Chris Curtis

Mixed martial arts career Early career Curtis amassed a record of 18–5 in the North American regional circuit while capturing Welterweight Championships in CES MMA, Z Promotions and Premier MMA Championship.

Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series and first retirement Curtis was then invited to face Sean Lally at Dana White's Contender Series 9 on June 12, 2018. He won the fight via third-round knockout but retired after he was not awarded a UFC contract.

Curtis would however return to fight for the vacant Z Promotions Middleweight title against Matt Dwyer on January 21, 2019, winning the bout via majority decision.

Professional Fighters League On April 1, 2019, it was revealed that Curtis would be participating PFL 2019 season in the welterweight division. He was initially set to face PFL Season 2018 Middleweight Champion Louis Taylor at PFL 1 on May 9, 2019. However, Taylor was not able to get medically cleared and had to withdraw from the season, subsequently being replaced by André Fialho. Curtis won the bout via third-round knockout.

In the second regular season bout Curtis faced PFL Season 2018 Welterweight Champion Magomed Magomedkerimov at PFL 4 on July 11, 2019. He lost the fight via unanimous decision but advanced to the playoffs.

Playoffs, second and third retirement In the quarterfinals Curtis faced Magomedkerimov in a rematch at PFL 7 on October 11, 2019. Again he lost the bout via unanimous decision, was eliminated from the season and retired from the sport.

However, after their bout Magomedkerimov fell ill and Curtis ended his retirement by stepping in to replace Magomedkerimov against Ray Cooper III in a semifinal bout.

On April 14, 2020, it was announced that Curtis had come out of retirement and signed a multi-fight contract with ARES FC. He was scheduled to make his promotional debut against Nassourdine Imavov at ARES FC 2 on April 3, 2020. However, the event was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic to take place on October 30, 2020, before being cancelled altogether.

Curtis was scheduled to face Austin Vanderford on November 5, 2020, at Bellator 251. However, Curtis had to pull out of the bout due to a positive COVID test and was replaced by Vinicius de Jesus.

Curtis faced Kyle Stewart on January 30, 2021, at XMMA 1. He won the bout via TKO in the third round.

After winning the next two bouts against Juan Ramon Grano Medina at iKon Fighting Federation 6 via first round TKO and Jarome Hatch at Fierce FC 15 via TKO stoppage in the third, Curtis faced Kenny Robertson on July 30, 2021, at XMMA 2. He won the bout via unanimous decision.

Ultimate Fighting Championship Curtis was briefly expected to replace Deron Winn against Phil Hawes on day's notice at UFC on ESPN 26 on October 9, 2021, but Hawes ultimately declined the bout. Nevertheless, the bout was later rebooked to take place at UFC 268 on November 6, 2021. Curtis won the fight via first-round knockout.

Replacing Roman Dolidze on short notice, Curtis faced Brendan Allen on December 4, 2021, at UFC on ESPN: Font vs. Aldo. He won the fight via technical knockout in round two. The win earned him a Performance of the Night bonus award.

Curtis was then expected to face Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 273 on April 9, 2022. However, Curtis withdrew from the bout due to a wrist injury and was replaced by Anthony Hernandez.

Curtis then faced Rodolfo Vieira at UFC on ESPN: Tsarukyan vs. Gamrot on June 25, 2022. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Curtis faced Jack Hermansson on July 23, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 208, replacing the injured Darren Till. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Curtis faced Joaquin Buckley on December 10, 2022, at UFC 282. He won the fight via technical knockout in round two. This fight earned him another Performance of the Night award.

Curtis faced Kelvin Gastelum on April 8, 2023, at UFC 287. He lost the bout via unanimous decision. This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award.

Curtis faced Nassourdine Imavov on June 10, 2023, at UFC 289. The bout ended in a no contest in the second round after an accidental clash of heads left Curtis unable to continue due to a severe cut above his eye.

Curtis was scheduled to face Anthony Hernandez at UFC Fight Night 227 on September 16, 2023. However, Curtis withdrew due to a rib injury and was replaced by Roman Kopylov.

Curtis faced Marc-André Barriault on January 20, 2024, at UFC 297. He won in a competitive bout by split decision.

Replacing Marvin Vettori, Curtis faced Brendan Allen in a rematch on April 6, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 240. Curtis lost the fight by split decision.

Curtis was scheduled to face Kevin Holland on October 5, 2024 at UFC 307. However, Curtis withdrew from the fight due to a foot fracture and was replaced by Roman Dolidze.

Curtis faced Roman Kopylov on January 11, 2025 at UFC Fight Night 249. In a competitive bout, he lost the fight by a head kick knockout with one second left in the third round. This fight earned him another Fight of the Night award.

Curtis faced Max Griffin in a return to the welterweight division on July 12, 2025 at UFC on ESPN 70. He won the fight by split decision.

