Karl Roberson

Early career

After earning three wins in amateur MMA, Roberson made his professional MMA debut May 2015. He fought sporadically over the next two years, obtaining a record of 5–0.

Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series

Roberson appeared in Dana White's Contender Series 3 on July 25, 2017 against Ryan Spann. He won the fight via elbow strikes in round one and he was award the UFC contract.^[5]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

He made his debut on November 11, 2017 against Darren Stewart at UFC Fight Night: Poirier vs. Pettis. He won the fight via rear-naked choke submission in the first round.^[6]

Roberson faced Cezar Ferreira on May 12, 2018 at UFC 224.^[7] He lost the fight via technical submission in the first round.^[8]

Roberson faced Jack Marshman on November 3, 2018 at UFC 230.^[9] He won the fight via unanimous decision.^[10]

Roberson agreed on a short notice fight against Glover Teixeira in the light heavyweight division at UFC Fight Night: Cejudo vs. Dillashaw on January 19, 2019. Roberson replaced Ion Cutelaba in the fight who had to pull out due to an injury.^[11] Despite hurting Teixeira with elbows early in the round, Roberson lost the fight in the first round by submission via arm triangle choke.^[12]

Roberson was scheduled to meet John Phillips on July 13, 2019 at UFC Fight Night 155.^[13] However, it was reported that Phillips was pulled from the bout due to injury and he was replaced by Wellington Turman.^[14] Roberson won the fight via a controversial split decision.^[15]

Roberson faced promotional newcomer Roman Kopylov on November 9, 2019 at UFC Fight Night 163.^[16] He won the fight via a submission in round three.^[17]

Roberson was expected to face Makhmud Muradov on April 18, 2020 at UFC 249.^[18] However, Muradov was forced to pull from the event due to COVID-19 pandemic travel restriction, and Roberson was pulled from the event and was scheduled to meet Marvin Vettori on April 25, 2020.^[19] However, on April 9, Dana White, the president of UFC announced that this event was postponed to a future date^[20] Instead Roberson was scheduled to face Marvin Vettori on May 13, 2020 at UFC on ESPN 9.^[21] At the weigh-ins Roberson weighed in at 187.5 pounds, 1.5 pounds over the middleweight non-title weight limit of 186 pounds. He was fined 20% of his purse, which was given to opponent Vettori, and the match was to proceed at a catchweight.^[22] However, Roberson was removed from the fight due to rhabdomyolysis.^[23][24] The fight was rescheduled to June 13, 2020 at UFC on ESPN: Eye vs. Calvillo.^[25] At the weigh-ins on June 12, Roberson once again missed weight, weighing in at 190.5 pounds, 4.5 pounds over the non-title middleweight limit of 186 pounds. The bout proceed as a catchweight bout and Roberson was fined 30% of his purse.^[26] He lost the fight via a submission in round one.^[27]

Roberson was scheduled to face Dalcha Lungiambula on December 12, 2020 at UFC 256.^[28] However, Karl tested positive for COVID-19 and the fight was moved to the next card on December 19, UFC Fight Night: Thompson vs. Neal.^[29]

Roberson faced Brendan Allen on April 24, 2021 at UFC 261.^[30] He lost the bout via ankle hook submission at the end of the first round.^[31]

Roberson was scheduled to face promotional newcomer Nick Maximov on September 25, 2021 at UFC 266.^[32] However, due to medical issues Roberson was forced to withdraw from the event and he was replaced by promotional newcomer Cody Brundage.^[33]

Roberson faced Khalil Rountree Jr. on March 12, 2022 at UFC Fight Night 203.^[34] Roberson lost the bout via TKO in round two.^[35]

Roberson faced Kennedy Nzechukwu on July 9, 2022, at UFC on ESPN 39.^[36] He lost the fight via technical knockout in round three.^[37]

In July 2022, it was announced that Roberson was no longer on the UFC roster.^[38]

Post-UFC

Roberson was scheduled to face Adriano Capitulino at Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA 7 on March 2, 2024.^[39] However, Capitulino was replaced with Handesson Ferreira and Roberson lost the bout by unanimous decision.^[40]