Kris McCray facts for kids

Kris Eric Johannes McCray (born September 24, 1981) is an American former mixed martial artist. He is best known for being the runner-up on The Ultimate Fighter: Team Liddell vs. Team Ortiz. This TV show helps new fighters try to join the UFC.

Early Life and Training

Kris McCray was born in Germany. His parents were Calvin and Barbara McCray. He has two brothers, Dominic and Thomas. His family has African American, Austrian, and Mexican roots.

Growing Up in the Army

Because his father was in the Army, Kris lived in Germany and Alabama when he was young. Later, his family moved to Woodbridge, Virginia. He finished high school there in 1998.

College and Military Service

Kris went to George Mason University. While studying, he also taught high school wrestling. When he was 21, Kris joined the U.S. Army Reserve. He served for six years.

Starting a Mixed Martial Arts Career

Kris McCray began learning martial arts very early. He started Tae Kwon Do and Karate at age seven. In high school, he was a part of the wrestling team.

Learning New Skills

During his time in the Army, Kris started learning Brazilian jiu-jitsu. After leaving the service, he joined a team called Gold Medal Grappling. This team was connected to a famous coach named Lloyd Irvin.

Amateur and Professional Fights

Before becoming a professional fighter, Kris had a perfect record. He won all 10 of his amateur fights. As a professional, he mostly fought for a group called Ultimate Warrior Challenge in Virginia.

The Ultimate Fighter Journey

Kris McCray was chosen to be on the eleventh season of The Ultimate Fighter. This is a reality TV show where fighters live together and compete. To get into the house, Kris had to win a fight. He beat Cleburn Walker by making him give up due to a shoulder injury.

Joining Team Punishment

Kris was picked by Team Punishment, led by the famous fighter Tito Ortiz. For his second fight, he faced Josh Bryant. It was a tough fight, and Josh won by decision.

A Second Chance

Even though he lost, Kris was given a "wildcard" spot. This meant he got a second chance to enter the quarter-finals. He fought Kyacey Uscola. Kris controlled most of the fight. In the second round, he made Kyacey give up using an americana move. This win sent him to the quarter-finals.

Moving Towards the Finals

Next, Kris fought his good friend Kyle Noke. Kris used his wrestling skills to take Kyle down many times. Kyle tried to use submission moves, but Kris stopped them. Kris won the fight by a unanimous decision.

This win put Kris in the semi-finals. He had a rematch with Josh Bryant, who had beaten him earlier. This time, Kris won by unanimous decision. This victory meant he would fight Court McGee in the finals. The winner would be named "The Ultimate Fighter."

Setting a New Record

Kris McCray set a new record on the show. He fought five times in one season. The show's president, Dana White, said Kris fought "literally every Tuesday." Kris then went on to the TUF 11 finale. He faced Court McGee in the main event.

Fighting in the UFC

At the finale, Kris McCray lost to Court McGee. Court won in the second round using a rear-naked choke submission. Even though he lost, Kris signed a four-fight deal with the UFC.

Welterweight Division and New Team

His first UFC fight was at UFC 122. He moved to the Welterweight division for this fight. Kris fought a new UFC fighter named Carlos Eduardo Rocha. Carlos won in the first round with a kneebar submission. After this, Kris changed his training team. He moved to Toms River, New Jersey, to train with the Renzo Gracie Combat Team.

Kris fought John Hathaway at UFC Fight Night 24 on March 26, 2011. It was a very close fight. However, John Hathaway won by a split decision. After this loss, Kris was released from the UFC.

Bellator Fighting Championships

After leaving the UFC, Kris McCray signed with Bellator. He made his first appearance on April 13, 2012, at Bellator 65. He fought Ailton Barbosa and won the fight by split decision.

Mixed Martial Arts Record Summary

Kris McCray had a professional mixed martial arts career from 2008 to 2015. He won 9 fights and lost 5.