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Gregor Gillespie

b. 1987

American collegiate wrestler and mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter

Mixed martial arts fighter Collegiate wrestler
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About Gregor Gillespie

Born 1987. Gregor Gillespie is an American mixed martial arts fighter and collegiate wrestler.

Gregor Gillespie (born November 13, 1987) is a former American professional mixed martial artist and graduated collegiate wrestler who competed in the lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A professional since 2012, he formerly competed for Ring of Combat where he was the Lightweight Champion.

As a folkstyle wrestler, Gillespie was the 2007 NCAA Division I National Champion at 149 pounds, a four–time NCAA Division I All–American and a three–time EWL and PSAC conference champion for the Edinboro Fighting Scots. He also competed briefly in freestyle wrestling.

Background Born and raised in Webster, New York, Gillespie attended Webster Schroeder High School where he was a standout in wrestling, winning two NYSPHSAA state titles.

He continued wrestling for Edinboro University, where he was a four-time NCAA Division I All-American and won a national championship in 2007. He was the first true freshman All-American in school history, and also holds the school record for most career wins (152), most wins as a freshman (40), and highest winning percentage (.917).

Gillespie graduated from Edinboro with a bachelor's degree in individualized studies and a concentration in psychology.

Mixed martial arts

Early career In 2012, Gillespie was scheduled to make his mixed martial arts debut but suffered a broken arm during a sparring session which caused serious health issues and infections, pushing his debut over to January 2014. After compiling an undefeated 7–0 record with six finishes on the regional scene in New Jersey, Gillespie signed a contract with the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Ultimate Fighting Championship Gillespie made his promotional debut against Glaico Franca on September 24, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 95. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Gillespie next faced Andrew Holbrook on April 8, 2017, at UFC 210. He won the fight via knockout in the first round and was awarded a Performance of the Night bonus.

Gillespie faced Jason Gonzalez on September 16, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 116. He won the back-and-forth fight via submission in the second round. The win also earned Gillespie his first Fight of the Night bonus award.

Gillespie faced Jordan Rinaldi on January 27, 2018, at UFC on Fox: Jacaré vs. Brunson 2. He won the fight via technical knock out.

Gillespie faced Vinc Pichel on June 1, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 131. Gillespie won via arm-triangle choke in the second round. This win earned him Performance of the Night award.

Gillespie faced Yancy Medeiros on January 19, 2019, at UFC Fight Night: Cejudo vs. Dillashaw. He won the fight via TKO in the second round.

Gillespie faced Kevin Lee on November 2, 2019, at UFC 244. He lost the fight via knockout in round one, marking his first professional defeat.

Gillespie was expected to face Brad Riddell on March 20, 2021, at UFC on ESPN 21. However, the bout was cancelled due to COVID-19 protocols in the day of the event. Instead, Gillespie faced No-Gi Jiu Jitsu World medalist Carlos Diego Ferreira on May 8, 2021, at UFC on ESPN 24. At the weigh–ins, Ferreira weighed in at 160.5 pounds, four and a half pounds over the lightweight non-title fight limit and was fined 30% of his purse, which went to Gillespie. After a back-and-forth first round, where Gillespie appeared to fatigue, he was able to keep composure and rallied, winning the fight via TKO in round two. This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award.

In May 2022, it was reported that Gillespie was removed from UFC roster. After the report, Gillespie posted on social media that he had wanted to fight above the rankings and that many bouts failed to come together. Ultimate Fighting Championship Fight of the Night (Two times) NCAA Division I 149 lbs - 1st place out of Edinboro University (2007) NCAA Division I 157 lbs - 5th place out of Edinboro University (2008) NCAA Division I 157 lbs - 4th place out of Edinboro University (2009)

Mixed martial arts record Win

Carlos Diego Ferreira TKO (elbows and punches) UFC on ESPN: Rodriguez vs. Waterson

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Kevin Lee |KO (head kick) UFC 244

New York City, New York, United States Win

Yancy Medeiros TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Cejudo vs. Dillashaw

Brooklyn, New York, United States Win

Vinc Pichel Submission (arm-triangle choke) UFC Fight Night: Rivera vs. Moraes

Utica, New York, United States Win

Jordan Rinaldi TKO (punches) UFC on Fox: Jacaré vs. Brunson 2

Charlotte, North Carolina, United States Win

Jason Gonzalez Submission (arm-triangle choke) UFC Fight Night: Rockhold vs. Branch

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States Win

Andrew Holbrook KO (punches) UFC 210

Buffalo, New York, United States Win

Glaico França Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Cyborg vs. Lansberg

Brasília, Brazil Win

Sidney Outlaw Decision (split) Ring of Combat 55

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

Jose Mariscal TKO (punches) Ring of Combat 54

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

George Sheppard Submission (arm-triangle choke) Ring of Combat 51

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

Justin Stewart TKO (punches) Ring of Combat 50

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

Justin Harrington Submission (arm-triangle choke) Ring of Combat 49

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

Brandon Priest Submission (rear-naked choke) Ring of Combat 48

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

Kenny Gaudreau TKO (punches) Ring of Combat 47

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States NCAA record

Res. Record Opponent Score Date Event

Loss 19–6

Win 19–5

Loss 18–5

Win 18–4

Win 17–4

Win 16–4

Win 15–4

Loss 14–4

Win 14–3

Win 13–3

Loss 12–3

Win 12–2

Win 11–2

Win 10–2

Win 9–2

Win 8–2

Win 7–2

Win 6–2

Win 5–2

Loss 4–2

Win 3–1

Loss 2–1

Win 2–0

Win 1–0

Stats Season Year School Placement Weigh Class Record Win 2009 Senior

4th

41–3 93.18% 2008 Junior 5th 37–4 90.24% 2007 Sophomore 1st

34–2 94.44% 2006 Freshman 7th 40–4 90.91%

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Important facts

Birth century
Nationality
Education
Webster Schroeder High School, PennWest Edinboro
Also known as
Gregor Volz Gillespie

People in Gregor Gillespie's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Gregor Gillespie's

Frequently asked questions

Who is Gregor Gillespie?

American collegiate wrestler and mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter

When was Gregor Gillespie born?

Gregor Gillespie was born on 18 March 1987 in Webster.

What is Gregor Gillespie's occupation?

Gregor Gillespie is a mixed martial arts fighter and collegiate wrestler.

What nationality is Gregor Gillespie?

Gregor Gillespie is American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Gregor Gillespie

· Wikidata: Q29578485

· DBpedia: Gregor Gillespie

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Gregor Gillespie. https://biography.guide/gregor-gillespie/

MLA: "Gregor Gillespie." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/gregor-gillespie/.

Chicago: "Gregor Gillespie." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/gregor-gillespie/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-25 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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