Don'Tale Mayes
{{short description|American mixed martial arts fighter}}
{{Infobox martial artist
| name = Don'Tale Mayes
| image =
| image_size =
| other_names = Lord Kong
| birth_name = Don'Tale O'Neil Mayes
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1992|01|16}}
| birth_place = Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| death_cause =
| residence =
| height = {{height|ft=6|in=6}}
| weight = 264 lb
| weight_class = Heavyweight
| reach = 81 in{{Cite web|title=Stats {{!}} UFC|url=http://ufcstats.com/fighter-details/1a9480fc288e55d7|access-date=2020-10-04|website=ufcstats.com}}
| style =
| stance =
| fighting_out_of = Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.
| team = Jackson Wink MMA Academy
| years_active = 2016–present
| kickbox_win =
| kickbox_kowin =
| kickbox_loss =
| kickbox_koloss =
| kickbox_draw =
| kickbox_nc =
| mma_kowin = 6
| mma_subwin = 1
| mma_decwin = 4
| mma_koloss = 1
| mma_subloss = 3
| mma_dqloss = 1
| mma_decloss = 4
| mma_draw =
| mma_nc = 1
| university = Ancilla College
| sherdog = 237177
| footnotes =
| updated =
}}
Don'Tale O'Neil Mayes{{cite web |title=BoxRec: Don'Tale Mayes |url=https://boxrec.com/en/mmaboxer/978021 |publisher=BoxRec}} (born January 16, 1992){{cite web |title=Don'Tale Mayes ("Lord Kong") |url=https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/fighters/46499-dontale-mayes |publisher=Tapology}} is an American professional mixed martial artist. He competed in the Heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), achieving a 6-9 record, and 1 no contest in the promotion.
Background
Born and raised in Kentucky, Mayes begun training martial arts to discharge his aggression.{{cite web|url=https://www.ufc.com/athlete/dontale-mayes|title=Don'Tale Mayes|work=Ultimate Fighting Championship|date=14 September 2018|access-date=December 11, 2020}} He initially picked up judo before transitioning to other disciplines as well.{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOCICte4ehI|title=Don'Tale Mayes on being considered top prospect and people underestimating his ground game|date=August 27, 2017|via=Youtube|author=The MMA Report}} In judo he claimed Kansas and Indiana state championships. Mayes attended Ancilla College but did not receive a degree.
Mixed martial arts career
=Early career=
Mayes competed as an amateur from 2014 to 2015, compiling an undefeated 8–0 record.{{Cite web|url=https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/fighters/46499-dontale-mayes|title = Don'Tale Mayes ("Lord Kong") | MMA Fighter Page}} Mayes then compiled a 3-1 professional record, winning the Hoosier FC Heavyweight Championship in only his second fight.{{Cite web|title=Top heavyweight prospect Don'Tale Mayes heads to RFA in December – ALL THINGS BRANSON and BRANSON TALK|url=https://www.allthingsbranson.com/top-heavyweight-prospect-dontale-mayes-heads-to-rfa-in-december/|access-date=2020-11-14|language=en-US}} He was invited to participate in Dana White's Contender Series 8 of Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series. Mayes faced Allen Crowder, losing by technical knockout in the third round.{{cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2017/8/29/16223948/dana-white-tuesday-night-contender-series-8-results-crowder-mueller-matt-frevola-ufc-contracts|title=Dana White Tuesday Night Contender Series 8 results: Allen Crowder, Lauren Mueller, Matt Frevola earn UFC contracts|first=Danny|last=Segura|date=August 29, 2017|website=mmafighting.com|access-date=November 16, 2019}} He appeared twice more on the Contender Series, winning both fights by stoppage, earning his UFC contract on the second try.{{Cite web|title=DON'TALE MAYES IS STAYING PATIENT WITH HIMSELF|url=https://www.ufc.com/news/dontale-mayes-is-staying-patient-with-himself-ufc-vegas-14|author = ZAC PACLEB|date=2020-11-10|website=UFC.com|language=en-US|access-date=2020-11-14}}
=Ultimate Fighting Championship=
