Jai Herbert

Herbert was born in Wolverhampton, England. He spent 14 years as a scaffolder and worked a full-time job while competing as an amateur and professional. He didn't turn to full-time fighting until signing with the UFC.{{Cite news|last=Gerbasi|first=Thomas|date=11 April 2020|title=Jai Herbert Finally Able To Make MMA Full-Time|work=UFC|url=https://www.ufc.com/news/jai-herbert-finablly-able-make-mma-full-time|access-date=30 August 2020}} As an amateur fighter, Herbert competed at welterweight and didn't consider the strain of a weight cut to be worthwhile at such a level.{{Cite news|last=Bramford|first=Emma|date=2 March 2020|title=UFC London: Jai Herbert – From scaffolding to fighting at the O2 with the UFC|work=Fighters Only Magazine|url=https://www.fightersonlymag.com/interviews/ufc-london-jai-herbert-from-scaffolding-to-fighting-at-the-o2-with-the-ufc-marc-diakiese/|access-date=30 August 2020}} In August 2020, Herbert was part of Wolverhampton Wanderers' kit launch.{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=28 August 2020|title=2020/21 away kit launched|work=Wolverhampton Wanderers FC|url=https://www.wolves.co.uk/news/club/20200828-202021-away-kit-launched/|access-date=30 August 2020}}

After going 9–1 as an amateur, Herbert made his professional MMA debut in 2015. He recorded consecutive second-round knockouts with Full Contact Contender and later signed a four-fight contract with BAMMA.{{Cite news|last=Georgiou|first=Andreas|date=19 October 2017|title=Jai Herbert believes it should be talent over ticket sales in UK MMA's latest big debate|work=MMA Plus|url=http://www.mmaplus.co.uk/round-up/ukmma/bamma/jai-herbert-responds-ticket-sales-bamma/|url-status=dead|access-date=30 August 2020|archive-date=20 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920104737/http://www.mmaplus.co.uk/round-up/ukmma/bamma/jai-herbert-responds-ticket-sales-bamma/}}

On 14 November 2015, Herbert made his promotional debut at BAMMA 23 and beat Ben Bennett via knockout in the second round. On 14 May 2016, he earned a second round submission against Tony Morgan at BAMMA 25. On 16 December, he suffered his first loss against future UFC fighter Rhys McKee in a lightweight title bout at BAMMA 27.{{citation needed|date=March 2022}}

In February 2017, Herbert was due to face Steve Owens at BAMMA 28, but his opponent was forced to withdraw with illness the day before.{{Cite news|last=McDonnell|first=Graeme|date=23 February 2017|title=Steve Owens forced to withdraw from BAMMA 28 bout with Jai Herbert|work=Severe MMA|url=http://severemma.com/2017/02/steve-owens-forced-withdraw-bamma-28-bout-jai-herbert/|access-date=30 August 2020}} On 12 May, Herbert beat Rick Selvarajah at BAMMA 29 via knockout in the second round.{{citation needed|date=March 2022}}

In late 2017, Herbert voiced his displeasure about BAMMA's matchmaking. Due to an over-booking of fights by the promotion, Herbert saw a scheduled bout cancelled at late notice due to the number of tickets sold by the fighters. He announced he would not fight under the BAMMA promotion again and subsequently signed with Cage Warriors.

On 16 June 2018, Herbert faced Erdi Karatas at Cage Warriors 94. He won by unanimous decision in the co-main event. He was then due to fight Donovan Desmae at Cage Warriors 98, but had to withdraw two weeks prior to the bout. On 8 December, he returned with a first round knockout against Joe McColgan at Cage Warriors 100.

On 2 March 2019, Herbert appeared in the co-main event at Cage Warriors 102 and beat Steve O'Keefe via a first round knockout. He was then handed his first title opportunity with the promotion and beat Jack Grant at Cage Warriors 106 to claim the vacant lightweight championship. On 26 October, he successfully defended his title against Cain Carrizosa at Cage Warriors 109 with a first round knockout.

