Darrion Caldwell

Darrion Caldwell (born December 19, 1987) is an American mixed martial artist currently competing in the bantamweight division of Bellator MMA. A professional since 2012, he has also competed for Legacy FC. He was the 2009 NCAA national wrestling champion at 149 pounds.

Background

Born and raised in Rahway, New Jersey, Caldwell competed in wrestling, football, and baseball at Rahway High School. Caldwell was a two-time All-Region football player, but had his most success on the wrestling mats; he had a record of 146-4 in high school, and was a three-time state champion.^[1]

Caldwell continued wrestling at North Carolina State University, and during his true freshman season his record was 20-6. Caldwell missed becoming an All-American by one match, and had one of the best freshman seasons in the history of the school. In 2007-2008, Caldwell went 36-5 and finished in fifth place in the nation, earning All-American status. In 2008-2009, Caldwell went 38-1, and became national champion by defeating 2008 national champion and Dan Hodge Trophy winner, Brent Metcalf, 11-6. Caldwell was named most outstanding wrestler of the national championship tournament, and his only defeat was by injury default. Off the back of this performance, Caldwell was invited to attempt to join the senior-level Freestyle Wrestling world team, despite having little experience in the different style of wrestling. Caldwell finished in third place at the world team trials, and defeated the reigning Olympian at the weight class along the way. In the offseason Caldwell suffered a series of devastating shoulder injuries, which required surgery and forced him to redshirt the 2009-2010 season. Caldwell returned to action midway through the 10-11 year, and was undefeated in 15 matches. Caldwell was the number one seed for the 2011 national championships, but unfortunately suffered yet another shoulder injury in the second round match, which ended his college career. Caldwell finished his collegiate career with a 109-13 record, with 58 victories coming by a pin. Caldwell attempted to qualify for the 2012 U.S. Olympic team, but the string of injuries left him outside of his top form. Caldwell was eliminated in round three of the final U.S. Olympic trials qualifier, and then decided to pursue a career in MMA.

Mixed martial arts career

Legacy Fighting Championship

In July 2012, it was revealed that Caldwell had signed with Texas-based promotion Legacy Fighting Championship.^[2]

Caldwell made his MMA and promotional debut against David Armas at Legacy FC 14 on September 14, 2012. For the majority of the fight, Caldwell was able to control the fight on the ground, mounting and taking Armas' back several times. He won via unanimous decision.^[3]

In his second professional fight, Caldwell met Quaint Kempf at Legacy FC 16 on December 14, 2012. He won the fight via TKO after dropping Kempf with a left hand and unloading with a series of punches on the ground.^[4]

Caldwell next faced Gerzan Chaw at Legacy FC 21 on July 19, 2013. He won the fight via unanimous decision after three rounds.^[5]

Bellator MMA

Caldwell signed with Bellator MMA in November 2013.^[6]

Caldwell made his debut for the promotion against Lance Surma on March 14, 2014 at Bellator 112. He won via guillotine choke submission at 0:50 in the first round.^[7]

In his second appearance for Bellator, Caldwell faced Joe Pingitore at Bellator 118 on May 2, 2014. He won via submission in the first round, improving his record to 5–0.^[8]

In his third appearance for the promotion, Caldwell faced Anthony Dizi at Bellator 130 on October 24, 2014.^[9] He won the fight via unanimous decision. He later stated in an interview that he plans to move down to the bantamweight division.^[10]

Caldwell made his bantamweight debut against Rafael Silva on May 15, 2015 at Bellator 137.^[11] He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Caldwell next faced Shawn Bunch at Bellator 143 on September 25, 2015. He won the fight via submission in the first round.

In his highest profile fight to date, Caldwell faced former two-time Bellator champion Joe Warren in the main event at Bellator 151 on March 4, 2016. Caldwell dominated the fight, winning via technical submission due to a rear-naked choke in the first round.

Caldwell then faced highly touted prospect Joe Taimanglo at Bellator 159. He was up both rounds but got submitted by Taimanglo just nine seconds into the third round with a guillotine choke. This was a title eliminator bout until Tiamanglo missed weight.

Caldwell and Taimanglo had a rematch in the main event at Bellator 167 on December 3, 2016. This time Caldwell managed to keep Taimanglo down and avoid all of his submission attempts, resulting in a unanimous decision win.

Celebratory backflip incidents

In the last seconds of his 2009 NCAA championship match against Brent Metcalf, Caldwell attempted to celebrate early with a handspring and backflip. While in the middle of his backflip, Metcalf pushed him, making him fall hard on his back. The push occurred slightly after the whistle. Metcalf later apologized, citing a fight-to-the-end wrestler mentality and frustration.^[12]

After defeating Shawn Bunch at Bellator 143 in 2015, Caldwell did a backflip off the cage and landed on a camerawoman, whose shot was live at the time. Though knocked down, she was uninjured, and Caldwell apologized.^[13]

Mixed martial arts record

References