| Bubba Jenkins | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Born | (1988-02-05)February 5, 1988 (age 38) 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 | NCAADivision IWrestling | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 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 fromSherdog | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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Bubba Jenkins (born February 5, 1988) is an Americanmixed martial artist and formeramateur wrestler. He currently competes in thefeatherweight division, and is asports commentator forReal American Freestyle. He has also notably competed forBellator MMA,Absolute Championship Berkut,Professional Fighters League (PFL), andBrave Combat Federation, where he was a former champion. As an amateur wrestler, Jenkins was afreestyle junior World Champion and anNCAA Division I champion.
Jenkins attendedCox High School inVirginia Beach, Virginia for three years before transferring toFirst Colonial High School, also in Virginia Beach, as asenior. His senior year he won aVHSL group AAA wrestling state championship and a NHSCA senior national championship.[1][2]
In 2006, Jenkins committed to thePenn State Nittany Lions.
Freshman: Competing at 157 pounds, Jenkins went 23-12 during regular season. Post-season, he placed sixth at the Big Ten Conference with 3 victories and 3 defeats. in which he went 1–2 at the 157-pounds division.[3]
Sophomore: Before the season started, Jenkins won a gold medal at the Junior World Championships infreestyle at 66 kilograms.[4] Competed at 149 pounds in college, during the season he downed the accomplishedJordan Burroughs in a close 3-2 ending match. Went 2–2 at the Big Tens, downingLance Palmer twice and losing toBrent Metcalf and Josh Churella, placing fifth and going to theNCAAs where he did exceptionally well going 4-1 and becoming therunner-up.[5]
Junior: Finished the regular season with an undefeated 22–0 record. Went 2-0 prior to the finals at the Big Ten Championship, where he suffered an injury and was forced toforfeit and earnrunner-up honors. At the NCAAs, Jenkins was notably affected by the injury and had a tough 0–2 run at the tournament.[6]
Redshirt: Jenkins redshirted this season because of athletic and academic issues.[7]
Senior: WhenCael Sanderson arrived as the new head coach atPSU, Jenkins didn't feel comfortable with the way of teaching of Sanderson and Sanderson felt uncomfortable with the style of Jenkins. This caused him to transfer toArizona State University.[8] In his first and only year with theSun Devils, Jenkins captured anNCAA title bypinning previously unbeatenNittany Lion and futureWorld Champion and Olympic gold medalistDavid Taylor in the finals. Jenkins graduated as an NCAA champion, two-time finalist and two-timeAll-American.[9]
Jenkins wrestled two-time NCAA champion (2011 and 2013) Jordan Oliver in afolkstyle 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 againstKyle Dake in afreestyle 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 championFrank Molinaro, in afolkstyle match instead.[11] Jenkins defeated his former teammate by points (4-2).[12]
After 7 years of no competition, Jenkins faced highly competitive wrestlerJason Nolf in afreestyle match on October 20, as a headliner for theNLWC Event II.[13] He was defeated bytechnical fall in the first period.[14]
Jenkins was hired as asports commentator forReal American Freestyle in 2025.[15]
Jenkins made hismixed martial arts debut in theLightweight division on December 2, 2011 atTachi Palace Fights 11: Redemption. Jenkins defeated Josh Williams by submission TKO in the first round. Jenkins returned for his second fight atTachi 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.[16]
One week before Bubba Jenkins defeated Chris Gomez atTachi Palace Fights 12 - Second Coming, he signed an exclusive 6-fight deal with Resurrection Fighting Alliance (RFA).[17]
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.[18] Jenkins quickly slammed Adame to the ground and submitted him viaRear Naked Choke at 1:08 of the first round.
On October 31, 2012, it was announced that Jenkins joinedJon Jones' coaching staff on the seventeenth season of theUFC producedreality television showThe Ultimate Fighter. The first episode ofThe Ultimate Fighter: Team Jones vs. Team Sonnen premiered on Tuesday, January 22, 2013 at 8 ET/PT onFX Networks.[19]
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.[20]
Jenkins took on Mike Barreras atBellator 97. He won the fight via TKO in the second round.[21]
Jenkins returned to the Bellator cage atBellator 100 againstLaRue 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 atBellator 109.[22]
Jenkins then faced Sean Powers atBellator 114 on March 28, 2014. Jenkins won via unanimous decision.[23]
On July 25, 2014, Jenkins facedPoppies Martinez atBellator 122. Jenkins defeated Martinez via strikes at 4:10 in the first round.[24]
Jenkins faced Thiago Meller atBellator 126 on September 26, 2014 inPhoenix, Arizona.[25] He won the fight via unanimous decision.
After moving from the Bellator Lightweight division to Featherweight, Jenkins faced formerWSOF Featherweight ChampionGeorgi Karakhanyan on January 16, 2015 atBellator 132.[26] He lost the fight via technical submission in the first round.
Jenkins faced Joe Wilk on June 26, 2015 atBellator 139.[27] He won the fight via TKO in the second round.
