Dustin Jacoby

Dustin Anthony Jacoby (born April 4, 1988) is an American professional mixed martial artist and former kickboxer. He currently competes in the Light Heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). In kickboxing, he has competed for GLORY, and in MMA, he has also competed for Bellator, World Series of Fighting, and Titan FC. He has fought as both a Light Heavyweight and a Middleweight. On November 1, 2018, he was ranked as the #8 middleweight kickboxer in the world by Combat Press.

Background Jacoby was born in Fort Morgan, Colorado. Dustin trained taekwondo for four years but continued to wrestle until the family moved to Illinois when the brothers were 12. Subsequently, Jacoby selected Culver-Stockton College, where he played football two years as a quarterback while studying business management before transferring to Quincy University. He had never competed in a professional kickboxing match before the tournament. He pulled off a major upset, knocking out International Sport Karate Association Heavyweight Champion Randy Blake, fellow mixed martial artist Roy Boughton and 19–0 prospect Brian Collette en route to winning the Tournament Championship.

Jacoby fought at GLORY 9: New York: 2013 95kg Slam in New York City, New York, on June 22, 2013. Rematching Brian Collette in the quarter-finals, he took a close majority decision win. He then faced Danyo Ilunga in the semis and put up a good fight early, but fell behind in rounds two and three as he was hacked at with leg kicks and lost a unanimous decision.

He was set to fight Makoto Uehara at GLORY 12: New York: Lightweight World Championship Tournament in New York City on November 23, 2013, but the fight was switched to GLORY 13: Tokyo: Welterweight World Championship Tournament in Tokyo, Japan, on December 21, 2013. He lost to Uehara by split decision.

He was set to face Robert Thomas in the semifinals of the GLORY 14: Zagreb in Zagreb, Croatia, on March 8, 2014, but Thomas withdrew for undisclosed reasons and was replaced by Alex Pereira.

Mixed martial arts career Early career During a college offseason, Jacoby took an amateur mixed martial arts bout and got hooked to the sport immediately. However, Tavares himself was forced out of the bout with an injury and replaced by fellow newcomer Clifford Starks. Jacoby lost the fight via unanimous decision.

In his second UFC outing, Jacoby was submitted by Chris Camozzi via guillotine choke on January 28, 2012, at UFC on Fox 2. He was later released from the UFC, following an 0–2 run in the promotion.

Post-UFC career Jacoby bounced back from his UFC stint with a pair of victories on the regional circuit. He knocked out Billy Johnson in 45 seconds at an Indiana-based Hoosier Fight Club event on June 2, 2012, followed by a doctor stoppage win over Tim Williams for the Cage Fury FC middleweight title.

World Series of Fighting Jacoby made his WSOF debut at its inaugural event on November 3, 2012, losing to fellow UFC veteran David Branch via unanimous decision.

Bellator MMA Jacoby stepped in as a replacement for an injured Marcus Sursa to face Muhammed Lawal on September 5, 2014, at Bellator 123. He lost the fight via technical knockout in the second round.

Jacoby faced John Salter on January 16, 2015, at Bellator 132. He lost the fight via submission in the second round.

After the loss to Salter, Jacoby decided to concentrate on his kickboxing career. He eventually returned to MMA in 2019 to participate in Sparta Combat League heavyweight tournament, which consisted of boxing, kickboxing and MMA bouts. Jacoby went on to win the tournament by beating Cody East in the final bout.

Dana White’s Contender Series On August 4, 2020, Jacoby headlined Dana White's Contender Series Season 4 opening week against Ty Flores. He won the fight via unanimous decision and was subsequently awarded a UFC contract.

Return to the UFC Jacoby faced Justin Ledet on October 31, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 181. He won the fight via TKO in the first round.

Jacoby faced Maxim Grishin on February 27, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 186. At the weigh-ins, Maxim Grishin weighed in at 210.5 pounds, four and a half pounds over the light heavyweight non-title fight limit of 206 pounds. His bout proceeded at a catchweight and Grishin was fined 30% of his individual purse, which went Dustin. Despite being knocked down twice, Jacoby won a close bout via unanimous decision.

Jacoby faced Ion Cuțelaba, replacing injured Devin Clark, on May 1, 2021, at UFC on ESPN 23. Cuțelaba dominated the first round, however Jacoby came back in the second and third rounds with the fight ending in a split draw. Prior to the bout, Jacoby signed a new four-fight contract with the UFC.

