Robert McDaniel

Robert "Bubba" McDaniel (born May 3, 1983) is an American mixed martial artist who formerly fought as a Middleweight for the Ultimate Fighting Championship where he went (1–2). He was a member of FX's The Ultimate Fighter: Team Jones vs. Team Sonnen. He is currently signed to the BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing roster.

Mixed martial arts career The Ultimate Fighter In January 2013, it was announced that McDaniel was selected for The Ultimate Fighter: Team Jones vs. Team Sonnen. To get into the TUF house, McDaniel defeated Ryan Bigler by TKO. During the choosing of teams, he was the third pick of coach Jon Jones for Team Jones and sixth overall.

McDaniel faced eventual winner Kelvin Gastelum in the preliminary round. Despite being favored to win, McDaniel was submitted in the second round via rear-naked choke.

McDaniel was chosen by coach Jones for the wildcard spot and faced Kevin Casey. Bubba won via corner stoppage after Casey didn't answer the bell for the third round.

McDaniel lost via early KO to Uriah Hall in the quarterfinals.

Ultimate Fighting Championship McDaniel made his UFC debut against castmate Gilbert Smith on April 13, 2013 at The Ultimate Fighter 17 Finale. He won the fight via submission in the third round.

McDaniel faced Brad Tavares on August 28, 2013 at UFC Fight Night 27. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

McDaniel was expected to face TUF 17 castmate Tor Troéng on March 15, 2014 at UFC 171. However, Troéng was forced to pull out of the bout citing an injury. McDaniel instead faced UFC newcomer Sean Strickland. He lost the bout via submission in the first round and was subsequently released from the UFC.

Bellator MMA Previous to fighting in the UFC, McDaniel appeared on an early Bellator MMA fight card in 2009. He faced William Chris Spicer at Bellator 6 and won the fight via rear-naked choke submission in the first round.

In May 2014, McDaniel signed with Bellator MMA. He made his return on June 6, 2014, facing Matt Jones at Bellator 121. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

McDaniel faced Emiliano Sordi on October 10, 2014 at Bellator 128. He lost via guillotine choke submission in the first round.

In his second fight for the promotion, McDaniel faced Kenyon Jackson at Bellator 146 on November 20, 2015. He won the fight via TKO in the second round.

After nearly two years away from Bellator, McDaniel was set to compete at Light Heavyweight when he replaced Muhammed Lawal against Liam McGeary at Bellator 185 on October 20, 2017. The following week, McGeary pulled out of the fight due to an injury.

Personal life McDaniel's two year old son, Wilder, was murdered by James Staley on October 11, 2018. Late October 2018, McDaniel was arrested for allegedly making terroristic threats against Staley, who was later found guilty of the murder of his son.

In July 2021, Bubba's wife was arrested and charged with tampering or fabricating physical evidence and abandoning or endangering a child in relation to the death of Wilder.

Mixed martial arts record Win

Brian Houston TKO (punches) ECF 1

Wichita Falls, Texas, United States Win

Leonardo Pecanha TKO (punches) Zak Cummings Promotions - Stronger Men's Conference 2018

Springfield, Missouri, United States Win

Juan Torres TKO (punches) Strike League 1: Fight Your Fight

Cedar Park, Texas, United States Heavyweight debut. Win

Andre Kavanaugh TKO (punches) Horsepower Promotions - Fists of Fury 13

Lawton, Oklahoma, United States Win

Kenyon Jackson TKO (punches) Bellator 146

Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States Catchweight (195 lbs) bout Loss

