Kelvin Tiller
Kelvin Tiller (born June 26, 1990) is an American mixed martial artist currently competing in the light heavyweight division. A professional competitor since 2011, Tiller has also formerly competed for Bellator, World Series of Fighting and Shark Fights.
| Kelvin Tiller | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 26, 1990 Kansas City, Kansas, United States |
| Other names | The Mama's Boy |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) |
| Weight | 265 lb (120 kg; 18.9 st) |
| Division | Heavyweight Light Heavyweight |
| Reach | 74.0 in (188 cm) |
| Fighting out of | Topeka, Kansas, United States |
| Team | Midwest Combat Academy / Woodward Striking |
| Years active | 2011–present |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 16 |
| Wins | 11 |
| By knockout | 3 |
| By submission | 7 |
| By decision | 1 |
| Losses | 5 |
| By submission | 1 |
| By decision | 4 |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
Background
Born and raised in Kansas, Tiller was often involved in street fights while growing up and also briefly trained in boxing and karate. Tiller later attended Highland Park High School where he competed in track and was talented, winning a city championship for the 100-meter dash his senior year.[1]
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Tiller competed as an amateur from 2009 until 2011, compiling a record of 7-3.[2] On September 10, 2011, Tiller made his professional MMA debut against Jeb Chiles at Shark Fights 19. Tiller won the fight by submission at the end of the first round.
Bellator
Tiller made his Bellator debut on October 29, 2011 at Bellator 56 against Daniel Spohn. Tiller defeated Spohn via split decision.[3]
In his next appearance for Bellator, Tiller faced Jeremiah Riggs at Bellator 70 on May 25, 2012. Tiller won the fight by submission in the third round.[4]
Tiller then stepped in as a replacement for an injured Marcus "Lelo" Aurelio and defeated Amaechi Oselukwue via second-round TKO at Bellator 73 on August 24, 2012.[5]
Tiller was expected to face Dave Vitkay at Bellator 88 on February 7, 2013. However, when Tiller failed to make weight for the third consecutive time, the bout was cancelled and Tiller was subsequently released from his Bellator contract.[6]
Post-Bellator
After parting ways with Bellator, Tiller faced Chris Henning on June 29, 2013 at Epic Fight Night 1: Stinson vs. Kimmons. Tiller won via submission in round one.
World Series of Fighting
In November 2013, Tiller signed a multi-fight deal with World Series of Fighting.[7]
Tiller was scheduled to face Ronny Markes at WSOF 12 on August 9, 2014, but when Krasimir Mladenov pulled out of his fight with Elvis Mutapčić due to injury on the same card, Tiller stepped in as a replacement.[8] As a result, Markes ended up fighting promotional newcomer Cully Butterfield.[9] Tiller was handed his first professional defeat by Mutapcic via three-round unanimous decision.[10]
Personal life
Tiller went to Topeka High high school and Highland Park High in Topeka, Ks after high school he went to Allen County Community College for track. He was raised by a single mother Patricia Rains as they moves around between Kansas City and Topeka most of his childhood. He is the youngest of 4 children and has 3 older sisters Patricia (Nikki) Tiller, Tierra Tiller, and Autumn Tiller. He has always been a family oriented man with his Grandmother ( Ellenor Irons) Grandfather (Harrison Irons Sr.) and Uncle (Harrison (Dunnie) Irons Jr.) helping with his up bringing . Tiller himself has 3 sons and 4 daughters having his first child at the age of 16.[6] While growing up on the streets of Topeka he had to grow up fast so fighting became natural for him. His mission in life is to make sure his family is taken care of. On October 4, 2018 Tiller lost a major factor in his life, the man that thought him everything in life his grandfather Harrison Irons Sr. the day before his October 5 fight for PFL. Tiller is a major influencer in his community. He mentors the young kids, telling them that there is more out there in life; and that you can be what ever you want to be in life as long as you put your all into it.
