After going undefeated in five Octagon appearances, Gregor Gillespie has a chance to further his combat résumé as he meets the battle-tested Yancy Medeiros. His Hawaiian opponent has faced higher-level competition including Donald Cerrone, Alex Oliveira and Dustin Poirier. This is a potential breakout moment for Gillespie.
As he prepares for the toughest fight of his professional career at UFC Fight Night 143, let’s take a look at the figures that have defined his mixed martial arts record so far.
2: State titles won in high school. Gillespie wrestled for Webster Schroeder High School located in Webster, New York, where he was born and raised.
4: Time NCAA Division 1 All-American. As a standout for Edinboro University, Gillespie holds the school record for most career wins. He also recorded the highest winning percentage. In 2007, he won the national championship. After graduating college, he served as an assistant coach for Hofstra University.
7: Straight victories without a loss before he was signed by the Ultimate Fighting Championship. All of these bouts took place in Atlantic City, New Jersey, for Ring of Combat. After four stoppage wins, he was awarded a shot at the vacant ROC lightweight championship. He beat George Sheppard by submission to earn the belt and successfully defended it twice.
3: Full rounds in his UFC debut opposite Glaico Franca. The fight, which opened the preliminary card of UFC Fight Night 95, marked only the second time that Gillespie went to a decision. Standing up, the fight was pretty even, but Gillespie’s wrestling wound up being simply too much for his opponent.
47: Percent takedown accuracy in the UFC. In his five fights, Gillespie has attempted 36 takedowns and landed 17. The most he landed in a single fight was seven against Vinc Pichel. He also scored five against Franca, four against Jason Gonzalez and one against Jordan Rinaldi.
116: Total significant strikes landed in the Octagon. This might not sound like a lot considering he has had five fights already, but that’s because Gillespie is also a skilled striker who is able to finish fights quickly.
3: Post-fight bonuses in the UFC. Gillespie is an electrifying lightweight who never fails to entertain fans. As a result, he has earned one Fight of the Night (against Gonzalez) and two Performance of the Night awards (against Andrew Holbrook and Pichel).
21: Seconds was his fastest finish to date. It happened at UFC 210 against Holbrook. He dropped his opponent with a left hook and rained down punches until referee Dan Miragliotta had seen enough.
2: Wins by decision. Only two fighters have reached the final bell with Gillespie. Of his 12 professional MMA fights, five came by submission and another five by knockout, making him one of the most exciting prospects in the lighter weight classes.
31: Years of age. Gillespie was born on March 18, 1987, in Webster, New York, and now calls Long Island, New York, home. He trains at Long Island MMA and Bellmore Kickboxing Academy.