Wilson Reis
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Wilson Reis (born January 6, 1985) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who competes in the Flyweight division. Reis is the former EliteXC Bantamweight Champion and has also competed for UFC, Bellator, ShoXC and Cage Warriors. Reis also appeared as an assistant Jiu-Jitsu coach in Dominick Cruz's team on The Ultimate Fighter: Live.
Background
Reis received his black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu from instructor Roberto Godoi. As a brown belt he won the 2004 Jiu Jitsu World Championships. Reis was crowned the first and only EliteXC Bantamweight champion on September 26, 2008. He trains at BJJ United in Pennsylvania and at Daddis Fight Camps in New Jersey and Philadelphia. He previously taught Brazilian jiu-jitsu and No-gi at Tri-State Martial Arts Academy in Levittown, Pennsylvania. Reis formerly competed in Bellator Fighting Championships. He competed for the first time in his native Brazil in WFE 11 - Platinum, winning by submission.
Mixed martial arts career
EliteXC
Reis debuted for the EliteXC promotion on their ShoXC series in January 2008. He later appeared on their main cards at EliteXC: Primetime and EliteXC: Unfinished Business.
In September 2008, Reis defeated Abel Cullum to win the vacant EliteXC Bantamweight Championship.
Bellator Fighting Championships
In January 2009, it was announced that Reis reached an exclusive agreement with Bellator Fighting Championships. Wilson Reis defeated Henry Martinez on April 10, 2009, at Bellator 2 in the first round of the Featherweight Tournament. He experienced his first loss against Joe Soto in the semi-finals at Bellator 6.
Reis was scheduled to make his Japanese debut for World Victory Road at Sengoku 12 on March 7, 2010. However, Reis withdrew from the show in order to compete in season 2 of the Bellator Fighting Championships.
Reis was victorious in the first round of the Bellator featherweight tournament, defeating Shad Lierley via submission in the third round, after dominating the entire fight with this superior ground game. He advanced to the semi-finals to face Patricio Freire who held a 13–0 record. Reis lost via unanimous decision, his second career loss.
Reis faced Deividas Taurosevičius on October 21, 2010, at Bellator 33. He won the fight via split decision.
Reis then competed in the Bellator Season Four Featherweight tournament and won his quarterfinal fight against Zac George at Bellator 37 by submission in the first round.
Reis then had a rematch with Patricio Freire in the semifinals at Bellator 41, but lost via KO in the third round.
Reis dropped down to Bantamweight and competed in the Bellator Season Five Bantamweight tournament. In the quarterfinals, he faced Eduardo Dantas at Bellator 51, losing by second-round KO (flying knee and punches).
Post-Bellator
After losing two consecutive fights in a row, Reis has been released from the Bellator promotion along with Dan Hornbuckle.
Reis then competed in Win Fight & Entertainment (WFE), appearing for the first time in his native Brazil in WFE 11 - Platinum in December 2011. He defeated Bruno "Demente" Menezes by rear naked choke.
On December 8, 2012, Reis fought for Europe's top organization Cage Warriors and defeated Owen Roddy by third-round submission in one of the fights of the year in Glasgow, Scotland.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
In August 2013, it was announced that Reis had signed with the UFC. Reis was expected to face Hugo Viana at UFC Fight Night 28 on September 4, 2013. However, just days before the event Viana was forced out of the bout with an injury, removing their fight from the card altogether.
A few days after that announcement, Reis was again sought as a replacement. He stepped in to face Ivan Menjivar on September 21, 2013, at UFC 165, replacing Norifumi Yamamoto. Reis was successful in his debut, winning via unanimous decision.
Reis faced Iuri Alcântara on February 15, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 36. He lost the fight via split decision.
Reis was briefly linked to a bout with Pedro Munhoz on May 31, 2014, at The Ultimate Fighter Brazil 3 Finale. However, the bout never materialized as Reis was replaced by promotional newcomer Matt Hobar.
