Bubba Jenkins
American wrestler and mixed martial arts fighter (born 1988)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Bubba Jenkins (born February 5, 1988) is an American mixed martial artist and former amateur wrestler. He currently competes in the featherweight division. He has also notably competed for Bellator MMA, Absolute Championship Berkut, Professional Fighters League (PFL), and Brave Combat Federation, where he was a former champion.
Frankfurt, Germany
| Bubba Jenkins | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Jenkins in 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | February 5, 1988 Frankfurt, Germany | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other names | I'm A Bad Man | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nationality | American | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 145 lb (66 kg; 10.4 st) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Division | Featherweight Lightweight | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reach | 70 in (178 cm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Style | Wrestling | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fighting out of | Huntington Beach, California, U.S. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Team | Kings MMA Blackhouse MMA American Top Team (former) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wrestling | NCAA Division I Wrestling | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years active | 2011–present | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mixed martial arts record | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 30 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wins | 21 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| By knockout | 6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| By submission | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| By decision | 10 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Losses | 9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| By knockout | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| By submission | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| By decision | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| University | Pennsylvania State University Arizona State University | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Notable schools | Cox High School First Colonial High School | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Website | bubbabadmanjenkins.com | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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As an amateur wrestler, Jenkins was a freestyle junior world champion and an NCAA Division I champion. He has also competed for Real American Freestyle (RAF) and worked for the company as a sports commentator.
Wrestling
High school
Jenkins attended Cox High School in Virginia Beach, Virginia for three years before transferring to First Colonial High School, also in Virginia Beach, as a senior. His senior year he won a VHSL group AAA wrestling state championship and a NHSCA senior national championship.[1][2]
College
In 2006, Jenkins committed to the Penn State Nittany Lions.
2006-07
Freshman: Competing at 157 pounds, Jenkins went 23-12 during the regular season. He placed sixth at the Big Ten tournament with three victories and three defeats.[3]
2007-08
Sophomore: Before the season started, Jenkins won a gold medal at the Junior World Championships in freestyle at 66 kilograms.[4] Competing at 149 pounds, he downed the accomplished Jordan Burroughs in a close 3-2 match. He went 2–2 at the Big Tens, downing Lance Palmer twice and losing to Brent Metcalf and Josh Churella, placing fifth. At the NCAAs, he did exceptionally well, going 4-1 and becoming the runner-up.[5]
2008-09
Junior: He finished the regular season with a 22–0 record. He went 2-0 at the Big Ten tournament to reach the final, but suffered an injury and was forced to forfeit and earn runner-up honors. At the NCAAs, Jenkins was affected by the injury and finished 0–2 at the tournament.[6]
2009-10
Redshirt: Jenkins redshirted this season because of athletic and academic issues.[7]
2010-11
Senior: When Cael Sanderson arrived as the new head coach at PSU, Jenkins did not feel comfortable with Sanderson's teaching and Sanderson felt uncomfortable with Jenkins' style. This caused him to transfer to Arizona State University.[8] In his first and only year with the Sun Devils, Jenkins captured an NCAA title by pinning previously unbeaten Nittany Lion and future world champion and Olympic gold medalist David Taylor in the final. Jenkins graduated as an NCAA champion, two-time finalist, and two-time All-American.[9]
Appearances post-career
2013
Jenkins wrestled two-time NCAA champion (2011 and 2013) Jordan Oliver in a folkstyle match on November 1–3, at the 2013 Who's Number One dual meet. He lost the match by points (2-8).[10]
Jenkins was scheduled to wrestle against Kyle Dake in a freestyle match on December 1 at the 2013 Grapple at the Garden event. However, Dake pulled out due to an injury suffered while competing and was replaced by 2012 NCAA champion Frank Molinaro, in a folkstyle match instead.[11] Jenkins defeated his former teammate by points (4-2).[12]
2020
After 7 years of no competition, Jenkins faced highly competitive wrestler Jason Nolf in a freestyle match on October 20, as a headliner for the NLWC Event II.[13] He was defeated by technical fall in the first period.[14]
RAF
Jenkins was hired as a sports commentator for Real American Freestyle in 2025.[15] He later competed for the promotion, losing to David Carr at RAF 06 on February 28, 2026.[16]
Mixed martial arts career
Jenkins made his mixed martial arts debut in the Lightweight division on December 2, 2011 at Tachi Palace Fights 11: Redemption. Jenkins defeated Josh Williams by submission TKO in the first round. Jenkins returned for his second fight at Tachi Palace Fights 12: Second Coming on March 9, 2010 He defeated Chris Gomez via rear-naked choke in the first round.
