Khama Worthy
Khama Worthy (born October 15, 1986) is an American retired mixed martial artist who competed in the Lightweight division. A professional since 2012, he has fought in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), King of the Cage and CES MMA.
| Khama Worthy | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 15, 1986 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Other names | The Deathstar |
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) |
| Weight | 154.5 lb (70 kg; 11 st 1 lb) |
| Division | Lightweight Featherweight |
| Reach | 74 in (188 cm) |
| Fighting out of | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
| Team | Pittsburgh Academy |
| Rank | Purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu[1] |
| Years active | 2012–2022 |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 29 |
| Wins | 19 |
| By knockout | 11 |
| By submission | 3 |
| By decision | 5 |
| Losses | 10 |
| By knockout | 9 |
| By submission | 1 |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
Background
Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Worthy began training in MMA at the age of 20.[2]
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Worthy competed as an amateur from 2009 until 2011, amassing a record of 8–2.[3] Starting out his professional career in 2012, Worthy fought mostly for various organizations throughout the American Northeast. Amassing a record of 14–6 before entering the UFC, Worthy fought for the SOFC Featherweight championship against fellow UFC fighter, Billy Quarantillo, and won the 247 Lightweight Championship.[4]
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Worthy made his UFC debut as a late replacement for Clay Collard against Devonte Smith on August 17, 2019, at UFC 241.[5] He won the fight via technical knockout in round one.[6] This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.[7]
Worthy faced Luis Peña on June 27, 2020, at UFC on ESPN: Poirier vs. Hooker.[8] He won the fight via a guillotine choke in round three.[9]
A lightweight bout between Khama Worthy and Ottman Azaitar was previously scheduled to take place at UFC 249.[10] However, the event was cancelled in early April due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[11] The pairing was then rescheduled to UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Sakai.[12] In turn, the pair was removed from that event due to undisclosed reasons and moved to UFC Fight Night: Waterson vs. Hill[13] Worthy lost the fight via technical knockout in the first round.[14]
Worthy faced Jamie Mullarkey on March 27, 2021, at UFC 260.[15] He lost the fight via knockout in round one.[16]
Worthy faced Jai Herbert on October 23, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 196.[17] He lost the fight via technical knockout in round one.[18]
On November 14, 2021, it was announced Worthy was released by UFC.[19]
Post-UFC career
After being released from the UFC, Worthy made his return to 247 Fighting Championship against Jeremiah Scott at 247 FC: Brawl in the Burgh 10 on February 5, 2022.[20] He won the bout via TKO in the first round.[21]
Worthy faced Kaheem Murray on April 16, 2022, at 247 FC: Brawl in the Burgh 11. He won the bout via knockout in the first round.[22]
After losing to Trevor Peek via first round knockout on August 13, 2022, at Aries Fight Series: AMPD, Worthy won a majority decision victory over Josh Rohler on October 22, 2022, at 247 FC: Brawl in the Burgh 14. He retired from MMA right after the bout.[23]
Had a boxing fight on March 7, 2023, against Jonathan Burrs. Worthy won via decision.
