Eddie Wineland
Active 2011–present · rated in 2 editions · peak overall 78.0
Scouting report
Chesterton, Indiana native Eddie Wineland was crowned the inaugural WEC Bantamweight Champion in 2006, knocking out Antonio Banuelos in the first round. A full-time firefighter known for his low-hands boxing stance and right-hand counters, Wineland later challenged Renan Barao for the interim UFC bantamweight title. His striking is anchored by an 84 Boxing rating and an 80 Durability score.
Peak ratings
By edition
Wineland rebounded from early decision losses to Urijah Faber and Joseph Benavidez by knocking out Scott Jorgensen and outpointing Brad Pickett, earning an interim title bout against Renan Barao at UFC 165 in Toronto, where he lost via spinning back-kick TKO. His boxing rhythm, takedown defense, and right hand are reflected in an 84 Boxing and 82 Cardio.
In 2014, Wineland knocked out Yves Jabouin in round two before a first-round knockout loss to Johnny Eduardo at UFC Fight Night 40 in Cincinnati. After more than a year away, he returned in July 2015, losing a decision to Bryan Caraway in Chicago. His boxing jab and toughness inside the pocket justify his 84 Boxing and 80 Durability.
Eddie Wineland and the first WEC bantamweight champion
Eddie Wineland grew up wrestling in Indiana and started training MMA at Duneland Vale Tudo. He became the first WEC bantamweight champion by knocking out Antonio Banuelos in the first round at WEC 20. He lost the belt in his first defense to Chase Beebe by decision. Later he added some highlight knockouts, including Scott Jorgensen in 2012, the first time Jorgensen had been stopped by a KO. His brand of hitting makes him a fun pick.
What Wineland brings, attribute by attribute
Boxing. The peak skill. He knocked out Jorgensen and finished Ken Stone with a slam KO at WEC 53.
Kickboxing. Decent. His TKO of Yves Jabouin in the second round came from strikes.
Wrestling. A wrestling background from Indiana, though his fights were usually decided on the feet.
BJJ. The lowest on the card. Rani Yahya submitted him in the first round at WEC 40.
Strength. Enough to make his punches count without overextending.
Durability. He was stopped by a spinning kick and a follow-up flurry from Renan Barao in 2013 and came back to win against Jabouin.
Cardio. He went three rounds against Brad Pickett and won a split decision in 2012.
Fight IQ. A veteran with real ring craft. He beat Frankie Saenz by third-round TKO in 2016 and Takeya Mizugaki in the first round that December.
Punching power at the top
Boxing is his best number at 84. He earned Knockout of the Night twice in the WEC, over Will Campuzano and Ken Stone, and the Jorgensen knockout earned Fight of the Night. He is a fighter who can end a bout with one exchange.
Submissions are where he has trouble
His BJJ is 72, the lowest number. Rani Yahya submitted him in the first round at WEC 40 in 2009. A ground-first opponent who can survive the standing exchanges gets a real path against him.
Keep exploring
Closest bantamweight profiles to Eddie Wineland, measured by how near their peak attribute ratings sit across all eight categories.
- Brad Pickettbest cardio 84 · weakest strength 74
- Takeya Mizugakibest cardio 84 · weakest strength 73
- Brian Bowlesbest boxing 82 · weakest kickboxing 74
- Michael McDonaldbest boxing 86 · weakest strength 76
- Bantamweight division guide: how the whole division rates and who to draft from it.
- Grappling vs striking in the draft: a guide that fits Eddie Wineland's strongest attribute, Boxing.
Draft Eddie Wineland into your build
Eddie Wineland enters the pool on any spin landing on bantamweight between 2010 and 2015. Spin, draft eight attributes, then simulate 25 fights.
Ratings shown are my own estimates, made with AI assistance and informed by how Eddie Wineland is regarded by the MMA community. They are unofficial and do not constitute an assessment of Eddie Wineland's real-world abilities. How the ratings are made. See the disclaimer below. Ratings and write-ups by Haaris A. Last reviewed 2026-09-30; spot an error? Tell us. Read our editorial standards.