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Khaos Williams

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Kalinn "Khaos" Williams [1] (born March 30, 1994) is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Key Information

Background

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Williams got his first taste of knockouts in 2008 when he floored another teenager in a street fight and shook hands afterward.[4]

In July 2013, Williams became the first graduate of a cooperative online education program between the Jackson County Sheriff's Office and Jackson Public Schools. Williams earned a high school diploma through an online program while incarcerated in Jackson County Jail after being convicted of selling cocaine. He's had a spotless probation record and has performed all his required community service.[5][6]

He started training in September 2013 and had his first fight three months later. His interest in MMA started because someone saw him fight and told him that he had it. So afterwards, he found a BJJ gym and fell in love after his first bout.[7] He started training with Leo Aponte, his former Jackson High School teacher and current mixed martial arts coach.[5]

Mixed martial arts career

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Early career

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Starting his career in 2017, Williams fought for a variety of Michigan regional promotions, including King of the Cage events held there. He obtained a 9–1 record in this time, most notably winning the Total Warrior Combat Super Lightweight Championship against 36 fight veteran Tony Hervey.[8]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

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Replacing injured Dhiego Lima on short notice, Williams made his promotional debut against Alex Morono at UFC 247 on February 8, 2020.[9] He won the fight via first-minute knockout.[10] This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.[11]

Williams made his sophomore appearance in the organization against Abdul Razak Alhassan at UFC Fight Night: Felder vs. dos Anjos on November 14, 2020. He won the fight via first-minute knockout.[12] This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.[13]

Williams faced Michel Pereira at UFC Fight Night 183 on December 19, 2020.[14] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[15]

Williams faced Matthew Semelsberger on June 19, 2021 at UFC on ESPN 25[16] He won the bout via unanimous decision.[17]

Williams faced Miguel Baeza on November 13, 2021 at UFC Fight Night 197.[18] He won the fight via technical knockout in round three.[19] This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.[20]

Williams faced Randy Brown on May 7, 2022 at UFC 274.[21] He lost the fight via split decision.[22]

Williams faced Rolando Bedoya on May 6, 2023 at UFC 288.[23] He won the fight by split decision.[24]

Williams faced Carlston Harris on May 18, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 241.[25] He won the fight by knockout after knocking down Harris with a right hook.[26] This fight earned him another Performance of the Night award.[27]

Replacing an injured Rinat Fakhretdinov, Williams faced former LFA Welterweight Champion Gabriel Bonfim on February 15, 2025 at UFC Fight Night 251.[28] He lost the fight via a brabo choke submission in the second round, which was the first time he lost by finish in his MMA career.[29]

Williams was scheduled to face Uroš Medić on June 7, 2025, at UFC 316.[30] However, Medić pulled out in late May due to sinusitis and was replaced by promotional newcomer Albert Tadevosyan.[31] In turn, Tadevosyan did not pass his medical tests, so Williams instead faced promotional newcomer Andreas Gustafsson.[32] Williams lost the fight by unanimous decision.[33]

Personal life

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Williams is the biological son of Cynthia Rodgers of Jackson and the adoptive son and biological nephew of Lillian Rodgers of Albion, Michigan.[34]

In 2007, Williams was given his nickname Khaos. He grew up in a rough neighborhood and constantly created chaos. His early sparring partners also nicknamed him The Ox Fighter because he was strong as an ox.[34]

