James McSweeney

James Adam McSweeney (born 24 October 1980) is a British kickboxer and retired mixed martial artist.

A professional MMA competitor since 2005, McSweeney is well known for being a cast member of Spike TV's The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights and competing in the UFC, but he has also competed in major European promotions such as KSW, Cage Rage and BAMMA.

Born in London to an Irish father and a Northern Irish mother, McSweeney started kickboxing in England when he was six years old.

At 18, he finished school and moved to Amsterdam to train full-time in Dutch kickboxing.

He joined Lucien Carbin's gym, and still trains with the team today.

Team mates and sparring partners have included Alistair Overeem, Valentijn Overeem, and Tyrone Spong.

An accomplished kickboxer and Muay Thai fighter, McSweeney has won numerous British, Dutch, European and World titles.

In 2006, McSweeney transitioned to mixed martial arts and moved in with The Ultimate Fighter coach Rashad Evans.

The two quickly struck up a bond after McSweeney helped prepare Evans for his bout against Forrest Griffin in December 2008.

While training for his fight against Travis Browne, McSweeney switched his camp from Jackson's Submission Fighting in Albuquerque, New Mexico to the Grudge Training Centre in Denver, Colorado to train full-time along with fellow UFC competitors Shane Carwin, Brendan Schaub and Nate Marquardt.

McSweeney recently moved out of the Grudge Training Centre to return to the tutelage of European Muay Thai legend Lucien Carbin and to open up his own gym Sledgehammer MMA in Kent, England.

McSweeney was on The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights fighting alongside Team Rashad.

McSweeney was the first overall pick and fought on the second episode of the show against Wes Shivers defeating him via majority decision.

McSweeney moved on to the next round of the tournament, fighting teammate, Matt Mitrione.

McSweeney won via guillotine choke in the first round.

In the semi-finals, McSweeney lost against former IFL Heavyweight Champion Roy Nelson via TKO after getting caught in the crucifix position.

McSweeney was given another chance by the UFC despite losing on The Ultimate Fighter.

He fought Darrill Schoonover on The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights Finale card in Las Vegas, Nevada, on 5 December, winning by TKO in the third round.

McSweeney made his second appearance for the UFC on The Ultimate Fighter: Team Liddell vs. Team Ortiz Finale preliminary card, fighting against undefeated newcomer Travis Browne.

The fight ended in a TKO victory for Browne due to punches at 4:32 of the first round.

McSweeney claims he was hit with illegal elbows and briefly tried to appeal the loss.

McSweeney later decided against the appeal to focus on his next fight instead.

McSweeney was to drop to the Light Heavyweight division at UFC 120 to fight Tom Blackledge.

However, McSweeney would instead face Fábio Maldonado after Blackledge was forced to pull out of the bout.

McSweeney lost the bout in the third round via TKO due to punches.

As of 20 January 2011, conversations over McSweeney's Twitter account were strongly indicative that he is no longer a part of the UFC.

McSweeney lost a unanimous decision to former UFC Heavyweight Champion Ricco Rodriguez at BAMMA 5: Daley vs Shirai on 26 February 2011.

He then had a further loss to submissions ace Francisco France in April 2011 at a Crowbar MMA event.

Fighting on 22 July 2011, Mcsweeney defeated Lee Mein by TKO (Punches) in the 1st round.

On 20 August 2011, McSweeney defeated Sam Brown by Submission (armbar) in the 1st round.

McSweeney faced former MFC Light Heavyweight Champion Emanuel Newton at Superior Cage Combat 3.

He lost by submission in the first round.

McSweeney faced fellow UFC veteran Paul Buentello in a Light Heavyweight bout on 23 August 2013 at Legacy Fighting Championship 22.

He lost the fight via TKO in the second round.

In 2014, McSweeney signed with the Asian promotion ONE Championship.

He faced Chris Lokteff in his debut at ONE Fighting Championship: Rise of Heroes in May and won via KO due to a flying knee in round 1.

In his second fight for the promotion, McSweeney faced Cristiano Kaminishi at ONE FC: Reign of Champions in August.

He again won the fight via KO in the first round.

For his third fight with the promotion, McSweeney faced Roger Gracie at ONE FC 23: Warrior's Way in December.

He lost the fight via TKO in the third round.