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Terry Etim
Terry Etim
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Terence Lee "Terry" Etim (born 11 January 1986) is a retired English mixed martial artist who competed as a lightweight. He is trained by Shyam Sundar and Reddy Sai Naren.[2] Etim is a brown belt in Luta Livre[3] under Marcelo Brigadeiro.

Key Information

Mixed martial arts career

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Early career

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Terry became the Cage Gladiators Lightweight Champion by defeating Greg Loughran via rear naked choke in the second round and successfully defended his title against Sami Berik, again winning in the second round via armbar.

Etim's fight with Spain's Diego Gonzalez was refereed by former boxing World Heavyweight Champion Mike Tyson,[4] during the World Cage Fighting Championships at the MEN Arena in Manchester, England in March 2006.[5] Etim won the fight via triangle choke in the first round.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

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Etim trained with Pride veteran Luciano Azevedo in Brazil in preparation for his UFC debut fight against Matt Grice at UFC 70 in Manchester.[6] After an opening flurry that rocked Grice, Etim jumped in with a flying knee that was blocked and caused him to fall to the canvas. From there, Grice worked his ground-and-pound attack,[7] but once the fight was stood up, Etim turned the tables and locked in a standing guillotine. Etim dragged Grice down to the ground whilst in the guillotine.[8] But this allowed Grice to escape briefly, before Etim got Grice in another guillotine choke.[8] Grice fell unconscious in the choke and referee Steve Mazzagatti called the fight with 12 seconds left of the opening round.[8]

Etim was defeated at UFC 75 by Gleison Tibau via unanimous decision. Etim was controlled on the ground by Tibau for the length of the fight, eliciting boos from the English crowd.

In his next fight, Etim received his second career loss and his second loss in a row against veteran fighter Rich Clementi at UFC 84 in a similar manner.

Etim snapped his two fight losing streak with a one-sided unanimous decision victory over Sam Stout at UFC 89 in Birmingham, England.[9] Combining precise kicks with fast hands and a precise jab, Etim controlled Stout through the duration of the fight,[10] only having to fend off sporadic and often desperate bursts from the Canadian in reply.[10]

Terry posted his second win in as many fights, as he stopped former Palace Fighting Championship lightweight titleholder Brian Cobb via TKO in the second round.[11] The defeat snapped Cobb's nine-fight winning streak.[11] Etim appeared to win the first round, using leg kicks effectively. When the fight went to the ground Cobb failed to score points, as Etim avoided damage on the ground.[12] Early in round two Etim dropped Cobb with a head kick before finishing the fight with punches, forcing the referee to stop the fight.[12]

Terry survived a first-round knockdown and broken nose to defeat Justin Buchholz at UFC 99 via D'Arce choke in the second round.[13] Etim collected $60,000 for Submission of the Night.[14] Buchholz and Etim traded heavy kicks and punches for the first few minutes in the bout before the American landed a hard right hand which broke Etim's nose.[14] Buchholz pounced but Etim was able to survive the round. Etim went back to his measured gameplan in round two, landing with some hard leg kicks, before hurting Buchholz with multiple knees from the clinch.[14] A scramble ensued before the fight went to the mat, enabling Etim to lock in the D'Arce choke to finish the fight.[15]

Etim won his third Submission of the Night award after defeating Shannon Gugerty on 14 November 2009 at UFC 105 by submission due to a guillotine choke at 1:24 of the second round.

Etim fought BJJ black belt Rafael dos Anjos on 10 April 2010 at UFC 112.[16] After a back and forth first round, where Etim almost submitted dos Anjos with a guillotine choke, he succumbed to the Brazilian's grappling skills in the second, tapping out to an armbar.

