That journey has not always been smooth. Schultz took significant damage during his first Contender Series opportunity, returned to the regional circuit and had to work his way back for another chance. Eventually, he broke through and reached the UFC.

Even after making the promotion, however, his life still looked surprisingly normal. Schultz continued working weekend shifts while arranging his schedule around daytime training. Then, after traveling across the world for his first UFC victory, he returned home and experienced something far more serious than anything that happened inside the cage: his house burned down.

Through all of it, the wrestling mentality has remained obvious. Schultz keeps showing up, keeps training and, perhaps most importantly, keeps looking for the finish.

Wes Schultz Fighter Information

Who Is Wes Schultz?

Wesley Michael Schultz is an American professional mixed martial artist competing in the UFC middleweight division.

Born in Madison, Wisconsin, Schultz later became closely associated with Milwaukee, where he fights out of and trains with Pura Vida BJJ/MMA.

His identity as a fighter comes heavily from wrestling. However, his professional results also show how successfully that wrestling base has transitioned into a dangerous submission game.

Of Schultz’s nine professional victories, six have come by submission. Meanwhile, another two have come by knockout or TKO. Six of his victories have also ended in the opening round.

Therefore, although wrestling created the foundation, Schultz has developed into a fighter who actively searches for ways to finish opponents rather than simply controlling them.

Where Is Wes Schultz From?

Schultz was born in Madison, Wisconsin, and currently fights out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Wisconsin has remained an important part of his story. He attended college in the state, competed as a wrestler and later became part of Milwaukee’s developing MMA scene.

Interestingly, Schultz has spoken positively about the growth of fighting in the Midwest. He believes successful fighters and strong gyms can create a cycle that attracts more athletes and better training partners. At Pura Vida, he has seen fighters from different gyms join sessions, particularly during busy periods when several teammates have fights scheduled.

What Was Wes Schultz’s Wrestling Background?

Wrestling was Schultz’s foundation long before professional MMA.

His social media bio identifies him as an alumnus of both UW-La Crosse and Iowa Lakes, while Tapology lists Wisconsin-La Crosse as his college and wrestling as his foundation style.

Schultz has also described a wrestling journey that included high school, junior college, a brief period at the Division I level and Division III competition.

That experience meant years of competing without the type of crowd that comes with UFC events. In one interview, Schultz joked about spending roughly a decade and a half competing in front of relatively small audiences. As a result, fighting in packed arenas later in his career became something he genuinely appreciated.

His wrestling background also created relationships that continued into MMA. Schultz said longtime training partner Dylan Ditz was once a college wrestling opponent, with the pair splitting their matches 1-1 before eventually becoming teammates.

How Did Wes Schultz Get Into the UFC?

Schultz’s route into the UFC was not immediate.

His first appearance on Dana White’s Contender Series came against Mansur Abdul-Malik. The opportunity did not end the way Schultz wanted, and he later described taking a level of physical damage he had not experienced before.

Although he had dealt with injuries such as a broken nose previously, Schultz said that bout introduced him to the kind of damage that resulted in a hospital visit.

Still, he did not treat the defeat as the end of the pursuit.

Instead, Schultz returned to the regional scene. After another regional appearance, he eventually earned a second opportunity on Contender Series.

Looking back, Schultz admitted that even reaching Contender Series initially felt intimidating. It took roughly a year and a half from that first opportunity for him to finally get through the process and reach the UFC.

That path is one of the more important parts of his story. Schultz was not handed a straight route into the promotion. He failed on the first attempt, recovered, returned to regional MMA and tried again.

What Is Wes Schultz’s Fighting Style?

Schultz is a wrestling-based mixed martial artist with an aggressive submission game.

The numbers immediately show where much of his danger lies. Six of his nine professional victories have come by submission.

However, his grappling is not simply about securing takedowns and holding position. Schultz repeatedly looks for finishing opportunities, particularly around the neck.

His first UFC victory illustrated that mentality clearly.

