# TJ Waldburger

Anthony "TJ" Waldburger Jr. (born April 25, 1988) is an American retired mixed martial artist who competed in the Welterweight division. A professional MMA competitor since 2005, he competed for the UFC, Shark Fights, and HDNet Fights.

## Background

Waldburger went to Belton High School (Texas).

## Mixed martial arts career
### Early career

He held an amateur record of 3-0 before turning professional at the age of 17. He lost his professional debut against Sammy Say but defeated him in his next bout to move to 1-1.
At the event, IFC: Road to Global Domination, he lost to Josh Neer but rebounded with a win over Jeff Lindsay. Waldburger defeated UFC veteran Pete Spratt via triangle choke submission in the second round. Spratt demanded a rematch and got one defeating Waldburger via knockout. He lost another fight before winning three straight. His early accomplishments include winning the Shark Fights Welterweight Championship belt in May 2009 and then defending it in September 2009.

### Ultimate Fighting Championship

In July 2010 it was announced Waldburger had signed with the UFC. His debut came at UFC Fight Night 22 against David Mitchell. He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Waldburger was expected to face Matthew Riddle on December 11, 2010 at UFC 124. However, Waldburger was forced from the card with an injury.
Waldburger was expected to face Dennis Hallman on March 26, 2011 at UFC Fight Night 24. However, Hallman was forced out of the bout with an injury and replaced by Johny Hendricks. Waldburger was defeated early in round one via TKO.
Waldburger was expected to face Daniel Roberts on September 17, 2011 at UFC Fight Night 25. However, Roberts was forced out of the bout with an injury and replaced by promotional newcomer Mike Stumpf. Waldburger defeated Stumpf via first round triangle choke submission earning Submission of the Night honors.
Waldburger next faced Jake Hecht on March 3, 2012 at UFC on FX 2. He won the fight via submission in the first round.
Waldburger faced Brian Ebersole on June 22, 2012 at UFC on FX 4. He lost the back-and-forth fight via unanimous decision.
Waldburger faced Nick Catone on December 15, 2012 at The Ultimate Fighter: Team Carwin vs. Team Nelson Finale. He won the fight via technical submission in the second round. He earned the Submission of the Night honors for his performance.
Waldburger was expected to face Sean Pierson on June 15, 2013 at UFC 161. However, Waldburger was pulled from the event and replaced by Kenny Robertson.
Waldburger faced Adlan Amagov on October 19, 2013 at UFC 166. He lost the fight by knockout in the first round.
Waldburger faced Mike Pyle on February 22, 2014 at UFC 170. He lost the fight via TKO in the third round.
Waldburger was expected to face Wendell Oliveira on February 22, 2015 at UFC Fight Night 61. However, the fight was cancelled on the day of the weigh ins, as Waldburger passed out while cutting weight. Both fighters were paid their show money.
The bout with Oliveira was rescheduled for May 30, 2015 at UFC Fight Night 67. However, it was scrapped yet again after Waldburger pulled out of the bout on May 19 due to undisclosed reasons. He was replaced by promotional newcomer Darren Till. In turn, Waldburger was released from the promotion.

## Personal life

Waldburger is married to Shayla Moore who is the daughter of his coach, John Moore of the Grappler's Lair gym. They have two sons and one daughter as of 2017.

## Championships and accomplishments

* Ultimate Fighting Championship
** Submission of the Night (Two times) vs. Mike Stumpf & Nick Catone
** UFC.com Awards
*** 2012: Ranked #5 Submission of the Year vs. Nick Catone
* Shark Fights
** Shark Fights Welterweight Championship (One time)
** One successful championship defense

## Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown :
| 25 matches | 16 wins | 9 losses |
| By knockout | 1 | 7 |
| By submission | 13 | 0 |
| By decision | 2 | 2 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
| Loss | 16–9 | Mike Pyle | TKO (elbows and punches) | UFC 170 | February 22, 2014 | 3 | 4:03 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 16–8 | Adlan Amagov | KO (punches) | UFC 166 | October 19, 2013 | 1 | 3:00 | Houston, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 16–7 | Nick Catone | Technical Submission (triangle choke) | The Ultimate Fighter 16 Finale | December 15, 2012 | 2 | 1:04 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Submission of the Night. |
| Loss | 15–7 | Brian Ebersole | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on FX: Maynard vs. Guida | June 22, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
| Win | 15–6 | Jake Hecht | Submission (armbar) | UFC on FX: Alves vs. Kampmann | March 3, 2012 | 1 | 0:55 | Sydney, Australia | |
| Win | 14–6 | Mike Stumpf | Submission (triangle choke) | UFC Fight Night: Shields vs. Ellenberger | September 17, 2011 | 1 | 3:52 | New Orleans, Louisiana, United States | Submission of the Night. |
| Loss | 13–6 | Johny Hendricks | TKO (punches) | UFC Fight Night: Nogueira vs. Davis | March 26, 2011 | 1 | 1:35 | Seattle, Washington, United States | |
| Win | 13–5 | David Mitchell | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Marquardt vs. Palhares | September 15, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | Austin, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 12–5 | Pat Healy | Decision (unanimous) | Shark Fights 6: Stars & Stripes | September 12, 2009 | 3 | 5:00 | Amarillo, Texas, United States | Defended Shark Fights Welterweight Championship. |
| Win | 11–5 | Shannon Ritch | Submission (armbar) | Shark Fights 4: Richards vs Schoonover | May 2, 2009 | 1 | 1:37 | Lubbock, Texas, United States | Won Shark Fights Welterweight Championship. |
| Win | 10–5 | Andrew Chappelle | TKO (doctor stoppage) | SWC 3: St. Valentine's Day Massacre | February 21, 2009 | 1 | 3:00 | Frisco, Texas, United States | |
| Loss | 9–5 | Ricardo Funch | TKO (punches) | Xtreme Fighting Championship | June 14, 2008 | 2 | 2:35 | Austin, Texas, United States | |
| Loss | 9–4 | Pete Spratt | KO (punches) | HDNet Fights 1 | October 13, 2007 | 1 | 1:29 | Dallas, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 9–3 | Pete Spratt | Submission (triangle choke) | King of Kombat | September 7, 2007 | 2 | 1:30 | Austin, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 8–3 | Jeff Lindsay | Submission | Masters of the Cage 14 | June 23, 2007 | 1 | 1:27 | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States | |
| Loss | 7–3 | Josh Neer | TKO (punches) | IFC: Road to Global Domination | March 4, 2007 | 1 | 0:24 | Belton, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 7–2 | Jeff Lindsay | Submission (triangle choke) | Masters of the Cage 7 | December 2, 2006 | 1 | 2:43 | Norman, Oklahoma, United States | |
| Win | 6–2 | Brian Foster | Submission (armbar) | Masters of the Cage 4 | September 23, 2006 | 1 | 0:29 | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States | |
| Win | 5–2 | Barry Peoples | Submission (achilles lock) | DPP: September to Remember | September 17, 2006 | 1 | 0:15 | Lafayette, Louisiana, United States | |
| Win | 4–2 | Jeremiah O'Neal | Submission (armbar) | Xtreme Fighting Championship VII | September 17, 2006 | 1 | 4:23 | Austin, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 3–2 | Brandon Berkey | Submission | Ultimate Texas Showdown 6 | June 24, 2006 | 1 | 1:22 | Frisco, Texas, United States | |
| Loss | 2–2 | Todd Moore | Decision (unanimous) | Renegades Extreme Fighting | March 25, 2006 | 3 | 5:00 | Houston, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 2–1 | Nathan Fussel | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Xtreme Fighting Championship 5 | February 18, 2006 | 1 | 1:50 | Austin, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 1–1 | Sammy Say | Submission (triangle choke) | Renegades Extreme Fighting | February 10, 2006 | 1 | 1:57 | Austin, Texas, United States | |
| Loss | 0–1 | Sammy Say | TKO (punches) | Ultimate Texas Showdown 3 | November 26, 2005 | 1 | 1:18 | Dallas, Texas, United States | |