Kris McCray

Kris Eric Johannes McCray (born September 24, 1981) is an American Former mixed martial artist. He was the runner-up of The Ultimate Fighter: Team Liddell vs. Team Ortiz.

Kris McCray
BornKris Eric Johannes McCray
(1981-09-24) September 24, 1981
Schweinfurt, West Germany
Other namesSavage
NationalityAmerican
Height6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight185 lb (84 kg; 13.2 st)
DivisionWelterweight (2010-2012, 2015)
Middleweight (2008-2010, 2013)
Reach71.0 in (180 cm)
Fighting out ofToms River, New Jersey, United States
TeamRenzo Gracie Combat Team
Rankblue belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu
Years active2008-2015
Mixed martial arts record
Total14
Wins9
By knockout1
By submission5
By decision3
Losses5
By submission2
By decision3
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Background

McCray was born in Germany to Calvin and Barbara McCray as the middle child in between his two brothers, Dominic and Thomas.[1][2] He is of African American, Austrian and Mexican descent.[3]

Since his father was in the Army and stationed in Germany, McCray lived there, as well as Alabama, for most of his early childhood. He eventually moved to Woodbridge, Virginia, where he graduated from high school at Woodbridge High School in 1998.

McCray attended college at George Mason University, while he was teaching high school wrestling in his spare time. McCray entered the U.S. Army Reserve at age 21, and spent six years in the service.

Mixed martial arts career

Beginning at age 7, McCray began learning Tae Kwon Do and Karate. In high school, McCray was a part of the wrestling team. During his time in the service, McCray began learning Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and upon returning home, he joined Team Gold Medal Grappling, a Lloyd Irvin affiliate.

McCray obtained a perfect 10–0 amateur record before turning pro. His pro career has mainly consisted of fights for the Virginia based promotion, Ultimate Warrior Challenge.

The Ultimate Fighter

McCray was selected as a contestant for the eleventh season of the Ultimate Fighter. Before he could move into the house, McCray had to win his entry fight against Cleburn Walker, where he won via a verbal submission after injuring Walker's shoulder.

He was selected third and fifth overall by Team Punishment, led by Tito Ortiz. For his second fight he was chosen to fight Josh Bryant. The fight was back and forth and after three rounds, Bryant was awarded the decision.

McCray was then selected as one of the season's wildcards. He then faced Kyacey Uscola in a second chance to get into the quarter-finals. In the second round, having controlled a large portion of the fight, McCray was able to submit Uscola with an americana and advanced to the quarter-finals.

McCray would then face good friend Kyle Noke. McCray arguably controlled the fight after succeeding in multiple takedown attempts that Noke had little answer to. Noke's submission attempts were also effectively neutralised and McCray pulled off the victory with a unanimous decision after three rounds.

That win advanced McCray into the semi-finals where he would have a rematch with Josh Bryant who had defeated him earlier in the competition. After winning by unanimous decision, McCray moved on to face Court McGee in the finals to determine the next Ultimate Fighter.

McCray set the new record for total fights competed in during a season, having fought five times in total. Dana White commented during the final episode that McCray had fought "literally every Tuesday" since he got in the house.

This advanced him to the TUF 11 finale where he faced Team Liddell fighter, Court McGee in the main event.[4]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

At the finale, McCray lost to McGee via second round submission by way of a rear-naked choke. McCray was out-wrestled in the first and second round eventually giving up his back in the second round. McCray signed a four-fight deal with the UFC.[5]

His first fight on the contract took place at UFC 122 in the Welterweight division.[6] McCray faced UFC newcomer Carlos Eduardo Rocha, and lost by kneebar submission in the first round. He moved his camp from Team Gold Medal Grappling in Washington, D.C., to Toms River, New Jersey, with the Renzo Gracie Combat Team.

McCray fought John Hathaway on March 26, 2011, at UFC Fight Night 24.[7] The fight was closely contested throughout. However, Hathaway walked away the winner via split decision.