Etim was expected to face Joe Lauzon on 28 August 2010 at UFC 118,[17] but was forced off the card with an injury and replaced by Gabe Ruediger.[18]

Etim gave an announcement on 23 June 2011 in an interview on mma-weekly stating that after a year healing from a broken rib injury he will be fighting soon. He said: "as soon as I get a date I will fight."[19]

Etim fought Edward Faaloloto on 5 November 2011 at UFC 138[20] Etim showed his superior ground skills as he submitted Faaloloto with a guillotine choke 17 seconds into the fight, earning his fourth career Submission of the Night award (tying the UFC's all-time mark).[21]

Etim faced Edson Barboza on 14 January 2012 at UFC 142.[22] The two fought at a steady pace during the match with Barboza throwing more strikes while Etim went for takedowns. Etim was then knocked out in the third round by a spinning wheel kick. Both participants earned Fight of the Night honors for their performances.[23]

Etim was expected to face Joe Lauzon on 4 August 2012 at UFC on Fox 4.[24] However, Etim was forced out of the bout with an injury and replaced by Jamie Varner.[25]

After a thirteen-month layoff, Etim returned to face Renée Forte on 16 February 2013 at UFC on Fuel TV: Barão vs. McDonald.[26] Etim lost the fight via unanimous decision and was subsequently released from the promotion.[27]

Bellator MMA

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Following his exit from the UFC, Etim signed with Bellator, originally set to debut on the promotion's first ever PPV event. He eventually faced Patrick Cenoble on the Spike TV at Bellator 109 on 22 November 2013.[28] He won the fight via unanimous decision (30–27, 29–28, and 30–26). In 2014 he was due to take part in a Bellator lightweight tourney but was forced out after injuring his ACL.[29]

Personal life

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In February 2017, Etim was reported to have thrown himself into oncoming traffic while running amok in Liverpool.[30]

Championships and accomplishments

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Mixed martial arts record

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Professional record breakdown
21 matches 16 wins 5 losses
By knockout 2 1
By submission 12 1
By decision 2 3
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 16–5 Patrick Cenoble Decision (unanimous) Bellator 109 22 November 2013 3 5:00 Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, United States
Loss 15–5 Renée Forte Decision (unanimous) UFC on Fuel TV: Barão vs. McDonald 16 February 2013 3 5:00 London, England
Loss 15–4 Edson Barboza KO (wheel kick) UFC 142 14 January 2012 3 2:02 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Fight of the Night.
Win 15–3 Edward Faaloloto Submission (guillotine choke) UFC 138 5 November 2011 1 0:17 Birmingham, England Submission of the Night.
Loss 14–3 Rafael dos Anjos Submission (armbar) UFC 112 10 April 2010 2 4:30 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Win 14–2 Shannon Gugerty Submission (guillotine choke) UFC 105 14 November 2009 2 1:24 Manchester, England Submission of the Night.
Win 13–2 Justin Buchholz Submission (D'Arce choke) UFC 99 13 June 2009 2 2:38 Cologne, Germany Submission of the Night. Submission of the Year.
Win 12–2 Brian Cobb TKO (head kick and punches) UFC 95 20 February 2009 2 0:10 London, England
Win 11–2 Sam Stout Decision (unanimous) UFC 89 18 October 2008 3 5:00 Birmingham, England
Loss 10–2 Rich Clementi Decision (unanimous) UFC 84 24 May 2008 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 10–1 Gleison Tibau Decision (unanimous) UFC 75 8 September 2007 3 5:00 London, England
Win 10–0 Matt Grice Technical Submission (guillotine choke) UFC 70 21 April 2007 1 4:38 Manchester, England Submission of the Night.
Win 9–0 Sami Berik Submission (armbar) Cage Gladiators 3 3 December 2006 2 1:24 Liverpool, England
Win 8–0 Edgars Podnieks Submission (rear-naked choke) RTT: Road to Tokyo 15 October 2006 1 0:46 Wolverhampton, England
Win 7–0 Greg Loughran Submission (rear-naked choke) CG II: The Next Generation 3 September 2006 2 2:50 Liverpool, England
Win 6–0 Danny van Bergen Submission (armbar) Cage Gladiators 1 22 May 2006 1 0:50 Liverpool, England
Win 5–0 Diego Conejo Submission (triangle choke) WCFC: No Guts No Glory 18 March 2006 1 0:59 Manchester, England
Win 4–0 Kamel Nacer Submission (triangle choke) CFC 6: Cage Carnage 4 December 2005 1 N/A Liverpool, England
Win 3–0 Aaron Blackwell Submission (guillotine choke) CFC 5: Cage Carnage 4 September 2005 1 0:58 Liverpool, England
Win 2–0 Neil Barber KO (head kick) CFC 4: Cage Carnage 3 July 2005 2 1:55 Liverpool, England
Win 1–0 Kris Leverton Submission (triangle choke) Ultimate Ring Fighting 12 May 2005 1 N/A Stockport, England