Don'Tale Mayes made his UFC debut against Ciryl Gane on October 26, 2019, at UFC Fight Night: Maia vs. Askren. He lost the fight by a heel hook in the third round.{{cite web |title=UFC Singapore Results: Ciryl Gane Heel-Hooks Don'tale Mayes for Fifth Straight Win |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2019/10/26/ufc-singapore-results-ciryl-gane-heel-hooks-dontale-mayes/ |website=Cage Side Press |date=26 October 2019 |access-date=29 October 2019}}
Mayes faced Rodrigo Nascimento on May 16, 2020, at UFC on ESPN: Overeem vs. Harris. He lost the fight via second round rear naked choke.{{Cite web|title=UFC on ESPN 8: Rodrigo Nascimento Discusses Debut Win, Chase Sherman Callout|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2020/05/20/ufc-on-espn-8-rodrigo-nascimento/|last=McClory|first=Mike|date=2020-05-13|website=Cageside Press|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-14}}
Mayes faced Roque Martinez on November 14, 2020 UFC Fight Night: Felder vs. dos Anjos.{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/10/philipe-lins-out-ufc-books-roque-martinez-vs-dontale-mayes-november-14|title=With Philipe Lins out, UFC shifts Don'Tale Mayes onto Nov. 14 card vs. Roque Martinez|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Nolan King|date=2020-10-14|access-date=2020-10-14}} He won the fight via unanimous decision.{{Cite web|last=Anderson|first=Jay|date=2020-11-14|title=UFC Vegas 14 Results: Don'Tale Mayes Takes Roque Martinez the Distance|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2020/11/14/ufc-vegas-14-results-mayes-vs-martinez/|access-date=2020-11-14|website=Cageside Press|language=en-US}}
Mayes was scheduled to face Tai Tuivasa on March 20, 2021, at UFC on ESPN: Brunson vs. Holland.{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/01/ufc-fight-night-tai-tuivasa-vs-dontale-mayes-march-20|title=Tai Tuivasa vs. Don'Tale Mayes added to UFC Fight Night on March 20|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Farah Hannoun and Nolan King|date=2021-01-20|access-date=2021-01-20}} However, Mayes was removed from the fight during the week leading up to the event for undisclosed reasons and was replaced by promotional newcomer Harry Hunsucker.{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/03/tai-tuivasa-gets-harry-hunsucker-as-new-opponent-for-ufc-on-espn-21|title=Tai Tuivasa gets Harry Hunsucker as new opponent for UFC on ESPN 21|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Nolan King and John Morgan|date=2021-03-17|access-date=2021-03-17}}
Mayes faced Josh Parisian on December 18, 2021, at UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Daukaus.{{Cite web|last=DNA|first=MMA|date=2021-09-10|title=Josh Parisian treft Don'Tale Mayes op 18 december|url=https://mmadna.nl/josh-parisian-treft-dontale-mayes-op-18-december/|access-date=2021-09-11|website=MMA DNA|language=en-US}} He won the bout via TKO in the third round.{{Cite web|last=Evanoff|first=Josh|date=2021-12-18|title=UFC Vegas 45: Don'Tale Mayes Dominates, TKO's Josh Parisian|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2021/12/18/ufc-vegas-45-dontale-mayes-dominates-tkos-josh-parisian/|access-date=2021-12-19|website=Cageside Press|language=en-US}}
Mayes was scheduled to face Justin Tafa on July 30, 2022, at UFC 277.{{Cite web |date=2022-05-13 |title=UFC 277 adds more heavyweights: Don'Tale Mayes vs. Justin Tafa set |url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/05/ufc-news-dontale-mayes-vs-justin-tafa-july-30 |access-date=2022-05-14 |website=MMA Junkie |language=en-US}} Tafa pulled out due to undisclosed reasons and was replaced by promotional newcomer Hamdy Abdelwahab on July 18.{{Cite web |author=Nolan King |date=2022-07-18 |title=UFC 277 hit with multitude of withdrawals. Here's where the card stands less than two weeks away. |url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/lists/ufc-277-multiple-withdrawals-card-update |access-date=2022-07-18 |publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com}} Mayes lost the back-and-forth fight via split decision.