Championships and accomplishments

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Mixed martial arts record

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Professional record breakdown
20 matches 15 wins 5 losses
By knockout 8 0
By submission 1 1
By decision 6 4
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 15–5 Andreas Gustafsson Decision (unanimous) UFC 316 June 7, 2025 3 5:00 Newark, New Jersey, United States
Loss 15–4 Gabriel Bonfim Technical Submission (brabo choke) UFC Fight Night: Cannonier vs. Rodrigues February 15, 2025 2 4:58 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 15–3 Carlston Harris KO (punch) UFC Fight Night: Barboza vs. Murphy May 18, 2024 1 1:30 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Performance of the Night.
Win 14–3 Rolando Bedoya Decision (split) UFC 288 May 6, 2023 3 5:00 Newark, New Jersey, United States
Loss 13–3 Randy Brown Decision (split) UFC 274 May 7, 2022 3 5:00 Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Win 13–2 Miguel Baeza TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Holloway vs. Rodríguez November 13, 2021 3 1:02 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Performance of the Night.
Win 12–2 Matthew Semelsberger Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: The Korean Zombie vs. Ige June 19, 2021 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 11–2 Michel Pereira Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Thompson vs. Neal December 19, 2020 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 11–1 Abdul Razak Alhassan KO (punch) UFC Fight Night: Felder vs. dos Anjos November 14, 2020 1 0:30 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Catchweight (172.5 lb) bout; Alhassan missed weight. Performance of the Night.
Win 10–1 Alex Morono KO (punches) UFC 247 February 8, 2020 1 0:27 Houston, Texas, United States Performance of the Night.
Win 9–1 Jeremie Holloway Decision (unanimous) Warrior Xtreme Cagefighting 84 November 27, 2019 3 5:00 Southgate, Michigan, United States
Win 8–1 Bo Yan TKO (punches) Beijing Combat 4 October 26, 2019 1 0:24 Beijing, China
Win 7–1 Ladarious Jackson Submission (guillotine choke) Warrior Xtreme Cagefighting 82 September 25, 2019 1 4:59 Southgate, Michigan, United States
Win 6–1 Tony Hervey Decision (unanimous) Total Warrior Combat: Townsend vs. Carter March 9, 2019 3 5:00 Lansing, Michigan, United States Won the TWC Super Lightweight (165 lb) Championship.
Win 5–1 P.J. Cajigas Decision (unanimous) Total Warrior Combat: Bennett vs. Shaw December 1, 2018 3 5:00 Lansing, Michigan, United States
Win 4–1 J.P. Saint Louis KO (punch) KOTC: Hard Knocks 3 July 28, 2018 1 1:22 Wyandotte, Michigan, United States
Loss 3–1 Dan Yates Decision (unanimous) KnockOut Promotions 60 February 24, 2018 3 5:00 Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States
Win 3–0 Erick Lora-Martinez Decision (unanimous) KnockOut Promotions 59 December 16, 2017 3 5:00 Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States
Win 2–0 Carrese Archer TKO (punches) KOTC: Second Coming August 5, 2017 2 2:05 Wyandotte, Michigan, United States
Win 1–0 Brandon Johnson TKO (punches) KOTC: Supremacy April 29, 2017 1 1:59 Wyandotte, Michigan, United States Welterweight debut.

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See also

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References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Kalinn "Khaos" Williams (born March 30, 1994) is an American professional mixed martial artist who competes in the welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).[1] Hailing from Lansing, Michigan, and training out of Detroit, he is known by the nickname "The OxFighter" for his aggressive, power-based fighting style that has produced eight knockout or technical knockout victories in his professional career.[2][3] Williams began his professional MMA career in 2017 after compiling a 12-3 amateur record, quickly establishing himself as a knockout artist with seven first-round finishes overall.[2] He made his UFC debut on February 8, 2020, at UFC 247 in Houston, Texas, where he earned a first-round knockout victory over Alex Morono in just 27 seconds, earning Fight of the Night honors.[4][1] Subsequent highlights include a 30-second knockout of Abdul-Razak Alhassan at UFC Fight Night on November 14, 2020, which also garnered Fight of the Night, and a first-round knockout win over Carlston Harris on May 18, 2024.[2][5] Standing at 6 feet tall with a 77-inch reach and an orthodox stance, Williams weighs in at 170 pounds and has a professional record of 15 wins and 5 losses as of November 2025, with six of those wins coming in the UFC.[4][6] His UFC tenure has featured a mix of explosive finishes and competitive bouts, though recent setbacks include a second-round technical submission loss to Gabriel Bonfim via D'Arce choke on February 15, 2025, and a unanimous decision defeat to Andreas Gustafsson at UFC 316 on June 7, 2025.[2][6] Prior to his UFC success, Williams captured the TWC super lightweight championship and multiple amateur titles, showcasing his early potential in regional circuits.[2] Outside of fighting, he works as a real estate investor.[2]

