Jai Herbert

Jai Herbert
Born	(1988-05-13) May 13, 1988 (age 35) Wolverhampton, England
Other names	The Black Country Banger
Nationality	English
Height	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight	155 lb (70 kg; 11 st 1 lb)
Division	Lightweight
Reach	77.0 in (196 cm) [1]
Style	Muay Thai
Stance	Orthodox
Fighting out of	Wolverhampton, England
Team	Team Renegade Team Kaobon (England) [2] MTK Global
Rank	Brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu [3] under Tom Caughey [4]
Years active	2015–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total	18
Wins	12
By knockout	9
By submission	1
By decision	2
Losses	5
By knockout	3
By submission	1
By decision	1
Draws	1
Amateur record
Total	6
Wins	5
By knockout	3
By submission	2
Losses	1
By decision	1
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Jai Kyle Herbert (born 13 May 1988) is an English mixed martial artist who currently fights as a lightweight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He is the former Cage Warriors lightweight champion and also competed in BAMMA.

Background

Herbert was born in Wolverhampton, England. He spent 14 years as a scaffolder and worked a full-time job while competing as an amateur and professional. He didn't turn to full-time fighting until signing with the UFC. ^[5] As an amateur fighter, Herbert competed at welterweight and didn't consider the strain of a weight cut to be worthwhile at such a level. ^[6] In August 2020, Herbert was part of Wolverhampton Wanderers' kit launch. ^[7]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

After going 9–1 as an amateur, Herbert made his professional MMA debut in 2015. He recorded consecutive second-round knockouts with Full Contact Contender and later signed a four-fight contract with BAMMA. ^[8]

On 14 November 2015, Herbert made his promotional debut at BAMMA 23 and beat Ben Bennett via knockout in the second round. On 14 May 2016, he earned a second round submission against Tony Morgan at BAMMA 25. On 16 December, he suffered his first loss against future UFC fighter Rhys McKee in a lightweight title bout at BAMMA 27.^{[ citation needed ]}

In February 2017, Herbert was due to face Steve Owens at BAMMA 28, but his opponent was forced to withdraw with illness the day before. ^[9] On 12 May, Herbert beat Rick Selvarajah at BAMMA 29 via knockout in the second round.^{[ citation needed ]}

In late 2017, Herbert voiced his displeasure about BAMMA's matchmaking. Due to an over-booking of fights by the promotion, Herbert saw a scheduled bout cancelled at late notice due to the number of tickets sold by the fighters. He announced he would not fight under the BAMMA promotion again and subsequently signed with Cage Warriors. ^[8]

Cage Warriors

On 16 June 2018, Herbert faced Erdi Karatas at Cage Warriors 94. He won by unanimous decision in the co-main event. He was then due to fight Donovan Desmae at Cage Warriors 98, but had to withdraw two weeks prior to the bout. On 8 December, he returned with a first round knockout against Joe McColgan at Cage Warriors 100.

On 2 March 2019, Herbert appeared in the co-main event at Cage Warriors 102 and beat Steve O'Keefe via a first round knockout. He was then handed his first title opportunity with the promotion and beat Jack Grant at Cage Warriors 106 to claim the vacant lightweight championship. On 26 October, he successfully defended his title against Cain Carrizosa at Cage Warriors 109 with a first round knockout.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

In January 2020, Herbert signed with the UFC. ^[10] He was due to face Marc Diakiese as a replacement at UFC Fight Night: Woodley vs. Edwards in March, but the event was later cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. ^[11]

On 25 July, Herbert faced Francisco Trinaldo at UFC on ESPN: Whittaker vs. Till. He lost the fight via knockout in round three. ^[12]

Herbert faced Renato Moicano on June 26, 2021 at UFC Fight Night: Gane vs. Volkov. ^[13] He lost the fight via a rear-naked choke in round two. ^[14]

Herbert faced Khama Worthy on October 23, 2021 at UFC Fight Night: Costa vs. Vettori. ^[15] He won the bout via TKO in round one. ^[16]

