Karl Roberson
Karl Roberson
Born Name: Karl Roberson
Date of Birth: October 4, 1990
Place of Birth: Neptune, New Jersey, United States
Other names: Baby K
Nationality: American
Education: Neptune High School
Height: 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Weight: 83.5 kg (184 lb; 13 st 2 lb)
Division: Light Heavyweight, Middleweight
Reach: 74 in (190 cm)
Fighting out of: Neptune, New Jersey, United States
Team: Killer B Combat Sports Academy
Trainer: Brian Wright
Karl Roberson (born October 4, 1990) is an American professional mixed martial artist and former kickboxer currently competing in the Middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Early life and education
Raised in Neptune Township, New Jersey. Roberson played baseball at Neptune High School.
Kickboxing career
Roberson was called on short notice to fight K-1 legend Jérôme Le Banner at Fight Night Saint-Tropez 4 on August 4 in Saint-Tropez on his retirement fight. Although he was making his professional kickboxing debut, with only three amateur fights, he managed to upset Le Banner and score two knockdowns, first was ruled as a slip and during the second the referee proceeded with a slow count about 30 seconds that allowed him to recover, leading the fight to a controversial decision loss.
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
After earning three wins in amateur MMA, Roberson made his professional MMA debut May 2015. He fought sporadically over the next two years, obtaining a record of 5-0.
Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series
Roberson appeared in Dana White Contender Series - Season 1, Episode 3 on July 25, 2017 against Ryan Spann. He won the fight via a guillotine choke in round one and he was award the UFC contract.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
He made his debut on November 11, 2017 against Darren Stewart at UFC Fight Night: Poirier vs. Pettis. He won the fight via rear-naked choke submission in the first round.
Roberson faced Cezar Ferreira on May 12, 2018 at UFC 224. He lost the fight via technical submission in the first round.
Roberson faced Jack Marshman on November 3, 2018 at UFC 230. He win the fight via unanimous decision.
Roberson agreed on a short notice fight against Glover Teixeira in the light heavyweight division at UFC Fight Night: Cejudo vs. Dillashaw on January 19, 2019. Roberson replaced Ion Cutelaba in the fight who had to pull out due to an injury. Despite hurting Teixeira with elbows early in the round, Roberson lost the fight in the first round by submission via arm triangle choke.
Roberson was scheduled to meet John Phillips on July 13, 2019 at UFC on ESPN+ 13. However, it was reported that Phillips was pulled from the bout due to injury and he was replaced by Wellington Turman. Roberson won the fight via a controversial split decision.
Roberson faced promotional newcomer Roman Kopylov on November 9, 2019 at UFC on ESPN+ 21. He won the fight via a submission in round three.
Roberson was expected to face Makhmud Muradov on April 18, 2020 at UFC 249. However, Muradov was forced to pull from the event due to COVID-19 pandemic travel restriction, and Roberson was pulled from the event and was scheduled to meet Marvin Vettori on April 25, 2020 at UFC Fight Night 173. However, on April 9, Dana White, the president of UFC announced that this event was postponed to a future date Instead Roberson was scheduled to face Marvin Vettori on May 13, 2020 at UFC on ESPN 9. At the weigh-ins Roberson weighed in at 187.5 pounds, 1.5 pounds over the middleweight non-title weight limit of 186 pounds. He was fined 20% of his purse, which was given to opponent Vettori, and the match was to proceed at a catchweight. However, Roberson was removed from the fight due to rhabdomyolysis. The pair is rescheduled on June 13, 2020 at UFC on ESPN: Eye vs. Calvillo. At the weigh-ins on June 12, Roberson once again missed weight, weighing in at 190.5 pounds, 4.5 pounds over the non-title middleweight limit of 186 pounds. The bout proceed as a catchweight bout and Roberson was fined 30% of his purse. He lost the fight via a submission in round one.
1990 births,American male mixed martial artists,American male kickboxers,Glory kickboxers,Neptune High School alumni,People from Neptune City, New Jersey,People from Neptune Township, New Jersey,Sportspeople from Monmouth County, New Jersey,Ultimate Fighting Championship male fighters.