Jacoby was scheduled to face Askar Mozharov on August 28, 2021, at UFC on ESPN 30. However, Mazharov was removed from the event for undisclosed reasons and was replaced by Darren Stewart. Jacoby won the fight via technical knockout in round one.

Replacing Aleksa Camur, Jacoby faced John Allan on short notice on November 6, 2021, at UFC 268. Jacoby won the bout via unanimous decision.

Jacoby faced Michał Oleksiejczuk on March 5, 2022, at UFC 272. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Jacoby faced Da Un Jung on July 16, 2022, at UFC on ABC 3. He won the fight via knockout in the first round.

Jacoby faced Khalil Rountree Jr. on October 29, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 213. He lost the fight via split decision. 14 out of 16 media outlets scored the fight for Jacoby.

Jacoby faced Azamat Murzakanov on April 15, 2023, at UFC on ESPN 44. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Jacoby faced Kennedy Nzechukwu on August 5, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 225. He won the fight via TKO in the first round. This win earned Jacoby his second Performance of the Night bonus.

Jacoby faced Alonzo Menifield on December 16, 2023, at UFC 296. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Jacoby faced Dominick Reyes on June 8, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 57. He lost the fight by technical knockout in the first round.

Jacoby faced Vitor Petrino on December 14, 2024 at UFC on ESPN 63. He won the fight by knockout via a straight, right punch in the third round. This fight earned him another Performance of the Night award.

Jacoby faced Bruno Lopes on May 31, 2025 at UFC on ESPN 68. He won the fight by knockout in the first round.

Jacoby was scheduled to face Jimmy Crute on February 1, 2026 at UFC 325. However, Crute withdrew due to a ruptured ACL, so the bout was cancelled.

Replacing Uran Satybaldiev who withdrew for undisclosed reasons, Jacoby competed against Julius Walker on February 7, 2026 at UFC Fight Night 266. He won the fight via technical knockout in round two.

Jacoby was scheduled to face Uran Satybaldiev on July 25, 2026 at UFC Fight Night 282. However, Satybaldiev withdrew for undisclosed reasons and was replaced by undefeated promotional newcomer Muhammad Said. Jacoby lost the fight by technical knockout via a head kick and punches in the second round.

Championships and accomplishments Kickboxing 2013 Road to Glory USA 95kg Tournament Winner 2015 Glory Middleweight (-85 kg/187.4 lb) Qualification Tournament Winner 2016 Glory Middleweight (-85 kg/187.4 lb) Contender Tournament Winner

Mixed martial arts Cage Fury Fighting Championships CFFC Middleweight Championship (One time) Ultimate Fighting Championship Performance of the Night (Three times)

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Muhammad Saidov TKO (head kick and punches) UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs. Guskov

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Win

Julius Walker TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Bautista vs. Oliveira

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Bruno Lopes KO (punches) UFC on ESPN: Gamrot vs. Klein

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Vitor Petrino KO (punch) UFC on ESPN: Covington vs. Buckley

Tampa, Florida, United States Loss

Dominick Reyes KO (punches) UFC on ESPN: Cannonier vs. Imavov

Louisville, Kentucky, United States Loss

Alonzo Menifield Decision (unanimous) UFC 296

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Kennedy Nzechukwu TKO (punches) UFC on ESPN: Sandhagen vs. Font

Nashville, Tennessee, United States Loss

Azamat Murzakanov Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Holloway vs. Allen

Kansas City, Missouri, United States Loss

Khalil Rountree Jr. Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Kattar vs. Allen

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Jung Da-un KO (punch) UFC on ABC: Ortega vs. Rodríguez

Elmont, New York, United States Win

Michał Oleksiejczuk Decision (unanimous) UFC 272

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

John Allan Decision (unanimous) UFC 268

New York City, New York, United States Win

Darren Stewart TKO (punches) UFC on ESPN: Barboza vs. Chikadze

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Draw

Ion Cuțelaba Draw (split) UFC on ESPN: Reyes vs. Procházka

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Maxim Grishin Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Rozenstruik vs. Gane

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Justin Ledet TKO (leg kicks and punches) UFC Fight Night: Hall vs. Silva

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Ty Flores Decision (unanimous) Dana White's Contender Series 27

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Cody East Decision (unanimous) Sparta Combat League 74

