Christopher Alan Curtis (born July 15, 1987) is an American mixed martial artist currently competing in the middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A professional since 2009, he has also competed for the Professional Fighters League (PFL). As of October 24, 2023, he is #14 in the UFC middleweight rankings.
Background
Curtis was born and grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio. He has a sister and a brother. Despite aspirations of becoming a lawyer, he dropped out of the law school in pursuit of a career in mixed martial arts.
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Curtis amassed a record of 18–5 in the North American regional circuit while capturing Welterweight Championships in CES MMA, Z Promotions and Premier MMA Championship.
Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series and first retirement
Curtis was then invited to face Sean Lally at Dana White's Contender Series 9 on June 12, 2018. He won the fight via third-round knockout but retired after he was not awarded a UFC contract.
Curtis would however return to fight for the vacant Z Promotions Middleweight title against Matt Dwyer on January 21, 2019, winning the bout via majority decision.
Professional Fighters League
On April 1, 2019, it was revealed that Curtis would be participating PFL 2019 season in the welterweight division. He was initially set to face PFL Season 2018 Middleweight Champion Louis Taylor at PFL 1 on May 9, 2019. However, Taylor was not able to get medically cleared and had to withdraw from the season, subsequently being replaced by André Fialho. Curtis won the bout via third-round knockout.
In the second regular season bout Curtis faced PFL Season 2018 Welterweight Champion Magomed Magomedkerimov at PFL 4 on July 11, 2019. He lost the fight via unanimous decision but advanced to the playoffs.
Playoffs, second and third retirement
In the quarterfinals Curtis faced Magomedkerimov in a rematch at PFL 7 on October 11, 2019. Again he lost the bout via unanimous decision, was eliminated from the season and retired from the sport.
However, after their bout Magomedkerimov fell ill and Curtis ended his retirement by stepping in to replace Magomedkerimov against Ray Cooper III in a semifinal bout. He lost the fight via second-round knockout and retired from the sport once again.
Return from retirement and other organizations
Curtis would, however, quickly return from retirement to defend his Z Promotions title in January 2020, defeating Darren Smith Jr. via corner stoppage at the end of the fourth.
On April 14, 2020, it was announced that Curtis had come out of retirement and signed a multi-fight contract with ARES FC. He was scheduled to make his promotional debut against Nassourdine Imavov at ARES FC 2 on April 3, 2020. However, the event was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic to take place on October 30, 2020, before being cancelled altogether.
Curtis was scheduled to face Austin Vanderford on November 5, 2020, at Bellator 251. However, Curtis had to pull out of the bout due to a positive COVID test and was replaced by Vinicius de Jesus.
Curtis faced Kyle Stewart on January 30, 2021, at XMMA 1. He won the bout via TKO in the third round.
After winning the next two bouts against Juan Ramon Grano Medina at iKon Fighting Federation 6 via first round TKO and Jarome Hatch at Fierce FC 15 via TKO stoppage in the third, Curtis faced Kenny Robertson on July 30, 2021, at XMMA 2. He won the bout via unanimous decision.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Curtis was briefly expected to replace Deron Winn against Phil Hawes on day's notice at UFC on ESPN 26 on October 9, 2021, but Hawes ultimately declined the bout. Nevertheless, the bout was later rebooked to take place at UFC 268 on November 6, 2021. Curtis won the fight via first-round knockout.
Replacing Roman Dolidze on short notice, Curtis faced Brendan Allen on December 4, 2021, at UFC on ESPN: Font vs. Aldo. He won the fight via technical knockout in round two. The win earned him a Performance of the Night bonus award.
Curtis was then expected to face Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 273 on April 9, 2022. However, Curtis withdrew from the bout due to a wrist injury and was replaced by Anthony Hernandez.
Curtis then faced Rodolfo Vieira at UFC on ESPN: Tsarukyan vs. Gamrot on June 25, 2022. He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Curtis faced Jack Hermansson on July 23, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 208, replacing the injured Darren Till. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.
Curtis faced Joaquin Buckley on December 10, 2022, at UFC 282. He won the fight via technical knockout in round two.