Brandon Halsey (born September 16, 1986) is an American professional
mixed martial artist
Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a full-contact fighting sport based on striking and grappling; incorporating techniques from various combat sports from around the world.
In the early 20th century, various inter-stylistic contests took place t ...
formerly competing in the
Light Heavyweight
Light heavyweight is a weight class in combat sports.
Boxing
Professional
In professional boxing, the division is above and up to , falling between super middleweight and cruiserweight (boxing), cruiserweight.
The light heavyweight class has ...
division of the
Professional Fighters League
The Professional Fighters League (PFL) is an American mixed martial arts league founded by venture capitalist Donn Davis in 2017 and launched in 2018, following the acquisition and restructuring of the former World Series of Fighting (WSOF) promot ...
. A professional competitor since 2012, he has formerly competed for
M-1 Global
M-1 Global (Mixfight-1) or MMA-1 (Mixed martial arts-1) is a mixed martial arts promotion based in St. Petersburg, Russia which organizes between 10 and 20 competitions per year.
It hosted its first major show (rather than co-promoting with oth ...
and
Bellator
Bellator, warrior in Latin, may refer to:
* Bellator MMA, a mixed martial arts promotion based in the United States
* Bishop Bellator of Sufetula (5th century)
Taxonomy
* ''Bellator'' (fish), a fish genus in the family Triglidae (sea robins)
** ...
, where he was the
Middleweight Champion.
Background
Originally from San Diego, California, Halsey began his career in combat sports from a young age as a
wrestler
Wrestling is a martial art, combat sport, and form of entertainment that involves grappling with an opponent and striving to obtain a position of advantage through different throws or techniques, within a given ruleset. Wrestling involves diffe ...
and
judoka
is an unarmed gendai budō, modern Japanese martial art, combat sport, Olympic sport (since 1964), and the most prominent form of jacket wrestling competed internationally.『日本大百科全書』電子版【柔道】(CD-ROM version of Encyc ...
. Halsey's father wrestled at
UCLA
The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is a public land-grant research university in Los Angeles, California, United States. Its academic roots were established in 1881 as a normal school then known as the southern branch of the C ...
and Halsey has two brothers who also competed at NCAA Division I colleges. Halsey attended
Rancho Buena Vista High School
Rancho Buena Vista High School or "RBV" is a California Distinguished School and International Baccalaureate Organization World School, located in Vista, California. In the 1990–1991 and 1994–1995 school years Rancho Buena Vista High Sch ...
where he competed in wrestling and excelled. He won a
CIF
CIF, c.i.f. or Cif may refer to:
Finance
* Climate Investment Funds, in international climate change agreements
* Community Infrastructure Fund (CIF), a method of UK government funding for transport infrastructure
* Cost, Insurance and Freight, ...
state championship, and finished with the best overall record in school history with 150-16 and 80 pins. Halsey also competed in football as a
linebacker
Linebacker (LB) is a playing position in gridiron football. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and typically line up three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage and so back up the defensive linemen. They play closer to the line ...
and earned First Team All-San Diego County honors. Halsey originally attended
Fresno State University
California State University, Fresno (Fresno State) is a public university in Fresno, California, United States. It is part of the California State University system. The university had a fall 2020 enrollment of 25,341 students. It offers 60 ba ...
, transferring to
California State University at Bakersfield his sophomore year after Fresno State dropped their wrestling program. Halsey was very successful at CSUB, finishing 7th at the
NCAA Division 1 National Championships and earning NCAA Division 1
All-America
The All-America designation is an annual honor bestowed on outstanding athletes in the United States who are considered to be among the best athletes in their respective sport. Individuals receiving this distinction are typically added to an Al ...
n honors. Halsey specialized in
folkstyle wrestling
Collegiate wrestling, commonly referred to as folkstyle wrestling, is the form of amateur wrestling, wrestling practiced at the Tertiary education, post-secondary level in the United States. This style of wrestling is also practiced at the Secon ...
.
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Halsey made his professional debut in 2012 against Chris Golz. Halsey won the bout via submission in the first round.
In his second fight, Halsey faced
UFC
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is an American mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion company based in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is owned and operated by TKO Group Holdings, a majority owned subsidiary of Endeavor Group Holdings. The larg ...
veteran
Shonie Carter
Shonie Carter (born May 3, 1972), is an American former mixed martial artist. He is a former WEC Welterweight Champion, a UFC veteran, and a contestant on '' The Ultimate Fighter 4'' reality show. He has also competed in Pancrase, Shooto, Ki ...
. Halsey won the bout via unanimous decision.
