Bryan Battle

Bryan Christopher Battle (born September 21, 1994) is an American professional mixed martial artist, who competes in the Middleweight division of the Professional Fighters League (PFL). A professional since 2019, Battle was the middleweight tournament winner in the 29th season of The Ultimate Fighter and went 7-1 in the promotion. As of February 12, 2026, he is #9 in the PFL middleweight rankings.

Background

Born in Springfield, Missouri, Battle grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina. During his childhood in Charlotte, he and his family were homeless for a short period of time, due to an accidental house fire caused by one of his cousins.

In 2016, Battle began training MMA at age 21, when he weighed nearly 300-pounds. Soon after, he decided to drop out of college to pursue a career as a mixed martial artist. Battle worked at Chick-fil-A and then as a carpenter, until he was able to make a living as a fighter.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Battle began competing in mixed martial arts in 2017, earning an amateur record of 8–2 and gaining notable wins over future UFC fighters such as Cody Brundage and Impa Kasanganay. During his amateur career, Battle fought at middleweight, light heavyweight and heavyweight. After turning professional in 2019, he fought in multiple regional promotions across his native North Carolina and the Southern United States, compiling a 5–1 professional record, with 4 stoppage wins.

The Ultimate Fighter 29

In April 2021, it was announced that Battle would be a cast member on The Return of The Ultimate Fighter: Team Volkanovski vs. Team Ortega competing in the middleweight tournament.

In the quarterfinal, Battle faced Kemran Lachinov and won the fight by unanimous decision.

In the semifinal, Battle faced Andre Petroski and won the fight by ninja choke in round two.

In the final, Battle was scheduled to face Tresean Gore on August 28, 2021, at UFC on ESPN 30. However, Gore pulled out due to a meniscus injury and was replaced by Gilbert Urbina. He won the tournament via rear-naked choke in round two.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

The match between Battle and Gore was rescheduled on February 5, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 200. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Battle made his welterweight debut against Takashi Sato on August 6, 2022, at UFC on ESPN 40. He won the fight via head kick knockout in the first round. This win earning him the Performance of the Night award.

Battle faced Rinat Fakhretdinov, replacing Michael Morales on December 17, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 216. He lost the bout via unanimous decision.

Battle faced Gabriel Green, replacing Jake Matthews on May 13, 2023, at UFC on ABC 4. At the weigh-ins, Battle weighed in at 173 pounds, two pounds over the welterweight non-title fight limit. The bout proceeded at catchweight and Battle was fined a percentage of his purse, which went to Green. He won the fight by knockout just 14 seconds into the first round. This win earning him the Performance of the Night award, despite having missed weight.

Battle faced A.J. Fletcher on September 23, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 228. He won the fight via rear-naked choke in the second round.

Battle faced Ange Loosa on March 16, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 239. During the second round, Battle accidentally poked Loosa in the eye rendering him unable to continue. The fight was declared a no contest.

Battle faced Kevin Jousset on September 28, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 243. He won the bout via technical knockout in the second round and this win earning him the Performance of the Night award.

Battle faced Randy Brown on December 7, 2024 at UFC 310. At the weigh-ins, Battle weighed in at 175 pounds, four pounds over the welterweight non-title fight limit. The bout proceeded at catchweight and Battle was fined 30 percent of his purse which went to Brown. Battle won the fight by split decision.

Battle was scheduled to face Nursulton Ruziboev in a middleweight bout on August 16, 2025 at UFC 319. However, at the weigh-ins, Battle weighed in at 190 pounds, four pounds over the middleweight non-title fight limit. The bout was scheduled to proceed at catchweight, however shortly thereafter, it was announced that the bout had been cancelled.

Battle was released from the UFC on August 20, 2025 following his string of weight misses.

Dirty Boxing

On August 22, 2025, it was reported that Battle had signed with Mike Perry's "Dirty Boxing" promotion to compete at DBX 3 on August 29, 2025 against Derik de Freitas. Battle won the bout via technical knockout in just 56 seconds.

Battle faced Nicholas Kohring on 30 October, 2025, at DBX 4. He won the bout by technical knockout in the first round in 48 seconds.

Professional Fighters League

On September 5, 2025, it was announced that Battle signed a multi-year contract with the Professional Fighters League (PFL).

Battle is scheduled to face former Bellator Middleweight Champion Johnny Eblen on March 28, 2026 at PFL: Eblen vs. Battle.

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

• Ultimate Fighting Championship The Ultimate Fighter 29 Middleweight Tournament Winner Performance of the Night (Three times) vs. Takashi Sato, Gabriel Green, and Kevin Jousset
• Fight Lab Fight Lab Light Heavyweight Championship (One time; former)
• BodySlam.net 2024 Promo of the Year after knocking out Kevin Jousset

Personal life

Battle is married and has two kids with his wife.

Mixed martial arts record

Dirty Boxing record

See also

• List of male mixed martial artists

External links

• at UFC
• from Sherdog