Bubba Jenkins

Bubba Jenkins (born February 5, 1988) is an American mixed martial artist and former collegiate wrestler. He grew up in Virginia Beach, Virginia and is well known for winning the 2011 NCAA Division I Championship at 157 lbs. for Arizona State University. Jenkins currently fights for the mixed martial arts promotion Bellator Fighting Championships in the featherweight division, after signing a long-term promotional agreement with the organization in May 2013.

Bubba "The Unicorn Slayer" Jenkins made his mixed martial arts debut in the Lightweight division on December 2, 2011 at Tachi Palace Fights 11: Redemption. Jenkins defeated Josh Williams by submission via strikes at 2:04 in the first round. Jenkins returned for his second fight at Tachi Palace Fights 12: Second Coming on March 9, 2012. He defeated Chris Gomez by submission via Rear Naked Choke at 2:07 in the first round.

Bubba Jenkins is managed by Daniel A. Martinez of Di-Cypher & Associates.

Resurrection Fighting Alliance

One week before Bubba Jenkins defeated Chris Gomez at Tachi Palace Fights 12 - Second Coming, he signed an exclusive 6-fight deal with Resurrection Fighting Alliance (RFA).

On June 30, 2012, Jenkins made his promotional debut for the RFA against highly decorated amateur boxer Jesus Adame at RFA 3 - Stevenson vs. Cochrane. Jenkins quickly slammed Adame to the ground and submitted him via Rear Naked Choke at 1:08 of the first round.

The Ultimate Fighter 17: Coaching Staff

On October 31, 2012, it was announced that Jenkins joined Jon Jones' coaching staff on the seventeenth season of the UFC produced reality television show The Ultimate Fighter. The first episode of The Ultimate Fighter: Team Jones vs. Team Sonnen premiered on Tuesday, January 22, 2013 at 8 ET/PT on FX Networks.

Bellator MMA

On May 31, 2013, Bellator MMA announced they had signed Jenkins to a long term promotional agreement and he will make his debut in the summer.

Jenkins took on Mike Barreras at Bellator 97. He won the fight via TKO in the second round.

Jenkins returned to the Bellator cage at Bellator 100 against LaRue Burley on September 20, 2013. He suffered the first defeat of his professional MMA career as he was stopped by Burley via strikes in the third round.

The following November, Jenkins would defeat Ian Rammel due to strikes in the third round at Bellator 109.

Jenkins then faced Sean Powers at Bellator 114 on March 28, 2014. Jenkins won via unanimous decision.

On July 25, 2014, Jenkins faced Poppies Martinez at Bellator 122. Jenkins defeated Martinez via strikes at 4:10 in the first round.

Jenkins faced Thiago Meller at Bellator 126 on September 26, 2014 in Phoenix, Arizona. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

After moving from the Bellator Lightweight division to Featherweight, Jenkins faced former WSOF Featherweight Champion Georgi Karakhanyan on January 16, 2015 at Bellator 132. He lost the fight via technical submission in the first round.

Jenkins faced Joe Wilk on June 26, 2015 at Bellator 139. He won the fight via TKO in the second round.

Jenkins faced Jordan Parsons on November 20, 2015 at Bellator 146. He won the fight via split decision.

Jenkins then faced Georgi Karakhanyan a rematch at Bellator 160 on August 26, 2016 at a catchweight of 150lbs. because Karakhanyan failed to make weight. Jenkins made the weight. He was favored to win the rematch, but Karakhanyan won, this time at 150lbs., via knock out the first minute into the first round.

Collegiate wrestling

• National Collegiate Athletic Association
  • NCAA Division I All-American out of Arizona State University (2011) and Penn State University (2008)
  • NCAA Division I 157 lb: Champion out of Arizona State University (2011)
  • NCAA Division I 149 lb: Runner-up out of Penn State University (2008)
  • Big Ten Conference 149 lb: Runner-up out of Penn State University (2008)
  • Big Ten Conference 149 lb: 6th place out of Penn State University (2007)

• "Bubba Jenkins - Arizona State Sun Devils". thesundevils.com.