Tim Means Record: 33-17-1
WelterweightTim Means has a 33-17-1 professional record and is 42 years old in the Welterweight division, representing Fit NHB. This profile tracks fight history, UFC stats, ELO rating, record, age, and opponent links.
Last updated Jun 17, 2026 · Combat Edge fight database
Tim Means bio
Personal background
Tim Means, nicknamed "The Dirty Bird," is an American welterweight competing in the UFC and one of the most durable, fan-friendly action fighters of his era. Born on February 20, 1984, in Wilburton, Oklahoma, he was raised in New Mexico and came to the sport the hard way, taken under the wing of a local trainer as a teenager. He built his foundation at Albuquerque's FIT NHB, the gym he still calls home. A rangy 6'2" with a 75-inch reach, he pairs a Muay Thai-heavy striking arsenal with a constantly improving grappling game, and outside the cage he has worked as a high school wrestling coach. The "Dirty Bird" moniker, by his own account, came from a teammate who joked that his dyed hair made him look like one before an amateur bout.
Path to the UFC
Means turned professional in 2005, dropping his pro debut by first-round triangle choke to future UFC veteran Spencer Fisher at IFC 22. He rebuilt on the regional circuit, becoming a King of the Cage champion and stacking finishes before the UFC came calling in 2012. His promotional debut delivered a unanimous-decision win, and he announced himself as a finisher that June with a first-round TKO of Justin Salas at UFC on FX 3. Early UFC losses to Jorge Masvidal and Danny Castillo in 2013 sent him back to Legacy FC, where a one-round knockout of veteran Pete Spratt helped earn his return.
Welterweight grind and signature wins
Back in the UFC, Means absorbed a decision loss to Neil Magny in 2014 but rebounded into one of the better stretches of his career. In 2015 he stopped Dhiego Lima by first-round TKO and submitted George Sullivan with an arm-triangle choke, before a guillotine loss to Matt Brown at UFC 189 and a bounce-back knockout of John Howard. He kept the violence coming with a 2016 TKO of Sabah Homasi on the UFC 202 card. His rivalry with Alex Oliveira defined the next stretch: their first meeting was ruled a no-contest after illegal knees in 2016, and Oliveira won the 2017 rematch by submission. Means answered with a decision over Alex Garcia before dropping a split decision to Belal Muhammad.
Veteran resilience
Deep into his thirties, Means kept producing memorable nights. He stopped Ricky Rainey in 2018, rebounded from a knockout loss to Niko Price with a slick first-round guillotine of veteran Thiago Alves in 2019, and put together a strong 2020 with decision wins over Laureano Staropoli and Mike Perry. A 2021 decision over Nicolas Dalby extended the run. The later years grew tougher, with losses to Kevin Holland, Max Griffin and Alex Morono, though he still flashed his finishing power with a 2023 TKO of Andre Fialho before setbacks against Uros Medic and Court McGee.
Fighting style
Means is a long, aggressive pressure striker who weaponizes his frame, leaning on knees, elbows and a punishing clinch from one of the longest reaches at welterweight. His professional record of 33-17-1 reflects a 76 percent finish rate, with 20 of his wins by knockout and five by submission, underscoring just how dangerous he is when a fight turns into a firefight. The flip side is the durability and grappling exchanges that have produced losses: eight of his defeats have come by submission, a recurring vulnerability against opportunistic finishers. Even so, his willingness to engage and his veteran craft have kept him a roster fixture and a reliable source of finishes for nearly two decades.
Career highlights
- Long-tenured UFC welterweight — one of the promotion's most enduring action fighters, with wins over names like Mike Perry and Thiago Alves across a UFC run that began in 2012.
- Elite knockout artist — 20 of his 33 career wins have come by KO/TKO, the backbone of a 76 percent finish rate.
- Regional champion turned UFC mainstay — a former King of the Cage titleholder who turned a hard regional road into a lasting big-stage career.
Tim Means career snapshot
Tim Means quick answers
What is Tim Means's record?
Tim Means's professional MMA record is 33-17-1.
How old is Tim Means?
Tim Means is 42 years old.
What weight class is Tim Means?
Tim Means fights at Welterweight in UFC.
How tall is Tim Means?
Tim Means is 6'2" tall with a 75" reach.
How much does Tim Means weigh?
Tim Means competes at Welterweight, with a most recent weigh-in of 170 lbs.
What is Tim Means's Combat Edge Elo?
Tim Means's Combat Edge Elo is 1646, with a peak Elo of 1703.
How strong is Tim Means's recent opposition?
Tim Means's latest 10 counted opponents averaged 1672 Elo immediately before their fights. This avoids using opponents' later career results with hindsight.
When was Tim Means's last fight?
Tim Means's latest tracked pro fight was against Court McGee at UFC 307: Pereira vs. Rountree on Oct 5 2024.
What is Tim Means's recent form?
Tim Means's recent tracked pro form is L-L-W-L-L over the latest 5 decisive pro results.
How does Tim Means usually win?
Tim Means's 33 recorded wins include 20 knockouts, 5 submissions, and 8 decisions, with 76% ending before the final bell.
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