Chris Avila


Chris Avila is an American mixed martial artist and professional boxer. He competed in the UFC, Bellator and WSOF during his MMA career and has competed in Misfits Boxing during his boxing career.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Avila obtained a 5–2 record in the regionals and made an appearance in WSOF 16.
On July 5, 2016, Chris Avila signed with the UFC.

UFC

Chris Avila made his UFC debut on August 20, UFC 202, fought Artem Lobov losing by unanimous decision.
On November 5, 2016, Avila faced Enrique Barzola in UFC Fight Night 98 and lost a unanimous decision.

Bellator

Avila made his Bellator debut on December 14, 2018, at Bellator 212 against Brandon Pieper winning by submission in the first round.
On April 27, 2019, Avila fought against Brandon Faumui in Bellator 220 losing by a close split decision.
On January 25, 2020, Avila fought Anthony Taylor on Bellator 238 losing by a close majority decision.

Boxing career

Avila made his professional boxing debut on September 6, 2014, against Vicente Guzman, to which he lost via unanimous decision after four rounds.

Avila vs. Taylor

Seven years later, Avila returned to the boxing ring and competed against fellow mixed martial arts Anthony Taylor, who had a record as a professional. The pair had previously fought in MMA, with Avila having previously losing by majority decision at Bellator 238. The bout took place on December 18, 2021, at the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida on the Jake Paul vs. Tyron Woodley II undercard. Avila defeated Taylor via majority decision.
On October 29, 2022, Avila fought Russian YouTuber and family medicine physician Dr. Mikhail Varshavski, better known online as "Doctor Mike" at the Gila River Arena in Glendale, Arizona on the Jake Paul vs. Anderson Silva undercard. Avila defeated Varshavski via unanimous decision.
Six months later, Avila fought on the MF & DAZN: X Series 006 undercard against professional boxer Paul Bamba. The bout took place on April 21, 2023, at the XULA Convocation Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. Avila defeated Bamba via unanimous decision and was award with the Prime Fighter of the Night award.

Avila vs. Stephens

On August 5, 2023, Avila fought mixed martial artist Jeremy Stephens at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas on the Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz undercard as part of the Real Fighter Inc. roaster. Avila defeated Stephens via unanimous decision.
Seven months later, Avila fought bare-knuckle boxer Jake Bostwick on the MF & DAZN: X Series 13 undercard on March 23, 2024, at the Worldwide Stages in Spring Hill, Tennessee. During the night, the bout had to be postponed later in the evening due to a bomb threat that halted the event by the Tennessee Highway Patrol Bomb Squad. After a 78-minute delay, the event resumed. Avila defeated Bostwick via split decision.

Avila vs. Pettis

On April 12, 2024, Avila's next opponent was announced to be mixed martial artist Anthony Pettis on the Nate Diaz vs. Jorge Masvidal undercard. The bout was originally scheduled to take place on July 1 at the Kia Forum arena in Inglewood, California, but was postponed for unknown reasons. The bout was later rescheduled for July 6 and instead took place at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. Avila defeated Pettis via unanimous decision.

Stake Pro Tournament

On August 20, 2024, it was announced that Avila would partake in a tournament hosted by Stake on X Series 18 – Stake Pro Tournament Card on September 14 at the Vertu Motors Arena in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. His first opponent in the semifinals was former UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson with English professional boxer Idris Virgo vs English influencer Fes Batista in the other bracket. The winner would receive a cash price from Stake and the inaugural MF pro light heavyweight title. Henderson defeated Avila by unanimous decision and advanced to the finals, in which he lost to Virgo via unanimous decision.
After eleven months since his previous bout, Avila announced his return to the ring against professional boxer Airel Perez, set to take place on August 23, 2025, at the Caribe Royale hotel in Orlando, Florida as part of Most Valuable Promotions' "Fight Night" series.

Boxing record

Professional

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, TimeDateLocationNotes
9Loss6–2Ariel PerezUD6Aug 23, 2025Caribe Royale, Orlando, Florida, U.S.
7 Win6–1Anthony PettisUD6Jul 6, 2024Honda Center, Anaheim, California, U.S.
6 Win5–1Jake Bostwick4Mar 23, 2024Worldwide Stages, Spring Hill, Tennessee, U.S.
5 Win4–1Jeremy StephensUD6Aug 5, 2023American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas, U.S.
4 Win3–1Paul BambaUD4Apr 21, 2023XULA Convocation Center, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
3 Win2–1Dr. Mikhail VarshavskiUD4Oct 29, 2022Gila River Arena, Glendale, Arizona, U.S.
2 Win1–1Anthony Taylor8Dec 18, 2021Amalie Arena, Tampa, Florida, U.S.
1 Loss0–1Vicente Guzman4Sep 6, 2014SOS Club, Modesto, California, U.S.

MF–Professional

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, TimeDateLocationNotes
1Loss0–1Benson Henderson5Sep 14, 2024Vertu Motors Arena, Newcastle upon Tyne, EnglandStake pro tournament semifinal

Mixed martial arts record