References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Terence Lee "Terry" Etim (born 11 January 1986) is a retired English mixed martial artist who competed professionally in the lightweight division, primarily known for his tenure in the (UFC) and . Hailing from , , Etim amassed a professional record of 16 wins and 5 losses, with 12 of his victories coming by submission, showcasing his expertise. He debuted in the UFC in 2007 and fought until 2014, earning notable submission wins over opponents like Shannon Gugerty and Edward Faaloloto, while suffering a memorable loss to via a spinning wheel kick at UFC 142 in 2012, widely regarded as one of the promotion's highlight-reel finishes. Etim trained with and competed as an orthodox striker with a 73-inch reach, but injuries ultimately led to his retirement from the sport.

Early Life and Background

Upbringing in Liverpool

Terence Lee Etim was born on 11 January 1986 in , . Etim grew up in , where he attended Gateacre Comprehensive School as a pupil during his formative years.

Martial Arts Training

Terry Etim began his martial arts journey in , , where he initially trained in under Colin Heron, the founder and head trainer of . As one of the early pioneers of in the region, Etim developed a strong foundation in striking through rigorous sessions at the Kaobon gym, a facility just minutes from his home that emphasized high-intensity training with multiple partners. Etim's early focus shifted toward as he honed his submission skills, complementing his base to prepare for MMA competition. He trained extensively in no-gi , achieving a blue belt in under Marcelo Brigadeiro, the head grappling coach at and a black belt in the art. This progression in , a Brazilian grappling style emphasizing takedowns and submissions without a gi, allowed Etim to build a versatile ground game prior to his professional debut. Etim's primary training camps were based in at facilities, where he participated in daily sessions that integrated striking and drills. His 6'1" height contributed to an emerging advantage in reach during these sessions, enhancing his ability to control in both stand-up and ground exchanges.

Fighting Style

Submission Grappling

Terry Etim's submission grappling expertise was a cornerstone of his fighting style, characterized by his proficiency in various choke techniques, including the , rear-naked choke, and D'arce choke. He secured 12 of his 16 professional victories by submission, demonstrating a high success rate in transitioning to finishing holds from dominant positions. This reliance on submissions accounted for 75% of his total wins, underscoring his ability to capitalize on opportunities effectively. Etim's ground control and transitions were heavily influenced by his training in Luta Livre, a no-gi Brazilian grappling art in which he held a brown belt under coach Marcelo Brigadeiro. Luta Livre's emphasis on aggressive, fluid movements and realistic combat scenarios enhanced Etim's proficiency in maintaining top pressure while hunting for chokes, allowing seamless shifts between positions like mount and back control. In interviews, Etim highlighted the similarities between Luta Livre and Brazilian jiu-jitsu but noted its distinct focus on explosive attacks, which shaped his approach to submission hunting. His training regimen at Kaobon gym placed significant emphasis on submission drills and live rolling sessions, where Etim regularly practiced choke setups and escapes under Brigadeiro's guidance. These sessions prioritized high-volume sparring to refine timing and , contributing to his career average of 1.4 submission attempts per 15 minutes in UFC bouts. Etim's submission success rate in the was particularly notable, with four Submission of the Night awards reflecting his precision in executing chokes against elite competition.

