Despite a remarkably poor professional record of 16 wins and 110 losses, veteran MMA fighter Jay Ellis believes he possessed the skill level required to compete in the UFC.
Throughout his career on the regional circuit, Ellis faced numerous up-and-coming fighters, including prominent names that would surprise hardcore fans. A young Colby Covington and Anthony Pettis, for instance, appear on his extensive list of defeats, separated by six years.
Notably, he secured a victory against Gerald Meerschaert early in Meerschaert`s career (when he was just 1-0), a fighter who later reached the UFC. Although Ellis lost a subsequent rematch years later, his history shows he has competed against athletes of UFC caliber.
During a recent appearance on the MMA History Podcast, highlighted by MMAMania, Ellis recounted his entry into the sport and the early struggles of his career, which began with four consecutive losses.
Ellis pointed out a significant factor contributing to his record: across his 126 professional MMA and boxing matches, he had only undergone three or four proper training camps. He contends that with consistent, structured training and good management, he possessed the talent to reach the UFC one day.
He explained, “I was winning my fights at first and people didn’t know what happened. Things happened at home and I just couldn’t afford to pay for gym fees any more… So I tried to be independent, I was bouncing around from gym to gym training on my own… That wasn’t too smart because I should have had a team… Promoters were calling me up left and right asking me for fights, I didn’t really have much of a job, so I would take them…”
The podcast host noted that Ellis faced approximately 30 fighters who later competed in the UFC and over a dozen who fought in Bellator, including two who became Bellator champions.
His list of wins is particularly noteworthy, featuring current UFC fighter Gerald Meerschaert and former Bellator champion Daniel Straus. His most recent victory was a submission win against black belt Rodrigo Almeida in November 2021.
Reflecting on his career, Ellis commented, “It’s a hell of a resume, man… Every time I look at those guys who are in the UFC I get kind of sad because I know I could have been there if I had just stayed focused… If I just took it more seriously, had the right coaches, positive people around me, I could have made it. I get kind of sad.”