Bubba Jenkins is managed by Daniel A. Martinez of Di-Cypher & Associates.[17]
Resurrection Fighting Alliance
One week before Bubba Jenkins defeated Chris Gomez at Tachi Palace Fights 12 - Second Coming, he signed an exclusive 6-fight deal with Resurrection Fighting Alliance (RFA).[18]
On June 30, 2012, Jenkins made his promotional debut for the RFA against highly decorated amateur boxer Jesus Adame at RFA 3 - Stevenson vs. Cochrane.[19] Jenkins quickly slammed Adame to the ground and submitted him via Rear Naked Choke at 1:08 of the first round.
The Ultimate Fighter 17: Coaching staff
On October 31, 2012, it was announced that Jenkins joined Jon Jones' coaching staff on the seventeenth season of the UFC produced reality television show The Ultimate Fighter. The first episode of The Ultimate Fighter: Team Jones vs. Team Sonnen premiered on Tuesday, January 22, 2013 at 8 ET/PT on FX Networks.[20]
Bellator MMA
On May 31, 2013, Bellator MMA announced they had signed Jenkins to a long term promotional agreement and he will make his debut in the summer.[21]
Jenkins took on Mike Barreras at Bellator 97. He won the fight via TKO in the second round.[22]
Jenkins returned to the Bellator cage at Bellator 100 against LaRue Burley on September 20, 2013. He suffered the first defeat of his professional MMA career as he was stopped by Burley via strikes in the third round.
The following November, Jenkins would defeat Ian Rammel due to strikes in the third round at Bellator 109.[23]
Jenkins then faced Sean Powers at Bellator 114 on March 28, 2014. Jenkins won via unanimous decision.[24]
On July 25, 2014, Jenkins faced Poppies Martinez at Bellator 122. Jenkins defeated Martinez via strikes at 4:10 in the first round.[25]
Jenkins faced Thiago Meller at Bellator 126 on September 26, 2014 in Phoenix, Arizona.[26] He won the fight via unanimous decision.
After moving from the Bellator Lightweight division to Featherweight, Jenkins faced former WSOF Featherweight Champion Georgi Karakhanyan on January 16, 2015 at Bellator 132.[27] He lost the fight via technical submission in the first round.
Jenkins faced Joe Wilk on June 26, 2015 at Bellator 139.[28] He won the fight via TKO in the second round.
Jenkins faced Jordan Parsons on November 20, 2015 at Bellator 146. He won the fight via split decision.
Jenkins then faced Georgi Karakhanyan a rematch at Bellator 160 on August 26, 2016 at a catchweight of 150lbs. because Karakhanyan failed to make weight. Jenkins made the weight. He was favored to win the rematch, but Karakhanyan won, this time at 150lbs., via knock out the first minute into the first round.
Absolute Championship Berkut
After signed a contract with the ACB Jenkins faced with Ali Bagov on 11 March 2017 at ACB 54.[29] He lost the fight by technical submission in the second round.
In the second fight he beat Diego Marlon on 23 September 2017 at ACB 70 via knockout in the third round.
