Kyle Daukaus

Mixed martial arts career

Early career Making his MMA debut at AFL 53, he faced Dino Juklo, submitting him via rear-naked choke in the first round. Daukaus would also to submit his next five opponents in Tyler Bayer, Kyle Walker, Elijah Gboille, Dustin Long, culminating in submitting Jonavin Webb via brabo choke at CFFC 72. At Dana White's Contender Series 18 he took on Michael Lombardo and defeated him via unanimous decision to pick up his first and only decision win at that point as a professional.

In the co-main event of CFFC 78, Daukaus submitted Stephen Regman in the second round via brabo choke. At CFFC 81 he tapped out Nolan Norwood via brabo choke in round two.

Ultimate Fighting Championship Daukaus made his UFC debut as a short notice injury replacement for Ian Heinisch against Brendan Allen on June 27, 2020, at UFC on ESPN: Poirier vs. Hooker. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Daukaus faced Dustin Stoltzfus on November 21, 2020, at UFC 255. After dominating the bout, he won it via unanimous decision.

Daukaus was scheduled to face Aliskhab Khizriev on April 10, 2021, at UFC on ABC: Vettori vs. Holland. However, the bout was pulled from the card on April 7 due to COVID-19 protocols.

Daukaus faced Phil Hawes on May 8, 2021, at UFC on ESPN: Rodriguez vs. Waterson. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

As the first bout of his new four-fight contract, Daukaus faced Kevin Holland on October 2, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 193. A clash of heads early into the fight knocked Holland unconscious briefly, but he continued to fight and was eventually submitted by Daukaus via a standing rear-naked choke. However, referee Dan Miragliotta reviewed the footage via replay and it was deemed the head clash led to the sequence of events resulting in Daukaus' win. Therefore, the fight was declared a no contest after the accidental headbutt. The rematch of the pair was scheduled on November 13, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 197. However, Holland withdrew from the bout due to injury and was replaced by Roman Dolidze. In turn, the bout was scrapped due to COVID-19 protocols related to Dolidze’s camp.

Daukaus was scheduled to face Julian Marquez on February 19, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 201. However, Marquez was pulled from the event for undisclosed reasons, and he was replaced by Jamie Pickett. He won the fight via D'Arce choke submission in the first round. The win earned Daukaus his first Performance of the Night bonus award.

Daukaus was rescheduled to face Roman Dolidze on June 18, 2022, at UFC on ESPN 37. He lost the fight via knockout in round one.

Daukaus faced Eryk Anders on December 3, 2022, at UFC on ESPN 42. He lost the bout via TKO stoppage in the second round.

It was announced in late January 2023 that Daukaus had fought out his contract, and was not re-signed by the UFC.

Post UFC In his first bout after leaving the UFC, Daukaus faced Robert Gidron on June 16, 2023, at CFFC 120, defeating him via rear-naked choke at the end of the first round.

On September 2, 2023, Daukaus won the CFFC Middleweight championship for the second time after defeating Gregg Ellis by unanimous decision.

Daukaus defended his title against Sean Connor Fallon on February 9, 2024 at CFFC 129. He would win the fight via third round submission.

Daukaus defended his title against Keanan Patershuk on June 14, 2024 at CFFC 132 by knockout in the first round.

On December 11, 2024, it was announced that Daukaus was eligible to be drafted in the Global Fight League. However, he was not drafted for the 2025 season. In turn, in April 2025, it was reported that all GFL events were cancelled indefinitely.

Return to the UFC Daukaus walking down the steps of the Lincoln Memorial for the UFC Freedom 250 press conference. Replacing Marco Tulio, who withdrew due to unknown reasons, Daukaus made his return to the UFC against Michel Pereira on August 23, 2025 at UFC Fight Night 257. He won the fight via knockout in round one. This fight earned him another Performance of the Night award.

Daukaus faced Gerald Meerschaert on November 15, 2025, at UFC 322. He won the fight via a brabo choke submission in the first round.

Daukaus was scheduled to face Vicente Luque on April 11, 2026 at UFC 327. However, he withdrew after being re‑scheduled for the UFC Freedom 250 card and was replaced by Kelvin Gastelum.

He ended up facing Bo Nickal on June 14, 2026 at UFC Freedom 250. He lost the fight by technical knockout in the first round.

Daukaus is scheduled to face Marc-André Barriault on October 17, 2026, at UFC Fight Night 291.

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

Personal life As of November 2025, Daukaus has a two-year-old son named Kai Alexander and is expecting a second son, Kal Atlas, whose birth is anticipated between Thanksgiving and Christmas. The names were chosen to reflect the initials KAD, which correspond to both parents, Kyle A. Daukaus and his wife Katharine Alaina, and include the children's middle names.

Championships and accomplishments Ultimate Fighting Championship Performance of the Night (Two times) Cage Fury Fighting Championships Cage Fury Middleweight Championship (Two times; former)