Following the loss to Hathaway, McCray was released from the organization.[8]

Bellator Fighting Championship

McCray signed with Bellator and made his debut on April 13, 2012 at Bellator 65.[9] He faced Ailton Barbosa and won the bout via split decision.

Personal life

McCray became a father to a daughter at age 15.[1][2] According to his Twitter account, McCray is married.

Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown
14 matches 9 wins 5 losses
By knockout 1 0
By submission 5 2
By decision 3 3
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 9–5 Billy Ward Submission (guillotine choke) Strike Off 6: Battle of Warriors October 3, 2015 1 0:52 Fairfax, Virginia, United States
Loss 8–5 Danillo Villefort Decision (split) World Series of Fighting 2 March 23, 2013 3 5:00 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Return to Middleweight
Loss 8–4 Mike Wade Decision (split) CFFC: Wade vs. McCray October 27, 2012 3 5:00 Richmond, Virginia, United States
Win 8–3 Ailton Barbosa Decision (split) Bellator 65 April 13, 2012 3 5:00 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win 7–3 Gemiyale Adkins Decision (unanimous) Cage Fight 9 November 25, 2011 3 5:00 Scranton, Pennsylvania, United States
Win 6–3 Kevin Nowaczyk Decision (unanimous) HFC 9: Fall Brawl November 5, 2011 3 5:00 Valparaiso, Indiana, United States
Loss 5–3 John Hathaway Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Nogueira vs. Davis March 26, 2011 3 5:00 Seattle, Washington, United States
Loss 5–2 Carlos Eduardo Rocha Submission (kneebar) UFC 122 November 13, 2010 1 2:21 Oberhausen, Germany Welterweight Debut
Loss 5–1 Court McGee Submission (rear-naked choke) The Ultimate Fighter 11 Finale June 19, 2010 2 3:41 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States The Ultimate Fighter: Team Liddell vs. Team Ortiz Middleweight tournament final.
Win 5–0 Marcus Ajian Submission (shoulder lock) Ballroom Battleground 1 November 4, 2009 1 0:45 Glen Burnie, Maryland, United States
Win 4–0 Igor Almeida TKO (punches) UWC 7: Redemption October 3, 2009 1 0:39 Fairfax, Virginia, United States
Win 3–0 Ronnie West Submission (rear-naked choke) UWC 6: Capital Punishment April 25, 2009 1 0:39 Fairfax, Virginia, United States
Win 2–0 Manny Okorie Submission (rear-naked choke) UWC 5: Man O' War February 21, 2009 1 4:51 Fairfax, Virginia, United States
Win 1–0 Joey Kirwan Submission (rear-naked choke) UWC 4: Confrontation October 11, 2008 1 1:35 Fairfax, Virginia, United States

References
  1. "Kris McCray – TUF's Toughest Ever". UFC.com. 2010-06-17. Retrieved 2010-06-18.
  2. "Kris "Savage" McCray Bio". KRISMCCRAY.com. 2010-06-21. Archived from the original on 2010-06-19. Retrieved 2010-06-21.
  3. Yahoo! Sports - 'The Ultimate Fighter' recap: Which coach has a rabbit foot?
  4. "Court McGee vs. Kris McCray named main event for The Ultimate Fighter 11 Finale". mmajunkie.com. June 16, 2010. Archived from the original on July 22, 2010.
  5. "Kris McCray returns at UFC 121". Archived from the original on 2010-07-24. Retrieved 2010-07-03.
  6. "- KRIS MCCRAY LIKELY TO 170, WANTS GERMANY FIGHT- MMA WEEKLY - Mixed Martial Arts & UFC News, Photos, Rankings & more". Archived from the original on 2010-07-17. Retrieved 2010-07-15.
  7. "John Hathaway vs. Kris McCray Added to UFC Fight Night 24 in Seattle". mmaweekly.com. January 3, 2011.
  8. "Kris McCray Released From the UFC, Vows to Return to the Octagon". mmaweekly.com. April 14, 2011.
  9. "UFC Veteran Kris McCray Faces Ailton Barbosa at Bellator 65 on April 13". sherdog.com. February 14, 2012.
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