Personal life
Khama and his wife, Nicole, have a daughter, born 2017.[2]
Championships and accomplishments
Mixed martial arts
- 247 Fighting Championship
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- Performance of the Night (One time) vs. Devonte Smith[7]
Mixed martial arts record
| 29 matches | 19 wins | 10 losses |
| By knockout | 11 | 9 |
| By submission | 3 | 1 |
| By decision | 5 | 0 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 19–10 | Josh Rohler | Decision (majority) | 247 FC: Brawl in the Burgh 14 | October 22, 2022 | 3 | 5:00 | Washington, Pennsylvania, United States | |
| Loss | 18–10 | Trevor Peek | KO (punch) | Aries Fight Series: AMPD | August 13, 2022 | 1 | 4:44 | Nashville, Tennessee, United States | |
| Win | 18–9 | Kaheem Murray | KO (punch) | 247 FC: Brawl in the Burgh 11 | April 16, 2022 | 1 | 1:52 | Monroeville, Pennsylvania, United States | |
| Win | 17–9 | Jeremiah Scott | TKO (strikes) | 247 FC: Brawl in the Burgh 10 | February 5, 2022 | 1 | 2:21 | Monroeville, Pennsylvania, United States | |
| Loss | 16–9 | Jai Herbert | TKO (punches) | UFC Fight Night: Costa vs. Vettori | October 23, 2021 | 1 | 2:47 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 16–8 | Jamie Mullarkey | KO (punches) | UFC 260 | March 27, 2021 | 1 | 0:46 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 16–7 | Ottman Azaitar | TKO (punches) | UFC Fight Night: Waterson vs. Hill | September 12, 2020 | 1 | 1:33 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 16–6 | Luis Peña | Submission (guillotine choke) | UFC on ESPN: Poirier vs. Hooker | June 27, 2020 | 3 | 2:53 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 15–6 | Devonte Smith | TKO (punches) | UFC 241 | August 17, 2019 | 1 | 4:15 | Anaheim, California, United States | Performance of the Night. |
| Win | 14–6 | Adam Ward | KO (punches) | 247 FC: Brawl In The Burgh | July 27, 2019 | 3 | 0:13 | Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, United States | Won the 247 Lightweight Championship. |
| Win | 13–6 | Joey Munoz | Decision (unanimous) | 247 FC: Steeltown Throwdown | April 6, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, United States | |
| Win | 12–6 | Tim Cho | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Pinnacle FC: Pinnacle Fighting Championships 18 | December 22, 2018 | 2 | 0:18 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States | |
| Win | 11–6 | Brady Hovermale | TKO (punches) | Made Men Promotions: Rivers Rumble MMA | July 14, 2018 | 3 | 4:34 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States | |
| Win | 10–6 | Michael Roberts | Decision (unanimous) | Pinnacle FC: Pinnacle Fighting Championships 16 | March 24, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, United States | Return to Lightweight. |
| Loss | 9–6 | Kyle Nelson | KO (punch) | BTC 1: Genesis | May 27, 2017 | 1 | 1:03 | Toronto, Ontario, Canada | |
| Loss | 9–5 | Anthony Retic | KO (punches) | KOTC: Destructive Intent | July 23, 2016 | 1 | 1:06 | Washington, Pennsylvania, United States | |
| Win | 9–4 | Adrian Vilaca | Submission (rear-naked choke) | GOTC MMA 21 | June 4, 2016 | 2 | 4:48 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States | |
| Win | 8–4 | Antonio Castillo Jr. | TKO (punches) | Pinnacle FC: Pittsburgh Challenge Series 12 | November 25, 2015 | 3 | 0:14 | Cheswick, Pennsylvania, United States | |
| Loss | 7–4 | Matt Bessette | KO (punch) | CES MMA 29 | June 12, 2015 | 2 | 2:42 | Lincoln, Rhode Island, United States | |
| Loss | 7–3 | Billy Quarantillo | TKO | SOFC: Strike Off 4 | February 28, 2015 | 2 | 0:10 | Annandale, Virginia, United States | For the vacant SOFC Featherweight Championship. |
| Win | 7–2 | Matt DiMarcantonio | TKO (punches) | Pinnacle FC: Pittsburgh Challenge Series 9 | November 26, 2014 | 1 | 4:49 | Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, United States | |
| Win | 6–2 | Anthony Morgan | TKO (punches) | Pinnacle FC: Pittsburgh Challenge Series 7 | May 24, 2014 | 2 | 4:52 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States | |
| Win | 5–2 | Jacob Butler | KO (punch) | Pinnacle FC: Pittsburgh Challenge Series 6 | March 29, 2014 | 1 | 0:26 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States | |
| Win | 4–2 | Reggie Merriweather | Decision (unanimous) | Pinnacle FC: Pittsburgh Challenge Series 5 | November 27, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, United States | |
| Win | 3–2 | Francis Healy | TKO (punches) | Pinnacle FC: Pittsburgh Challenge Series 3 | June 29, 2013 | 2 | 0:57 | Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, United States | Featherweight debut. |
| Win | 2–2 | Jason Willett | Decision (unanimous) | Pinnacle FC: Pittsburgh Challenge Series 2 | April 20, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, United States | |
| Loss | 1–2 | Paul Felder | TKO (punches) | Pinnacle FC: Pittsburgh Challenge Series 1 | December 29, 2012 | 1 | 1:10 | Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, United States | |
| Win | 1–1 | Victer Crenshaw | TKO (Doctor Stoppage) | NAAFS: Caged Fury 18 | August 25, 2012 | 3 | 3:46 | Charleston, West Virginia, United States | |
| Loss | 0–1 | George Comer | Submission (rear-naked choke) | NAAFS: Fight Night in the Flats 8 | June 2, 2012 | 2 | 3:58 | Cleveland, Ohio, United States |
See also
References
- Averi Clements (August 22, 2019). "WORTHY: How A UFC Newcomer Overcame The Odds To Score The Biggest Upset Of The Year On 4 Days' Notice". Jiu-Jitsu Times.
