Parker Porter

American mixed martial artist

Parker Porter

Porter in 2025

Born|  (1985-04-22) April 22, 1985 (age 40)
Hartford, Connecticut, United States
Height| 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight| 264 lb (120 kg; 18 st 12 lb)
Division| Heavyweight (2007–present)
Light Heavyweight (2008)
Reach| 75 in (191 cm)[1]
Stance| Orthodox
Fighting out of| New Britain, Connecticut, United States
Team| Thornton's MMA[2]
Heavy Hitters Club (2020–present)[3]
Rank| Black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu[4]
Years active| 2007–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total| 23
Wins| 14
By knockout| 6
By submission| 3
By decision| 5
Losses| 9
By knockout| 5
By submission| 3
By disqualification| 1
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Parker Porter (born April 22, 1985) is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Heavyweight division. A professional since 2007, he competed for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and Bellator MMA.

## Background

[edit]

Porter played baseball, lacrosse and football in his youth, the last from third grade until his graduation from Southington High School.[5][6] Although he aspired to continue playing football, his poor grades prevented him from playing at the collegiate level.[6] After high school Porter begun working out to lose weight, eventually dabbling in mixed martial arts at the age of 21.[7]

## Mixed martial arts career

[edit]

### Early career

[edit]

Porter made his professional MMA debut on October 13, 2007 at a Revere, Massachusetts night club, where he won the fight by KO in the third round. He was paid $300 for the bout and fought in front of an audience of 30 people.[8]

After his debut, he went on to compile a 5–2 record in various regional organizations, with one of his losses coming from future UFC Light Heavyweight and Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones. This fight was Porter's only Light Heavyweight bout, and he was knocked out in the first minute after a botched weightcut. During this period, he also captured the Reality Fighting Heavyweight Championship by knocking out Mike Dexter.[9]

Porter would defend the Reality Fighting Heavyweight Championship against Gabriel Gonzaga, who was returning after a layoff and in between UFC stints.[10][11] Porter would lose the bout after he was submitted with an arm-triangle choke in the third round, losing the Reality Fighting Heavyweight Championship.[12][13]

### Bellator

[edit]

Porter would sign with Bellator MMA and was scheduled to face Randy Smith at Bellator 63 on March 30, 2012.[14] However, Smith withdrew due to illness and the bout was scrapped.

Porter eventually made his Bellator debut against Josh Diekmann on September 7, 2013, at Bellator 98, losing via TKO in the first round.[15]

After a layoff of almost a year and half, he made his sophomore bout for Bellator on July 17, 2015, at Bellator 140 against Eric Bedard. He won the bout via second-round keylock submission.[16]

### Return to regional circuit

[edit]

He had a layoff off almost 3 years due to personal issues and having to secure his family financially, he returned January 6, 2018 at Reality Fighting where he won by 3rd-round TKO against J.A. Dudley.[9]

Porter made his CES MMA debut against Keith Bell on November 2, 2018, at CES MMA 53.[17] Parker Porter was seemingly on his way to a first-round victory via ground-and-pound blows. However, referee Kevin MacDonald warned him several times about punching to the back of the head and eventually called for time at the 2:30 mark of the first round. When Bell was deemed unfit to continue, he was awarded the win via disqualification.[18]

Porter was scheduled to face Rakim Cleveland at CES MMA 55 on March 29, 2019.[19] However, the bout was cancelled due to an unknown reason.

