Joey Villaseñor

Joey Simon Villaseñor (born October 17, 1975) is an American former professional mixed martial artist. A professional competitor from 1999 until 2012, Villasenor competed for the PRIDE Fighting Championships, Strikeforce, EliteXC, King of the Cage, DEEP, Shark Fights, BAMMA, and the World Fighting Alliance. Villasenor is the former King of the Cage Middleweight Champion, and defended this title seven times before vacating it to sign with PRIDE.

Background Villasenor was born in East Los Angeles and lived there for the first nine years of his life before moving to New Mexico in 1984. He graduated from Farmington High School but also attended West Mesa High School in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Villasenor was athletic and in high school he played baseball, football, and participated in track and field. Villasenor first began watching UFC events when he was 17 or 18 years old, but thought that the fighting was brutal, although he wanted to learn self-defense. He began competing in martial arts when he was 19 years old, training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and boxing. He was a four-time Amateur Regional Boxing Champion with a 16–0 record, and 15 wins by KO.

Mixed martial arts career Early career Villaseñor made his professional debut in April 1999 and after 15 consecutive wins, he was signed by the PRIDE Fighting Championships.

PRIDE Villasenor made his PRIDE debut on June 4, 2006, against Japanese veteran, Ryo Chonan. Despite losing a decision, Villaseñor was brought back by the organization to fight UFC veteran Robbie Lawler at PRIDE 32. He lost via knockout only 22 seconds into the first round due to a flying knee.

EliteXC Villasenor then signed with EliteXC. He defeated former UFC veteran David Loiseau in EliteXC's inaugural event, and lost to Murilo Rua at the EliteXC co-promotion Strikeforce Shamrock vs. Baroni, and rebounded with a win over Riki Fukuda at EliteXC: Uprising. Villasenor scored an impressive knockout over Ryan Jensen at Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Le. On May, 31st, at EliteXC's Saturday Night Fights, Villaseñor won his bout against Phil Baroni. This bout can potentially be the elimination match for the EliteXC Middleweight Championship. It was recently announced that Villaseñor would receive a title shot in a rematch against Robbie Lawler on the scheduled November 8, 2008, EliteXC show. However ProElite canceled the show shortly after due to large amounts of debt.

Strikeforce After the demise of EliteXC, Villasenor was signed by Strikeforce and defeated Evangelista Santos at Strikeforce Challengers: Villasenor vs. Cyborg via split decision.

Villaseñor faced Ronaldo Souza on May 15, 2010, at Strikeforce: Heavy Artillery. He lost the fight via decision.

On December 9, 2010, Villaseñor was released from Strikeforce, along with Joe Riggs.

Shark Fights Villaseñor was expected to face Drew McFedries on September 11, 2010, at Shark Fights 13 but McFedries was forced off the card with an injury. He instead faced Danillo Villefort and lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Villaseñor next faced Chris Camozzi at Shark Fights 15. The fight was initially ruled a draw, but was subsequently overturned and counted as a win for Camozzi by the New Mexico Athletic Commission when it was revealed one of the judges scores was added incorrectly.

BAMMA Villaseñor made his BAMMA debut against fighter Jim Wallhead at BAMMA 8. He lost the fight via KO in the first round.

Championships and Accomplishments King of the Cage KOTC Middleweight Championship (One time)

Mixed martial arts record Win

Donnie Liles Decision (unanimous) Jackson's MMA Series 8

Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States Loss

Jim Wallhead KO (punches) BAMMA 8: Manuwa vs. Rea

Nottingham, England Win

Chuck Parmelee TKO (punches) Jackson's MMA Series 6

Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States Loss

Chris Camozzi Decision (split) Shark Fights 15: Villaseñor vs Camozzi

Rio Rancho, New Mexico, United States Loss

Danillo Villefort Decision (unanimous) Shark Fights 13: Jardine vs Prangley

Amarillo, Texas, United States Loss

Ronaldo Souza Decision (unanimous) Strikeforce: Heavy Artillery

St. Louis, Missouri, United States Win

Evangelista Santos Decision (split) Strikeforce Challengers: Villasenor vs. Cyborg

Kent, Washington, United States Win

Phil Baroni TKO (punches) EliteXC: Primetime

Newark, New Jersey, United States Win

Ryan Jensen KO (punch) Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Le

San Jose, California, United States Win

Riki Fukuda Decision (split) EliteXC: Uprising

Honolulu, Hawaii, United States Loss

Murilo Rua TKO (punches) Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Baroni

San Jose, California, United States Win

David Loiseau Decision (unanimous) EliteXC: Destiny

Southaven, Mississippi, United States Loss

Robbie Lawler KO (flying knee) PRIDE 32

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

John Cronk TKO KOTC: Civil War

Towaoc, Colorado, United States Loss

Ryo Chonan Decision (split) PRIDE: Bushido 11

Saitama, Saitama, Japan PRIDE 2006 Welterweight Grand Prix Opening Round Win

Yuya Shirai Decision (unanimous) DEEP: 24 Impact

Tokyo, Japan Win

Kyacey Uscola TKO (doctor stoppage) KOTC: Anarchy

Prince George, British Columbia, Canada Win

Jorge Santiago Decision (unanimous) KOTC 58: Prime Time

San Jacinto, California, United States Win

Damien Riccio KO (punches) KOTC: Warzone

Sheffield, England Win

Michael Gonzalez Submission (choke) KOTC 55: Grudge Match

Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States Win

Brendan Seguin TKO (stoppage) KOTC 48: Payback

Cleveland, Ohio, United States Win

Jorge Ortiz TKO (submission to strikes) KOTC: Hostile Takeover

Acoma, New Mexico, United States Win

Brian Foster Submission (rear-naked choke) KOTC 41: Relentless

San Jacinto, California, United States Win

Hank Weis KO (punch) KOTC: New Mexico

Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States Win

Danny Higgins TKO (submission to elbows) XFC 4: Australia vs. The World

Queensland, Australia Win

Art Santore TKO (cut) KOTC 30: The Pinnacle

Los Angeles, California, United States Win

James Fanshier Submission (rear-naked choke) KOTC 28: More Punishment

Reno, Nevada, United States Win

Joe Merit TKO KOTC 24: Mayhem

Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States Win

Tony Galindo TKO (corner stoppage) KOTC 21: Invasion

Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States Win

Lorn Estes TKO (submission to punches) KOTC 20: Crossroads

Bernalillo, New Mexico, United States Loss

Jermaine Andre TKO (foot injury) WFA 2: Level 2

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Todd Carney Submission (choke) KOTC 14: 5150

Bernalillo, New Mexico, United States Win

Tim Credeur TKO (submission to punches) KOTC 13: Revolution

Reno, Nevada, United States Win

Eddy Rolon TKO (cut) Warriors Challenge 12

Friant, California, United States Win

Allan Mollring TKO (punches) Warriors Challenge 11

Fresno, California, United States Loss

David Terrell Submission (armbar) Warriors Challenge 9

Friant, California, United States Win

Gabriel Duran Submission (choke) Warriors Challenge 6

Friant, California, United States Loss

Adam Ryan KO (punch) WVF: Casper

Casper, Wyoming, United States Win

Shane Schartzer TKO (submission to punches) WVF: Durango

Durango, Colorado, United States