In January 2020, Herbert signed with the UFC.{{Cite news|last=Carroll|first=Peter|date=27 January 2020|title=Jai Herbert signs with UFC, replaces Stevie Ray against Marc Diakiese at UFC London|work=MMA Fighting|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2020/1/27/21083766/jai-herbert-signs-with-ufc-replaces-stevie-ray-against-marc-diakiese-at-ufc-london|access-date=30 August 2020}} He was due to face Marc Diakiese as a replacement at UFC Fight Night: Woodley vs. Edwards in March, but the event was later cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite news|last=K. Lee|first=Alexander|date=15 March 2020|title=Several fighters announce cancellation, postponement of former UFC London bouts|work=MMA Fighting|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2020/3/15/21180377/several-fighters-announce-cancellation-postponement-of-former-ufc-london-bouts|access-date=30 August 2020}}

On 25 July 2020 Herbert faced Francisco Trinaldo at UFC on ESPN: Whittaker vs. Till. He lost the fight via knockout in round three.{{Cite news|last=Martin|first=Damon|date=25 July 2020|title=UFC on ESPN 14 video: Francisco Trinaldo storms back to flatten Jai Herbert by knockout|work=MMA Fighting|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2020/7/25/21338695/ufc-on-espn-14-video-francisco-trinaldo-storms-back-to-flatten-jai-herbert-by-knockout|access-date=30 August 2020}}

Herbert faced Renato Moicano on 26 June 2021 at UFC Fight Night: Gane vs. Volkov.{{cite web|author=Nolan King and Farah Hannoun|date=2021-04-12|title=Renato Moicano vs. Jai Herbert booked for June 26 event|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/04/ufc-fight-night-renato-moicano-vs-jai-herbert-booked-june-26|access-date=2021-04-12|website=mmajunkie.usatoday.com}} He lost the fight via a rear-naked choke in round two.{{Cite web|last=Behunin|first=Alex|date=2021-06-26|title=UFC Vegas 30 Results: Renato Moicano Submits Jai Herbert In Round Two|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2021/06/26/ufc-vegas-30-results-renato-moicano-submits-jai-herbert-in-round-two/|access-date=2021-06-27|website=Cageside Press|language=en-US}}

Herbert faced Khama Worthy on 23 October 2021 at UFC Fight Night: Costa vs. Vettori.{{Cite web|last=Dorff|first=Marcel|date=2021-10-04|title=Khama Worthy treft Jai Herbert op 23 oktober tijdens UFC FN 196 in Las Vegas|url=https://mmadna.nl/breaking-khama-worthy-treft-jai-herbert-op-23-oktober-tijdens-ufc-fn-196-in-las-vegas/|access-date=2021-10-04|website=MMA DNA|language=en-US}} He won the bout via TKO in round one.{{Cite web|date=2021-10-23|title=UFC Fight Night 196 video: Jai Herbert lights up Khama Worthy for early TKO|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/10/ufc-fight-night-196-video-jai-herbert-lights-up-khama-worthy-knockout-highlight|access-date=2021-10-23|website=MMA Junkie|language=en-US}}

Herbert was scheduled to face Mike Davis on 19 March 2022 at UFC Fight Night 204.{{Cite web|url=https://www.eurosport.com/geoblocking.shtml|first=Marcel|last=Dorff|title=UFC LONDON THE BLACK COUNTRY BANGER VS. BEAST BOY|access-date=2022-02-04|website=www.eurosport.com}} However, Davis withdrew from the bout for personal reasons and he was replaced by Ilia Topuria.{{Cite web|date=2022-02-12|title=Mike Davis isn't facing Jai Herbert at UFC London because 'it just doesn't make sense to take the fight'|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/02/ufc-london-why-mike-davis-isnt-fighting-jai-herbert|access-date=2022-02-18|website=MMA Junkie|language=en-US}} Herbert landed a head kick in the first round that dropped Topuria, but ultimately lost the fight via knockout in round two.{{Cite web |last=Behunin |first=Alex |date=2022-03-19 |title=UFC London: Ilia Topuria Flatlines Jai Herbert In The Second Round |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2022/03/19/ufc-london-ilia-topuria-flatlines-jai-herbert-second-round/ |access-date=2022-03-19 |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}}

Herbert faced Kyle Nelson on 23 July 2022 at UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Aspinall.{{cite web |author=Jay Anderson |date=2022-06-14 |title=Jai Herbert to Face Kyle Nelson at UFC London on July 23 |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2022/06/14/jai-herbet-face-kyle-nelson-ufc-london-july-23/ |access-date=2022-06-15 |publisher=cagesidepress.com}} He won the fight by unanimous decision.{{Cite web |last=Behunin |first=Alex |date=2022-07-23 |title=UFC London: Jai Herbert Spoils Kyle Nelson's Lightweight Debut |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2022/07/23/sufc-london-jai-herbert-spoils-kyle-nelsons-lightweight-debut/ |access-date=2022-07-24 |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}}