During the fight, several submission attempts failed. Still, Schultz continued attacking rather than abandoning the strategy. He later described the approach as either patience or stubbornness, but whichever it was, he kept hunting until he finally secured the finish.

That persistence is a major part of his fighting identity.

Is Wes Schultz a Striker or Grappler?

Schultz is primarily a grappler, with wrestling serving as his original foundation.

Nevertheless, calling him only a wrestler misses part of the picture. His professional record includes knockout victories, while his submission numbers show that his ground game has developed beyond traditional wrestling control.

Moreover, Schultz appears comfortable attacking even when a grappling exchange does not initially go his way.

During his UFC win over Ben Johnston, Schultz discussed staying calm from bottom position, limiting damage and continuing to search for submissions or opportunities to stand.

That ability to remain active from difficult positions matters because UFC middleweights present a different physical challenge from many regional opponents.

Schultz has acknowledged that himself. After reaching the UFC, he said the strength of middleweights at that level stood out immediately compared with the regional circuit.

Where Does Wes Schultz Train?

Schultz trains at Pura Vida BJJ/MMA in Wisconsin.

He has described the gym as an increasingly important part of Milwaukee MMA. During busy periods, Saturday sessions have included large groups and athletes visiting from other gyms.

For Schultz, that variety matters. He believes a good room needs different levels of training partners, including people you can experiment against, people who can push you and people capable of beating you during training.

UFC bantamweight Montel Jackson has also been mentioned in connection with Schultz’s training environment.

However, the supplied material does not clearly establish one individual as Schultz’s publicly stated head coach, so no head coach is listed as fact here.

Did Wes Schultz Work While Fighting Professionally?

Yes.

Even after reaching the UFC, Schultz continued working at bars.

He has said he works on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, a schedule designed in part to leave weekdays open for serious daytime training.

That arrangement comes with sacrifices. Because many regional MMA events happen on weekends, Schultz often misses cards involving friends and teammates.

Earlier in his MMA career, when he worked a more traditional 9-to-5 schedule, he attended regional events regularly. However, Schultz eventually decided that serious fighting required the ability to train during the day.

Later, he confirmed that he was still working at multiple bars even as a UFC fighter. He also noted that continuing to work helps stretch his UFC earnings rather than forcing him to live entirely from fight money.

That reality makes Schultz’s career particularly relatable. The UFC label did not instantly turn his daily life into that of a full-time celebrity athlete.

Instead, training camp could still mean practice, a nap and then heading into work.

What Sacrifices Has Wes Schultz Made for MMA?

Schultz has spoken openly about the time and money he believes he sacrificed during his twenties.

He described those years as a period when he devoted himself to fighting while earning very little from the sport. Consequently, one of his current goals is straightforward: win fights, secure finishes and earn as much as possible while he still has the opportunity.

Schultz compared his situation with someone climbing a traditional professional career ladder. For him, those prime earning years are happening while he is still physically able to compete.

The sacrifice also extends beyond money.

Schultz has spoken about missing festivals, social events, regional MMA cards and even a 24-hour bike ride he wanted to try because his schedule was built around fighting and work.

Eventually, he joked that he had become almost immune to the fear of missing out.

What Happened When Wes Schultz’s House Burned Down?

One of the most remarkable moments in Schultz’s story happened immediately after one of the biggest achievements of his career.

After traveling to Perth, Australia, and earning his first UFC victory, Schultz returned home.

That same night, his house burned down.

Schultz said he was asleep on the couch when the fire happened. His girlfriend woke him, and everyone got out safely. He later described the home as essentially destroyed.

The timing was brutal. After traveling across the world and winning a UFC fight, Schultz had been looking forward to finally sleeping in his own bed.

Instead, he immediately had to deal with losing his home.

However, his reaction reflected much of the personality seen throughout his interviews. Rather than presenting himself as defeated by the situation, Schultz moved into a new place and began replacing what he had lost.

