Trevin Jones
Trevin Jones is a Guamanian professional mixed martial artist competing in the bantamweight and featherweight divisions, best known for his tenure in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) from 2020 to 2023.[1][2] Born on August 4, 1990, in New Orleans, Louisiana, Jones relocated to Guam, where he is based and represents as a fighter of Guamanian nationality.[3][4] Standing at 5 feet 7 inches tall with a 70-inch reach, he fights in a southpaw stance and weighs in at 135 pounds for bantamweight bouts.[3][5] Jones began training in mixed martial arts in 2011, initially focusing on Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and earned his black belt under Marcelo Nunes while training at Vida Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.[1][6] His professional career, which started in 2011, includes an overall record of 14 wins, 12 losses, and one no contest as of November 2025.[7] Jones has secured victories via three knockouts, four submissions, and seven decisions, showcasing a versatile skill set with a emphasis on grappling.[8] In the UFC, he compiled a 1-4 record with one no contest, highlighted by a second-round TKO win over Mario Bautista at UFC 259 in March 2021, marking his only octagon finish.[9][1] His UFC debut ended in a no contest against Timur Valiev in August 2020 due to a marijuana test failure, followed by losses to opponents including Saidyokub Kakhramonov, Javid Basharat, Raoni Barcelos, and Cody Garbrandt.[5] Prior to the UFC, Jones built his reputation in regional promotions, most notably as the PXC bantamweight world champion after defeating Kyle Aguon via unanimous decision at PXC 55 in November 2016.[1][10] He is also a multiple-time No-Gi grappling world champion, with over ten titles in the discipline, and holds a first-degree black belt, competing successfully in events like NAGA and ASJJF tournaments as recently as 2025.[1][11] Post-UFC, Jones continued fighting in promotions such as Cage Warriors and Front Street Fights, with his most recent bout being a fourth-round submission loss to Andrew Cruz at Front Street Fights 29 in August 2024.[12][8]Background
Early life
Trevin Jones was born on August 4, 1990, in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.[4] At age 13, Jones relocated with his family from the United States to Guam to be closer to his uncle, who was serving in the U.S. Marine Corps, and has since resided in Tamuning.[13][8][14] He has brothers who have also competed in mixed martial arts.[15] This move marked a significant shift in his upbringing, transitioning him to life on the Pacific island territory. Accounts of his early non-martial arts interests or specific challenges faced during youth in either New Orleans or Guam are sparse, though his relocation suggests adaptation to a new cultural and geographic environment. Throughout his career, Jones has proudly represented Guam, identifying as a Guamanian fighter and embodying the island's fighting spirit.[2][1]Training and fighting style
Trevin Jones holds a first-degree black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, promoted by coach Marcelo Nunes.[6][1] He trains primarily at Vida Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Barrigada, Guam, where he hones his ground game, and at Tha Yard Fitness in Tamuning, Guam, for comprehensive MMA preparation.[16][17] Standing at 5 feet 7 inches tall and competing in the bantamweight division at 135 pounds, Jones fights from a southpaw stance, allowing him to leverage angles effectively in exchanges.[5][3] As a freestyle fighter, Jones excels as a grappler with strong submission skills, having secured multiple victories via chokes and joint locks that capitalize on his BJJ foundation.[1][8] He complements this with opportunistic striking, using sneaky counters and power shots to set up technical knockouts, creating a well-rounded style that blends ground control with stand-up threat.[5]Professional career
Early professional career
