Jay Ellis

Jay Ellis (born 7 February 1984), nicknamed "Hurricane", is an American professional mixed martial artist who fights out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. A fixture of the American regional circuit since 2005, he holds the record for the most losses in professional mixed martial arts history, with 112 defeats in about 130 sanctioned bouts.

Career Ellis made his professional debut in 2005 and went on to compete at an unusually high volume for two decades, primarily in Midwestern regional promotions including King of the Cage. Early in his career he trained at Mark Henry's gym before leaving to train independently, a decision he later said hurt his development; by his own account he took frequent short-notice fights as promoters called.

Despite his losing record, Ellis defeated two fighters who went on to national success: he submitted future two-time Bellator MMA featherweight champion Daniel Straus in 2009, and beat future UFC middleweight Gerald Meerschaert by technical submission in 2007, losing their rematch in 2013. He was stopped by Anthony Pettis in 2008 and submitted by Colby Covington in 2014. MMAmania characterized his role in regional MMA as the opponent promoters called on to test rising fighters.

After a submission win in November 2021, Ellis went 1,651 days and twelve fights without a victory. He ended the streak on 14 May 2026, submitting Evian Rodriguez in the first round at a King of the Cage event, which drew coverage as a milestone for the sport's most-defeated fighter. Ellis has also competed in boxing and kickboxing bouts outside his MMA record.

In a 2025 interview Ellis reflected that he believed he could have reached the UFC: "Every time I look at those guys [I fought] in the UFC, I get kind of sad because I know I could have been there if I'd stayed focused and taken it seriously."

Mixed martial arts record As of July 2026, Sherdog lists Ellis's professional record as 17 wins and 112 losses. Win

Evian Rodriguez Submission (arm-triangle choke) KOTC - Warranted Aggression 14 May 2026

Worley, Idaho, United States Loss

Brian Akins Submission (rear-naked choke) Beastmode Fighting Championships - BFC 10 20 September 2025

Hammond, Indiana, United States Loss

Nico Jefferson Submission (rear-naked choke) Beastmode Productions - BFC 8 28 June 2025

Hammond, Indiana, United States Loss

Leslie Merris Submission SMMA 38 - Showcase MMA 38 1 June 2024

Kingsport, Tennessee, United States Loss

Ricky Clabough Submission (arm-triangle choke) SMMA 36 - Showcase MMA 36 13 January 2024

Kingsport, Tennessee, United States Loss

Jack Congdon Submission (rear-naked choke) Cage Titans FC - Cage Titans 58 18 March 2023

Plymouth, Massachusetts, United States Loss

Jacob Small Submission (brabo choke) Bayou FC 56 - Bayou Fighting Championship 56 3 February 2023

Gretna, Louisiana, United States Loss

Scott Gibbons TKO (punches) Bayou FC 52 - Bayou Fighting Championship 52 13 August 2022

Kenner, Louisiana, United States Loss

Don Shainis TKO (punches and elbows) Cage Titans FC - Cage Titans 52 2 April 2022

Plymouth, Massachusetts, United States Loss

Kasheem Peterson Submission (kimura) Combat Zone 75 - Saint Patrick's Day 17 March 2022

Everett, Massachusetts, United States Loss

Leonardo Ladeira TKO (punches) Cage Titans FC - Combat Night 3 25 February 2022

Plymouth, Massachusetts, United States Loss

Josh Baker Submission (armbar) NLFC - Next Level Fight Club 12 10 December 2021

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, United States Loss

Pat Casey Submission (rear-naked choke) PFC - Premier FC 32 19 November 2021

Springfield, Massachusetts, United States Win

Rodrigo Almeida Submission (rear-naked choke) NEF 45 - Uprising 5 November 2021

Portland, Maine, United States Loss

Trevor Gudde Submission (rear-naked choke) Cage Titans FC - Cage Titans 49 28 August 2021

Plymouth, Massachusetts, United States Loss

Nick Fiore TKO (punches) CES MMA 63 - Howard vs. Alvarez 6 August 2021

Springfield, Massachusetts, United States Loss

Connor Matthews Submission (rear-naked choke) Cage Titans FC - Cage Titans 48 10 July 2021

