Louis Taylor

Louis Taylor
Louis Taylor
Born	Louis Taylor; May 12, 1979 (age 45); Chicago, Illinois, United States
Other names	Put The Guns Down; Handgunz (formerly)
Nationality	American
Height	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight	186 lb (84 kg; 13.3 st)
Division	Light Heavyweight; Middleweight; Welterweight
Reach	74.0 in (188 cm)
Stance	Orthodox
Fighting out of	Chicago, Illinois, United States NCAA Division 1 Wrestling
Team	Chicago Fight Team
Rank	Purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Rudy Jimenez
Years active	2007-2014, 2016-present
Mixed martial arts record
Total	23
Wins	18
By knockout	8
By submission	6
By decision	4
Losses	4
By knockout	3
By submission	1
Draws	1
Other information
	Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Louis Taylor (born May 12, 1979) is an American mixed martial artist currently competing in the welterweight division of the Professional Fighters League. A professional competitor since 2007, Taylor has also formerly competed for Strikeforce and Bellator. He is 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 (and breaking 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.^[1] He later went on to wrestle for Lassen Community College in Susanville, California. 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.^[2]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Taylor had three amateur fights before making his professional debut in 2007 as a Light Heavyweight. Taylor compiled a record of 4–0 before debuting for Strikeforce.

The Ultimate Fighter

Taylor was at the tryouts for The Ultimate Fighter 13 on November 4, 2010.^[3] 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.^[4] 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.^[5]

World Series of Fighting

On March 12, 2016, Taylor made his World Series of Fighting debut at WSOF 29 against Cory Devela.^[6] 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.^[7] 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 Abuspiyan 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.^[8] However just a week before the second season's start, Taylor announced that he had withdrawn from the tournament.^[9]

Personal life

Taylor is married and has children.^[10]

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

Professional record breakdown
23 matches	18 wins	4 losses
By knockout	8	3
By submission	6	1
By decision	4	0
Draws	1


Res.	Record	Opponent	Method	Event	Date	Round	Time	Location	Notes
Win	18–4–1	Abusupiyan Magomedov	KO (punch)	PFL 11	December 31, 2018	1	0:33	New York City, New York, United States	Won the 2018 PFL Middleweight Tournament.
Draw	17–4–1	John Howard	Technical Draw (illegal knee)	PFL 10	October 20, 2018	2	4:55	Washington, D.C., United States	2018 PFL Middleweight Semifinal bout. Advanced via first round tiebreaker.
Win	17–4	Rex Harris	Decision (unanimous)	PFL 10	October 20, 2018	2	5:00	Washington, D.C., United States	2018 PFL Middleweight Quarterfinal bout.
Win	16–4	Andre Lobato	Decision (unanimous)	PFL 6	August 16, 2018	3	5:00	Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win	15–4	Anderson Goncalves	TKO (punches)	PFL 3	July 5, 2018	3	0:58	Washington, D.C., United States
Win	14–4	Zach Conn	Decision (unanimous)	PFL: Everett	July 29, 2017	3	5:00	Everett, Washington, United States
Loss	13–4	David Branch	Submission (rear-naked choke)	WSOF 34	December 31, 2016	5	2:00	New York City, New York, United States	For the WSOF Middleweight Championship.
Win	13–3	Phil Hawes	Submission (guillotine choke)	WSOF 32	July 30, 2016	2	2:15	Everett, Washington, United States
Win	12–3	Cory Devela	Technical Submission (guillotine choke)	WSOF 29	March 12, 2016	1	0:29	Greeley, Colorado, United States
Win	11–3	Brian Houston	Submission (guillotine choke)	APFC 17	October 11, 2014	1	2:14	Hoffman Estates, Illinois, United States	Return to Middleweight.
Win	10–3	Robert Gotreau	Submission (guillotine choke)	APFC 16	April 5, 2014	1	2:06	Villa Park, Illinois, United States	Welterweight debut.
Win	9–3	Eric Hammerich	Submission (guillotine choke)	APFC 11: Champion vs. Champion	June 22, 2013	1	3:54	McCook, Illinois, United States
Win	8–3	Joe Vedepo	KO (punch)	Bellator 84	December 14, 2012	1	4:12	Hammond, Indiana, United States
Loss	7–3	Perry Filkins	TKO (punches)	CZ 40: Kicking It XL at The Rock	January 27, 2012	1	4:02	Salem, New Hampshire, United States
Win	7–2	Jason Louck	TKO (submission to strikes)	Combat USA: Illinois State Finals	May 14, 2011	2	4:40	Racine, Wisconsin, United States
Loss	6–2	Joe Riggs	TKO (submission to strikes)	Strikeforce Challengers: Riggs vs. Taylor	August 13, 2010	3	2:07	Phoenix, Arizona, United States	Catchweight (182 lbs) bout.
Win	6–1	Ryan Sturdy	KO (head kick)	Bellator 14	April 15, 2010	1	1:08	Chicago, Illinois, United States
Win	5–1	Curtis Bailey	TKO (punches)	Hoosier FC 2: It's On	January 2, 2010	1	0:33	Hammond, Indiana, United States
Loss	4–1	Nate Moore	TKO (submission to punches)	Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers	November 7, 2009	2	3:24	Hoffman Estates, Illinois, United States	Middleweight debut.
Win	4–0	Steve Paterson	KO (punches)	TFC 14: Hornbuckle vs. Alexander	February 21, 2009	1	4:34	Hammond, Indiana, United States
Win	3–0	Adam Maciejewski	Decision (unanimous)	Adrenaline MMA: Guida vs. Russow	June 14, 2008	3	5:00	Chicago, Illinois, United States
Win	2–0	Aaron Kreke	TKO (slam)	C3: Corral Combat Classic 2	April 26, 2008	2	0:40	Hammond, Indiana, United States
Win	1–0	Ricco Talamantes	Submission (guillotine choke)	ISCF: Fight 2 the Finish	November 9, 2007	1	4:30	Chicago, Illinois, United States