Brandon Halsey

School wrestling record for wins at 150–16; professional mixed martial artist

What is Brandon Halsey known for?

Brandon Halsey, born on September 16, 1986, in San Diego, California, is a notable American professional mixed martial artist. He is widely recognized in the fighting world for his performance in both the Middleweight and Light Heavyweight divisions. Currently, he is fighting in the Light Heavyweight division of the Professional Fighters League and has formerly competed for M-1 Global and Bellator, where he was the Middleweight Champion.

Halsey had a passion for combat sports from a young age. He was always encouraged and motivated by his family, as his father was a wrestler at UCLA, and his two brothers also competed at NCAA Division I colleges. He attended Rancho Buena Vista High School and made a name for himself on the wrestling team. He even managed to win a CIF state championship and finished his high school career with an impressive record of 150-16 and 80 pins, the best in the school's history.

Striving to continue his passion, Halsey attended Fresno State University, later transferred to California State University at Bakersfield when Fresno State dropped their wrestling program. He demonstrated exceptional skills at CSUB, finishing 7th at the NCAA Division 1 National Championships and earning NCAA Division 1 All-American honors. His specialty in folkstyle wrestling further boosted his career.

Making his professional debut in 2012 against Chris Golz, Halsey had an auspicious start by winning the bout via submission in the first round. He also victoriously won against Shonie Carter, a UFC veteran, through unanimous decision. After a few bouts, Halsey was signed by Bellator Fighting Championships where he made significant strides, winning fights against fighters like Rocky Ramirez, Joe Yager, and Hector Ramirez. A major highlight of his career in Bellator was winning the Season Ten middleweight tournament in March 2014. He also won a Middleweight Champion title after facing Alexander Shlemenko.

With a total of 17 fights under his belt, Halsey has had 12 wins, including 3 by knockout, 4 by submission, and 5 by decision, and 5 losses. His determination and fighting spirit continue to inspire many young athletes around the world. Known for his orthodox stance and wrestling moves, Halsey leaves an indelible mark in the world of mixed martial arts.

For more on his MMA records, check out his profile on Sherdog.