American mixed martial arts fighter
Robert "Bubba" McDaniel (born May 3, 1983) is an American mixed martial artist who formerly fought as a Middleweight for the Ultimate Fighting Championship where he went (1–2). He was a member of FX's The Ultimate Fighter: Team Jones vs. Team Sonnen .
Mixed martial arts career
The Ultimate Fighter In January 2013, it was announced that McDaniel was selected for The Ultimate Fighter: Team Jones vs. Team Sonnen .[ 1] Jon Jones for Team Jones and sixth overall.
McDaniel faced eventual winner Kelvin Gastelum in the preliminary round. Despite being favored to win, McDaniel was submitted in the second round via rear-naked choke.
McDaniel was chosen by coach Jones for the wildcard spot and faced Kevin Casey . Bubba won via corner stoppage after Casey didn't answer the bell for the third round.
McDaniel lost via early KO to Uriah Hall in the quarterfinals.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
McDaniel made his UFC debut against castmate Gilbert Smith on April 13, 2013 at The Ultimate Fighter 17 Finale .[ 2]
McDaniel faced Brad Tavares on August 28, 2013 at UFC Fight Night 27 .[ 3]
McDaniel was expected to face TUF 17 castmate Tor Troéng on March 15, 2014 at UFC 171 .[ 4] [ 5] [ 6]
Bellator MMA
Previous to fighting in the UFC, McDaniel appeared on an early Bellator MMA fight card in 2009. He faced William Chris Spicer at Bellator 6 and won the fight via rear-naked choke submission in the first round.
In May 2014, McDaniel signed with Bellator MMA . He made his return on June 6, 2014, facing Matt Jones at Bellator 121 .[ 7]
McDaniel faced Emiliano Sordi on October 10, 2014 at Bellator 128 .[ 8]
In his second fight for the promotion, McDaniel faced Kenyon Jackson at Bellator 146 on November 20, 2015. He won the fight via TKO in the second round.
After nearly two years away from Bellator, McDaniel was set to compete at Light Heavyweight when he replaced Muhammed Lawal against Liam McGeary at Bellator 185 on October 20, 2017.[ 9]
Personal life
McDaniel's two year old son, Wilder, was murdered by James Staley on October 11, 2018.[ 10] [ 11]
In July 2021, Bubba's wife was arrested and charged with tampering or fabricating physical evidence and abandoning or endangering a child in relation to the death of Wilder.
Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown
41 matches
31 wins
10 losses
By knockout
10
3
By submission
19
6
By decision
2
1
Res.
Record
Opponent
Method
Event
Date
Round
Time
Location
Notes
Win
31–10
Brian Houston
TKO (punches)
ECF 1
June 24, 2023
1
2:24
Wichita Falls, Texas , United States
Return to Light Heavyweight.
Win
30–10
Leonardo Pecanha
TKO (punches)
Zak Cummings Promotions - Stronger Men's Conference 2018
April 13, 2018
1
2:45
Springfield, Missouri , United States
Win
29–10
Juan Torres
TKO (punches)
Strike League 1: Fight Your Fight
April 8, 2017
2
4:16
Cedar Park, Texas , United States
Heavyweight debut.
