Kyler Phillips Explained

Kyler Phillips
Other Names:The Matrix
Birth Name:Kyler John Phillips[1]
Birth Date:12 June 1995
Birth Place:Torrance, California, U.S.
Weight Lb:135
Weight Class:Bantamweight
Reach:72 in[2]
Stance:Orthodox[3]
Fighting Out Of:Glendale, Arizona, U.S.
Team:MMA Lab
Years Active:2016–present
Mma Kowin:5
Mma Subwin:2
Mma Decwin:5
Mma Decloss:3
Sherdog:190919

Kyler John Phillips (born June 12, 1995) is an American professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). As of August 27, 2024, he is #12 in the UFC bantamweight rankings.[4]

Background

At the age of three, Phillip's father took him to the Gracie Academy out of Torrance, California, where he developed a lifelong love for it. At the age of 12, Phillips took part in pankration fights and had his first MMA fight at the age of 16. Phillips also wrestled at Temecula Valley High School.[5] He is a Carlson Gracie BJJ Brown belt, and a Nikidokai black/red belt under grandmaster Hanshi Nico. Among some other accomplishments of Phillips are IBJJF jiu-jitsu world champion blue belt (2012), California State judo champion (2010), and California Southern Section CIF wrestling champion at 138 lbs (2013).[6]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

After a 4–0 record on the regional scene, including an impressive win at LFA 13 against Jonathan Quiroz,[7] was invited to first season of Dana White's Contender Series 4 in 2017, when he only needed 46 seconds to stop James Gray Jr. While not being offered a contract to the UFC, he was brought in to compete on .[8]

On the show he lost a majority decision to eventual season winner Brad Katona. Then came his first official pro defeat, a split decision to Victor Henry in a 2018 bout before a head kick knockout of Emeka Ifekandu in 2019 earned him his call to the Octagon.[9]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Phillips made his UFC debut against Gabriel Silva on February 29, 2020, at . He won the bout in dominant fashion via unanimous decision.[10] This win earned him the Fight of the Night bonus.[11] [12]

Phillips faced Cameron Else on October 4, 2020, at . He won the bout via stoppage due to elbows on the ground in the second round.[13] This win earned him the Performance of the Night bonus.[11]

Phillips faced Song Yadong on March 6, 2021, at UFC 259.[14] He won the bout via unanimous decision.[15]

Phillips was scheduled to face Raphael Assunção on July 24, 2021, at .[16] However, Assunção suffered a bicep injury in late June and was replaced by Raulian Paiva.[17] Phillips lost the fight via majority decision.[18] This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award.[19]

Phillips faced Marcelo Rojo on February 12, 2022, at UFC 271.[20] He won the fight via triangle armbar submission in round three.[21]

Phillips was scheduled to face Jack Shore on November 19, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 215.[22] However, Shore pulled out of the fight due to a knee injury.[23]

Phillips was scheduled to face Raphael Assunção on March 11, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 221.[24] However, Phillips withdrew from the event for undisclosed reasons, and he was replaced by Davey Grant.[25]

In March, it was announced that Phillips was suspended by NSAC due to testing positive for ostarine for six months effective January 22, 2023. He would be eligible to fight again in July 22, 2023.[26]

Phillips was scheduled to face Said Nurmagomedov on August 5, 2023, at UFC on ESPN 50.[27] However, Nurmagomedov withdrew for unknown reasons and was replaced by Raoni Barcelos.[28] He won the bout via unanimous decision.[29]

Phillips faced Pedro Munhoz on March 9, 2024, at UFC 299.[30] He won the bout by unanimous decision.[31]

Phillips faced Rob Font on October 19, 2024 at UFC Fight Night 245.[32] He lost the fight by unanimous decision.[33]