Early life

Family and upbringing

Kalinn "Khaos" Williams was born on March 30, 1994, in South Bend, Indiana.[7] He is the biological son of Cynthia Rodgers from Jackson, Michigan, and was adopted by his aunt, Lillian Rodgers, from Albion, Michigan.[8] Williams spent much of his early years in challenging circumstances, initially growing up in North Carolina before relocating to Jackson, Michigan, where he attended Jackson High School.[9] The environment in Jackson exposed him to street violence and personal hardships, including frequent bullying during his childhood that prompted him to engage in street fights as a means of self-defense.[9] By age 13, his reputation for involvement in these altercations and general troublemaking earned him the nickname "Khaos," reflecting the chaotic nature of his youth.[2] In his late teens, Williams faced significant personal challenges, including a conviction for selling cocaine that led to a six-month incarceration in Jackson County Jail from February to July 2013.[10] During this period, he became the first inmate to graduate high school through a cooperative online education program between the jail and Jackson Public Schools, a milestone celebrated by his family and marking a turning point in his life.[8]

Introduction to MMA

Kalinn "Khaos" Williams' introduction to mixed martial arts came amid a challenging period in his life, marked by a tough upbringing in Jackson, Michigan, that fueled his initial motivation to seek structured combat training as a means of personal redemption. Following a six-month incarceration in 2013 for cocaine sales, Williams, then 19, turned to MMA to channel his aggression and build discipline. This shift was inspired by a notable street fight at age 18 in North Carolina, where he defeated a much older and larger opponent, drawing attention to his raw fighting talent and prompting him to pursue formal training.[9][10] In September 2013, Williams began training under coach Leo Aponte, his former high school wrestling instructor, at Target Health & Fitness (later Target Martial Arts Academy) in Jackson. Aponte guided him in foundational skills, with an initial focus on striking techniques and basic grappling to harness Williams' physicality while instilling structure and technique. Williams supplemented this formal instruction with self-taught elements, drawing from observing professional fights to refine his instinctive style before entering any competitive bouts. This blend of coached fundamentals and personal experimentation laid the groundwork for his development, emphasizing controlled aggression over unstructured brawling.[9] By around 2016, seeking more intensive preparation ahead of his professional transition, Williams relocated to the Detroit area in Michigan, where he accessed advanced training facilities and a vibrant MMA community to elevate his skills. This move marked a pivotal step in his commitment, allowing him to immerse fully in the sport without the distractions of his earlier environment.[3][11]