{{Cite web |last=Bitter |first=Shawn |date=2022-07-30 |title=UFC 277: Hamdy Abdelwahab's Wrestling The Difference Against Active Don'Tale Mayes |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2022/07/30/ufc-277-dontale-mayes-vs-hamdy-abdelwahab/ |access-date=2022-08-01 |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}} However, the fight was later ruled a no contest after Abdelwahab was suspended by USADA, due to Abdelwahab failing to disclose a history of using Methenolone before joining the UFC and testing positive thereafter.{{Cite web |last=King |first=Nolan |date=2023-02-03 |url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2023/02/ufc-news-hamdy-abdelwahab-drug-test-vs-dontale-mayes |title= Hamdy Abdelwahab suspended, has UFC debut win overturned after positive drug test and 'tampering' |access-date=2022-02-04 |website=MMAjunkie |language=en-US}}
Mayes faced Augusto Sakai on February 25, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 220.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/12/17/23514500/ufc-adds-augusto-sakai-vs-dontale-mayes-to-feb-25-event|title=UFC adds Augusto Sakai vs. Don’Tale Mayes to Feb. 25 event|publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Guilherme Cruz|date=2022-12-17|access-date=2022-12-18}} He lost the fight via unanimous decision.{{Cite web |last=Dewar |first=Val |date=2023-02-25 |title=UFC Vegas 70: Augusto Sakai Comfortably Beats Lackluster Don'Tale Mayes in Last Minute Co-Main Event |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2023/02/25/ufc-vegas-70-augusto-sakai-comfortably-beats-lackluster-dontale-mayes-in-last-minute-co-main-event/ |access-date=2023-02-26 |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}}
Mayes faced Andrei Arlovski on June 3, 2023, at UFC on ESPN 46.{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Jay |date=2023-05-04 |title=Andrei Arlovski Hits 40 Fights in UFC, Gets Don'Tale Mayes on June 3 |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2023/05/04/andrei-arlovski-hits-40-fights-ufc-gets-dontale-mayes-june-3/ |access-date=2023-05-05 |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}} He won the fight via technical knockout in the second round.{{Cite web |last=Martin |first=Damon |date=2023-06-03 |title=UFC Vegas 74 video: Don’Tale Mayes blasts Andrei Arlovski with brutal overhand right for knockout win |url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2023/6/3/23748194/ufc-vegas-74-video-dontale-mayes-blasts-andrei-arlovski-brutal-overhand-right-to-score-knockout-win |access-date=2023-06-04 |website=MMA Fighting |language=en}}
Mayes faced Rodrigo Nascimento in a rematch on November 4, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 231.{{cite web |last=Raghuwanshi |first=Vipin |title=Rodrigo Nascimento vs Don’Tale Mayes Rematch Targetted for UFC Nov 4 |url=https://www.itnwwe.com/mma/rodrigo-nascimento-dontale-mayes-rematch-targetted-ufc-nov-4/ |website=ITN WWE |access-date=22 August 2023 |date=7 August 2023}} He lost the fight via unanimous decision.{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Jay |date=2023-11-04 |title=UFC Sao Paulo: Rodrigo Nascimento Starts Hot, Wins Decision Over Don’Tale Mayes |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2023/11/04/ufc-sao-paulo-rodrigo-nascimento-starts-hot-wins-decision-over-dontale-mayes/ |access-date=2023-11-05 |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}}
Mayes faced Caio Machado on April 27, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 55.{{Cite web |last=King |first=Nolan |date=2024-02-19 |title=Matchup Roundup: New UFC, PFL, Bellator fights announced in the past week (Feb. 12-18)|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/lists/ufc-pfl-bellator-news-matchup-fight-announcements-february-12-18-2024|access-date=2024-02-19 |website=MMA Junkie |language=en-US}} He won the fight by unanimous decision.{{Cite web |last=Dewar |first=Val |date=2024-04-27 |title=UFC Vegas 91: "Lord Kong" Beats "Bigfoot" As Don'Tale Mayes Decisions Caio Machado |url=https://cagesidepress.com/?p=187412 |access-date=2024-04-27 |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}}