Porter faced Kevin Ray Sears on May 31, 2019, at CES MMA 56. In a dominant performance, Porter finished Sears via 2nd round kimura.[20]

Porter faced Dirlei Broenstrup on September 7, 2019, at CES MMA 58. He won via 3rd-round TKO.[21]

### Ultimate Fighting Championship

[edit]

Porter made his UFC debut on nine days' notice against Chris Daukaus on August 15, 2020, at UFC 252.[22] He lost the fight via TKO in round one.[23]

Porter faced Josh Parisian on November 28, 2020, at UFC on ESPN: Smith vs. Clark.[24] He won the bout by unanimous decision.[25]

Porter was scheduled to face Chase Sherman on April 17, 2021, at UFC on ESPN 22.[26] However, he was removed from the event for undisclosed reasons and was replaced by Andrei Arlovski.[27]

Porter faced Chase Sherman on August 21, 2021, at UFC on ESPN 29.[28] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[29]

Porter faced Alan Baudot on February 19, 2022, at UFC Fight Night: Walker vs. Hill.[30] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[31]

Porter faced Jailton Almeida on May 21, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 206.[32] He lost the fight via rear-naked choke in round one.[33]

Porter was scheduled to face Hamdy Abdelwahab on October 22, 2022, at UFC 280.[34] However, Abdelwahab was removed from the event for unknown reasons and he was replaced by Slim Trabelsi.[35] In turn, the pairing was cancelled altogether as Trabelsi pulled out due to contractual issues with ARES FC and Porter opted to pursue a later fight, rather than a replacement barring unforeseen circumstances.[36]

Porter faced Justin Tafa on February 12, 2023, at UFC 284.[37] He lost the fight via knockout in the first round.[38]

As the last fight of his prevailing contract, Porter faced Braxton Smith on May 6, 2023, at UFC 288.[39][40] He won the fight by TKO in the first round.[41]

Porter faced Junior Tafa on August 26, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 225.[42] He lost the bout via knockout in the first round.[43]

On December 21, 2023, it was announced that Porter was no longer on the UFC roster.[44]

## Bare-knuckle boxing

[edit]

On January 2, 2025 after over a year-long hiatus, it was announced via social media that Porter would be making his bare-knuckle debut on February 1 against Chase Gormley at BKFC on DAZN: Mohegan Sun in his home state of Connecticut. Porter would go on to win that fight by knockout in the first minute of the first round.[45]

During the broadcast of BKFC 73 Italy: Camozzi vs. Bicchi, it was announced that Porter will be returning to the ring on June 14 in a main event bout against Dillon Cleckler at BKFC Fight Night: Mohegan Sun.[46] He won the fight by knockout in the first round.[47][48]

## Personal life

[edit]

Porter has twin boys born in 2013 and a third son born in 2020.[9][49]

## Championships and achievements

[edit]

### Mixed martial arts

[edit]

* Reality Fighting
* Reality Fighting Heavyweight Championship (One time)[10]

## Mixed martial arts record

[edit]

Professional record breakdown  23 matches | 14 wins | 9 losses

|
|

By knockout | 6  | 5
By submission | 3  | 3
By decision | 5  | 0
By disqualification | 0  | 1
Res.  | Record  | Opponent  | Method  | Event  | Date  | Round  | Time  | Location  | Notes

