Tim Means

Tim Means (born February 20, 1984) is an American professional mixed martial artist currently competing in the Welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

A professional competitor since 2004, Means has also formerly competed for King of the Cage and Legacy FC.

Means is the former King of the Cage Lightweight Champion and the former King of the Cage Junior Welterweight Champion.

Born in Wilburton, Oklahoma, and raised in New Mexico, Means began training at the age of 12, as he was a troubled kid and was taken under the wing of a local trainer.

In 2004, Means was involved in a shooting incident outside of a bar and suffered a nine-inch gunshot wound in the femoral artery of his thigh.

Means was prescribed painkillers and morphine, and developed a morphine dependency.

After Means's prescriptions ran out, he began experimenting with methamphetamine.

A few years after Means began using meth, he found himself in trouble with the law, and was charged with aggravated assault after punching a man who broke into his home.

After serving more than three years in prison early in his MMA career, Means turned his life around.

He works as a high school wrestling coach at Moriaty High School.

Means began his MMA career in 2004, recording a 3–2 record before serving a prison sentence.

His two losses were to future UFC fighters Spencer Fisher and Luke Caudillo.

Means returned to MMA in 2009 and reeled off six consecutive victories via first round stoppage, including a nine-second TKO win over Matt Green at KOTC: New Breed.

He earned his first title at KOTC: Steel on Oct. 7, 2010 when he defeated Bobby Green to win the KOTC Junior Welterweight (160 lbs) belt.

He defended the belt on four occasions, most recently in a first-round TKO victory over Mario Ramos at KOTC: High Performance on Nov. 19, 2011.

He added the KOTC Lightweight title with a victory over Tye Brown at KOTC: Total Destruction on Jan. 21, 2012.

Means made his UFC debut on February 15, 2012, defeating Bernardo Magalhaes by unanimous decision at UFC on Fuel TV 1.

Means overwhelmed Justin Salas on June 8, 2012, at UFC on FX 3, knocking him down multiple times before finishing him with punches in just over a minute.

Means was expected to face promotional newcomer Abel Trujillo on September 1, 2012, at UFC 151.

However, after UFC 151 was cancelled, the bout was rescheduled for December 8, 2012, at UFC on Fox 5.

On the day of the weigh-ins for the event, Means fell in a hotel sauna, injuring his head, and was replaced by Marcus LeVesseur.

Means lost a unanimous decision to Jorge Masvidal on April 20, 2013, at UFC on Fox 7.

Means, replacing an injured Bobby Green, lost a unanimous decision to Danny Castillo on July 27, 2013, at UFC on Fox 8, and was subsequently released from UFC.

After his release from the UFC, Means was called to replace Danny Salinas in the main event against Pete Spratt on September 13, 2013, at Legacy FC 23.

He won via first-round knockout.

The win was not without controversy, as after the event Pete Spratt in an interview later claimed that it in the combination that knocked him out, the elbow had knocked him down but it was the follow-up punches to the back head, which are illegal, that knocked him out, and expressed he would appeal the decision.

Means manager Tom Vaughn when asked for statement didn't respond for comment to the allegations.

Means then defeated Artenas Young via first-round technical knockout at Legacy FC 27, on January 31, 2014.

Following two wins on the regional circuit, Means was re-signed by the UFC and lost a unanimous decision to Neil Magny in a welterweight bout on May 10, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 40, replacing William Macário.

Means beat Hernani Perpetuo by unanimous decision on July 26, 2014, at UFC on Fox 12.

Means won a split decision over Márcio Alexandre on December 20, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 58.

Means earned a Performance of the Night bonus for defeating Dhiego Lima via TKO in the first round on February 28, 2015, at UFC 184.

Means, replacing an injured Kenny Robertson, defeated George Sullivan via submission (arm-triangle choke) in round three on April 18, 2015, at UFC on Fox 15.

Means faced Matt Brown on July 11, 2015, at UFC 189.

Despite finding some success via striking early in the fight, Means lost the fight by submission due to a guillotine choke.

Means faced John Howard on December 10, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 80.

He won the fight via knockout in the second round.

The win also earned Means his second Performance of the Night bonus award.

Means was expected to face Donald Cerrone on February 21, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 83.

However, Means was pulled from the fight as a result of a violation of the USADA anti-doping policy.