Mixed martial arts record
| Professional record breakdown | ||
| 16 matches | 11 wins | 5 losses |
| By knockout | 3 | 0 |
| By submission | 7 | 1 |
| By decision | 1 | 4 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 11–5 | Jared Rosholt | Decision (unanimous) | PFL 9 | October 31, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | 2019 PFL Heavyweight Semifinal bout; replaced injured Francimar Barroso. |
| Loss | 11–4 | Ali Isayev | Decision (unanimous) | 2 | 5:00 | 2019 PFL Heavyweight Quarterfinal bout. | |||
| Loss | 11-3 | Denis Goltsov | Submission (ezekiel choke) | PFL 6 | August 8, 2019 | 2 | 3:40 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
| Win | 11–2 | Muhammed Dereese | Submission (kimura) | PFL 3 | June 6, 2019 | 1 | 3:22 | Uniondale, New York, United States | |
| Loss | 10–2 | Jared Rosholt | Decision (unanimous) | PFL 8 | October 5, 2018 | 2 | 5:00 | New Orleans, Louisiana, United States | 2018 PFL Heavyweight Quarterfinal bout. |
| Win | 10–1 | Jared Rosholt | Submission (guillotine choke) | PFL 4 | July 19, 2018 | 2 | 0:54 | Uniondale, New York, United States | |
| Win | 9–1 | Caio Alencar | KO (punch) | PFL 1 | June 7, 2018 | 1 | 4:34 | New York City, New York, United States | |
| Win | 8–1 | Kevin Ray Sears | TKO (punches) | Shamrock FC 282 | January 14, 2017 | 1 | 2:17 | Kansas City, Missouri, United States | Heavyweight debut. |
| Win | 7–1 | Marcus Sursa | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Shamrock FC: Heavy Artillery | March 7, 2015 | 2 | 2:57 | Kansas City, Missouri, United States | |
| Loss | 6–1 | Elvis Mutapčić | Decision (unanimous) | WSOF 12 | August 9, 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Catchweight (195 lbs) bout. |
| Win | 6–0 | Chris Henning | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Epic Fight Night 1: Stinson vs. Kimmons | June 29, 2013 | 1 | 4:57 | Kansas City, Missouri, United States | |
| Win | 5–0 | Amaechi Oselukwue | TKO (punches) | Bellator 73 | August 24, 2012 | 2 | 4:21 | Tunica Resorts, Mississippi, United States | Catchweight (179 lbs) bout. |
| Win | 4–0 | Jeremiah Riggs | Technical Submission (kimura) | Bellator 70 | May 25, 2012 | 3 | 3:38 | New Orleans, Louisiana, United States | Catchweight (190 lbs) bout. |
| Win | 3–0 | Rodney Collier | Submission (triangle choke) | Fight Me MMA | January 13, 2012 | 1 | 4:40 | St. Charles, Missouri, United States | |
| Win | 2–0 | Daniel Spohn | Decision (split) | Bellator 56 | October 29, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Kansas City, Kansas, United States | Light Heavyweight debut. |
| Win | 1–0 | Jeb Chiles | Submission (armbar) | Shark Fights 19 | September 10, 2011 | 1 | 4:14 | Independence, Missouri, United States | Catchweight (191 lbs) bout. |
References
- "Former city track champion set for Vegas MMA bout". CJOnline.com.
- https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/fighters/16925-kelvin-tiller
- "Bellator 56 Results: Askren edges Hieron, Prindle vs. Santos Heavyweight Final Set". mmafrenzy.com. October 30, 2011.
- "Bellator 70 results: Hawn wins lightweight tourney, Konrad cruises in title defense". mmajunkie.com. May 26, 2012.
- "Bellator 73 results: Vegh stops Wiuff; Galvao takes Season 6 bantamweight crown". mmajunkie.com. August 25, 2012.
- "After 'hot dogs and ramen,' WSOF 12's Kelvin Tiller says Bellator release justified". mmajunkie.com. August 7, 2014.
- "WSOF signs Razak Al-Hassan, Luis Palomino, Kelvin Tiller to multi-fight deals". sherdog.com. November 27, 2013.
- "WSOF 12 loses Mladenov, shuffles lineup, needs new light heavyweight". mmajunkie.com. July 21, 2014.
- "Ronny Markes meets promotional newcomer Cully Butterfield at WSOF 12". mmajunkie.com. July 23, 2014.
- "WSOF 12 results: Palomino crushes Gonzalez, Markes grinds out Butterfield". mmajunkie.com. August 10, 2014.