5 Things You Might Not Know About Kyle Daukaus

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The security of solid footing has thus far eluded Kyle Daukaus in the Ultimate Fighting Championship middleweight division.

Daukaus will attempt to even his record inside the promotion when he confronts Kevin Holland in the UFC Fight Night 193 co-main event on Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The 28-year-old Philadelphian enters the match having lost twice in three outings inside the hallowed Octagon. Daukaus last competed at UFC on ESPN 24 on May 8, when he wound up on the wrong side of a unanimous decision against the surging Phil Hawes.

As Daukaus pores over the remaining details associated with his forthcoming showdown with Holland, here are five things you might not know about him:

1. He has an affinity for precious metals.

Daukaus remains one of only seven men who have captured the Cage Fury Fighting Championships middleweight crown. Dan Miller, Dustin Jacoby, Tim Williams, Anthony Smith, Collin Huckbody and Aaron Jeffery are the others. Daukaus laid claim to the title with a third-round submission of Jonavin Webb at CFFC 72 on Feb. 16, 2019, successfully defended it on two occasions and then relinquished it when he signed with the UFC.

2. Fighting has been a family affair.

The Philadelphia native and his older brother, heavyweight Chris Daukaus, in 2020 joined a long list of siblings who have competed in the UFC. It includes Nick and Nate Diaz, Antonio Rogerio and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Dan and Jim Miller, Antonina and Valentina Shevchenko, Frank and Ken Shamrock, Sergio and Anthony Pettis, Alex and Dominick Reyes and Herbert and Gilbert Burns.

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3. A go-to maneuver has served him well.

Daukaus holds the rank of black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and leans heavily on those skills inside the cage. He has delivered eight of his 10 professional victories, five of them via brabo choke. Daukaus has victimized Webb, Nolan Norwood, Stephen Regmen, Tyler Bayer and Kyle Walker with the D’Arce.

4. He quieted doubters.

The former CFFC champion was denied an Ultimate Fighting Championship contract on Season 3 of Dana White’s Contender Series in June 2019. Daukaus defeated Michael Lombardo by unanimous decision but failed to impress UFC brass enough to garner an invite to join the roster. He later recorded back-to-back submissions on the regional scene and earned a short-notice assignment at UFC on ESPN 12, where he made his Octagon debut in a decision defeat to Brendan Allen.

5. Limited travels have kept him close to home.

Daukaus has never fought outside the continental United States. In fact, his 12 appearances as a pro have been confined to three states: Nevada, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.