He even joked about finding usable electronics during a recycling day, including an old television and other devices.

How Did Wes Schultz Deal With Losing His Home?

Routine became particularly important.

When asked about maintaining his mental strength after the fire, Schultz said staying in his routine was crucial.

For him, that largely meant continuing to go to the gym.

Training is so central to his lifestyle that Schultz joked he would not know what else to do with much of his time if he stopped. He owns a kayak, but even that only provides so many days of entertainment before he wants to return to training.

That answer says a great deal about his relationship with MMA.

Fighting is not simply an event that happens every few months. The gym has become the structure around which much of Schultz’s life operates.

Is Wes Schultz Married?

The supplied material does not establish that Wes Schultz is married.

However, Schultz publicly referred to having a girlfriend while discussing the house fire. He said she woke him while he was sleeping on the couch as the fire occurred. Everyone was able to get out safely.

No further relationship details are clearly established in the material provided.

What Does Wes Schultz Do Outside MMA?

Schultz’s interests outside fighting fit his laid-back personality.

He has mentioned owning a kayak, although training remains his main routine.

Schultz also enjoys television, particularly shows he can casually put on while doing something else. He mentioned Eastbound & Down and The Beverly Hillbillies among his favorites.

As a child, he said he watched a large amount of SpongeBob SquarePants.

Meanwhile, he has followed House of the Dragon and previously became a major Game of Thrones fan. Schultz also read the books multiple times, although copies of those books were among the possessions lost in his house fire.

He also appears to enjoy the strange atmosphere of regional MMA.

Schultz has fought in venues ranging from bars to old community gyms and has spoken fondly about the chaotic environments that often come with smaller shows.

What Makes Wes Schultz Dangerous?

The obvious answer is his grappling.

However, the less obvious answer may be his willingness to keep attempting the same finish after an opponent escapes.

That happened repeatedly during his first UFC victory.

Schultz attacked submissions, lost positions and burned energy without becoming discouraged. Eventually, he secured the guillotine.

He later explained that the final sequence required adjustments. With his opponent near the fence, Schultz prevented an escape, changed his grip and tightened the choke until the tap came.

Schultz called that moment the best of his life.

Therefore, his danger comes not only from technique but also from persistence.

A submission escape does not necessarily end the threat. It may only reset the next attack.

What Are Wes Schultz’s Goals?

Schultz keeps his long-term goals relatively simple.

He wants to win as many fights as possible and see where those wins take him.

At the same time, he understands the financial reality of a fighting career. Finishes can create bonuses, improve negotiating leverage and allow him to build financial security while his athletic window remains open.

Schultz has openly said he spent much of his twenties pursuing MMA without making significant money. Consequently, part of the goal now is to make the most of the opportunity while he has it.

The approach is practical rather than theatrical.

Win. Finish fights. Make money. Keep moving.

Why Does Wes Schultz Stand Out?

Schultz stands out because his UFC career still feels connected to the world he came from.

He is a college wrestler who spent years competing in front of small crowds. He fought through the regional scene, lost his first Contender Series opportunity, went back and earned another chance.

Even after reaching the UFC, he kept working weekend bar shifts.

Then, when he finally earned his first UFC victory on the other side of the world, he returned home to find himself dealing with a house fire.

Yet Schultz continued training.

That combination makes “Party Time” an unusual UFC story. The nickname sounds carefree, but the career behind it has required years of routine, physical work, setbacks and persistence.

Wes Schultz Career Update

As of August 2026, Wes Schultz holds a professional MMA record of 9-3-0.

His most recent fight took place on May 2, 2026, when he earned his first UFC victory by submitting Ben Johnston with a third-round guillotine in Perth, Australia.

The finish came after a difficult fight in which two judges reportedly had Schultz trailing 20-18 entering the third round. Instead of leaving the outcome to the scorecards, he eventually found the submission.

Schultz said afterward that getting a UFC victory made him finally feel like a real UFC fighter.

