Walt Harris (fighter)

Walt Harris
Born Walter Harris
(1983-06-10) June 10, 1983
Birmingham, Alabama, United States
Other names The Big Ticket
Nationality American
Height 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight 250 lb (110 kg; 18 st)
Division Heavyweight
Reach 82 in (208 cm)[1]
Fighting out of Coconut Creek, Florida, United States
Team American Top Team
Years active 2011–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total 13
Wins 8
By knockout 8
Losses 5
By knockout 2
By decision 3
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
External image
Walt Harris

Walt Harris (born June 10, 1986) is an American mixed martial artist, who currently competes in the Heavyweight of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. A professional since 2011, Harris has also formerly competed for Titan FC.

Background

Before entering mixed martial arts in 2010, Harris was a college basketball player at Jacksonville State University.[2] Harris would play one season, and also received tryouts from the NBA, but he chose to put his basketball career on hold and started training to be a mixed martial artist shortly after. Harris earned his associate degree in Physical Education from Jacksonville State and Pikeville College.

Mixed martial arts career

Harris made his professional mixed martial arts debut on March 15, 2011, when he faced Justin Thornton at HEF: Hess Extreme Fighting. He won via first round TKO, just sixteen seconds into the first round.[3] Following this, Harris compiled a record of 6–1, with wins over Tony Melton and UFC veteran Anthony Hamilton, before signing with UFC in the fall of 2013.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

On September 19, 2013, it was announced that Harris had signed with the UFC, and he faced fellow newcomer Jared Rosholt at The Ultimate Fighter 18 Finale on November 30, 2013.[4] Despite dropping Rosholt in the first round, Rosholt rallied back and Harris lost the fight via unanimous decision.[5]

In his second fight with the promotion, Harris faced Nikita Krylov at UFC on Fox 10 on January 25, 2014.[6] Though he was the considerable favorite coming into the bout, Harris was staggered by a head kick from Krylov, and after follow-up strikes on the ground from Krylov, he lost the bout via TKO, just 25 seconds into the first round.[7] After dropping to 0–2 in the UFC, Harris was subsequently released from the promotion.[8]

Titan Fighting Championship

Following his UFC release, Harris signed with Florida based promotion Titan FC. He faced D.J. Linderman at Titan FC 28 on May 16, 2014.[9] He won the fight via first round knockout.[10] He was expected to face Dave Herman at Titan FC 30 on September 26, 2014,[11] however, Harris pulled out of the bout due to a back injury and the fight was postponed.[12]

The bout with Herman was rescheduled and was expected to take place on December 19, 2014, however, Harris resigned with the UFC, and he was replaced by Jon Madsen.[13]

Return to UFC

After Daniel Omielańczuk was forced to pull out of his bout with Soa Palelei due to a thumb injury, Harris resigned with UFC and faced Palelei at UFC Fight Night 55 on November 7, 2014.[14] He lost the fight via second round TKO.[15]

Harris faced promotional newcomer Cody East on April 23, 2016 at UFC 197.[16] He won the fight via TKO in the first round.[17]

Harris next faced Shamil Abdurakhimov on October 1, 2016 at UFC Fight Night 96.[18] He lost the fight via split decision.[19]

Personal life

Harris worked as a furniture mover and also worked for UPS prior to becoming an MMA fighter.[20]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts record

Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 8–5 Shamil Abdurakhimov Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Lineker vs. Dodson October 1, 2016 3 5:00 Portland, Oregon, United States
Win 8–4 Cody East TKO (punches) UFC 197 April 23, 2016 1 4:18 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 7–4 Soa Palelei TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Rockhold vs. Bisping November 7, 2014 2 4:49 Sydney, Australia
Win 7–3 D.J. Linderman KO (punches) Titan FC 28 May 16, 2014 1 4:12 Newkirk, Oklahoma, United States
Loss 6–3 Nikita Krylov TKO (head kick and punches) UFC on Fox: Henderson vs. Thomson January 25, 2014 1 0:25 Chicago, Illinois, United States
Loss 6–2 Jared Rosholt Decision (unanimous) The Ultimate Fighter: Team Rousey vs. Team Tate Finale November 30, 2013 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 6–1 Tony Melton TKO (punches) Strike Hard Productions 24 June 15, 2013 1 2:00 Birmingham, Alabama, United States
Win 5–1 Josh Robertson TKO (punches) Strike Hard Productions 20 December 8, 2012 1 1:06 Birmingham, Alabama, United States
Win 4–1 Anthony Hamilton KO (punches) Superior Cage Combat 4: Grove vs. Silva February 16, 2012 1 1:15 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 3–1 Cedric James KO (punches) Fight Time 7: The Return October 7, 2011 1 0:22 Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States
Win 2–1 Wes Little KO (punch) Fight Force International: Blood & Sand 9 May 7, 2011 1 1:54 Biloxi, Mississippi, United States
Loss 1–1 Chris Barnett Decision (unanimous) World Extreme Fighting 46 April 22, 2011 3 5:00 Orlando, Florida, United States
Win 1–0 Justin Thornton TKO (punches) Hess Extreme Fighting March 15, 2011 1 0:16 Panama City Beach, Florida, United States

See also

References

  1. ↑ "UFC Fight Night Sydney: Print Card". UFC.com. Retrieved November 20, 2014.
  2. ↑ "Ex-Division I college basketball player Walter Harris' potential has coach Charles McCarthy fired up". sports.yahoo.com. October 1, 2013.
  3. ↑ "Hess Extreme Fighting Results". Sherdog.com. March 15, 2011.
  4. ↑ "The UFC adds two new heavyweights to it's [sic] roster with Jared Rosholt and Walter Harris - Bloody Elbow". BloodyElbow.com. September 19, 2013. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
  5. ↑ "TUF 18 Finale: Jared Rosholt vs. Walt Harris". Tapology.com. November 30, 2013.
  6. ↑ "Nikita Krylov vs. Walt Harris added to UFC on Fox 10". BloodyElbow.com. December 6, 2013.
  7. ↑ "UFC on FOX 10 results, photos: Nikita Krylov stuns Walt Harris in 25-second beatdown". MMAJunkie.com. January 25, 2014.
  8. ↑ "Heavyweight Walt Harris latest fighter to receive UFC release". FoxSports.com. March 28, 2014.
  9. ↑ "D.J. Linderman Goes Back to Roots to Bring Pain in His Titan Fighting Debut". TitanFighting.com. May 5, 2014.
  10. ↑ "Titan FC 28: Walt Harris vs. DJ Linderman". Tapology.com. May 16, 2014.
  11. ↑ "Resurgent UFC Veterans Dave Herman and Walt Harris Square Off at Titan FC 30". MMAWeekly.com. June 25, 2014.
  12. ↑ "Back injury to Walt Harris delays fight against Dave Herman to November in Titan FC". themmareport.com. September 17, 2014.
  13. ↑ "Dave Herman vs. Jon Madsen set for inaugural heavyweight title at Titan FC 32". themmareport.com. October 21, 2014.
  14. ↑ "Walt Harris returns to UFC, meets Soa Palelei at UFC Fight Night 55". MMAJunkie.com. October 21, 2014.
  15. ↑ "UFC Fight Night 55 results: Soa Palelei pounds out Walt Harris, then sings". MMAJunkie.com. November 7, 2014.
  16. ↑ Staff (2016-04-04). "After Legacy 51 win, Cody East signs with UFC, faces Walt Harris at UFC 197". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-04-04.
  17. ↑ Brent Brookhouse (2016-04-23). "UFC 197 results: Walt Harris' heavy hands lead to first-round TKO of Cody East". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-04-23.
  18. ↑ Staff (2016-08-01). "3 more added to UFC Fight Night 96". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-08-01.
  19. ↑ Matt Erickson (2016-10-01). "UFC Fight Night 96 results: Shamil Abdurakhimov takes split from Walt Harris in heavyweight ho-hummer". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-10-01.
  20. ↑ Walt Harris UFC Profile. UFC.com. Retrieved on November 20, 2014

External links

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