Herbert was scheduled to face Mike Davis on March 19, 2022 at UFC Fight Night 204. ^[17] However, Davis withdrew from the bout due to personal reasons and he was replaced by Ilia Topuria. ^[18] Herbert landed a head kick in the first round that dropped Topuria, but ultimately lost the fight via knockout in round two. ^[19]

Herbert faced Kyle Nelson on July 23, 2022 at UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Aspinall. ^[20] He won the fight by unanimous decision. ^[21]

Herbert faced Ľudovít Klein on March 18, 2023 at UFC 286. ^[22] After a point deduction in the third round due to multiple groin strikes, the fight ended in a majority draw. ^[23]

Herbert faced Farès Ziam on July 22, 2023, at UFC on ESPN+ 82. ^[24] He lost the fight via unanimous decision. ^[25]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

• Cage Warriors
  • Cage Warriors Lightweight Championship (One time)
    • One successful title defence
  • Cage Warriors Academy South East Lightweight Championship (One time)

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown

18 matches	12 wins	5 losses
By knockout	9	3
By submission	1	1
By decision	2	1
Draws	1

Res.	Record	Opponent	Method	Event	Date	Round	Time	Location	Notes
Loss	12–5–1	Farès Ziam	Decision (unanimous)	UFC Fight Night: Aspinall vs. Tybura	July 22, 2023	3	5:00	London, England
Draw	12–4–1	Ľudovít Klein	Draw (majority)	UFC 286	March 18, 2023	3	5:00	London, England	Herbert was deducted 1 point in round 3 due to multiple groin strikes.
Win	12–4	Kyle Nelson	Decision (unanimous)	UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Aspinall	July 23, 2022	3	5:00	London, England
Loss	11–4	Ilia Topuria	KO (punches)	UFC Fight Night: Volkov vs. Aspinall	March 19, 2022	2	1:07	London, England
Win	11–3	Khama Worthy	TKO (punches)	UFC Fight Night: Costa vs. Vettori	October 23, 2021	1	2:47	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss	10–3	Renato Moicano	Submission (rear-naked choke)	UFC Fight Night: Gane vs. Volkov	June 26, 2021	2	4:36	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss	10–2	Francisco Trinaldo	TKO (punch)	UFC on ESPN: Whittaker vs. Till	July 25, 2020	3	1:30	Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates	Catchweight (160 lb) bout; Trinaldo missed weight.
Win	10–1	Cain Carrizosa	KO (knee)	Cage Warriors 109	October 26, 2019	1	3:26	Birmingham, England	Defended the Cage Warriors Lightweight Championship
Win	9–1	Jack Grant	TKO (punches)	Cage Warriors 106	June 29, 2019	3	3:22	London, England	Won the vacant Cage Warriors Lightweight Championship
Win	8–1	Steve O'Keefe	TKO (punches)	Cage Warriors 102	March 2, 2019	1	4:07	London, England
Win	7–1	Joe McColgan	TKO (punches)	Cage Warriors 100	December 8, 2018	1	2:00	Cardiff, Wales
Win	6–1	Erdi Karatas	Decision (unanimous)	Cage Warriors 94	June 16, 2018	3	5:00	Antwerp, Belgium
Win	5–1	Rick Selvarajah	TKO (punches)	BAMMA 29	May 12, 2017	2	0:37	Birmingham, England
Loss	4–1	Rhys McKee	KO (punches)	BAMMA 27	December 16, 2016	1	1:47	Dublin, Ireland	For the vacant BAMMA Lightweight Championship.
Win	4–0	Tony Morgan	Submission (rear-naked choke)	BAMMA 25	May 14, 2016	2	2:19	Birmingham, England
Win	3–0	Ben Bennett	KO (body kick)	BAMMA 23	November 14, 2015	2	3:59	Birmingham, England
Win	2–0	Martin Sweeney	TKO (punches)	Full Contact Contender 13	June 20, 2015	2	0:41	Horwich, England
Win	1–0	Omid Muhammadi	TKO (punches)	Full Contact Contender 12	March 28, 2015	2	0:22	Horwich, England	Lightweight debut.

