Tony Gravely

Tony Gravely[1] (born September 28, 1991) is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Bantamweight division. A professional since 2015, he is most notable for his time in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Tony Gravely
BornAntonio Lamar Gravely[1]
(1991-09-28) September 28, 1991
Martinsville, Virginia, United States
Height5 ft 5 in (1.65 m)
Weight135 lb (61 kg; 9 st 9 lb)
DivisionBantamweight
Reach69 in (175 cm)[2]
Fighting out ofCoconut Creek, Florida
TeamTech MMA & Fitness Academy (2013–2020)[3]
American Top Team (2020–present)[4]
RankBlack belt in Taekwondo[5]
Purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu[5]
WrestlingNCAA Division I Wrestling[5]
Years active2015–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total32
Wins23
By knockout10
By submission3
By decision10
Losses9
By knockout1
By submission5
By decision3
UniversityAppalachian State University
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Background

Gravely's father was a taekwondo instructor for over 25 years, so he started taking Tae Kwon Do when he was about three or four years old. He trained and competed in Tae Kwon Do until he started wrestling in sixth grade, continuing wrestling from sixth grade all the way through college.[6]

A native of Martinsville, Virginia, Gravely attended Magna Vista High School, where he was a four-time all-state wrestler. He had two undefeated seasons and was a two-time Virginia state champion while wrestling in high school.[7]

After high school, Gravely attended Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina on a wrestling scholarship. In three seasons wrestling for the Mountaineers, Gravely appeared in two NCAA Tournaments and won a Southern Conference Tournament Championship. He left Appalachian State with a major in construction management.[8]

According to the Martinsville Bulletin, Gravely quit his construction project manager day job in 2016 and decided to focus full-time on an MMA career.[9] He trained at Tech MMA Academy in Southwest Virginia for years as he pursued a professional fighting career.[10]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Following a 6-1 amateur career, Gravely had his first professional fight in October 2015 against Chad Wiggington. He won the fight at the Elite 8 Warrior Challenge in a unanimous decision to claim his first victory.[11] In his second bout, Gravely lost to Pat Sabatini by first-round rear-naked choke submission at CFFC 52.

After a six fight winning streak, Gravely suffered dropped three of his next four fights, getting submitted by Ricky Bandejas in the second round, outpointed by Merab Dvalishili, and armbarred by Manny Bermudez. For his lone outing with Legacy Fighting Alliance at LFA 17, Gravely defeated Keith Richardson via unanimous decision. He also defeated Jerrell Hodge and Jordan Morales. On the strength of that run, Gravely challenged Patchy Mix (11-0) for the KOTC Bantamweight Championship at KOTC: No Retreat in May 2018. Gravely was submitted by the first round, falling to Mix's dangerous guillotine. Gravely defeated his next three foes via TKO that saw wins over Drako Rodriguez, earning him the KOTC Bantamweight Championship and James Quigg. In the main event of CES MMA 53, he knocked out Kody Nordby in the first round for the CES MMA Bantamweight Championship. Gravely would defend his CES MMA title twice with back to back stoppages at CES MMA 54 where he knocked out Kris Moutinho in the fourth round and CES MMA 55 where Gravely submitted Darren Mima in round two via rear-naked choke.[12][13]

Gravely got his break in UFC when he was selected to be a part of Dana White's Contender Series 24 in 2019. He earned the formal invite to join the UFC after recording a knockout of Ray Rodriguez in the third round of his Contender Series fight.[14]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Gravely made his UFC debut against Brett Johns on January 25, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. dos Santos.[15] He lost the fight via a rear-naked choke in round three.[16] This bout earned him the Fight of the Night award.[17] Brett Johns in Raleigh, North Carolina. After his debut, Gravely announced he would be moving to Florida to train with American Top Team.[18]

Gravely faced Geraldo de Freitas on November 14, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Felder vs. dos Anjos.[19] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[20]

Gravely was scheduled to face Nate Maness at UFC on ESPN: Whittaker vs. Gastelum on April 17, 2021.[21] However, Maness was removed from the bout for undisclosed reasons and he was replaced by Anthony Birchak.[22] Gravely won the fight via technical knockout in round two.[23] This fight earned him a Performance of the Night award.[24]

The bout with Maness was rescheduled for September 18, 2021, at UFC Fight Night: Smith vs. Spann.[25] Gravely lost the fight via technical knockout in round two.[26]

Gravely faced promotional newcomer Saimon Oliveira on January 22, 2022, at UFC 270.[27] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[28]

Gravely faced Johnny Muñoz Jr. on June 4, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 207.[29] He won the bout in the first round after knocking down Muñoz after the latter ran into an uppercut on a takedown attempt.[30]

Gravely faced Javid Basharat on September 17, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 210.[31] He lost the bout via unanimous decision.[32]

Gravely faced Victor Henry on March 11, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 221.[33] He lost the fight via split decision.[34]

