Brian Kelleher

Brian Matthew Kelleher (born August 19, 1986) is an American former professional mixed martial artist. Kelleher competed in the Bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A professional competitor from 2011 to 2024, Kelleher has also competed for Bellator and CES MMA.

Background Kelleher was born on August 19, 1986, in Selden, New York, the son of Matt and Jen Kelleher. Kelleher has an older brother Keith and a younger brother Mak who is also a professional mixed martial artist.

Mixed martial arts career Ultimate Fighting Championship Kelleher made his promotional debut against Iuri Alcântara on short notice at UFC 212 on June 3, 2017. He won the fight via submission due to a guillotine choke in the first round and was awarded a Performance of the Night bonus.

Kelleher next faced Marlon Vera on July 22, 2017, at UFC on Fox 25. He lost the fight via armbar submission in the first round.

Kelleher faced Damian Stasiak on October 21, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 118. He won the fight via technical knockout in the third round. This win earned him the Fight of the Night award.

Kelleher faced Renan Barão on February 24, 2018, at UFC on Fox 28. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Kelleher faced John Lineker on May 12, 2018, at UFC 224. He lost the fight via knockout in the third round.

Kelleher was originally scheduled to face Domingo Pilarte on November 3, 2018, at UFC 230. Pilarte was forced to withdraw from the bout, citing an injury, and Kelleher is now slated to face Montel Jackson. At the weigh-ins, Kelleher weight at 137 pounds, 1 pound over the bantamweight non-title fight limit of 136. He was fined 20 percent of his purse, which went to his opponent Jackson. On November 3, it was reported that Kelleher withdrew from the bout due to illness and thus the fight was cancelled. The pairing was left intact and rescheduled for December 29, 2018, at UFC 232. At the weigh-ins, Jackson weighed in at 137 lbs, 1 pound over the non-title fight bantamweight limit of 136 lbs. Jackson was fined 20 percent of his purse to Kelleher and the fight proceeded at catchweight. Kelleher lost the fight via submission in the first round.

Kelleher was scheduled to face Mitch Gagnon on May 4, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 150. However, Kelleher pulled out of the fight on April 10, citing an injury, and he was replaced by promotional newcomer Cole Smith.

As the last fight of his prevailing contract, Kelleher faced Ode' Osbourne at UFC 246 on January 18, 2020. He won the fight via a submission in the first round. This win earned him a Performance of the Night award.

After negotiating a new contract, Kelleher faced Hunter Azure in a featherweight contest on May 13, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Smith vs. Teixeira. He won the fight via knockout in round two. This fight earned him another Fight of the Night award.

Kelleher faced Cody Stamann on June 6, 2020, at UFC 250. He lost the bout via unanimous decision.

Kelleher was scheduled to face Ricky Simón on September 5, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 176. However, Simón's cornerman tested positive for COVID-19 and he was forced to withdraw from the event, and he was replaced by promotional newcomer Kevin Natividad. In turn, Natividad was pulled from the matchup on the day of the event due to undisclosed reasons, and he was replaced by fellow newcomer Ray Rodriguez, who weighed in as a backup. Kelleher won the fight via a guillotine choke in round one. This win earned him a Performance of the Night award.

The bout against Simón was rescheduled on January 16, 2021, at UFC on ABC 1. However, Kelleher also tested positive on January 1 and was pulled from the bout. He was replaced by newcomer Gaetano Pirello and the bout will take place four days later at UFC on ESPN: Chiesa vs. Magny.

The bout between Kelleher and Ricky Simón was rebooked for the third time and took place at UFC 258 on February 13, 2021. Kelleher lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Kelleher faced Domingo Pilarte on August 21, 2021, at UFC on ESPN: Cannonier vs. Gastelum. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Kelleher was scheduled to face Saidyokub Kakhramonov on January 15, 2022, at UFC on ESPN 32. However, Kakhramonov withdrew from the bout for undisclosed reason and he was replaced by Kevin Croom. He won the fight via unanimous decision after knocking Croom down once in the first round.

As the first bout of his new four-fight contract, Kelleher faced Umar Nurmagomedov on March 5, 2022, at UFC 272. He lost the fight via a rear naked choke in round one.

Kelleher faced Mario Bautista on June 25, 2022, at UFC on ESPN 38. He lost the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in the first round.