Championships and achievements

Mixed martial arts

Mixed martial arts record

|-|Loss|align=center|12–3|Rob Font|Decision (unanimous)| | |align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Win|align=center|12–2|Pedro Munhoz|Decision (unanimous)|UFC 299||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Miami, Florida, United States||-|Win|align=center|11–2|Raoni Barcelos|Decision (unanimous)|||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Nashville, Tennessee, United States||-|Win|align=center|10–2|Marcelo Rojo|Submission (triangle armbar)|UFC 271||align=center|3|align=center|1:48|Houston, Texas, United States||-|Loss|align=center|9–2|Raulian Paiva|Decision (majority)| ||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States|.|-|Win|align=center|9–1|Song Yadong|Decision (unanimous)|UFC 259||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Win|align=center|8–1|Cameron Else|TKO (elbows)|||align=center|2|align=center|0:44|Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates||-|Win|align=center|7–1|Gabriel Silva|Decision (unanimous)|||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Norfolk, Virginia, United States||-|Win|align=center|6–1|Emeka Ifekandu|KO (head kick)|LFA 59||align=center|1|align=center|2:30|Phoenix, Arizona, United States| |-|Loss|align=center| 5–1|Victor Henry|Decision (split)|CXF 15||align=Center|3|align=center|5:00|Burbank, California, United States| |-|Win|align=center|5–0|James Gray|TKO (elbows and punches)|Dana White's Contender Series 4||align=center|1|align=center|0:46|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Win|align=center|4–0|Jonathan Quiroz|Decision (unanimous)|LFA 13||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Burbank, California, United States| |-|Win|align=center|3–0|George Garcia|TKO (punches)|CXF 5||align=center|1|align=center|2:55|Studio City, California, United States| |-|Win|align=center|2–0|PJ Ste-Marie|Submission (calf slicer)|CXF 4||align=center|1|align=center|4:37|Studio City, California, United States||-|Win|align=center|1–0|Taylor Alfaro|TKO (punches)|CXF 1||align=center|1|align=center|2:30|Studio City, California, United States|[34]

Mixed martial arts exhibition record

|Loss|align=center|0–1|Brad Katona|Decision (majority)|| (airdate)|align=center|2|align=center|5:00|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States|