Mayes faced Shamil Gaziev on August 3, 2024, at UFC on ABC 7.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2024/7/8/24191395/daniel-cormier-labels-islam-makhachev-victim-of-expectation-says-hes-not-khabib-nurmagomedov|title=Morning Report: Daniel Cormier labels Islam Makhachev 'victim of expectation,' says he's not Khabib Nurmagomedov - Fight Announcements|publisher=mmafighting.com|date=2024-07-08|access-date=2024-07-08}} He lost the fight by unanimous decision.{{Cite web|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2024/08/03/ufc-abu-dhabi-shamil-gaziev-rebounds-from-first-loss-dominates-dontale-mayes/|title=UFC Abu Dhabi: Shamil Gaziev Rebounds From First Loss, Dominates Don’Tale Mayes|publisher=cagesidepress.com|author=Val Dewar|date=2024-08-03|access-date=2024-08-03}}
Mayes faced Valter Walker on February 15, 2025 at UFC Fight Night 251.{{Cite web|url=https://www.telecomasia.net/news/mma/walker-to-face-mayes-on-february-16-at-ufc-vegas-102/|title=Walker to Face Mayes on February 16 at UFC Vegas 102|publisher=telecomasia.net|author=Marina Magomedova|date=2024-12-14|access-date=2024-12-14}} He lost the fight via a heel hook submission in the first round.{{Cite web|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2025/02/15/ufc-vegas-102-valter-walker-snags-second-straight-heel-hook-sub-taps-dontale-mayes/|title=UFC Vegas 102: Valter Walker Snags Second Straight Heel Hook Sub, Taps Don’Tale Mayes|publisher=cagesidepress.com|author=Jay Anderson|date=2025-02-15|access-date=2025-02-15}}
Mayes faced Thomas Petersen on May 3, 2025 at UFC on ESPN 67.{{Cite web|url=https://www.kcci.com/article/ufc-fight-night-des-moines-iowa-fight-card-may-3-bo-nickal-ryan-loder/64219980|title=UFC Fight Night in Des Moines: Full fight card announced ahead of May 3 event|publisher=kcci.com|author=Aaron Marner|date=2025-03-19|access-date=2025-03-19}} He lost the fight by unanimous decision.{{Cite web|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2025/05/03/thomas-petersen-dominates-and-smothers-mayes-to-victory/|title=Thomas Petersen Dominates And Smothers Mayes To Victory|publisher=cagesidepress.com|author=Eddie Law|date=2025-05-03|access-date=2025-05-03}}
On May 7, 2025, it was reported that Mayes was released by the UFC.{{Cite web|url=https://athlonsports.com/mma/ufc-releases-heavyweight-dontale-mayes-after-five-year-run|title=UFC Cuts Once Promising Heavyweight KO Artist Following Five-Year Rollercoaster Run|publisher=athlonsports.com|author=Prince Horton|date=2025-05-07|access-date=2025-05-07}}
Championships and accomplishments
Mixed martial arts record
{{MMArecordbox
| draws=
| nc=1
| ko-wins=6
| sub-wins=1
| dec-wins=4
| ko-losses=1
| sub-losses=3
| dec-losses=4
| dq-wins=
| dq-losses=1
| other-wins=
| other-losses=
}}
{{MMA record start}}
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|11–9 (1)
|Thomas Petersen
|Decision (unanimous)
|UFC on ESPN: Sandhagen vs. Figueiredo
|{{dts|2025|May|3}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|Des Moines, Iowa, United States
|
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|11–8 (1)
|Valter Walker
|Submission (heel hook)
|UFC Fight Night: Cannonier vs. Rodrigues
|{{dts|2025|February|15}}
|align=center|1
|align=center|1:17
|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
|
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|11–7 (1)
|Decision (unanimous)
|UFC on ABC: Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov
|{{dts|2024|August|3}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
|
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|{{nowrap|11–6 (1)}}
|Caio Machado
|Decision (unanimous)
|UFC on ESPN: Nicolau vs. Perez
|{{dts|2024|April|27}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
|
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|{{nowrap|10–6 (1)}}
|Decision (unanimous)
|UFC Fight Night: Almeida vs. Lewis
|{{dts|2023|November|04}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|São Paulo, Brazil
|
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|10–5 (1)
|TKO (punches)
