William Knight has become a standout figure in the UFC light heavyweight and heavyweight divisions thanks to his knockout power and inspiring comeback story.
In this article, you’ll learn about his personal background, early journey into mixed martial arts, rise through the professional ranks, relationship status, and financial details up to 2025.
You’ll also find breakdowns of his fight purses, yearly earnings, endorsements, career statistics, and answers to the most common questions fans ask about him.
William Knight’s Biography
| Attribute | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | William Knight |
| Date of Birth | April 3, 1988 |
| Age | 37 |
| Education | Automotive Technology School |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) |
| Weight | 245 lb (111 kg) |
| Turned Pro | 2018 |
| Net Worth | $500,000 |
| Salary/Career Earnings | $24,000 |
| Wife/Husband | N/A |
| Instagram Profile | @ssj_nightmare |
| Twitter Profile | N/A |
Early Career
William Knight’s path to mixed martial arts began as a way to reclaim his confidence after a difficult childhood. Bullied for his small stature and ADHD, he was placed in foster care at age seven and later raised by his grandmother.
Wrestling in high school proved a turning point-he found discipline and a sense of purpose that the prescription Ritalin had once suppressed. After graduating in 2006, Knight drifted through his twenties, spending a decade off the mat, playing video games and struggling with his health at nearly 300 pounds and multiple back injuries.
A chance encounter with his old high school wrestling photo prompted him to join Thornton Mixed Martial Arts and Fitness gym in August 2015. Initially curious about Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, he quickly fell in love with Muay Thai under coach Dan Thornton.
In his first amateur outings, Knight showcased a fierce striking style that set the tone for his professional ambitions. By May 2018, he left an indelible mark on Reality Fighting with a first-round TKO in his debut and rode that momentum to win the Premier FC Light Heavyweight Championship later that year.
Professional Career
Knight launched his pro career in mid-2018 and built an unblemished 6–0 record mostly by knockout, earning a berth on Dana White’s Contender Series. On August 13, 2019, he finished Herdem Alacabek in the third round and secured his UFC contract.
His promotional debut came at UFC 253 in September 2020, where he outworked Aleksa Camur over three rounds and claimed a unanimous decision victory. Knight’s heavy hands earned him a Performance of the Night bonus after a first-round KO of Fabio Cherant in August 2021.
A series of ups and downs followed. He rebounded from a unanimous decision loss to Da Un Jung by defeating Alonzo Menifield in December 2021, only to miss weight badly against Maxim Grishin in early 2022-resulting in the bout shifting to heavyweight and a 40% purse fine. Subsequent losses to Devin Clark and Marcin Prachnio dropped him to 3–4 under the UFC banner and led to his contract not being renewed.
He returned to CES MMA in May 2023 to challenge for the vacant heavyweight title but fell short via majority decision. Throughout, Knight has demonstrated resilience, adapting between weight classes and constantly refining his striking and grappling.
William Knight’s Net Worth Details
William Knight’s net worth is estimated to be $500,000 as of 2025.
Fight Purses
| Date | Opponent | Event | Result | Base Salary | Win Bonus | Bonus/Other | Total Payout |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 18, 2023 | Marcin Prachnio | UFC Fight Night 219 | Loss | $24,000 | – | – | $24,000 |
| Apr 16, 2022 | Devin Clark | UFC on ESPN 34 | Loss | $24,000 | – | – | $24,000 |
| Feb 5, 2022 | Maxim Grishin | UFC 271 | Loss | $24,000 | – | – | $24,000 |
| Dec 4, 2021 | Alonzo Menifield | UFC on ESPN 31 | Win | $20,000 | $20,000 | $4,000 (sponsor) | $44,000 |
| Aug 21, 2021 | Fabio Cherant | UFC on ESPN 29 | Win | $20,000 | $20,000 | $4,000 | $44,000 |
| Apr 10, 2021 | Da Un Jung | UFC on ABC 2 | Loss | $20,000 | – | $3,500 | $23,500 |
| Dec 5, 2020 | Aleksa Camur | UFC on ESPN 19 | Win | $12,000 | $12,000 | $3,500 | $27,500 |
| Sep 27, 2020 | Aleksa Camur (DWCS) | Dana White’s Contender Series | Win | $10,000 | $10,000 | – | $20,000 |
UFC Career Stats
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| UFC Record | 3–4 |
| Wins by Knockout | 1 (UFC), 9 overall |
| First-Round Finishes | 6 overall |
| Significant Strikes Landed | 286 |
| Significant Strikes Attempted | 502 |
| Striking Accuracy | 56.97% |
| Takedowns Landed | 8 |
| Takedowns Attempted | 32 |
| Takedown Accuracy | 25% |
FAQs
1. Who is William Knight in mixed martial arts?
William Knight is an American professional mixed martial artist born April 3, 1988, in Connecticut. He competes in the UFC light heavyweight division under the nickname “Knightmare,” turning professional in 2018 after a successful amateur career that began in 2016.
2. How did he earn his UFC contract?
He compiled an 8–1 amateur record before debuting professionally in 2018, won four consecutive first-round TKO victories across Reality Fighting and Premier FC, then impressed on Dana White’s Contender Series with a first-round TKO of Cody Brundage to secure his UFC contract.
3. What are his most notable achievements in the UFC?
He has amassed nine knockout victories and six first-round finishes, with a highlight knockout of Fabio Cherant earning a Performance of the Night bonus. He also won his promotional debut at UFC 253 by unanimous decision over Aleksa Camur.
4. What fighting style and signature techniques define his approach?
He relies on powerful boxing fundamentals, particularly a crisp one-two combination, and blends it with a solid hip-throw takedown favored in grappling exchanges. His striking accuracy and ability to close distance quickly underpin his early-round finish rate.
5. What challenges has he overcome during his UFC career?
He stepped in on short notice against Da-un Jung, faced a training disruption after a COVID-19 protocol cancellation, endured a record-setting weight miss that moved a bout to heavyweight, and maintained focus through contentious stoppages and successive competitive losses.
