Wes Sims
Wesley "Wes" Sims (born October 12, 1979) is a retired American mixed martial artist who competed professionally from 2001 to 2016 in the heavyweight division.[1][2] Known by nicknames such as "The Project" and "A Whole Show," Sims stood at an imposing 6 feet 10 inches tall and weighed around 258 pounds during his career, fighting out of Lancaster, Ohio.[3][1] His professional record stands at 24 wins, 15 losses, and 1 draw, with 2 no contests, including 13 knockouts/t technical knockouts and 9 submissions among his victories.[4][1] Sims gained prominence in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), making his Octagon debut on June 6, 2003, at UFC 43 against Frank Mir, where he was disqualified in the first round for stomping Mir while he was grounded on his back—an infamous incident that sparked chaos and led to their rematch.[3][5] In the rematch at UFC 46 on January 31, 2004, Mir defeated Sims via first-round knockout.[6] Beyond the UFC, Sims competed in promotions like Strikeforce, where he lost to Bobby Lashley in 2010, and secured notable wins such as a TKO victory over Kimo Leopoldo in 2006.[1] His career earnings from disclosed fights totaled $35,000.[2] Throughout his tenure, Sims was recognized for his aggressive style and quick finishes, though he faced setbacks including losses to high-profile opponents like Tim Sylvia and Mike Kyle.[1][6] After his final bout on August 13, 2016—a submission loss—Sims stepped away from professional fighting, leaving a legacy marked by controversy and resilience in the early days of heavyweight MMA.[2][1]Early life and background
Childhood and education
Wes Sims was born on October 12, 1979, in Cleveland, Ohio, and raised in the small community of Amanda, Ohio.[3][7] He completed his secondary education at Amanda-Clearcreek High School in Amanda, Ohio.[7] Following high school, Sims enrolled at the College of Mount St. Joseph in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he briefly pursued higher education for one semester before departing to explore alternative career paths outside of academics.[7]Athletic beginnings and entry into MMA
Wes Sims emerged as a standout athlete during his high school years at Amanda-Clearcreek High School in Ohio, where he excelled as a center on the basketball team, leveraging his imposing 6'10" frame to dominate the paint.[7] His performance earned him recognition as a star player, contributing to the team's efforts in local competitions, though specific scoring averages and awards from that era remain undocumented in public records.[8] This athletic foundation, honed in the competitive environment of rural Ohio, instilled a resilient work ethic that would later influence his combat sports pursuits.[7] After graduating, Sims briefly attended the College of Mount Saint Joseph in Cincinnati, continuing to play basketball while harboring ambitions beyond the court.[8] He soon developed a strong interest in professional wrestling, viewing it as a viable career path that aligned with his physical attributes and showmanship.[7] Dropping out after just one semester, Sims relocated to Columbus to pursue training in the wrestling entertainment industry, where he connected with contacts in the field.[7] However, this pivot was short-lived, as a shared physician introduced him to Mark Coleman, the UFC pioneer and Olympic alternate wrestler, shortly before Coleman's bout at PRIDE 8 in November 2000.[8] Under Coleman's guidance, Sims shifted his focus from professional wrestling to mixed martial arts, recognizing the potential for his size and athleticism in the emerging sport.[9] Coleman, who had experience in both wrestling and MMA, convinced Sims that the cage offered a more direct outlet for his talents, leading him to join Team Hammer House for intensive training.[7] There, Sims gained his first structured exposure to grappling techniques, building on his basketball-honed footwork, and began incorporating striking arts to round out his skill set.[8] This transition marked the end of his wrestling aspirations and the start of a decade-long commitment to MMA development within Coleman's camp.[7]Professional MMA career
