Brian Kelleher
American mixed martial arts fighter
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Brian Matthew Kelleher[3] (born August 19, 1986) is an American former professional mixed martial artist. Kelleher competed in the Bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A professional competitor from 2011 to 2025, Kelleher has also competed for Bellator and CES MMA.
August 19, 1986
Selden, New York, U.S.
| Brian Kelleher | |
|---|---|
| Born | Brian Matthew Kelleher August 19, 1986 Selden, New York, U.S. |
| Nickname | Boom |
| Height | 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) |
| Weight | 135 lb (61 kg; 9.6 st) |
| Division | Bantamweight Featherweight |
| Reach | 66 in (168 cm)[1] |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Fighting out of | Selden, New York, U.S. |
| Team | Long Island MMA 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu Long Island |
| Rank | Brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Steve Kasten[2] |
| Years active | 2011–2025 |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 40 |
| Wins | 24 |
| By knockout | 8 |
| By submission | 10 |
| By decision | 6 |
| Losses | 16 |
| By knockout | 2 |
| By submission | 9 |
| By decision | 5 |
| Other information | |
| Website | briankelleher |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
Background
Kelleher was born on August 19, 1986, in Selden, New York, the son of Matt and Jen Kelleher.[4] Kelleher has an older brother Keith and a younger brother Mak who is also a professional mixed martial artist.[5][4] Kelleher competed in a variety of sports from a young age including ice hockey, soccer and bowling. He later began combat sport training in 2007.[6]
Mixed martial arts career
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Kelleher made his promotional debut against Iuri Alcântara on short notice at UFC 212 on June 3, 2017.[7] He won the fight via submission due to a guillotine choke in the first round and was awarded a Performance of the Night bonus.[8]
Kelleher next faced Marlon Vera on July 22, 2017, at UFC on Fox 25. He lost the fight via armbar submission in the first round.[9][10]
Kelleher faced Damian Stasiak on October 21, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 118.[11] He won the fight via technical knockout in the third round.[12] This win earned him the Fight of the Night award.[13]
Kelleher faced Renan Barão on February 24, 2018, at UFC on Fox 28.[14] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[15]
Kelleher faced John Lineker on May 12, 2018, at UFC 224.[16] He lost the fight via knockout in the third round.[17]
Kelleher was originally scheduled to face Domingo Pilarte on November 3, 2018, at UFC 230.[18] Pilarte was forced to withdraw from the bout, citing an injury, and Kelleher is now slated to face Montel Jackson.[19] At the weigh-ins, Kelleher weight at 137 pounds, 1 pound over the bantamweight non-title fight limit of 136. He was fined 20 percent of his purse, which went to his opponent Jackson.[20] On November 3, it was reported that Kelleher withdrew from the bout due to illness and thus the fight was cancelled.[21] The pairing was left intact and rescheduled for December 29, 2018, at UFC 232.[22] At the weigh-ins, Jackson weighed in at 137 lbs, 1 pound over the non-title fight bantamweight limit of 136 lbs. Jackson was fined 20 percent of his purse to Kelleher and the fight proceeded at catchweight.[23] Kelleher lost the fight via submission in the first round.[24]
Kelleher was scheduled to face Mitch Gagnon on May 4, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 150.[25] However, Kelleher pulled out of the fight on April 10, citing an injury, and he was replaced by promotional newcomer Cole Smith.[26]
As the last fight of his prevailing contract, Kelleher faced Ode' Osbourne at UFC 246 on January 18, 2020.[27][28] He won the fight via a submission in the first round.[29] This win earned him a Performance of the Night award.[30]
After negotiating a new contract, Kelleher faced Hunter Azure in a featherweight contest on May 13, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Smith vs. Teixeira.[31] He won the fight via knockout in round two.[32] This fight earned him another Fight of the Night award.[33]
Kelleher faced Cody Stamann on June 6, 2020, at UFC 250.[34] He lost the bout via unanimous decision.[35]
Kelleher was scheduled to face Ricky Simón on September 5, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 176.[36] However, Simón's cornerman tested positive for COVID-19 and he was forced to withdraw from the event,[37] and he was replaced by promotional newcomer Kevin Natividad.[38] In turn, Natividad was pulled from the matchup on the day of the event due to undisclosed reasons, and he was replaced by fellow newcomer Ray Rodriguez, who weighed in as a backup.[39] Kelleher won the fight via a guillotine choke in round one.[40] This win earned him a Performance of the Night award.[41]