Bellator MMA
After winning his first two fights, Halsey was signed by
Bellator Fighting Championships
Bellator MMA (formerly Bellator Fighting Championships) was an American mixed martial arts promotion founded in 2008 by Bjorn Rebney and operated until 2025. The promotion takes its name from '' bellātor'', the Latin word for "warrior". Bellato ...
and made his debut against Rocky Ramirez at
Bellator 92
2013 in Bellator MMA was the eighth installment of the Bellator MMA, which began on January 17, 2013 and ended on April 4, 2013.
Mixed martial arts tournaments were held in five weight classes and all of the champions, except the heavyweight ch ...
on March 7, 2013. Halsey won by technical submission in the third round.
Halsey fought Joe Yager at
Bellator 96
2013 in Bellator MMA was the eighth installment of the Bellator MMA, which began on January 17, 2013 and ended on April 4, 2013.
Mixed martial arts tournaments were held in five weight classes and all of the champions, except the heavyweight ch ...
on June 19, 2013, and won the bout via split decision.
Halsey faced
UFC
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is an American mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion company based in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is owned and operated by TKO Group Holdings, a majority owned subsidiary of Endeavor Group Holdings. The larg ...
veteran Hector Ramirez at
Bellator 106
2013 in Bellator MMA was the eighth installment of the Bellator MMA, which began on January 17, 2013 and ended on April 4, 2013.
Mixed martial arts tournaments were held in five weight classes and all of the champions, except the heavyweight ch ...
on November 2, 2013. Halsey won the bout via TKO in the first round after using his superior wrestling to take the fight to the ground, transition immediately to the back, and unload with punches to the head until he earned the victory.
Season Ten Middleweight Tournament winner
In March 2014, Halsey entered into the
Bellator Season Ten middleweight tournament when
Dan Cramer
Daniel John Cramer (born October 31, 1985) is an American retired mixed martial artist. A professional from 2009 until 2014, Cramer made his professional debut with the Ultimate Fighting Championships (UFC) and was a competitor on SpikeTV's '' T ...
versus Jeremy Kimball was cancelled. He fought
Joe Pacheco
Joe Pacheco (born February 19, 1985) is an American mixed martial artist of Puerto Rican and Belizean descent who competes in Bellator's middleweight division.
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Pacheco started his professional career in ...
at
Bellator 116
2014 in Bellator MMA was the tenth season for Bellator MMA, a mixed martial arts promotion. It began on February 28, 2014 and aired on Spike TV.
The season included tournaments for the Heavyweight, Welterweight, Featherweight, Light Heavyweight ...
on April 11, 2014. Halsey won the bout via unanimous decision. Halsey was scheduled to face
Brett Cooper in the finals at
Bellator 119
2014 in Bellator MMA was the tenth season for Bellator MMA, a mixed martial arts promotion. It began on February 28, 2014 and aired on Spike TV.
The season included tournaments for the Heavyweight, Welterweight, Featherweight, Light Heavyweight ...
on May 9, 2014. The bout, however, was delayed due to an injury sustained by Cooper. The Cooper fight took place at
Bellator 122
2014 in Bellator MMA was the tenth season for Bellator MMA, a mixed martial arts promotion. It began on February 28, 2014 and aired on Spike TV.
The season included tournaments for the Heavyweight, Welterweight, Featherweight, Light Heavyweight ...
on July 25, 2014. Halsey won the bout via submission in the first round.
Middleweight Champion
Halsey faced
Alexander Shlemenko
Alexander Pavlovich Shlemenko (, born 20 May 1984) is a Russian mixed martial artist currently fighting in the Middleweight division. He is most notable for fighting for Bellator Fighting Championships, where he is the former Bellator Middlew ...
for the
Bellator Middleweight Championship
Bellator MMA (formerly known as "Bellator Fighting Championships") was an American mixed martial arts promotion, and the following is a history of its champions in each weight class.
At the time of its inception in 2008, CEO Bjorn Rebney founded ...
on September 26, 2014, at
Bellator 126
2014 in Bellator MMA was the tenth season for Bellator MMA, a mixed martial arts promotion. It began on February 28, 2014 and aired on Spike TV.
The season included tournaments for the Heavyweight, Welterweight, Featherweight, Light Heavyweight ...
. Halsey won the bout via technical submission in the first round to become the new
Bellator Middleweight Champion
Bellator MMA (formerly known as "Bellator Fighting Championships") was an American mixed martial arts promotion, and the following is a history of its champions in each weight class.
At the time of its inception in 2008, CEO Bjorn Rebney founded ...
