Jesse Delgado

Jesse Delgado (born August 26, 1992) is an American mixed martial artist and folkstyle wrestler who was a two-time National Champion (2013, 2014) at the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships. Delgado competed for the University of Illinois.

Early life
Delgado, who is of Mexican American descent, was born August 26, 1992, in Salinas, California, to Jesus Delgado and Elizabeth Lopez. As a child Delgado moved to the city of Gilroy, California. Delgado started wrestling around the age of five, by suggestion of his father.

High School career
Delgado was a state champion at Gilroy High School, winning a title at 112 pounds. He was a four time state placer in the California Interscholastic Federation. He placed third at 103 pounds as a freshman in 2007, third at 112 pounds as a sophomore in 2008, first at 112 pounds as a junior in 2009, and fourth at 125 pounds as a senior in 2010.

College career
After his success at Gilroy High School he committed to California Polytechnic State University to wrestle in college. However his coach Mark Perry decided to transfer to University of Illinois, and Delgado followed after his redshirt season. He later went on to win two national titles, and two Big Ten titles at the 125 pound weight class. His freshman year he upset former and eventual national champion Matt McDonough in the first of many matches between the two of them.

2010–2011 Redshirt Season
Delgado redshirted his true freshman year at California Polytechnic State University. He posted a 16–1 record with his lone loss coming to future two time All-American Ryan Mango. He ended the year winning the National Collegiate Open Wrestling Championship at 125 pounds.

2011–2012 Freshman Year
Jesse Delgado's Redshirt-Freshman year at Illinois showed a lot of promise, as he went 34–7. He was third place at the Big Ten tournament, and 7th place at the national tournament at 125 pounds. Delgado upset three time finalist and two-time champion Matt McDonough of Iowa in their first meeting. The match was McDonough's lone loss on the season. He earned All-American honors by finishing 7th place at the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships.

2012–2013 Sophomore Year
Delgado finally emerged as a champion. He captured both the Big Ten Championship and the National Championship at 125 Pounds. Delgado capped off a tremendous 27–3 season by beating 2012 and 2010 champion Matt McDonough in the Big Ten finals, and 2012 runner-up Nico Megaludis in the finals of the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships with a dramatic 3rd period cradle that lead to crucial back points to seal the victory (7-4). He became the first Fighting Illini National Champion since Matt Lackey (2003). He was also named Outstanding Wrestler of the Big Ten Championships.

2013–2014 Junior Year
Delgado went on to repeat as National Champion at the 125 pound weight class. He went 30–2 on the season and repeated as Big Ten champion as well. He was the first back to back National Champion at Illinois in 56 years. He also led the team with 80 dual points scored on the season. And was named W.I.N. Magazine No. 1 ranked wrestler at 125 for ten consecutive weeks. He won both Big Ten's and Nationals in similar fashion with a 3–2 victory over 2013 runner-up Nico Megaludis in the Big Ten Finals, and a 3–2 victory over Nahshon Garrett in the finals of the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships. Delgado was also named Fighting Illini Male Athlete of the Year.

2014–2015 Senior Year
A significant shoulder injury kept Delgado out of action a majority of his senior season. He relied on toughness to qualify for nationals with a gutsy 4th-place finish at the Big Ten tournament. Delgado finished his season 10–5, and defeated 2013 All-American Tyler Cox in the first round of the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships before suffering another injury. He finished his legendary career at Illinois with a record of (101-17), and achieved All-American status three times with 125 pound titles in 2013 and 2014, and a 7th-place finish in 2012.

After graduation he has opted to keep training at University of Illinois. He has also decided to chase his dream of being a mixed martial arts fighter after college.

Personal life
Jesse has a son, Job (born 2020) with girlfriend, Gretchen Carr.

Mixed martial arts career
Delgado made his MMA debut against Joshua Dillon on September 18, 2021, at Bellator 266. He won the bout via unanimous decision.