Physical Attributes and Striking

Terry Etim stands at 6 feet 1 inch (185 cm) tall and fights at the lightweight limit of 155 pounds (70 kg), giving him a lanky frame that contributes to his physical presence in the division. His reach measures 73 inches (185 cm), which is above the average for UFC lightweights—typically around 70 to 72 inches—providing a notable edge in maintaining distance during exchanges. Etim's striking is rooted in a foundation, emphasizing and clinch work to set up offensive opportunities. He has secured two or technical knockout victories in his career, both involving head —one via a head and the other via a head followed by punches—capitalizing on his technical proficiency with . In the UFC, his significant striking accuracy stands at 35%, reflecting a measured output with a strikes landed per minute rate of 2.16. Despite these assets, Etim's striking defense has been a relative weakness, clocking in at 67% in UFC bouts, meaning he absorbs 2.53 significant strikes per minute—higher than many peers in . This vulnerability has exposed him particularly to power strikers who can close effectively, often turning prolonged stand-up battles against him. His extended reach occasionally aids in transitioning from the clinch to positions, but it also presents a larger target in pure striking scenarios.

Professional MMA Career

Early Professional Fights

Terry Etim made his professional debut on May 12, 2005, at Ultimate Ring Fighting in the , where he submitted Kris Leverton via in the first round. He followed this with a victory over Neil Barber via head kick in the second round at Cage FC 4: Cage Carnage on July 3, 2005, and submitted Aaron Blackwell with a in under a minute at Cage FC 5 later that September. These early regional bouts in UK promotions showcased Etim's developing prowess, as he secured submission wins against Kamel Nacer via at Cage FC 6 in December 2005 and Diego Gonzalez in the same manner at World Cage Fighting Championships' event on March 18, 2006, building an undefeated 5-0 record. Etim continued his streak in the Cage Gladiators promotion, submitting Danny van Bergen with an armbar just 50 seconds into their May 22, 2006, bout at Cage Gladiators 1. On September 3, 2006, at Cage Gladiators 2: The Next Generation, he captured the Cage Gladiators Championship by defeating Greg Loughran via rear-naked choke in the second round. This victory highlighted his submission as a cornerstone of his early success, transitioning him from regional contender to titled champion within the scene. Etim defended his title successfully on December 3, 2006, at Cage Gladiators 3, submitting Sami Berik with an armbar in the second round. Sandwiched between his title win and defense was a quick first-round rear-naked choke submission of Edgars Podnieks at Road to on October 15, 2006. By early 2007, Etim had compiled a perfect 9-0 professional record, all finishes, primarily via submissions that underscored his ground control and finishing ability before transitioning to larger international stages.

UFC Tenure

Terry Etim made his UFC debut on April 21, 2007, at UFC 70: Nations Collide in , , where he submitted Matt Grice via in the first round at 4:38. His momentum was halted in his next fight on September 8, 2007, at , losing to by after three rounds, with judges scoring it 30-27 across the board. Etim rebounded on May 24, 2008, at UFC 84: Ill Will, but fell to by (30-27, 29-28, 29-28), exposing early vulnerabilities in his striking defense against veteran grapplers. Etim then entered a four-fight winning streak starting on October 18, 2008, at UFC 89: Bisping vs. Leben, defeating Sam Stout by unanimous decision (30-27 x3) in a competitive lightweight clash that highlighted his improved cardio and grappling pressure. On February 21, 2009, at UFC 95: Sanchez vs. Stevenson, he secured a second-round TKO victory over Brian Cobb at 0:10 via head kick and punches, showcasing his knockout power. This was followed by a Submission of the Night bonus for his second-round brabo choke finish of Justin Buchholz at 2:38 during UFC 99: The Comeback on June 13, 2009. Etim extended his streak with another Submission of the Night award at UFC 105: Couture vs. Vera on November 14, 2009, tapping Shannon Gugerty via guillotine choke at 1:24 of the second round. The streak ended abruptly on April 10, 2010, at in , where submitted him with an armbar in the second round at 2:02, marking Etim's first UFC finish loss. After a 19-month layoff due to injuries, Etim returned on November 5, 2011, at : Leben vs. Munoz in Birmingham, , earning another Submission of the Night for a record 0:17 against Edward Faaloloto. However, on January 14, 2012, at UFC 142: Aldo vs. Mendes in Rio de Janeiro, knocked him out with a third-round spinning wheel kick at 2:02, a highlight-reel finish that also earned both fighters Fight of the Night honors. Etim's final UFC bout came on February 16, 2013, at UFC on Fuel TV 7: Barao vs. McDonald in , where he lost to Renée Forte by unanimous decision (30-27 x3), leading to his release from the promotion shortly thereafter. Over his six-year UFC tenure spanning 11 fights, Etim compiled a record of 6 wins and 5 losses, with five submissions, establishing him as a dangerous grappler in the division despite inconsistent striking integration.

