John Maguire (fighter)

John Maguire (born 19 May 1983) is an English mixed martial artist currently competing in Cage Warriors' Welterweight division. A professional competitor since 2006, Maguire has also competed for the UFC, Cage Rage, BAMMA, Absolute Championship Berkut, Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki, and UCMMA. Maguire is the former UCMMA Welterweight Champion.

Background
Maguire is from Peterborough, England, and was first exposed to mixed martial arts growing up, watching UFC events with his brother. A member of the English gypsy community, he left school when he was only 13 years old and taught himself how to read and write, while working in the logging and timber industry with his father, as well as working various other jobs before becoming a professional fighter.

Early career
Maguire made his professional MMA debut in April 2006. Over the next two years, he won all eight of his first bouts via TKO or submission with no fight going past the second round. Before signing with the UFC, he added an additional eight wins and three losses to his MMA record. He won the UCMMA Welterweight Championship on 18 September 2010, at UCMMA 15: Showdown, defeating Henrique Santana via TKO. He has defended it three times since then.

He holds victories over domestic UK standouts TUF 9 alumnus Dean Amasinger, UCMMA UK1 Welterweight Champion Peter Irving, UK MMA veteran Jamaine Facey and two wins over current UCMMA Middleweight Champion and UCMMA Welterweight Champion Jake Bostwick.

Ultimate Fighting Championship
Maguire was scheduled to make his UFC debut against James Head at UFC 138. However, Head was forced to withdraw due to injury and he instead took on The Ultimate Fighter 13 veteran Justin Edwards. Maguire won the fight via unanimous decision.

Maguire fought The Ultimate Fighter 9 finalist, DaMarques Johnson, at UFC on Fuel TV 2 on 14 April 2012. He won the fight by submission via armbar at 4:40 of the second frame. His performance was awarded with Submission of the Night honors.

Maguire lost via unanimous decision to John Hathaway on 29 September 2012 at UFC on Fuel TV 5. Maguire faced Matthew Riddle at UFC 154, stepping in to replace an injured Besam Yousef. Maguire lost the fight via unanimous decision. He then faced Mitch Clarke in his Lightweight debut on 15 June 2013 at UFC 161. He lost the bout by unanimous decision. He was subsequently released from the promotion afterwards.

Cage Warriors
Following his UFC release, Maguire signed with Cage Warriors on 31 October 2013. He made his debut against Philip Mulpeter at Cage Warriors 63 on 31 December 2013. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

He then faced Saul Rogers at Cage Warriors 65 on 1 March 2014. In a shocking upset, Rogers would defeat the heavy favorite Maguire via unanimous decision.

Maguire made a quick turnaround and faced Damir Hadžović at Cage Warriors 66 on 22 March 2014. He lost the fight via TKO in the first round.

Championships and accomplishments

 * Olympian MMA Championships
 * OMMAC Welterweight Championship (One time)
 * Ultimate Challenge MMA
 * UCMMA Welterweight Championship (One time)
 * Ultimate Fighting Championship
 * Submission of the Night (One time) vs. DaMarques Johnson