Tim Means

Timothy Carl Means (born February 20, 1984) is an American professional mixed martial artist from Moriarty, New Mexico currently competing in the Welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. A professional competitor since 2004, Means has also formerly competed for King of the Cage and Legacy FC. Means is the former King of the Cage Lightweight Champion and the former King of the Cage Junior Welterweight Champion.

Born in Wilburton, Oklahoma, and raised in New Mexico, Means began training at the age of 12, as he was a troubled kid and was taken under the wing of a local trainer. In 2004, Means was involved in a shooting incident outside of a bar and suffered a nine-inch gunshot wound in the femoral artery of his thigh. Means was prescribed painkillers and morphine, and developed a morphine dependency. After Mean's prescriptions ran out, he began experimenting with methamphetamine. A few years after Means began using meth, he found himself in trouble with the law, and was charged with aggravated assault after punching a man who broke into his home. After serving the four-year prison sentence early in his MMA career, Means turned his life around.

Early career

Means began his MMA career in 2004, recording a 3-2 record before serving a prison sentence. His two losses were to future UFC fighters Spencer Fisher and Luke Caudillo.

King of the Cage

Means returned to MMA in 2009 and reeled off six consecutive victories via first round stoppage, including a nine-second TKO win over Matt Green at KOTC: New Breed. He earned his first title at KOTC: Steel on Oct. 7, 2010 when he defeated Bobby Green to win the KOTC Junior Welterweight (160 lbs) belt. He defended the belt on four occasions, most recently in a first-round TKO victory over Mario Ramos at KOTC: High Performance on Nov. 19, 2011.He added the KOTC Lightweight title with a victory over Tye Brown at KOTC: Total Destruction on Jan. 21, 2012.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Means made his UFC debut on February 15, 2012, defeating Bernardo Magalhaes by unanimous decision at UFC on Fuel TV 1.

Means overwhelmed Justin Salas on June 8, 2012 at UFC on FX 3, knocking him down multiple times before finishing him with punches in just over a minute.

Means was expected to face promotional newcomer Abel Trujillo on September 1, 2012 at UFC 151.However, after UFC 151 was cancelled, the bout was rescheduled for December 8, 2012 at UFC on Fox 5. On the day of the weigh-ins for the event, Means fell in a hotel sauna, injuring his head, and was replaced by Marcus LeVesseur.

Means lost a unanimous decision to Jorge Masvidal on April 20, 2013 at UFC on Fox 7.

Means, replacing an injured Bobby Green, lost a unanimous decision to Danny Castillo on July 27, 2013 at UFC on Fox 8, and was subsequently released from UFC.

Legacy FC

After his release from the UFC, Means was called to replace Danny Salinas in the main event against Pete Spratt on September 13, 2013, at Legacy FC 23. He won via first-round knockout . The win was not without controversy, as after the event Pete Spratt in an interview later claimed that it in the combination that knocked him out, the elbow had knocked him down but it was the follow up punches to the back head, which are illegal, that knocked him out, and expressed he would appeal the decision. Mean's manager Tom Vaughn when asked for statement didn't respond for comment to the allegations.

Means then defeated Artenas Young in the first round at Legacy FC 27, on January 31, 2014.

UFC return

Following two wins on the regional circuit, Means was re-signed by the UFC and lost a unanimous decision to Neil Magny in a welterweight bout on May 10, 2014 at UFC Fight Night 40, replacing William Macário.

Means beat Hernani Perpetuo by unanimous decision on July 26, 2014 at UFC on Fox 12.

Means won a split decision over Márcio Alexandre on December 20, 2014 at UFC Fight Night 58.

Means earned a Performance of the Night bonus for defeating Dhiego Lima via TKO in the first round on February 28, 2015 at UFC 184.

Means, replacing an injured Kenny Robertson, defeated George Sullivan via submission (arm-triangle choke) in round three on April 18, 2015, at UFC on Fox 15.

Means faced Matt Brown on July 11, 2015 at UFC 189. Despite finding some success via striking early in the fight, Means lost the fight by submission due to a guillotine choke.

Means faced John Howard on December 10, 2015 at UFC Fight Night 80. He won the fight via knockout in the second round. The win also earned Means his second Performance of the Night bonus award.

Means was expected to face Donald Cerrone on February 21, 2016 at UFC Fight Night 83. However, Means was pulled from the fight as a result of a violation of the USADA anti-doping policy. He was replaced by Alex Oliveira.

At the conclusion of his suspension, Means was expected to face Sean Strickland on August 20, 2016 at UFC 202. However Strickland pulled out of the fight in early August citing a knee injury. He was replaced by promotional newcomer Sabah Homasi. Means defeated Homasi by technical knockout in the second round.

Means faced Alex Oliveira on December 30, 2016 at UFC 207. The bout was halted in the first round after Means landed several knees to the head of Oliveira while he was considered a grounded opponent. As a result, Oliveira was unable to continue after the foul occurred. Subsequently, referee Dan Miragliotta judged that the foul was accidental, and in turn, the result was scored a No Contest.

A rematch with Oliveira eventually took place on March 11, 2017 at UFC Fight Night 106. Means lost the fight via submission in the second round.

Means faced Alex Garcia on June 25, 2017 at UFC Fight Night 112. He won by unanimous decision.

Means faced Belal Muhammad on November 19, 2017 at UFC Fight Night: Werdum vs. Tybura. He lost the fight via split decision.

On December 20, 2017 Means announced he had signed a new, five-fight contract with UFC.

Means faced Sérgio Moraes on February 3, 2018 at UFC Fight Night: Machida vs. Anders. He lost the fight via split decision. Means was given win bonus.

Means faced Ricky Rainey on November 30, 2018 at The Ultimate Fighter 28 Finale. He won the fight via a technical knockout in round one.

Means faced Niko Price on March 9, 2019 at UFC on ESPN+ 4. He lost the fight via knockout in the first round, marking the first time he's been stopped due to strikes.

In the last fight of his prevailing contract, Means faced Thiago Alves on December 7, 2019 at UFC on ESPN 7. He won the fight via a submission in round one. Means signed a new contract with the UFC in the following week.

Means was scheduled to face Ramazan Emeev on February 15, 2020 at UFC Fight Night 167. However, Emeev was removed from the bout in late-January for undisclosed reasons and replaced by Daniel Rodriguez. Means lost the fight via submission in the second round. Means dedicated his fight to two teenage boys who had died in a car crash in his community. He had a special mouth piece made in their honor and claimed to had "fought his hardest" for them that night.

• Ultimate Fighting Championship
  • Performance of the Night (Two times)
• King of the Cage
  • KOTC Lightweight Champion (One time)
  • KOTC Junior Welterweight Champion (One time)
    • Two successful title defenses