Tyler Janes
A lifelong wrestler out of St. Louis, Tyler Janes first stepped on the mat at seven years old and never really left it — Missouri high school state runner-up in 2013, state champion in 2014, then Division II wrestling at Maryville from 2014 to 2016. He picked up jiu-jitsu after college and is three years into his MMA career, unbeaten at 4-0 as an amateur out of Wolves Den Training Center. On weekends he works as an ER nurse in a Level 1 trauma center, and he'll tell you the sport has been his whole life since childhood. Born in Hannibal, Missouri; on a wrestling mat at seven, Missouri state runner-up at 126 in 2013, state champion 2014, two years at Maryville before nursing school. Registered nurse since 2020, night shift (7p–7a, Saturdays and Sundays) in the ER at St. Louis University Hospital, a Level 1 trauma center; doubles as the gym's medic. Started jiu-jitsu right out of college in 2020 (signed up by Justin Bricker, now his coach and 'ride or die'), MMA three years. Trains at Wolves Den under 'Mop'; says he has scored a takedown in every round of every fight. Won the Synergy FC amateur bantamweight belt at SFC 29 (R1 TKO over Cohen Bane, called by Bricker in the cage that morning); defends against Jason Eubanks at SFC 31, then plans to turn pro. Sponsors: Admiral Construction, Sweeps and Teeps (Lily Helton). Quote: 'It's not a secret what I'm coming in to do.'