Spike Carlyle
Spike Carlyle is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the lightweight division of Rizin Fighting Federation. He previously competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship and Bellator.
Background
Carlyle started doing karate when he was four years old, and later began wrestling when he was 12. He wrestled for about four years and then started jiu-jitsu. When he was 15, he took interest in Pride FC and Japanese MMA, which inspired him to become an MMA fighter.Carlyle has also trained and competed in catch wrestling. He was the middleweight runner-up at the Snake Pit World Championships 2023.
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Carlyle compiled a 9-5 amateur record from 2011 until 2017.Starting his professional career in 2017, Spike compiled a record of 8–1, fighting for a variety of regional California promotions, most notably for Legacy Fighting Alliance.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Carlyle made his UFC debut at UFC Fight Night: Benavidez vs. Figueiredo on February 29, 2020, as a late replacement for Steven Peterson against Aalon Cruz. He won the fight via first-round TKO.Carlyle next faced Billy Quarantillo at UFC on ESPN: Woodley vs. Burns on May 30, 2020, in a catchweight bout. He lost the bout via a unanimous decision.
Carlyle faced Bill Algeo at UFC on ESPN: Smith vs. Clark on November 28, 2020. He lost the bout via unanimous decision.
On February 4, 2021, it was announced that Carlyle had been released from his UFC contract.
Post UFC Career
Carlyle faced Batsumberel Dagvadorj on March 26, 2021, at LFA 103. He won the fight via rear-naked choke in the first round.Carlyle faced Gil Guardado on June 9, 2021, at Ballys Fight Night. He won the bout via armbar at the end of the first round.
Carlyle faced J. J. Ambrose on October 17, 2021, at Cage Warriors 130. He won the bout via knockout in the second round.
Bellator MMA
Carlyle, as a replacement for Ricardo Seixas, faced Dan Moret on December 3, 2021, at Bellator 272. Despite absorbing heavy punishment throughout the fight and being down on all three judges scorecards, Carlyle rallied in the third round winning the fight via rear-naked choke, choking Moret unconscious.After the win, Carlyle signed a multi-fight deal with Bellator.
As part of the cross promotion between Rizin and Bellator, Carlyle faced Koji Takeda on April 17, 2022, at Rizin 35. He won the fight by a second-round guillotine choke.
Carlyle faced A. J. McKee on October 1, 2022, at Bellator 286. At weigh ins, Carlyle missed weight, coming.6 pounds over the division non-title fight limit at 156.6 lbs and was fined 20% of his purse and the bouts continued at catchweight. In a wild and bloody bout, Carlyle came out of it with a unanimous decision loss.
Rizin Fighting Federation
Carlyle faced the Rizin Lightweight champion Roberto de Souza in a non-title bout at Rizin 42 on May 6, 2023. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.Carlyle faced Yoshinori Horie at Rizin 44 on September 24, 2023, losing the bout via unanimous decision.
Carlyle next faced Kyung Pyo Kim at Rizin 47 on June 9, 2024. He snapped his three fight losing streak by winning via third round submission.