John Phillips (born 9 June 1985) is a Welsh

Middleweight Middleweight is a weight class in combat sports. Boxing Professional In professional boxing, the middleweight division is contested above and up to . Early boxing history is less than exact, but the middleweight designation seems to have beg ...

bare-knuckle boxer. He is also a former

mixed martial artist Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a full-contact fighting sport based on striking and grappling; incorporating techniques from various combat sports from around the world. In the early 20th century, various inter-stylistic contests took place t ...

. A professional since 2005, he has also competed for

BAMMA BAMMA (British Association of Mixed Martial Arts) was a mixed martial arts promotion based in the United Kingdom. It premiered on June 27, 2009, and was shown on the television channel Bravo. BAMMA events were shown live on ITV4 in the UK and I ...

, Cage Rage,

Ultimate Fighting Championship The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is an American mixed martial arts (MMA) promoter (entertainment), promotion company based in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is owned and operated by TKO Group Holdings, a majority owned subsidiary of Endeavor ( ...

, and

Cage Warriors Cage Warriors (CW) is an Irish-owned mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion company based in London, England. The promotion was established in 2001 and staged its first MMA event in London in July, 2002. Many MMA stars have made their names under ...

. He is the former BAMMA Middleweight Champion.

Career

Phillips faced

Jesse Taylor Jesse Taylor (born January 2, 1983) is an American professional mixed martial arts (MMA) and 10th Planet Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt fighter who last competed in the Welterweight division. A professional competitor from 2006 to 2023, he wa ...

for the latter's first defense of the Cage Warriors Middleweight on 4 May 2013 on the Cage Warriors 54 card. Phillips lost to Taylor via submission early in the first round. His next fight came on 17 March 2018 at UFC Fight Night: Werdum vs. Volkov against Charles Byrd, where both fighters made their UFC debut. He lost the fight via a submission due to a rear-naked choke in round three. Phillips faced Kevin Holland on 1 June 2018 at UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Ngannou 2. Phillips lost the fight via submission late in round three. Phillips faced fellow Welshman Jack Marshman on 16 March 2019 at UFC on ESPN+ 5 At the weigh-ins, Marshman weighed in at 188 lbs, 2 pounds over the middleweight non-title fight limit of 186 lbs. He was fined 20% of his fight purse and the bout proceeded at catchweight. Phillips lost the bout via split decision. In his next fight Phillips faced

Alen Amedovski Alen Amedovski (born April 6, 1988) is a Macedonian mixed martial arts, mixed martial artist who competes in the Middleweight (MMA), Middleweight division. He has formerly fought for the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Background Amedovski arrive ...

at UFC Fight Night: Hermansson vs. Cannonier on 28 September 2019. He won via knockout in 17 seconds of the first round. This was his first win in the UFC and earned him the $50,000 performance of the night bonus. Phillips was scheduled to face

Duško Todorović Duško Todorović (born May 19, 1994) is a Serbian mixed martial arts, mixed martial artist who competes in the Middleweight (MMA), Middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Background Todorović started training taekwond ...

on 21 March 2020 at UFC Fight Night: Woodley vs. Edwards. Due to the

COVID-19 pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic (also known as the coronavirus pandemic and COVID pandemic), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), began with an disease outbreak, outbreak of COVID-19 in Wuhan, China, in December ...

travel bans, the bout was moved to Cage Warriors 113 but was later on removed from the card due to Todorović's travel restrictions. Phillips was expected to face

on 16 July 2020 at UFC Fight Night: Kattar vs. Ige. On 8 July Todorović pulled out due to a potential medical issue. He was replaced by promotional newcomer

Khamzat Chimaev Khamzat Khizarovich Chimaev (born 1 May 1994) is an Emirati professional mixed martial artist and freestyle wrestler who currently competes in the Middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). In freestyle wrestling, Chima ...

. Phillips lost the fight via submission in round two. Phillips faced Jun Yong Park on 18 October 2020 at UFC Fight Night 180. He lost the fight via unanimous decision. On 13 November 2020 it was announced that Phillips had been released from the UFC.