Hayward Charles Submission (anaconda choke) HERO FC: Best of the Best VI

El Paso, Texas, United States For Hero FC Middleweight Championship Win

Kenyon Jackson Submission (choke) Legend Fights: Lopez vs. Alexander

Shawnee, Oklahoma, United States Win

Edgar Verdin Submission (rear-naked choke) Fury Fighting 7: McDaniel vs. Verdin

Humble, Texas, United States Light Heavyweight bout Win

Marvin Babe TKO (punches) Horsepower Promotions: Fists of Fury 8

Woodward, Oklahoma, United States Light Heavyweight bout Loss

Emiliano Sordi Submission (guillotine choke) Bellator 128

Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States Win

Ron Fields Submission (rear-naked choke) Extreme Combat Challenge: Fireworks

Indianapolis, Indiana, United States Win

Matt Jones Decision (unanimous) Bellator 121

Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States Catchweight (190 lbs) bout Loss

Sean Strickland Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC 171

Dallas, Texas, United States Loss

Brad Tavares Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Condit vs. Kampmann 2

Indianapolis, Indiana, United States Win

Gilbert Smith Submission (triangle armbar) The Ultimate Fighter 17 Finale

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Keith Cunagin Submission (guillotine choke) Legends of Fighting 53: Memorium

Indianapolis, Indiana, United States Catchweight (195 lbs) bout Win

Eric Schambari Decision (unanimous) Fight Game: Premier Event

Frisco, Texas, United States Win

Johnny Rees Submission (rear-naked choke) Legends of Fighting 45: Line of Fire

Indianapolis, Indiana, United States Win

Kyacey Uscola TKO (punches) Pure Fighting Championships 6

Red Deer, Alberta, Canada Win

Rob Wince Submission (triangle choke) Ohio Fight Conference: Round 5

Columbus, Ohio, United States Win

Nikolaos Rueve Boscarino Submission (americana) CNG Promotions: Queen City Meltdown

Cincinnati, Ohio, United States Loss

Lucas Lopes KO (punches) MMA Big Show: A Prodigy Returns

Florence, Indiana, United States Win

Billy Horne TKO (punches) MMA Big Show: Mayhem

Florence, Indiana, United States Win

William Chris Spicer Submission (rear-naked-choke) Bellator 6

Robstown, Texas, United States Loss

Alexander Shlemenko TKO (flying knee to the body) ShoXC: Elite Challenger Series

Hammond, Indiana, United States Win

Kala Hose Submission (rear-naked-choke) EliteXC: Return of the King

Honolulu, Hawaii, United States Win

Alex Cisne TKO KOTC: Rising Stars

Devol, Oklahoma, United States Loss

Tom Jones Submission (north-south choke) Freestyle Cage Fighting 17

Shawnee, Oklahoma, United States Loss

Dan Molina Submission (heel hook) KOTC: Arch Rivals

Reno, Nevada, United States Win

Blake Norsworthy TKO KOTC: Jawbreaker

Devol, Oklahoma, United States Win

Mike Queen Submission (rear-naked-choke) Freestyle Cage Fighting 12

Shawnee, Oklahoma, United States Win

Cody Malicott Submission Big Chief Promotions

Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States Win

Craig Cobb Submission (triangle choke) Freestyle Cage Fighting 10

Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States Loss

Gerald Harris TKO (slam) Freestyle Cage Fighting 6

Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States Win

Nick Budig Submission (rear-naked choke) Freestyle Cage Fighting: Brawl For It All 2

Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States Win

Jeff McConnell Submission (rear-naked choke) Freestyle Cage Fighting: Brawl For It All

Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States Win

Brandon McDowell Submission Ultimate Texas Showdown 5

Frisco, Texas, United States Win

Allan McGuire Submission (armbar) American Cage Fighting: Showdown at Sundown

Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States Win

Roger Kimes Submission (armbar) Xtreme Fighting League - EK 19: Battle at the Brady 3

Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States Loss

Horace Spencer Submission (choke) Xtreme Fighting League

Oklahoma, United States Win

York Ash Submission (armbar) World Fighting Organization

Oklahoma, United States Kickboxing record

Bare knuckle boxing record Loss

Chris Camozzi KO (punch) BKFC 31

Broomfield, Colorado, United States