Jonathan Cruz Tuck (born August 28, 1984) is a Chamorro professional mixed martial artist. Tuck is the first Chamorro native from Guam to be signed by the Ultimate Fighting Championship, and competes at the Lightweight division. His official nickname is the "Super Saiyan", taken from the Japanese manga series Dragon Ball.[2]

Jon Tuck
BornJonathan Cruz Tuck
(1984-08-28) August 28, 1984 (age 40)
Chalan Pago-Ordot, Guam
Other namesSuper Saiyan
Height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight156 lb (71 kg; 11.1 st)
DivisionLightweight
Reach73 in (185 cm)[1]
StanceOrthodox
Fighting out ofHagatna, Guam
TeamKings MMA Guam Martial Arts Academy
RankBlack belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu[2]
Years active2007–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total16
Wins11
By knockout5
By submission5
By decision1
Losses5
By decision5
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Jon Tuck
Medal record
Representing  Guam
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Cup
Gold medal – first place 2010 Abu Dhabi, UAE Open Light [3]
Silver medal – second place 2010 Abu Dhabi, UAE -78 kg [3]

Background

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Tuck grew up with a love of martial arts, which he attributes to being from the culture of warriors, the Chamorros. Tuck began training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and MMA with his cousin, about six years before coming to the UFC. Tuck attended college at the University of Guam and was studying physical education before putting his education on hold because of his career in fighting. However, he does plan on finishing his college education in the near future. Before becoming a professional MMA fighter, Tuck also worked as a power plant operator.[4]

Mixed martial arts career

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Early career

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Tuck made his professional debut in 2007, earning his first win over Joe Nauta via rear-naked choke early in the first round. His second fight was against John Salas, winning via TKO (doctor stoppage).

On November 17, 2007, Tuck made his debut in Pacific Xtreme Combat against Giovanni Sablan. He shows his grappling skills by defeating Sablan via rear-naked choke.[5] After a year layoff he returned to fighting. He defeated Thomas Calvo via Rear-Naked-Choke in the first round.

On November 21, 2009, he made his debut in Gorilla Warfare, in a Superfight against his toughest opponent yet, URCC Welterweight Champion, Martial Combat Champion, ONE FC Lightweight Champion Eduard Folayang. He defeated Folayang via KO in just eight seconds.[6]

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu career

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Tuck competed in the World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Cup. He won the gold medal in the finals against Mohammed Naser in the Open Light division. Despite having a knee injury, Tuck competed in the -78 kg division placing second, which secured him the silver medal.

Comeback in MMA

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After competing in Brazilian jiu-jitsu tournaments all over the world, Tuck finally returned to MMA, defeating former Strikeforce fighter Tristan Arenal. Tuck got hit with some solid punches, stayed calm and composed. Tuck got a takedown, then knocked Arenal unconscious with ground and pound punches.[7]

The Ultimate Fighter

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In February 2012, Tuck was announced as a cast member of The Ultimate Fighter 15.[8] In his first fight, Tuck lost via unanimous decision to eventual finalist Al Iaquinta in the elimination round to get into the house. Tuck dislocated a toe during the fight.[9]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

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Tuck made his official promotional when he faced Zhang Tiequan on November 10, 2012, at UFC on Fuel TV 6.[10] Tuck won the fight via unanimous decision.[11]

Tuck was expected to face Norman Parke on April 20, 2013, at UFC on Fox 7.[12] However, the bout was scrapped during the week leading up to the event as Tuck was forced out of the bout with an injury.[13]

The rescheduled bout with Parke eventually took place on October 26, 2013, at UFC Fight Night 30.[14] Tuck lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Tuck was expected to face Yosdenis Cedeno on June 7, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 42.[15] However, Cedeno pulled out of the bout in early May citing an injury and was replaced by promotional newcomer Jake Lindsey.[16] He won the fight via submission in the third round due to heel strikes to the body.[17]

Tuck faced Kevin Lee on September 27, 2014, at UFC 178.[18] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Tuck faced Tae Hyun Bang on May 16, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 66.[19] Tuck won the fight via submission in the first round, which also produced a Performance of the Night bonus.[20][21]

Tuck was expected to face Nick Hein on May 8, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 87.[22] However, just days before the event, Hein pulled out citing injury.[23] He was replaced by promotional newcomer Josh Emmett.[24] Tuck lost the back and forth fight via split decision.[25]

Tuck was scheduled to face Mehdi Baghdad on October 15, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 97.[26] However, Baghdad pulled out of the fight in mid-September citing injury and was replaced by promotional newcomer Alex Volkanovski.[27] In turn, the promotion announced on October 6 that they had cancelled the event entirely.[28][29] Tuck was quickly rescheduled to face Damien Brown on November 27, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 101.[30] He lost the fight by controversial split decision.[31]