The bout against Simón was rescheduled on January 16, 2021, at UFC on ABC 1.[42] However, Kelleher also tested positive on January 1 and was pulled from the bout.[43] He was replaced by newcomer Gaetano Pirello and the bout will take place four days later at UFC on ESPN: Chiesa vs. Magny.[44]
The bout between Kelleher and Ricky Simón was rebooked for the third time and took place at UFC 258 on February 13, 2021.[45] Kelleher lost the fight via unanimous decision.[46]
Kelleher faced Domingo Pilarte on August 21, 2021, at UFC on ESPN: Cannonier vs. Gastelum.[47] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[48]
Kelleher was scheduled to face Saidyokub Kakhramonov on January 15, 2022, at UFC on ESPN 32.[49] However, Kakhramonov withdrew from the bout for undisclosed reason and he was replaced by Kevin Croom.[50] He won the fight via unanimous decision after knocking Croom down once in the first round.[51]
As the first bout of his new four-fight contract, Kelleher faced Umar Nurmagomedov on March 5, 2022, at UFC 272.[52] He lost the fight via a rear naked choke in round one.[53]
Kelleher faced Mario Bautista on June 25, 2022, at UFC on ESPN 38.[54] He lost the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in the first round.[55]
Kelleher was scheduled to face Journey Newson on April 29, 2023, at UFC on ESPN: Song vs. Simón.[56] However, Kelleher pulled out of his bantamweight bout against Journey Newson. He was replaced by Marcus McGhee.[57]
Kelleher faced former UFC Bantamweight Champion Cody Garbrandt on December 16, 2023 at UFC 296.[58] He lost the fight via knockout in the first round.[59]
Kelleher faced Cody Gibson on July 20, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 60.[60] He lost the fight by an arm-triangle choke submission in the first round.[61]
On October 9, 2024, it was reported that Kelleher was removed from the UFC roster.[62]
On February 26, 2025, it was announced that Kelleher had retired from MMA competition.[63]
Championships and accomplishments
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- Performance of the Night (Three times) vs. Iuri Alcântara, Ode' Osbourne, and Ray Rodriguez[8][30][41]
- Fight of the Night (Two times) vs. Damian Stasiak and Hunter Azure[13][33]
- UFC.com Awards
- 2017: Ranked #7 Upset of the Year vs. Iuri Alcantara[64]
- 2018: Ranked #8 Upset of the Year vs. Renan Barão[65]
- Ring of Combat
- Bantamweight Championship (One time; former)
- One successful title defense
- Bantamweight Championship (One time; former)
Mixed martial arts record
| 40 matches | 24 wins | 16 losses |
| By knockout | 8 | 2 |
| By submission | 10 | 9 |
| By decision | 6 | 5 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 24–16 | Cody Gibson | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | UFC on ESPN: Lemos vs. Jandiroba | July 20, 2024 | 1 | 3:58 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 24–15 | Cody Garbrandt | KO (punch) | UFC 296 | December 16, 2023 | 1 | 3:42 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 24–14 | Mario Bautista | Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFC on ESPN: Tsarukyan vs. Gamrot | June 25, 2022 | 1 | 2:27 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Return to Bantamweight. |
| Loss | 24–13 | Umar Nurmagomedov | Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFC 272 | March 5, 2022 | 1 | 3:15 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 24–12 | Kevin Croom | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on ESPN: Kattar vs. Chikadze | January 15, 2022 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 23–12 | Domingo Pilarte | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on ESPN: Cannonier vs. Gastelum | August 21, 2021 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Bantamweight bout. |
| Loss | 22–12 | Ricky Simón | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 258 | February 13, 2021 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 22–11 | Ray Rodriguez | Submission (guillotine choke) | UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Sakai | September 5, 2020 | 1 | 0:39 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Performance of the Night. |
| Loss | 21–11 | Cody Stamann | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 250 | June 6, 2020 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 21–10 | Hunter Azure | KO (punches) | UFC Fight Night: Smith vs. Teixeira | May 13, 2020 | 2 | 3:40 | Jacksonville, Florida, United States | Return to Featherweight. Fight of the Night. |
| Win | 20–10 | Ode' Osbourne | Submission (guillotine choke) | UFC 246 | January 18, 2020 | 1 | 2:49 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Performance of the Night. |
