Kevin Croom
Kevin Croom (born July 15, 1987) is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Featherweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
| Kevin Croom | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 15, 1987 Columbia, Missouri, United States |
| Other names | The Hard Hitting Hillbilly |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) |
| Weight | 155 lb (70 kg; 11 st 1 lb) |
| Division | Featherweight Lightweight |
| Reach | 73.0 in (185 cm)[1] |
| Fighting out of | Kansas City, Missouri |
| Team | Glory MMA & Fitness |
| Rank | Brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu[2] |
| Years active | 2009–present |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 35 |
| Wins | 21 |
| By knockout | 6 |
| By submission | 10 |
| By decision | 5 |
| Losses | 13 |
| By knockout | 4 |
| By submission | 4 |
| By decision | 5 |
| No contests | 1 |
| Other information | |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Croom has fought for multiple MMA promotions throughout his time as a pro-MMA fighter including Legacy Fighting Alliance and Bellator MMA. Out of Croom’s 21 victories thus far, he has gone on to notch a finish in 16 of them with just five of the 21 receiving the full 15-minute treatment.[3]
Croom next faced Brian Davidson at Bellator 26 on August 26, 2010. Davidson lost via rear-naked choke submission in the second round.[3]
In his seventh fight, Croom faced Justin Gaethje in his professional debut on August 20, 2011. Gaethje won the fight in the first round via KO due to a slam after Croom attempted a submission.[4]
Croom faced Bryan Goldsby at Titan FC 27 on February 28, 2014.[5] He won by unanimous decision.[6]
Croom fought for the CES MMA Featherweight Championship against reigning champion Matt Bessette at CES MMA 41, losing via TKO.[7]
Croom defeated Darrick Minner via TKO in the second round at LFA 48. [3]
Croom faced John Teixeira at Bellator 218 on March 22, 2019. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[3]
Croom tapped out Charles Bennett via rear-naked choke in round one at FAC 1 to pick up submission victory number 10 as a professional.[3]
At Bellator 239, Croom took on Adil Benijilany and defeated him via split decision.[8]
In the fight before getting a UFC contract, Croom faced Anderson Hutchinson, who was later in September arrested for having sex with a 17 year old female boxing student,[9] on August 14, 2020 at Fighting Alliance Championship 3 for the FAC Featherweight Championship. He would win the championship via unanimous decision. [10]
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Croom, replacing Giga Chikadze as an COVID replacement, was scheduled to face Alex Caceres on August 29, 2020 at UFC Fight Night: Smith vs. Rakić[11][12] The following day, Croom was removed after also testing positive for COVID and replaced by fellow newcomer Austin Springer.[13]
Croom made his UFC debut, as an injury fill in for Matt Frevola, against Roosevelt Roberts on September 12, 2020 at UFC Fight Night: Waterson vs. Hill.[14] Croom won the fight via a guillotine choke in round one.[15] This fight earned him the Performance of the Night award.[16] After the fight, Croom said on Twitter that he had only $64 in his bank account before the fight. [10]
On November 4, it was announced by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) that the fight with Roosevelt Roberts would be overturned to a no contest, after Croom tested positive for marijuana. Croom was suspended for 4 1⁄2 months and had to pay a fine of $1,800. [17]
Croom faced Alex Caceres on February 27, 2021 at UFC Fight Night: Rozenstruik vs. Gane.[18] He lost the bout via unanimous decision.[19]
Croom was scheduled to face Marcelo Rojo on August 28, 2021 at UFC on ESPN 30.[20] However, Croom was removed from the bout in mid-August for undisclosed reasons.[21]
Championships and achievements
Mixed martial arts
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- Performance of the Night (One time) vs.Roosevelt Roberts[16]
- Fighting Alliance Championship
- FAC Featherweight Championship (One Time)[10]
- Shamrock Fighting Championships
- SFC Bantamweight Championship (One Time)
Mixed martial arts record
| Professional record breakdown | ||
| 35 matches | 21 wins | 13 losses |
| By knockout | 6 | 4 |
| By submission | 10 | 4 |
| By decision | 5 | 5 |
| No contests | 1 | |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 21–13 (1) | Alex Caceres | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Rozenstruik vs. Gane | February 27, 2021 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| NC | 21–12 (1) | Roosevelt Roberts | NC (overturned) | UFC Fight Night: Waterson vs. Hill | September 12, 2020 | 1 | 0:31 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Lightweight bout. Performance of the Night. Originally a submission (guillotine choke) win for Croom; overturned after he tested positive for marijuana. |
| Win | 21–12 | Anderson Hutchinson | Decision (unanimous) | Fighting Alliance Championship 3 | August 14, 2020 | 5 | 5:00 | Independence, Missouri, United States | Won the FAC Featherweight Championship. |
| Win | 20–12 | Adil Benjilany | Decision (split) | Bellator 239 | February 21, 2020 | 3 | 5:00 | Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States | |