Bare-knuckle boxing

Phillips made his

Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship The Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) is an American bare-knuckle boxing promotion based in Philadelphia. The promotion was founded in April 2018, and is presided over by David Feldman. BKFC is the first promotion to hold an official st ...

debut against Fábio Maldonado on 5 April 2025 at BKFC 72 Dubai: Day 2. After landing a second knockdown, he won the fight by knockout in the second round.

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

** Performance of the Night (One time) vs.

** BAMMA Middleweight Champion (One time) * Rage in the Cage ** Rage in the Cage Middleweight Tournament Winner (One time)

Mixed martial arts record

, Loss , align=center, , Jun Yong Park , Decision (unanimous) , UFC Fight Night: Ortega vs. The Korean Zombie , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Abu Dhabi Abu Dhabi is the capital city of the United Arab Emirates. The city is the seat of the Abu Dhabi Central Capital District, the capital city of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, and the UAE's List of cities in the United Arab Emirates, second-most popu ...

, United Arab Emirates , , - , Loss , align=center, 22–10 (1) ,

, Submission (D'Arce choke) , UFC on ESPN: Kattar vs. Ige , 16 July 2020 , align=center, 2 , align=center, 1:12 ,

, United Arab Emirates , , - , Win , align=center, 22–9 (1) ,

, KO (punches) , UFC Fight Night: Hermansson vs. Cannonier , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 0:17 ,

Copenhagen Copenhagen ( ) is the capital and most populous city of Denmark, with a population of 1.4 million in the Urban area of Copenhagen, urban area. The city is situated on the islands of Zealand and Amager, separated from Malmö, Sweden, by the ...

, Denmark , , - , Loss , align=center, 21–9 (1) , Jack Marshman , Decision (split) , UFC Fight Night: Till vs. Masvidal , 16 March 2019 , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

London London is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of both England and the United Kingdom, with a population of in . London metropolitan area, Its wider metropolitan area is the largest in Wester ...

, England , , - , Loss , align=center, 21–8 (1) , Kevin Holland , Submission (rear-naked choke) , UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Ngannou 2 , 28 September 2018 , align=center, 3 , align=center, 4:05 ,

Beijing Beijing, Chinese postal romanization, previously romanized as Peking, is the capital city of China. With more than 22 million residents, it is the world's List of national capitals by population, most populous national capital city as well as ...

, China , , - , Loss , align=center, 21–7 (1) , Charles Byrd , Submission (rear-naked choke) , UFC Fight Night: Werdum vs. Volkov , 17 March 2018 , align=center, 1 , align=center, 3:58 ,

, England , , - , Win , align=center, 21–6 (1) , Jose Otavio dos Santos Lacerda , KO (punch) , Budo 16: Round vs. James , 24 September 2016 , align=center, 1 , align=center, 4:44 ,

Swansea Swansea ( ; ) is a coastal City status in the United Kingdom, city and the List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, second-largest city of Wales. It forms a Principal areas of Wales, principal area, officially known as the City and County of ...

, Wales , , - , Win , align=center, 20–6 (1) , Cheick Kone , TKO (punch) , BAMMA 24: Kone vs. Phillips , 27 February 2016 , align=center, 1 , align=center, 1:05 ,

Dublin Dublin is the capital and largest city of Republic of Ireland, Ireland. Situated on Dublin Bay at the mouth of the River Liffey, it is in the Provinces of Ireland, province of Leinster, and is bordered on the south by the Dublin Mountains, pa ...

, Ireland , , - , Win , align=center, 19–6 (1) , Markus Di Gallo , KO (punch) , Fightstar Promotions: Rage in the Cage 3 , 21 March 2015 , align=center, 1 , align=center, N/A , Paisley, Scotland , , , - , Win , align=center, 18–6 (1) ,

Charlie Ward Charlie Ward Jr. (born October 12, 1970) is an American former professional basketball player in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and current head coach for the Florida A&M Rattlers. Ward was an exceptional college football player as w ...

, KO (punch) , Fightstar Promotions: Rage in the Cage 3 , 21 March 2015 , align=center, 2 , align=center, N/A , Paisley, Scotland , , - , Loss , align=center, 17–6 (1) ,

, Submission (guillotine choke) , Cage Warriors Fighting Championship 54 , 4 May 2013 , align=center, 1 , align=center, 1:23 ,

Cardiff Cardiff (; ) is the capital city, capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of Wales. Cardiff had a population of in and forms a Principal areas of Wales, principal area officially known as the City and County of Ca ...

