Chris Daukaus

Background Daukaus was raised in Northeast Philly in the Tacony neighborhood. In 2007, Chris graduated from Northeast Catholic High School, and became a resident of Parkwood, Philadelphia. After graduating, he attended Pennsylvania State University before dropping out.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

A professional since October 2013 and representing Martinez BJJ, Daukaus compiled an 8–3 record in 11 career bouts as a professional, winning by seven knockouts and one decision. Daukaus has competed with CES MMA, Cage Fury Fighting Championships, and Ring Of Combat. He has finished seven of his eight professional victories. In his MMA debut at XFE Cage Wars 27, he defeated Robert Duvalle via TKO in the first round. Daukaus also defeated Jeffrey Blachly via TKO in round two in his debut appearance with Cage Fury Fighting Championships at CFFC 50. He defeated Blachly a second time via a unanimous decision at CFFC 62. Then at KOTC Regulator, Daukaus defeated Anthony Coleman via TKO in the first round. He also defeated Plinio Cruz via TKO in round one at CFFC 69. For his lone outing with CES MMA at CES MMA 52 Daukaus defeated Joshua Marsh via TKO in the second round.

At Ring Of Combat 65, he faced Edwin Smart and defeated him via technical knockout in round one to earn the sixth knockout victory of his professional career.

Daukaus suffered a loss to Zu Anyanwu in a bout for the Cage Fury FC Heavyweight Championship at CFFC 73 on March 2, 2019. Daukaus was clearly winning that fight before a big shot changed the complexion of it quickly and Daukaus was knocked out.

He then faced Danny Holmes at CFFC 77 on August 16, 2019. He won the fight via first-round technical knockout.

Daukaus was then scheduled to face Shawn Teed for the Cage Fury FC Heavyweight Championship in a rematch at CFFC 82 on March 21, 2020. However, the whole event was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The event and the championship bout was rescheduled to take place at August 12, 2020. However, Daukaus signed with the UFC in early August and was replaced by Carl Seumanutafa.

Ultimate Fighting Championship Daukaus made his UFC debut on nine days notice against Parker Porter on August 15, 2020, at UFC 252. He won the fight via TKO in the first round after a series of punches and a knee dropped Porter.

Daukaus faced Rodrigo Nascimento on October 11, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Moraes vs. Sandhagen. He won the fight via knockout in round one. This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.

Daukaus faced Aleksei Oleinik on February 20, 2021, at UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Lewis. He won the fight via TKO in round one. This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.

Daukaus was scheduled to face Shamil Abdurakhimov at UFC on ESPN: Sandhagen vs. Dillashaw, but the matchup would be postponed due to COVID-19 protocols within Abdurakhimov's camp. However, the bout was postponed for unknown reasons to UFC 266. Daukaus won the fight via technical knockout in round two. This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.

Daukaus faced Derrick Lewis on December 18, 2021, at UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Daukaus. He lost the fight via knockout in the first round.

Daukaus faced Curtis Blaydes on March 26, 2022, at UFC on ESPN 33. He lost the fight via TKO early in the second round.

Daukaus was scheduled to face Jairzinho Rozenstruik on October 1, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 211. However, for unknown reasons, the bout was moved to UFC 282 on December 10, 2022. Daukaus lost the fight via technical knockout.

Daukaus was scheduled to face Khalil Rountree Jr. on June 10, 2023 at UFC 289. However on June 2, 2023, it was revealed that Daukaus suffered injury and was pulled from the card. The bout with Rountree was rescheduled for August 12, 2023 at UFC on ESPN: Luque vs. dos Anjos. Daukaus lost the fight via technical knockout in round one.

After the loss, it was announced that Daukaus was no longer on the UFC roster.

Post-UFC Daukaus faced Tafon Nchukwi on August 16, 2024 at CFFC 134. He lost the fight by unanimous decision in the first decision loss in his career.

Professional grappling career Daukaus competed against Alexandr Romanov at Fury Pro Grappling 8 on December 30, 2023. He lost the match by decision.

Personal life

Daukaus had been a Philadelphia Police Department officer since 2010. However, on December 1, 2021, in the lead up to his fight with Derrick Lewis, Daukaus decided to quit his position in the police force in order to fully concentrate on his MMA career.

He and his wife Kelly have a son.

Championships and achievements Ultimate Fighting Championship Performance of the Night (Three times)

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Tafon Nchukwi Decision (unanimous) Cage Fury FC 134

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Loss

Khalil Rountree Jr. TKO (punches) UFC on ESPN: Luque vs. dos Anjos

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Jairzinho Rozenstruik KO (punch) UFC 282

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Curtis Blaydes TKO (punches) UFC on ESPN: Blaydes vs. Daukaus

Columbus, Ohio, United States Loss

Derrick Lewis KO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Daukaus

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Shamil Abdurakhimov TKO (punches and elbows) UFC 266

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Aleksei Oleinik TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Lewis

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Rodrigo Nascimento KO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Moraes vs. Sandhagen

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Win

Parker Porter TKO (punches and knee) UFC 252

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Danny Holmes TKO (head kick) Cage Fury FC 77

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Loss

Azunna Anyanwu TKO (punches) Cage Fury FC 73

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States Win

Edwin Smart TKO (punches) Ring of Combat 65

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

Jahsua Marsh TKO (punches) CES MMA 52

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States Win

Plinio Cruz KO (punch) Cage Fury FC 69

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

Anthony Coleman TKO (punches) KOTC: Regulator

Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, United States Win

Jeffrey Blachly Decision (unanimous) Cage Fury FC 62

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States Loss

Shawn Teed Submission (keylock) Cage Fury FC 53

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States Win

Jeffrey Blachly TKO (shoulder injury) Cage Fury FC 50

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Loss

Yordany Hernandez Figueroa KO (punches) Xtreme Fight Events 42

Chester, Pennsylvania, United States Win

Robert Duvalle TKO (elbow and punches) Xtreme Fight Events: Cage Wars 27

Chester, Pennsylvania, United States