Gastón Reyno

Born into a family of truckers in Montevideo, Reyno dealt with intestinal and digestive problems the first few years of his life, constantly going back and forth from his home and the hospital.[3] Despite his weak state, his mother, Zully took him to taekwondo classes at the age of seven because she saw how he idolized the martial artists from the American movies (namely Jean-Claude Van Damme). He subsequently began training in kickboxing at 16, and muay thai at 17. He also practiced jiu jitsu.[4] Reyno gave taekwondo classes in his garage with his friend until they gathered enough money to eventually travel around the world for competitions.[5]

He made his professional MMA debut at a local event on August 3, 2013, facing compatriot Maximiliano Maykol Alfonzo. Although broadcast on national television, there were no ringside doctors or medical inspections, as Uruguay has no MMA commission. Additionally, only two pairs of gloves were available for the fighters on that night's card.[1] The fight, which was the main event, ended in a no contest.

He was invited to GrindHouse MMA in Kansas City, Missouri by then-owner Brian Davidson, and left his family in Uruguay to live and train in the States.[6] As of 2016, he co-owns the gym with UFC fighter James Krause, renaming it Glory MMA and Fitness. He plans to recruit other Uruguayan fighters to his gym in the future.[1]

He fought five amateur bouts in Missouri in preparation for his American pro debut, winning each one by KO.[2] On May 12, 2014, he defeated David Nelson at Titan FC 28 in Newkirk, Oklahoma with a second-round submission. However, his win was overturned and the fight was declared a no contest because of an illegal knee to the head of a grounded opponent.[7]

Following the decision, Reyno went on to win three consecutive bouts on the Missouri indie circuit, all in the first round. This caught the attention of Bellator MMA, who signed him to their roster in early 2015.[6][8] He made his debut for the promotion at Bellator 139 on June 26, 2015. He submitted his opponent, Greg Scott, in one minute and 17 seconds, making it the third fastest submission in Bellator featherweight history.[9]

After another first round win in the indies, he returned for Bellator 150 to face Chuka Willis on February 26, 2016. Reyno secured a guillotine choke in the first round, but Willis somehow escaped. He locked in a second one with five seconds left in the third round, but Willis waited it out until the bell and handed Reyno his first career loss by way of unanimous decision.[10][11] It was the first time Reyno had fought out of the first round.

On July 22, 2016, Reyno defeated L.J. Hermreck by TKO at Bellator 159 in Mulvane, Kansas for his sixth pro win.[12] Mounted on Hermreck's back, Reyno threw down vicious punches until he referee finally stopped the fight late in the third round.[13]

The Uruguayan lost to Chuka Willis in Bellator 150, defeated L.J. Hermreck in Bellator 159, and fell to Justin Overton in Bellator 171. He was scheduled to fight at Bellator 184, but pulled out due to injury.

In late 2016, Reyno left Kansas City to San Diego, as he joined The Alliance, where he also works as sparring to the top fighters.

• Professional MMA record for Gastón Reyno from Sherdog
• Bellator MMA profile
• Tapology profile