Pre-UFC fights (2001–2003)
Wes Sims made his professional mixed martial arts debut on June 23, 2001, at RSF 2: Attack at the Track in Chester, West Virginia, facing the veteran Dan Severn in a catchweight bout. Despite his imposing 6-foot-10 frame and wrestling pedigree, Sims dropped a unanimous decision loss after three four-minute rounds, marking a challenging introduction to the sport.[1] Rebounding quickly, Sims trained under Mark Coleman at the Hammer House gym in Columbus, Ohio, where he honed his grappling and striking to transition into the heavyweight division. His wrestling background from Ohio proved instrumental in early successes, allowing him to dominate on the ground. In his next outing on January 26, 2002, at RSF 7: Animal Instinct, Sims secured a TKO victory via opponent retirement just one second into the first round against Mike Paduano. He followed with a string of wins in Midwest regional promotions, including a rapid finish against Josh Mueller at UW: St. Cloud 1 on March 15, 2002, and submission triumphs via triangle choke over Joe Mellotte at OCF on March 23, 2002, and John Harmon at HHCF 1: Backyard Brawl on May 4, 2002. Additional victories came via guillotine choke submission against Mike Sheppard at WEF 12: World Extreme Fighting 12 on May 11, 2002, though a no contest arose against Edwin Allseitz at HHCF 3: Unfinished Fury on October 19, 2002, due to an unspecified issue.[1][7] Sims capped his pre-UFC run with a second-round TKO (punches) over Marcus Silveira at HOOKnSHOOT: Absolute Fighting Championships 1 on December 13, 2002, in Dayton, Ohio, building momentum with a mix of knockouts and submissions that highlighted his evolving skill set. Entering the UFC with a 6-1 record (one no contest), these regional bouts established Sims as a promising heavyweight prospect, with early career finishes including several submissions that leveraged his size and wrestling base.[1]UFC tenure and key rivalries (2003–2005)
Sims entered the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) at UFC 43: Meltdown on June 6, 2003, facing Frank Mir in his heavyweight debut. Early in the first round, Mir secured an armbar attempt, but Sims grabbed the cage for leverage and delivered multiple stomps to Mir's head while he was grounded, resulting in a disqualification loss for Sims at 2:55.[5] The controversial finish, which violated rules against strikes to downed opponents and fence-grabbing, led to immediate post-fight pandemonium as officials and security intervened amid Sims' aggressive actions.[1] The incident fueled a heated rivalry, prompting a rematch at UFC 46: Supernatural on January 31, 2004. Mir dominated the bout, controlling Sims on the ground before landing a decisive knee and punches for a knockout victory in the second round at 4:21.[10] Pre-fight animosity, stemming from the debut's unsportsmanlike conduct and Sims' unapologetic demeanor, heightened media interest, positioning the matchup as a personal grudge fight despite Mir's technical edge.[11] Later in 2004, Sims encountered another prominent heavyweight, former UFC champion Tim Sylvia, at SuperBrawl 38 on December 12. Sylvia quickly overwhelmed Sims with ground-and-pound strikes, securing a TKO win at 1:32 of the first round.[12] His UFC record stood at 0-3 during this period from the fights against Mir and Mike Kyle, with the additional loss to Sylvia in a non-UFC promotion highlighting a challenging time.[1] The rivalries with Mir and Sylvia, marked by high-profile controversies and matchups against elite competition, elevated Sims' profile in the heavyweight division, drawing attention to his raw power and physical presence despite the setbacks.[11] These bouts underscored Sims' aggressive style but also highlighted challenges with discipline and finishing ability against top-tier grapplers and strikers.Mike Kyle bite incident (2004)