Plymouth, Massachusetts, United States Loss

Angelo Trevino TKO (submission to punches) EFC - Empire Fighting Championship 12 26 June 2021

Biloxi, Mississippi, United States Loss

Jeremiah Scott KO Ultimate Battle Grounds 7 - Battle De Mayo 8 May 2021

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, United States Loss

Austin Trotman KO Ultimate Battle Grounds 6 - MMA Super Bowl 6 February 2021

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, United States Loss

Austin Trotman KO Ultimate Battle Grounds 5 - Winter Flurries 5 December 2020

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, United States Loss

Jakob Scheffel Submission (arm-triangle choke) EFC - Empire Fighting Championship 5: Gooden vs. Jackson 29 February 2020

Biloxi, Mississippi, United States Loss

Nick Fiore Submission (rear-naked choke) Combat Zone 73 - Resolution 17 January 2020

Manchester, New Hampshire, United States Loss

Shonte Barnes KO (punch) SMMA 10 - Showcase MMA 10: Barnes vs. Ellis 16 November 2019

Fletcher, North Carolina, United States Loss

Ali Omar Submission (anaconda choke) EFL - Elite Fight League 6 13 July 2019

Cedar Rapids, Iowa, United States Loss

Aaron Mitchell Submission (rear naked choke) Beastmode Productions - Victory Lap 22 June 2019

Rudd, Iowa, United States Loss

Clarence Jordan Submission (rear-naked choke) EFL - Elite Fight League 5 4 May 2019

Waterloo, Iowa, United States Loss

Caleb Hall Submission (rear-naked choke) NEF 38 - Stormborn 27 April 2019

Portland, Maine, United States Loss

Jared Downing Submission (guillotine choke) EFL - Elite Fight League 4 13 April 2019

Cedar Rapids, Iowa, United States Loss

Jordan Berg Submission (triangle choke) Pure FC 13 - Pure Fighting Championships 13 9 March 2019

Stevens Point, Wisconsin, United States Loss

Nick Alley Submission (rear-naked choke) Combat Zone 69 - Armageddon 2 February 2019

Manchester, New Hampshire, United States Loss

Evan DeLong Submission (rear-naked choke) KOTC - Starbound 2 2 December 2018

Rio Rancho, New Mexico, United States Loss

Earl Small Submission (twister) SF 39 - Stellar Fights 39 17 November 2018

Hockessin, Delaware, United States Loss

Josh Harvey Submission (arm-triangle choke) NEF 35 - Wicked Season 8 September 2018

Bangor, Maine, United States Loss

Oliver Parker Submission (rear-naked choke) KOTC - Perennial 21 July 2018

Ignacio, Colorado, United States Loss

John DeVall Submission (rear-naked choke) KOTC - Impending Attack 14 July 2018

Sloan, Iowa, United States Loss

Zach DiSabatino Submission (rear-naked choke) Cage Titans FC - Cage Titans 39 30 June 2018

Kingston, Massachusetts, United States Loss

Jason Brown Submission (heel hook) SF 37 - Stellar Fights 37 19 May 2018

Hockessin, Delaware, United States Loss

Peter Barrett Submission (rear-naked choke) Cage Titans FC - Cage Titans 38 14 April 2018

Plymouth, Massachusetts, United States Loss

Mike Budnik Submission (rear-naked choke) XFO 62 - Xtreme Fighting Organization 62 17 February 2018

Woodstock, Illinois, United States Loss

Connor Barry Submission (rear-naked choke) Cage Titans FC - Cage Titans 37 27 January 2018

Plymouth, Massachusetts, United States Win

Isaiah Pitts Submission (arm-triangle choke) KOTC - Stone Cold 2 December 2017

Keshena, Wisconsin, United States Loss

Blaze Gill Submission (rear-naked choke) KOTC - Next Level 21 October 2017

Sloan, Iowa, United States Loss

Kenny Jordan Submission (rear-naked choke) United Combat League - Havoc in Hammond 4 23 September 2017