Brave CF
On July 27, 2018 it was announced that Jenkins had signed a multi-fight contract with Brave Combat Federation.[30] Jenkins made his promotional debut against the reigning featherweight champion Elias Boudegzdame at Brave CF 16 on September 21, 2018. Jenkins won the fight via unanimous decision and became the champion.[31]
On July 25, 2019, Jenkins successfully defended his featherweight title by first-round TKO against Lucas Martins at Brave CF 24.[32]
Professional Fighters League
2021 season
In March 2020, Jenkins signed with Professional Fighters League.[33] Jenkins faced former collegiate wrestling rival Lance Palmer in his promotional debut, on April 23, 2021 at PFL 1.[34] He won the bout via unanimous decision.[35]
Jenkins was scheduled to face Anthony Dizy at PFL 4 on June 10, 2021.[36] However, on May 24, it was announced that Dizy had to pull out of the bout and was replaced by Bobby Moffett.[37] Jenkins won the bout via unanimous decision.[38]
Jenkins faced Chris Wade in the Semifinals off the Featherweight tournament on August 27, 2021 at PFL 9.[39] He lost the bout via unanimous decision.[40]
2022 season
Jenkins was scheduled to face Sung Bin Jo on April 28, 2022 at PFL 2.[41] After Jo Sungbin pulled out of the bout, he was replaced by Kyle Bochniak.[42] He won the bout via unanimous decision.[43]
Jenkins was scheduled to face Saba Bolaghi on June 24, 2022 at PFL 5.[44] However Bolaghi pulled out of the bout and was replaced by Reinaldo Ekson.[45] Jenkins won the bout via unanimous decision.[46]
Jenkins faced Ryoji Kudo in the Semifinals off the Featherweight tournament on August 13, 2022 at PFL 8.[47] He won the bout via rear-naked choke in the first round.[48]
Jenkins faced Brendan Loughnane in the finals of the Featherweight tournament on November 25, 2022 at PFL 10.[49] He lost the bout via TKO stoppage in the fourth round.[50]
2023 season
Jenkins started off the 2023 season in a rematch against Chris Wade on April 1, 2023 at PFL 1.[51] He won the bout via unanimous decision.[52]
Jenkins faced Sung Bin Jo on June 8, 2023 at PFL 4.[53] He won the fight via a technical submission due to a rear-naked choke in the first round.[54]
In the Featherweight semi-finals, Jenkins faced Jesus Pinedo in the main event at PFL 7 on August 4, 2023. At weigh-ins, Jesus Pinedo weighed in at 146.4 pounds, 0.4 pounds over the Featherweight limit. He was fined 20 percent of his purse, which went to his opponent Jenkins, and he started the bout with a one point subtraction.[55] Jenkins went on to lose the bout via TKO in the second round.[56]
Jenkins was scheduled to rematch Chris Wade on November 24, 2023 at PFL 10, however at weigh-ins, Wade came in at148.4 pounds, which was 2.4 pounds north of the non-title. Jenkins turned down the catchweight bout and the bout was scrapped.[57]
2024 season
Jenkins faced Kai Kamaka III on April 19, 2024 at PFL 3 (2024).[58] He lost the bout via unanimous decision.[59]
Jenkins next faced Gabriel Alves Braga at PFL 6 (2024) on June 28, 2024. At weigh-ins, Gabriel Alves Braga came in at 150.6 lbs, 4.6 pounds over the limit for featherweight. He was fined 20% of his purse and given a point deduction in the standings.[60] He lost the fight via TKO due to arm injury in the second round.[61]
Global Fight League
On December 11, 2024, it was announced that Jenkins was eligible to be drafted in the Global Fight League.[62] However, he was not drafted for the 2025 season.[63] In turn, in April 2025, it was reported that all GFL events were cancelled indefinitely.[64]
Championships and accomplishments
Collegiate wrestling
- National Collegiate Athletic Association[65]
- NCAA Division I All-American out of Pennsylvania State University (2008) and Arizona State University (2011)
- NCAA Division I 149 lb: Runner-up out of Pennsylvania State University (2008)
- NCAA Division I 157 lb: Champion out of Arizona State University (2011)
- Big Ten Conference
- B1G 149 lb: Sixth placer out of Pennsylvania State University (2007)
- B1G 149 lb: Runner-up out of Pennsylvania State University (2009)
Mixed martial arts record
| 30 matches | 21 wins | 9 losses |
| By knockout | 7 | 5 |
| By submission | 4 | 2 |
| By decision | 10 | 2 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 21–9 | Gabriel Alves Braga | TKO (arm injury) | PFL 6 (2024) | June 28, 2024 | 2 | 1:48 | Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States | Catchweight (150.6 lb) bout; Braga missed weight. |
