Pat Healy (fighter)


Patrick "Pat" Healy is a retired American professional mixed martial artist who last competed in the Lightweight division of ACB. A professional competitor since 2001, Healy has also formerly competed for the UFC, Strikeforce, the WEC, the IFL, the MFC, King of the Cage, Titan FC and Shark Fights. His twin brother, Ryan, is also a professional mixed martial artist.

Background

Born and raised in Salem, Oregon, Healy and his twin brother, Ryan, have been training to fight in mixed martial arts since they were 14 years old. A friend trained in Muay Thai and would spar with them, knocking out Ryan with a head kick the first time they trained, and this would result in a long line of more combat sports experience. Healy also wrestled while growing up, placing in the state finals for South Salem High School and finishing seventh while also being a four-year letterman in the sport. Healy was also a two-time All-State selection in football and later competed in collegiate wrestling for Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, which was then a Division II program.

Mixed martial arts career

World Extreme Cagefighting

With a record of 9-6, Healy signed on with small upstart promotion, World Extreme Cagefighting. Healy made his debut at WEC 15 against future Cage Rage World Welterweight Champion and UFC veteran, Chris Lytle, losing via a close split decision.
Healy did not fight for the promotion for an entire year but won four of his next five fights which included a win over future UFC and Strikeforce veteran Paul Daley via guillotine choke submission. Healy then returned to the WEC at WEC 19 against UFC veteran Tiki Ghosn. The fight was called off after Ghosn injured his shoulder and was declared unable to continue. Healy then won his next four fights which included a win over future UFC Interim Welterweight Champion Carlos Condit via rear-naked choke submission.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

In 2006, Healy was signed to fight The Ultimate Fighter veteran, Anthony Torres, at UFC Fight Night 6. Torres took Healy down and controlled him on the ground before securing a rear-naked choke submission ending the fight midway through round one.

International Fight League

Healy signed with the International Fight League, competing for the Nevada Lions and made his debut for the organization on January 19, 2007 in Oakland, California, winning via unanimous decision. In his next appearance Healy faced future UFC veteran and Miletich Fighting Systems product, Rory Markham and lost after he was knocked out in the third round. Healy's next bout was against future King of the Cage Welterweight Champion Mike Guymon and Healy won via split decision before dropping a unanimous decision loss to future UFC Welterweight Jake Ellenberger. This was Healy's last appearance for the organization, as it would close operations months later.

Maximum Fighting Championships

When Healy signed with the Canadian promotion, Maximum Fighting Championships, he was immediately named the number one contender for the MFC Welterweight Title.
His title shot came at MFC 17 against the then champion, Ryan Ford. Healy won the fight via submission in the third round. His first and only title defense was a rematch against Ford. Healy again won the fight by a narrow split decision before signing with Shark Fights and competing for the Welterweight Championship in that organization as well, but lost to current UFC veteran TJ Waldburger. Healy relinquished his title after signing with Strikeforce.

Strikeforce

Healy dropped down to lightweight and fought one fight in the weight class, a win, before he began fighting for Strikeforce. Healy made his Strikeforce debut in May 2010 at Strikeforce Challengers: Lindland vs. Casey, defeating former Heavyweight fighter Bryan Travers via unanimous decision.
Healy fought former Strikeforce Lightweight Champion Josh Thomson at. Healy lost the fight via rear-naked choke submission in the third round.
Healy headlined a fight against undefeated Lyle Beerbohm at Strikeforce Challengers: Beerbohm vs. Healy. He won the fight via unanimous decision, handing Beerbohm his first professional loss.
At Strikeforce Challengers: Gurgel vs. Duarte, Healy fought debuting Eric Wisely, winning the fight via unanimous decision.
At, Healy replaced an injured Josh Thomson, defeating Maximo Blanco via second round submission due to a rear-naked choke submission.
Healy faced Caros Fodor at and won via submission in the third round.
Healy faced Mizuto Hirota at. He won via unanimous decision.
Having won five fights in a row, Healy was offered a title fight against Strikeforce Lightweight Champion Gilbert Melendez at on September 29, 2012. However, on September 23, it was announced that the card would be cancelled when Melendez pulled out of the fight due to injury.
The title fight with Melendez was then rescheduled for the final Strikforce show,, on January 12, 2013. Once again, Melendez pulled out of the bout citing a shoulder injury.
Healy stayed on the card as he was to face Jorge Masvidal. However, on December 22, it was announced that Masvidal pulled out of the fight due to a back injury. On January 2, it was announced that Healy would face an undefeated newcomer Kurt Holobaugh. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Return to the UFC

Healy returned to the UFC to face Jim Miller on April 27, 2013 at UFC 159. He won the back-and-forth fight via technical submission due to a rear naked choke in the third round. The bout also won him Fight of the Night and Submission of the Night bonus awards. On May 14, 2013, Healy was suspended for 90 days for failing a drug test for marijuana. The fight result was changed to No Contest, and his submission bonus was rescinded, going instead to Bryan Caraway, who also fought on the card. Healy also lost his Fight of the Night bonus.
Healy faced Khabib Nurmagomedov on September 21, 2013 at UFC 165. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.
Healy was expected to face Jamie Varner on December 14, 2013 at UFC on Fox 9. However, Varner pulled out of the bout due to injury and was replaced by Bobby Green He lost the fight via unanimous decision.
Healy faced Jorge Masvidal at UFC on Fox 11. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.
Healy faced Gleison Tibau on July 16, 2014 at UFC Fight Night 45. He lost the fight via unanimous decision, and was subsequently released from the promotion.

Independent promotions

On December 20, 2014 Healy faced Bellator veteran Ricardo Tirloni at Arena Tour 4. He won the back and forth fight by split decision.

Return to Titan Fighting Championship

On December 23, 2014, it was announced that Healy had signed a multi-fight contract with Titan FC, and was expected to return to the promotion in early 2015. On March 20, 2015, he faced undefeated Kurt Kinser for the inaugural Titan FC Lightweight Championship at Titan FC 33. Healy won the fight via split decision.
Healy was originally scheduled to make his first title defense against fellow UFC veteran Mike Ricci at Titan FC 34 on July 18, 2015, however, Ricci was forced out of the bout due to injury and was replaced by Marcus Edwards. Healy won the fight via third round TKO. For his next title defense, Healy is expected to headline Titan FC 35 against veteran Rick Hawn. He missed weight for this fight, and was stripped of the title; the vacant championship remained on the line for Hawn only. Hawn won the fight by split decision.

Absolute Championship Berkut

Healy faced Leandro Silva on January 13, 2017 at. He lost the fight via TKO in the first round.
Healy faced Brendan Loughnaneon on July 22, 2017 at. He won the back-and-forth fight via split decision.
Healy faced Magomed Raisov on January 13, 2018 at. He lost the fight via technical knockout and announced his retirement from competing professionally at his Facebook after the loss.

Championships and accomplishments