Learn more about JP Buys's UFC history, fighter facts, and Q&A below.
Fighter Facts
- Pro since 2015
- 4-0 between DWCS bouts
- Has won five of his last seven
- Has gone the distance once (win or lose - one win by DQ)
- Six first round finishes
- Three wins by KO, five by submission (2 RNC, triangle, 2 guillotine)
UFC History
UFC Fight Night (9/18/21) Buys lost a three round unanimous decision to Montel Jackson
UFC on ESPN (3/20/21) Buys was stopped by Bruno Silva via strikes at 2:56 of the second round
Dana White's Contender Series, Season 4
Episode 10 (11/17/20) Buys submitted Jacob Silva via guillotine choke at 4:54 of the first round
Dana White's Contender Series, Season 1
Episode seven (8/22/17) Buys was stopped by Joby Sanchez via strikes at 2:28 of the second round
Q&A
When and why did you start training for fighting? I started wrestling in 2011 to become a better Rugby player. To become a professional rugby player is any South African kid’s dream. I then started to feel that to do individual sports are better because you are completely in control of everything that happens. I wrestled for a few years during high school, and after high school, I had the whole image of becoming an Olympic wrestler and started training full-time at an MMA gym to add extra tools to my game. I then fell in love with the sport and how much there is to learn.
What ranks and titles have you held? 2012 African wrestling champion (Greco Roman), 12th place at Cadet world wrestling championships (freestyle, 2013), Fightstars amateur bantamweight champion, EFC Worldwide flyweight champion
What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? To me, it means the world and more to be competing in the UFC. It will be the biggest reward to me and everyone who has been helping me in my career; we've put thousands of hours into me as an MMA athlete and to be able to show my skill set in the biggest MMA promotion will be the biggest achievement I've ever achieved.
What was your job before you started fighting? Before I started fighting, I was doing my apprenticeship as a motor
engineer.
Specific accomplishments in amateur competition? Undefeated as an amateur (6-0)
Favorite grappling technique: Arm triangle, guillotine choke
Favorite Striking technique: Switching uppercut