Trevin Jones made his professional MMA debut on April 29, 2011, at Pacific Xtreme Combat (PXC) 23 in Guam, where he defeated Kyle Aguon by unanimous decision in a three-round bantamweight bout.[8] This victory marked the start of his regional career in the Pacific Xtreme Combat promotion, a prominent organization based in Guam that featured fighters from across the Asia-Pacific region. Throughout his early professional tenure from 2011 to 2016, Jones competed primarily in PXC events, compiling a series of wins and losses that highlighted his evolving grappling skills rooted in his Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt foundation. Notable submission victories included rear-naked chokes against Josh Duenas in the first round at PXC 30 on March 3, 2012, and against Pia-Yas Guzman in 1:40 of the first round at PXC 31 on July 14, 2012.[8] He also secured decisions over Troy Bantiag at PXC 37 on May 18, 2013, and Ricky Camp via split decision at PXC 42 on February 28, 2014, though setbacks came via unanimous decision loss to Aguon in their rematch at PXC 36 on March 8, 2013, and a second-round rear-naked choke submission defeat to Alvin Cacdac at PXC 40 on October 25, 2013.[8] These bouts often required extensive travel within the region, exposing Jones to diverse fighting styles amid the challenges of competing in a circuit with varying levels of regional talent and logistical demands.[18] Jones's persistence in PXC paid off on November 18, 2016, when he captured the PXC Bantamweight Championship in the main event of PXC 55 against rival Kyle Aguon—their third encounter—winning by split decision after five rounds.[19] This title win, avenging his 2013 loss to Aguon, came after additional victories such as a unanimous decision over Mark Abelardo at PXC 49 on August 7, 2015, and a first-round knockout of Jeremiah Labiano at PXC 52 on March 18, 2016, bringing his PXC record to 8-4 at that point.[8] The championship bout underscored Jones's durability in high-stakes regional fights, though defending the title proved difficult amid ongoing travel and competition intensity in the promotion. Following his PXC title reign, Jones ventured into international promotions to build his resume, facing tougher opposition and refining his submission game. In Top Fighting Championship (Top FC) 16 on December 9, 2017, he earned a third-round TKO victory via punches against Jae Hyun So in South Korea.[8] However, he dropped a split decision to Young Jin Hwang in the Top FC 18 bantamweight title fight on May 25, 2018. Later that year, at Absolute Championship Berkut (ACB) 88 on June 16, 2018—which later rebranded as ACA—he suffered another split decision loss to Rodrigo Praia in a featherweight bout.[8] Jones rebounded strongly in ACA 91 on January 26, 2019, submitting Mehdi Baydulaev via guillotine choke in the first round at 4:37. His final pre-UFC regional fight came on May 12, 2019, at Deep 89 Impact in Japan, where he defeated Takafumi Otsuka by rear-naked choke submission in the second round at 1:40.[20] These outings elevated his overall record to 11-6, demonstrating resilience against international competition despite the physical toll of frequent weight cuts and cross-continental travel.[8]Ultimate Fighting Championship
Trevin Jones made his Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) debut on August 22, 2020, stepping in on short notice as a replacement for Mark Striegl to face Timur Valiev at UFC on ESPN: Munhoz vs. Edgar.[21] He secured an initial victory via second-round TKO (strikes) at 1:59, but the result was later overturned to a no contest after Jones tested positive for marijuana metabolites in a post-fight drug test administered by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.[22] The commission imposed a four-and-a-half-month suspension and a fine of $1,945.36 on Jones for the violation.[23] Jones rebounded with a striking showcase on March 6, 2021, at UFC 259, where he defeated Mario Bautista via second-round TKO (punches) at 0:47.[24][25] The win highlighted Jones's southpaw striking power, as a well-timed right hand dropped Bautista, allowing follow-up ground strikes to prompt the referee stoppage.[26] This marked his first official UFC victory after Bautista replaced an injured Randy Costa on the card.[27] His momentum stalled in subsequent bouts, beginning with a submission loss to Saidyokub Kakhramonov on August 21, 2021, at UFC on ESPN: Cannonier vs. Gastelum.[28] Kakhramonov, also on short notice, secured a third-round guillotine choke at 4:39 after outworking Jones in clinch and grappling exchanges.