Herbert faced Ľudovít Klein on 18 March 2023 at UFC 286.{{Cite web |last=ATSteveDuncan |date=2023-01-06 |title=Jai Herbert vs. Ludovit Klein agregado a UFC 286 |url=https://mma.uno/jai-herbert-vs-ludovit-klein-agregado-a-ufc-286/ |access-date=2023-01-06 |website=MMA.uno, #1 En noticias de Artes Marciales Mixtas (MMA) en Español. |language=es}} After a point deduction in the third round due to multiple groin strikes, the fight ended in a majority draw.{{Cite web|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2023/03/18/ufc-286-late-controversial-point-deduction-sees-jai-herbert-draw-with-ludovit-klein-despite-winning-two-rounds/|title=UFC 286: Late, controversial point deduction sees Jai Herbert draw with Ľudovit Klein|website=Cageside Press|author=Val Dewar|date=2023-03-18|access-date=2023-03-18}}

Herbert faced Farès Ziam on 22 July 2023 at UFC Fight Night 224.{{Cite web |date=2023-05-01 |title=Fares Ziam vs Herbert |url= https://boxemag.com/ufc/fares-ziam-vs-jai-herbert-prevu-pour-lufc-london-le-22-juillet/ |access-date=2023-05-02 |website=Boxe Mag |language=FR}} He lost the fight via unanimous decision.{{Cite web |last=Dewar |first=Val |date=2023-07-22 |title=UFC London: Fares Ziam Beats Jai Herbert In Clinch-Heavy Matchup Between Kickboxers |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2023/07/22/ufc-london-fares-ziam-beats-jai-herbert-in-clinch-heavy-matchup-between-kickboxers/ |access-date=2023-08-04 |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}}

Herbert faced Rolando Bedoya on 3 August 2024 at UFC on ABC 7.{{Cite web |last=Riggs |first=Drake |date=2024-06-19 |title=Morning Report: Anthony Smith says title shot against Alex Pereira 'lines up' with UFC 303 wins |url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2024/6/19/24180807/morning-report-anthony-smith-says-title-shot-against-alex-pereira-lines-up-with-ufc-303-wins-mma |access-date=2024-06-19 |website=MMA Fighting |language=en}} He won the fight by unanimous decision.{{Cite web|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2024/08/03/ufc-abu-dhabi-jai-herbert-vs-rolando-bedoya/|title=UFC Abu Dhabi: Jai Herbert vs. Rolando Bedoya|publisher=cagesidepress.com|author=Jay Anderson|date=2024-08-03|access-date=2024-08-03}}

Herbert faced Chris Padilla on March 22, 2025, at UFC Fight Night 255.{{Cite web |last=Sherdog.com |title=Nathaniel Wood vs. Morgan Charriere, Three Other Bouts Confirmed for UFC London |url=https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Nathaniel-Wood-vs-Morgan-Charriere-Three-Other-Bouts-Confirmed-for-UFC-London-195907 |access-date=2025-01-14 |website=Sherdog |language=en}} He lost the fight by split decision.{{Cite web|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2025/03/22/ufc-london-chris-padilla-gets-nod-in-close-listless-decision-against-jai-herbert/|title=UFC London: Chris Padilla Gets Nod in Close, Listless Decision Against Jai Herbert|publisher=cagesidepress.com|author=Staff|date=2025-03-22|access-date=2025-03-22}}

• Cage Warriors
• Cage Warriors Lightweight Championship (One time)
• One successful title defence
• Cage Warriors Academy South East Lightweight Championship (One time)

{{MMArecordbox

|draws=1

|nc=

|ko-wins=9

|sub-wins=1

|dec-wins=3

|ko-losses=3

|sub-losses=1

|dec-losses=2

|dq-wins=

|dq-losses=

|other-wins=

|other-losses=

}}

{{MMA record start}}

|-

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center|13–6–1

|Chris Padilla

|Decision (split)

|UFC Fight Night: Edwards vs. Brady

|{{dts|2025|format=dmy|March|22}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|London, England

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|13–5–1

|Rolando Bedoya

|Decision (unanimous)

|UFC on ABC: Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov

|{{dts|format=dmy|2024|August|3}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

|

|-

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center|12–5–1

|Farès Ziam

|Decision (unanimous)

|UFC Fight Night: Aspinall vs. Tybura

|{{dts|format=dmy|2023|July|22}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|London, England

|

|-

|{{draw}}Draw

|align=center|{{nowrap|12–4–1}}

|Ľudovít Klein

|Draw (majority)

|UFC 286

|{{dts|format=dmy|2023|March|18}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|London, England

|{{small|Herbert was deducted 1 point in round 3 due to multiple groin strikes.}}

