Louis Taylor

Louis Taylor (born May 12, 1979) is an American former mixed martial artist who most recently competed in the welterweight division of the Professional Fighters League. A professional competitor from 2007 to 2018, Taylor also formerly competed for Strikeforce and Bellator. He was the first PFL Middleweight Tournament champion.

Background Born and raised in the heart of Chicago's South Side, Taylor learned to defend himself from a young age. After being arrested at around age 16 for fighting a group of four gang members attacking him, in which he broke an assailant's collarbone, Taylor was introduced to a high school wrestling coach and former Olympic alternate Ken Binge, by his pastor. Taylor, a sophomore at the time, later moved in with an uncle so that he could attend the school and compete. Highly talented, Taylor was a two-time state qualifier, and became the first competitor from his school to place at the state tournament. He later went on to wrestle for Lassen Community College in Susanville, California, where he was roommates with UFC light heavyweight champion Rampage Jackson. At-then junior college powerhouse Lassen, Taylor was introduced to MMA and wrestled for two seasons before transferring to Eastern Illinois University. Competing at 174 lbs. under legendary former UFC champion and EIU coach Matt Hughes, Taylor excelled. Later, Taylor returned to Chicago to coach his former high school team, before transitioning to MMA at the age of 28. He was the high school wrestling coach of UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad and was later instrumental in training Muhammad for the latter's amateur career. He did not make the final cast to get onto the show which debuted on March 30, 2011.

Strikeforce Taylor made his Strikeforce debut at Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers on November 7, 2009, against Nate Moore and was defeated via submission due to punches in the second round.

He would make his next appearance for the promotion in the main event of Strikeforce Challengers: Riggs vs. Taylor on August 13, 2010, against former WEC Welterweight Champion Joe Riggs and was defeated via submission due to punches in the third round.

Combat USA Taylor fought Jason Louck on May 14, 2011, to determine the Middleweight Combat USA State Champion of Illinois. Taylor won the fight by submission (strikes) and was then supposed to face the Middleweight Combat USA State Champion of Wisconsin, Herbert Goodman. Unfortunately, Taylor Combat USA would not release Taylor from his contract.

Bellator Fighting Championships Taylor first fought for Bellator at Bellator 14 on April 15, 2010, and won by KO due to a head kick in the first round over Ryan Sturdy.

Taylor fought for the promotion again on December 14, 2012, at Bellator 84 against UFC veteran Joe Vedepo. Taylor defeated Vedepo via first-round knockout.

Ultimate Fighting Championship After an injury forced Costas Philippou out of his bout with Uriah Hall, it was announced on January 2, 2015, that Taylor had signed on to face Hall on short notice at UFC Fight Night: McGregor vs. Siver on January 18, 2015. However, on January 11, it was announced that Taylor pulled out of the fight due to a pulled muscle in his back and had his contract terminated as result.

World Series of Fighting On March 12, 2016, Taylor made his World Series of Fighting debut at WSOF 29 against Cory Devela. He won via guillotine choke submission in 29 seconds of the first round.

On July 30, 2016, Taylor faced undefeated fighter Phil Hawes at WSOF 32. He won via guillotine choke submission in the second round.

Professional Fighters League Taylor faced Anderson Goncalves at PFL 3 in Washington, D.C., on July 5, 2018. He won the fight via TKO in the third round.

In the fall of 2018, Taylor entered the PFL Middleweight tournament. At PFL 10 on October 20, 2018, he defeated Rex Harris by unanimous decision in the quarterfinal round. He then fought John Howard to a technical draw in the semifinal round; Taylor advanced to the finals by having won the first round. Taylor faced Abusupiyan Magomedov in the finals at PFL 11 on December 31, 2018. He won the fight via knockout just 33 seconds into the first round, winning the PFL Middleweight Championship and earning the $1 million cash prize.

For the second season of PFL, Taylor was expected to drop down to welterweight and face Chris Curtis on May 9, 2019. However just a week before the second season's start, Taylor announced that he had withdrawn from the tournament.

Personal life Taylor is married and has children.

Championships and accomplishments World Series of Fighting Fastest Submission in WSOF History (0:29) vs. Cory Devela Professional Fighters League 2018 Middleweight Tournament champion

Mixed martial arts record Win

Abusupiyan Magomedov KO (punch) PFL 11 (2018)

New York City, New York, United States Draw

John Howard Technical Draw (unanimous)

Win

Rex Harris Decision (unanimous)

Win

Andre Lobato Decision (unanimous) PFL 6 (2018)

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

Anderson Gonçalves TKO (punches) PFL 3 (2018)

Washington, D.C., United States Win

Zach Conn Decision (unanimous) PFL Everett

Everett, Washington, United States Loss

David Branch Submission (rear-naked choke) WSOF 34

New York City, New York, United States Win

Phil Hawes Submission (guillotine choke) WSOF 32

Everett, Washington, United States Win

Cory Devela Technical Submission (guillotine choke) WSOF 29

Greeley, Colorado, United States Win

Brian Houston Submission (guillotine choke) American Predator FC 17

Hoffman Estates, Illinois, United States Win

Robert Gotreau Submission (guillotine choke) American Predator FC 16

Villa Park, Illinois, United States Win

Eric Hammerich Submission (guillotine choke) American Predator FC 11

McCook, Illinois, United States Win

Joe Vedepo KO (punch) Bellator 84

Hammond, Indiana, United States Loss

Perry Filkins TKO (punches) Combat Zone 40

Salem, New Hampshire, United States Win

Jason Louck TKO (submission to strikes) Combat USA: Illinois State Finals

Racine, Wisconsin, United States Loss

Joe Riggs TKO (submission to strikes) Strikeforce Challengers: Riggs vs. Taylor

Phoenix, Arizona, United States Win

Ryan Sturdy KO (head kick) Bellator 14

Chicago, Illinois, United States Win

Curtis Bailey TKO (punches) Hoosier FC 2

Hammond, Indiana, United States Loss

Nate Moore TKO (submission to punches) Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers

Hoffman Estates, Illinois, United States Win

Steve Paterson KO (punches) Total Fight Challenge 14

Hammond, Indiana, United States Win

Adam Maciejewski Decision (unanimous) Adrenaline MMA: Guida vs. Russow

Chicago, Illinois, United States Win

Aaron Kreke TKO (slam) Corral Combat Classic 2

Hammond, Indiana, United States Win

Ricco Talamantes Submission (guillotine choke) International Sport Combat Federation: Fight 2 the Finish

Chicago, Illinois, United States