User:MFDodge/sandbox/Aaron Jeffery

Aaron Jeffery (born November 14, 1992) is a Canadian professional mixed martial artist currently competing in the middleweight division of Cage Fury Fighting Championships (CFFC).

Background
Aaron Jeffery was born in Tillsonburg, Ontario, Canada in November of 1992. He attended Brock University, where he received a bachelor of sciences in nutrition. Jeffery played soccer and football growing up, but became interested in MMA by watching popular UFC fighters, including Anderson Silva. He began his career in 2012 as an amateur, going 6-0 while capturing titles in the Ohio FC and Gladiators of the Cage promotions.

Jeffery trains out of the Niagara Top Team gym in Niagara Falls, CA. He is also a Certified Sports Nutritionist (CISSN) with the International Society of Sports Nutrition.

Amateur Career
Aaron Jeffery began competing in mixed martial arts in the U.S. as an amateur in 2012. He stopped Nate Rowand (0-2) with strikes in the second round of their November 21 Big Bully MMA fight in St. Clairsville, OH. He then scored back to back knockout victories over Tim Beanblossom (1-0) and AJ Jaquish (0-0) in the Rocktagon MMA promotion in Cleveland, OH.

In March of 2013, Jeffery submitted Alan Hoelzle (2-2) with a rear-naked choke in the co-main event of Gladius Fights 3 in Rochester, NY. On the strength of his 4-0 amateur record and 100% finishing rate, Jeffery was booked to fight for the Ohio FC amateur middleweight title against Bryan Howe (4-2) in the co-main event of OFC 20 in March of 2014. Jeffery won the bout by rear-naked choke in the first round.

Jeffery captured the Gladiators of the Cage (GOTC) amateur middleweight title in his last amateur fight, a unanimous decision victory over Dann Cucuta (4-0) in July of 2014.

Early Career
Jeffery made his professional debut in October of 2014, defeating Matt Anderson (0-2) by triangle choke submission at OFC 22.

In just his third pro fight, Jeffery drew eventual UFC standout Sean Brady (2-0) at CFFC 53 on December 4, 2015. Jeffery lost the fight, the first of his career, by unanimous decision.

Jeffery then put together a four-fight winning streak that saw him knock out TJ Sumler (5-5), outpoint Chad Kelly (2-2), finish Alex Beaulé (2-1) with strikes, and defeat Jo Vallée (7-3) with a vicious knee. By defeating Vallée, Jeffery earned the BTC middleweight championship, a premier title on the Canadian regional circuit.

With a record of 6-1 replete with four knockouts, a submission, and the BTC title, Jeffery was selected to appear on UFC President Dana White's eponymous Dana White's Contender Series, a competition from which top prospects in the sport are signed to the UFC.

Contender Series, LFA, CFFC
Jeffery faced now-UFC contender Brendan Allen (15-3) on the Contender Series in July of 2019. Allen entered the fight on a three-fight winning streak and as the Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA) middleweight champion.

Jeffery lost the fight by submission in the first round, tapping to an Allen rear-naked choke. Though frustrated by the loss, Jeffery would go on to say that the loss was for the best: "I think if I would have been in the UFC at that point in my career, I would have not done as well as I could do now. I take it as a positive."

Since, Jeffery has won three straight main event appearances by knockout. He stopped Dennis Olson (14-11) with strikes in the second round of their August 2019 Combat Zone 71 matchup, knocked out Bruno Assis (9-4) in the third round of the SFT 23 main event a year later, and handed collegiate wrestling standout and undefeated prospect Andre Petroski (5-0) his first loss in their October 2020 LFA 93 main event.

Following the win over Petroski, Jeffery is booked to face Contender Series alumnus and UFC contract winner Collin Huckbody (9-2), the CFFC middleweight champion, in the main event of CFFC 93 on March 12.

Personal Life
Aaron Jeffery is teammates and roommates with Canadian flyweight Jasmine Jasudavicius (4-1) and Chris Prickett, the head coach at Niagara Top Team. Jeffery's partner, Ely, is a hair stylist.

Jeffery has garnered attention for his mullet hairstyle, participating in a promotional video for UFC Fight Pass where he ranked notable MMA fighters' mullets.

Championships and Accomplishments

 * BTC Promotions
 * Middleweight champion (One Time)
 * Gladiators of the Cage
 * Amateur middleweight champion (One Time)
 * Ohio FC
 * Amateur middleweight champion (One-Time)
 * Cageside Press
 * 10 Middleweight Prospects the UFC Should Sign in 2021
 * MMA Junkie — USA Today
 * On the Doorstep: 5 fighters who could make MMA big leagues with January wins
 * MMA-Prospects.com
 * 5 Prospects the UFC Should Sign for Fight Island