At UFC 47: It's On! on April 2, 2004, at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, Wes Sims faced Mike Kyle in a heavyweight preliminary bout.[13] Early in the first round, Sims secured a guillotine choke position on Kyle while on the ground.[14] To escape the submission attempt, Kyle allegedly bit Sims on the chest, leaving visible teeth marks.[15] The incident went unnoticed by referee John McCarthy during the fight, which continued with Kyle reversing position and landing knees and punches to knock out Sims at 4:59 of the first round.[16] Immediately after the bout, Sims protested the result, claiming the bite had unfairly influenced the outcome.[14] At the post-fight press conference, Sims lifted his shirt to display the bite marks on his chest, drawing widespread attention to the controversy.[17] Kyle denied intentionally biting Sims, insisting the marks resulted from the grappling exchange rather than a deliberate foul.[15] The UFC upheld the official result as a first-round knockout victory for Kyle, with no disqualification or rule change applied, as the bite was not observed in real-time.[18] The episode fueled perceptions of the fight as one of the dirtiest in early UFC history, tarnishing Kyle's debut and amplifying scrutiny on Sims' string of losses during his UFC tenure.[17]The Ultimate Fighter appearance (2009)
After departing the UFC in 2005 following a 0-3 record marked by notable losses, Wes Sims competed in various independent promotions from 2005 to 2008, including the International Fight League and World Extreme Cagefighting, where he went 15-5-1 with one no contest. Notable victories during this period included a TKO over Kimo Leopoldo in 2006 and a technical draw followed by a loss against Daniel Gracie in the IFL in 2006.[1] He sought a career revival through The Ultimate Fighter Season 10: Heavyweights, which began filming in June 2009.[19] He secured his spot on the show by directly contacting UFC matchmaker Joe Silva via text, expressing strong determination to participate and even joking about jumping the facility wall if needed.[19] Assigned to Team Rampage under coach Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, Sims trained alongside other heavyweights, receiving guidance from assistant coach Tiki Ghosn on leveraging his 6'9" frame and long limbs for control in fights.[20][21] In the preliminary bout during Episode 5, aired on October 14, 2009, Sims faced Justin Wren of Team Rashad, selected by coach Rashad Evans to exploit Sims' experience while testing Wren's grappling.[20] The fight ended quickly when Wren executed a takedown, transitioned to mount, and locked in an arm-triangle choke, forcing Sims to tap at 1:34 of the first round; the bout was ruled a technical submission as Sims briefly lost consciousness.[22][20] This exhibition match, which does not count toward professional records, resulted in Sims' immediate elimination from the tournament, extending Team Rashad's undefeated streak to 5-0.[21] Jackson later expressed shock at the outcome, stating he never imagined Wren could submit the veteran Sims.[20] Throughout the season, Sims contributed to lively house dynamics with his outspoken personality, often bantering with teammates and opponents while targeting newcomer Zak Jensen as a primary source of tension, which he described as tormenting the "top tormentee."[21] He remarked on the chaotic environment, calling many housemates "obnoxious pigs" and expressing surprise at Roy Nelson's voracious eating habits, which consumed a disproportionate share of the house food supply.[23] Sims approached the experience with high energy, vowing to "win viciously or lose devastatingly," though the early exit fueled his resolve for future opportunities outside the show.[20]Strikeforce and later promotions (2010–2016)
