Eric Spicely

Eric Spicely is a submission-focused grappler from Stoughton, Massachusetts, who has carved out a journeyman career in mixed martial arts spanning the UFC, regional circuits, and professional wrestling. Turning pro in 2013, he compiled an impressive 8-0 record for CES MMA in his native Rhode Island before earning a spot on The Ultimate Fighter 23 as a light heavyweight. After making his UFC debut in 2016, Spicely announced himself with a stunning first-round submission upset over Thiago Santos that earned him a Performance of the Night award, followed by a slick triangle choke submission victory over Alessio Di Chirico. These early successes suggested he could compete at the highest level and highlighted his technical prowess on the mat.

However, Spicely's UFC tenure proved inconsistent. Losses to submission specialist Antonio Carlos Junior, knockout artist Darren Stewart, and a series of defeats at the regional level exposed gaps in his overall game, particularly his striking defense and ability to impose his grappling against stronger opposition. Released from the UFC in 2018, he was briefly re-signed in 2019 and given a high-profile short-notice fight against Deron Winn, which earned Fight of the Night honors but ended in a unanimous decision loss. Since then, his career has stalled on the regional circuit with mixed results.

Spicely's calling card remains his submission game: 50 percent of his wins have come by submission, and he boasts solid takedown defense at 75 percent. His wrestling foundation from his professional wrestling background gives him a platform for ground control, though he has struggled to fully utilize it against UFC-caliber strikers who pressure him. For fans of technical grappling and submission artistry, Spicely offers glimpses of brilliance, but his inconsistency and mounting losses have relegated him to the fringes of the professional fighting world.