Eric McConico is an American professional mixed martial artist competing in the UFC middleweight division.
The 6-foot southpaw has built an 11-4-1 professional MMA record, with four knockout victories and three submissions. He trains at The MMA Lab in Arizona and fights out of Glendale.
McConico’s path to the UFC was far from straightforward. Before reaching MMA’s biggest promotion, he balanced fighting with demanding jobs, overnight work and family responsibilities. At one point, after unexpectedly losing his job, he was unsure whether continuing his fighting career was realistic.
Then the UFC call came.
Now in his mid-30s, McConico is still competing at the sport’s highest level and recently secured a second UFC contract.
Eric McConico Fighter Information
| Stats | Info |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Eric Levron McConico |
| Nickname | Not known |
| Born | May 9, 1990 |
| Birthplace | San Bernardino, California, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 6’0″ (183 cm) |
| Reach | 77″ (196 cm) |
| Division | Middleweight |
| Record | 11-4-1 |
| Stance | Southpaw |
| Team/Gym | The MMA Lab |
| @ericmcconicojr |
What Is Eric McConico Known For?
McConico is an experienced and well-rounded middleweight who has spent years developing his game rather than building his reputation around one specialty.
His record includes wins by knockout, submission and decision.
UFC statistics list McConico with a 46% significant-strike accuracy rate, while his 77-inch reach gives him considerable length for the division.
His approach is also noticeably uncomplicated.
Rather than obsessing over opponents’ records or comparing common opponents, McConico has said he prefers to treat every matchup as if both fighters are starting at 0-0 and simply focus on improving himself.
Ahead of his UFC 330 fight with undefeated Donte Johnson, McConico dismissed the significance of potentially becoming the first man to beat Johnson.
To McConico, it was simply another fight.
How Did Eric McConico Get Into MMA?
McConico did not grow up following a carefully designed path toward professional MMA.
He said his introduction came after attending an amateur fight involving one of his friends.
Watching the competition made him curious enough to try the sport himself.
McConico already considered himself an athlete, and what began as something he wanted to test gradually became a professional fighting career.
Years later, he jokingly described himself as still “trying it out,” despite having reached the UFC.
That relaxed description hides how difficult the journey actually became.
What Did Eric McConico Do Before Reaching the UFC?
McConico spent years working while pursuing MMA.
In an interview discussing the UFC call that changed his career, he recalled working overnight while continuing to show up for training.
Then his employment situation suddenly changed.
McConico said he did not quit his job. The work disappeared, leaving him uncertain about his next move and whether he would continue fighting.
Not long afterward, he received a short-notice opportunity from the UFC.
That background makes McConico’s UFC run different from fighters who were able to train full-time throughout their development.
His career was built while balancing real-world responsibilities alongside professional fighting.
Where Does Eric McConico Train?
McConico trains at The MMA Lab in Arizona.
The gym has produced and hosted numerous high-level fighters, giving McConico access to a wide range of training partners.
Ahead of UFC 330, he mentioned working alongside fighters including Jared Cannonier, Bryan Battle and several other athletes moving through their own fight camps.
His UFC 330 corner was expected to include longtime MMA Lab head coach John Crouch, along with Robert Emerson and Sebastian.
McConico has also spent time helping other fighters.
He spoke about cornering Jared Cannonier and described being present for one of Cannonier’s notable performances as an experience that stayed with him.
What Is Eric McConico’s Fighting Style?
McConico fights from a southpaw stance and combines measured striking with enough grappling experience to make him difficult to categorize as a pure specialist.
His professional record includes:
- 4 wins by knockout or TKO
- 3 wins by submission
- 4 first-round finishes
He also has a long 77-inch reach at 6-foot tall, giving him useful range at middleweight.
Interestingly, McConico has emphasized improving fundamentals rather than chasing flashy techniques.
After one UFC appearance, he said his focus was on cardio, movement, keeping his head off the center line and improving small technical details.
He joked that he had not suddenly learned spinning kicks.
That says a lot about his approach.
McConico appears more interested in sharpening the basics than reinventing himself from fight to fight.
What Is Eric McConico’s UFC Story?
McConico’s UFC career has included difficult matchmaking and major-stage opportunities.
He has shared the Octagon with fighters including Nursulton Ruziboev, Cody Brundage, Baisangur Susurkaev and Rodolfo Vieira.
One particularly memorable experience came at Madison Square Garden.
McConico said fighting in New York was incredible, but one detail stood out even more: getting to step onto the same scale once used by Muhammad Ali.
He described that moment as one of the coolest parts of the experience.
His UFC journey has also lasted long enough for the promotion to offer him another deal.
Ahead of UFC 330, McConico revealed that the Donte Johnson fight marked the beginning of his second UFC contract.
He described himself as grateful for the security but remained realistic, noting that fighters still have to approach each opportunity one at a time.
What Does Eric McConico Do Outside Fighting?
McConico’s life outside the cage is heavily centered around his family.
He has described himself as a husband and father who enjoys spending time at home with his wife and children, watching movies and playing video games.
His plans after fighting also revolve around them.
McConico has said that once his fighting career ends, one of his biggest priorities is being more present as a father and husband and directing more of his time toward his family.
He has also expressed interest in coaching or cornering fighters after retirement, using the experience he has accumulated throughout his own career to help younger athletes.
Why Eric McConico Stands Out
McConico’s story is not the typical undefeated-prospect story.
He reached the UFC after years of balancing work, training and family. He has experienced setbacks, taken difficult fights and continued competing into his mid-30s.
His mentality reflects that experience.
McConico does not appear particularly interested in calling out opponents or manufacturing rivalries. When asked who he wanted to fight next, he explained that he did not believe he was in a position to start picking names.
Instead, his mentality was simple:
Take the opponent the UFC offers and stay ready.
At one point, he described the approach as needing to be a “silent assassin.”
It is a fitting description for a veteran middleweight whose career has been built more through persistence than hype.
What Are Eric McConico’s Goals?
McConico remains interested in moving upward in the UFC middleweight division, but he appears realistic about where he stands.
Ahead of UFC 330, he said even a win over an undefeated Donte Johnson would probably mean needing another strong victory before realistically entering the rankings conversation.
That long-term perspective matches the way he has approached much of his career.
One fight at a time.
One opportunity at a time.
Eric McConico FAQs
Who is Eric McConico?
Eric McConico is an American professional MMA fighter competing in the UFC middleweight division. He trains at The MMA Lab in Arizona.
What is Eric McConico’s record?
Eric McConico has a professional MMA record of 11-4-1.
How old is Eric McConico?
Eric McConico was born on May 9, 1990, making him 36 years old in 2026.
How tall is Eric McConico?
McConico is 6 feet tall (183 cm).
What is Eric McConico’s reach?
Eric McConico has a 77-inch (196 cm) reach.
What weight class does Eric McConico fight in?
McConico competes in the UFC middleweight division.
Where does Eric McConico train?
Eric McConico trains at The MMA Lab in Arizona.
Is Eric McConico a southpaw?
Yes. McConico fights from a southpaw stance.
How many finishes does Eric McConico have?
McConico has four professional knockout or TKO victories and three submission victories.
Where is Eric McConico from?
McConico was born in San Bernardino, California, and currently fights out of Glendale, Arizona.
Does Eric McConico have a family?
Yes. McConico has spoken openly about being a husband and father, and he has said spending more time with his wife and children will be a priority after his fighting career.
What does Eric McConico want to do after MMA?
McConico has said he would be open to coaching and cornering fighters after retirement while also focusing more heavily on his family.
