William Knight

Ultimate Fighting Championship Knight made his UFC debut against Aleksa Camur at UFC 253 on September 27, 2020. For the first time in his professional career, he went to the judges and won the bout via unanimous decision.

Knight stepped in on short notice to replace Shamil Gamzatov against Da Un Jung on April 10, 2021, at UFC on ABC: Vettori vs. Holland. Knight lost the bout via unanimous decision.

Knight faced Fabio Cherant on August 21, 2021, at UFC on ESPN: Cannonier vs. Gastelum. He won the fight via knockout in round one. With this win, Knight earned a Performance of the Night award.

Knight was scheduled to face Alonzo Menifield on February 27, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 186. However, the bout was postponed during the week leading up to the event after Menifield testing positive for COVID-19. The pairing was expected to be left intact and rescheduled for UFC 260. This time Knight was removed due to COVID-19 protocols. The pair was rescheduled to December 4, 2021 at UFC on ESPN 31. Knight won the fight via unanimous decision.

Knight, as a replacement for Ed Herman, faced Maxim Grishin on February 12, 2022, at UFC 271. At the weigh-ins, Knight weighed in at 218 pounds, 12 pounds over the light heavyweight non-title fight limit, marking the biggest weight miss in UFC history. As a result, the bout was shifted to heavyweight and Knight was fined 40% of his purse, which went to Grishin. Knight lost the bout via unanimous decision.

Knight faced Devin Clark on April 16, 2022, at UFC on ESPN 34. He lost the fight via technical knockout in round three.

Knight was scheduled to face Marcin Prachnio on November 19, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 215. However, the bout was scrapped the week of the event for undisclosed reasons. The bout was rescheduled for UFC Fight Night 219 on February 18, 2023. Knight lost the fight via unanimous decision.

After the loss, it was announced that Knight had fought out his contract and was not renewed.

Post-UFC career

Following his UFC release Knight faced Domingos Barros for the vacant CES MMA Heavyweight Championship on May 12, 2023 at CES 73: Knight vs. Barros. He lost the bout via majority decision.

Personal life On May 6, 2023, Knight announced that seven members of his family died before his fight against Marcin Prachnio at UFC Fight Night 215. Championships and accomplishments Mixed martial arts Ultimate Fighting Championship Performance of the Night (One time) Premier FC Premier FC Light Heavyweight Championship (One time)

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Domingos Barros Decision (majority) CES 73

Beverly, Massachusetts, United States Loss

Marcin Prachnio Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Andrade vs. Blanchfield

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Devin Clark TKO (elbow and punches) UFC on ESPN: Luque vs. Muhammad 2

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Maxim Grishin Decision (unanimous) UFC 271

Houston, Texas, United States Win

Alonzo Menifield Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Font vs. Aldo

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Fabio Cherant KO (punches) UFC on ESPN: Cannonier vs. Gastelum

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Da Un Jung Decision (unanimous) UFC on ABC: Vettori vs. Holland

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Aleksa Camur Decision (unanimous) UFC 253

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Win

Cody Brundage TKO (elbows and punches) Dana White's Contender Series 31

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Rocky Edwards TKO (punches) CES 60

Lincoln, Rhode Island, United States Loss

Tafon Nchukwi TKO (punches) CFFC 80

Hampton, Virginia, United States Win

Jamelle Jones TKO (submission to punches) CES 59

Lincoln, Rhode Island, United States Win

Herdem Alacabek TKO (punches) Dana White's Contender Series 24

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Kevin Haley TKO (submission to punches) CES 54

Lincoln, Rhode Island, United States Win

Walter Howard TKO (punches) Premier FC 27

Westfield, Massachusetts, United States Win

Terrance Jean-Jacques TKO (punches) Premier FC 26

Springfield, Massachusetts, United States Win

Tom Velazquez TKO (punches) Reality Fighting

Uncasville, Connecticut, United States