Chris Avila

Chris Avila is a 31-year-old mixed martial artist turned boxer who has found a second home on Jake Paul's Most Valuable Promotions platform. Born in January 1993, he built a modest 5-2 record as a regional MMA fighter before signing with the UFC in July 2016. His tenure in the octagon was brief and unsuccessful: he lost his debut to Artem Lobov via unanimous decision at UFC 202 and continued to struggle in the promotion, also competing in Bellator and WSOF. After seven years away from boxing, he returned to the squared circle in December 2021 with a majority decision win over Anthony Taylor on a Jake Paul-Tyron Woodley II undercard, and that bout launched what is now a six-fight winning streak.

Avila fights as a decision-oriented boxer with no knockouts to his name. His victories have come almost exclusively against fellow MMA crossovers and social-media personalities: he beat YouTuber and doctor Mikhail "Doctor Mike" Varshavski via unanimous decision in October 2022, topped pro boxer Paul Bamba in April 2023, and scored his most notable win when he defeated former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis via unanimous decision in July 2024 on a Nate Diaz vs. Jorge Masvidal undercard. He also won a decision over another ex-UFC fighter, Jeremy Stephens, in August 2023. His six-fight streak ended in September 2024 when he lost a unanimous decision to yet another former UFC champ, Benson Henderson, at a Misfits Boxing event.

Avila's profile is inseparable from his role as a Team Diaz member training out of Stockton, California. He has become a reliable fixture on MVP cards, often appearing on undercards of major Jake Paul events and serving as a stepping stone or notable opponent for other fighters transitioning from MMA to boxing. He competes at light heavyweight and is now set to face undefeated professional boxer Ariel Perez on MVP Fight Night in Orlando on August 23, 2025. His appeal lies not in traditional boxing skill or finishing power, but in his status as a credible combat-sports journeyman navigating the murky and celebrity-driven world of celebrity boxing alongside his legendary teammate Nate Diaz.