.
Halsey was expected to make his first title defense against
Kendall Grove
Kendall Grove (born November 12, 1982) is an American mixed martial artist who is currently signed to Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. A professional competitor since 2003, he has also competed for the Bellator MMA, UFC, KSW, ProElite, King ...
on May 15, 2015, at
Bellator 137
2015 in Bellator MMA was the seventh year in the history of Bellator MMA, a mixed martial arts promotion based in the United States. Bellator held 16 events in 2015.
Background
In June 2014, Founder and CEO Bjorn Rebney parted with the company. ...
. However, Halsey failed to make weight and was subsequently stripped of the middleweight championship. Halsey won the fight via TKO in the fourth round.
Halsey next faced
Rafael Carvalho for the vacant
Bellator Middleweight Championship
Bellator MMA (formerly known as "Bellator Fighting Championships") was an American mixed martial arts promotion, and the following is a history of its champions in each weight class.
At the time of its inception in 2008, CEO Bjorn Rebney founded ...
on October 23, 2015, at
Bellator 144. After dominating the opening round with his grappling, Halsey lost the fight via TKO in the second after absorbing a kick to the liver.
Halsey faced
John Salter
John Salter (born March 21, 1985) is an American retired mixed martial artist, he competed in the Middleweight division of Bellator MMA. A professional competitor since 2007, he has also competed for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), St ...
on June 17, 2016, at
Bellator 156
2016 in Bellator MMA was the eighth year in the history of Bellator MMA, a mixed martial arts promoter based in the United States. Bellator held 23 events in 2016.
Background
2016 is notable for the launch of sibling promotion Bellator Kickboxin ...
. After sustaining an early cut via head kick, Halsey went on to lose the bout via submission in the first round.
On October 5, 2016, Halsey was released from Bellator.
M-1 Global
On June 1, 2017, Halsey rematched Alexander Shlemenko at M-1 Challenge 79 and was submitted by strikes after 25 seconds of the first round, marking his third consecutive loss after starting his career 9-0.
He then face Mikhail Ragozin on September 23, 2017, at
M-1 Challenge 83: Ragozin vs. Halsey. He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Personal life
Halsey and his wife Amber gave birth to their first child, daughter Savannah Rose, in June 2015.
Championships and accomplishments
*
Bellator MMA
Bellator MMA (formerly Bellator Fighting Championships) was an American mixed martial arts promotion (entertainment), promotion founded in 2008 by Bjorn Rebney and operated until 2025. The promotion takes its name from ''wikt:bellator, bellātor ...
**
Bellator Middleweight World Championship (One time)
**
Bellator Season Ten Middleweight Tournament Winner
Mixed martial arts record
, Lose
, align=center, 12–5
,
Jiří Procházka
Jiří Procházka (; ; born October 14, 1992) is a Czech professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Light Heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he is a former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion a ...
, TKO (submission to punches)
,
Rizin 14
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 6:30
,
Saitama, Japan
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 12–4
,
Ronny Markes
Ronny Markes (born April 21, 1988) is a Brazilian mixed martial arts, mixed martial artist currently competing in the Heavyweight (MMA), Heavyweight division. A professional competitor since 2007, Markes has formerly competed for the Ultimate Fig ...
, Decision (unanimous)
,
PFL 9 (2018)
,
, align=center, 2
, align=center, 5:00
,
Long Beach, California
Long Beach is a coastal city in southeastern Los Angeles County, California, United States. It is the list of United States cities by population, 44th-most populous city in the United States, with a population of 451,307 as of 2022. A charter ci ...
, United States
,
, -
, Loss
, align=center, 11–4
,
Vinny Magalhães
Vinicius "Vinny" de Magalhães (; born July 2, 1984) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who competes in the Light heavyweight division. A professional competitor since 2006, he was a finalist in '' The Ultimate Fighter: Team Nogueira vs. Team Mi ...
, TKO (punches)
,
PFL 5 (2018)
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 1:34
,
Uniondale, New York
Uniondale is a hamlet and census-designated place (CDP) in central Nassau County, New York, on Long Island, in the Town of Hempstead, within the New York metropolitan area. The population was 32,473 at the time of the 2020 United States census ...
, United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 11–3
,
Smealinho Rama
Apostolis "Smealinho" Rama (born April 30, 1992) is a Greek mixed martial artist currently competing in the Light Heavyweight division. He competed in the Professional Fighters League, where he was the promotion's inaugural Heavyweight Champion, ...
