Yancy Medeiros

Yancy Medeiros Jr. (born September 7, 1987) is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Lightweight division of Bellator MMA.

A professional competitor since 2007, he has competed for the Ultimate Fighting Championship and Strikeforce.

Medeiros grew up in Wai'anae Hawaii and at a young age began training in Karate.

He is of Filipino and Native Hawaiian descent, known as Hapa Pukiki and Hapa Pilipino.

Medeiros wrestled for his Waianae High School wrestling team, placing third in the state wrestling tournament his senior season.

Yancy credits Kawika Pa'aluhi, an early pioneer of MMA in Hawaii, with motivating him to train and pursue a career in MMA.

Medeiros began his career 4–0 before defeating EliteXC veteran Po'ai Suganuma at Destiny MMA: Pier Fighter 1.

After winning two more fights to bring his record to 7–0, fighting as a Light Heavyweight, he then signed with Strikeforce.

In his Strikeforce debut, moving down to Middleweight, Medeiros defeated Raul Castillo by unanimous decision at Strikeforce Challengers: Kaufman vs. Hashi.

No. His next fight came against Gareth Joseph which Medeiros won via first-round KO due to punches at Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Werdum.

Medeiros was expected to face John Salter at Strikeforce Challengers: Woodley vs. Saffiedine.

However, Medeiros was forced from the bout with an injury.

On January 31, 2013, it was announced that Medeiros would be brought over to the Ultimate Fighting Championship as part of the Strikeforce transition.

He dropped two weight classes to Lightweight and made his UFC debut against Rustam Khabilov on April 27, 2013, at UFC 159.

The fight ended in unusual fashion as Medeiros dislocated his thumb during a takedown by Khabilov early in the first round, resulting in a TKO victory for Khabilov as Medeiros was unable to continue.

Medeiros took on Yves Edwards at UFC Fight For The Troops 3 on November 6, 2013.

He won by KO in the first round.

The win, however, was subsequently overturned when Medeiros tested positive for marijuana in his post-fight drug test.

Medeiros was expected to face promotional newcomer Joe Ellenberger on April 26, 2014, at UFC 172.

However, in the week leading up to the event, Medeiros was pulled from the Ellenberger bout in favor of a match up on the main card with Jim Miller after his scheduled opponent Bobby Green pulled out of the bout.

Medeiros lost the fight via submission in the first round.

Medeiros was expected to face Justin Edwards on August 30, 2014, at UFC 177.

However, Edwards pulled out of the event in the days leading up to the event citing an injury.

Medeiros instead faced promotional newcomer Damon Jackson.

Medeiros won the fight by submission in the second round.

The win also earned Medeiros his first Performance of the Night bonus award.

Medeiros faced Joe Proctor on December 12, 2014, at The Ultimate Fighter 20 Finale.

Medeiros won the fight in the first round after dropping Proctor with a spinning back kick to the body and securing a guillotine choke to earn the submission.

The result also earned Medeiros a Performance of the Night bonus.

Medeiros was expected to face Tony Ferguson on February 28, 2015, at UFC 184.

However, Medeiros pulled out of the bout citing injury and was replaced by Gleison Tibau.

Medeiros faced Dustin Poirier on June 6, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 68.

He lost the fight via TKO in the first round.

Medeiros faced John Makdessi on December 12, 2015, at UFC 194.

He won the fight by split decision.

Medeiros next faced Francisco Trinaldo on May 14, 2016, at UFC 198.

He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Both participants were awarded Fight of the Night honors.

Medeiros faced Sean Spencer in a welterweight bout on September 10, 2016, at UFC 203.

He won the fight via submission in the second round and was awarded a Performance of the Night bonus.