Hammond, Indiana, United States Loss

Hopeton Stewart Submission (rear-naked choke) SF 35 - Stellar Fights 35 9 September 2017

Harrington, Delaware, United States Loss

Ryan Sanders Submission (triangle choke) NEF 30 - Rumble in Bangor 5 August 2017

Bangor, Maine, United States Loss

Lucas Cruz Submission (rear-naked choke) Combat Zone 62 - Legendary 30 June 2017

Manchester, New Hampshire, United States Loss

Leon Davis Submission (rear-naked choke) AMMO Fight League 2 - Dawn of War 24 June 2017

West Springfield, Massachusetts, United States Loss

Frank Sforza Submission (rear-naked choke) Cage Titans FC - Cage Titans 34 17 June 2017

Plymouth, Massachusetts, United States Loss

Adrian Hadribeaj TKO KOTC - Supremacy 29 April 2017

Wyandotte, Michigan, United States Loss

Austin Tweedy Submission (rear-naked choke) Extreme Combat Challenge - ECC: Spring Submissions 15 April 2017

Muncie, Indiana, United States Loss

Joe Giannetti Submission (rear-naked choke) Cage Titans FC - Cage Titans 33 8 April 2017

Plymouth, Massachusetts, United States Loss

Carl Wittstock Technical Submission (triangle choke) Caged Aggression 19 - Clash of Champions: Night 2 25 March 2017

Davenport, Iowa, United States Loss

Patrick King Submission (rear-naked choke) GFS - Gateway Fighting Series 6: Showdown 10 December 2016

Davenport, Iowa, United States Loss

Indalecio Tat Romero TKO (punches) KOTC - Ultimate Collision 8 July 2016

Carlton, Minnesota, United States Loss

Zak Ottow Submission (rear-naked choke) KOTC - Shattered 5 March 2016

Keshena, Wisconsin, United States Win

Danny Black Submission (guillotine choke) KOTC - Cold War 30 January 2016

Sloan, Iowa, United States Loss

Marc Stevens Submission (rear-naked choke) Rumble at the Raceway - Rumble at the Raceway 29 August 2015

Hogansburg, New York, United States Loss

Dan Moret Submission (triangle choke) KOTC - Power Surge 22 August 2015

Carlton, Minnesota, United States Loss

Colby Covington Submission (arm-triangle choke) AFC 21 - The Return 16 May 2014

Hollywood, Florida, United States Loss

Mitch Fryia Submission (rear-naked choke) KOTC - Quarantined 10 May 2014

Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, United States Loss

Michel Quinones Submission (armbar) MTC - In the Beginning 3 April 2014

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States Loss

Gerald Meerschaert TKO (punches) KOTC - Certified 20 April 2013

Keshena, Wisconsin, United States Loss

Chad Curry KO (punch) Brutaal - Fight Night 30 March 2013

Rochester, Minnesota, United States Win

Andrew Wells TKO (punches) Brutaal Fight Night - Brutaal Genesis 8 February 2013

Welch, Minnesota, United States Loss

Bobby Ferrier TKO (submission to punches) Brutaal Fight Night - New Years Bash 31 December 2012

Turtle Lake, Wisconsin, United States Loss

Anthony Rocco Martin Submission (guillotine choke) CFX 39 - Cage Fighting Xtreme 20 October 2012

Maplewood, Minnesota, United States Loss

Derek Getzel Submission (arm-triangle choke) Brutaal - Fight Night 29 September 2012

Rochester, Minnesota, United States Loss

Kevin Morris Submission (arm-triangle choke) RWC - Rogue Warrior Championships 3 6 September 2012

Green Bay, Wisconsin, United States Loss

John Schulz Submission (triangle choke) KOTC - Trump Card 30 June 2012

Lac du Flambeau, Wisconsin, United States Loss

Kenny Booker Submission (rear-naked choke) Rockford Cagefighting Championship - Rumble at the Resort 9 June 2012

Rockford, Illinois, United States Win

Brandon Adamson Submission (rear-naked choke) BlueBlood MMA / QCFC - Fight Legends of the Quad Cities 28 April 2012

