TJ Waldburger

Anthony "TJ" Waldburger Jr. (born April 25, 1988) is an American retired mixed martial artist who competed in the Welterweight division. A professional MMA competitor since 2005, he competed for the UFC, Shark Fights, and HDNet Fights.

Background Waldburger went to Belton High School (Texas). Mixed martial arts career Early career He held an amateur record of 3-0 before turning professional at the age of 17. He lost his professional debut against Sammy Say but defeated him in his next bout to move to 1-1.

At the event, IFC: Road to Global Domination, he lost to Josh Neer but rebounded with a win over Jeff Lindsay. Waldburger defeated UFC veteran Pete Spratt via triangle choke submission in the second round. Spratt demanded a rematch and got one defeating Waldburger via knockout. He lost another fight before winning three straight. His early accomplishments include winning the Shark Fights Welterweight Championship belt in May 2009 and then defending it in September 2009.

Ultimate Fighting Championship In July 2010 it was announced Waldburger had signed with the UFC. His debut came at UFC Fight Night 22 against David Mitchell. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Waldburger was expected to face Matthew Riddle on December 11, 2010 at UFC 124. However, Waldburger was forced from the card with an injury.

Waldburger was expected to face Dennis Hallman on March 26, 2011 at UFC Fight Night 24. However, Hallman was forced out of the bout with an injury and replaced by Johny Hendricks. Waldburger was defeated early in round one via TKO.

Waldburger was expected to face Daniel Roberts on September 17, 2011 at UFC Fight Night 25. However, Roberts was forced out of the bout with an injury and replaced by promotional newcomer Mike Stumpf. Waldburger defeated Stumpf via first round triangle choke submission earning Submission of the Night honors.

Waldburger next faced Jake Hecht on March 3, 2012 at UFC on FX 2. He won the fight via submission in the first round.

Waldburger faced Brian Ebersole on June 22, 2012 at UFC on FX 4. He lost the back-and-forth fight via unanimous decision.

Waldburger faced Nick Catone on December 15, 2012 at The Ultimate Fighter: Team Carwin vs. Team Nelson Finale. He won the fight via technical submission in the second round. He earned the Submission of the Night honors for his performance.

Waldburger was expected to face Sean Pierson on June 15, 2013 at UFC 161. However, Waldburger was pulled from the event and replaced by Kenny Robertson.

Waldburger faced Adlan Amagov on October 19, 2013 at UFC 166. He lost the fight by knockout in the first round.

Waldburger faced Mike Pyle on February 22, 2014 at UFC 170. He lost the fight via TKO in the third round.

Waldburger was expected to face Wendell Oliveira on February 22, 2015 at UFC Fight Night 61. However, the fight was cancelled on the day of the weigh ins, as Waldburger passed out while cutting weight. Both fighters were paid their show money.

The bout with Oliveira was rescheduled for May 30, 2015 at UFC Fight Night 67. However, it was scrapped yet again after Waldburger pulled out of the bout on May 19 due to undisclosed reasons. He was replaced by promotional newcomer Darren Till. In turn, Waldburger was released from the promotion.

Personal life Waldburger is married to Shayla Moore who is the daughter of his coach, John Moore of the Grappler's Lair gym. They have two sons and one daughter as of 2017.

Championships and accomplishments Ultimate Fighting Championship Submission of the Night (Two times) vs. Mike Stumpf & Nick Catone UFC.com Awards 2012: Ranked #5 Submission of the Year Shark Fights Shark Fights Welterweight Championship (One time) One successful championship defense

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Mike Pyle TKO (elbows and punches) UFC 170

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Adlan Amagov KO (punches) UFC 166

Houston, Texas, United States Win

Nick Catone Technical Submission (triangle choke) The Ultimate Fighter 16 Finale

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Brian Ebersole Decision (unanimous) UFC on FX: Maynard vs. Guida

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

Jake Hecht Submission (armbar) UFC on FX: Alves vs. Kampmann

Sydney, Australia Win

Mike Stumpf Submission (triangle choke) UFC Fight Night: Shields vs. Ellenberger

New Orleans, Louisiana, United States Loss

Johny Hendricks TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Nogueira vs. Davis

Seattle, Washington, United States Win

David Mitchell Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Marquardt vs. Palhares

Austin, Texas, United States Win

Pat Healy Decision (unanimous) Shark Fights 6: Stars & Stripes

Amarillo, Texas, United States Win

Shannon Ritch Submission (armbar) Shark Fights 4: Richards vs Schoonover

Lubbock, Texas, United States Win

Andrew Chappelle TKO (doctor stoppage) SWC 3: St. Valentine's Day Massacre

Frisco, Texas, United States Loss

Ricardo Funch TKO (punches) Xtreme Fighting Championship

Austin, Texas, United States Loss

Pete Spratt KO (punches) HDNet Fights 1

Dallas, Texas, United States Win

Pete Spratt Submission (triangle choke) King of Kombat

Austin, Texas, United States Win

Jeff Lindsay Submission Masters of the Cage 14

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States Loss

Josh Neer TKO (punches) IFC: Road to Global Domination

Belton, Texas, United States Win

Jeff Lindsay Submission (triangle choke) Masters of the Cage 7

Norman, Oklahoma, United States Win

Brian Foster Submission (armbar) Masters of the Cage 4

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States Win

Barry Peoples Submission (achilles lock) DPP: September to Remember

Lafayette, Louisiana, United States Win

Jeremiah O'Neal Submission (armbar) Xtreme Fighting Championship VII

Austin, Texas, United States Win

Brandon Berkey Submission Ultimate Texas Showdown 6

Frisco, Texas, United States Loss

Todd Moore Decision (unanimous) Renegades Extreme Fighting

Houston, Texas, United States Win

Nathan Fussel Submission (rear-naked choke) Xtreme Fighting Championship 5

Austin, Texas, United States Win

Sammy Say Submission (triangle choke) Renegades Extreme Fighting

Austin, Texas, United States Loss

Sammy Say TKO (punches) Ultimate Texas Showdown 3

Dallas, Texas, United States