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Loss  | 14–9  | Junior Tafa | KO (punch)  | UFC Fight Night: Holloway vs. The Korean Zombie | August 26, 2023 | 1  | 1:24  | Kallang, Singapore  |
Win  | 14–8  | Braxton Smith  | TKO (punches)  | UFC 288 | May 6, 2023 | 1  | 2:10  | Newark, New Jersey, United States  | Smith tested positive for testosterone.
Loss  | 13–8  | Justin Tafa | KO (punches)  | UFC 284 | February 12, 2023 | 1  | 1:06  | Perth, Australia  |
Loss  | 13–7  | Jailton Almeida | Submission (rear-naked choke)  | UFC Fight Night: Holm vs. Vieira | May 21, 2022 | 1  | 4:35  | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States  |
Win  | 13–6  | Alan Baudot | Decision (unanimous)  | UFC Fight Night: Walker vs. Hill | February 19, 2022 | 3  | 5:00  | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States  |
Win  | 12–6  | Chase Sherman | Decision (unanimous)  | UFC on ESPN: Cannonier vs. Gastelum | August 21, 2021 | 3  | 5:00  | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States  |
Win  | 11–6  | Josh Parisian | Decision (unanimous)  | UFC on ESPN: Smith vs. Clark | November 28, 2020 | 3  | 5:00  | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States  |
Loss  | 10–6  | Chris Daukaus | TKO (punches and knee)  | UFC 252 | August 15, 2020 | 1  | 4:28  | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States  |
Win  | 10–5  | Dirlei Broenstrup  | TKO (punches)  | CES MMA 58  | September 7, 2019 | 3  | 3:17  | Hartford, Connecticut, United States  |
Win  | 9–5  | Kevin Ray Sears  | Submission (kimura)  | CES MMA 56  | May 31, 2019 | 2  | 2:29  | Hartford, Connecticut, United States  |
Loss  | 8–5  | Keith Bell  | DQ (punches to back of head)  | CES MMA 53  | November 2, 2018 | 1  | 2:30  | Lincoln, Rhode Island, United States  |
Win  | 8–4  | J.A. Dudley  | TKO (punches)  | Reality Fighting: Mohegan Sun  | January 6, 2018 | 3  | 1:16  | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States  |
Win  | 7–4  | Eric Bedard  | Submission (keylock)  | Bellator 140 | July 17, 2015 | 2  | 2:51  | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States  |
Loss  | 6–4  | Josh Diekmann | TKO (punches)  | Bellator 98 | September 7, 2013 | 1  | 1:12  | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States  |
Loss  | 6–3  | Gabriel Gonzaga | Submission (arm-triangle choke)  | Reality Fighting: Mohegan Fight Night 4  | October 8, 2011 | 3  | 1:50  | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States  | Lost the Reality Fighting Heavyweight Championship.
Win  | 6–2  | Mike Dexter  | KO (punches)  | Reality Fighting: Mohegan Fight Night 2  | February 26, 2011 | 1  | 1:36  | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States  | Won the vacant Reality Fighting Heavyweight Championship.
Loss  | 5–2  | Gabriel Salinas-Jones  | Submission (neck crank)  | XFC 13 | December 3, 2010 | 1  | 4:50  | Tampa Bay, Florida, United States  |
Win  | 5–1  | Gabriel Salinas-Jones  | Decision (unanimous)  | XFC 12 | October 10, 2010 | 3  | 5:00  | Kyrenia, Cyprus  |
Win  | 4–1  | Lee Beane  | Submission (rear-naked choke)  | CES MMA 1  | September 17, 2010 | 1  | 2:36  | Lincoln, Rhode Island, United States  |
Win  | 3–1  | Mark Hoxie  | TKO (submission to punches)  | Reality Fighting 26  | November 7, 2009 | 1  | 1:09  | Plymouth, Massachusetts, United States  | Return to Heavyweight.
Loss  | 2–1  | Jon Jones | KO (punch)  | WCF 3  | June 20, 2008 | 1  | 0:36  | Wilmington, Massachusetts, United States  | Light Heavyweight debut.
Win  | 2–0  | Randy Smith  | Decision (unanimous)  | Combat Zone 25  | January 12, 2008 | 3  | 4:00  | Revere, Massachusetts, United States  |
Win  | 1–0  | Kiplagott Stewart  | KO (punches)  | Combat Zone 24  | October 13, 2007 | 3  | 0:16  | Revere, Massachusetts, United States  | Heavyweight debut.

[50]

## Bare-knuckle boxing record

[edit]

Professional record breakdown  2 matches | 2 wins | 0 losses

|
|

By knockout | 2  | 0
By decision | 0  | 0
Res.  | Record  | Opponent  | Method  | Event  | Date  | Round  | Time  | Location  | Notes

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Win  | 2–0  | Dillon Cleckler  | KO (punches)  | BKFC Fight Night: Mohegan Sun | June 14, 2025 | 1  | 1:08  | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States  |
Win  | 1–0  | Chase Gormley | KO (punch)  | BKFC on DAZN: Mohegan Sun | February 1, 2025 | 1  | 0:44  | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States  |

## See also

[edit]