Tuck faced Takanori Gomi on June 17, 2017, at UFC Fight Night: Holm vs. Correia.[32] He won the fight by submission (rear-naked choke) in the first round.[33]

Tuck faced Drew Dober on August 25, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 135.[34] He lost the fight by unanimous decision and was subsequently released from the promotion.[35]

Bellator

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On September 4, 2019, news surfaced that Tuck will be replacing injured Paul Redmond on short notice against Brandon Girtz at Bellator Dublin on September 27, 2019.[36] Eventually only a week before the fight, Girtz withdrew from the bout due to an injury leading to Tuck being removed from the card as well.[37]

Championships and accomplishments

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Mixed martial arts record

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Professional record breakdown
16 matches 11 wins 5 losses
By knockout 5 0
By submission 5 0
By decision 1 5
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 11–5 Ryuichiro Sumimura KO (punch) Bellator & Rizin: Japan December 29, 2019 1 3:45 Saitama, Japan
Loss 10–5 Drew Dober Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Gaethje vs. Vick August 25, 2018 3 5:00 Lincoln, Nebraska, United States
Win 10–4 Takanori Gomi Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC Fight Night: Holm vs. Correia June 17, 2017 1 1:12 Kallang, Singapore
Loss 9–4 Damien Brown Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Whittaker vs. Brunson November 27, 2016 3 5:00 Melbourne, Australia
Loss 9–3 Josh Emmett Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Arlovski May 8, 2016 3 5:00 Rotterdam, Netherlands
Win 9–2 Tae Hyun Bang Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC Fight Night: Edgar vs. Faber May 16, 2015 1 3:56 Pasay, Philippines Performance of the Night.
Loss 8–2 Kevin Lee Decision (unanimous) UFC 178 September 27, 2014 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Tuck was deducted one point for a groin kick in round two.
Win 8–1 Jake Lindsey TKO (submission to heel strikes) UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. Khabilov June 7, 2014 3 2:47 Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
Loss 7–1 Norman Parke Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Machida vs. Munoz October 26, 2013 3 5:00 Manchester, England
Win 7–0 Zhang Tiequan Decision (unanimous) UFC on Fuel TV: Franklin vs. Le November 10, 2012 3 5:00 Macau, SAR, China
Win 6–0 Tristan Arenal KO (punches) Pacific Xtreme Combat 28 November 26, 2011 1 3:47 Pasig, Philippines
Win 5–0 Eduard Folayang KO (punch) GW 3 November 21, 2009 1 0:08 Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands
Win 4–0 Thomas Calvo Submission (rear-naked choke) Pacific Xtreme Combat 17 March 27, 2009 1 1:58 Mangilao, Guam
Win 3–0 Giovanni Sablan Submission (rear-naked choke) Pacific Xtreme Combat 13 November 17, 2007 1 4:41 Mangilao, Guam
Win 2–0 John Salas TKO (doctor stoppage) GHBW 2 May 28, 2007 1 5:00 Hagåtña, Guam
Win 1–0 Joe Neuta Submission (rear-naked choke) GHBW 1 February 9, 2007 1 2:13 Agana, Guam

