Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Kyler Phillips One Step Closer to Goal of Being World Champion

Originally posted on MMA Sucka | By Jeremy Brand | Last updated 3/9/24

His nickname definitely precedes him. Kyler “The Matrix” Phillips utilizes his entire MMA weaponry is a thing of beauty.

At UFC 299 he mixed up all of his striking skills — his movement, footwork, kicks and punches.

After the first round, he had his opponent Pedro Munhoz bloodied up and continued to brutalize him in round two. The pace slowed a little going into round three, however, Phillips showed that come Monday, he should be on a ranked fighter in the UFC bantamweight division.

Kyler Phillips earned a unanimous decision — 30-27 on all three judges scorecards.

We spoke with Phillips at a Battlefield Fight League event in 2023 and he spoke about his goals for the future, which fit directly with his hand motion to his waist following Bruce Buffer reading the judges’ scorecards.

His goals are, “to become champion. I’m going to be the world champion for sure.”

The 28-year-old is now 12-2 in his professional mixed martial arts career and is currently riding a three-fight winning streak. “The Matrix” beat Marcelo Rojo by Arm Triangle at UFC 271, Raoni Barcelos by decision at UFC on ESPN 50 and most recently Pedro Munhoz.

His lone UFC blemish came at the hands of Raulian Paiva, who beat him by majority decision in 2021.

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