| Win | 19–12 | Charles Bennett | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Fighting Alliance Championship 1 | August 24, 2019 | 1 | 2:15 | Independence, Missouri, United States | |
| Loss | 18–12 | John Macapá | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 218 | March 22, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States | |
| Loss | 18–11 | Kamuela Kirk | Submission (triangle choke) | LFA 53 | November 9, 2018 | 1 | 3:54 | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | |
| Win | 18–10 | Darrick Minner | TKO (elbows) | LFA 48 | September 7, 2018 | 2 | 2:10 | Kearney, Nebraska, United States | |
| Loss | 17–10 | Nate Jennerman | Technical Submission (guillotine choke) | LFA 41 | June 1, 2018 | 1 | 0:48 | Prior Lake, Minnesota, United States | |
| Win | 17–9 | CJay Hunter | Submission (rear-naked choke) | KC Fighting Alliance 27 | February 17, 2018 | 3 | 1:16 | Independence, Missouri, United States | |
| Loss | 16–9 | Matt Bessette | TKO (punches and kicks) | CES 41: Bessette vs. Croom | January 27, 2017 | 3 | 0:32 | Lincoln, Rhode Island, United States | For the CES Featherweight Championship. |
| Loss | 16–8 | Tatsuya Ando | Technical Submission (rear-naked choke) | Shooto Pacific Rim Double Championship | November 12, 2016 | 2 | 3:13 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 16–7 | Lenny Wheeler | TKO (punches) | Triumph FC 1 | April 22, 2016 | 1 | 0:26 | Edmonton, Alberta, Canada | |
| Loss | 15–7 | Rasul Mirzaev | TKO (punches) | Fight Nights Global 41: Dagestan | September 25, 2015 | 2 | 3:16 | Kaspiysk, Russia | Return to Featherweight. |
| Win | 15–6 | Jacob Akin | KO (punch) | Shamrock FC: Shock | January 17, 2015 | 1 | 2:13 | Kansas City, Missouri, United States | Won the vacant SFC Bantamweight Championship. |
| Loss | 14–6 | Jesse Brock | Decision (split) | MFC 40 | May 9, 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | Edmonton, Alberta, Canada | |
| Win | 14–5 | Bryan Goldsby | Decision (unanimous) | Titan FC 27 | February 28, 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | Kansas City, Kansas, United States | Bantamweight debut; Croom missed weight (137 lb). |
| Win | 13–5 | Aslan Toktarbaev | TKO (corner stoppage) | Alash Pride: Great Battle 2 | December 19, 2013 | 1 | 2:55 | Almaty, Kazakhstan | |
| Win | 12–5 | Deryck Ripley | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Cage Time Production | November 22, 2013 | 1 | 3:23 | Columbia, Missouri, United States | |
| Win | 11–5 | Dustin Phillips | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Titan FC 26 | August 30, 2013 | 1 | 1:45 | Kansas City, Missouri, United States | |
| Win | 10–5 | Javier Lujan | TKO (retirement) | World MMA Council: Mexican Standoff | May 25, 2013 | 1 | 3:30 | Ciudad Juárez, Mexico | |
| Win | 9–5 | Adam Rider | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Cage Time Production | May 3, 2013 | 1 | 1:16 | Columbia, Missouri, United States | |
| Win | 8–5 | Brian Pearman | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Tommy Tran Promotions | April 6, 2013 | 1 | 3:03 | Springfield, Missouri, United States | |
| Win | 7–5 | Brian Davidson | TKO (punches) | RFA 6: Krause vs. Imada 2 | January 18, 2013 | 1 | 0:42 | Kansas City, Missouri, United States | Catchweight (140 lb) bout. |
| Win | 6–5 | Nate Murdock | Decision (unanimous) | Tommy Tran Promotions | November 17, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Branson, Missouri, United States | |
| Loss | 5–5 | Yaotzin Meza | Decision (unanimous) | Rage in the Cage 163 | October 20, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Chandler, Arizona, United States | |
| Loss | 5–4 | Ramiro Hernandez | Decision (split) | Titan FC 21 | March 2, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Kansas City, Kansas, United States | Featherweight bout. |
| Win | 5–3 | Rodrigo Sotelo | Decision (unanimous) | Sun City Battle 2 | October 1, 2011 | 3 | 3:00 | El Paso, Texas, United States | |
| Loss | 4–3 | Justin Gaethje | KO (slam) | ROF 41: Bragging Rights | August 20, 2011 | 1 | 1:01 | Broomfield, Colorado, United States | Catchweight (159 lb) bout. |
| Win | 4–2 | J.R. Sotelo | Submission (triangle choke) | Sun City Battle 1 | July 9, 2011 | 1 | 0:16 | El Paso, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 3–2 | Brian Davidson | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Bellator 26 | August 26, 2010 | 2 | 3:22 | Kansas City, Missouri, United States | Featherweight bout. |
| Win | 2–2 | Kody Frank | Submission (triangle choke) | Friday Night Fight Night | November 6, 2009 | 2 | 4:05 | Sedalia, Missouri, United States | |
| Win | 1–2 | Eddie Granado | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Midwest Fight League | June 26, 2009 | 1 | 4:52 | Boonville, Missouri, United States | |
| Loss | 0–2 | Willie Mack | KO (punch) | Warfare Xtreme Cagefighting: Caged Controversy | May 2, 2009 | 1 | 0:37 | Sedalia, Missouri, United States | |
| Loss | 0–1 | Jose Vega | Submission | Hulett Productions: First Blood | February 7, 2009 | 2 | 2:22 | Sedalia, Missouri, United States |
References
- "Stats | UFC". ufcstats.com. Retrieved 2020-10-04.