|UFC on ESPN: Kara-France vs. Albazi
|{{dts|2023|June|03}}
|align=center|2
|align=center|3:17
|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
|
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|9–5 (1)
|Decision (unanimous)
|UFC Fight Night: Muniz vs. Allen
|{{dts|2023|February|25}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
|
|-
|{{nocontest}}NC
|align=center|9–4 (1)
|NC (overturned)
|{{dts|2022|July|30}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|Dallas, Texas, United States
|{{small|Originally a split decision win for Abdelwahab; overturned after he tested positive for methenolone.}}
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|9–4
|TKO (elbows)
|UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Daukaus
|{{dts|2021|December|18}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|3:26
|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center|8–4
| Decision (unanimous)
| UFC Fight Night: Felder vs. dos Anjos
| {{dts|2020|November|14}}
| align=center|3
| align=center|5:00
| Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
|
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|7–4
|Submission (rear-naked choke)
|UFC on ESPN: Overeem vs. Harris
|{{dts|2020|May|16}}
|align=center|2
|align=center|2:05
|Jacksonville, Florida, United States
|
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|7–3
|Submission (heel hook)
|UFC Fight Night: Maia vs. Askren
|{{dts|2019|October|26}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|4:46
|Kallang, Singapore
|
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|7–2
|Ricardo Prasel
|TKO (punches)
|Dana White's Contender Series 20
|{{dts|2019|July|16}}
|align=center|1
|align=center|4:59
|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center|6–2
| Nkemdirim Oti
| Submission (verbal)
| V3 Fights 71
| {{dts|2018|November|17}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 2:15
| Robinsonville, Mississippi, United States
|
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|5–2
|Mitchell Sipe
|TKO (punches)
|Dana White's Contender Series 15
|{{dts|2018|July|31}}
|align=center|2
|align=center|4:49
|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
|
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|4–2
|Mohammed Usman
|Decision (unanimous)
|Victory FC 60
|{{dts|2018|April|14}}
|align=Center|3
|align=center|5:00
|Hammond, Indiana, United States
|
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|3–2
|TKO (punches and elbows)
|Dana White's Contender Series 8
|{{dts|2017|August|29}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|4:12
|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 3–1
| Demoreo Dennis
| Decision (unanimous)
| LFA 9
| {{dts|2017|April|14}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 5:00
| Shawnee, Oklahoma, United States
|
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 2–1
| Kenny Fredenburg
| DQ (illegal elbow)
| RFA 46
| {{dts|2016|December|09}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 2:06
| Branson, Missouri, United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 2–0
| Arnold Adams
| TKO (submission to punches)
| Hoosier Fight Club 29
| {{dts|2016|June|04}}
| align=center| 5
| align=center| 3:09
| Hammond, Indiana, United States
|{{small|Won the Hoosier FC Heavyweight Championship.}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 1–0
| Harry Hunsucker
| TKO (submission to punches)
| Hardrock MMA 77
| {{dts|2016|February|06}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 2:12
| Shepherdsville, Kentucky, United States
|{{small|Heavyweight debut.}}
{{end}}
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Sherdog|237177}}
- {{UFC|dontale-mayes}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mayes, DonTale}}
Category:American male mixed martial artists
Category:Heavyweight mixed martial artists
Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing boxing
Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing judo
Category:Ultimate Fighting Championship male fighters
Category:Mixed martial artists from Kentucky