, TKO (doctor stoppage)
,
PFL 2 (2018)
,
, align=center, 2
, align=center, 5:00
,
Chicago, Illinois
Chicago is the List of municipalities in Illinois, most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois and in the Midwestern United States. With a population of 2,746,388, as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it is the List of Unite ...
, United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 10–3
, Mikhail Ragozin
, Decision (unanimous)
,
M-1 Challenge 83
,
, align=center, 3
, align=center, 5:00
,
Kazan
Kazan; , IPA: Help:IPA/Tatar, ɑzanis the largest city and capital city, capital of Tatarstan, Russia. The city lies at the confluence of the Volga and the Kazanka (river), Kazanka Rivers, covering an area of , with a population of over 1. ...
, Russia
,
, -
, Loss
, align=center, 9–3
,
Alexander Shlemenko
Alexander Pavlovich Shlemenko (, born 20 May 1984) is a Russian mixed martial artist currently fighting in the Middleweight division. He is most notable for fighting for Bellator Fighting Championships, where he is the former Bellator Middlew ...
, TKO (kick to the body and punches)
,
M-1 Challenge 79
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 0:25
,
Saint Petersburg
Saint Petersburg, formerly known as Petrograd and later Leningrad, is the List of cities and towns in Russia by population, second-largest city in Russia after Moscow. It is situated on the Neva, River Neva, at the head of the Gulf of Finland ...
, Russia
,
, -
, Loss
, align=center, 9–2
,
John Salter
John Salter (born March 21, 1985) is an American retired mixed martial artist, he competed in the Middleweight division of Bellator MMA. A professional competitor since 2007, he has also competed for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), St ...
, Submission (triangle choke)
,
Bellator 156
2016 in Bellator MMA was the eighth year in the history of Bellator MMA, a mixed martial arts promoter based in the United States. Bellator held 23 events in 2016.
Background
2016 is notable for the launch of sibling promotion Bellator Kickboxin ...
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 4:03
,
Fresno, California
Fresno (; ) is a city in the San Joaquin Valley of California, United States. It is the county seat of Fresno County, California, Fresno County and the largest city in the greater Central Valley (California), Central Valley region. It covers a ...
, United States
,
, -
, Loss
, align=center, 9–1
,
Rafael Carvalho
, KO (body kick)
,
Bellator 144
,
, align=center, 2
, align=center, 1:42
,
Uncasville, Connecticut
Uncasville is a village in the town of Montville, Connecticut, United States. It is located in southeastern Montville, at the mouth of the Oxoboxo River where it flows into the Thames River. The name is now applied more generally to all of the ...
, United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 9–0
,
Kendall Grove
Kendall Grove (born November 12, 1982) is an American mixed martial artist who is currently signed to Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. A professional competitor since 2003, he has also competed for the Bellator MMA, UFC, KSW, ProElite, King ...
, TKO (punches)
,
Bellator 137
2015 in Bellator MMA was the seventh year in the history of Bellator MMA, a mixed martial arts promotion based in the United States. Bellator held 16 events in 2015.
Background
In June 2014, Founder and CEO Bjorn Rebney parted with the company. ...
,
, align=center, 4
, align=center, 2:25
,
Temecula, California
Temecula (; , ; Luiseño language, Luiseño: ''Temeekunga'') is a city in southwestern Riverside County, California, United States. The city had a population of 110,003 as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census and was Municipal corpora ...
, United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 8–0
,
Alexander Shlemenko
Alexander Pavlovich Shlemenko (, born 20 May 1984) is a Russian mixed martial artist currently fighting in the Middleweight division. He is most notable for fighting for Bellator Fighting Championships, where he is the former Bellator Middlew ...
, Technical Submission (rear-naked choke)
,
Bellator 126
2014 in Bellator MMA was the tenth season for Bellator MMA, a mixed martial arts promotion. It began on February 28, 2014 and aired on Spike TV.
The season included tournaments for the Heavyweight, Welterweight, Featherweight, Light Heavyweight ...
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 0:35
,
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix ( ) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of cities and towns in Arizona#List of cities and towns, most populous city of the U.S. state of Arizona. With over 1.6 million residents at the 2020 census, it is the ...
, United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 7–0
,
Brett Cooper
, Submission (armbar)
,
Bellator 122
2014 in Bellator MMA was the tenth season for Bellator MMA, a mixed martial arts promotion. It began on February 28, 2014 and aired on Spike TV.
The season included tournaments for the Heavyweight, Welterweight, Featherweight, Light Heavyweight ...
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 2:09
,
Temecula, California
Temecula (; , ; Luiseño language, Luiseño: ''Temeekunga'') is a city in southwestern Riverside County, California, United States. The city had a population of 110,003 as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census and was Municipal corpora ...
