Daniel Roberts

Daniel Lamar Roberts (born August 5, 1980) is an American mixed martial artist who last competed in 2015. A professional since 2007, he is a veteran of the UFC, Pancrase, Titan FC, and Legacy FC.

Background Roberts is a graduate of Bacone College in Muskogee, Oklahoma, where he majored in Business Administration. At Bacone College, Roberts was a standout athlete and an NAIA All-American wrestler. Roberts also has 12 years of jiu-jitsu experience and is proficient in Karate, Judo and Boxing.

He recently moved out to California to train with Gilbert Melendez and his team, the Skrap Pack. He also trains at Fairtex Muay Thai in San Francisco.

Mixed martial arts career Early career Roberts made his professional debut in 2007, and moved to 9-0 before being signed by the UFC.

Ultimate Fighting Championship Roberts signed a four-fight deal with the UFC in March 2010. He made his debut on short notice, filling in for an injured Anthony Johnson to fight John Howard at UFC Live: Vera vs. Jones. After an exciting grappling affair in the first two minutes, Howard delivered a punch that knocked Roberts unconscious.

Roberts was expected to fight Julio Paulino at UFC 116, but Paulino was forced from the card with an injury. Roberts instead fought veteran Forrest Petz. Roberts won the fight via split decision.

Roberts fought and quickly defeated Mike Guymon on October 23, 2010 at UFC 121. The fight barely passed the minute mark in the first round before Roberts applied an anaconda choke, and earned the submission win. His submission win also earned him the 'Submission of the Night' honors.

On January 1, 2011 at UFC 125, Roberts fought Greg Soto and after some early back-and-forth grappling, Roberts grabbed Soto's arm in a kimura, took top position and forced the tapout with just over a minute left in the opening round.

Roberts then faced fellow up-and-comer, Claude Patrick, on April 30, 2011 at UFC 129. On the judges scorecards, Roberts lost two of the three rounds, ultimately losing the fight via unanimous decision (29–28, 29–28, 29–28).

When injuries caused shuffling at UFC on Versus 4, taking place June 26, 2011, Roberts stepped in on very short notice to fight Rich Attonito. Roberts lost the fight via unanimous decision (29–27, 30–27, 29–28).

Roberts was expected to face TJ Waldburger on September 17, 2011 at UFC Fight Night 25. However, he had to pull out due to injury and was replaced by Mike Stumpf.

Roberts next faced Charlie Brenneman on January 20, 2012 at UFC on FX: Guillard vs. Miller. He lost the fight via unanimous decision. He was later released from the promotion following three consecutive losses.

Post-UFC career In his first fight after his UFC release, Roberts would face Nuri Shakir at Freedom Fight MMA on October 27, 2012. He won the fight via rear-naked choke submission in the second round. Roberts would then get his second straight submission win, when he submitted UFC veteran Brian Foster via rear-naked choke at Combat MMA on May 18, 2013.

He then faced Justin Baesman at War MMA 1 on June 22, 2013. He lost the fight via split decision.

After a near one-year hiatus, Roberts faced Brock Jardine at Titan FC 28: Brilz vs. Davis on May 16, 2014. He won the fight via split decision.

Personal life A week before his win at UFC 125, Roberts found out he was a father to a daughter named Gabrielle.

Championships and accomplishments Ultimate Fighting Championship Submission of the Night (One time) vs. Mike Guymon UFC.com Awards 2010: Ranked #7 Newcomer of the Year

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Akihiro Murayama Decision (split) Pancrase: 266

Tokyo, Japan Loss

Derrick Krantz Submission (Von Flue choke) Legacy FC 35

Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States Win

Brock Jardine Decision (split) Titan FC 28: Brilz vs. Davis

Newkirk, Oklahoma, United States Loss

Justin Baesman Decision (split) War MMA 1

Stockton, California, United States Win

Brian Foster Submission (rear-naked choke) Combat MMA

Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States Win

Nuri Shakir Submission (rear-naked choke) Freedom Fight MMA

Sudbury, Ontario, Canada Catchweight (180 lbs) bout. Loss

Charlie Brenneman Decision (unanimous) UFC on FX: Guillard vs. Miller

Nashville, Tennessee, United States Loss

Rich Attonito Decision (unanimous) UFC Live: Kongo vs. Barry

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States Loss

Claude Patrick Decision (unanimous) UFC 129

Toronto, Ontario, Canada Win

Greg Soto Submission (kimura) UFC 125

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Mike Guymon Submission (anaconda choke) UFC 121

Anaheim, California, United States Win

Forrest Petz Decision (split) UFC 116

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

John Howard KO (punch) UFC Live: Vera vs. Jones

Broomfield, Colorado, United States Win

Anthony Macias TKO (submission to punches) XFL: New Year's Revolution

Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States Win

Mike Jackson Submission (rear-naked choke) Bricktown Brawl 2

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States Win

Jeff Lindsay TKO (submission to punches) Bricktown Brawl 1

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States Win

Gabriel Vasquez Submission (kimura) C3 Fights

Clinton, Oklahoma, United States Win

Levi Avera Submission (kimura) Freestyle Cage Fighting

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States Win

Akira Ninjo Decision (unanimous) Extreme Fighting League

Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States Win

Danny Grass Submission (rear-naked choke) Extreme Fighting League

Miami, Oklahoma, United States Win

Jeremy Michael Submission (arm-triangle choke) Extreme Fighting League

Catoosa, Oklahoma, United States Win

Brandon Gaines Decision (split) Extreme Fighting League

Oklahoma, United States