Karl Roberson

Karl Roberson is a New Jersey native who built his fighting credentials as a competitive amateur kickboxer before pivoting to mixed martial arts in 2015. After compiling an undefeated 5-0 record as a relative unknown, he earned a UFC contract through Dana White's Contender Series in July 2017, defeating Ryan Spann via elbows in the first round. His UFC debut came that November against Darren Stewart, whom he submitted with a rear-naked choke in the opening round, a signature finish that suggested promise.

Roberson's octagon tenure proved uneven. He showed flashes of grappling skill, including a unanimous decision victory over Jack Marshman and a third-round submission of Roman Kopylov, but he was repeatedly overwhelmed by elite or near-elite opposition. Notable losses to former light heavyweight title contender Glover Teixeira, rising middleweight Marvin Vettori, and Brendan Allen all came via first-round submission, suggesting technical vulnerabilities against stronger grapplers. Weight management also plagued his run: he missed weight twice for the Vettori bout in 2020 and early 2021, and the second miss came at a significant 4.5 pounds over the middleweight limit.

Roberson competed sporadically in 2021 and 2022, taking losses to Khalil Rountree (TKO, R2) and Kennedy Nzechukwu (TKO, R3) before being released from the UFC roster in July 2022. He has since ventured into bareknuckle boxing with the BKFC, losing his debut to Oluwale Bamgbose via second-round TKO in October 2025. Roberson remains an active competitor but has been unable to break through at the highest levels of MMA.