Louis Taylor
{{short description|American mixed martial artist}}
{{about|the martial artist|former mayor of Vancouver BC|L. D. Taylor|the man imprisoned for arson and released after 40 years|History of hotel fires in the United States#Pioneer International}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Infobox martial artist
| name = Louis Taylor
| other_names = Put The Guns Down
Handgunz (formerly)
| image =
| image_size = 200px
| alt =
| caption =
| birth_name = Louis Taylor
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1979|05|12}}
| birth_place = Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| death_cause =
| residence =
| nationality =
| height = {{height|ft=5|in=11}}
| weight = {{convert|186|lb|kg st|abbr=on}}
| weight_class = Light Heavyweight
Middleweight
Welterweight
| reach = {{convert|74|in|cm|abbr=on}}
| style =
| stance = Orthodox
| fighting_out_of = Chicago, Illinois, United States
NCAA Division I Wrestling
| team = Chicago Fight Team
| rank = Purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Rudy Jimenez
| years_active = 2007–2014, 2016–2018
| mma_kowin = 8
| mma_subwin = 6
| mma_decwin = 4
| mma_koloss = 3
| mma_subloss = 1
| mma_decloss =
| mma_draw = 1
| mma_nc =
| url =
| sherdog = 25948
| footnotes =
| updated =
}}
Louis Taylor (born May 12, 1979) is an American former mixed martial artist who most recently competed in the welterweight division of the Professional Fighters League. A professional competitor from 2007 to 2018, Taylor also formerly competed for Strikeforce and Bellator. He was the first PFL Middleweight Tournament champion.
Background
Born and raised in the heart of Chicago's South Side, Taylor learned to defend himself from a young age. After being arrested at around age 16 for fighting a group of four gang members attacking him, in which he broke an assailant's collarbone, Taylor was introduced to a high school wrestling coach and former Olympic alternate Ken Binge, by his pastor. Taylor, a sophomore at the time, later moved in with an uncle so that he could attend the school and compete. Highly talented, Taylor was a two-time state qualifier, and became the first competitor from his school to place at the state tournament.{{Cite web|url=http://www.fighthype.com/news/article36545.html|title=Louis Taylor: "I'm on a Different Path Right Now" |first=John |last=Russell |date=December 29, 2018 |website= www.fighthype.com}} He later went on to wrestle for Lassen Community College in Susanville, California, where he was roommates with UFC light heavyweight champion Rampage Jackson.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9MTmo-SLZI&t=6020s|title=JRE MMA Show #162 with Belal Muhammad|date=September 6, 2024|via=YouTube}} At-then junior college powerhouse Lassen, Taylor was introduced to MMA and wrestled for two seasons before transferring to Eastern Illinois University. Competing at 174 lbs. under legendary former UFC champion and EIU coach Matt Hughes, Taylor excelled. Later, Taylor returned to Chicago to coach his former high school team, before transitioning to MMA at the age of 28.{{cite web | url=https://mmajunkie.com/2015/10/fight-path-wsof-24s-louis-taylor-uses-mma-to-work-out-of-tough-chicago-south-side | title=Fight Path: WSOF 24's Louis Taylor uses MMA to work out of tough Chicago South Side | date=9 October 2015 }} He was the high school wrestling coach of UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad and was later instrumental in training Muhammad for the latter's amateur career.
Mixed martial arts career
=Early career=
Taylor had three amateur fights before making his professional debut in 2007 as a Light Heavyweight. Taylor compiled a record of 4–0 before debuting for Strikeforce.
=The Ultimate Fighter=
Taylor was at the tryouts for The Ultimate Fighter 13 on November 4, 2010.{{Cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/news/21283/the-ultimate-fighter-13-tryouts-draw-several-notables-including-galvao-amoussou-toney.mma|title="The Ultimate Fighter 13" tryouts draw several notables including Galvao, Amoussou, Toney|author=John Morgan|publisher=MMAjunkie|access-date=2010-11-05|archive-date=2010-11-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101106223639/http://mmajunkie.com/news/21283/the-ultimate-fighter-13-tryouts-draw-several-notables-including-galvao-amoussou-toney.mma|url-status=dead}} He did not make the final cast to get onto the show which debuted on March 30, 2011.
=Strikeforce=
Taylor made his Strikeforce debut at Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers on November 7, 2009, against Nate Moore and was defeated via submission due to punches in the second round.
He would make his next appearance for the promotion in the main event of Strikeforce Challengers: Riggs vs. Taylor on August 13, 2010, against former WEC Welterweight Champion Joe Riggs and was defeated via submission due to punches in the third round.
=Combat USA=
Taylor fought Jason Louck on May 14, 2011, to determine the Middleweight Combat USA State Champion of Illinois. Taylor won the fight by submission (strikes) and was then supposed to face the Middleweight Combat USA State Champion of Wisconsin, Herbert Goodman. Unfortunately, Taylor Combat USA would not release Taylor from his contract.
