Kyler Phillips Bio
Kyler John Phillips (born June 12, 1995) is an American professional mixed martial artist who competes in the Bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Fighting out of Glendale, Arizona, he represents the MMA Lab and has built a reputation as a well-rounded competitor with strong grappling roots. As of September 30, 2025, Phillips is ranked #14 in the official UFC bantamweight rankings, underlining his place among the division’s top contenders.
Early Life and Background
Phillips was born in Torrance, California, and raised in a family that introduced him to martial arts at an early age. At the age of three, his father took him to the Gracie Academy in Torrance, where he developed a lifelong love for the sport. This early immersion in Brazilian jiu-jitsu gave Phillips a grappling foundation that continues to shape his fighting style.
He continued his martial arts development by competing in pankration fights at the age of 12 and had his first mixed martial arts bout at 16. Phillips also wrestled at Temecula Valley High School, balancing his training in the classroom with competitive grappling. He earned recognition as the California Southern Section CIF wrestling champion at 138 pounds in 2013.
Path to MMA
Phillips built his foundation in grappling before transitioning into full mixed martial arts competition. He is a Carlson Gracie Brazilian jiu-jitsu brown belt and a Nikidokai black and red belt under grandmaster Hanshi Nico. Among his amateur accolades, he is an IBJJF jiu-jitsu world champion at the blue belt level (2012) and a California State judo champion (2010).
These accomplishments established him as a decorated submission grappler entering the professional ranks. Phillips began his professional MMA career in 2016, working his way through the regional scene with a perfect 4–0 record, including a win at LFA 13 against Jonathan Quiroz. His mix of wrestling, judo, and jiu-jitsu gave him a clear identity as a grappling-first fighter ready to test himself against the best.
Kyler Phillips Career
Early Career (2016–2019)
Phillips started his professional career on the regional circuit in 2016, compiling an unblemished 4–0 record that caught the attention of UFC scouts. In 2017, he was invited to the first season of Dana White’s Contender Series 4, where he needed just 46 seconds to stop James Gray Jr., though he was not offered a UFC contract that night. He was instead brought in to compete on The Ultimate Fighter: Undefeated, where he lost a majority decision to eventual season winner Brad Katona.
Following the show, Phillips suffered his first official professional loss, a split decision to Victor Henry in 2018. He bounced back in 2019 with a head kick knockout of Emeka Ifekandu, a finish that secured his invitation to join the UFC roster.
UFC Breakthrough (2020–2022)
Phillips made his UFC debut against Gabriel Silva on February 29, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Benavidez vs. Figueiredo, winning by unanimous decision in dominant fashion. The performance earned him the Fight of the Night bonus, an early signal of his potential. He followed that with a second-round stoppage of Cameron Else via ground-and-pound elbows at UFC on ESPN: Holm vs. Aldana, picking up the Performance of the Night award.
In 2021, Phillips faced Song Yadong at UFC 259 and emerged victorious by unanimous decision, further establishing himself as a rising bantamweight. A later loss to Raulian Paiva by majority decision at UFC on ESPN: Sandhagen vs. Dillashaw still produced a Fight of the Night bonus, showing his ability to deliver memorable bouts. He closed the run with a triangle armbar submission of Marcelo Rojo in the third round at UFC 271 in February 2022.
MMA Lab Era (2023–Present)
Phillips faced setbacks in 2023, including a six-month NSAC suspension for an ostarine violation that ran from January 22, 2023, to July 22, 2023, and a withdrawal from a scheduled bout with Raphael Assunção at UFC Fight Night 221. He returned against Raoni Barcelos at UFC on ESPN 50 in August 2023, earning a unanimous decision win in his first bout back. In March 2024 at UFC 299, he added a unanimous decision over veteran Pedro Munhoz.
His more recent stretch has been mixed. Phillips dropped a unanimous decision to Rob Font at UFC Fight Night 245 in October 2024 and another unanimous decision to Vinicius Oliveira at UFC 318 on July 19, 2025. Despite the recent results, his place inside the UFC bantamweight top 15 keeps him within striking distance of another title push.
Driving Style and Strengths
Phillips is best known for his high-level grappling, built on a Carlson Gracie jiu-jitsu base, a Nikidokai black and red belt, and a decorated wrestling background. He blends judo throws with strong top control and a dangerous submission game, including the triangle armbar finish of Marcelo Rojo. His ability to threaten from his back and chain wrestling with striking makes him a difficult matchup for opponents who prefer to keep the fight standing.
Notable Events and Milestones
Key milestones include a 46-second finish on Dana White’s Contender Series, a successful UFC debut with a Fight of the Night bonus, and a Performance of the Night stoppage of Cameron Else. He has earned multiple Fight of the Night bonuses and holds a signature submission win over Marcelo Rojo at UFC 271.
Kyler Phillips Career Wins
Phillips has recorded 12 professional victories across regional shows, LFA, and the UFC. His finishes include 5 wins by knockout or technical knockout, 4 by submission, and 4 by decision.
UFC Highlights
Inside the UFC, Phillips has picked up notable wins over Gabriel Silva, Cameron Else, Song Yadong, Marcelo Rojo, Raoni Barcelos, and Pedro Munhoz. His victory over Song Yadong at UFC 259 stands as a signature decision win against a respected veteran, while his third-round triangle armbar of Marcelo Rojo at UFC 271 remains his most memorable submission finish.
Other Wins and Performances
On the regional scene, Phillips posted a 4–0 record that included a win at LFA 13 over Jonathan Quiroz. He added a 46-second stoppage of James Gray Jr. on Dana White’s Contender Series and earned honors as an IBJJF jiu-jitsu world champion and a California State judo champion during his amateur career.
Kyler Phillips Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Phillips’ introduction to martial arts came through his father, who took him to the Gracie Academy in Torrance, California, when he was three years old. That early family connection to the Gracie lineage helped shape his Brazilian jiu-jitsu foundation.
Personal Life
Phillips lives in Glendale, Arizona, where he trains out of the MMA Lab. He is professionally known by the ring name “The Matrix,” a nod that has followed him through his rise on the regional scene and into the UFC.
2025 Season Performance
Phillips’ 2025 campaign has centered on rebounding from a tough 2024 stretch that included a unanimous decision loss to Rob Font at UFC Fight Night 245. He entered the year ranked inside the UFC bantamweight top 15, but his July 19, 2025, unanimous decision loss to Vinicius Oliveira at UFC 318 has made the road back to title contention more difficult.
Despite the recent result, Phillips remains in the top 15 of the bantamweight division, leaving him with time to rebuild his momentum. His base at the MMA Lab and his grappling-heavy style continue to offer a clear path forward against the right stylistic matchup.
Looking ahead, Phillips’ 2025 outlook will depend on how quickly he can return to the win column and add another signature performance to his UFC resume. A return to form could put him back in the mix for higher-profile fights and another climb up the bantamweight ladder.