Gregor Gillespie: UFC Debut
Every MMA prospect aspires to be a UFC champion. They toil on the regional circuit, trying to rack up enough impressive victories in a row to earn the “call up” to the UFC. Sometimes it is unexpected – a couple of impressive victories in front of the right people. Other times it is a matter of convenience – an injury replacement at the right weight class. Still other fighters know they are on the right track and must certainly be close to making the jump. And then there are fighters like Gregor Gillespie, who seemed to have almost accepted it as inevitable.
Gregor warming up for training
“I’m excited to have been selected to fight in the UFC, but the goal is to win in the UFC. We’ve got to keep working and stay the course“. These are the words of the decorated collegiate wrestler and top MMA prospect, nicknamed “The Gift“, who will make his UFC debut on UFC Fight Night “Cyborg vs. Lansberg” September 24 at Nilson Nelson Gymnasium in Brasilia, Brazil.
It seems as though reaching the UFC is only a step towards Gregor Gillespie achieving his true goal of success in the world’s premier MMA promotion. With an impressive list of wrestling and MMA credentials on his resume, there is a good chance he’ll achieve that very goal. Gillespie enters the Octagon with an unblemished 7-0 record in MMA, and joins a prestigious list of Ring of Combat Champions called up to the big show, including Ryan LaFlare, Chris Wade, Randy Brown, Gian Villante, Chris Weidman, and other great talent from New York.
Gregor and UFC welterweight Randy Brown doing some cage drills
Gillespie can boast more than just a perfect pro MMA record as he readies for the next level. He started his MMA career as a professional, skipping the amateur circuit entirely. He also possesses an amateur wrestling pedigree few in MMA can match. As a collegiate wrestler at Edinboro University, he went on to win a Division 1 national championship in 2007 as well as achieving All-American honors all four years of college. Gillespie still ranks first on Edinboro’s all-time list in career wins (152) and winning percentage (.917).
Gregor working in his takedown entries during pad work
As all fans know, MMA fighters must possess a well rounded game to succeed at the highest level, and “The Gift” has devoted his career up until now working on balancing out his skill set. His head trainer and striking coach, Keith Trimble of Bellmore Kickboxing MMA, has been in Gillespie’s corner every step of the way. Along with Coach Trimble, Gregor trains his BJJ with Joe Scarola of Gracie Barra Long Island.
With a solid team behind him, and talented training partners like Titan FC Featherweight champ Andre “The Bull” Harrison (also an undefeated prospect at 13-0) with whom to sharpen his blades, the improvement of Gillespie’s overall game comes as no surprise. His evolution from elite wrestler to elite MMA fighter is clearly evident in his record, with 6 of his 7 wins coming by finish (3 TKO, 3 Sub).
Coach Trimble and training partner Andre Harrison working with “The Gift”
When asked how he felt about Gregor’s fight, Trimble said “I’m excited for Gregor’s debut in the UFC. He has a tough matchup against a tough Brazilian kid. This kid is well rounded in striking and Bjj. I see Gregor out-working him, frustrating him with his wrestling and doing some good ground’n’pound. Always tough to fight a Brazilian in Brazil. So I would like to see a finish and not left to the judges.”
Pad work with Coach Keith Trimble
Everyone here at NYF, and all New York fight fans, will undoubtedly be tuned in to watch Gregor “The Gift” Gillespie put the world on notice, September 24th in Brazil.
Writer: Matt Culley
Editor: Kyle Antonelli
Photos: Matt Culley
NewYorkFighting.com