Louis Taylor facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Louis Taylor |
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|---|---|
| Born | Louis Taylor May 12, 1979 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Other names | Put The Guns Down Handgunz (formerly) |
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) |
| Weight | 186 lb (84 kg; 13.3 st) |
| Division | Light Heavyweight Middleweight Welterweight |
| Reach | 74 in (190 cm) |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Fighting out of | Chicago, Illinois, United States NCAA Division I Wrestling |
| Team | Chicago Fight Team |
| Rank | Purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Rudy Jimenez |
| Years active | 2007–2014, 2016–2018 |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 23 |
| Wins | 18 |
| By knockout | 8 |
| By submission | 6 |
| By decision | 4 |
| Losses | 4 |
| By knockout | 3 |
| By submission | 1 |
| Draws | 1 |
Louis Taylor (born May 12, 1979) is an American former mixed martial artist. He competed in the welterweight division. Taylor fought professionally from 2007 to 2018. He was also a competitor for Strikeforce and Bellator. Louis Taylor became the first champion of the PFL Middleweight Tournament.
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Early Life and Training
Louis Taylor grew up in the South Side of Chicago. He learned to defend himself from a young age. When he was about 16, Louis got into a tough situation where he had to defend himself. This led his pastor to introduce him to a high school wrestling coach, Ken Binge.
High School Wrestling
Louis was a sophomore at the time. He moved in with an uncle to attend the school and wrestle. He was very talented in wrestling. Louis became a two-time state qualifier. He was also the first person from his school to place at the state tournament.
College and Coaching
After high school, Louis wrestled for Lassen Community College in California. There, he was roommates with future UFC champion Rampage Jackson. Louis learned about MMA at Lassen. He wrestled for two seasons. Then, he transferred to Eastern Illinois University. He competed at 174 pounds under the famous former UFC champion and coach, Matt Hughes. Louis did very well in college wrestling.
Later, Louis returned to Chicago. He coached his old high school wrestling team. At age 28, he started his career in mixed martial arts. He was the high school wrestling coach for UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad. Louis also helped train Muhammad for his early amateur fights.
Mixed Martial Arts Career
Louis Taylor had three amateur fights. He then made his professional debut in 2007. He started as a Light Heavyweight fighter. Louis won his first four professional fights. After these wins, he joined Strikeforce.
Fighting in Strikeforce
Louis Taylor's first fight in Strikeforce was on November 7, 2009. He fought Nate Moore at Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers. Louis lost this fight in the second round.
His next fight for Strikeforce was on August 13, 2010. This was the main event of Strikeforce Challengers: Riggs vs. Taylor. He fought former WEC Welterweight Champion Joe Riggs. Louis lost this fight in the third round.
Bellator Fights
Louis Taylor first fought for Bellator on April 15, 2010. This was at Bellator 14. He won this fight by knockout in the first round. He defeated Ryan Sturdy with a head kick.
He fought for Bellator again on December 14, 2012. This fight was at Bellator 84. Louis fought UFC veteran Joe Vedepo. Louis won by knockout in the first round.
Brief UFC Opportunity
On January 2, 2015, it was announced that Louis Taylor would fight Uriah Hall in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. This was a short-notice fight at UFC Fight Night: McGregor vs. Siver. However, on January 11, Louis had to pull out of the fight. He had a pulled muscle in his back. As a result, his contract with the UFC ended.
World Series of Fighting
On March 12, 2016, Louis Taylor made his debut in the World Series of Fighting. He fought Cory Devela at WSOF 29. Louis won this fight very quickly. He won by submission in just 29 seconds of the first round.
On July 30, 2016, Louis fought undefeated fighter Phil Hawes. This was at WSOF 32. Louis won again by submission in the second round.
Professional Fighters League Champion
Louis Taylor joined the Professional Fighters League (PFL). He faced Anderson Goncalves at PFL 3 on July 5, 2018. Louis won the fight in the third round.
In the fall of 2018, Louis entered the PFL Middleweight tournament. On October 20, 2018, he defeated Rex Harris. This win was by a unanimous decision in the quarterfinal round. He then fought John Howard in the semifinal. Their fight ended in a technical draw. Louis moved on to the finals because he won the first round.
Louis Taylor faced Abuspiyan Magomedov in the finals. This championship fight was at PFL 11 on December 31, 2018. Louis won the fight by knockout in only 33 seconds of the first round. He became the PFL Middleweight Champion. He also won a $1 million cash prize.
For the 2019 PFL season, Louis was expected to move to the welterweight division. He was scheduled to fight Chris Curtis. However, Louis announced he had to withdraw from the tournament.
Personal Life
Louis Taylor is married and has children.
Achievements and Awards
Louis Taylor achieved several important things in his career:
- World Series of Fighting
- He holds the record for the Fastest Submission in WSOF History (0:29). This happened in his fight against Cory Devela.
- Professional Fighters League
- He was the champion of the 2018 Middleweight Tournament.
Mixed Martial Arts Record Summary
Louis Taylor had a professional mixed martial arts record of 18 wins, 4 losses, and 1 draw.
- He won 8 fights by knockout.
- He won 6 fights by submission.
- He won 4 fights by decision.
- He lost 3 fights by knockout.
- He lost 1 fight by submission.
See also
- List of current PFL fighters