| Loss | 21–8 | Kai Kamaka III | Decision (unanimous) | PFL 3 (2024) | April 19, 2024 | 3 | 5:00 | Chicago, Illinois, United States | |
| Loss | 21–7 | Jesus Pinedo | TKO (punches) | PFL 7 (2023) | August 4, 2023 | 2 | 4:40 | San Antonio, Texas, United States | 2023 PFL Featherweight Tournament Semifinal; Pinedo missed weight (146.4 lb). |
| Win | 21–6 | Jo Sung-bin | Technical Submission (rear-naked choke) | PFL 4 (2023) | June 8, 2023 | 1 | 1:25 | Atlanta, Georgia, United States | |
| Win | 20–6 | Chris Wade | Decision (unanimous) | PFL 1 (2023) | April 1, 2023 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 19–6 | Brendan Loughnane | TKO (punches) | PFL 10 (2022) | November 25, 2022 | 4 | 2:38 | New York City, New York, United States | 2022 PFL Featherweight Tournament Final. |
| Win | 19–5 | Ryoji Kudo | Submission (rear-naked choke) | PFL 9 (2022) | August 20, 2022 | 1 | 1:49 | London, England | 2022 PFL Featherweight Tournament Semifinal. |
| Win | 18–5 | Reinaldo Ekson | Decision (unanimous) | PFL 5 (2022) | June 24, 2022 | 3 | 5:00 | Atlanta, Georgia, United States | |
| Win | 17–5 | Kyle Bochniak | Decision (unanimous) | PFL 2 (2022) | April 28, 2022 | 3 | 5:00 | Arlington, Texas, United States | |
| Loss | 16–5 | Chris Wade | Decision (unanimous) | PFL 9 (2021) | August 27, 2021 | 3 | 5:00 | Hollywood, Florida, United States | 2021 PFL Featherweight Tournament Semifinal. |
| Win | 16–4 | Bobby Moffett | Decision (unanimous) | PFL 4 (2021) | June 10, 2021 | 3 | 5:00 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
| Win | 15–4 | Lance Palmer | Decision (unanimous) | PFL 1 (2021) | April 23, 2021 | 3 | 5:00 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
| Win | 14–4 | Lucas Martins | TKO (punches) | Brave CF 24 | July 25, 2019 | 1 | 2:48 | London, England | Defended the Brave CF Featherweight Championship. |
| Win | 13–4 | Elias Boudegzdame | Decision (unanimous) | Brave CF 16 | September 21, 2018 | 5 | 5:00 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | Won the Brave CF Featherweight Championship. |
| Win | 12–4 | Diego Marlon | KO (punches) | ACB 70 | September 23, 2017 | 3 | 0:44 | Sheffield, England | Catchweight (148 lb) bout. |
| Loss | 11–4 | Ali Bagov | Technical Submission (inverted triangle choke) | ACB 54 | March 1, 2017 | 2 | 4:01 | Manchester, England | Catchweight (160 lb) bout. |
| Loss | 11–3 | Georgi Karakhanyan | KO (punch) | Bellator 160 | August 26, 2016 | 1 | 0:53 | Anaheim, California, United States | Catchweight (149 lb) bout. |
| Win | 11–2 | Goiti Yamauchi | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 151 | March 4, 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States | |
| Win | 10–2 | Jordan Parsons | Decision (split) | Bellator 146 | November 20, 2015 | 3 | 5:00 | Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States | |
| Win | 9–2 | Joe Wilk | TKO (punches) | Bellator 139 | June 26, 2015 | 2 | 1:00 | Mulvane, Kansas, United States | |
| Loss | 8–2 | Georgi Karakhanyan | Technical Submission (guillotine choke) | Bellator 132 | January 16, 2015 | 1 | 1:49 | Temecula, California, United States | |
| Win | 8–1 | Thiago Meller | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 126 | September 26, 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | |
| Win | 7–1 | Poppies Martinez | TKO (punches) | Bellator 122 | July 25, 2014 | 1 | 4:10 | Temecula, California, United States | Featherweight debut. |
| Win | 6–1 | Sean Powers | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 114 | March 28, 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | West Valley City, Utah, United States | |
| Win | 5–1 | Ian Rammel | TKO (punches) | Bellator 109 | November 22, 2013 | 3 | 2:38 | Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, United States | |
| Loss | 4–1 | LaRue Burley | TKO (punches) | Bellator 100 | September 20, 2013 | 3 | 3:40 | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | |
| Win | 4–0 | Mike Barreras | TKO (punches) | Bellator 97 | July 31, 2013 | 2 | 1:05 | Rio Rancho, New Mexico, United States | |
| Win | 3–0 | Jesus Adame | Submission (rear-naked choke) | RFA 3 | June 30, 2012 | 1 | 1:08 | Kearney, Nebraska, United States | |
| Win | 2–0 | Chris Gomez | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Tachi Palace Fights 12 | March 9, 2012 | 1 | 2:07 | Lemoore, California, United States | |
| Win | 1–0 | Josh Williams | TKO (submission to punches) | Tachi Palace Fights 11 | December 2, 2011 | 1 | 2:04 | Lemoore, California, United States | Lightweight debut. |