[29][8] Jones then dropped unanimous decisions to Javid Basharat on March 12, 2022, at UFC Fight Night: Santos vs. Ankalaev (scores: 30-27, 30-27, 29-28), where Basharat's volume striking and takedown defense neutralized Jones's output.[30] Further losses came via unanimous decision to Raoni Barcelos on October 1, 2022, at UFC Fight Night: Dern vs. Yan (scores: 30-25, 30-27, 30-27), as Barcelos dominated with superior grappling control and ground strikes.[31] Jones's final UFC appearance was on March 4, 2023, at UFC 285: Jones vs. Gane, where he replaced an injured Julio Arce against former bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt.[32] Garbrandt won by unanimous decision (29-28 x3) in a competitive striking battle, outlanding Jones in significant strikes while avoiding his power shots.[33] Over six UFC appearances, Jones compiled a record of 1-4 with one no contest, struggling particularly against opponents with strong grappling pedigrees like Kakhramonov and Barcelos, who exploited his defensive vulnerabilities on the ground despite his Brazilian jiu-jitsu background.[5] In striking matchups, such as against Bautista and Garbrandt, he showed finishing potential but often fell short in decision rounds due to pacing issues.[34] Following the expiration of his contract, Jones was removed from the UFC roster on June 5, 2023, along with several other fighters who were not re-signed by the promotion.[35]Post-UFC career
Following his departure from the Ultimate Fighting Championship in mid-2023, Trevin Jones signed with Cage Warriors and debuted in the promotion on September 8, 2023, at Cage Warriors 159 in San Diego, California. Facing veteran Wilson Reis in a bantamweight bout, Jones secured a split decision victory after three competitive rounds, earning praise for his striking and resilience in a back-and-forth fight.[36] Jones's next appearance came on December 15, 2023, at Cage Warriors 165, also in San Diego, where he dropped a unanimous decision to undefeated prospect Roberto Hernandez in another bantamweight matchup. The loss, scored 29-28 across all judges, highlighted Hernandez's grappling pressure despite Jones's early offensive output.[37] In 2024, Jones shifted to the featherweight division for the first time, aiming to reinvigorate his career at 145 pounds. On August 10, 2024, at Front Street Fights 29 in Boise, Idaho, he challenged Andrew Cruz for the promotion's featherweight title but suffered a fourth-round submission loss via rear-naked choke. The defeat was compounded by a shoulder injury sustained mid-fight, which hampered Jones's defense and forced him to tap after dominating early exchanges with strikes. This move to featherweight introduced adaptation challenges, including stricter weight cuts and facing quicker, more agile opponents compared to his bantamweight experience.[38][12] These three post-UFC bouts resulted in a 1-2 record for Jones, contributing to his overall professional ledger without any finishes in the wins or losses during this phase. As of November 2025, no major fights have been reported for Jones, though he continues training in Guam with an eye toward regional opportunities.[7]Championships and record
Championships and accomplishments
Trevin Jones captured the Pacific Xtreme Combat (PXC) Bantamweight Championship on November 18, 2016, defeating Kyle Aguon via split decision (3-2) in the main event of PXC 55 at the UOG Calvo Field House in Guam.[39] He held the title for approximately three years but did not make any successful defenses; his scheduled first defense against Stephen Loman at PXC 56 on March 25, 2017, was canceled due to Jones withdrawing from weight cut complications and hospitalization.[40] Jones vacated the championship upon signing with the Ultimate Fighting Championship in 2020.[1] In the UFC, Jones earned a Performance of the Night bonus for his second-round TKO victory over Timur Valiev on August 22, 2020, at UFC on ESPN 15, a come-from-behind finish that showcased his striking power despite being a heavy underdog.[41] The win was later overturned to a no contest following a positive test for marijuana, though the $50,000 bonus was still awarded.[41] He has not secured any UFC division titles or additional major global championships. Jones is also a multiple-time NoGi grappling champion, with over ten world titles in the discipline highlighting his Brazilian jiu-jitsu expertise outside of MMA competition, including successes in NAGA and ASJJF events as recently as 2025.[1] In 2021, he was named Athlete of the Year by the Guam Sports & Fitness Network (GSPN) for his strong UFC debut year, going 2-1 with notable performances.Mixed martial arts record