Following his appearance on The Ultimate Fighter in 2009, which provided renewed visibility, Sims debuted in Strikeforce against undefeated wrestler and former WWE star Bobby Lashley at Strikeforce: Miami on January 30, 2010.[1] Despite entering with a record of 24-12-1 (2 NC), Sims was overwhelmed by Lashley's striking and lost via TKO (punches) at 2:06 of the first round.[1] This marked his only bout in the promotion, a major heavyweight organization at the time.[24] After more than two years away from competition, Sims fought in the European promotion Maxfight at Warriors 28 on June 16, 2012, in Slovakia.[1] He faced Bulgarian heavyweight Lyubo Simeonov and was defeated by submission (Achilles lock) at 1:05 of the second round, extending his losing streak.[1] Sims then competed in a regional U.S. event, securing a quick victory over Ruben Villareal via guillotine choke submission at 0:37 of the first round on September 1, 2013, at Gladiator Challenge: Hammer Time in Colusa, California.[1] This win against a mid-tier opponent elevated his career total to 24 victories.[1] His final bout occurred nearly three years later on August 13, 2016, at Dawghouse Promotions: Dugout Summer Throwdown in Ohio, where Sims submitted verbally to George Oiler at 2:15 of the first round.[1] Over this period from 2010 to 2016, spanning Strikeforce and various regional promotions, Sims compiled a 1-3 record with one submission win, contributing to his full professional ledger of 24-15-1 (2 NC).[1] He retired from MMA following this loss.[2]Post-retirement activities
Involvement in acting and media
Following his retirement from mixed martial arts in 2016, Wes Sims transitioned into entertainment pursuits, leveraging his physical presence and public profile from the sport.[1] Sims made his acting debut in the 2017 short science fiction film Submerge: Echo 51, directed by Demetrius LaSean Witherspoon, where he appeared alongside actors including Bishop Stevens and Audrey Stoneberg.[25] The film depicts a post-apocalyptic scenario involving a survivor's encounter with an alien empire, and Sims' role contributed to its ensemble cast in this independent production. Additional minor acting credits include appearances as himself in UFC event footage, such as UFC 46: Supernatural (2004) and UFC 43: Meltdown (2004), which documented his professional fights and were later compiled in media retrospectives.[26] In television media, Sims featured in the 2016 episode of Where Are They Now? on UFC Fight Pass, where he reflected on his controversial UFC tenure, including the infamous stomping incident against Frank Mir, and discussed his life beyond the octagon.[27] This appearance highlighted his evolution from a "wild man" of early MMA to a figure sharing insights on personal challenges post-career.[27] Sims maintains an active social media presence, particularly on Instagram under the handle @thewessims, where he shares updates on his daily life and motivational content related to recovery and perseverance after fighting.[2] He has also participated in interviews discussing his post-MMA experiences, such as a 2024 discussion on YouTube's MMA-focused channels, covering career reflections and the Mike Kyle bite incident from 2004.[28] These media engagements often draw on his athletic background to explore themes of resilience without delving into active competition.Support for the MMA community