On June 5, 2023, news surfaced that Gravely had fought out his contract and the organization opted not to renew it.[35]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown
32 matches 23 wins 9 losses
By knockout 10 1
By submission 3 5
By decision 10 3
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 23–9 Victor Henry Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Yan vs. Dvalishvili March 11, 2023 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 23–8 Javid Basharat Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Song September 17, 2022 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 23–7 Johnny Muñoz Jr. KO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Volkov vs. Rozenstruik June 4, 2022 1 1:08 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 22–7 Saimon Oliveira Decision (unanimous) UFC 270 January 22, 2022 3 5:00 Anaheim, California, United States
Loss 21–7 Nate Maness TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Smith vs. Spann September 18, 2021 2 2:10 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 21–6 Anthony Birchak TKO (punches) UFC on ESPN: Whittaker vs. Gastelum April 17, 2021 2 1:31 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Performance of the Night.
Win 20–6 Geraldo de Freitas Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Felder vs. dos Anjos November 15, 2020 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 19–6 Brett Johns Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. dos Santos January 25, 2020 3 2:53 Raleigh, North Carolina, United States Fight of the Night.
Win 19–5 Ray Rodriguez TKO (punches) Dana White's Contender Series 24 August 13, 2019 3 2:16 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 18–5 Darren Mima Submission (rear-naked choke) CES 55: Wells vs. de Jesus March 29, 2019 2 4:54 Hartford, Connecticut, United States Defended the CES MMA Bantamweight Championship.
Win 17–5 Kris Moutinho KO (punches) CES 54: Andrews vs. Logan January 19, 2019 4 4:02 Lincoln, Rhode Island, United States Defended the CES MMA Bantamweight Championship.
Win 16–5 Kody Nordby KO (slam) CES 53: Gravely vs. Nordby November 2, 2018 1 0:36 Lincoln, Rhode Island, United States Won the vacant CES MMA Bantamweight Championship.
Win 15–5 Drako Rodriguez TKO (punches) KOTC: Territorial Conflict September 15, 2018 5 3:49 Niagara Falls, New York, United States Won the vacant KOTC Bantamweight Championship.
Win 14–5 Bruno Ferreira TKO (punches) Road to M-1 USA August 11, 2018 1 N/A Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Win 13–5 James Quigg TKO Fight Lab 59 June 22, 2018 3 1:08 Charlotte, North Carolina, United States Won the Fight Lab Bantamweight Championship.
Loss 12–5 Patchy Mix Submission (guillotine choke) King of the Cage: No Retreat May 12, 2018 1 1:44 Salamanca, New York, United States For the KOTC Bantamweight Championship.
Win 12–4 Jerrell Hodge Decision (unanimous) CFFC 68 October 21, 2017 3 5:00 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win 11–4 Jordan Morales Decision (unanimous) PA Cage Fight 29 September 22, 2017 3 5:00 Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, United States Won the PACF Bantamweight Championship.
Win 10–4 Keith Richardson Decision (unanimous) LFA 17 July 21, 2017 3 5:00 Charlotte, North Carolina, United States Catchweight (140 lb) bout.
Win 9–4 Francis Healy Decision (unanimous) KOTC: Heavy Hands May 13, 2017 3 5:00 Washington, Pennsylvania, United States Featherweight bout.
Loss 8–4 Manny Bermudez Submission (armbar) Cage Titans 33 April 8, 2017 1 N/A Plymouth, Massachusetts, United States
Loss 8–3 Merab Dvalishvili Decision (unanimous) Ring of Combat 57 November 18, 2016 3 5:00 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win 8–2 Tim Sosa Decision (unanimous) KOTC: Harm's Way September 17, 2016 3 5:00 Washington, Pennsylvania, United States
Loss 7–2 Ricky Bandejas Submission (rear-naked choke) CFFC 60 August 6, 2016 2 2:32 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win 7–1 Dave Roberts TKO (punches) CFFC 58 May 21, 2016 3 2:37 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win 6–1 Dylan Cala Submission (rear-naked choke) Cage Rage 4 April 16, 2016 1 3:01 Greensboro, North Carolina, United States
Win 5–1 Paul Grant TKO (punches) Ring of Combat 54 March 4, 2016 3 1:02 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win 4–1 Reginald Barnett Jr. Decision (unanimous) Elite Warrior Challenge 9 February 6, 2016 3 5:00 Salem, Virginia, United States
Win 3–1 Dwayne Holman Jr. Decision (unanimous) CFFC 55: Chookagian vs. Varela January 9, 2016 3 5:00 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Return to Bantamweight.
Win 2–1 Vladimir Kazbekov Submission (rear-naked choke) Global Proving Ground 22 November 21, 2015 2 4:20 Mt. Laurel, New Jersey, United States Catchweight (130 lb) bout.
Loss 1–1 Pat Sabatini Submission (rear-naked choke) CFFC 52: Horcher vs. Regman October 31, 2015 1 2:47 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Featherweight debut.
Win 1–0 Chad Wiggington Decision (unanimous) Elite Warrior Challenge 8 October 10, 2015 3 5:00 Salem, Virginia, United States Bantamweight debut.