For his next fight, Reis moved down to the flyweight division. He was expected to face Tim Elliott on August 23, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 49. However, Elliott pulled out of the bout in the days leading up to the event. Reis instead faced promotional newcomer Joby Sanchez. He won the fight by unanimous decision.
Reis next faced Scott Jorgensen on October 25, 2014, at UFC 179. He won the fight by submission in the first round. Reis hurt Jorgensen with a body kick and backed up in pain, then immediately after shot in and successfully got the takedown on Jorgensen and passed to mount where he secured to an arm-triangle choke where Jorgensen was forced to tap.
Reis faced Jussier Formiga on May 30, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 67. He lost the back-and-forth fight by unanimous decision.
Reis faced Dustin Ortiz on January 30, 2015, at UFC on Fox 18. He won the fight by unanimous decision.
Reis was expected to face current Flyweight Champion Demetrious Johnson on July 30, 2016, at UFC 201. However, on July 8, it was announced that Johnson pulled out due to an undisclosed injury and the bout was postponed. Reis remained on the card against promotional newcomer Hector Sandoval. He won the fight via submission in the first round.
Reis faced Ulka Sasaki on February 11, 2017, at UFC 208. He won the fight by unanimous decision.
UFC Flyweight Title Challenge
Reis faced Flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson on April 15, 2017 at UFC on Fox 24. After a one-sided affair through the first two rounds, Reis suffered his first loss by submission as Johnson won via armbar in the third round.
Post title shot
Reis faced Henry Cejudo on September 9, 2017 at UFC 215 He lost the fight via TKO in the second round.
Reis faced John Moraga on April 14, 2018 at UFC on Fox 29. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.
Reis faced Ben Nguyen on December 2, 2018 at UFC Fight Night 142. He won the fight via unanimous decision.
As the last fight of his prevailing contract, Reis faced Alexandre Pantoja on April 13, 2019 at UFC 236. He lost the fight via TKO in the first round. Subsequently, UFC opted not to renew Reis' contract.
ARES FC
On February 18, 2020, news surfaced that Reis signed a contract with ARES FC.
He made his promotional debut at Ares FC 2 against Taylor Lapilus on December 12, 2021. He lost the bout via unanimous decision.
Budo Sento Championship
Reis signed by Mexican promotion Budo Sento Championship (BSC) and faced Carlos Briseño at BSC 1 on November 14, 2020. He won the fight via second round submission.
Reis was knocked out in 16 seconds in a bout with Donny Matos at the BSC 2 on April 10, 2021.
Cage Warriors
Reis signed for Cage Warriors and he was then scheduled to face Johnny Campbell at Cage Warriors 126 on August 1, 2021. However, Reis withdrew from the bout due to an injury.
Reis faced Jeremiah Labiano on March 4, 2022 at Cage Warriors 133. He won the bout via split decision.
Reis faced Tuomas Grönvall on December 31, 2022, at Cage Warriors 148, winning the bout via unanimous decision.
Reis faced Johnny Campbell on March 3, 2023 at Cage Warriors 148, winning the bout via rear-naked choke in the third round.
Reis faced Trevin Jones on September 8, 2023 at Cage Warriors 159, losing the bout via split decision.
Reis faced Toby Misech on February 23. 2024 at Cage Warriors 166, winning via arm-triangle choke in the first round.
Reis faced fellow UFC veteran Brunzo Souza at Cage Warriors 173 on 8 June 2024. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.
Grappling career
Wilson Reis is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt under Roberto Godoi.
In 2004, Reis won the Brazilian jiu-jitsu World Championships as a Brown Belt.
On August 6, 2023 Reis won gold in the master 1 no gi lightweight division at the IBJJF San Diego Spring Open 2023.