, Wales , , - , Win , align=center, 17–5 (1) , Chris Fields , Submission (guillotine choke) , Cage Warriors Fighting Championship 48 , 21 July 2012 , align=center, 2 , align=center, 2:04 ,

, England , , - , Win , align=center, 16–5 (1) , Tomas Penz , Submission (triangle choke) , Cage Warriors Fight Night 6 , 24 May 2012 , align=center, 2 , align=center, 3:21 ,

Isa Town Isa Town (, ''Madīnat ʿĪsā'') is a middle class town located in Bahrain, in the north central part of the country. Etymology The name ''Isa'' refers to Isa ibn Salman Al Khalifah, a former ruler of Bahrain, from 1961 to 1999. History Isa To ...

, Bahrain , , - , Loss , align=center, 15–5 (1) , Pavel Kusch , Submission (heel hook) , Cage Warriors Fight Night 5 , 12 April 2012 , align=center, 1 , align=center, 0:25 ,

Amman Amman ( , ; , ) is the capital and the largest city of Jordan, and the country's economic, political, and cultural center. With a population of four million as of 2021, Amman is Jordan's primate city and is the largest city in the Levant ...

, Jordan , , - , Win , align=center, 15–4 (1) , Matt Ewin , TKO (injury) , KnuckleUp MMA 8 , 29 October 2011 , align=center, 1 , align=center, 0:56 ,

Kingston upon Hull Kingston upon Hull, usually shortened to Hull, is a historic maritime city and unitary authorities of England, unitary authority area in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England. It lies upon the River Hull at its confluence with the Humber Est ...

, England , , - , Loss , align=center, 14–4 (1) , Frank Trigg , TKO (doctor stoppage) , BAMMA 6: Watson vs. Rua , 21 May 2011 , align=center, 1 , align=center, 2:41 ,

, England , , - , Win , align=center, 14–3 (1) , James Zikic , TKO (punches) , BAMMA 4: Reid vs. Watson , 25 September 2010 , align=center, 1 , align=center, 1:34 ,

Birmingham Birmingham ( ) is a City status in the United Kingdom, city and metropolitan borough in the metropolitan county of West Midlands (county), West Midlands, within the wider West Midlands (region), West Midlands region, in England. It is the Lis ...

, England , , - , Win , align=center, 13–3 (1) , Johnny Gillan , TKO (punches) , Fight UK 1 , 2 May 2010 , align=center, 1 , align=center, 1:37 ,

Leicester Leicester ( ) is a city status in the United Kingdom, city, Unitary authorities of England, unitary authority area, and the county town of Leicestershire in the East Midlands of England. It is the largest city in the East Midlands with a popula ...

, England , , - , Win , align=center, 12–3 (1) , Marius Liaukevicius , TKO (punches) , Celtic Fight Night 3 , 6 March 2010 , align=center, 1 , align=center, 0:15 ,

Brecon Brecon (; ; ), archaically known as Brecknock, is a market town in Powys, mid Wales. In 1841, it had a population of 5,701. The population in 2001 was 7,901, increasing to 8,250 at the 2011 census. Historically it was the county town of Breck ...

, Wales , , - , Win , align=center, 11–3 (1) , Danny Welsh , TKO (punches to the body) , Trojan MMA: Trojan Warfare , 27 February 2010 , align=center, 1 , align=center, 0:36 ,

Exeter Exeter ( ) is a City status in the United Kingdom, cathedral city and the county town of Devon in South West England. It is situated on the River Exe, approximately northeast of Plymouth and southwest of Bristol. In Roman Britain, Exeter w ...

, Wales , , - , Win , align=center, 10–3 (1) , Matt Thorpe , TKO (punches) , KnuckleUp MMA 4: Origins , 20 February 2010 , align=center, 1 , align=center, 0:50 ,

Cheltenham Cheltenham () is a historic spa town and borough adjacent to the Cotswolds in Gloucestershire, England. Cheltenham became known as a health and holiday spa town resort following the discovery of mineral springs in 1716, and claims to be the mo ...

