Joe Taimanglo (born June 27, 1984) is a Guamanian professional mixed martial artist of Chamorro ethnicity who competes in Bellator's Bantamweight division. A professional competitor since 2004, Taimanglo has also formerly competed for Pacific Xtreme Combat and DEEP.
Background
Born and raised in Yona, Guam, Taimanglo competed in football, and was talented, competing at the professional level on his Island and won Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2004.[3]
Mixed martial arts career
Pacific Xtreme Combat
Taimanglo started his professional career in 2004. He fought mainly for Guam-based promotion Pacific Xtreme Combat.
Taimanglo faced Harris Sarmiento on October 29, 2011 at PXC 27 for the vacant featherweight title. He defeated Sarmiento after five rounds and became the new PXC featherweight champion.[4]
Taimanglo faced Jang Yong Kim on July 28, 2012 at PXC 32. He won via TKO early in the first round and retained his title.[5]
In 2013, with a record of 17–4–1, Taimanglo signed with Bellator.[6]
Bellator MMA
Taimanglo was scheduled to make his promotional debut against Shah Bobonis on March 28, 2013 at Bellator 94. However, Bobonis had problems in making weight and was replaced by Ronnie Rogers.[6] Taimanglo won via submission due to a north-south choke in the second round.[7]
Taimanglo then faced Justin Wilcox in the semifinals on October 11, 2013 at Bellator 103. He lost the fight via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28).[9]
Taimanglo then faced Rob Emerson on April 11, 2014 at Bellator 116. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[10]
Taimanglo faced Michael Parker on September 26, 2014 at Bellator 126.[11] He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Taimanglo faced Antonio Duarte at Bellator 137 on May 15, 2015.[12] He won the fight via knockout in the third round.
In his most anticipated bout to date he faced Darrion Caldwell in an expected bantamweight title eliminator fight until Taimanglo missed weight. He went on to submit Caldwell just nine seconds into the third round with a guillotine choke.
Taimanglo and Caldwell had a rematch in the main event at Bellator 167 on December 3, 2016. This time Caldwell managed to keep Taimanglo down and avoid all of Taimanglo's submission attempts, resulting in a unanimous decision loss for Taimanglo.
Taimanglo was expected to face Steve Garcia at Bellator 174 on March 3, 2017. However, the bout was removed from the fight card after Taimanglo missed weight.[13]
Taimanglo retired in the August of 2018, only to return to competition against Abdul-Rakhman Dudaev at WFCA 54 on November 16, 2018.[17] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[18]
Personal life
On October 22, 2020, Taimanglo was stopped by a police patrol while he was driving a scooter with expired plates.[19] Subsequently, the police found a loaded gun, drug paraphernalia and methamphetamine from Taimanglo's possession.[19] He was arrested and charged with three third-degree felonies.[19]
