Josh Diekmann (born October 9, 1976) is a retired American mixed martial artist. A professional competitor from 2005 until 2016, Diekmann fought in Bellator MMA, the WEC, and CES MMA. Known for being an exciting heavyweight, only one bout during his career ended in a judges' decision.

Josh Diekmann
Born (1976-10-09) October 9, 1976 (age 47)
Westerly, Rhode Island, U.S.
Other namesThe Freight Train
ResidenceNiantic, Connecticut, U.S.
Height6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight228 lb (103 kg; 16.3 st)
DivisionHeavyweight
Reach73.0 in (185 cm)
Fighting out ofGroton, Connecticut, United States
New London, Connecticut, United States
TeamTri-Force MMA (Pawtucket, Rhode Island)
StrikeZone (Groton, Connecticut)
Wai Kru MMA (Allston, Massachusetts)
Whaling City Boxing (Waterford, Connecticut)
Years active2005-2016
Mixed martial arts record
Total24
Wins15
By knockout11
By submission4
Losses8
By knockout1
By submission6
By decision1
No contests1
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Background edit

Born and raised in Westerly, Rhode Island, Diekmann, who is of Italian descent, graduated from Westerly High School in 1995. Diekmann began training in 2002 at the age of 26 at Whaling City Boxing in Waterford, Connecticut, which is owned by Kent Ward, father of current Bellator Welterweight Brennan Ward.[1]

Mixed martial arts career edit

Early career edit

Diekmann had one amateur fight against future UFC competitor Sean Gannon, a Boston police officer best known for defeating Kimbo Slice in non-sanctioned bout. Diekmann lost via TKO in the first round. Diekmann later turned professional in 2005, he won his first six bouts by stoppage before losing to Justin Eilers via TKO at WEC 24. Diekmann would then go 6–2 in his next eight bouts.

CES MMA edit

Diekmann faced Josh Hendricks on February 3, 2012, at CES MMA: Extreme Measures. Diekmann would lose via submission in the first round.

The following October, Diekmann was defeated by Tyler King via unanimous decision at CES MMA: Real Pain.

Diekmann got his first win for the promotion when he defeated Chris Guillen via first-round TKO at CES MMA: November to Remember.

Diekmann was scheduled to face Keith Bell at CES MMA 23 on April 25, 2014. The bout was cancelled for unknown reasons.

Bellator MMA edit

Diekmann signed a six-fight contract with Bellator MMA and made his Bellator debut on September 7, 2013, at Bellator 98, defeating Parker Porter via TKO in the first round.[2]

Diekmann was expected to face Chris Birchler at Bellator 110 on February 28, 2014. However, the fight was cancelled for unknown reasons. Diekmann was then expected to face Chad Herrick on the same card, however, this bout also did not happen due to unknown reasons. Instead, Diekmann faced Manny Lara and the fight ended in a no contest due to an accidental eye poke in round one.[3]

Diekmann faced Mike Wessel at Bellator 123 on September 5, 2014. Diekmann won the fight via knockout in the first round.[4]

Diekmann faced Raphael Butler on February 27, 2015, at Bellator 134.[5] He lost the fight by submission in the first round.

Personal life edit

Diekmann, who is married and has children, also currently works as a mason. Diekmann lives with his family in Groton, Connecticut.[6]