^[26]

See also

• List of current UFC fighters
• List of male mixed martial artists

References

1. "Stats | UFC". ufcstats.com.
2. "UFC signs UK Muay Thai stylist for Goiania card". Bloody Elbow. 20 May 2015. Retrieved 30 May 2017.
3. @jai_herbert_mma (9 March 2023). ""Received my jiujitsu brown belt tonight (...)"" . Retrieved 18 March 2023– via Instagram.
4. @caugheytom (9 March 2023). ""Honoured to award my bro @jai_herbert_mma his well deserved brown belt tonight at @renegadejiujitsu (...)"" . Retrieved 18 March 2023– via Instagram.
5. Gerbasi, Thomas (11 April 2020). "Jai Herbert Finally Able To Make MMA Full-Time". UFC. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
6. Bramford, Emma (2 March 2020). "UFC London: Jai Herbert – From scaffolding to fighting at the O2 with the UFC". Fighters Only Magazine. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
7. "2020/21 away kit launched". Wolverhampton Wanderers FC. 28 August 2020. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
8. Georgiou, Andreas (19 October 2017). "Jai Herbert believes it should be talent over ticket sales in UK MMA's latest big debate". MMA Plus. Archived from the original on 20 September 2020. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
9. McDonnell, Graeme (23 February 2017). "Steve Owens forced to withdraw from BAMMA 28 bout with Jai Herbert". Severe MMA. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
10. Carroll, Peter (27 January 2020). "Jai Herbert signs with UFC, replaces Stevie Ray against Marc Diakiese at UFC London". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
11. K. Lee, Alexander (15 March 2020). "Several fighters announce cancellation, postponement of former UFC London bouts". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
12. Martin, Damon (25 July 2020). "UFC on ESPN 14 video: Francisco Trinaldo storms back to flatten Jai Herbert by knockout". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
13. Nolan King and Farah Hannoun (12 April 2021). "Renato Moicano vs. Jai Herbert booked for June 26 event". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
14. Behunin, Alex (26 June 2021). "UFC Vegas 30 Results: Renato Moicano Submits Jai Herbert In Round Two". Cageside Press. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
15. Dorff, Marcel (4 October 2021). "Khama Worthy treft Jai Herbert op 23 oktober tijdens UFC FN 196 in Las Vegas". MMA DNA. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
16. "UFC Fight Night 196 video: Jai Herbert lights up Khama Worthy for early TKO". MMA Junkie. 23 October 2021. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
17. Dorff, Marcel. "UFC LONDON THE BLACK COUNTRY BANGER VS. BEAST BOY". www.eurosport.com. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
18. "Mike Davis isn't facing Jai Herbert at UFC London because 'it just doesn't make sense to take the fight'". MMA Junkie. 12 February 2022. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
19. Behunin, Alex (19 March 2022). "UFC London: Ilia Topuria Flatlines Jai Herbert In The Second Round". Cageside Press. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
20. Jay Anderson (14 June 2022). "Jai Herbert to Face Kyle Nelson at UFC London on July 23". cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
21. Behunin, Alex (23 July 2022). "UFC London: Jai Herbert Spoils Kyle Nelson's Lightweight Debut". Cageside Press. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
22. ATSteveDuncan (6 January 2023). "Jai Herbert vs. Ludovit Klein agregado a UFC 286". MMA.uno , #1 En noticias de Artes Marciales Mixtas (MMA) en Español. (in Spanish). Retrieved 6 January 2023.
23. Val Dewar (18 March 2023). "UFC 286: Late, controversial point deduction sees Jai Herbert draw with Ľudovit Klein". Cageside Press. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
24. "Fares Ziam vs Herbert". Boxe Mag (in French). 1 May 2023. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
25. Dewar, Val (22 July 2023). "UFC London: Fares Ziam Beats Jai Herbert In Clinch-Heavy Matchup Between Kickboxers". Cageside Press. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
26. "Jai Herbert". Sherdog. Retrieved 30 August 2020.