Deron Winn

Deron Winn (born June 13, 1989) is an American mixed martial artist and freestyle wrestler.

After failing to make it to the 2016 Summer Olympics wrestling team, Winn relocated to California in 2016 to continue training mixed martial arts.

A professional mixed martial artist since 2017, he formerly competed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and Bellator MMA, fighting in their middleweight divisions.

Winn was born and raised in Liberty, Missouri.

He began wrestling for Liberty High School, where he became a three-time MSHSAA state champion and compiled a record of 163–6.

After high school, Winn attended St. Louis Community College–Meramec where he won the NJCAA national junior college championship and earned the NJCAA Outstanding Wrestler award as a true freshman.

In his sophomore year he was awarded All-American status.

Following his career at St. Louis Community College, in his senior year he transferred to the wrestling program of Lindenwood University where he earned NAIA All-American honors by advancing to the NAIA Wrestling Championships, where he placed third at nationals.

After his successful collegiate wrestling career, he focused in freestyle wrestling, where he competed nationally and internationally, compiled wins over notable wrestlers such as J'den Cox and Pat Downey and also placed at competitions such as the US Open, the Pan American Championships and the US World Team Trials.

He began his professional career in 2017 and fought under various promotions, most notably Bellator MMA.

He amassed an undefeated record of 5–0 with all but one of his wins ending by knockout in the first round.

On December 20, 2018, it was announced that Winn had signed with the UFC.

Winn was scheduled to make his promotional debut against Markus Perez on June 22, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 154.

However, on May 9 it was reported that Perez had pulled out of the fight citing injury and was replaced by Bruno Silva.

On June 16, it was reported that Silva was forced to pull out of the contest due to a potential anti-doping violation by USADA and was replaced by returning veteran Eric Spicely.

He won the fight by unanimous decision.

This win earned both competitors the Fight of the Night award.

Winn faced Darren Stewart on October 18, 2019, at UFC on ESPN 6.

At the weigh-in, Winn weighed in at 188.5 pounds, 2.5 pounds over the middleweight non-title fight limit of 186.

The bout was held at catchweight and he was fined 20% of his purse which went to his opponent.

He lost the fight by split decision.

After more than two years since his last wrestling showdown, Winn wrestled the heavily accomplished in collegiate wrestling Kollin Moore on August 30, 2020, at Chael Sonnen's Wrestling Underground I.

He lost the match by decision.

Winn faced Gerald Meerschaert on March 7, 2020, at UFC 248.

He lost the fight via submission in the third round.

Winn was suspended for nine months and fined $1,800 of his purse by the Nevada State Athletic Commission on September 3, 2020, after testing positive for amphetamines.

The suspension was retroactive to March 7, 2020, and he became eligible to compete again on December 7, 2020.

Winn was scheduled to face Antônio Braga Neto on December 19, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Thompson vs. Neal.

However, Braga Neto was removed from the contest due to undisclosed reasons and replaced by Antônio Arroyo.

Winn won the fight via unanimous decision.

Winn was scheduled to face Phil Hawes at UFC on ESPN 26 on July 17, 2021.

However, Winn was forced to pull out from the event, citing separated rib and torn cartilage, and the bout was rescheduled at UFC Fight Night 194 on October 9, 2021.

In turn, Winn withdrew the day before the event due to health issues.

He was briefly expected to be replaced by Chris Curtis, however Hawes declined the bout and it was ultimately scrapped.

Winn faced Phil Hawes on June 18, 2022, at UFC on ESPN 37.

He lost the bout in the second round via standing TKO stoppage.

Winn was scheduled to face Julian Marquez on December 17, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 216.

However, just two days before the event, Winn was forced to withdraw after fainting and falling down a set of stairs, at the UFC Performance Institute, sustaining a minor concussion.

Approximately one week later, Winn was released from his UFC contract.

Winn is in a relationship with fellow mixed martial artist Mallory Martin.