Mixed martial arts record edit

Professional record breakdown
24 matches 15 wins 8 losses
By knockout 11 1
By submission 4 6
By decision 0 1
No contests 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 15–8 (1) Tyler King Submission (rear-naked choke) Bellator 163 November 4, 2016 2 1:39 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Loss 15–7 (1) Ashley Gooch Submission (rear-naked choke) CES 32: de Freitas vs. Curtis January 8, 2016 1 4:30 Lincoln, Rhode Island, United States
Loss 15–6 (1) Raphael Butler Submission (standing guillotine choke) Bellator 134 February 27, 2015 1 1:04 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Win 15–5 (1) Mike Wessel KO (punches) Bellator 123 September 5, 2014 1 0:47 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
NC 14–5 (1) Manny Lara NC (accidental eye poke) Bellator 110 February 28, 2014 1 0:18 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Win 14–5 Chris Guillen TKO (punches) CES MMA: November to Remember November 15, 2013 1 1:15 Ledyard, Connecticut, United States
Win 13–5 Parker Porter TKO (punches) Bellator 98 September 7, 2013 1 1:12 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Loss 12–5 Tyler King Decision (unanimous) CES MMA: Real Pain October 6, 2012 3 5:00 Providence, Rhode Island, United States
Loss 12–4 Josh Hendricks Submission (arm-triangle choke) CES MMA: Extreme Measures February 3, 2012 1 2:21 Lincoln, Rhode Island, United States
Win 12–3 Randy Smith TKO (punches) CFX 13: Rumble in the Jungle 5 March 12, 2011 1 0:12 Plymouth, Massachusetts, United States Won the vacant CFX Heavyweight Championship.
Win 11–3 Bobby Favors KO (punches) CFX 8: Rumble in the Jungle 3 February 20, 2010 2 3:42 Plymouth, Massachusetts, United States
Loss 10–3 Christian Morecraft Submission (rear-naked choke) CFX 6: Rumble in the Jungle 2 November 14, 2009 1 0:56 Plymouth, Massachusetts, United States
Win 10–2 David Woodby TKO (punches) USFL: War in the Woods 4 September 13, 2008 1 1:01 Ledyard, Connecticut, United States
Loss 9–2 Chris Guillen Submission (rear-naked choke) IFO: Kimmons vs. Yunker September 21, 2007 2 0:40 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 9–1 Pat Schultz KO (punches) FFP: Untamed 14 June 16, 2007 1 0:45 Plymouth, Massachusetts, United States Won the vacant FFP Heavyweight Championship.
Win 8–1 Daron Adams TKO (punches) WFL 15: Winter Brawl 2007 February 3, 2007 1 0:54 Revere, Massachusetts, United States
Win 7–1 Shane McClure Submission (armbar) CZ 19: Above and Beyond December 2, 2006 1 1:08 Revere, Massachusetts, United States Defended the CZ Heavyweight Championship.
Loss 6–1 Justin Eilers TKO (punches) WEC 24 October 12, 2006 1 2:29 Lemoore, California, United States
Win 6–0 Chris Herring TKO (submission to punches) CZ 13: Battle Cry March 11, 2006 1 0:56 Revere, Massachusetts, United States Won the vacant CZ Heavyweight Championship.
Win 5–0 Kevin Jordan TKO (injury) FFP: Untamed 3 March 4, 2006 1 0:10 Brockton, Massachusetts, United States
Win 4–0 Dana Blouin KO (punch) WFL 5: Winter Brawl 2006 February 4, 2006 1 N/A Revere, Massachusetts, United States
Win 3–0 David Woodby Submission (rear-naked choke) Mass Destruction 21 July 16, 2005 1 2:35 Fall River, Massachusetts, United States
Win 2–0 Richard Wilson Submission (armbar) CZ 11: Blood Brothers June 25, 2005 1 0:33 Revere, Massachusetts, United States
Win 1–0 Joe Gomes TKO (punches) WFL 1: Winter Brawl 2005 February 5, 2005 1 0:24 Revere, Massachusetts, United States

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Josh Diekmann: In for a Penny, in for a Pound *Uncut Version* : Mass-MMA.com". Archived from the original on 2019-04-24. Retrieved 2015-07-25.
  2. ^ "Bellator 98 results: Shlemenko retains title in slugfest with Cooper". mmajunkie.com. September 8, 2013.
  3. ^ "Bellator 110 results: 'Rampage,' 'King Mo' advance to 205 tourney final". mmajunkie.com. February 28, 2014.
  4. ^ "Josh Diekmann vs. Mike Wessel". sherdog.com. September 5, 2014.
  5. ^ "Bellator 134 prelims: 'The Silencer,' 'The Freight Train,' 'The Irish Bad Boy,' 'The Barn Cat'". mmajunkie.com. February 5, 2015.
  6. ^ "CES MMA's Josh Diekmann: Fighting for Family".