Bellator MMA and Retirement

Following his release from the UFC in 2013, Terry Etim signed with and made his promotional debut against Patrick Cenoble at Bellator 109 on November 22, 2013, in . Etim dominated the fight with superior and control, securing a victory (30-27, 29-28, 30-26) after three rounds. This win improved his record to 16-5 and marked his only appearance in the promotion. Etim was subsequently selected to compete in Bellator's Season 10 Lightweight Tournament, scheduled to face Derek Campos at Bellator 113 on March 21, 2014. However, he suffered a torn (ACL) in his knee, forcing his withdrawal from the event and the tournament. Tim Welch replaced him in the bout. The ACL injury, compounded by the cumulative impact of prior injuries sustained during his UFC tenure, prompted Etim to retire from professional MMA in 2014 at the age of 28. He cited the physical toll and need for career reflection as key factors in his decision. Etim's final professional record stood at 16 wins and 5 losses, with 12 of his victories coming by submission.

Personal Life

Family and Residence

Terry Etim was born and raised in , , where he developed deep roots in the local community from an early age. Following his retirement from professional in 2014, Etim has continued to reside in , maintaining his long-term connection to the city. Etim's lifestyle in Liverpool centers around his involvement in the scene, where he remains a respected figure among local enthusiasts and has benefited from strong community support throughout his career and beyond. Following his recovery from the 2017 incident, Etim has remained active in the Liverpool community as a coach for young fighters, as observed in 2023 and 2024. Details regarding Etim's and personal relationships are not widely documented in public sources, reflecting his preference for privacy in these matters.

2017 Health Incident

On February 23, 2017, Terry Etim suffered a severe crisis in Liverpool's district, where he deliberately threw himself into oncoming traffic on East Prescot Road around 2 p.m. Witnesses reported that Etim, then 31, ran repeatedly in and out of traffic, colliding with three buses and a , which resulted in shattered windscreens and him being covered in blood from serious injuries, including internal and facial damage. His friends attempted to restrain him during the episode, but eventually intervened, taking him into custody before transporting him to a , where his condition was described as serious that evening. A witness, hairdresser Andrea McCullough, observed the scene and noted, “He wasn’t trying to harm anybody but himself,” highlighting the apparent self-directed nature of the incident. Etim remained hospitalized for treatment of his injuries for approximately one month. By late March 2017, Etim had been discharged from the hospital and was recovering at home. Merseyside Police confirmed they would take no further action in connection with the event. The incident received coverage in local media, including the Liverpool Echo, which prompted broader discussions on mental health struggles among retired athletes and the need for enhanced post-career support in combat sports. The martial arts community responded with widespread support for Etim, rallying around him in the aftermath. This episode, occurring two years after his retirement from professional fighting, underscored the potential mental health challenges faced by athletes transitioning out of their careers.

