Porter played baseball, lacrosse and football in his youth, the last from third grade until his graduation from Southington High School.[5][6] Although he aspired to continue playing football, his poor grades prevented him from playing at the collegiate level.[6] After high school Porter begun working out to lose weight, eventually dabbling in mixed martial arts at the age of 21.[7]
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Porter made his professional MMA debut on October 13, 2007 at a Revere, Massachusetts night club, where he won the fight by KO in the third round. He was paid $300 for the bout and fought in front of an audience of 30 people.[8]
After his debut, he went on to compile a 5–2 record in various regional organizations, with one of his losses coming from future UFC Light Heavyweight and Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones. This fight was Porter's only Light Heavyweight bout, and he was knocked out in the first minute after a botched weightcut. During this period, he also captured the Reality Fighting Heavyweight Championship by knocking out Mike Dexter.[9]
Porter would defend the Reality Fighting Heavyweight Championship against Gabriel Gonzaga, who was returning after a layoff and in between UFC stints.[10][11] Porter would lose the bout after he was submitted with an arm-triangle choke in the third round, losing the Reality Fighting Heavyweight Championship.[12][13]
Bellator
Porter would sign with Bellator MMA and was scheduled to face Randy Smith at Bellator 63 on March 30, 2012.[14] However, Smith withdrew due to illness and the bout was scrapped.
Porter eventually made his Bellator debut against Josh Diekmann on September 7, 2013, at Bellator 98, losing via TKO in the first round.[15]
After a layoff of almost a year and half, he made his sophomore bout for Bellator on July 17, 2015, at Bellator 140 against Eric Bedard. He won the bout via second-round keylock submission.[16]
Return to regional circuit
He had a layoff off almost 3 years due to personal issues and having to secure his family financially, he returned January 6, 2018 at Reality Fighting where he won by 3rd-round TKO against J.A. Dudley.[9]
Porter made his CES MMA debut against Keith Bell on November 2, 2018, at CES MMA 53.[17] Parker Porter was seemingly on his way to a first-round victory via ground-and-pound blows. However, referee Kevin MacDonald warned him several times about punching to the back of the head and eventually called for time at the 2:30 mark of the first round. When Bell was deemed unfit to continue, he was awarded the win via disqualification.[18]
Porter was scheduled to face Rakim Cleveland at CES MMA 55 on March 29, 2019.[19] However, the bout was cancelled due to an unknown reason.
Porter faced Kevin Ray Sears on May 31, 2019, at CES MMA 56. In a dominant performance, Porter finished Sears via 2nd round kimura.[20]
Porter faced Dirlei Broenstrup on September 7, 2019, at CES MMA 58. He won via 3rd-round TKO.[21]
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Porter made his UFC debut on nine days' notice against Chris Daukaus on August 15, 2020, at UFC 252.[22] He lost the fight via TKO in round one.[23]
Porter was scheduled to face Hamdy Abdelwahab on October 22, 2022, at UFC 280.[34] However, Abdelwahab was removed from the event for unknown reasons and he was replaced by Slim Trabelsi.[35] In turn, the pairing was cancelled altogether as Trabelsi pulled out due to contractual issues with ARES FC and Porter opted to pursue a later fight, rather than a replacement barring unforeseen circumstances.[36]
Porter faced Justin Tafa on February 12, 2023, at UFC 284.[37] He lost the fight via knockout in the first round.[38]
As the last fight of his prevailing contract, Porter faced Braxton Smith on May 6, 2023, at UFC 288.[39][40] He won the fight by TKO in the first round.[41]
Porter faced Junior Tafa on August 26, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 225.[42] He lost the bout via knockout in the first round.[43]
On December 21, 2023, it was announced that Porter was no longer on the UFC roster.[44]
Bare-knuckle boxing
On January 2, 2025 after over a year-long hiatus, it was announced via social media that Porter would be making his bare-knuckle debut on February 1 against Chase Gormley at BKFC on DAZN: Mohegan Sun in his home state of Connecticut.[45]
Personal life
Porter has twin boys born in 2013 and a third son born in 2020.[9][46]
