John Salter

John Salter (born March 21, 1985) is an American retired mixed martial artist, he competed in the Middleweight division of Bellator MMA. A professional competitor since 2007, he has also competed for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), Strikeforce, King of the Cage, and the Aggression Fighting Championship (AFC).

Background John Salter began training in wrestling at age 12. He attended Gardendale High School in Gardendale, Alabama, where as a wrestler he was a three-time state finalist and won the 2002 Alabama state title his junior year. He attend Lindenwood University in St. Louis, Missouri, where he won the 2007 NAIA National Wrestling Championship at 174 lbs.

Following college, Salter won various national grappling tournaments, including the 2007 NAGA Nationals (No-Gi, middleweight) Expert Division, as well as the 2007 Casca Grossa (No-Gi, 175 lb and up) Professional Division. In addition, Salter began training kickboxing and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Mixed martial arts career Early career Salter made his amateur MMA debut in 2007 and compiled an undefeated record of 7–0. He made his professional debut in March 2009 at middleweight and has maintained a record of 19–6.

Ultimate Fighting Championship On January 11, 2010, Salter made his UFC debut, stepping in as a last-minute replacement for Mike Massenzio against Gerald Harris at UFC Fight Night 20. Salter lost the fight due to TKO (strikes) in the third round.

Salter was scheduled to face Nick Catone on May 8, 2010, at UFC 113, but Catone was forced off the card with an injury and instead faced UFC veteran, Jason MacDonald. After 2:42 of the first round, MacDonald suffered a suspected broken ankle and Salter was declared the winner by TKO (injury).

Salter was expected to face Phil Baroni on August 28, 2010, at UFC 118, however Baroni was forced off the card with an injury. Late replacement Dan Miller defeated Salter via guillotine choke in the 2nd round.

Salter was released from the UFC with a 1–2 record.

Strikeforce Salter was expected to make his Strikeforce debut against undefeated Yancy Medeiros at Strikeforce Challengers: Woodley vs. Saffiedine on January 7, 2011, but Medeiros was forced from the bout with an injury. As a result, Salter was pulled from the card, but later re-added, fighting Casey Huffman who he defeated via TKO due to strikes in the 1st round.

Armageddon Salter defeated former UFC fighter Kalib Starnes in the main event of AFC 6: Conviction for Armageddon FC in Victoria, BC, Canada, on June 18. This fight was for the AFC middleweight title belt.

Bellator MMA In his Bellator MMA debut, Salter faced Dustin Jacoby on January 16, 2015, at Bellator 132. He won the fight via submission in the second round. On June 17, 2016, John faced the former Middle Weight title holder Brandon Halsey on the main card for Bellator 156. Salter won via submission by triangle choke.

Salter faced Kendall Grove at Bellator 181 on July 14, 2017. He won the fight via technical submission in the first round.

Salter was expected to face Anatoly Tokov at Bellator 188 on November 16, 2017. However, Tokov pulled out of the bout due to an ACL injury and was replaced by Jason Radcliffe. Salter won the fight via submission in the first round.

Salter was expected to face Rafael Lovato Jr. at Bellator 198 on April 28, 2018. However, Salter was pulled by the Illinois Athletic Commission due to an eye issue on April 24 and replaced by Gerald Harris.

Salter faced Rafael Lovato Jr. on September 21, 2018, at Bellator 205. He lost the fight via a submission.

Salter stepped in to replace Melvin Manhoef against Chidi Njokuani on November 30, 2018, at Bellator 210. He won the fight via submission in the first round.

Salter faced Costello van Steenis on November 8, 2019, at Bellator 233. Salter outlasted van Steenis and won the bout unanimous decision, becoming the first time that Salter went to the judges.

Salter faced Andrew Kapel on August 21, 2020, at Bellator 244. Salter won the bout via arm-triangle choke in the third round.

Salter faced Gegard Mousasi for the Bellator Middleweight Championship on August 13, 2021, at Bellator 264. After having success with his takedowns in the first two rounds, Salter ultimately lost the bout via TKO in round three.

Salter faced Johnny Eblen on March 12, 2022, at Bellator 276. He lost the bout via unanimous decision.

Salter faced Aaron Jeffrey on March 31, 2023, at Bellator 293. He won the fight via unanimous decision and announced his retirement during the post-fight interview.

Championships and accomplishments Brazilian Ju-jitsu 2017 ADCC West Coast Trials Winner

Mixed martial arts Bellator MMA Most submission wins in Bellator Middleweight division history (six) Aggression Fighting Championship AFC Middleweight Championship (One time)

Grappling 2017 ADCC West Coast Trials Winner NAGA (North American Grappling Association) National Champion Casca-Grossa Champion in professional division UEP Professional Middle Weight Title Holder – 2009

Folkstyle wrestling National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics NAIA 174 lb National Champion out of Lindenwood University (2007) NAIA 174 lb All-American out of Lindenwood University (2007) Alabama High School Athletic Association AHSAA 145 lb State Champion (2002)

Mixed martial arts record Win

Aaron Jeffery Decision (unanimous) Bellator 293

Temecula, California, United States Loss

Johnny Eblen Decision (unanimous) Bellator 276

St. Louis, Missouri, United States Loss

Gegard Mousasi TKO (punches) Bellator 264

Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Win

Andrew Kapel Submission (arm-triangle choke) Bellator 244

Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Win

Costello van Steenis Decision (unanimous) Bellator 233

Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States Win

Chidi Njokuani Submission (rear-naked choke) Bellator 210

Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States Loss

Rafael Lovato Jr. Submission (rear-naked choke) Bellator 205

Boise, Idaho, United States Win

Jason Radcliffe Submission (rear-naked choke) Bellator 188

Tel Aviv, Israel Win

Kendall Grove Technical Submission (rear-naked choke) Bellator 181

Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States Win

Claudio Annicchiarico TKO (punches) Bellator 168

Florence, Italy Win

Brandon Halsey Submission (triangle choke) Bellator 156

Fresno, California, United States Win

Dustin Jacoby Submission (rear-naked choke) Bellator 132

Temecula, California, United States Win

Jaime Jara Submission (triangle choke) TWC 18: Halloween Havoc 3

Porterville, California, United States Win

Fred Weaver TKO (punches) Strikehard 23

Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States Loss

Reggie Peña Submission (guillotine choke) XFC 18: Music City Mayhem

Nashville, Tennessee, United States Win

Ryan Machan Submission (rear-naked choke) PFC 8

Red Deer, Alberta, Canada Win

Kalib Starnes KO (punches) AFC 6: Conviction

Victoria, British Columbia, Canada Win

Casey Huffman TKO (punches) Strikeforce Challengers: Woodley vs. Saffiedine

Nashville, Tennessee, United States Loss

Dan Miller Submission (guillotine choke) UFC 118

Boston, Massachusetts, United States Win

Jason MacDonald TKO (leg injury) UFC 113

Montreal, Quebec, Canada Loss

Gerald Harris TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Maynard vs. Diaz

Fairfax, Virginia, United States Win

Jeremiah Riggs TKO (punches) CCCW: The 3rd Degree

Springfield, Illinois, United States Win

James Hammortree Submission (arm-triangle choke) Ultimate Event Promotions: Vendetta

Daphne, Alabama, United States Win

Roberto Traven KO (punches) Adrenaline MMA 3: Bragging Rights

Birmingham, Alabama, United States Win

Patrick Mandio Submission (armbar) KOTC: Invincible

Atlanta, Georgia, United States