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|12–4

|Kyle Nelson

|Decision (unanimous)

|UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Aspinall

|{{dts|format=dmy|2022|July|23}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|London, England

|

|-

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center|11–4

|Ilia Topuria

|KO (punches)

|UFC Fight Night: Volkov vs. Aspinall

|{{dts|format=dmy|2022|March|19}}

|align=center|2

|align=center|1:07

|London, England

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|11–3

|Khama Worthy

|TKO (punches)

|UFC Fight Night: Costa vs. Vettori

|{{dts|format=dmy|2021|October|23}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|2:47

|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

|

|-

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center|10–3

|Renato Moicano

|Submission (rear-naked choke)

|UFC Fight Night: Gane vs. Volkov

|{{dts|format=dmy|2021|June|26}}

|align=center|2

|align=center|4:36

|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

|

|-

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center|10–2

|Francisco Trinaldo

|TKO (punch)

|UFC on ESPN: Whittaker vs. Till

|{{dts|format=dmy|2020|July|25}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|1:30

|Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

|{{small|Catchweight (160 lb) bout; Trinaldo missed weight.}}

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 10–1

| Cain Carrizosa

| KO (knee)

| Cage Warriors 109

| {{dts|format=dmy|2019|October|26}}

| align=center|1

| align=center| 3:26

| Birmingham, England

| {{small|Defended the Cage Warriors Lightweight Championship.}}

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 9–1

| Jack Grant

| TKO (punches)

| Cage Warriors 106

| {{dts|format=dmy|2019|June|29}}

| align=center| 3

| align=center| 3:22

| London, England

| {{small|Won the vacant Cage Warriors Lightweight Championship.}}

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 8–1

| Steve O'Keefe

| TKO (punches)

| Cage Warriors 102

| {{dts|format=dmy|2019|March|02}}

| align=center| 1

| align=center| 4:07

| London, England

|

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 7–1

| Joe McColgan

| TKO (punches)

| Cage Warriors 100

| {{dts|format=dmy|2018|December|08}}

| align=center| 1

| align=center| 2:00

| Cardiff, Wales

|

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 6–1

| Erdi Karatas

| Decision (unanimous)

| Cage Warriors 94

| {{dts|format=dmy|2018|June|16}}

| align=center| 3

| align=center| 5:00

| Antwerp, Belgium

|

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 5–1

| Rick Selvarajah

| TKO (punches)

| BAMMA 29

| {{dts|format=dmy|2017|May|12}}

| align=center| 2

| align=center| 0:37

| Birmingham, England

|

|-

| {{no2}}Loss

| align=center| 4–1

| Rhys McKee

| KO (punches)

| BAMMA 27

| {{dts|format=dmy|2016|December|16}}

| align=center| 1

| align=center| 1:47

| Dublin, Ireland

| {{small|For the vacant BAMMA Lightweight Championship.}}

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 4–0

| Tony Morgan

| Submission (rear-naked choke)

| BAMMA 25

| {{dts|format=dmy|2016|May|14}}

| align=center| 2

| align=center| 2:19

| Birmingham, England

|

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 3–0

| Ben Bennett

| KO (body kick)

| BAMMA 23

| {{dts|format=dmy|2015|November|14}}

| align=center| 2

| align=center| 3:59

| Birmingham, England

|

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 2–0

| Martin Sweeney

| TKO (punches)

| Full Contact Contender 13

| {{dts|format=dmy|2015|June|20}}

| align=center| 2

| align=center| 0:41

| Horwich, England

|

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 1–0

| Omid Muhammadi

| TKO (punches)

| Full Contact Contender 12

| {{dts|format=dmy|2015|March|28}}

| align=center| 2

| align=center| 0:22

| Horwich, England

|{{small|Lightweight debut.}}

|-

{{end}}

{{Cite web|title=Jai Herbert|url=https://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Jai-Herbert-168551|access-date=2020-08-30|website=Sherdog}}

• List of current UFC fighters
• List of male mixed martial artists

{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Herbert, Jai}}

Category:1988 births

Category:Living people

Category:English male mixed martial artists

Category:Lightweight mixed martial artists

Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing Muay Thai

Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing Luta Livre

Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing Brazilian jiu-jitsu

Category:Ultimate Fighting Championship male fighters

Category:English male Muay Thai practitioners

Category:English practitioners of Brazilian jiu-jitsu

Category:Sportspeople from Wolverhampton

Category:21st-century English sportsmen