Following his retirement from professional fighting in 2016, Wes Sims has continued to contribute to the MMA community through his longstanding affiliation with Team Hammer House, the Columbus, Ohio-based training camp founded by Mark Coleman. As a longtime member of the team, which includes notable alumni like Kevin Randleman and Phil Baroni, Sims has taken on informal mentorship roles, sharing his experience with grappling and striking techniques to guide emerging heavyweight fighters in the region.[1] Sims' support extends to advocacy for the health and welfare of MMA veterans, drawing from his own recovery journey from addiction and injuries sustained during his career. In 2015, he organized a GoFundMe campaign to cover Mark Coleman's medical bills following hip replacement surgery, successfully raising approximately $48,000 from donations within the MMA community to assist with recovery costs and lost income.[29][30] This effort underscored Sims' commitment to his former training partner, with whom he shares a decades-long relationship dating back to their early days at Hammer House. In March 2024, after Mark Coleman heroically rescued his parents from a house fire in Fremont, Ohio, but suffered severe smoke inhalation requiring hospitalization, Sims played a key role in rallying community support. He provided real-time updates on Coleman's critical condition via Facebook posts, emphasizing the power of prayer and detailing that Coleman had been intubated and sedated after multiple entries into the burning structure. Sims also drove Coleman's daughters, McKenzie and Morgan, to the hospital during the crisis and had previously aided Coleman in 2022 by helping clear his living space of substances and encouraging entry into rehabilitation for alcohol dependency. These actions amplified awareness, contributing to a broader GoFundMe effort organized by Coleman's family that ultimately raised over $121,000 for medical and living expenses.[31][32][33] Throughout 2024, Sims participated in media discussions highlighting veterans' challenges, including an August ESPN feature where he reflected on Coleman's resilience and the need for ongoing support networks in MMA to address physical and mental health issues post-career. His involvement demonstrates a sustained dedication to fostering welfare initiatives for aging fighters in Ohio and beyond.[31]Mixed martial arts record
Professional record
Wes Sims compiled a professional mixed martial arts record of 24 wins, 15 losses, 1 draw, and 2 no contests over a career spanning from 2001 to 2016.[1] The following table details his complete professional fight history in chronological order:| Date | Event | Opponent | Result | Method | Round | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 23, 2001 | RSF 2 - Attack at the Track | Dan Severn | Loss | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 4:00 | |
| Jan 26, 2002 | RSF 7 - Animal Instinct | Mike Paduano | Win | TKO (Retirement) | 1 | 0:01 | |
| Mar 15, 2002 | UW - St. Cloud 1 | Josh Mueller | Win | N/A | 1 | 1:18 | Method unspecified |
| Mar 23, 2002 | OCF - Ohio Cage Fights | Joe Mellotte | Win | Submission (Triangle Choke) | 0 | 0:00 | |
| May 04, 2002 | HHCF 1 - Backyard Brawl | John Harmon | Win | Submission (Triangle Choke) | 1 | 0:00 | |
| May 11, 2002 | WEF 12 - World Extreme Fighting 12 | Mike Sheppard | Win | Submission (Guillotine Choke) | 1 | 3:00 | |
| Oct 19, 2002 | HHCF 3 - Unfinished Fury | Edwin Allseitz | NC | No Contest | 0 | 0:00 | |
| Dec 13, 2002 | HOOKnSHOOT - Absolute Fighting 1 | Marcus Silveira | Win | TKO (Punches) | 2 | 2:13 | |
| Jun 06, 2003 | UFC 43 - Meltdown | Frank Mir | Loss | Disqualification (Kicking a Downed Opponent) | 1 | 2:55 | |
| Jan 31, 2004 | UFC 46 - Supernatural | Frank Mir | Loss | KO (Punches) | 2 | 4:21 | |
| Apr 02, 2004 | UFC 47 - It's On! | Mike Kyle | Loss | KO (Knee and Punches) | 1 | 4:59 | Bite incident occurred during the bout |
| Sep 05, 2004 | APEX - Genesis | Ricardeau Francois | Loss | TKO (Punches) | 2 | 0:26 | |
| Sep 10, 2004 | EFC 9 - Extreme Fighting Challenge 9 | Joe Mellotte | Win | TKO (Punches) | 1 | 2:09 | |
| Nov 20, 2004 | ROTR 6 - Rumble on the Rock 6 | Antoni Hardonk | Loss | Submission (Keylock) | 1 | 4:24 | |
