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Bantamweight Division

Active

"Boom"

Brian Kelleher

Bantamweight Division

24-16-0 (W-L-D)

8

Wins by Knockout

10

Wins by Submission

10

First Round Finishes

Brian Kelleher

athlete record

Info

Learn more about Brian Kelleher's UFC history, fighter facts, and Q&A below.

Status
Active
Place of Birth
Oceanside, United States
Trains at
Long Island MMA
Fighting style
Freestyle
Age
37
Height
66.00
Weight
148.70
Octagon Debut
Jun. 3, 2017
Reach
66.00
Leg reach
38.00
  • Pro since 2011
     
  • Has won five of his last 11; on four-fight losing streak
     
  • Eight wins by KO, 10 by submission (7 guillotine, 3 RNC)
     
  • 10 first round finishes
     
  • Holds 2015 win over UFC vet Andre Soukhamthath
     
  • Unbeaten amateur record (3-0)
     

UFC on ESPN (7/20/24) Kelleher was submitted by Cody Gibson via arm-triangle choke at 3:58 of the first round

UFC 296 (12/16/23) Kelleher was knocked out by Cody Garbrandt at 3:42 of the first round 

UFC on ESPN (6/25/22) Kelleher was submitted by Mario Bautista via rear naked choke at 2:27 of the first round

UFC 272 (3/5/22) Kelleher was submitted by Umar Nurmagomedov via rear naked choke at 3:15 of the first round

UFC on ESPN (1/15/22) Kelleher won a three round unanimous decision over Kevin Croom

UFC on ESPN (8/21/21) Kelleher won a three round unanimous decision over Domingo Pilarte

UFC 258 (2/13/21) Kelleher lost a three round unanimous decision to Ricky Simon

UFC Fight Night (9/5/20) Kelleher submitted Ray Rodriguez via guillotine choke at :39 of the first round

UFC 250 (6/6/20) Kelleher lost a three round unanimous decision to Cody Stamann

UFC Fight Night (5/13/20) Kelleher knocked out Hunter Azure at 3:40 of the second round

UFC 246 (1/18/20) Kelleher submitted Ode’ Osbourne via guillotine choke at 2:39 of the first round

UFC 232 (12/29/18) Kelleher was submitted by Montel Jackson via D’Arce choke at 1:40 of the first round

UFC 224 (5/12/18) Kelleher was knocked out by John Lineker at 3:43 of the third round

UFC on FOX (2/24/18) Kelleher won a three round unanimous decision over Renan Barao

UFC Fight Night (10/21/17) Kelleher stopped Damian Stasiak via strikes at 3:39 of the third round

UFC on FOX (7/22/17) Kelleher was submitted by Marlon Vera via armbar at 2:18 of the first round

UFC 212 (6/3/17) Kelleher submitted Iuri Alcantara via guillotine choke at 1:48 of the first round

When and why did you start training for fighting? I started training for fighting in 2007. I had always been a well-rounded athlete, playing soccer, hockey, bowling, etc. growing up. I knew I was strong for my size and wanted to test myself.

Training: A typical day is MMA practice / padwork / run or swim workout 

What ranks and titles have you held? I have held the Ring of Combat bantamweight title and the World Cup of MMA featherweight title 

Do you have any heroes? My parents and Joe Rogan 

What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? It means everything to fight in the UFC. I have been working day in and day out sacrificing for 10 years now with this vision. I truly only know this sport and at this point it's my whole life. Now I'm finally here. Boom time! 

Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? I went to college for two years until I realized the best education is self-education. I also knew that MMA was all I wanted to do since then. So I never got a degree.

What was your job before you started fighting? I worked at a chemical company called BASF as a technician in manufacturing. I used it as motivation to keep winning fights so I could be free and do what I want. I quit my job and decided to keep training full time.

If any, list specific accomplishments in pro competition? Winning two titles in two different weight classes were big accomplishments in my pro career. Another big accomplishment was my spinning backfist KO in front of Dana White for his show “Lookin’ for a Fight.” I knew I caught his attention there.

If any, list ranks in any martial arts styles: Brown belt in jiu-jitsu 

Favorite grappling technique: Guillotine 

Favorite Striking technique: Anything spinning and body shots