, United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 6–0
,
Joe Pacheco
Joe Pacheco (born February 19, 1985) is an American mixed martial artist of Puerto Rican and Belizean descent who competes in Bellator's middleweight division.
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Pacheco started his professional career in ...
, Decision (unanimous)
,
Bellator 116
2014 in Bellator MMA was the tenth season for Bellator MMA, a mixed martial arts promotion. It began on February 28, 2014 and aired on Spike TV.
The season included tournaments for the Heavyweight, Welterweight, Featherweight, Light Heavyweight ...
,
, align=center, 3
, align=center, 5:00
,
Temecula, California
Temecula (; , ; Luiseño language, Luiseño: ''Temeekunga'') is a city in southwestern Riverside County, California, United States. The city had a population of 110,003 as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census and was Municipal corpora ...
, United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 5–0
, Hector Ramirez
, TKO (punches)
,
Bellator 106
2013 in Bellator MMA was the eighth installment of the Bellator MMA, which began on January 17, 2013 and ended on April 4, 2013.
Mixed martial arts tournaments were held in five weight classes and all of the champions, except the heavyweight ch ...
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 0:52
,
Long Beach, California
Long Beach is a coastal city in southeastern Los Angeles County, California, United States. It is the list of United States cities by population, 44th-most populous city in the United States, with a population of 451,307 as of 2022. A charter ci ...
, United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 4–0
, Joe Yager
, Decision (split)
,
Bellator 96
2013 in Bellator MMA was the eighth installment of the Bellator MMA, which began on January 17, 2013 and ended on April 4, 2013.
Mixed martial arts tournaments were held in five weight classes and all of the champions, except the heavyweight ch ...
,
, align=center, 3
, align=center, 5:00
,
Thackerville, Oklahoma
Thackerville is a town in Love County, Oklahoma, United States. It is located near the Texas state border. The population was 400 at the 2020 census.
Geography
Thackerville is situated near the intersection of U.S. Highway 77 and State High ...
, United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 3–0
, Rocky Ramirez
, Technical Submission (arm-triangle choke)
,
Bellator 92
2013 in Bellator MMA was the eighth installment of the Bellator MMA, which began on January 17, 2013 and ended on April 4, 2013.
Mixed martial arts tournaments were held in five weight classes and all of the champions, except the heavyweight ch ...
,
, align=center, 3
, align=center, 0:50
,
Temecula, California
Temecula (; , ; Luiseño language, Luiseño: ''Temeekunga'') is a city in southwestern Riverside County, California, United States. The city had a population of 110,003 as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census and was Municipal corpora ...
, United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 2–0
,
Shonie Carter
Shonie Carter (born May 3, 1972), is an American former mixed martial artist. He is a former WEC Welterweight Champion, a UFC veteran, and a contestant on '' The Ultimate Fighter 4'' reality show. He has also competed in Pancrase, Shooto, Ki ...
, Decision (unanimous)
, KOTC: Reckless Abandon
,
, align=center, 3
, align=center, 5:00
,
Highland, California
Highland (inc. East Highlands) is a city in San Bernardino County, California, United States located 65 miles east of Downtown Los Angeles and roughly 50 miles west of Palm Springs, California. The city's population, inclusive to its neighbor ...
, United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 1–0
, Chris Golz
, Submission (rear-naked choke)
, Respect in the Cage
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 1:46
,
Pomona, California
Pomona ( ) is a city in eastern Los Angeles County, California, United States. Pomona is located in the Pomona Valley, between the Inland Empire and the San Gabriel Valley. At the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, the city's population was ...
, United States
,
See also
*
List of Bellator MMA alumni
A list is a set of discrete items of information collected and set forth in some format for utility, entertainment, or other purposes. A list may be memorialized in any number of ways, including existing only in the mind of the list-maker, but ...
*
List of male mixed martial artists
This is a list of notable professional male mixed martial arts fighters in alphabetical order.
__NOTOC__
A
* Tank Abbott - ( UFC, Pride, Strikeforce)
* Hamdy Abdelwahab - ( UFC)
* Abdul-Aziz Abdulvakhabov - ( ACB)
* Shamil Abdurakhimov - ...
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Halsey, Brandon
Living people
American male mixed martial artists
Middleweight mixed martial artists
Mixed martial artists utilizing collegiate wrestling
Mixed martial artists utilizing judo
1986 births
Bellator MMA champions
American male sport wrestlers
Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners wrestlers
American male judoka