Kyler Phillips
Kyler Phillips
Kyler John Phillips (born June 25, 1995) is a Mixed martial arts with a professional fight record of 7 wins, 1 losses and 0 draws.[1] The Bantamweight fighter is from the United States.
Career
In 2017, Kyler Phillips was an undefeated prospect fresh off a Contender Series win, entering the 27th season of The Ultimate Fighter having never lost as a pro or amateur. However, a run in with the eventual winner, Brad Katona, left Phillips needing to find another path to the Octagon.
After splitting his next two fights on the regional circuit, he had a bout set up with former title challenger Ray Borg set up in March of 2019. That never came to fruition as Phillips had to pull out (which coincidentally led to the debut win of MMA Lab teammate Casey Kenney). Now, two-and-a-half years removed from his win on the Contender Series, Phillips is set to make his Octagon debut against Gabriel Silva in Norfolk.[3]
“I feel like Contender (Series), Ultimate fighter was almost like an internship/college for me,” Phillips told UFC.com.
“I got to see the big show and learn, and then go back home and take the time to learn to have some patience, learn different characteristics that I wasn’t mature enough (to have at the time).
Honestly, I think I wasn’t ready.”
Kyler Phillips took a break for a year from fighting and returned to the stage in February 29, 2020.
Phillips returned to action on February 29 with a unanimous decision victory over Gabriel Silva at UFC.
Phillips told MMAWeekly.com[6]:
"I’m a perfectionist and I’m always critical of myself, especially right after the fight, “I didn’t think I actually did that great, but it’s like when you spar and you don’t think you did good, but you go back and watch the tape and you actually did really well.
“Of course you’re not going to land everything perfect, but I did pretty well.”
Now that he’s had his first fight of the year, Phillips is hoping to keep his momentum going and not have a repeat of 2019 when he spent most of the year on the sidelines.
While Phillips would like to have those fights with a full camp and preparation, he feels that in today’s MMA you have to be ready for anything at any time, so if he has to take something short notice he’ll be up for it.
“I want to be professional and have a good camp and everything, but also if the opportunity arises I’m going to take that, especially against somebody that’s ranked.”[2]
Fight History
| Date | Opponent | Result | Round | Time | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 29, 2020 | Gabriel Silva | Win | 3 | 5:00 | UFC Fight Night: Benavidez vs. Figueiredo |
| Feb 2, 2019 | Emeka Ifekandu | Win | 1 | 2:30 | LFA 59: Michaud vs. Aguilera |
| Oct 20, 2018 | Victor Henry | Lose | 3 | 5:00 | CXF 15: Rage in the Cage |
| Aug 1, 2017 | James Gray | Win | 1 | 0:46 | DWTNCS Season 1, Week 4 |
| Jun 2, 2017 | Jonathan Quiroz | Win | 3 | 5:00 | LFA 13: Holland vs. Millender |
| Dec 17, 2016 | George Garcia | Win | 1 | 2:55 | CXF 5: Night of Champions |
| Sep 10, 2016 | PJ Ste-Marie | Win | 1 | 4:37 | CXF 4: Fighting for Liam |
| Mar 4, 2016 | Taylor Alfaro | Win | 1 | 2:30 | CXF 1: The Return |