* List of male mixed martial artists

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Stats | UFC". ufcstats.com. Retrieved 2020-10-04.
2. ^ Joe McDonagh (December 16, 2020). "Parker Porter Felt That if He Didn't Win at UFC Vegas 15, the "Dream Was Over"". cagesidepress.com.
3. ^ "Heavy Hitters". hhmma.com.
4. ^ Parker Porter [@parkerportermma]; (December 19, 2022). "About this weekend… Honored to have received my Black Belt!!! 🥋 Grateful for all those who helped me along this journey!" – via Instagram.
5. ^ "Who we are – Thornton Martial Arts". thorntonmartialartsandfitness.com. Retrieved April 8, 2021.
6. ^ a b The Sports Forum (May 17, 2023). UFC Heavyweight Parker Porter Interview🔥 – via YouTube.
7. ^ "Parker Porter | UFC". UFC.com. 5 August 2020. Retrieved April 8, 2021.
8. ^ "DUES PAID, PARKER PORTER READY FOR BIG THINGS". ufc.com. November 24, 2020.
9. ^ a b c "PARKER PORTER JUST WANTS TO PUT ON A SHOW IN HIS DEBUT". ufc.com. November 24, 2020.
10. ^ a b "Mixed Martial Arts: MMA News, Fighters, Events, Forum". The Underground.
11. ^ ":: Welcome to the North American Grappling Association (NAGA) ::". nagafighter.com.
12. ^ "shockblastmedia.com". Shockblastmedia.com.
13. ^ "Nothing found for 2011 10 09 Gabriel Gonzaga Submits Parker Porter Takes Reality Fighting Heavyweight Championship". Mmagoss.com. Archived from the original on 25 April 2012. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
14. ^ "Bellator 63 fight card finalized for March 30 at Mohegan Sun". mmamania.com. March 27, 2012.
15. ^ "Bellator 98 results: Shlemenko retains title in slugfest with Cooper". mmajunkie.com. September 8, 2013.
16. ^ "Bellator 140 Results: Lima vs. Koreshkov". mmafighting.com. July 17, 2015.
17. ^ Alexander K. Lee (October 19, 2018). "John Gotti III books next fight for CES 53". mmafighting.com.
18. ^ "CES MMA 53 results: Tony Gravely claims vacant belt with 36-second slam KO of Kody Nordby". mmajunkie.com. November 2, 2018.
19. ^ "Champ Jeremiah Wells defends title vs. Vinicius de Jesus in CES MMA 55 headliner". MMAjunkie.com. March 9, 2019.
20. ^ "CES 56 Results: Parker Porter Dominates Kevin Sears". cagesidepress.com. May 31, 2019.
21. ^ "CES MMA 58 RESULTS: DE JESUS BATTERS LOZANO, RETAINS WELTERWEIGHT TITLE". combatpress.com. September 7, 2019.
22. ^ John Morgan; Nolan King (August 5, 2020). "Chris Daukaus vs. Parker Porter added to UFC 252". MMAjunkie.com.
23. ^ Bitter, Shawn (2020-08-15). "UFC 252 Results: Chris Daukaus Punishes Parker Porter in Promotional Debut". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-08-16.
24. ^ Farah Hannoun (August 21, 2020). "Parker Porter vs. Josh Parisian added to UFC's Nov. 28 fight card". MMAjunkie.com.
25. ^ Anderson, Jay (2020-11-28). "UFC Vegas 15 Results: Parker Porter Defeats Josh Parisian in Exhausting Affair". cagesidepress. Retrieved 2020-11-28.
26. ^ Steven Marrocco and Mike Heck (2021-01-29). "Chase Sherman vs. Parker Porter added to April 17 UFC event". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2021-01-29.
27. ^ Mike Heck and Damon Martin (2021-04-07). "With Parker Porter out, Andrei Arlovski steps in to face Chase Sherman at UFC Vegas 24". www.mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2021-04-07.
28. ^ Heck, Mike (2021-05-08). "Chase Sherman vs. Parker Porter rebooked for UFC event on Aug. 21". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2021-05-10.