Curtis faced Myktybek Orolbai on March 14, 2026 at UFC Fight Night 269. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Personal life Curtis has a son (born 2007) from a previous relationship. Curtis and his current spouse had their first child in October 2023. CES MMA CES MMA Welterweight Championship (one time; former) Two successful title defenses Z Promotions Z Promotions Welterweight Championship (one time; former) One successful title defense Z Promotions Middleweight Championship (one time; former) Premier MMA Championship PMMAC Welterweight Championship (one time; former) MMA Junkie 2021 Comeback Fighter of the Year

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Myktybek Orolbai Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Emmett vs. Vallejos

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Max Griffin Decision (split) UFC on ESPN: Lewis vs. Teixeira

Nashville, Tennessee, United States Loss

Roman Kopylov TKO (head kick) UFC Fight Night: Dern vs. Ribas 2

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Brendan Allen Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Allen vs. Curtis 2

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Marc-André Barriault Decision (split) UFC 297

Toronto, Ontario, Canada NC

Nassourdine Imavov NC (accidental clash of heads) UFC 289

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Loss

Kelvin Gastelum Decision (unanimous) UFC 287

Miami, Florida, United States Win

Joaquin Buckley KO (punches) UFC 282

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Jack Hermansson Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Aspinall

London, England Win

Rodolfo Vieira Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Tsarukyan vs. Gamrot

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Brendan Allen TKO (punches and knees) UFC on ESPN: Font vs. Aldo

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Phil Hawes KO (punches) UFC 268

New York City, New York, United States Win

Kenny Robertson Decision (unanimous) XMMA 2

Greenville, South Carolina, United States Win

Jarome Hatch TKO (punches) Fierce FC 15

West Valley City, Utah, United States Win

Juan Ramon Grano Medina TKO (punches) iKon Fighting Federation 6

Los Mochis, Mexico Win

Kyle Stewart TKO (punches) XMMA 1

West Palm Beach, Florida, United States Win

Darren Smith Jr. TKO (corner stoppage) Z Promotions Fight Night 12

Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada Loss

Ray Cooper III KO (punch)

Loss

Magomed Magomedkerimov Decision (unanimous)

Loss

Magomed Magomedkerimov Decision (unanimous) PFL 4 (2019)

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

André Fialho TKO (punches) PFL 1 (2019)

Uniondale, New York, United States Win

Matt Dwyer Decision (majority) Z Promotions Fight Night 9

Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada Win

Sean Lally TKO (hook kick and punches) Dana White's Contender Series 9

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Jason Norwood Decision (unanimous) CES MMA 49

Lincoln, Rhode Island, United States Win

Peter Grajcar Decision (unanimous) Z Promotions Fight Night 5

Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada Win

Portland Pringle III TKO (punches) Premier MMA Championship 3

Covington, Kentucky, United States Win

Will Santiago Jr. TKO (knees and punches) CES MMA 42

Lincoln, Rhode Island, United States Win

Leo Bercier Decision (unanimous) Final Fight Championship 24

Daytona Beach, Florida, United States Loss

Nah-Shon Burrell Decision (unanimous) CES MMA 34

Mashantucket, Connecticut, United States Win

Gil de Freitas TKO (submission to punches) CES MMA 32

Lincoln, Rhode Island, United States Win

Amaechi Oselukwue Decision (unanimous) Absolute Action MMA 44

Highland Heights, Kentucky, United States Win

Tyson Triplett TKO (submission to punches) Absolute Action MMA 42

Highland Heights, Kentucky, United States Loss

Belal Muhammad Decision (unanimous) Hoosier Fight Club 21

Valparaiso, Indiana, United States Win

Tiawan Howard Submission (armbar) Coveted FC 3

Mentor, Ohio, United States Win

Rex Harris Decision (split) PA Cage Fight 18

Kingston, Pennsylvania, United States Win

Ron Keslar Decision (unanimous) MMA Xtreme: Fists Will Fly

Evansville, Indiana, United States Loss

Forrest Petz Decision (unanimous) North American Allied Fight Series: Fight Night in the Flats 9

Cleveland, Ohio, United States Win

Andrew Trace Decision (unanimous) Turf Wars Extreme Fighting: Heavy Hitters

Florence, Kentucky, United States Win

Micah Bender TKO (punches) Rocktagon MMA: Elite Series 6

North Olmsted, Ohio, United States Loss

Tom Gallichio Submission (rear-naked choke) Xtreme Caged Combat: Reckless Abandon

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States Win

Erick Jordan KO (knee) Spartan FC 6

Ashland, Kentucky, United States Win

Rob Nickerson III KO (knee) Absolute Action MMA 6

Florence, Kentucky, United States Win

Kevin Powers TKO (punches) Universal Cage Combat: Lights, Camera, Maximum Action

Lawrenceburg, Indiana, United States Win

Nah-Shon Burrell Decision (unanimous) Xtreme Caged Combat: Hostile Intent

Feasterville, Pennsylvania, United States Win

Ian Rammel Decision (unanimous) International Combat Events 46

Forest Park, Ohio, United States Loss

Brandon Pinkston Decision (split) Revolution Fight League: Maximum Impact

Hammond, Indiana, United States

Professional boxing record