Championships and accomplishments
- EliteXC EliteXC Bantamweight Championship (One time, First, Last)
- Win Fight Entertainment WFE Bantamweight Championship (One time)
Mixed martial arts record
| 43 matches | 28 wins | 15 losses |
| By knockout | 0 | 6 |
| By submission | 13 | 1 |
| By decision | 15 | 8 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 28–15 | Julio Arce | KO (punch) | Victory Fighting League: Clash of the Champions | October 24, 2025 | 1 | 2:00 | New York City, New York, United States | |
| Loss | 28–14 | Bruno Souza | Decision (unanimous) | Cage Warriors 173 | June 7, 2024 | 3 | 5:00 | San Diego, California, United States | |
| Win | 28–13 | Toby Misech | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | Cage Warriors 166 | February 23, 2024 | 1 | 3:02 | San Diego, California, United States | Return to Featherweight. |
| Loss | 27–13 | Trevin Jones | Decision (split) | Cage Warriors 159 | September 8, 2023 | 3 | 5:00 | San Diego, California, United States | |
| Win | 27–12 | Johnny Campbell | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Cage Warriors 149 | March 3, 2023 | 3 | 2:20 | San Diego, California, United States | |
| Win | 26–12 | Tuomas Grönvall | Decision (unanimous) | Cage Warriors 148 | December 31, 2022 | 3 | 5:00 | London, England | |
| Win | 25–12 | Jeremiah Labiano | Decision (split) | Cage Warriors 133 | March 4, 2022 | 3 | 5:00 | San Diego, California, United States | Featherweight bout. |
| Loss | 24–12 | Taylor Lapilus | Decision (unanimous) | Ares FC 2 | December 11, 2021 | 3 | 5:00 | Paris, France | Return to Bantamweight. |
| Loss | 24–11 | Donny Matos | KO (punch) | Budo Sento Championship 2 | April 10, 2021 | 1 | 0:16 | Mexico City, Mexico | |
| Win | 24–10 | Carlos Briseño | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | Budo Sento Championship 1 | November 14, 2020 | 2 | 4:38 | Mexico City, Mexico | |
| Loss | 23–10 | Alexandre Pantoja | TKO (punches) | UFC 236 | April 13, 2019 | 1 | 2:58 | Atlanta, Georgia, United States | |
| Win | 23–9 | Ben Nguyen | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: dos Santos vs. Tuivasa | December 2, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Adelaide, Australia | |
| Loss | 22–9 | John Moraga | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on Fox: Poirier vs. Gaethje | April 14, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Glendale, Arizona, United States | |
| Loss | 22–8 | Henry Cejudo | TKO (punches) | UFC 215 | September 9, 2017 | 2 | 0:25 | Edmonton, Alberta, Canada | |
| Loss | 22–7 | Demetrious Johnson | Submission (armbar) | UFC on Fox: Johnson vs. Reis | April 15, 2017 | 3 | 4:49 | Kansas City, Missouri, United States | For the UFC Flyweight Championship. |
| Win | 22–6 | Ulka Sasaki | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 208 | February 11, 2017 | 3 | 5:00 | Brooklyn, New York, United States | |
| Win | 21–6 | Hector Sandoval | Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFC 201 | July 30, 2016 | 1 | 1:49 | Atlanta, Georgia, United States | |
| Win | 20–6 | Dustin Ortiz | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on Fox: Johnson vs. Bader | January 30, 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Newark, New Jersey, United States | |
| Loss | 19–6 | Jussier Formiga | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Condit vs. Alves | May 30, 2015 | 3 | 5:00 | Goiânia, Brazil | |
| Win | 19–5 | Scott Jorgensen | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | UFC 179 | October 25, 2014 | 1 | 3:28 | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | Catchweight (128 lb) bout; Jorgensen missed weight. |
| Win | 18–5 | Joby Sanchez | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. dos Anjos | August 23, 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States | Flyweight debut. |
| Loss | 17–5 | Iuri Alcântara | Decision (split) | UFC Fight Night: Machida vs. Mousasi | February 15, 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | Jaraguá do Sul, Brazil | |
| Win | 17–4 | Ivan Menjivar | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 165 | September 21, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Toronto, Ontario, Canada | |