[36]

See also

References
  1. Mixed martial arts show results Date: April 17, 2021
  2. "Stats | UFC". ufcstats.com. Retrieved October 4, 2020.
  3. "On The RISE: Tony Gravely". risebrewing.co. Retrieved September 21, 2021.
  4. Joe McDonagh (June 25, 2020). "UFC: Tony Gravely Ready for New Beginnings with Move to American Top Team". cagesidepress.com.
  5. "Tony Gravely | UFC". UFC.com. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
  6. "On The RISE: Tony Gravely". RISE Brewing Co. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  7. "Tony Gravely - Wrestling - App State Sports". appstatesports.com. Retrieved April 5, 2021.
  8. "Tony Gravely - Wrestling - App State Sports". appstatesports.com. Retrieved April 5, 2021.
  9. "Martinsville native Tony Gravely has wrestled to make a career as one of Virginia's few ultimate fighters". Martinsville Bulletin. Retrieved April 7, 2021.
  10. "Staff - Tech MMA and Fitness". Retrieved April 7, 2021.
  11. "Tony Gravely". Tapology. Retrieved April 5, 2021.
  12. Painter, Myles (August 23, 2019). "Across The Pond Profile: UFC fighter Tony Gravely | MMA UK". MMAUK. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  13. Fiedel, Michael. "FloCombat Prospect Of The Week: CES Champion Tony Gravely - FloCombat". www.flocombat.com. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  14. "UFC: Tony Gravely Ready for New Beginnings with Move to American Top Team". Cageside Press. Retrieved April 6, 2021.
  15. Farah Hannoun (November 20, 2019). "Brett Johns set to return after long layoff, fight Tony Gravely at UFC Raleigh". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  16. Shillan, Keith (January 25, 2020). "UFC Raleigh Results: Brett Johns Earns Third-Round Submission in Grappling-Heavy Affair". Cageside Press. Retrieved January 26, 2020.
  17. Youngs, Jose. "UFC Raleigh bonuses: Brett Johns vs. Tony Gravely earns Fight of the Night". MMAFighting.com. Retrieved January 25, 2020.
  18. Erickson, Matt; Morgan, John (November 16, 2020). "Tony Gravely credits move to American Top Team for helping him back to win column". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  19. Farah Hannoun (October 21, 2020). "Tony Gravely vs. Geraldo de Freitas joins Nov. 14 UFC lineup". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
  20. Doherty, Dan (November 14, 2020). "UFC Vegas 14 Results: Tony Gravely Smothers Geraldo de Freitas". Cageside Press. Retrieved November 14, 2020.
  21. Nolan King and Farah Hannoun (February 18, 2019). "UFC books Tony Gravely vs. Nate Maness for April 17 event". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  22. Staff (March 26, 2021). "Anthony Birchak replaces Nate Maness against Tony Gravely at UFC event on April 17th". mmadna.nl. Retrieved March 26, 2021. (in Dutch)
  23. Behunin, Alex (April 17, 2021). "UFC Vegas 24 Results: Tony Gravely Scores Second-Round Knockout of Anthony Birchak". Cageside Press. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  24. John Morgan (April 18, 2021). "UFC on ESPN 22 bonuses: Robert Whittaker, Kelvin Gastelum deliver 'Fight of the Night'". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  25. DNA, MMA (August 17, 2021). "Tweede poging Tony Gravely vs. Nate Maness, ditmaal op 18 september". MMA DNA. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
  26. Behunin, Alex (September 18, 2021). "UFC Vegas 37 Results: Nate Maness Knocks Tony Gravely Out In Comeback Win". Cageside Press. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
  27. DNA, MMA (October 23, 2021). "Tony Gravely treft nieuwkomer Saimon Oliveira tijdens UFC 270 in Anaheim". MMA DNA. Retrieved October 24, 2021.
  28. Anderson, Jay (January 22, 2022). "UFC 270: Tony Gravely Avoids Flying Knees, Guillotines to Win Decision Over Saimon Oliveira". Cageside Press. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
  29. Anderson, Jay (May 3, 2022). "UFC: Tony Gravely vs. Johnny Munoz Added to June 4 Fight Night Card". Cageside Press. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
  30. Law, Eddie (June 4, 2022). "UFC Vegas 56: Tony Gravely Ends Fight Quickly, Scores TKO Win Over Johnny Munoz". Cageside Press. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
  31. "UFC books Javid Basharat vs. Tony Gravely for Sept. 17 event". MMA Junkie. August 10, 2022. Retrieved August 10, 2022.
  32. Anderson, Jay (September 17, 2022). "UFC Vegas 60: Javid Basharat Passes Test Against Tony Gravely". Cageside Press. Retrieved September 17, 2022.
  33. ATSteveDuncan (January 27, 2023). "Tony Gravely vs. Victor Henry anunciado para UFC Vegas 71". MMA.uno , #1 En noticias de Artes Marciales Mixtas (MMA) en Español. (in Spanish). Retrieved January 27, 2023.
  34. Jamie Theodosi (March 11, 2023). "UFC Las Vegas: Victor Henry narrowly edges Tony Gravely in three-round war". Cageside Press. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  35. Damon Martin (June 5, 2023). "Makwan Amirkhani, Trevin Jones and four more fighters removed from UFC roster". mmafighting.com.
  36. Sherdog.com. "Tony Gravely". Sherdog. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
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