
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