Win
28–10
Andre Kavanaugh
TKO (punches)
Horsepower Promotions - Fists of Fury 13
February 25, 2017
1
2:21
Lawton, Oklahoma , United States
Win
27–10
Kenyon Jackson
TKO (punches)
Bellator 146
November 20, 2015
2
4:14
Thackerville, Oklahoma , United States
Catchweight (195 lbs) bout
Loss
26–10
Hayward Charles
Submission (anaconda choke)
HERO FC: Best of the Best VI
September 26, 2015
2
3:27
El Paso, Texas , United States
For Hero FC Middleweight Championship [ 12]
Win
26–9
Kenyon Jackson
Submission (choke)
Legend Fights: Lopez vs. Alexander
July 24, 2015
1
4:06
Shawnee, Oklahoma , United States
[ 13]
Win
25–9
Edgar Verdin
Submission (rear-naked choke)
Fury Fighting 7: McDaniel vs. Verdin
July 11, 2015
2
1:27
Humble, Texas , United States
Light Heavyweight bout
Win
24–9
Marvin Babe
TKO (punches)
Horsepower Promotions: Fists of Fury 8
March 7, 2015
1
3:45
Woodward, Oklahoma , United States
Light Heavyweight bout
Loss
23–9
Emiliano Sordi
Submission (guillotine choke)
Bellator 128
October 10, 2014
1
0:58
Thackerville, Oklahoma , United States
Win
23–8
Ron Fields
Submission (rear-naked choke)
Extreme Combat Challenge: Fireworks
July 26, 2014
2
1:55
Indianapolis, Indiana , United States
Win
22–8
Matt Jones
Decision (unanimous)
Bellator 121
June 6, 2014
3
5:00
Thackerville, Oklahoma , United States
Catchweight (190 lbs) bout
Loss
21–8
Sean Strickland
Submission (rear-naked choke)
UFC 171
March 15, 2014
1
4:33
Dallas, Texas , United States
Loss
21–7
Brad Tavares
Decision (unanimous)
UFC Fight Night: Condit vs. Kampmann 2
August 28, 2013
3
5:00
Indianapolis, Indiana , United States
Win
21–6
Gilbert Smith
Submission (triangle armbar)
The Ultimate Fighter 17 Finale
April 13, 2013
3
2:49
Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
Win
20–6
Keith Cunagin
Submission (guillotine choke)
Legends of Fighting 53: Memorium
June 16, 2012
1
2:32
Indianapolis, Indiana , United States
Catchweight (195 lbs) bout
Win
19–6
Eric Schambari
Decision (unanimous)
Fight Game: Premier Event
December 2, 2011
3
5:00
Frisco, Texas , United States
Win
18–6
Johnny Rees
Submission (rear-naked choke)
Legends of Fighting 45: Line of Fire
March 11, 2011
1
0:47
Indianapolis, Indiana , United States
Win
17–6
Kyacey Uscola
TKO (punches)
Pure Fighting Championships 6
December 10, 2010
2
3:28
Red Deer, Alberta , Canada
Win
16–6
Rob Wince
Submission (triangle choke)
Ohio Fight Conference: Round 5
July 17, 2010
2
2:08
Columbus, Ohio , United States
Win
15–6
Nikolaos Rueve Boscarino
Submission (americana)
CNG Promotions: Queen City Meltdown
June 26, 2010
2
2:35
Cincinnati, Ohio , United States
Loss
14–6
Lucas Lopes
KO (punches)
MMA Big Show: A Prodigy Returns
April 17, 2010
1
2:13
Florence, Indiana , United States
Win
14–5
Billy Horne
TKO (punches)
MMA Big Show: Mayhem
September 17, 2009
1
0:43
Florence, Indiana , United States
Win
13–5
William Chris Spicer
Submission (rear-naked-choke)
Bellator 6
May 8, 2009
1
2:53
Robstown, Texas , United States
Loss
12–5
Alexander Shlemenko
TKO (flying knee to the body)
ShoXC: Elite Challenger Series
October 10, 2008
1
5:00
Hammond, Indiana , United States
Win
12–4
Kala Hose
Submission (rear-naked-choke)
EliteXC: Return of the King
June 14, 2008
1
0:41
Honolulu, Hawaii , United States
Win
11–4
Alex Cisne
TKO
KOTC: Rising Stars
May 24, 2008
2
2:37
Devol, Oklahoma , United States
Loss
10–4
Tom Jones
Submission (north-south choke)
Freestyle Cage Fighting 17
Mar 15, 2008
1
1:04
Shawnee, Oklahoma , United States
Loss
10–3
Dan Molina
Submission (heel hook)