=Bellator Fighting Championships=
Taylor first fought for Bellator at Bellator 14 on April 15, 2010, and won by KO due to a head kick in the first round over Ryan Sturdy.
Taylor fought for the promotion again on December 14, 2012, at Bellator 84 against UFC veteran Joe Vedepo. Taylor defeated Vedepo via first-round knockout.
=Ultimate Fighting Championship=
After an injury forced Costas Philippou out of his bout with Uriah Hall, it was announced on January 2, 2015, that Taylor had signed on to face Hall on short notice at UFC Fight Night: McGregor vs. Siver on January 18, 2015.{{cite web|url=http://www.mmafighting.com/2015/1/2/7482999/strikeforce-vet-louis-taylor-steps-in-to-face-uriah-hall-at-ufc-fight|title=Strikeforce vet Louis Taylor steps in to face Uriah Hall at UFC Fight Night in Boston|publisher=mmafighting.com|date=January 2, 2014}} However, on January 11, it was announced that Taylor pulled out of the fight due to a pulled muscle in his back and had his contract terminated as result.{{cite web|url=http://mmajr.co/louis-taylor-fight-uriah-hall-injury-cut-promotion/|title=Louis Taylor out of fight against Uriah Hall with injury, cut from promotion|publisher=mmajr.co|author=Nick Baldwin|date=2015-01-11|accessdate=2015-01-11}}
=World Series of Fighting=
On March 12, 2016, Taylor made his World Series of Fighting debut at WSOF 29 against Cory Devela.{{cite web|url=http://www.mmafighting.com/2016/3/12/11213224/wsof-29-results-justin-gaethje-finishes-brian-foster-in-the-first|title=WSOF 29 results: Justin Gaethje finishes Brian Foster in the first with crushing leg kicks|date=12 March 2016}} He won via guillotine choke submission in 29 seconds of the first round.
On July 30, 2016, Taylor faced undefeated fighter Phil Hawes at WSOF 32.{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2016/07/wsof-32-results-marlon-moraes-defends-bantamweight-title-lance-palmer-recaptures-featherweight-belt|title=WSOF 32 results: Marlon Moraes defends bantamweight title, Lance Palmer recaptures featherweight belt|date=31 July 2016}} He won via guillotine choke submission in the second round.
= Professional Fighters League=
Taylor faced Anderson Goncalves at PFL 3 in Washington, D.C., on July 5, 2018. He won the fight via TKO in the third round.
In the fall of 2018, Taylor entered the PFL Middleweight tournament. At PFL 10 on October 20, 2018, he defeated Rex Harris by unanimous decision in the quarterfinal round. He then fought John Howard to a technical draw in the semifinal round; Taylor advanced to the finals by having won the first round. Taylor faced Abuspiyan Magomedov in the finals at PFL 11 on December 31, 2018. He won the fight via knockout just 33 seconds into the first round, winning the PFL Middleweight Championship and earning the $1 million cash prize.
For the second season of PFL, Taylor was expected to drop down to welterweight and face Chris Curtis on May 9, 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2019/4/23/18509229/after-winning-a-cool-million-with-pfl-40-year-old-louis-taylor-ready-to-try-it-again-at-welterweight|title=After winning a cool million with PFL, 40-year-old Louis Taylor ready to try it again at welterweight|author=Chuck Mindenhall|publisher=mmafighting.com|date=April 23, 2019}} However just a week before the second season's start, Taylor announced that he had withdrawn from the tournament.{{cite web|url=https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/PFL-2018-Middleweight-Champion-Louis-Taylor-Withdraws-from-2019-Tournament-153767|title=PFL 2018 Middleweight Champion Louis Taylor Withdraws from 2019 Tournament|date=May 2, 2019|publisher=sherdog.com|author=Jay Pettry}}
Personal life
Taylor is married and has children.{{cite web |url=http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=4974388&blogId=537432656 |title=Invalid Friend ID |accessdate=2010-07-24 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090207065936/http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view |archivedate=2009-02-07 }}
Championships and accomplishments
- World Series of Fighting
- Fastest Submission in WSOF History (0:29) vs. Cory Devela
- Professional Fighters League
- 2018 Middleweight Tournament champion
Mixed martial arts record
{{MMArecordbox
| draws= 1
| nc=
| ko-wins= 8
| ko-losses= 3
| sub-wins= 6
| sub-losses= 1
| dec-wins= 4
| dec-losses=
| dq-wins=
| dq-losses=
| other-wins=
| other-losses=
}}
{{MMA record start}}
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|{{nowrap|18–4–1}}
|Abusupiyan Magomedov
|KO (punch)
|{{dts|2018|December|31}}
|align=center|1
|align=center|0:33
|New York City, New York, United States
|{{small|Won the 2018 PFL Middleweight Tournament.}}
|-
|{{draw}}Draw
|align=center|17–4–1
|Technical Draw (illegal knee)
| rowspan=2 |PFL 10
| rowspan=2 |{{dts|2018|October|20}}
|align=center|2
|align=center|4:55
| rowspan=2 |Washington, D.C., United States
|{{small|2018 PFL Middleweight Semifinal bout. Advanced via first round tiebreaker.}}
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center| 17–4
|Rex Harris
|Decision (unanimous)
|align=center|2
|align=center|5:00
|{{small|2018 PFL Middleweight Quarterfinal bout.}}
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 16–4