Trevin Jones has compiled a professional mixed martial arts record of 14 wins, 12 losses, and 1 no contest across 27 bouts from 2011 to 2024.[8] Of his victories, 3 came by way of knockout or technical knockout, 4 via submission, and 7 by decision; his defeats include 3 submissions and 9 decisions, with no knockouts against him.[8] The table below details all professional fights in chronological order, from his debut to his most recent appearance.| Result | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 1–0 | Kyle Aguon | Decision (unanimous) | PXC 23 | Apr 29, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Mangilao, Guam |
| Loss | 1–1 | Justin Cruz | Decision (unanimous) | PXC 27 | Oct 29, 2011 | 5 | 5:00 | Mangilao, Guam |
| Win | 2–1 | Josh Duenas | Submission (rear-naked choke) | PXC 30 | Mar 3, 2012 | 1 | N/A | Mangilao, Guam |
| Win | 3–1 | Pia-Yas Guzman | Submission (rear-naked choke) | PXC 31 | Jul 14, 2012 | 1 | 1:40 | Mangilao, Guam |
| Loss | 3–2 | Kyle Aguon | Decision (unanimous) | PXC 36 | Mar 8, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Mangilao, Guam |
| Win | 4–2 | Troy Bantiag | Decision (unanimous) | PXC 37 | May 18, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Mangilao, Guam |
| Loss | 4–3 | Alvin Cacdac | Submission (rear-naked choke) | PXC 40 | Oct 25, 2013 | 2 | 0:38 | Mangilao, Guam |
| Win | 5–3 | Ricky Camp | Decision (split) | PXC 42 | Feb 28, 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | Mangilao, Guam |
| Win | 6–3 | Toby Misech | Decision (split) | PXC 45 | Oct 24, 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | Mangilao, Guam |
| Loss | 6–4 | Kwan Ho Kwak | Decision (split) | PXC 47 | Mar 13, 2015 | 3 | 5:00 | Mangilao, Guam |
| Win | 7–4 | Mark Abelardo | Decision (unanimous) | PXC 49 | Aug 7, 2015 | 3 | 5:00 | Mangilao, Guam |
| Win | 8–4 | Jeremiah Labiano | KO (punches) | PXC 52 | Mar 18, 2016 | 1 | N/A | Mangilao, Guam |
| Win | 9–4 | Kyle Aguon | Decision (split) | PXC 55 | Nov 18, 2016 | 5 | 5:00 | Mangilao, Guam |
| Win | 10–4 | Jae Hyun So | TKO (punches) | Top FC 16 | Dec 9, 2017 | 3 | 0:57 | Seoul, South Korea |
| Loss | 10–5 | Young Jin Hwang | Decision (split) | Top FC 18 | May 25, 2018 | 5 | 5:00 | Seoul, South Korea |
| Loss | 10–6 | Rodrigo Praia | Decision (split) | ACB 88 | Jun 16, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Brisbane, Australia |
| Win | 11–6 | Mehdi Baydulaev | Submission (guillotine choke) | ACA 91 | Jan 26, 2019 | 1 | 4:37 | Grozny, Russia |
| Win | 12–6 | Takafumi Otsuka | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Deep 89 Impact | May 12, 2019 | 2 | 1:40 | Tokyo, Japan |
| NC | — | Timur Valiev | Overturned by NSAC | UFC on ESPN 15 | Aug 22, 2020 | 2 | 1:59 | Las Vegas, NV, USA |
| Win | 13–6 | Mario Bautista | TKO (punches) | UFC 259 | Mar 6, 2021 | 2 | 0:40 | Las Vegas, NV, USA |
| Loss | 13–7 | Saidyokub Kakhramonov | Technical submission (guillotine choke) | UFC on ESPN 29 | Aug 21, 2021 | 3 | 4:39 | Las Vegas, NV, USA |
| Loss | 13–8 | Javid Basharat | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night 203 | Mar 12, 2022 | 3 | 5:00 | London, England, UK |
| Loss | 13–9 | Raoni Barcelos | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night 211 | Oct 1, 2022 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, NV, USA |
| Loss | 13–10 | Cody Garbrandt | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 285 | Mar 4, 2023 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, NV, USA |
| Win | 14–10 | Wilson Reis | Decision (split) | CW 159 | Sep 8, 2023 | 3 | 5:00 | San Diego, CA, USA |
| Loss | 14–11 | Roberto Hernandez | Decision (unanimous) | CW 165 | Dec 15, 2023 | 3 | 5:00 | San Diego, CA, USA |
| Loss | 14–12 | Andrew Cruz | Submission (rear-naked choke) | FSF 29 | Aug 10, 2024 | 4 | 4:41 | Boise, ID, USA |