Golden, Colorado, United States Loss

John Salter Submission (rear-naked choke) Bellator 132

Temecula, California, United States Loss

Muhammed Lawal TKO (punches) Bellator 123

Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Win

Lucas Lopes TKO (head kick and punches) Titan FC 29

Fayetteville, North Carolina, United States Win

Andrew Sanchez Decision (split) Capital City Cage Wars 8

Springfield, Illinois, United States Loss

David Branch Decision (unanimous) WSOF 1

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Tim Williams TKO (doctor stoppage) Cage Fury FC 16

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

Billy Johnson KO (punch) Hoosier Fight Club 11

Valparaiso, Indiana, United States Loss

Chris Camozzi Submission (guillotine choke) UFC on Fox: Evans vs. Davis

Chicago, Illinois, United States Loss

Clifford Starks Decision (unanimous) UFC 137

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Billy Horne TKO (punches) Annihilation Productions: Riverfists

Cincinnati, Ohio, United States Win

Ryan Sturdy TKO (doctor stoppage) XFO 40

Lakemoor, Illinois, United States Win

Oscar Glover TKO (punches) Capital City Cage Wars: Fight Night 3

St. Louis, Missouri, United States Win

Ryan Braun Submission (triangle choke) Disorderly Conduct 1

Omaha, Nebraska, United States Win

David Gaston TKO (punches) Capital City Cage Wars 6

Springfield, Illinois, United States Win

Dan McGlasson TKO (punches) Capital City Cage Wars: Fight Night 2

St. Louis, Missouri, United States Professional kickboxing record Professional kickboxing record 10 wins (9 KOs), 8 losses, 0 draws Date Result Opponent Event Location Method Round Time Rec. 2017-08-25 Win Sean Choice Glory 44: Chicago Hoffman Estates, Illinois, USA TKO (3 knockdowns) 1 2:18 10-8 2016-10-21 Loss Simon Marcus Glory 34: Denver Broomfield, Colorado, USA TKO (injury) 2 0:01 9-8 2016-05-13 Loss Simon Marcus Glory 30: Los Angeles Ontario, California, USA Decision (unanimous) 5 3:00 9-7 2016-02-26 Win Wayne Barrett Glory 27: Chicago, Final Hoffman Estates, Illinois, USA TKO (strikes) 2 1:06 9-6 2016-02-26 Win Karl Roberson Glory 27: Chicago, Semi Finals Hoffman Estates, Illinois, USA TKO (strikes) 3 2:56 8-6 2015-10-09 Win Wayne Barrett Glory 24: Denver Denver, Colorado, USA TKO (punches) 3 1:40 7-6 2015-08-07 Win Casey Greene Glory 23: Las Vegas, Final Las Vegas, Nevada, USA TKO (punches) 2 1:19 6-6 2015-08-07 Win Ariel Sepulveda Glory 23: Las Vegas, Semi Finals Las Vegas, Nevada, USA KO (punches) 1 2:59 5-6 2015-04-03 Loss Mourad Bouzidi Glory 20: Dubai Dubai, UAE Decision (unanimous) 3 3:00 4-6 2014-06-21 Loss Mike Lemaire Glory 17: Los Angeles, Reserve Fight Inglewood, California, USA Decision 3 3:00 4-5 2014-03-08 Loss Alex Pereira Glory 14: Zagreb, Semi Finals Zagreb, Croatia KO (left hook) 1 2:02 4-4 2013-12-21 Loss Makoto Uehara Glory 13: Tokyo Tokyo, Japan Decision (split) 3 3:00 4-3 2013-06-22 Loss Danyo Ilunga Glory 9: New York, Semi Finals New York City, New York, USA Decision (unanimous) 3 3:004-2 2013-06-22 Win Brian Collette Glory 9: New York, Quarter Finals New York City, New York, USA Decision (majority) 3 3:004-1 2013-03-23 Loss Michael Duut Glory 5: London London, England TKO (referee stoppage) 1 2:253-1 2013-02-01 Win Brian Collette Xtreme Fight Night 11, Finals Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA KO (strikes) 1 3:00 3-0 2013-02-01 Win Roy Boughton Xtreme Fight Night 11, Semi Finals Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA TKO (strikes) 1 2:47 2-0 2013-02-01 Win Randy Blake Xtreme Fight Night 11, Quarter Finals Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA TKO (strikes) 3 1:43 1-0

Professional boxing record