His next scheduled appearance is against Jackson McVey on August 22, 2026, in California.

There is history between them. Schultz and McVey previously fought as amateurs around 2020, shortly before the COVID-19 shutdowns. Schultz won that earlier meeting, although he has dismissed the idea that a fight from six years earlier carries much relevance to their UFC matchup.

The two have remained familiar with each other through the regional scene and have appeared on several of the same cards over the years.

For Schultz, another victory would also arrive at an important point in his first UFC contract. He has discussed wanting a strong performance as he moves closer to future contract negotiations.

Wes Schultz FAQ

Who is Wes Schultz?

Wes Schultz is an American professional MMA fighter who competes in the UFC middleweight division. He is a wrestling-based fighter known for his submission game and the nickname “Party Time.”

What is Wes Schultz’s full name?

His full name is Wesley Michael Schultz.

What is Wes Schultz’s nickname?

Schultz’s nickname is “Party Time.”

Why is Wes Schultz called “Party Time”?

The supplied material confirms the nickname but does not clearly establish how Schultz originally received it.

When was Wes Schultz born?

Wes Schultz was born on August 9, 1996.

How old is Wes Schultz?

Schultz is 30 years old as of August 2026.

Where is Wes Schultz from?

Schultz was born in Madison, Wisconsin, and fights out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

What nationality is Wes Schultz?

Wes Schultz is American.

What is Wes Schultz’s heritage?

His heritage has not been publicly stated in the supplied material.

How tall is Wes Schultz?

Public sources provided here disagree. Tapology lists Schultz at 6’1″ (187 cm), while ESPN lists him at 6’2″.

What is Wes Schultz’s reach?

His listed reach is 77 inches (196 cm).

What weight class does Wes Schultz fight in?

Schultz competes in the UFC middleweight division.

What is Wes Schultz’s MMA record?

As of August 2026, Schultz has a professional MMA record of 9 wins and 3 losses.

How many submissions does Wes Schultz have?

Schultz has six professional submission victories.

How many knockouts does Wes Schultz have?

He has two professional wins by knockout or TKO.

What is Wes Schultz’s fighting style?

Schultz is primarily a wrestling-based grappler who aggressively attacks submissions.

Did Wes Schultz wrestle in college?

Yes. His background includes college wrestling, with UW-La Crosse and Iowa Lakes both appearing in his supplied biographical information.

Where does Wes Schultz train?

Schultz trains at Pura Vida BJJ/MMA.

Who is Wes Schultz’s coach?

The supplied material references coaches and the Pura Vida training environment but does not clearly identify one person as Schultz’s publicly stated head coach.

Is Wes Schultz married?

The supplied material does not establish that Schultz is married.

Does Wes Schultz have a girlfriend?

Schultz publicly referred to a girlfriend while discussing the fire that destroyed his home. He said she woke him while he was sleeping as the fire occurred.

Does Wes Schultz have children?

The supplied material does not publicly establish whether Schultz has children.

Did Wes Schultz’s house burn down?

Yes. Schultz said his house burned down on the night he returned home after earning his first UFC victory in Australia. Everyone escaped safely.

Does Wes Schultz still work outside the UFC?

Yes. Schultz has publicly said that he continues working at bars while competing in the UFC.

What did Wes Schultz do before the UFC?

Before reaching the UFC, Schultz wrestled in college, competed extensively on the regional MMA circuit and appeared twice on Dana White’s Contender Series.

What happened in Wes Schultz’s first Contender Series appearance?

His first opportunity came against Mansur Abdul-Malik. Schultz lost the fight and later said it resulted in a level of physical damage he had not experienced before. He subsequently returned to regional competition and worked his way back to another Contender Series opportunity.

What was Wes Schultz’s first UFC win?

Schultz earned his first UFC victory by submitting Ben Johnston with a third-round guillotine in Perth, Australia.

What is Wes Schultz’s Instagram?

Wes Schultz can be found on Instagram at @partytimemma.