Chris Kelades
Chris Kelades, is a Canadian retired mixed martial artist and former interim M-1 Challenge Flyweight champion. He previously competed in the Flyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. A professional MMA competitor since 2009, Kelades made a name for himself fighting mostly in his native country. In 2014, he also fought for Bellator MMA, M-1 Global.
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Chris Kelades began training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu which led into training wrestling and striking. He currently holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Chris would amass a 6–0 record before signing with Bellator, but would drop a decision for the promotion at Bellator 119. He would bounce back with a win in July 2014.Ultimate Fighting Championship
After his win at Extreme Cage Combat 21 in July, Kelades signed with the UFC.Kelades did his promotional debut on one week short notice replacing an injured Louis Gaudinot against Paddy Holohan on October 4, 2014, at UFC Fight Night: MacDonald vs. Saffiedine. Despite being a heavy underdog, Kelades won via unanimous decision. The fight earned the Fight of the Night bonus.
Kelades faced Ray Borg on February 14, 2015, at UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. Thatch. Borg won the one sided fight via submission in the third round.
Kelades next faced Chris Beal on August 23, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 74. He won the fight via split decision.
Kelades faced Sergio Pettis on April 23, 2016, at UFC 197. He lost the fight by unanimous decision and was subsequently released from the promotion.
Post UFC Career
Kelades would head to Legacy Fighting Alliance to pick up a decision win against Tyler Shinn on August 4, 2017, before heading to compete in Russia for M-1 Global making his debut at M-1 Challenge 86 - Buchinger vs. Dalgiev against Oleg Lichkovakha, he won the fight due to submission via kimura in round 3.On June 1, 2018, Kaledes fought Alexander Pletenko at M-1 Challenge 93 - Shlemenko vs. Silva, he would lose the fight via unanimous decision.
Kelades next faced Sergey Klyuev on September 28, 2018, in a Bantamweight contest at M-1 Challenge 97 - Bogatov vs. Pereira. He would win the fight via unanimous decision.
On August 3, 2019, Kelades rematched Alexander Pletenko for the interim M-1 Challenge Flyweight Championship at M-1 Challenge 103 - Pletenko vs. Kelades. Kelades would go on to win the fight via unanimous decision earning the M-1 Challenge Flyweight title.
Kelades would next face Asu Almabayev at M-1 Challenge 105 - Morozov vs. Rettinghouse on October 19, 2019. he would lose the bout via unanimous decision relinquishing the M-1 Challenge Flyweight title.
In early 2024, Kelades announced that he would be retiring from the sport after one last fight. It was later announced that his farewell bout would be taking place in Dartmouth, NS on June 8th, 2024 at Fight League Atlantic 15 against fellow Maritime MMA fighter, Morgan Rhynes of PEI. In a back and forth fight, Kelades won via Split Decision.