Career Highlights and Statistics

Championships and Awards

Etim captured the Cage Gladiators Championship on September 3, 2006, at Cage Gladiators 2: The Next Generation in , , defeating Greg Loughran by rear-naked choke submission in the second round. He successfully defended the title on December 3, 2006, at Cage Gladiators 3: Strength and Honour, submitting Sami Berik via armbar in the second round at 1:24. During his UFC tenure, Etim earned multiple Submission of the Night bonuses for his grappling prowess. On April 21, 2007, at UFC 70 in , , he received the award for his first-round victory over Matt Grice, earning a $30,000 bonus. On June 13, 2009, at in , , he received the award for his second-round D'Arce choke victory over , earning a $60,000 bonus. He secured another on November 14, 2009, at UFC 105 in , , with a second-round against Shannon Gugerty, netting $40,000. Etim claimed a third on November 5, 2011, at in Birmingham, , tapping Edward Faaloloto with a guillotine choke just 17 seconds into the first round for a $70,000 payout. In regional honors, Etim was named Male Fighter of the Year at the 2009 MMA Awards, recognizing his standout performances that year, including his submission. Additionally, his D'Arce choke against Buchholz was nominated as a finalist for Submission of the Year at the 2009 , presented by Fighters Only magazine.

Mixed Martial Arts Record

Terry Etim compiled a professional mixed martial arts record of 16 wins and 5 losses over 21 bouts, primarily competing in the lightweight division.
DateOpponentResultMethodRound/TimeEvent
May 12, 2005Kris LevertonWinSubmission (Triangle Choke)1 0:00URF - Ultimate Ring Fighting
Jul 03, 2005Neil BarberWinKO (Head Kick)2 1:55CFC 4 - Cage Carnage
Sep 04, 2005Aaron BlackwellWinSubmission (Guillotine Choke)1 0:58CFC 5 - Cage Carnage
Dec 04, 2005Kamel NacerWinSubmission (Triangle Choke)1 0:00CFC 6 - Cage Carnage
Mar 18, 2006Diego GonzalezWinSubmission (Triangle Choke)1 0:59WCFC - No Guts No Glory
May 22, 2006Danny van BergenWinSubmission (Armbar)1 0:50CG 1 - Cage Gladiators 1
Sep 03, 2006Greg LoughranWinSubmission (Rear-Naked Choke)2 2:50Cage Gladiators 2 - The Next Generation
Oct 15, 2006Edgars PodnieksWinSubmission (Rear-Naked Choke)1 0:46RTT - Road to Tokyo
Dec 03, 2006Sami BerikWinSubmission (Armbar)2 1:24CG 3 - Cage Gladiators 3
Apr 21, 2007Matt GriceWinSubmission (Guillotine Choke)1 4:38UFC 70 - Nations Collide
Sep 08, 2007Gleison TibauLossDecision (Unanimous)3 5:00UFC 75 - Champion vs. Champion
May 24, 2008Rich ClementiLossDecision (Unanimous)3 5:00UFC 84 - Ill Will
Oct 18, 2008Sam StoutWinDecision (Unanimous)3 5:00UFC 89 - Bisping vs. Leben
Feb 21, 2009Brian CobbWinTKO (Head Kick and Punches)2 0:10UFC 95 - Sanchez vs. Stevenson
Jun 13, 2009Justin BuchholzWinSubmission (D'Arce Choke)2 2:38UFC 99 - The Comeback
Nov 14, 2009Shannon GugertyWinSubmission (Guillotine Choke)2 1:24UFC 105 - Couture vs. Vera
Apr 10, 2010Rafael dos AnjosLossSubmission (Armbar)2 4:30UFC 112 - Invincible
Nov 05, 2011Edward FaalolotoWinSubmission (Guillotine Choke)1 0:17UFC 138 - Leben vs. Munoz
Jan 14, 2012Edson BarbozaLossKO (Spinning Wheel Kick)3 2:02UFC 142 - Aldo vs. Mendes
Feb 16, 2013Renee ForteLossDecision (Unanimous)3 5:00UFC on Fuel TV 7 - Barao vs. McDonald
Nov 22, 2013Patrick CenobleWinDecision (Unanimous)3 5:00Bellator 109
Etim's victories comprised 2 TKOs, 12 submissions, and 2 decisions, while his defeats included 1 TKO, 1 submission, and 3 decisions, yielding a 76% win rate and an average fight duration of approximately 7 minutes across his career. His predominance of submission wins underscores a grappling-oriented fighting style.

References

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