KOTC: Arch Rivals
October 27, 2007
1
2:05
Reno, Nevada , United States
Win
10–2
Blake Norsworthy
TKO
KOTC: Jawbreaker
September 29, 2007
1
2:43
Devol, Oklahoma , United States
Win
9–2
Mike Queen
Submission (rear-naked-choke)
Freestyle Cage Fighting 12
August 18, 2007
3
1:03
Shawnee, Oklahoma , United States
Win
8–2
Cody Malicott
Submission
Big Chief Promotions
June 9, 2007
1
0:45
Tulsa, Oklahoma , United States
Win
7–2
Craig Cobb
Submission (triangle choke)
Freestyle Cage Fighting 10
April 7, 2007
1
1:42
Stillwater, Oklahoma , United States
Loss
6–2
Gerald Harris
TKO (slam)
Freestyle Cage Fighting 6
November 10, 2006
2
4:55
Tulsa, Oklahoma , United States
Win
6–1
Nick Budig
Submission (rear-naked choke)
Freestyle Cage Fighting: Brawl For It All 2
October 7, 2006
2
2:18
Tulsa, Oklahoma , United States
Win
5–1
Jeff McConnell
Submission (rear-naked choke)
Freestyle Cage Fighting: Brawl For It All
August 19, 2006
1
1:26
Tulsa, Oklahoma , United States
Win
4–1
Brandon McDowell
Submission
Ultimate Texas Showdown 5
April 29, 2006
1
0:56
Frisco, Texas , United States
Win
3–1
Allan McGuire
Submission (armbar)
American Cage Fighting: Showdown at Sundown
Mar 10, 2006
1
0:27
Stillwater, Oklahoma , United States
Win
2–1
Roger Kimes
Submission (armbar)
Xtreme Fighting League - EK 19: Battle at the Brady 3
February 18, 2006
1
1:27
Tulsa, Oklahoma , United States
Loss
1–1
Horace Spencer
Submission (choke)
Xtreme Fighting League
December 30, 2005
1
N/A
Oklahoma , United States
Win
1–0
York Ash
Submission (armbar)
World Fighting Organization
December 2, 2005
1
N/A
Oklahoma , United States
Kickboxing record
Kickboxing record
0 Win , 1 Losses (1 KO)
Date
Result
Opponent
Event
Location
Method
Round
Time
Record
2017-10-21
Loss
Kevin Holland XKO 38
Dallas , United States KO (Spinning Back Elbow)
1
1:29
0–1
Legend Win Loss Draw/No contest Notes
Bare knuckle boxing record
Professional record breakdown
1 match
0 wins
1 loss
By knockout
0
1
See also
References
^ "The Ultimate Fighter 17 cast revealed" . mmafighting.com. 2013-01-09.^ "TUF 17 Finale fight card" . mmafighting.com . April 9, 2013. Retrieved April 9, 2013 .^ Staff (2013-06-04). "McDaniel vs. Tavares added to UFC on FOX Sports 1 2 in Indy" . mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2013-06-04 . ^ "Silva-St Preux, McDaniel-Troeng booked for UFC 171 in Dallas" . mmajunkie.com. 2013-12-07.^ Staff (2014-03-03). "Sean Strickland replaces Tor Troeng, faces Robert McDaniel at UFC 171" . mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-03-03 . ^ Staff (2014-04-21). "Report: UFC releases Bubba McDaniel and Renee Forte" . bloodyelbow.com. Retrieved 2014-04-24 . ^ Josh Sanchez (2014-05-23). "Bellator 121 fight card announced with James Thompson, Sokoudjou and more" . fansided.com. Retrieved 2014-05-27 . ^ "Sarnavskiy vs. Gunderson, McDaniel vs. Sordi added to Bellator 128" . fansided.com. 2014-09-09.^ "Bubba McDaniel Replaces 'King Mo,' Meets Liam McGeary at Bellator 185 on Oct. 20" .^ McDaniel, Bubba [@BubbaTheMenace] (October 12, 2018). "I'm not owed anything but my son was the most beautiful thing in the world. I am crushed and will never be the same https://t.co/2v1KWDqefN" (Tweet ). Retrieved May 9, 2021 – via Twitter .^ Tristen Critchfield (October 31, 2018). "UFC Vet Bubba McDaniel Allegedly Made 'Terroristic Threats' to Man He Believes Killed Son" . sherdog.com. ^ "HERO FC - Photos from HERO FC's post - Facebook" . Facebook ^ "Bubba McDaniel vs. Ken Jackson" . Tapology .
External links