| Win | 16–4 | Owen Roddy | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Cage Warriors 50 | December 8, 2012 | 3 | 1:32 | Glasgow, Scotland | Catchweight (140.2 lb) bout; Reis missed weight. |
| Win | 15–4 | Billy Vaughan | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | Matrix Fights 7 | October 26, 2012 | 1 | 3:28 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States | |
| Win | 14–4 | Cody Stevens | Decision (unanimous) | Matrix Fights 6 | July 13, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States | Catchweight (138 lb) bout. |
| Win | 13–4 | Bruno Menezes | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Win Fight & Entertainment 11 | December 16, 2011 | 1 | 3:20 | Salvador, Brazil | Won the WFE Bantamweight Championship. |
| Loss | 12–4 | Eduardo Dantas | KO (flying knee and punches) | Bellator 51 | September 24, 2011 | 2 | 1:02 | Canton, Ohio, United States | Return to Bantamweight. Bellator Season 5 Bantamweight Tournament Quarterfinal. |
| Loss | 12–3 | Patrício Pitbull | KO (punches) | Bellator 41 | April 16, 2011 | 3 | 3:29 | Yuma, Arizona, United States | Bellator Season 4 Featherweight Tournament Semifinal. |
| Win | 12–2 | Zac George | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Bellator 37 | March 19, 2011 | 1 | 2:09 | Concho, Oklahoma, United States | Bellator Season 4 Featherweight Tournament Quarterfinal. |
| Win | 11–2 | Deividas Taurosevicius | Decision (split) | Bellator 33 | October 21, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States | |
| Loss | 10–2 | Patrício Pitbull | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 18 | May 13, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | Monroe, Louisiana, United States | Bellator Season 2 Featherweight Tournament Semifinal. |
| Win | 10–1 | Shad Lierley | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Bellator 14 | April 15, 2010 | 3 | 3:33 | Hollywood, Florida, United States | Bellator Season 2 Featherweight Tournament Quarterfinal. |
| Win | 9–1 | Dwayne Shelton | Decision (unanimous) | Locked in the Cage 1 | November 20, 2009 | 3 | 5:00 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States | Won the Extreme Force Featherweight Championship. |
| Win | 8–1 | Roberto Vargas | Decision (split) | Bellator 10 | June 5, 2009 | 3 | 5:00 | Ontario, California, United States | |
| Loss | 7–1 | Joe Soto | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 6 | May 8, 2009 | 3 | 5:00 | Robstown, Texas, United States | Bellator Season 1 Featherweight Tournament Semifinal. |
| Win | 7–0 | Henry Martinez | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 2 | April 10, 2009 | 3 | 5:00 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | Return to Featherweight. Bellator Season 1 Featherweight Tournament Quarterfinal. |
| Win | 6–0 | Abel Cullum | Decision (unanimous) | ShoXC: Elite Challenger Series | September 26, 2008 | 5 | 5:00 | Santa Ynez, California, United States | Won the inaugural Elite XC Bantamweight Championship. |
| Win | 5–0 | Bryan Caraway | Decision (unanimous) | EliteXC: Unfinished Business | July 26, 2008 | 3 | 5:00 | Stockton, California, United States | |
| Win | 4–0 | Justin Robbins | Submission (rear-naked choke) | EliteXC: Primetime | May 31, 2008 | 1 | 4:06 | Newark, New Jersey, United States | |
| Win | 3–0 | Zach Makovsky | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | ShoXC: Elite Challenger Series | January 25, 2008 | 2 | 1:15 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | Bantamweight debut. |
| Win | 2–0 | Diego Jimenez | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Combat in the Cage: Fearless Fighters Return | October 6, 2007 | 1 | 2:00 | Trenton, New Jersey, United States | |
| Win | 1–0 | Baba Shigeyasu | Decision (unanimous) | Extreme Challenge 81 | July 28, 2007 | 3 | 5:00 | West Orange, New Jersey, United States | Featherweight debut. |
See also
External links
| New championship | 1st Elite XC Bantamweight Champion September 26, 2008 - October 20, 2008 | Succeeded byElite XC ceased operations |