Mixed martial arts career

Early professional career

Williams made his professional MMA debut on April 29, 2017, at King of the Cage: Supremacy, where he secured a first-round TKO victory over Brandon Johnson via punches at 1:59.[1] Over the next year, he compiled a series of wins across regional promotions, including a second-round TKO against Carrese Archer on August 5, 2017, at King of the Cage: Second Coming, showcasing his developing knockout power through aggressive striking.[1] He followed this with a unanimous decision win over Erick Lora-Martinez on December 16, 2017, at KnockOut Promotions 59.[1] His only professional loss came on February 24, 2018, at KnockOut Promotions 60, where he dropped a unanimous decision to Dan Yates after three rounds.[1] Williams rebounded quickly, earning a first-round knockout over J.P. Saint Louis on July 28, 2018, at King of the Cage: Hard Knocks 3, and a unanimous decision against P.J. Cajigas on December 1, 2018, at Total Warrior Combat: Bennett vs. Shaw.[1] On March 9, 2019, at Total Warrior Combat: Brooks vs. Robinson, he captured the promotion's Catchweight Championship at 165 pounds by defeating veteran Tony Hervey via unanimous decision, improving his record to 6-1.[12][1] Following the title win, Williams did not defend the belt, instead transitioning to other promotions and weight classes. He notched a first-round submission victory via guillotine choke against Ladarious Jackson on September 25, 2019, at Warrior Xtreme Cagefighting 82, demonstrating grappling proficiency.[1] Additional stoppages included a rapid 15-second TKO of Bo Yan on October 26, 2019, at Beijing Combat 4, and he closed the year with a unanimous decision over Jeremie Holloway on November 27, 2019, at Warrior Xtreme Cagefighting 84, building a 9-1 overall record in regional circuits like King of the Cage, KnockOut Promotions, Total Warrior Combat, and Warrior Xtreme Cagefighting.[1]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Khaos Williams made his Ultimate Fighting Championship debut on February 8, 2020, at UFC 247 in Houston, Texas, where he faced Alex Morono on short notice. In a stunning performance, Williams secured a first-round knockout victory over Morono at 0:27 via strikes, earning Fight of the Night honors and immediately establishing himself as a dangerous knockout artist in the welterweight division.[13] Williams continued his rapid ascent with a dominant first-round knockout of Abdul-Razak Alhassan on November 14, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 182 in Las Vegas, finishing the bout at 0:30 with a right hand that showcased his explosive power. However, his momentum was halted in his next outing on December 19, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 183, where he suffered his first UFC loss by unanimous decision to Michel Pereira after three rounds of competitive action marked by Pereira's dynamic offense.[1] In 2021, Williams rebounded with back-to-back victories, first defeating Matthew Semelsberger by unanimous decision on June 19 at UFC Fight Night: Korean Zombie vs. Ige, outstriking his opponent over three rounds to control the pace. He followed this with a third-round TKO win over Miguel Baeza on November 13 at UFC Fight Night 197, landing punches at 1:02 to earn Performance of the Night.[1] The year 2022 brought a setback as Williams dropped a split decision to Randy Brown on May 7 at UFC 274.[1] After a period of inactivity, he returned in 2023 with a hard-fought split decision victory over Rolando Bedoya on May 6 at UFC 288.[1] Williams notched another knockout triumph in 2024, stopping Carlston Harris in the first round at 1:30 with a punch on May 18 at UFC Fight Night 241 in Las Vegas, reinforcing his reputation for finishing fights early.[14] His 2025 campaign proved challenging, beginning with a second-round technical submission loss to Gabriel Bonfim via D'Arce choke at 4:58 on February 15 at UFC Fight Night 251, marking the first submission defeat of his UFC tenure.[15][16] This was followed by a unanimous decision defeat to Andreas Gustafsson on June 7 at UFC 316 in Newark, New Jersey, where Gustafsson's grappling controlled the fight over three rounds.[17] As of November 2025, Williams holds a 6-4 record in the UFC, having solidified his place as a consistent welterweight contender known for his knockout threat despite recent hurdles.[5][1]

Fighting style

Striking technique

Khaos Williams has established a reputation as a formidable power puncher in the welterweight division, boasting 8 knockout or technical knockout victories out of his 15 professional wins.[1] This knockout-heavy record underscores his reliance on devastating striking as his primary offensive weapon, often seeking to end fights with single, fight-altering blows rather than prolonged exchanges.[4] Williams fights out of an orthodox stance, leveraging explosive right-hand counters and overhand rights to capitalize on opponents' advances. His technique emphasizes timing and raw power, as demonstrated in his 30-second knockout of Abdul-Razak Alhassan, where a perfectly timed straight right ended the bout abruptly.[3] This approach draws from his exceptional athleticism and "ox-like" strength, allowing him to generate tremendous force in compact, explosive motions.[18] In the UFC, his striking output averages 4.94 significant strikes landed per minute with 39% accuracy, reflecting a balance of volume and precision that prioritizes high-impact shots over sheer quantity.[4] Over time, Williams has shown evolution in his striking, incorporating higher-volume combinations to secure decisions when one-punch finishes elude him, such as in his bout against Matthew Semelsberger where he attempted 260 significant strikes.[19] Despite this development, his style remains predicated on knockout power, occasionally complemented by grappling setups to create striking opportunities.[4]

