Sam Sicilia has carved out a solid niche in MMA with gritty performances in both the UFC and Bellator. From wrestling in Spokane to dueling in the Octagon, he’s built a career marked by explosive knockouts and relentless tenacity.
In this article, you’ll discover his personal background, early rise through regional ranks, pro journey under two major promotions, contract and salary insights, career earnings breakdown, endorsements, and up-to-date net worth figures for 2025.
Sam Sicilia’s Biography
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Samuel Travis Sicilia |
| Date of Birth | February 1, 1986 |
| Age | 39 |
| Education | Mt. Spokane High School (Wrestling) |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) |
| Weight | 146 lb (Featherweight) |
| Turned Pro | 2007 |
| Net Worth | $500,000 (estimate) |
| Career Earnings | $350,000+ |
| Wife/Girlfriend | Not publicly disclosed |
| @sampagesicilia | |
| @SamSiciliaMMA |
Early Career
Sam Sicilia’s fighting roots trace back to Spokane, Washington, where he grew up grappling on the wrestling mat at Mt. Spokane High School. That early discipline in folkstyle wrestling laid a foundation for his mixed martial arts ambitions.
After graduating, he began training in a local gym under coach Rick Little, refining his striking and submission skills alongside training partners who would later become professional competitors.
In 2007, Sicilia made his professional debut, stepping into small-scale promotions across the Pacific Northwest. He quickly showcased a well-rounded style, blending knockout power with a willingness to scrap on the ground.
Over the next few years, he amassed an impressive run-racking up ten wins against a single defeat within just over a year. Those early nights often saw Sicilia traveling on short notice, fighting in venues far from home, adapting to new weight cuts, and learning the mental demands of the fight game.
By 2011, his 11-fight record and a showcase of seven finishes caught the attention of talent scouts. Sicilia applied for The Ultimate Fighter: Live and earned a spot on the season’s cast.
The experience on reality TV introduced him to a national audience and challenged him to prepare for opponents with diverse skill sets. Training inside the TUF house meant daily drills, media obligations, and quick turnarounds-an invaluable crash course before entering the UFC’s main stage.
Those formative years instilled in Sicilia the work ethic that still defines him. He learned to manage the grind of weight cuts, recover quickly after hard fights, and balance explosive offense with strategic pacing.
The wins came by way of thunderous punches and well-timed submissions, but the real lessons were in consistency, mental toughness, and the ability to evolve under pressure. These ingredients set the stage for his transition to a major promotion, proving he could hang with elite athletes and laying the groundwork for a decade-long professional career.
Professional Career
In June 2012, Sicilia made his UFC debut at The Ultimate Fighter 15 Finale, earning a second-round knockout over Cristiano Marcello. That explosive start signaled he could deliver highlight-reel moments on the biggest platform in MMA.
After his debut, Sicilia opted to drop to featherweight to leverage his strength and wrestling background against smaller opponents. His next bout at UFC 153 in Rio de Janeiro was a baptism of fire; facing Brazil’s hometown hero Rony Jason under a deafening crowd, he suffered a second-round TKO but gained crucial experience fighting abroad.
Back in the U.S., Sicilia rebounded at The Ultimate Fighter 17 Finale with a unanimous decision loss to Maximo Blanco, followed by a first-round TKO win over Godofredo Pepey in Brazil later that year.
He began to alternate wins and losses, showing flashes of his raw power in knockouts of Akira Corassani and Aaron Phillips, while also slipping submissions to grapplers like Cole Miller and Katsunori Kikuno.
By 2015, Sicilia’s reputation was that of an unflinching brawler who could end a fight in a heartbeat but also needed to shore up his grappling defense.
After nine fights in the UFC, Sicilia closed his stint with a three-fight skid and was released in May 2017. Rather than stall, he signed a multi-fight deal with Bellator MMA that August.
Bellator offered more frequent bookings, and Sicilia seized the chance to rebuild momentum. He opened with a unanimous decision win over former champion Marcos Galvão, tapped to Emmanuel Sanchez in his second outing, and then eked out a split decision victory against Derek Campos.
In September 2019, Sicilia competed in Bellator’s Featherweight Grand Prix but fell to rising star Pedro Carvalho. His most recent Bellator fight at London 2 in November 2019 ended in heartbreak-a knockout loss to Robert Whiteford just seconds shy of the final bell.
Across both major promotions, Sicilia compiled an 18-11 record, demonstrating a willingness to face top contenders and earning renewed contracts that reflected his value as a fan-favorite banger and seasoned vet.
Throughout his pro tenure, he adapted his game-balancing the desire for quick finishes with improved cardio and tactical awareness. His team in Spokane, SikJitsu Fighting Systems, provided continuity, while supplemental camps abroad sharpened his striking and ground work.
Even in defeats, Sicilia showed a capacity to learn, returning to camp with refined skills and a guile that only years on the road can teach. His journey from local circuits to UFC and Bellator underscores a career built on perseverance, adaptability, and raw fighting spirit.
Sam Sicilia’s Net Worth Details
Sam Sicilia’s net worth is estimated to be $500,000 as of 2025.
Fight Purses
| Event | Opponent | Purse | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| UFC Fight Night 35 | Cole Miller | $10,000 | Lost the fight |
| Bellator 226 | Pedro Carvalho | $30,000 to show, $30,000 to win | Total potential of $60,000 |
Career Stats
| Statistic | Total |
|---|---|
| Fights | 29 |
| Wins | 18 |
| – by KO/TKO | 9 |
| – by Submission | 4 |
| – by Decision | 5 |
| Losses | 11 |
| – by KO/TKO | 3 |
| – by Submission | 6 |
| – by Decision | 2 |
FAQs
1. What is Sam Sicilia’s MMA record?
Sam Sicilia holds an 18-11 professional record. Of his 18 wins, nine came by knockout, four by submission, and five by decision. His losses include three knockouts, six submissions, and two decisions, reflecting a career of high-risk, high-reward fighting.
2. In which weight class does Sicilia compete?
Sicilia competes primarily in the featherweight division at 145 pounds. Early in his UFC stint, he also fought at lightweight, but he found his stride dropping to featherweight, leveraging strength and wrestling against smaller opponents to maximize his knockout power.
3. Which promotions has Sam Sicilia fought for?
He began his major-league career with the UFC from 2012 through 2017, appearing on The Ultimate Fighter: Live. In August 2017, he signed an exclusive multi-fight contract with Bellator MMA and has continued to compete under that banner, taking high-profile matchups in Bellator’s featherweight division.
4. What are Sicilia’s height and reach measurements?
Sicilia stands 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) tall and carries a 67-inch reach. His compact frame combines power and leverage in close-quarters striking and grappling exchanges, making him a formidable opponent in both stand-up and ground scenarios.
5. What sponsorships and endorsements does Sam Sicilia have?
While Sicilia keeps his sponsorships modest, he works with regional fightwear and sports-nutrition brands, promoting training apparel and supplements on Instagram and Twitter. His authentic training videos and behind-the-scenes gym content resonate with a dedicated combat sports audience.
