Posted on May 7, 2024
| 4 minutes
| 727 words
| Carisa Kissane
Jay Hieron Quick Info
Height
6 ft
Weight
77 kg
Date of Birth
July 29, 1976
Zodiac Sign
Leo
Eye Color
Dark Brown
Jay Hieron is an American actor, stuntman, and former mixed martial artist who has competed in the UFC, WEC, Affliction, Strikeforce, and Bellator and was the final IFL Welterweight Champion, competing for the Los Angeles Anacondas. Additionally, he has also been a part of various shows and movies such as Death on the Border, NCIS: Los Angeles, Bobcat Moretti, The Terminal List, New York Undercover, and Orange Is the New Black.
Born Name
James Thomas Hieronymus
Other Names
Jay Hieron, The Thoroughbred
Jay Hieron as seen at the weigh-in before the Strikeforce Carano vs. Cyborg event in 2009 (Mike Dunn / Flickr / CC BY 2.0 DEED)
Sun Sign
Leo
Born Place
Freeport, Hempstead, Nassau County, New York, United States
Nationality
Education
Jay Hieron studied at Freeport High School, a public high school located in Freeport, Nassau County, New York. During his time there, he was a two-time state wrestling championship runner-up. He then attended Nassau Community College (NCC), a public community college located in Garden City, New York. There, he emerged as the National Junior College Champion and received an associate degree.
Afterward, he enrolled at Hofstra University (a private university situated in Hempstead, New York). He tested positive for marijuana prior to his senior year at the university and was prevented from wrestling in his senior year.
Occupation
Actor, Stuntman, Former Mixed Martial Artist
Division
Welterweight
Reach
75 in (191 cm)
Build
Athletic
Jay Hieron as seen while posing for a picture at the Grand Canyon National Park in November 2023 (Jay Hieron / Instagram)
Height
6 ft or 183 cm
Weight
77 kg or 169.5 lbs
Girlfriend / Spouse
Jay Hieron has dated –
Jacqueline Petzak – He has been in a relationship with model and social media personality Jacqueline Petzak.
Race / Ethnicity
Mixed
Hair Color
Black
Eye Color
Dark Brown
Sexual Orientation
Straight
Distinctive Features
Deep-set eyes
Toned body
Jay Hieron as seen while enjoying his time in Miami, Florida in June 2023 (Jay Hieron / Instagram)
Jay Hieron Facts
His mother struggled with raising her son so he went to live with John and Theo Hieronymous when he was a newborn and the couple subsequently officially adopted Jay when he was eight years old.
After he was removed from the wrestling team at Hofstra University, Jay Hieron became involved in drug dealing and was eventually charged with a felony.
He started boxing as it worked as a good stress reliever. After the encouragement of some of his friends who trained in MMA, he combined his wrestling and boxing skills into a professional MMA career.
He emerged as the winner of the Lockdown in Paradise in Lahaina, Hawaii in March 2006.
At the IFL Team Championships in Atlantic City, New Jersey, Jay Hieron made his International Fight League (IFL) debut and emerged as the winner in June 2006.
After the collapse of the International Fight League due to financial concerns, he signed a deal with Affliction in August 2008.
He later signed with Strikeforce and his debut fight was set to be against fellow former Zuffa competitor Nick Diaz at Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg for the inaugural Strikeforce welterweight title but the plans were changed because Diaz missed a pre-fight drug test mandated by the California State Athletic Commission and was hence denied a license to compete. Susbequehmty, Diaz was replaced by Jesse Taylor and the fight was changed to a non-title bout which Hieron won by unanimous decision.
On January 30, 2010, he faced Joe Riggs at Strikeforce: Miami and won the fight via unanimous decision.
On September 1, 2012, he was scheduled to face Jake Ellenberger in a rematch at UFC 151, replacing an injured Josh Koscheck. However, the UFC 151 event was canceled and the fight later took place at UFC on FX 5 on October 5, 2012, and Hieron lost via unanimous decision.
At UFC 156, he was expected to face Erick Silva on February 2, 2013, but Silva pulled out of the bout citing an injury and was then replaced by Tyron Woodley. Jay Hieron lost the fight KO (punches) in round 1 and was subsequently released from the promotion.
Jay Hieron announced his retirement from MMA competition on March 7, 2014.
Featured Image by Mike Dunn / Flickr / CC BY 2.0 DEED