Kyler John Phillips (born June 12, 1995) is an American professional

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 ...

. He currently competes in the

Bantamweight Bantamweight is a weight class in combat sports and weightlifting. For boxing, the range is above and up to . In kickboxing, a bantamweight fighter generally weighs between . In mixed martial arts, MMA, bantamweight is . The name for the class ...

division of the

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 ( ...

(UFC). As of August 27, 2024, he is #12 in the UFC bantamweight rankings.

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 Temecula Valley High School, known by locals as TV, is a public high school for grades 9 to 12 in Temecula, California. The school opened in 1985 as the city's first high school. When it was built, it was a part of the Elsinore Union High Schoo ...

. 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).

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, 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 The Ultimate Fighter: Undefeated. 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.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Phillips made his UFC debut against Gabriel Silva on February 29, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Benavidez vs. Figueiredo. He won the bout in dominant fashion via unanimous decision. This win earned him the '' Fight of the Night bonus.'' Phillips faced Cameron Else on October 4, 2020, at UFC on ESPN: Holm vs. Aldana. He won the bout via stoppage due to elbows on the ground in the second round. This win earned him the '' Performance of the Night bonus.'' Phillips faced

Song Yadong Song Yadong (; born December 2, 1997) is a Chinese professional mixed martial artist who currently competes in the Bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). As of May 6, 2025, he is #5 in the UFC bantamweight rankings. ...

on March 6, 2021, at

UFC 259 ''UFC 259: Błachowicz vs. Adesanya '' was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that took place on March 6, 2021 at the UFC Apex facility in Enterprise, Nevada, part of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Area, United ...

. He won the bout via unanimous decision. Phillips was scheduled to face

Raphael Assunção Raphael Assunção (born 19 July 1982) is a Brazilian former professional mixed martial artist who competed in the Bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Background Born in Recife in Northeast Brazil, Assunção move ...

on July 24, 2021, at UFC on ESPN: Sandhagen vs. Dillashaw. However, Assunção suffered a bicep injury in late June and was replaced by

Raulian Paiva Raulian Paiva Frazão (born 17 October 1995) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who competed in the Bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Background Paiva was born and raised Santana, Amapá, Brazil where he still trai ...

. Phillips lost the fight via majority decision. This fight earned him the '' Fight of the Night'' award. Phillips faced Marcelo Rojo on February 12, 2022, at

UFC 271 ''UFC 271: Adesanya vs. Whittaker 2'' was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that took place on February 12, 2022 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas, United States. Background A UFC Middleweight Champio ...

. He won the fight via triangle armbar submission in round three. Phillips was scheduled to face Jack Shore on November 19, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 215. However, Shore pulled out of the fight due to a knee injury. Phillips was scheduled to face

on March 11, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 221. However, Phillips withdrew from the event for undisclosed reasons, and he was replaced by

Davey Grant David Jeremy Grant (born 18 December 1985) is an English mixed martial artist. He was one of the cast members for UFC TV series The Ultimate Fighter: Team Rousey vs. Team Tate and currently competes in the Bantamweight division of the Ultimate ...

. In March, it was announced that Phillips was suspended by NSAC due to testing positive for

ostarine Enobosarm, also formerly known as ostarine and by the developmental code names GTx-024, MK-2866, and S-22, is a selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM) which is under development for the treatment of androgen receptor-positive breast canc ...

for six months effective January 22, 2023. He would be eligible to fight again in July 22, 2023. Phillips was scheduled to face

Said Nurmagomedov Said Makhachevich Nurmagomedov (; born April 5, 1992) is a Russian professional mixed martial artist who currently competes in the Bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A professional since 2009, he formerly competed ...

on August 5, 2023, at UFC on ESPN 50. However, Nurmagomedov withdrew for unknown reasons and was replaced by

Raoni Barcelos Raoni Mendonca Barcelos (born May 1, 1987) is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist, former amateur wrestler and grappler. He currently competes in the Bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Prior to signing w ...

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

Rob Font Robert Spencer Font (born June 25, 1987) is an American professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A professional since 2011, Font formerly competed for CES ...

on October 19, 2024 at UFC Fight Night 245. He lost the fight by unanimous decision. Phillips is scheduled to face Vinicius Oliveira on July 19, 2025 at UFC 318.

Championships and achievements

Mixed martial arts

** Performance of the Night (One time) ** Fight of the Night (Two times)

Mixed martial arts record

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Mixed martial arts exhibition record

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