Davenport, Iowa, United States Loss

Johnny Case KO (punch) Brutaal - Fight Night 18 February 2012

Red Wing, Minnesota, United States Loss

Johnny Rees TKO (submission to punches) LOF 50 - Legends of Fighting 50 9 December 2011

Indianapolis, Indiana, United States Loss

Robbie Merrill Decision (split) NAFC - Unleashed 18 November 2011

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States Loss

Derek Abram Submission (rear-naked choke) ACFC - American Cage Fighting Championships 28 May 2011

Coon Rapids, Iowa, United States Loss

Rafael Dias Submission (rear-naked choke) Fight Time 4 - MMA Heavyweight Explosion 1 April 2011

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States Loss

Donavon Winters Submission (armbar) CFC 1 - The Beginning 19 November 2010

Lincoln, Nebraska, United States Loss

Lemetra Griffin Decision (unanimous) United Cage Fighting - Unforgiven 21 August 2010

Hubertus, Wisconsin, United States Loss

Bobby Reardanz Submission (rear-naked choke) KOTC - Chain Reaction 17 July 2010

Lac du Flambeau, Wisconsin, United States Loss

Marcus LeVesseur KO (punch) ECO - Extreme Cagefighting Organization 6 10 July 2010

Baraboo, Wisconsin, United States Loss

Ryan Williams Submission (kimura) CCC - Chicago Cagefighting Championship 1 26 June 2010

Villa Park, Illinois, United States Loss

Joe Jordan Decision (unanimous) UFA 1 - Clash at the Coliseum 11 June 2010

Charleston, South Carolina, United States Loss

Tyler Combs TKO (punches) Ruckus Entertainment - Ruckus 2 12 March 2010

Addison, Illinois, United States Loss

Tony Rook Submission (neck crank) MT 22 - Madtown Throwdown 22 9 January 2010

Madison, Wisconsin, United States Loss

James Warfield TKO (punches) ECO 2 - Boneyard Massacre 14 November 2009

Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, United States Loss

Andy Acker Submission (triangle choke) MT 21 - Madtown Throwdown 21 17 October 2009

Wisconsin, United States Loss

Pat Curran Submission (guillotine choke) XFO - Xtreme Fighting Organization 32 10 October 2009

New Munster, Wisconsin, United States Loss

Jonathan Murphy Submission (guillotine choke) FCI - Fight Club Inc. 25 July 2009

Addison, Illinois, United States Loss

Tom Speer TKO (punches) EC 128 - Extreme Challenge 128 30 May 2009

Rochester, Minnesota, United States Win

Marshall Blevins Submission XFO - Xtreme Fighting Organization 30 2 May 2009

New Munster, Wisconsin, United States Win

Daniel Straus Submission (rear-naked choke) XFO - New Blood 7 February 2009

New Munster, Wisconsin, United States Loss

Travis Perzynski TKO (punches) EC 119 - Extreme Challenge 119 31 January 2009

Rochester, Minnesota, United States Loss

Pat Curran Submission (rear-naked choke) EC 110 - Extreme Challenge 110 7 November 2008

Franklin, Wisconsin, United States Loss

Waylon Lowe Decision (unanimous) EC 109 - Extreme Challenge 109 18 October 2008

Moline, Illinois, United States Loss

Jeff Cox Submission (guillotine choke) ShoXC - Elite Challenger Series 10 October 2008

Hammond, Indiana, United States Loss

Anthony Pettis TKO (submission to elbows) GFS 55 - Gladiators Fighting Series 55 4 October 2008

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States Win

Yusuke Kagiyama Submission (rear-naked choke) FCC 36 - Freestyle Combat Challenge 36 12 September 2008

Kenosha, Wisconsin, United States Loss

Tim Nixon TKO (punches) Combat USA - Battle in the Bay 8 22 August 2008

Green Bay, Wisconsin, United States Loss

Donovan Foley TKO (corner stoppage) GFS - Fight Night at the Fair 4 August 2008

West Allis, Wisconsin, United States Win

Desi Braiden Submission (rear-naked choke) MT 16 - Madtown Throwdown 16 25 July 2008