- "Kevin Croom | UFC". UFC.com. Retrieved February 28, 2021.
- Painter, Myles (8 May 2020). "Across the Pond profile Bellator MMA fighter Kevin Croom | MMA UK". Retrieved 22 February 2021.
- "RING OF FIRE 41 RESULTS: BRANDON THATCH WINS QUICK, TYLER TONER STAGES AMAZING COMEBACK". mmaweekly.com. August 21, 2011.
- "Three more bouts added to Titan FC 27". pwinsiderxtra.com. January 14, 2014.
- "Titan FC 27 results: Ricci dominates Gurgel, Riddle taps Kuiper". mmajunkie.com. February 28, 2014.
- "Matt Bessette Defends His Title Knocking Out Kevin Croom on 'AXS TV FIGHTS: CES MMA 41' | AXS TV". www.axs.tv. Retrieved 2017-05-27.
- "Bellator 239 Preliminary Card Live Stream and Results". Cageside Press. 21 February 2020. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
- Mooney, Sean. "VSO: MMA Coach Had Sexual Relations With 17-Year-Old Student". WNDB - News Daytona Beach.
- Heck, Mike (17 September 2020). "UFC Vegas 10 winner Kevin Croom explains going from $64 in his bank account to 'more money than I made last year'". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
- Staff (2020-08-26). "Alex Caceres has new opponent in Kevin Croom". mmadna.nl. Retrieved 2020-08-26. (in Dutch)
- Alexander K. Lee (2020-08-28). "Giga Chikadze withdrawal from UFC Vegas 8 was due to positive COVID-19 test". mmafighting. Retrieved 2020-08-29.
- Farah Hannoun (2020-08-27). "With Kevin Croom out, Austin Springer steps in to face Alex Caceres at UFC on ESPN+ 33". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2020-08-27.
- "Matt Frevola out of UFC on ESPN+ 35; Kevin Croom steps in vs. Roosevelt Roberts". MMA Junkie. 2020-09-11. Retrieved 2020-09-12.
- Evanoff, Josh (2020-09-12). "UFC Vegas 10 Results: Kevin Croom Stuns Roosevelt Roberts". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-09-12.
- Andrew Ravens (2020-09-12). "UFC on ESPN+ 35 Bonuses: Two Fighters Nab Performance Checks, FOTN Honors". mmanews. Retrieved 2020-09-13.
- John Morgan (2020-11-04). "Kevin Croom, Jose Flores issued NAC suspensions for marijuana use; Niko Price also cited". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2020-11-05.
- DNA, MMA (2020-12-28). "Alex Caceres vs. Kevin Croom ingepland voor UFC evenement op 27 februari". MMA DNA. Retrieved 2020-12-29.
- Anderson, Jay (2021-02-27). "UFC Vegas 20 Results: Alex Cacares Defeats Kevin Croom for Fourth Straight Win". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-02-28.
- DNA, MMA (2021-05-11). "Marcelo Rojo vs. Kevin Croom toegevoegd aan UFC evenement op 28 augustus". MMA DNA. Retrieved 2021-05-11.
- Dorff, Marcel (2021-08-11). "Jonathan Martinez en Marcelo Rojo treffen elkaar op 4 september". MMA DNA. Retrieved 2021-08-11.
- Sherdog.com. "Kevin Croom". Sherdog. Retrieved 2020-08-07.