|Andre Lobato
|Decision (unanimous)
|{{dts|2018|August|16}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 15–4
| Anderson Goncalves
| TKO (punches)
| PFL 3
| {{dts|2018|July|5}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 0:58
| Washington, D.C., United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 14–4
| Zach Conn
| Decision (unanimous)
| {{dts|2017|July|29}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 5:00
| Everett, Washington, United States
|
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|13–4
|Submission (rear-naked choke)
|{{dts|2016|December|31}}
|align=center|5
|align=center|2:00
|New York City, New York, United States
|{{small|For the WSOF Middleweight Championship.}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 13–3
| Submission (guillotine choke)
| WSOF 32
| {{dts|2016|July|30}}
| align=center| 2
| align=center| 2:15
| Everett, Washington, United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 12–3
| Technical Submission (guillotine choke)
| WSOF 29
| {{dts|2016|March|12}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 0:29
| Greeley, Colorado, United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 11–3
| Brian Houston
| Submission (guillotine choke)
| APFC 17
| {{dts|2014|October|11}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 2:14
| Hoffman Estates, Illinois, United States
| {{small|Return to Middleweight.}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 10–3
| Robert Gotreau
| Submission (guillotine choke)
| APFC 16
| {{dts|2014|April|5}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 2:06
| Villa Park, Illinois, United States
| {{small|Welterweight debut.}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 9–3
| Eric Hammerich
| Submission (guillotine choke)
| APFC 11: Champion vs. Champion
| {{dts|2013|June|22}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 3:54
| McCook, Illinois, United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 8–3
| KO (punch)
| {{dts|2012|December|14}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 4:12
| Hammond, Indiana, United States
|
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 7–3
| TKO (punches)
| CZ 40: Kicking It XL at The Rock
| {{dts|2012|January|27}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 4:02
| Salem, New Hampshire, United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 7–2
| Jason Louck
| TKO (submission to strikes)
| Combat USA: Illinois State Finals
| {{dts|2011|May|14}}
| align=center| 2
| align=center| 4:40
| Racine, Wisconsin, United States
|
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 6–2
| TKO (submission to strikes)
| Strikeforce Challengers: Riggs vs. Taylor
| {{dts|2010|August|13}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 2:07
| Phoenix, Arizona, United States
| {{small|Catchweight (182 lbs) bout.}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 6–1
| Ryan Sturdy
| KO (head kick)
| {{dts|2010|April|15}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 1:08
| Chicago, Illinois, United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 5–1
| Curtis Bailey
| TKO (punches)
| Hoosier FC 2: It's On
| {{dts|2010|January|2}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 0:33
| Hammond, Indiana, United States
|
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 4–1
| TKO (submission to punches)
| Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers
| {{dts|2009|November|7}}
| align=center| 2
| align=center| 3:24
| Hoffman Estates, Illinois, United States
| {{small|Middleweight debut.}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 4–0
| Steve Paterson
| KO (punches)
| TFC 14: Hornbuckle vs. Alexander
| {{dts|2009|February|21}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 4:34
| Hammond, Indiana, United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 3–0
| Adam Maciejewski
| Decision (unanimous)
| Adrenaline MMA: Guida vs. Russow
| {{dts|2008|June|14}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 5:00
| Chicago, Illinois, United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 2–0
| Aaron Kreke
| TKO (slam)
| C3: Corral Combat Classic 2
| {{dts|2008|April|26}}
| align=center| 2
| align=center| 0:40
| Hammond, Indiana, United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 1–0
| Ricco Talamantes
| Submission (guillotine choke)
| ISCF: Fight 2 the Finish
| {{dts|2007|November|9}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 4:30
| Chicago, Illinois, United States
|
{{end}}
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{sports links}}
- {{ESPN MMA|2512981}}
- [http://mmaviewers.com/archives/4313 Louis Taylor] on MMAviewers.com
- {{Instagram}}
{{WSOF Title Holders}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Taylor, Louis}}
Category:American male mixed martial artists
Category:Middleweight mixed martial artists
Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing collegiate wrestling
Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing Brazilian jiu-jitsu
Category:Martial artists from Chicago
Category:Mixed martial artists from Illinois
Category:African-American mixed martial artists
Category:American male sport wrestlers
Category:American practitioners of Brazilian jiu-jitsu