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Kyler Phillips MMA Fighter Page. 2024-03-13. Tapology.
  2. Web site: Stats UFC. 2020-10-04. ufcstats.com.
  3. Web site: Stats UFC. 2021-03-07. ufcstats.com.
  4. Web site: UFC Rankings, Division Rankings, P4P rankings, UFC Champions UFC.com . 2024-08-27 . www.ufc.com.
  5. Web site: Bitter . Shawn . Welcome to the UFC: Kyler Phillips . Cageside Press . March 18, 2019 . September 25, 2024.
  6. Web site: Bitter . Shawn . Welcome to the UFC: Kyler Phillips . Cageside Press . 23 February 2021 . 18 March 2019.
  7. Web site: LFA 13 results: Curtis Millender proves tougher, wins all-out war with Kevin Holland . MMA Junkie . 22 February 2021 . 3 June 2017.
  8. Web site: 'The Ultimate Fighter 27' cast of undefeated competitors revealed. 26 January 2018. MMA Junkie.
  9. Web site: McCarter . Nathan . TUF Alum Leaves Fans Awestruck After Kick Combo Knockout at LFA 59 . Bleacher Report . 22 February 2021 . en.
  10. Web site: Bitter . Shawn . UFC Norfolk Results: Kyler Phillips Wins Unanimous Decision in Debut . Cageside Press . 22 February 2021 . 29 February 2020.
  11. Web site: 2020-10-04. UFC Fight Night: Holm Vs. Aldana Bonuses. 2020-10-04. lowkickmma.com. Ryan Galloway.
  12. News: UFC Norfolk bonuses: Megan Anderson, Jordan Griffin earn $50,000 each for impressive finishes . mmafighting.com. 2020-02-29.
  13. Web site: Vreeland . Daniel . UFC Fight Island 4 Results: Kyler Phillips Dominates, Stops Cameron Else in 2nd . Cageside Press . 22 February 2021 . 3 October 2020.
  14. Web site: DNA. MMA. 2021-01-08. Song Yadong treft Kyler Phillips tijdens UFC 259 op 6 maart. 2021-01-09. MMA DNA. en-US.
  15. Web site: Anderson. Jay. UFC 259 Results: Kyler Phillips Tops Song Yadong After Entertaining 15 Minutes . Cageside Press . 7 March 2021 . 6 March 2021.
  16. Web site: Raphael Assuncao vs. Kyler Phillips set for UFC event on July 24. mmafighting.com. Mike Heck. 2021-04-27. 2021-04-27.
  17. Web site: Raulian Paiva replaces Raphael Assunção and will face Kyler Phillips in July. ge.globo.com. Marcelo Barone. 2021-06-25. 2021-06-26.
  18. Web site: Doherty. Dan. 2021-07-24. UFC Vegas 32 Results: Raulian Paiva Completes Comeback, Gets Decision Over Kyler Phillips. 2021-07-25. Cageside Press. en-US.
  19. Web site: UFC Vegas 32 bonuses: Darren Elkins, Adrian Yanez lead $50K winners . mmamania.com. Dan Hiergesell. 2021-07-24. 2021-07-24.
  20. Web site: DNA. MMA. 2021-10-12. Kyler Phillips maakt opwachting tegen Marcelo Rojo tijdens UFC 271 op 12 februari. 2021-10-13. MMA DNA. en-US.
  21. Web site: Miller. Timothy. 2022-02-12. UFC 271: Kyler Phillips Submits Marcelo Rojo In Style. 2022-02-13. Cageside Press. en-US.
  22. Web site: 2022-08-25 . Jack Shore vs. Kyler Phillips added to upcoming UFC Fight Night card . Adam Martin. 2022-08-25 . My MMA News . en-US.
  23. Web site: Jack Shore out of Nov. 19 bout vs. Kyler Phillips, cites 'serious' knee injury. mmafighting.com. Alexander K. Lee. 2022-09-07. 2022-09-07.
  24. Web site: Raphael Assuncao to Face Kyler Phillips at UFC Fight Night 221 on March 11. Sherdog.com. Tristen Critchfield. 2023-01-02. 2023-01-02.
  25. Web site: ATSteveDuncan . 2023-02-10 . Phillips fuera, Davey Grant enfrenta a Raphael Assuncao en UFC Vegas 71 . 2023-02-11 . MMA.uno, #1 En noticias de Artes Marciales Mixtas (MMA) en Español. . es.
  26. Web site: Reinsmith . Trent . 2023-03-21 . Two UFC fighters suspended after testing positive for ostarine . 2023-03-22 . Bloody Elbow . en.
  27. Web site: Jay Anderson . 2023-05-23 . UFC: Kyler Phillips vs. Said Nurmagomedov booked for August 5 . 2023-07-20 . cagesidepress.com.
  28. Web site: Krishna Venki . 2023-07-20 . "All the Nurmagomedovs pulling out" - Said Nurmagomedov pulling out of UFC Nashville shortly after Umar Nurmagomedov creates frenzy among fans . 2023-07-20 . sportskeeda.com.
  29. Web site: Theodosi . Jamie . 2023-08-05 . UFC Nashville: Kyler Phillips Returns With A Decision Win Over The Powerful Barcelos . 2023-08-06 . Cageside Press . en-US.
  30. Web site: Sherdog.com . Pedro Munhoz, Kyler Phillips Collide at 135 Pounds on UFC 299 . 2023-11-24 . Sherdog . en.
  31. Web site: McCorry . Patrick . 2024-03-10 . Kyler Phillips Puts On Breakout Performance Against Munhoz, Takes Decision . 2024-03-10 . Cageside Press . en-US.
  32. Web site: UFC books Rob Font vs. Kyler Phillips bantamweight banger. mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Nolan King. 2024-08-03. 2024-08-03.
  33. Web site: Rob Font Overcomes "The Matrix," Bests Kyler Phillips in UFC Vegas 99 Co-Main. cagesidepress.com. Bryson Hester. 2024-10-19. 2024-10-19.
  34. Web site: Sherdog.com. Kyler Phillips. 2020-08-07. Sherdog.

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