1. James McSweeney joined Lucien Carbin's gym, where teammates and sparring partners included Alistair Overeem, Valentijn Overeem, and Tyrone Spong.
27 Facts About James McSweeney
1. 2.
An accomplished kickboxer and Muay Thai fighter, James McSweeney won numerous British, Dutch, European and world titles.
3.
In 2006, James McSweeney transitioned to mixed martial arts and moved in with The Ultimate Fighter coach Rashad Evans.
4.
James 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.
5.
James McSweeney was on The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights fighting alongside Team Rashad.
6.
James McSweeney was the first overall pick and fought on the second episode of the show against Wes Shivers defeating him via majority decision.
7.
James McSweeney moved on to the next round of the tournament, fighting teammate, Matt Mitrione.
8.
James McSweeney was given another chance by the UFC despite losing on The Ultimate Fighter.
9.
James 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.
10.
James McSweeney later decided against the appeal to focus on his next fight instead.
11.
James McSweeney was to drop to the Light Heavyweight division at UFC 120 to fight Tom Blackledge.
12.
James McSweeney lost the bout in the third round via TKO due to punches.
13.
James McSweeney lost a unanimous decision to former UFC Heavyweight Champion Ricco Rodriguez at BAMMA 5: Daley vs Shirai on 26 February 2011.
14.
James McSweeney then had a further loss to submissions ace Francisco France in April 2011 at a Crowbar MMA event.
15.
On 20 August 2011, James McSweeney defeated Sam Brown by Submission in the 1st round.
16.
James McSweeney faced former MFC Light Heavyweight Champion Emanuel Newton at Superior Cage Combat 3.
17.
James McSweeney faced fellow UFC veteran Paul Buentello in a Light Heavyweight bout on 23 August 2013 at Legacy Fighting Championship 22.
18.
James McSweeney lost the fight via TKO in the second round.
19.
In 2014, James McSweeney signed with the Asian promotion ONE Championship.
20.
James McSweeney again won the fight via KO in the first round.
21.
James McSweeney lost the fight via TKO in the third round.
22.
James McSweeney was expected to face Polish prospect Michal Andryszak at KSW 45 on 6 October 2018.
23.
James McSweeney faced Hatef Moeil at Mix Fight Championship 26 on 22 June 2019, losing the bout via first-round technical knockout.
24.
In September 2021, James McSweeney announced that he had retired from mixed martial arts competition in order to continue his kickboxing career.
25.
James McSweeney was scheduled to face Antonio Plazibat at Glory: Collision 3 on 23 October 2021.
26.
In December 2022, James McSweeney defeated Bugra Erdogan to win the Mix Fight Heavyweight Championship.
27.
James McSweeney was expected to face Badr Hari in the main event of Glory 88 on 9 September 2023.