, Wales , , - , Loss , align=center, 9–3 (1) , Denniston Sutherland , TKO (submission to punches) , BAMMA 1: The Fighting Premiership , 27 June 2009 , align=center, 1 , align=center, 3:32 ,

, England , , - , Win , align=center, 9–2 (1) , Bohumil Lungrik , TKO (punches) , WFC 8: D-Day , 18 April 2009 , align=center, 1 , align=center, 3:15 ,

Ljubljana {{Infobox settlement , name = Ljubljana , official_name = , settlement_type = Capital city , image_skyline = {{multiple image , border = infobox , perrow = 1/2/2/1 , total_widt ...

, Slovenia , , - , Win , align=center, 8–2 (1) , Tommy Gunn , TKO (punches) , Predator Fight Night , 9 November 2008 , align=center, 1 , align=center, 0:44 ,

, Wales , , - , Win , align=center, 7–2 (1) , Jake Bostwick , TKO (submission to punches) , Cage Rage 28: VIP , 9 November 2008 , align=center, 2 , align=center, 2:47 ,

, England , , - , Loss , align=center, 6–2 (1) , Tom Watson , Decision (Unanimous) , Cage Rage 27: Step Up , 12 July 2008 , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, England , , - , NC , align=center, 6–1 (1) , Jake Bostwick , No Contest , Cage Rage 25: Bring It On , 8 March 2008 , align=center, 1 , align=center, 4:10 ,

, England , , - , Win , align=center, 6–1 , Christos Petroutsos , TKO (N/A) , Cage Rage Contenders: Wales , 18 November 2007 , align=center, 1 , align=center, N/A ,

, Wales , , - , Win , align=center, 5–1 , Mihaly Dobrai , KO (N/A) , MedVid: Anno Domini 1 , 9 June 2007 , align=center, N/A , align=center, N/A ,

Pula Pula, also known as Pola, is the largest city in Istria County, west Croatia, and the List of cities and towns in Croatia, seventh-largest city in the country, situated at the southern tip of the Istria, Istrian peninsula in western Croatia, wi ...

, Croatia , , - , Win , align=center, 4–1 , Mario Valentic , TKO (N/A) , MedVid: Anno Domini 2 , 27 January 2007 , align=center, N/A , align=center, N/A ,

, Croatia , , - , Win , align=center, 3–1 , Edgaras Pilvinis , TKO (referee stoppage) , Cage Gladiators 3 , 3 December 2006 , align=center, 1 , align=center, 0:34 ,

Liverpool Liverpool is a port City status in the United Kingdom, city and metropolitan borough in Merseyside, England. It is situated on the eastern side of the River Mersey, Mersey Estuary, near the Irish Sea, north-west of London. With a population ...

, England , , - , Win , align=center, 2–1 , Gary Savage , TKO (punches) , HOP 7: Cage Fever , 26 November 2006 , align=center, 1 , align=center, 1:23 ,

, Wales , , - , Loss , align=center, 1–1 ,

Jim Wallhead Jim Wallhead (born 14 March 1984) is an English former professional mixed martial arts, mixed martial artist who competed in the Welterweight (MMA), Welterweight division. He has competed for BAMMA, Bellator MMA, Bellator, and M-1 Challenge and ...

, TKO (elbows) , HOP 5: Fight Night 5 , 9 April 2006 , align=center, 1 , align=center, 1:41 ,

, Wales , , - , Win , align=center, 1–0 , Nigel Whitear , KO (N/A) , HOP 3: Next Generation , 24 July 2005 , align=center, 1 , align=center, 0:57 ,

, Wales , , -

Bare knuckle boxing record

, - , Win , align=center, 1–0 , Fábio Maldonado , KO (punch) , BKFC 72 Dubai: Day 2 , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 0:29 ,

Dubai Dubai (Help:IPA/English, /duːˈbaɪ/ Help:Pronunciation respelling key, ''doo-BYE''; Modern Standard Arabic, Modern Standard Arabic: ; Emirati Arabic, Emirati Arabic: , Romanization of Arabic, romanized: Help:IPA/English, /diˈbej/) is the Lis ...

, United Arab Emirates , , -

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Phillips, John 1985 births Living people Welsh male mixed martial artists Middleweight mixed martial artists Sportspeople from Swansea Ultimate Fighting Championship male fighters 21st-century Welsh sportsmen