Grappling and defense

Khaos Williams possesses a limited but effective grappling arsenal, highlighted by his sole professional submission victory via guillotine choke against Ladarious Jackson in the first round at WXC 82 on September 25, 2019.[20] This win underscores his opportunistic use of chokes from dominant positions, though he has not secured another submission in his 20-fight career, reflecting a ground game that prioritizes escapes over prolonged engagements.[1] Williams has demonstrated vulnerability to submissions, most notably in his UFC loss to Gabriel Bonfim by technical submission (D'Arce choke) in the second round on February 15, 2025, at UFC Fight Night: Cannonier vs. Rodrigues.[21] This marked his only submission defeat, emphasizing a relative weakness in defending advanced grappling attacks during prolonged ground exchanges. His overall submission average stands at 0.0 per 15 minutes in UFC competition, indicating minimal offensive threat from the bottom or top.[4] Defensively, Williams maintains a takedown defense rate of 52% in the UFC, relying on sprawls, clinch work, and quick footwork to neutralize attempts and return to striking range.[2] This approach has contributed to six decision victories where he controlled opponents through stand-up pressure, avoiding extended grappling scenarios that play to his striking strengths. He trains Brazilian jiu-jitsu basics under coach Leo Aponte, his former high school teacher, which has supported foundational defensive skills but aligns with his preference for upright battles.[9] Over time, Williams has evolved his defensive grappling, particularly in wrestling, following early professional losses that exposed ground vulnerabilities; this improvement is evident in his ability to limit takedown success rates and minimize time spent on the mat in recent UFC bouts.[4]

Personal life

Family background

Khaos Williams has found significant support in his adult life from key figures who have become like family to him. His long-time coach, Leo Aponte, a former Jackson High School teacher, has served as a father figure, offering guidance and treating him like family during his MMA training and personal growth. Aponte's influence has been instrumental in providing stability and motivation for Williams' professional career.[10]

Current residence and training

Khaos Williams resides in Detroit, Michigan, having established his base there during the mid-2010s to leverage proximity to regional training facilities and combat sports infrastructure.[3][22] He primarily trains at Murcielago MMA in Lansing, Michigan, about 90 minutes northwest of Detroit, while incorporating additional sessions at jiu-jitsu and boxing gyms in the Detroit metropolitan area to round out his skill set.[5][1][11] Williams follows a rigorous daily regimen designed to build and sustain his explosive power and endurance. He rises at 4:30 a.m. for calisthenics, followed by a 5-mile run starting at 5 a.m., then dedicates time to Wing Chun drills three days per week or strength and conditioning work from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. After a midday nap, he trains at the MMA gym from 5 to 7 p.m., rotating between striking, grappling, and sparring to preserve his "ox-like" physique while carefully managing weight for the welterweight limit of 170 pounds.[2] Outside of fighting, Williams works as a real estate investor, owning Red Diamond Real Estate based in Detroit.[9] Following a pair of losses in 2025 that marked setbacks in his campaign, Williams has prioritized physical recovery from prior injuries alongside mental resilience to fuel his rebound.[3]

Championships and accomplishments

Professional titles

Khaos Williams captured his sole professional championship outside the Ultimate Fighting Championship on March 9, 2019, when he won the Total Warrior Combat (TWC) Catchweight Championship. In the co-main event at Total Warrior Combat in Lansing, Michigan, Williams defeated veteran fighter Tony Hervey by unanimous decision after three rounds.[12] The bout was contested at a catchweight of 165 pounds (74.8 kg).[12] This victory marked a significant milestone in Williams' early career, improving his professional record to 5-1 and contributing to an extended winning streak that drew interest from UFC scouts.[23] Williams held the TWC title briefly in the immediate aftermath before transitioning to the welterweight division (170 pounds) and signing with the UFC later that year.[2] No other major regional or international titles appear in his pre-UFC resume.[1]

