Who Is Jordan Leavitt? Meet the Viral 'Twerk King' Eyeing His Biggest Fight Yet

For Leavitt, this fight is a major test and an opportunity to establish a serious two-fight winning streak since returning to the 145-pound division. His grappling looked sharp, controlled, and suffocating in his last bout. But taking on a powerhouse like Brito requires total discipline. If Leavitt wants to get his hand raised, he will need to survive the inevitable early pressure and avoid getting trapped in dangerous striking exchanges on his feet.

He will have to find a way to drag the fight to the ground where he holds the technical advantage. He already has seven submission wins on his professional record. Adding a respected name like Brito to that list would force the rest of the featherweight division to take him seriously as a threat rather than just an entertainer.

Why Jordan Leavitt Is Referred to as the ‘Twerk King’

While his high-level grappling keeps him competitive against elite athletes, Leavitt is famous worldwide for what he does immediately after the referee stops a fight. He earned the moniker “Twerk King” during his promotional debut at UFC Vegas 16 in December 2020. He scored a spectacular, 22-second slam knockout against veteran Matt Wiman. Leavitt did not celebrate by beating his chest or calling out the champion. Instead, he dropped into a perfect, full split on the canvas and began to enthusiastically twerk against the cage.

The footage went viral immediately, garnering millions of views across TikTok, X, and Instagram. Leavitt completely embraced it as a trademark element of his athletic persona. In subsequent promotional victories—such as his submission wins over Matt Sayles and Kurt Holobaugh—he continued the tradition by incorporating flawless splits and various viral internet trends into his post-fight celebrations.

What makes the celebration so effective is the sheer energy of the entire scene. Mixed martial arts is a grueling, violent, and painful sport. Watching a fighter seamlessly transition from choking out an opponent to hitting a dance routine is inherently entertaining. While some old-school purists initially took offense to the antics, the overwhelming majority of fans have embraced them.

In a landscape where many athletes try to copy the blueprints of past superstars, Leavitt’s willingness to be utterly ridiculous makes him incredibly refreshing. He took ownership of the “Twerk King” title, using the massive influx of digital attention to build a passionate personal fanbase and keep his name in media headlines. When he steps into the Octagon against Joanderson Brito, the stakes are undeniably high for his career—but if Leavitt secures the victory, everyone watching knows exactly what celebration is coming next.

Frequently Asked Questions About Jordan Leavitt

1. What is Jordan Leavitt’s nickname?
Ans. Jordan Leavitt is known by the nickname “The Monkey King,” a moniker he carried long before gaining wider attention in the UFC.

2. What is Jordan Leavitt’s fighting style?
Ans. Leavitt is primarily known for his grappling and submission skills. He has earned several victories through submissions and is considered one of the more dangerous ground fighters in his weight class.

3. Did Jordan Leavitt compete on Dana White’s Contender Series?
Ans. Yes. Leavitt earned his UFC contract after defeating Luke Flores on Dana White’s Contender Series in August 2020 with a spectacular slam knockout.

4. What did Jordan Leavitt study before becoming a professional fighter?
Ans. Before fully pursuing MMA, Leavitt studied political science and has spoken in interviews about balancing academics with his fighting career during his younger years.

5. How old is Jordan Leavitt?
Ans. Jordan Leavitt was born on June 15, 1995, making him 30 years old as of June 2026.