Background
Newton was born in Inglewood, California, and grew up in Torrance, California. Growing up, Newton had an interest in swimming, surfing, and lifeguarding. Newton's father had done some boxing and Muay Thai training, but died when Newton was 10 years old. Newton wrestled and played football, as a defensive end at North High School (Torrance, California). Then, six years later, Newton's mother died and Newton lost interest in his schoolwork. His poor grades did not allow him to continue playing football, but he had improved enough by the start of the wrestling season to continue in that sport. After high school, he went to Cerritos College, but began training with former UFC fighter Paul Herrera, who has also trained former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Tito Ortiz.[3]
Mixed martial arts career
Early career: World Extreme Cagefighting and King of the Cage
Newton started his MMA career in 2003. Despite having lost his first two bouts against Brian Ebersole and Tim McKenzie respectively, he has fought for WEC once on August 20, 2004, against André Mussi, getting then his first victory via unanimous decision after three rounds.[4]
Newton also fought for KOTC, obtaining a draw against the UFC veteran Hector Ramirez and a victory over the WEC veteran Richard Montoya.[5][6]
After his win over Jeff Quinlan in IFL, Newton celebrated by buying a motorcycle. Unfortunately, Newton was involved in a crash while driving at 152 miles per hour on a highway in California. He was hit by a car and fell onto the pavement at an estimated 140 mph. He had never broken any bones before but had broken his arm from this accident. He had to have five surgeries on his arm, and developed a staph infection. The infection was so bad that he was in danger of having the arm amputated. Fortunately, the infection died down but Newton received a space between two of the bones in his arm.[3]
Maximum Fighting Championship title and Shark Fights
With a record of 10–3–1, Newton signed with MFC.
Newton faced former UFC fighter David Heath on his debut for the title shot of the Light Heavyweight division. He won via submission in the second round.[7]
Newton faced Roger Hollett for the title on December 5, 2008, at MFC 19. He won via unanimous decision and became the new MFC Light Heavyweight Champion.[8]
Newton faced Trevor Prangley on May 15, 2009, at MFC 21. He lost his title via unanimous decision.[9]
Newton also faced Ryan Jimmo, Dwayne Lewis, and Rodney Wallace on MFC. He lost his bout against Jimmo[10] and won his last two bouts for MFC.[11][12][13]
Newton was expected to face Ryan Jimmo again on April 8, 2011, at MFC 29 for the Light Heavyweight Championship. However, he was replaced by Zak Cummings due to injury.[14]
On his two bouts for Shark Fights, he defeated Ilir Latifi and Ricky Shivers. In late 2011 he defeated UFC and K-1 veteran James McSweeney for Superior Cage Combat and closing a sequence of five consecutive victories, he signed with Bellator.[15]
Bellator MMA
Newton made his debut on June 22, 2012, at Bellator 71 against Roy Boughton in the quarterfinal match of
Bellator 2012 Summer Series Light Heavyweight Tournament. He won via submission in the second round and advanced to the semifinals.[16]
On July 20, 2012, at Bellator 72 in the semifinals of the tournament he faced Attila Végh. He lost via split decision.[17]
Newton faced Atanas Djambazov on January 17, 2013, at Bellator 85 in the quarterfinal match of Bellator Season Eight Light Heavyweight Tournament. He won via submission in the second round and advanced to the semifinals.[18]
In the semifinals, Newton defeated former Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion Muhammed Lawal on February 21, 2013, at Bellator 90 via KO due to a spinning back fist.[19]
In the finals at Bellator 94, Newton faced Mikhail Zayats and won via unanimous decision.[20]
He was expected to face Bellator Light Heavyweight Champion Attila Végh on November 2, 2013, at Bellator 106. However, due to Vegh getting injured, Newton instead had a rematch against Muhammed Lawal for the Bellator Interim Light Heavyweight Championship.[21] He won the fight via unanimous decision to become the Interim Bellator Light Heavyweight Champion.
Newton faced current Bellator Light Heavyweight Champion Attila Végh at Bellator 113 for a title unification bout on March 21, 2014.[22] He won the fight via split decision to become the current unified Bellator Light Heavyweight Champion.
Newton made his first title defense against Joey Beltran on September 12, 2014, at Bellator 124.[23] He won the fight in the third round due to a spinning back fist, the second time he has landed in his Bellator career.
Newton next faced Linton Vassell on October 24, 2014, at Bellator 130.[24] He successfully defended his title, winning via rear naked choke submission in the fifth round.
For the third defense of his title, Newton faced Liam McGeary on February 27, 2015, in the main event at Bellator 134.[25] He lost the back-and-forth fight via unanimous decision, during the course of the fight, Newton was nearly submitted in the first and third rounds with two triangle chokes, even being rocked at one point in the fourth round. Days after the fight, it was revealed that Newton had tested positive for Marijuana and was subsequently issued a three-month suspension by the Mohegan Tribe Department of Athletic Regulations.[26]
Newton was a participant in Bellator's one-night Light Heavyweight tournament at Bellator MMA & Glory: Dynamite 1 on September 19, 2015.[27] He faced Phil Davis in the opening round and lost via submission.
Newton had a rematch with Linton Vassell on February 19, 2016, at Bellator 149.[28] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.
On October 5, 2016, Newton was released from Bellator.
Post-Bellator
Newton faced UFC veteran Nikita Krylov on October 13, 2017, at Fight Nights Global 77. He lost the fight via knockout in the first round.