UFC performance bonuses

Khaos Williams has earned four Performance of the Night bonuses in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, each recognizing his dominant and highlight-reel finishes that showcase his explosive knockout power and aggressive fighting style.[24] These awards, each worth $50,000, total $200,000 in additional payouts and underscore Williams' reputation for delivering thrilling, high-impact performances in the welterweight division. Williams first received a Performance of the Night bonus at UFC 247 on February 8, 2020, for his victory over Alex Morono.[25] He claimed another at UFC Fight Night 178 on November 14, 2020, following his win against Abdul-Razak Alhassan.[26] His third bonus came at UFC Fight Night 197 on November 13, 2021, after defeating Miguel Baeza.[27] Most recently, Williams earned the award at UFC Fight Night 241 on May 18, 2024, for his performance against Carlston Harris.[28]
EventDateOpponentBonus TypePayout
UFC 247February 8, 2020Alex MoronoPerformance of the Night$50,000[25]
UFC Fight Night 178November 14, 2020Abdul-Razak AlhassanPerformance of the Night$50,000[26]
UFC Fight Night 197November 13, 2021Miguel BaezaPerformance of the Night$50,000[27]
UFC Fight Night 241May 18, 2024Carlston HarrisPerformance of the Night$50,000[28]
Williams has not received a Fight of the Night award or higher honors such as Fight of the Year, with all his bonuses directly linked to his proficiency in securing stoppages through striking.[24]

Professional record

ResultRecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocation
Loss15–5Andreas GustafssonDecision (unanimous)UFC 316: Dvalishvili vs. O'Malley 2June 7, 202535:00Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss15–4Gabriel BonfimTechnical Submission (brabo choke)UFC Fight Night: Cannonier vs. RodriguesFebruary 15, 202524:58Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win15–3Carlston HarrisKO (punch)UFC Fight Night: Barboza vs. MurphyMay 18, 202411:30Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win14–3Rolando BedoyaDecision (split)UFC 288: Sterling vs. CejudoMay 6, 202335:00Newark, New Jersey, United States
Loss13–3Randy BrownDecision (split)UFC 274: Oliveira vs. GaethjeMay 7, 202235:00Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Win13–2Miguel BaezaTKO (punches)UFC Fight Night: Holloway vs. RodriguezNovember 13, 202131:02Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win12–2Matthew SemelsbergerDecision (unanimous)UFC on ESPN: Korean Zombie vs. IgeJune 19, 202135:00Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss11–2Michel PereiraDecision (unanimous)UFC Fight Night: Thompson vs. NealDecember 19, 202035:00Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win11–1Abdul-Razak AlhassanKO (punch)UFC Fight Night: Felder vs. dos AnjosNovember 14, 202010:30Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win10–1Alex MoronoKO (punches)UFC 247: Jones vs. ReyesFebruary 8, 202010:27Houston, Texas, United States
Win9–1Jeremie HollowayDecision (unanimous)WXC 84: Warrior Wednesday 9November 27, 201935:00Unknown
Win8–1Bo YanTKO (punches)Beijing Combat 4October 26, 201910:15Beijing, China
Win7–1Ladarious JacksonSubmission (guillotine choke)WXC 82: Warrior Wednesday 7September 25, 201914:59Unknown
Win6–1Tony HerveyDecision (unanimous)TWC: Brooks vs. RobinsonMarch 9, 201935:00Unknown
Win5–1P.J. CajigasDecision (unanimous)TWC: Bennett vs. ShawDecember 1, 201835:00Unknown
Win4–1J.P. Saint LouisKO (punch)KOTC: Hard Knocks 3July 28, 201811:22Unknown
Loss3–1Dan YatesDecision (unanimous)KOP 60: KnockOut Promotions 60February 24, 201835:00Unknown
Win3–0Erick Lora-MartinezDecision (unanimous)KOP 59: KnockOut Promotions 59December 16, 201735:00Unknown
Win2–0Carrese ArcherTKO (punches)KOTC: Second ComingAugust 5, 201722:05Unknown
Win1–0Brandon JohnsonTKO (punches)KOTC: SupremacyApril 29, 201711:59Unknown
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References

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