29. ^ Doherty, Dan (2021-08-22). "UFC Vegas 34 Results: Parker Porter Batters Chase Sherman". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-08-22.
30. ^ "UFC Fight Night 201 adds Alan Baudot vs. Parker Porter to lineup for Las Vegas". MMA Junkie. 2022-01-24. Retrieved 2022-01-25.
31. ^ Anderson, Jay (2022-02-19). "UFC Vegas 48: Parker Porter Wins Grueling Decision Over Alan Baudot". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-02-20.
32. ^ Fox, Dayne (2022-05-19). "UFC Vegas 55 prelims preview: Can Parker Porter defy the odds?". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved 2022-05-20.
33. ^ Anderson, Jay (2022-05-21). "UFC Vegas 55: Jailton Almeida Puts on Dominant Performance, Submits Parker Porter". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-05-22.
34. ^ Nolan King and Farah Hannoun (2022-08-17). "UFC 280 adds Hamdy Abdelwahab vs. Parker Porter heavyweight bout". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2022-07-17.
35. ^ Sherdog.com. "Parker Porter to Face Newcomer Slim Trabelsi at UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi". Sherdog. Retrieved 2022-09-13.
36. ^ Nolan King and Farah Hannoun (2022-09-18). "Three fighters off UFC 280 card in Abu Dhabi". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2022-09-18.
37. ^ Nolan King (2022-11-01). "UFC 284 adds Parker Porter vs. Justin Tafa to lineup". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2022-11-01.
38. ^ Val Dewar (2023-02-11). "UFC 284: Justin Tafa sleeps Parker Porter in just over a minute in home country". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-02-11.
39. ^ "Parker Porter expected to welcome newcomer 'The Beautiful Monster' Braxton Smith at UFC 288". MMA Junkie. 2023-04-13. Retrieved 2023-04-13.
40. ^ Parker Porter 'Can't Get Away' From UFC Champ Jon Jones, Finished Contract With TKO Win | UFC 288. MMAjunkie.com. May 7, 2023 – via YouTube.
41. ^ Bitter, Shawn (2023-05-06). "UFC 288: New Black Belt Parker Porter Stops Braxton Smith with Ground n' Pound". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-05-08.
42. ^ "UFC Matchmaking Bulletin (7/10-7/16): Charles Jourdain Returns Against Ricardo Ramos, Three Cancellations". MMA News | UFC News, Results & Interviews. Retrieved 2023-08-18.
43. ^ Theodosi, Jamie (2023-08-26). "Parker Porter Gets First Round KO'd By A Tafa For The Second Time This Year". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-08-26.
44. ^ Newswire, MMA Fighting (2023-12-21). "UFC releases veteran heavyweight Parker Porter". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2023-12-23.
45. ^ Christopher De Santiago (2025-02-01). "BKFC on DAZN 4 live results & highlights for Julian Lane vs. Cameron Vancamp". si.com. Retrieved 2025-02-01.
46. ^ "BKFC FIGHT NIGHT MOHEGAN SUN EVENT | BKFC". www.bkfc.com. Retrieved 2025-04-28.
47. ^ "BKFC Fight Night Mohegan Sun Results | BKFC". www.bkfc.com. Retrieved 2025-06-15.
48. ^ Christopher de Santiago (June 14, 2025). "Fan favorite UFC veteran who fought Jon Jones continues BKFC win streak with big KO". bloodyelbow.com. Retrieved 2025-06-15.
49. ^ Thomas Gerbasi (August 14, 2020). "Parker Porter Just Wants To Put On A Show In His Debut". Ultimate Fighting Championship.
50. ^ Sherdog.com. "Parker Porter MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, Biography - Sherdog.com". Sherdog. Retrieved 2021-08-22.

## External links

[edit]

* Professional MMA record for Parker Porter from Sherdog
* Parker Porter at UFC