Aaron Ern-Wuei Phillips[1] (born August 5, 1989) is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Bantamweight division. A professional since 2011, he is most notable for his time in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
| Aaron Phillips | |
|---|---|
| Born | Aaron Ern-Wuei Phillips[1] August 5, 1989 Houston, Texas, United States |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) |
| Weight | 135 lb (61 kg; 9 st 9 lb) |
| Division | Bantamweight |
| Reach | 69 in (175 cm) |
| Fighting out of | Lafayette, Louisiana |
| Team | Headkicks MMA Gladiators Academy[2] |
| Rank | Fourth degree black belt in Taekwondo[3] |
| Years active | 2011–present |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 17 |
| Wins | 12 |
| By knockout | 6 |
| By submission | 2 |
| By decision | 4 |
| Losses | 5 |
| By knockout | 1 |
| By submission | 1 |
| By decision | 3 |
| University | University of Louisiana[2] |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
Background
editHis mom came over from Penang, Malaysia to the US for university and met his father. She was a school teacher, so every summer he would go back to Malaysia from the age of four to eleven.[1]
Mixed martial arts career
editEarly career
editPhillips started fighting MMA professionally in 2011, mainly for regional Louisiana organizations, compiling a 7–0 record, before signing with the UFC in 2014.[4]
Ultimate Fighting Championship
editPhilips made his UFC debut as an injury replacement for Doo Ho Choi against Sam Sicilia on May 24, 2014 at UFC 173.[5] However, Choi pulled out of the bout citing an injury.[6] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.
Aaron Phillips faced Matt Hobar at UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. dos Anjos on August 23, 2014.[7] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[8]
After his second loss in a row, Phillips was released from the UFC.[9]
World Fighting Championships and Other Organizations
editAfter his release from the UFC, Phillips faced future UFC fighter Chris Gutiérrez for the vacant WFC Bantamweight Championship. Due to the bay doors not being able to be closed, the fight took place in 30 °F (−1 °C) cold.[10] Due to an injury picked up during the fight, he was unable to continue, therefore losing the fight.[11]
After this fight, due to injuries, he did not fight for 3 years before coming back in 2018 and picking up 4 straight wins in the World Fighting Championships organization. With a one off fight in VFL which he won by TKO, he was signed once again to the UFC.[12]
Second stint in the UFC
editWith Anderson dos Santos testing positive for COVID-19 before his fight with Jack Shore at bantamweight, Phillips was chosen as his replacement for the July 16, 2020 fight at UFC on ESPN: Kattar vs. Ige[13] He lost the fight in the second round via rear-naked choke.[14]
Philips was scheduled to face Adrian Yanez on October 31, 2020 at UFC Fight Night 181.[15] However on October 20, Phillips pulled out due to an undisclosed injury.[16]
Phillips was scheduled to face Cameron Else on July 17, 2021 at UFC on ESPN 26.[17] However in mid-July, Else pulled out to undisclosed reasons. Aaron was expected to face Trevin Jones on July 24, 2021 at UFC on ESPN: Sandhagen vs. Dillashaw.[18] On July 18, Phillips pulled out off the bout.[19]
Phillips was scheduled to face Kris Moutinho on October 23, 2021 at UFC Fight Night 196.[20] However, Moutinho was removed from the event for undisclosed reasons and was replaced by Jonathan Martinez.[21] In turn, Philips withdrew from the bout due to illness.[22]
Phillips faced Gastón Bolaños on April 15, 2023 at UFC on ESPN 44.[23] He lost the fight by unanimous decision.[24]
On June 8, it was announced that Phillips was not extended a new contract and no longer on the UFC roster.[25]
Mixed martial arts record
edit| 17 matches | 12 wins | 5 losses |
| By knockout | 6 | 1 |
| By submission | 2 | 1 |
| By decision | 4 | 3 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 12–5 | Gastón Bolaños | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on ESPN: Holloway vs. Allen | April 15, 2023 | 3 | 5:00 | Kansas City, Missouri, United States | |
| Loss | 12–4 | Jack Shore | Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFC on ESPN: Kattar vs. Ige | July 16, 2020 | 2 | 2:29 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | |
| Win | 12–3 | Ariston França | TKO | VFL: Cajuns vs. Cowboys | November 7, 2019 | 1 | 1:16 | Dallas, Texas, United States | Featherweight bout. |
| Win | 11–3 | Devante Sewell | Decision (unanimous) | World Fighting Championships 101 | March 21, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Charenton, Louisiana, United States | |
| Win | 10–3 | Anthony Retic | Submission (rear-naked choke) | World Fighting Championships 97 | November 10, 2018 | 1 | 1:49 | Charenton, Louisiana, United States | |
| Win | 9–3 | Jeremy Rogers | TKO (punches) | World Fighting Championships 86 | May 12, 2018 | 1 | 2:50 | Charenton, Louisiana, United States | |
| Win | 8–3 | Andy Brossett | TKO | World Fighting Championships 82 | January 27, 2018 | 1 | 4:43 | Charenton, Louisiana, United States | |
| Loss | 7–3 | Chris Gutiérrez | TKO (retirement) | World Fighting Championships 35 | February 28, 2015 | 3 | 5:00 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States | For the vacant WFC Bantamweight Championship. |
| Loss | 7–2 | Matt Hobar | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. dos Anjos | August 23, 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States | Return to Bantamweight. |
| Loss | 7–1 | Sam Sicilia | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 173 | May 24, 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 7–0 | Tyler Shinn | Decision (split) | C3 Fights: Border Wars 2014 | February 8, 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | Newkirk, Oklahoma, United States | |
| Win | 6–0 | D.J. Fuentes | Decision (unanimous) | USA MMA 23: The Fight Before Christmas | December 21, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Lafayette, Louisiana, United States | |
| Win | 5–0 | Joe Yeampierre | Submission (rear-naked choke) | WFC 12: Battle at the Belle | October 11, 2013 | 1 | 1:52 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States | Return to Featherweight. |
| Win | 4–0 | Micah Goss | KO | USA MMA 22: Lafayette vs. The World 2 | August 17, 2013 | 1 | 4:32 | Lafayette, Louisiana, United States | |
| Win | 3–0 | Ryan Hollis | Submission | Night of Champions 4 | February 16, 2013 | 3 | 0:00 | Lafayette, Louisiana, United States | Bantamweight bout. |
| Win | 2–0 | John de Jesus | Decision (unanimous) | Global Fighting Alliance 17: Top Shelf Fights | February 11, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Youngsville, Louisiana, United States | Featherweight bout. |
| Win | 1–0 | Heriberto Acuna | KO (punches) | Global Fighting Alliance: SugArena Rage | April 2, 2011 | 1 | 1:26 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c Ishak, Fadhli (16 July 2020). "UFC fighter Phillips proud of Malaysian roots | New Straits Times". NST Online. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
- ^ a b John Morgan (August 20, 2014). "UFC's Aaron Phillips: I've been a full-time MMA fighter for only the past nine weeks". MMAjunkie.com.
