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Willie Gates

American mixed martial artist From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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Willie Gates (born January 21, 1987) is an American mixed martial artist currently competing in the Flyweight division. A professional competitor since 2008, he has competed for the UFC, King of the Cage, Tachi Palace Fights, and Bellator MMA.

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Mixed martial arts career

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Early career

Born and raised in the Inland Empire region of Southern California, Gates began training in mixed martial arts in 2004. He made his professional debut as a lightweight in October 2008 where he competed in several regional promotions. Gates fought predominantly in his native state of California where he amassed a record of 11–4, competing primarily in the bantamweight division before joining the Ultimate Fighting Championship.[2]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Gates made his promotional debut as a short notice replacement for an injured Jussier Formiga against John Moraga on December 13, 2014, at UFC on Fox 13.[2] He lost the back-and-forth fight via submission in the third round.[3]

Gates faced Darrell Montague on July 12, 2015, at The Ultimate Fighter 21 Finale.[4] Gates won the one-sided fight via TKO in the first round.[5]

In a quick turnaround, Gates faced Dustin Ortiz on August 8, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 73, filling in for an injured Ian McCall.[6] He lost the fight via TKO in the third round.[7]

Gates was expected to face Patrick Holohan on May 8, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 87.[8] However, on April 25, Holohan abruptly announced his retirement, citing a rare blood disorder.[9] He was replaced on the card by Ulka Sasaki.[10] Gates lost the fight via submission in the second round.[11]

On June 3 Willie Gates was released from the promotion.

Post UFC

In his first bout post UFC release, Gates faced Andre Ewell in September 2017, losing by a rear-naked choke submission at KOTC: Never Quit. Gates then lost to George Garcia in October 2018 in a bout for the CXF Bantamweight Championship at CXF 15: Rage in the Cage, with Garcia winning by a rear-naked choke submission in the second round. In March 2019, Gates lost to Marvin Garcia at KOTC: Sin Rival, with Garcia winning by unanimous decision. They then suffered a loss to Ryan MacDonald in October 2021 at Art of Scrap 3, with MacDonald winning by TKO punches during a catchweight (140 lb) bout.

In January 2023, they lost to Musa Toliver at LXF 8: The Return, with Toliver winning by split decision. Gates made a return a few months later against Teruto Ishihara at Urijah Faber's A1 Combat 9 in March 2023, with Ishihara winning by rear-naked choke submission in the first round.[12]

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Bare-knuckle boxing

Gates made his Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship debut against Brandon Meneses on June 21, 2025 at BKFC 76.[13] He won the fight by knockout in the first round.[14]

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
25 matches 12 wins 13 losses
By knockout 5 3
By submission 4 7
By decision 3 3
More information Res., Record ...
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Bare-knuckle boxing record

Professional record breakdown
0 matches 0 wins 0 losses
More information Res., Record ...

See also

References

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