Tony Kelley (born January 21, 1987) is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Bantamweight division. A professional since 2012, he most notably competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Background
As he entered his teen years, Kelley described his life as diverging into questionable decisions made to impress others while trying to be like others. After a while, friends and family members became concerned, and a friend encouraged the then-19-year-old Kelley to get involved in a local jiu-jitsu class to provide some structure.
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
In 2012, Kelley was one of the young MMA fighters featured in
Caged - an
MTV reality television series. The show focused on four prospective MMA fighters in small-town Louisiana. Kelley was one of the two fighters on the show, alongside
Matt Schnell, to later fight professionally.
After going professional in September 2012, Kelley would go on to have a 6–1 record on the regional scene, losing his only bout in a close split decision to fellow future UFC fighter Kevin Aguilar.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Kelley made his UFC debut against Kai Kamaka III at UFC 252 on . He lost the bout via unanimous decision.
This bout earned him a
Fight of the Night bonus award
Kelley faced Ali AlQaisi on October 11, 2020, at . He won the bout via unanimous decision.
Kelley was scheduled to face Trevin Jones on July 24, 2021, at .[ ] However, on July 4, Kelly withdrew from the bout for unknown reasons.
Kelley faced Randy Costa on December 11, 2021, at UFC 269.
Kelley faced Adrian Yañez on June 18, 2022 at UFC on ESPN 37.
On July 7, 2022, it was announced that Kelley was no longer on the roster.
Championships and accomplishments
-
Ultimate Fighting Championship
-
Fight of the Night (One time)
Legal troubles
In March 2012, Kelley was charged with simple battery due to a nightclub scuffle in which he allegedly choked a woman for not wanting to dance with him. He was eventually found not guilty.
Controversies
Kelley caused controversy at on May 14, 2022 while cornering Andrea Lee in her fight against Brazilian opponent Viviane Araújo. Referring to an alleged eye poke by Araújo, Kelley said: "That’s what they’re going to do, they’re dirty fucking Brazilians, they’re going to fucking cheat like that."
In response to criticism of the comment, Kelley released a statement on Twitter denying any "racist connotations" and claiming to be a victim of "cancel culture".
Mixed martial arts record
|Loss
|align=center|8–3
|Adrian Yañez
|TKO (punches)
|
|
|align=center|1
|align=center|3:49
|Austin, Texas, United States
|
|-
| Win
| align=center|8–2
|
Randy Costa
| TKO (elbows)
|UFC 269
|
| align=center|2
| align=center|4:15
|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
|
|-
| Win
| align=center|7–2
| Ali AlQaisi
|Decision (unanimous)
|
|
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
|
|-
| Loss
| align=center| 6–2
| Kai Kamaka III
|Decision (unanimous)
|UFC 252
|
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 5:00
|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
|
|-
| Win
| align=center| 6–1
| Andy Brossett
| Submission (guillotine choke)
|Rite of Passage 7
|
| align=center|1
| align=center|2:33
| Bossier City, Louisiana, United States
|
|-
| Loss
| align=center| 5–1
|
Kevin Aguilar
|Decision (split)
|Legacy FC 57
|
|align=center|5
|align=center|5:00
|Bossier City, Louisiana, United States
|
|-
| Win
| align=center| 5–0
| Levi Mowles
| Decision (split)
| Legacy Kickboxing 2
|
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
| Shreveport, Louisiana, United States
|
|-
| Win
| align=center| 4–0
| Jordan Winski
| Submission (rear-naked choke)
| World Fighting Federation 19
|
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 4:08
| Tucson, Arizona, United States
|
|-
| Win
| align=center| 3–0
| Chris Pham
|Technical Submission (shoulder choke)
|Legacy FC 32
|
|align=center|2
|align=center|4:58
|Shreveport, Louisiana, United States
|
|-
| Win
| align=center| 2–0
| Kody Thrasher
| TKO (punches)
| Hilia Fights 1
|
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 3:37
| Kenner, Louisiana, United States
|
|-
| Win
| align=center| 1–0
| Sean Marsicane
| TKO (punches)
| Coalition of Combat
|
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 2:30
| Phoenix, Arizona, United States
|
See also
-
List of male mixed martial artists
External links