Jenkins facedJordan Parsons on November 20, 2015 atBellator 146. He won the fight via split decision.
Jenkins then faced Georgi Karakhanyan a rematch atBellator 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.
After signed a contract with the ACB Jenkins faced withAli Bagov on 11 March 2017 atACB 54.[28] He lost the fight by technical submission in the second round.
In the second fight he beat Diego Marlon on 23 September 2017 atACB 70 via knockout in the third round.
On July 27, 2018 it was announced that Jenkins had signed a multi-fight contract withBrave Combat Federation.[29] 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.[30]
On July 25, 2019, Jenkins successfully defended his featherweight title by first-round TKO againstLucas Martins at Brave CF 24.[31]
In March 2020, Jenkins signed withProfessional Fighters League.[32] Jenkins faced former collegiate wrestling rivalLance Palmer in his promotional debut, on April 23, 2021 atPFL 1.[33] He won the bout via unanimous decision.[34]
Jenkins was scheduled to face Anthony Dizy atPFL 4 on June 10, 2021.[35] However, on May 24, it was announced that Dizy had to pull out of the bout and was replaced byBobby Moffett.[36] Jenkins won the bout via unanimous decision.[37]
Jenkins facedChris Wade in the Semifinals off the Featherweight tournament on August 27, 2021 atPFL 9.[38] He lost the bout via unanimous decision.[39]
Jenkins was scheduled to face Sung Bin Jo on April 28, 2022 atPFL 2.[40] After Jo Sungbin pulled out of the bout, he was replaced byKyle Bochniak.[41] He won the bout via unanimous decision.[42]
Jenkins was scheduled to face Saba Bolaghi on June 24, 2022 atPFL 5.[43] However Bolaghi pulled out of the bout and was replaced by Reinaldo Ekson.[44] Jenkins won the bout via unanimous decision.[45]
Jenkins faced Ryoji Kudo in the Semifinals off the Featherweight tournament on August 13, 2022 atPFL 8.[46] He won the bout via rear-naked choke in the first round.[47]
Jenkins facedBrendan Loughnane in the finals of theFeatherweight tournament on November 25, 2022 atPFL 10.[48] He lost the bout via TKO stoppage in the fourth round.[49]
Jenkins started off the 2023 season in a rematch againstChris Wade on April 1, 2023 atPFL 1.[50] He won the bout via unanimous decision.[51]
Jenkins faced Sung Bin Jo on June 8, 2023 atPFL 4.[52] He won the fight via a technical submission due to a rear-naked choke in the first round.[53]
In the Featherweight semi-finals, Jenkins facedJesus Pinedo in the main event atPFL 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.[54] Jenkins went on to lose the bout via TKO in the second round.[55]
Jenkins was scheduled to rematchChris Wade on November 24, 2023 atPFL 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.[56]
Jenkins facedKai Kamaka III on April 19, 2024 atPFL 3 (2024).[57] He lost the bout via unanimous decision.[58]
Jenkins next faced Gabriel Alves Braga atPFL 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.[59] He lost the fight via TKO due to arm injury in the second round.[60]
On December 11, 2024, it was announced that Jenkins was eligible to be drafted in the Global Fight League.[61] However, he was not drafted for the 2025 season.[62] In turn, in April 2025, it was reported that all GFL events were cancelled indefinitely.[63]
| 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 theBrave 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 theBrave 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. |
| NCAA Championships Matches | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Score | Date | Event | ||
2011 NCAA Championships at 157 lbs | |||||||
| Win | 10-5 | David Taylor | Fall | March 20, 2011 | 2011 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships | ||
| Win | 9-5 | Jason Welch | 4-1 | ||||
| Win | 8-5 | Paul Young | 4-3 | ||||
| Win | 7-5 | Mark Lewandowski | Fall | ||||
| Win | 6-5 | Alex Medved | MD 16-5 | ||||
| 2009 NCAA Championships at 149 lbs | |||||||
| Loss | 5-5 | David Jauregui | MD 1-10 | March 19, 2009 | 2009 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships | ||
| Loss | 5-4 | Matt Fittery | 6-12 | ||||
2008 NCAA Championships at 149 lbs | |||||||
| Loss | 5-3 | Brent Metcalf | 8-14 | March 22, 2008 | 2008 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships | ||
| Win | 5-2 | Darrion Caldwell | 12-8 | ||||
| Win | 4-2 | J.P O'Connor | 5-3 | ||||
| Win | 3-2 | Ryan Lang | 4-3 | ||||
| Win | 2-2 | Bryce Saddoris | Major 15-5 | ||||
| 2007 NCAA Championships at 157 lbs | |||||||
| Loss | 1-2 | Seth Martin | Fall | March 15, 2007 | 2007 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships | ||
| Loss | 1-1 | James Strouse | 0-4 | ||||
| Win | 1-0 | Michael Chandler | MD 15-3 | ||||
