Illinois native Eric Wisely became a professional mixed martial artist in 2006, and has shared a cage with notables such as Eric Koch, Matt Veach, and Hermes Franca, a fighter than he has defeated twice in his MMA career. The taekwondo black belt would get his biggest opportunity when he agreed to fight veteran Pat Healy at 'Strikeforce Challengers: Gurgel vs. Duarte.' The undersized Wisely would lose a unanimous decision, but would get a shot in the UFC after winning another fight on the regional circuit.

Unfortunately for Wisely, he would be on the receiving end of a submission of the year candidate in a fight against Brazilian Charles Oliveira. Oliveira forced Wisely to tap out to a calf slicer, something not often seen in MMA. He would receive another opportunity, but would again lose, this time dropping a decision to English American Top Team product Jason Young. After this fight, he would be cut from the UFC.

In his first post-UFC fight, he would win the Pinnacle Combat lightweight championship, defeating Brian Geraghty via unanimous decision.