- ^ Thomas Gerbasi (August 20, 2014). "Aaron Phillips: There's something about Louisiana". Ultimate Fighting Championship.
- ^ a b Sherdog.com. "Aaron Philips". Sherdog. Retrieved 2020-08-07.
- ^ Matt Erickson (2014-02-21). "Sam Sicilia meets newcomer Doo Ho Choi at UFC 173 in May". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-02-21.
- ^ B Wylie (2014-04-20). "Doo Ho Choi injured, out of next months Featherweight clash with Sam Sicilia at UFC 173". fightsportasia.com. Archived from the original on 2014-04-23. Retrieved 2014-04-24.
- ^ "Matt Hobar vs. Aaron Phillips added to UFC Fight Night 49 lineup". mmajunkie.com. June 29, 2014.
- ^ "UFC Fight Night 49 results: Matt Hobar wrestles decision from Aaron Phillips". MMA Junkie. 2014-08-24. Retrieved 2020-08-25.
- ^ "13 Fighters Released From The UFC". MyMMANews.com. 2015-09-02. Retrieved 2020-08-25.
- ^ "Chris Gutierrez Doesnt Take Things For Granted". ufc.com. April 29, 2020.
- ^ Anderson, Jay (2020-07-05). "UFC: Aaron Phillips Steps Up to Fight Jack Shore on Fight Island". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-08-25.
- ^ Bissell, Tim (2020-07-05). "UFC re-signs Aaron Phillips for COVID-19 hit Fight Island card". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved 2020-08-25.
- ^ Nolan King and Simon Head (2020-07-04). "Aaron Phillips set for UFC return, faces Jack Shore on 'Fight Island'". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2020-07-05.
- ^ Evanoff, Josh (2020-07-15). "UFC Fight Island 1 Results: Jack Shore Submits Aaron Phillips". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-08-25.
- ^ "Adrian Yanez vs. Aaron Phillips Added To UFC Fight Night: Hall vs. Silva". fightful.com. August 19, 2020.
- ^ David Tees (2020-10-19). "Report: Aaron Phillips injured, off UFC Vegas 12". fightful.com. Retrieved 2020-10-19.
- ^ DNA, MMA (2021-04-16). "Cameron Else en Aaron Phillips gaan op zoek naar eerste UFC overwinning op 17 juli". MMA DNA. Retrieved 2021-04-17.
- ^ Farah Hannoun (2021-07-15). "With Cameron Else out, Aaron Phillips targeted to meet Trevin Jones at UFC on ESPN 27". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2021-07-15.
- ^ "With opponents out, Trevin Jones and Ronnie Lawrence meet at UFC on ESPN 28". MMA Junkie. 2021-07-18. Retrieved 2021-07-19.
- ^ DNA, MMA (2021-08-24). "Aaron Phillips treft Kris Moutinho op 23 oktober". MMA DNA. Retrieved 2021-08-25.
- ^ DNA, MMA (2021-09-18). "Jonathan Martinez vervangt Kris Moutinho tegen Aaron Phillips tijdens UFC evenement op 23 oktober". MMA DNA. Retrieved 2021-09-18.
- ^ Martin, Damon (2021-10-15). "Aaron Phillips out of UFC Vegas 41 due to illness, Jonathan Martinez awaits word on a replacement". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2021-10-16.
- ^ ATSteveDuncan (2023-01-25). "El peruano Gaston Bolaños debutará en el octágono en la cartelera de UFC Fight Night del 15 de abril". MMA.uno, #1 En noticias de Artes Marciales Mixtas (MMA) en Español. (in Spanish). Retrieved 2023-01-25.
- ^ Bitter, Shawn (2023-04-15). "UFC Kansas City: Gaston Bolanos Victorious in Debut Against Aaron Phillips". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-04-17.
- ^ "8 more UFC fighters removed, just days after recent roster purge". Bloody Elbow. 2023-06-09. Retrieved 2023-06-10.