Josh Sampo
Joshua Ashley Sampo is an American mixed martial artist who most recently competed in Ultimate Fighting Championship's flyweight division.
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Sampo started his professional career in 2009. He fought mainly for Missouri-based promotions as Fight Me MMA, Wright Fights and Rumble Time Promotions. He is now a high school science teacher at Francis Howell High School in St. Charles county, Missouri.Legacy Fighting Championship
Sampo was expected to face Rafael de Freitas on September 14, 2012, at Legacy FC 14. However, instead he faced Antonio Banuelos. He won via unanimous decision .Championship Fighting Alliance
Sampo faced Olympic medallist and Bellator MMA veteran Alexis Vila on January 19, 2013, at CFA 9: Night of Champions for the inaugural flyweight title. Sampo defeated Vila via submission due to a guillotine choke in the fifth round and became the CFA flyweight champion.Sampo defended his title once against Sam Thao on October 12, 2013, at CFA 12: Sampo vs. Thao. He won via unanimous decision after five rounds.
In November 2013, it was announced that Sampo had signed with the UFC.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Sampo made his promotional debut against fellow newcomer Ryan Benoit on November 30, 2013, at The Ultimate Fighter 18 Finale. Sampo won via submission due to a rear-naked choke and the performance earned both participants Fight of the Night honors, but Sampo was not eligible for the bonus due to missing weight.Sampo faced Zach Makovsky on February 22, 2014, at UFC 170. Sampo had his first octagon defeat via unanimous decision.
Sampo faced promotional newcomer Paddy Holohan on July 19, 2014, at UFC Fight Night: McGregor vs. Brandao. He lost via submission due to a rear-naked choke in the first round.
Sampo faced Justin Scoggins on May 23, 2015, at UFC 187. Sampo lost the fight via unanimous decision. Subsequently, he was released from the promotion.
Bellator MMA
Sampo faced Dominic Mazzotta at Bellator 197 on April 13, 2018. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.Championships and accomplishments
Mixed martial arts
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- * Fight of the Night vs. Ryan Benoit
- Championship Fighting Alliance
- * CFA flyweight title
- * One successful title defense
- Cage Championships
- * CC amateur bantamweight title
- Fight Matrix
- * 2012 Most Improved Fighter of the Year
Amateur wrestling
- National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
- * NAIA Wrestling National Championship All-American out of Lindenwood University
- * NAIA Wrestling National Championship 125 lb: Fourth place out of Lindenwood University
- * NAIA Wrestling National Championship 125 lb: Fifth place out of Lindenwood University
- Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association
- * Nevada State High School Wrestling 103 lb: Champion out of Pahranagat Valley High School
- * Nevada State High School Wrestling 112 lb: Champion out of Pahranagat Valley High School
Mixed martial arts record