The Canadian Encyclopedia — neutral, cited, updated
July 26, 2026Sources cited
Canadianwire.
Canada’s encyclopedia & explainer
HomeSportsKickboxingJoe Schilling
Sports • Kickboxing

Joe Schilling

Joe Schilling is an American kickboxer, Muay Thai fighter, mixed martial artist and boxer born in Dayton, Ohio, on January 13, 1984.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Joe Schilling is an American kickboxer, Muay Thai fighter, mixed martial artist and boxer born in Dayton, Ohio, on January 13, 1984. He is best known for winning the GLORY Middleweight World Championship Tournament in 2013 and for competing in Bellator Kickboxing and Bellator MMA.

Early life and training

Joe Schilling was born in Dayton, Ohio, and later moved to Los Angeles to pursue Muay Thai and kickboxing. Sources describe him as a troubled student who found structure through combat sports.

Kickboxing and Muay Thai career

Schilling built his reputation in professional kickboxing and Muay Thai after turning pro in 2006. He became a notable American middleweight competitor and won the 2013 GLORY tournament.

Mixed martial arts career

Schilling also competed in MMA, including appearances in Bellator. His MMA record is listed by Tapology and Sherdog as mixed, reflecting a shorter and less successful MMA run than his kickboxing career.

Style and reputation

Schilling is widely identified with hard striking, especially elbows, which contributed to his nickname "Stitch 'Em Up." Several profiles describe him as one of the better-known American kickboxers of his era.

Key facts

  • Schilling turned professional in kickboxing in 2006.
  • He won a WBC Muay Thai interim world title in 2011, according to Polish Wikipedia, and later won the GLORY middleweight tournament in 2013.
  • He fought in Bellator MMA and Bellator Kickboxing at middleweight.
  • Schilling is associated with The Yard gym in Los Angeles, which he co-owns with trainer Mark Komuro.
  • He is known for an aggressive striking style and the nickname "Stitch 'Em Up".
🍁
Canadian context

Schilling is relevant to Canadian readers mainly through international kickboxing and MMA coverage; his career overlaps with global promotions followed by Canadian combat-sports fans, though no major Canada-specific connection is evident in the provided sources.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Joe Schilling?
Joe Schilling is an American kickboxer, Muay Thai fighter, mixed martial artist and boxer known for his success in GLORY and Bellator.
What is Joe Schilling best known for?
He is best known for winning the 2013 GLORY Middleweight World Championship Tournament.
What is Joe Schilling’s nickname?
His nickname is "Stitch 'Em Up."
Where was Joe Schilling born?
He was born in Dayton, Ohio, United States.
Did Joe Schilling compete in MMA?
Yes. He competed in mixed martial arts, including bouts in Bellator MMA.
Is Joe Schilling retired?
GLORY lists him as retired.

References

  1. Wikipedia (Polish)https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Schilling
    Supports: Full name, birth date, birthplace, nationality, combat-sports disciplines, and major title claims.
  2. GLORY Kickboxinghttps://glorykickboxing.com/fighters/joe-schilling
    Supports: Height, weight class, retired status, nationality, and professional background.
  3. Tapologyhttps://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/fighters/joe-schilling
    Supports: MMA record, nickname, birth date, height, weight class, hometown, and kickboxing record summary.
  4. Sherdoghttps://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Joe-Schilling-28129
    Supports: MMA profile details including age, height, and record listing.
  5. ESPNhttps://www.espn.com/mma/fighter/_/id/2570365/joe-schilling
    Supports: MMA profile, weight class, and birth date.
  6. Dayton Daily Newshttps://www.daytondailynews.com/sports/kickboxer-from-centerville-living-dream/Ye01VZtc3c2VEbfo3VkiZN/
    Supports: Career development, training background, and GLORY tournament result.
  7. IMDbhttps://www.imdb.com/name/nm4165215/
    Supports: Public profile, combat-sports identification, nickname explanation, and acting credits.