Justin Lawrence

Justin Ray Lawrence (born May 15, 1990) is an American former professional mixed martial artist currently competing in the Featherweight division of Bellator MMA.

In 2007 Lawrence began his MMA career, taking his first amateur fight, winning in the first round via submission (rear-naked choke).

He picked up four more amateur wins, accumulating a record of 5-0 before turning professional.

A professional MMA competitor since 2010, Lawrence has also formerly competed for the UFC, Strikeforce, the RFA, and was a competitor on FX's The Ultimate Fighter: Live.

Originally from Pacific, Missouri, Lawrence began training at the age of six under his step-father, Benny Voyles, a former professional boxer and kickboxer who owns his own gym in St. Louis, Missouri.

Lawrence would go on to become a two-time St. Louis' Golden Gloves Boxing Tournament Champion, and compile over 150 amateur kickboxing wins.

In kickboxing, Lawrence also was a six-time IKF International Kickboxing Federation National Kickboxing Champion, and a two-time Pan-American Kickboxing Champion.

Lawrence began wrestling in the third grade, and was talented, placing in the state tournament multiple times as well as in football as a running back at Pacific High School.

Lawrence's professional debut came on December 4, 2010 at Strikeforce: Henderson vs. Babalu II in St. Louis, Missouri.

His opponent was highly touted Russian fighter, Max Martyniouk, who was also making his professional debut.

Lawrence dominated throughout the bout but after Lawrence delivered a soccer kick to the head of the downed Martyniouk the fight was forced to go to a technical decision.

Despite the illegal kick, Lawrence was awarded the win via a unanimous technical decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).

After the exposure from Strikeforce, Lawrence received a call from Ohio promotion, Bobish's Ultimate Cage Battles, to fight on their April 9, 2011 card.

Lawrence fought Pete Martin Winning the fight via unanimous decision.

Lawrence then fought Jason Webb on November 11, 2011 at Fight Me MMA 3.

Lawrence won the fight via submission (armbar) in the first round.

In February 2012, it was revealed that Lawrence was selected to be a participant on The Ultimate Fighter: Live.

Lawrence defeated two-time WEC veteran James Krause via TKO to move into the Ultimate Fighter house, and become an official cast member.

Lawrence was selected as the first overall pick by Dominick Cruz to take part on Team Cruz.

In the first round of the tournament, Lawrence was selected to fight PRIDE veteran, Cristiano Marcello.

Lawrence was able to defeat Marcello by knockout at 3:15 of the second round, earning a place in the quarter-finals.

Lawrence's quarter-final fight was against Team Faber's Michael Chiesa.

After a hard fought two rounds the judges declared a draw and the fight went to a third, "sudden-death" round.

Lawrence was mounted early in the third round and lost via TKO, eliminating him from the competition.

Though Lawrence did not win the show, UFC President Dana White decided to sign all 16 cast members to exclusive UFC contracts.

Lawrence made his UFC debut at The Ultimate Fighter 15 Finale on June 1, 2012 against fellow TUF cast member, John Cofer.

Lawrence won via KO due to a head kick in the opening seconds of the third round.

The performance earned both participants Fight of the Night honors, with Lawrence also earning a Knockout of the Night bonus.

Lawrence made his Featherweight debut, dropping down to face Max Holloway on August 11, 2012 at UFC 150.

After two close rounds Lawrence lost the fight via TKO (body punches) at 4:49 of the second round.

Lawrence next faced Daniel Pineda on April 13, 2013 at The Ultimate Fighter 17 Finale.

He lost the fight via submission in the first round and was subsequently released from the promotion.

Following his release from the UFC, Lawrence signed with the Resurrection Fighting Alliance.

Lawrence faced Luis Saldaña at RFA 10 on October 25, 2013.

Lawrence won the fight via unanimous decision.

In April 2015, Lawrence signed a multi-fight contract with Bellator MMA.

He made his debut against Sean Wilson on June 19, 2015 at Bellator 138.

Lawrence won the fight via TKO in the first round.

In his second fight for the promotion, Lawrence was expected to face Pat Curran on November 6, 2015 at Bellator 145.

Lawrence instead faced Emmanuel Sanchez after Curran pulled out of the bout due to a knee injury.