Madison, Wisconsin, United States Loss

Tommy Lee Disqualification EC 101 - Extreme Challenge 101 11 July 2008

Franklin, Wisconsin, United States Loss

James Warfield TKO (punches) Combat USA - Fight Night 28 June 2008

Harris, Michigan, United States Win

Tanner Hendricks KO GFS - Fight Club 21 June 2008

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States Loss

Rory Markham Submission (triangle choke) AMMA 1 - Adrenaline MMA 1 14 June 2008

Hoffman Estates, Illinois, United States Win

Mark Anderson Submission (rear-naked choke) XFO - Xtreme Fighting Organization 24 8 June 2008

Lakemoor, Illinois, United States Loss

Mike Vaughn Submission (armbar) GFS - Thunderdome 17 May 2008

Wisconsin, United States Loss

Kiuma Kunioku Submission (toe hold) FCC 35 - Freestyle Combat Challenge 35 3 May 2008

Racine, Wisconsin, United States Loss

Dom O'Grady TKO (punches) XFO 23 - Title Night 25 April 2008

Lakemoor, Illinois, United States Loss

Sherron Leggett Submission (rear-naked choke) EC 92 - Extreme Challenge 92 22 March 2008

Loves Park, Illinois, United States Loss

Tom Belt TKO (retirement) XFO - Xtreme Fighting Organization 18 30 June 2007

Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, United States Loss

Joe Jordan Submission (neck crank) EFC 4 - Evolution Fighting Championships 4 29 June 2007

Machesney Park, Illinois, United States Loss

Caleb Krull Submission (triangle choke) GFS - Night of Iron 16 June 2007

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States Loss

Mike Stumpf Submission (guillotine choke) XFO - Xtreme Fighting Organization 17 2 June 2007

Lakemoor, Illinois, United States Loss

Cal Ferry KO (punches) RS 5 - Rocktown Showdown 5 12 May 2007

Rockford, Illinois, United States Win

Alvin Leon Submission (rear naked choke) CCF - Chicago Cage Fight 5 May 2007

Chicago, Illinois, United States Loss

Mike O'Malley Submission (rear naked choke) MT 11 - Madtown Throwdown 11 28 April 2007

Madison, Wisconsin, United States Loss

Joe Chacon TKO GFS - Baddest in the Bay 8 April 2007

Green Bay, Wisconsin, United States Win

Gerald Meerschaert Technical Submission (guillotine choke) FCC 26 - Freestyle Combat Challenge 26 10 March 2007

Kenosha, Wisconsin, United States Win

Mike Firari TKO (punches) GFS - No Guts, No Glory 17 February 2007

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States Loss

Jeff Murphy Submission (rear-naked choke) MT 10 - Madtown Throwdown 10 12 January 2007

Madison, Wisconsin, United States Win

Shawn Hanson Submission (rear-naked choke) MT 9 - Madtown Throwdown 9 14 October 2006

Madison, Wisconsin, United States Loss

Elton Chavez Submission (armbar) MT 8 - Madtown Throwdown 8 15 July 2006

Madison, Wisconsin, United States Loss

Bart Palaszewski Submission (triangle choke) XFO 10 - Explosion 18 March 2006

Lakemoor, Illinois, United States Win

Nate Mohr Submission (rear-naked choke) XFO - Xtreme Fighting Organization 9 28 January 2006

Lakemoor, Illinois, United States Loss

Derrick Noble KO (punches) MT 6 - Madtown Throwdown 6 13 January 2006

Madison, Wisconsin, United States Loss

Andy Normington TKO (punches) MT 5 - Madtown Throwdown 5 15 October 2005

Madison, Wisconsin, United States Loss

Mike Lambrecht TKO (submission to punches) MT 4 - Madtown Throwdown 4 9 July 2005

Madison, Wisconsin, United States Loss

Justin Wieman Submission FCC 19 - Freestyle Combat Challenge 19 14 May 2005

Racine, Wisconsin, United States