Education
Hettes attended Luzerne County Community College for Criminal Justice.
Hettes attended Luzerne County Community College for Criminal Justice.
Hettes is a 2-time Keystone State Games Judo Gold Medalist and earned the nickname "Judo Jim" at Greg Jackson"s Camp in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Hettes started boxing at age 14 and started training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at the age of 16 and is currently the head instructor at Northeastern Ju-Jitsu in Swoyersville, Pennsylvania. Ultimate Fighting Championship
Hettes was originally expected to make his UFC debut in December 2010 as part of The Ultimate Fighter: Team Generalized System of Preferences versus Team Koscheck Finale card.
Hettes turned the offer down due to prior engagements with another promotion.
On July 16th 2011, Hettes officially signed with the UFC after winning the Mobile Marketing Association Melee - MASS Featherweight Championship Belt. As a late replacement to an injured Leonard Garcia.
Hettes made his promotional debut on August 14, 2011 against Alex Caceres on 10 days notice. Hettes defeated Nam Phan on December 30, 2011 at UFC 141.
Hettes used his superior judo to take Phan down repeatedly, and also utilized excellent control on the ground.
He landed a great deal of unanswered ground and pound and threatened with submissions throughout, taking a dominant unanimous decision (30-25, 30-25, 30-26). Hettes was expected to face Steven Siler on June 22, 2012 at UFC on Forex 4. However, Hettes was forced out of the bout with an injury and replaced by promotional newcomer Joey Gambino.
Hettes faced Marcus Brimage on September 22, 2012 at UFC 152.
He lost the fight via unanimous decision, his first professional loss. Hettes was expected to face Steven Siler on April 27, 2013 at UFC 159.
However, Hettes was forced to pull out of the bout with an injury and replaced by Kurt Holobaugh. After 13 months away, Hettes returned to the UFC in October 2013.
He was expected to face Mike Wilkinson on October 26, 2013 at UFC Fight Night 30.
However, Wilkinson pulled out of the bout in the week leading up the bout and was replaced by newcomer Robert Whiteford. Hettes next faced Dennis Bermudez on March 15, 2014 at UFC 171. He lost the bout via TKO due to strike in the third round.
Hettes was expected to face Diego Brandão on January 31, 2015 at UFC 183.
However, the fight was canceled right before the event started, as Hettes passed out backstage. He was taken to a local hospital for precautionary reasons.
Subsequently, the bout with Brandão was rescheduled for April 18, 2015 at UFC on Fox 15. During a back-and-forth first round, an elbow strike from Brandão opened up Hettes" cauliflower ear.
The attending doctor stopped the fight between the first and second rounds, resulting in a TKO loss for Hettes.
Hettes is expected to face Charles Rosa on January 17, 2016 at UFC Fight Night 81. Mixed martial arts
Martial Arts Super Sport
MASS Featherweight Championship (One time)
Pennsylvania Cage Fight Series
Pennsylvania Cage Fight Series Featherweight Championship (One time).