Kelleher was scheduled to face Journey Newson on April 29, 2023, at UFC on ESPN: Song vs. Simón. However, Kelleher pulled out of his bantamweight bout against Journey Newson. He was replaced by Marcus McGhee.

Kelleher faced former UFC Bantamweight Champion Cody Garbrandt on December 16, 2023 at UFC 296. He lost the fight via knockout in the first round.

Kelleher faced Cody Gibson on July 20, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 60. He lost the fight by an arm-triangle choke submission in the first round.

On October 9, 2024, it was reported that Kelleher was removed from the UFC roster.

On February 26, 2025, it was announced that Kelleher had retired from MMA competition.

Championships and accomplishments Ultimate Fighting Championship Performance of the Night (Three times) 2018: Ranked #8 Upset of the Year Ring of Combat Bantamweight Championship (One time; former) One successful title defense

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Cody Gibson Submission (arm-triangle choke) UFC on ESPN: Lemos vs. Jandiroba

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Cody Garbrandt KO (punch) UFC 296

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Mario Bautista Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC on ESPN: Tsarukyan vs. Gamrot

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Umar Nurmagomedov Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC 272

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Kevin Croom Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Kattar vs. Chikadze

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Domingo Pilarte Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Cannonier vs. Gastelum

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Ricky Simón Decision (unanimous) UFC 258

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Ray Rodriguez Submission (guillotine choke) UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Sakai

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Cody Stamann Decision (unanimous) UFC 250

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Hunter Azure KO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Smith vs. Teixeira

Jacksonville, Florida, United States Win

Ode' Osbourne Submission (guillotine choke) UFC 246

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Montel Jackson Submission (D'Arce choke) UFC 232

Inglewood, California, United States Loss

John Lineker KO (punch) UFC 224

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Win

Renan Barão Decision (unanimous) UFC on Fox: Emmett vs. Stephens

Orlando, Florida, United States Win

Damian Stasiak TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Cerrone vs. Till

Gdańsk, Poland Loss

Marlon Vera Submission (armbar) UFC on Fox: Weidman vs. Gastelum

Uniondale, New York, United States Win

Iuri Alcântara Submission (guillotine choke) UFC 212

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Win

Julio Arce Submission (guillotine choke) Ring of Combat 54

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

Josh Robinson KO (spinning back fist) Ring of Combat 53

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

Julio Arce Decision (majority) Ring of Combat 52

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

Jay Haas Submission (guillotine choke) CCFC 49

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, United States Win

Andre Soukhamthath Decision (unanimous) CES MMA 28

Lincoln, Rhode Island, United States Win

Mark Cherico Submission (guillotine choke) Pinnacle FC 9

Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, United States Loss

Andy Main Submission (triangle choke) CCFC 34

Morristown, New Jersey, United States Win

Lester Caslow Submission (rear-naked choke) CCFC 31

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Loss

Jeff Smith Submission (armbar) CCFC 29

King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, United States Loss

Scott Heckman Decision (unanimous) CCFC 27

King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, United States Loss

Jimmie Rivera Decision (unanimous) Bellator 95

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

Tyler Kahihikolo Decision (unanimous) Coalition of Combat

Phoenix, Arizona, United States Win

Bill Jones KO (punch) WCMMA 1: Portugal vs. USA

Ledyard, Connecticut, United States Win

Ryan Vaccaro TKO (flying knee) Rock Out Knock Out

Asbury Park, New Jersey, United States Win

Raphael Chavez TKO (punches) CCFC 14

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

Josh Parker Submission (rear-naked choke) NEF: Fight Night 1

Lewiston, Maine, United States Loss

Artur Rofi Submission (armbar) CCFC 12

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Loss

Claudio Ledesma Decision (unanimous) Bellator 54

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

Michael LaDuke TKO (doctor stoppage) Ring of Combat 37

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

Manny Millan Submission (rear-naked choke) Xtreme Fight Events: Cage Wars 9

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

Siyam Yousefi Submission (guillotine choke) CCFC 8

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

Nate Ainsworth KO (punch) CZ 37

Salem, New Hampshire, United States Loss

Dan Cion Submission (guillotine choke) Xtreme Fight Events: Cage Wars 5

Chester, Pennsylvania, United States