Mixed martial arts exhibition record

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Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 0–1 Al Iaquinta Decision (unanimous) The Ultimate Fighter: Live March 9, 2012 1 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States One-round TUF entry fight.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Fight Card - UFC Fight Night Henderson vs. Khabilov". UFC.com. Archived from the original on June 19, 2018. Retrieved June 8, 2014.
  2. ^ a b "Jon Tuck - Official UFC Fighter Profile". UFC.com. Retrieved May 16, 2015.
  3. ^ a b "Guam's jiu-jitsu world champion: John Tuck - KUAM.com-KUAM News: On Air. Online. On Demand". Kuam.com. Retrieved 2011-12-20.
  4. ^ "Official UFC Fighter Profile". ufc.com. 14 September 2018.
  5. ^ "Events - PXC 13 - Back from the Dead". Pacificxtremecombat.com. 2007-11-17. Retrieved 2011-12-20.
  6. ^ "Jon Tuck KO's Eduard Folayang - Fight Video". mixedmartialarts.com.
  7. ^ "Jon Tuck KOs Tristan Arenal in sensational PXC 28 showdown | InterAKTV". Interaksyon.com. 2011-11-26. Archived from the original on 2013-06-22. Retrieved 2011-12-20.
  8. ^ Staff (2012-02-27). "'The Ultimate Fighter 15' cast unveiled with 32 lightweight fighters". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2012-02-27.
  9. ^ Staff (2012-03-10). "Episode No. 1 recap: 'The Ultimate Fighter: Live'". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2012-03-10.
  10. ^ zikesugawara (September 6, 2012). "Report: UFC on Fuel TV 6 fight card is all set including John Tuck vs. Zhang Tiequan". mmaorient.net. Archived from the original on February 22, 2013. Retrieved September 6, 2012.
  11. ^ Gene Mrosko (2012-11-10). "UFC on FUEL TV 6 results: Jon Tuck takes decision over Tiequan Zhang". mmamania.com. Retrieved 2012-11-10.
  12. ^ Staff (2013-02-07). "The Smashes Winner Norman Parke Gets Jon Tuck In San Jose". yourmma.tv. Archived from the original on 2013-04-19. Retrieved 2013-02-07.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  13. ^ Staff (2013-04-14). "Jon Tuck vs. Norman Parke pulled from Saturday's UFC on FOX 7 lineup". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved 2013-04-14.
  14. ^ Staff (2013-09-02). "Norman Parke vs. Jon Tuck joins UFC Fight Night 30 lineup in Manchester". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2013-09-02.
  15. ^ Matt Erickson (2014-05-01). "UFC Fight Night 42 card complete with addition of Yosdenis Cedeno vs. Jon Tuck". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-05-01.
  16. ^ Staff (2014-05-07). "Jake Lindsey replaces Yosdenis Cedeno at UFC Fight Night 42 in Albuquerque". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-05-07.
  17. ^ Ben Fowlkes (2014-06-07). "UFC Fight Night 42 results, photos: Jon Tuck stops Jake Lindsey via heel kick". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-06-07.
  18. ^ Thomas Gerbasi (2014-07-31). "Lee-Tuck added to UFC 178 card". UFC.com. Retrieved 2014-07-31.
  19. ^ Staff (2015-02-11). "UFC Fight Night 66 in Philippines adds five fights, including Tae Hyun Bang-Jon Tuck". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-02-11.
  20. ^ Brent Brookhouse (2015-05-16). "UFC Fight Night 66 results: Jon Tuck masterfully taps out Tae Hyun Bang in first". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-05-16.
  21. ^ Staff (2015-05-16). "UFC Fight Night 66 bonuses: Rare winners from UFC Fight Pass prelims". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-05-16.
  22. ^ Staff (2016-03-11). "Nick Hein vs. Jon Tuck added to UFC Fight Night 87". themmareport.com. Retrieved 2016-03-11.
  23. ^ John Morgan (2016-05-03). "New opponent sought for Guam's Jon Tuck for UFC Fight Night 87". guampdn.com. Retrieved 2016-05-03.
  24. ^ Staff (2016-05-04). "Team Alpha Male's Josh Emmett in for Nick Hein vs. Jon Tuck at UFC Fight Night 87". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-05-04.
  25. ^ Ben Fowlkes (2016-05-08). "UFC Fight Night 87 results: Josh Emmett takes split from Jon Tuck despite broken finger". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-05-08.
  26. ^ Staff (2016-09-02). "Jon Tuck vs. Mehdi Baghdad added to UFC Fight Night 97 in Philippines". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-09-02.
  27. ^ Chris (2016-09-15). "Alex Volkanovski set to face Jon Tuck at UFC Fight Night 97". fightnewsaustralia.com. Retrieved 2016-09-15.
  28. ^ Staff (2016-10-06). "UFC Fight Night Manila: Lamas vs. Penn to be rescheduled". ufc.com. Retrieved 2016-10-06.
  29. ^ Staff (2016-10-06). "After B.J. Penn's withdrawal, UFC cancels next week's UFC Fight Night 97 event in Philippines". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-10-06.
  30. ^ Sam Mangioni (2016-10-12). "Aussie Damien Brown officially added to UFC Fight Night 101; faces Jon Tuck". fightnewsaustralia.com. Retrieved 2016-10-12.
  31. ^ Ben Fowlkes (2016-11-27). "UFC Fight Night 101 results: Damien Brown takes split call from Jon Tuck on decision heavy card". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-11-27.
  32. ^ Staff (2017-03-28). "UFC Fight Night 111 takes shape in Singapore". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2017-03-28.
  33. ^ Dann Stupp (2017-06-17). "UFC Fight Night 111 results: Jon Tuck cruises, hands Takanori Gomi 4th straight loss". MMAjunkie. Retrieved 2017-06-17.
  34. ^ Drake Riggs (2018-06-14). "UFC Lincoln gets lightweight scrap between Drew Dober and Jon Tuck". mma-today.com. Retrieved 2018-06-14.[permanent dead link]
  35. ^ "UFC Fight Night 135 results: Drew Dober works over Jon Tuck in front of home fans". MMAjunkie. 2018-08-25. Retrieved 2018-08-26.
  36. ^ Peter Carroll (September 4, 2019). "Injury forces Paul Redmond off Bellator Dublin, Jon Tuck steps in to face Brandon Girtz". mmafighting.com.
  37. ^ Mike Bohn (September 21, 2019). "Brandon Girtz injured; fight with Jon Tuck scratched from Bellator 227". mmajunkie.com.
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