- Craig Meyer (August 17, 2020). "'I've never had a Plan B': How Moon native Khama Worthy went from male model to rising UFC star". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
- "Khama Worthy ("The Death Star"". tapology.com. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
- Sherdog.com. "Khama Worthy". Sherdog. Retrieved 2020-08-07.
- Nolan King (2019-08-13). "Devonte Smith gets third opponent, draws promotional newcomer Khama Worthy at UFC 241". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2019-08-17.
- Doherty, Dan (2019-08-17). "UFC 241 Results: Khama Worthy Proves He is Worthy of Roster Spot with KO". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2019-08-18.
- Haynes, Stephie (2019-08-18). "UFC 241 post-fight bonuses: Romero-Costa war nabs FOTN honors". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved 2020-09-13.
- Nolan King and Farah Hannouon (2020-06-09). "Luis Pena vs. Khama Worthy added to UFC event on June 27". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2020-06-10.
- Fuentes, Jon (2020-06-27). "UFC on ESPN 12 Results: Luis Pena Taps Out to Khama Worthy". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-06-28.
- Newswire (2020-01-29). "Khama Worthy vs. Ottman Azaitar join UFC 249 lineup". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2020-08-12.
- Damon Martin (2020-04-09). "UFC 249, upcoming events postponed due to coronavirus pandemic, Dana White promises 'Fight Island' will proceed". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2020-08-12.
- Marcel Dorff (2020-08-12). "Khama Worthy vs. Ottman Azaitar rescheduled for September 5th in Las Vegas". mmadna.nl. Retrieved 2022-01-11. (in Dutch)
- Staff (2020-08-29). "Worthy vs. Azaitar and Simón vs. Kelleher will not party at UFC event on September 5". mmadna.nl. Retrieved 2020-08-30. (in Dutch)
- Doherty, Dan (2020-09-12). "UFC Vegas 10 Results: Ottman Azaitar Rips Through Khama Worthy". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-09-13.
- Heck, Mike (2021-02-16). "Khama Worthy vs. Jamie Mullarkey added to UFC 260 lineup". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2021-02-17.
- Anderson, Jay (2021-03-27). "UFC 260 Results: Jamie Mullarkey Blows Up "Deathstar," KO's Khama Worthy". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-03-28.
- Dorff, Marcel (2021-10-04). "Khama Worthy treft Jai Herbert op 23 oktober tijdens UFC FN 196 in Las Vegas". MMA DNA. Retrieved 2021-10-04.
- Behunin, Alex (2021-10-23). "UFC Vegas 41 Results: Jai Herbert Finishes Khama Worthy In A Little Over Two Minutes". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-10-23.
- Heck, Mike (2021-11-14). "Khama Worthy reveals UFC release, vows 'this lion still got the hunger in him'". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2021-11-15.
- Devid McKinney (December 2021). "Khama Worthy returns at 247 FC: Brawl in the Burgh 10 in February". mymmanews.com.
- "Khama Worthy vs. Jeremiah Scott, 247 FC | MMA Bout". Tapology. Retrieved 2022-02-23.
- "Khama Worthy vs. Kaheem Murray, 247 FC | MMA Bout". Tapology. Retrieved 2022-05-20.
- Staff, The MMA Report (2022-11-25). "Khama Worthy Explains Why He Decided To Retire From MMA Competition". The MMA Report Podcast. Retrieved 2022-12-09.
- Deitrich, Connor (2019-04-06). "247 Fighting Championships: Steeltown Throwdown Results". MMASucka.com. Retrieved 2020-09-13.
- snyderlarryneal (2019-07-29). "MMA 2019: Results From 247 Fighting Championships Brawl In The Burgh". Top Of The Incline Sports: A Pittsburgh Area Sports Blog. Retrieved 2020-09-13.