| Loss | 19–10 | Montel Jackson | Submission (D'Arce choke) | UFC 232 | December 29, 2018 | 1 | 1:40 | Inglewood, California, United States | Catchweight (137 lb) bout; Jackson missed weight. |
| Loss | 19–9 | John Lineker | KO (punch) | UFC 224 | May 12, 2018 | 3 | 3:43 | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | |
| Win | 19–8 | Renan Barão | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on Fox: Emmett vs. Stephens | February 24, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Orlando, Florida, United States | |
| Win | 18–8 | Damian Stasiak | TKO (punches) | UFC Fight Night: Cerrone vs. Till | October 21, 2017 | 3 | 3:39 | Gdańsk, Poland | Fight of the Night. |
| Loss | 17–8 | Marlon Vera | Submission (armbar) | UFC on Fox: Weidman vs. Gastelum | July 22, 2017 | 1 | 2:18 | Uniondale, New York, United States | |
| Win | 17–7 | Iuri Alcântara | Submission (guillotine choke) | UFC 212 | June 3, 2017 | 1 | 1:48 | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | Performance of the Night. |
| Win | 16–7 | Julio Arce | Submission (guillotine choke) | Ring of Combat 54 | March 4, 2016 | 3 | 0:18 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | Defended the Ring of Combat Bantamweight Championship. |
| Win | 15–7 | Josh Robinson | KO (spinning back fist) | Ring of Combat 53 | November 20, 2015 | 3 | 0:24 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
| Win | 14–7 | Julio Arce | Decision (majority) | Ring of Combat 52 | September 25, 2015 | 3 | 5:00 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | Won the Ring of Combat Bantamweight Championship. |
| Win | 13–7 | Jay Haas | Submission (guillotine choke) | CCFC 49 | June 6, 2015 | 1 | 4:49 | Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, United States | Catchweight (140 lb) bout. |
| Win | 12–7 | Andre Soukhamthath | Decision (unanimous) | CES MMA 28 | March 13, 2015 | 3 | 5:00 | Lincoln, Rhode Island, United States | Return to Bantamweight. |
| Win | 11–7 | Mark Cherico | Submission (guillotine choke) | Pinnacle FC 9 | November 26, 2014 | 1 | 0:37 | Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, United States | Catchweight (138 lb) bout. |
| Loss | 10–7 | Andy Main | Submission (triangle choke) | CCFC 34 | April 19, 2014 | 1 | 1:26 | Morristown, New Jersey, United States | |
| Win | 10–6 | Lester Caslow | Submission (rear-naked choke) | CCFC 31 | February 8, 2014 | 2 | 1:34 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
| Loss | 9–6 | Jeff Smith | Submission (armbar) | CCFC 29 | November 1, 2013 | 2 | 4:39 | King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, United States | Catchweight (155 lb) bout. |
| Loss | 9–5 | Scott Heckman | Decision (unanimous) | CCFC 27 | September 21, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, United States | |
| Loss | 9–4 | Jimmie Rivera | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 95 | April 4, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | Catchweight (140 lb) bout. |
| Win | 9–3 | Tyler Kahihikolo | Decision (unanimous) | Coalition of Combat | December 1, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | |
| Win | 8–3 | Bill Jones | KO (punch) | WCMMA 1: Portugal vs. USA | September 15, 2012 | 1 | 0:10 | Ledyard, Connecticut, United States | Won the vacant WCMMA Featherweight Championship. |
| Win | 7–3 | Ryan Vaccaro | TKO (flying knee) | Rock Out Knock Out | June 2, 2012 | 2 | 0:56 | Asbury Park, New Jersey, United States | |
| Win | 6–3 | Raphael Chavez | TKO (punches) | CCFC 14 | April 14, 2012 | 2 | 3:41 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
| Win | 5–3 | Josh Parker | Submission (rear-naked choke) | NEF: Fight Night 1 | February 11, 2012 | 1 | 4:31 | Lewiston, Maine, United States | |
| Loss | 4–3 | Artur Rofi | Submission (armbar) | CCFC 12 | December 10, 2011 | 1 | 4:57 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | Return to Featherweight. |
| Loss | 4–2 | Claudio Ledesma | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 54 | October 15, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | Catchweight (140 lb) bout. |
| Win | 4–1 | Michael LaDuke | TKO (doctor stoppage) | Ring of Combat 37 | September 9, 2011 | 3 | 3:14 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
| Win | 3–1 | Manny Millan | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Xtreme Fight Events: Cage Wars 9 | July 29, 2011 | 1 | 3:34 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
| Win | 2–1 | Siyam Yousefi | Submission (guillotine choke) | CCFC 8 | May 20, 2011 | 1 | 2:41 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | Bantamweight debut. |
| Win | 1–1 | Nate Ainsworth | KO (punch) | CZ 37 | April 29, 2011 | 1 | 0:23 | Salem, New Hampshire, United States | Featherweight bout. |
| Loss | 0–1 | Dan Cion | Submission (guillotine choke) | Xtreme Fight Events: Cage Wars 5 | March 11, 2011 | 1 | 4:42 | Chester, Pennsylvania, United States |