| Dec 12, 2004 | SB 38 - SuperBrawl 38 | Tim Sylvia | Loss | TKO (Punches) | 1 | 1:32 | |
| Aug 26, 2005 | HHCF 21 - Redemption | Shane Lightle | Win | KO (Punches) | 1 | 0:00 | |
| Sep 03, 2005 | HHCF 22 - Rumble at the Rodeo | Dustin Sutton | Win | TKO (Punches) | 1 | 0:00 | |
| Nov 13, 2005 | RFN 2 - Ryukyu Fight Night 2 | Junpei Hamada | Win | Submission (Triangle Choke) | 1 | 3:07 | |
| Mar 03, 2006 | GFC - Team Gracie vs. Team Hammer House | Daniel Gracie | Draw | Technical Draw | 2 | 5:00 | |
| Apr 15, 2006 | UFS - Ultimate Fight Series | Buddy Butler | Win | TKO (Submission to Strikes) | 1 | 0:50 | |
| Jun 03, 2006 | IFL - Championship 2006 | Daniel Gracie | Loss | Technical Submission (RNC) | 1 | 2:42 | |
| Jun 17, 2006 | UFS 2 - Ultimate Fight Series 2 | Paul Bowers | Win | Submission (Armbar) | 1 | 0:39 | |
| Jul 28, 2006 | WEC 22 - The Hitman | Joel Suprenant | Win | Submission (Triangle Choke) | 1 | 0:28 | |
| Sep 02, 2006 | HHCF 27 - Rumble at the Rodeo 2 | Jabari Hawthorne | Win | KO (Knee) | 1 | 0:36 | |
| Sep 16, 2006 | FCFS 3 - Full Contact Fight Series 3 | Robert Hogan | Win | KO (Punches) | 1 | 1:07 | |
| Oct 06, 2006 | Extreme Wars 5 - Battlegrounds | Kimo Leopoldo | Win | TKO (Punches) | 1 | 3:21 | |
| Oct 27, 2006 | MMA Mexico 7 - Sims vs. Cano | Anton Cano | Win | Disqualification | 2 | N/A | Opponent disqualification |
| Dec 09, 2006 | FOG - Fists of Glory | Albert Palmer | Win | TKO (Submission to Punches) | 1 | 0:54 | |
| Feb 10, 2007 | FCFS 7 - Fight Club | William Jaggers | Win | TKO (Submission to Strikes) | 1 | 0:28 | |
| Mar 22, 2007 | PFC 2 - Fast and Furious | Van Michael Palacio | NC | No Contest (Inadvertent Groin Strike) | 1 | 0:54 | |
| May 11, 2007 | AOW - Art of War 2 | Chris Guillen | Loss | Decision (Unanimous) | 4 | 5:00 | |
| Jun 16, 2007 | FCFS 12 - Bloodsport | Daniel Long | Win | TKO (Punches) | 1 | 0:00 | |
| Jul 07, 2007 | IFO - Eastman vs. Kimmons | Chris Guillen | Loss | TKO (Corner Stoppage) | 2 | 5:00 | |
| Sep 29, 2007 | FF - Capitol Punishment | Travis Fulton | Loss | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Jun 07, 2008 | TKO 34 - Sims vs. Bosse | Steve Bosse | Loss | Submission (Ankle Lock) | 1 | 3:05 | |
| Jun 28, 2008 | FCFS 26 - Beach-N-Brawl | William Clifford | Win | Submission (Guillotine Choke) | 1 | 2:12 | |
| Jun 28, 2008 | FCFS 26 - Beach-N-Brawl | Clifford Coon | Win | Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) | 1 | 1:32 | |
| Nov 28, 2008 | FCFS 29 - Battlefield 2 | Jason DeAngelo | Win | KO (Punches) | 1 | 0:18 | |
| Jan 30, 2010 | Strikeforce - Miami | Bobby Lashley | Loss | TKO (Punches) | 1 | 2:06 | |
| Jun 16, 2012 | Maxfight - Warriors 28 | Lyubo Simeonov | Loss | Submission (Achilles Lock) | 2 | 1:05 | |
| Sep 01, 2013 | Gladiator Challenge - Hammer Time | Ruben Villareal | Win | Submission (Guillotine Choke) | 1 | 0:37 | |
| Aug 13, 2016 | Dawghouse - Dugout Summer Throwdown | George Oiler | Loss | Submission (Verbal) | 1 | 2:15 |
Exhibition record
Wes Sims' exhibition record is limited to a single preliminary bout during his participation in The Ultimate Fighter Season 10, a reality television competition where such fights serve as non-professional eliminations without financial compensation or effects on official MMA rankings.[34] These bouts follow unified MMA rules but are classified as exhibitions, excluding them from professional statistics.[1] On June 15, 2009, Sims competed against Justin Wren in an opening round elimination match, losing via submission (arm-triangle choke) at 1:33 of the first round.[22] This defeat ended his run on the show before advancing to the main tournament.[20]| Result | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | Justin Wren | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | The Ultimate Fighter Season 10 | June 15, 2009 | 1 | 1:33 | Exhibition bout; does not count toward professional record |