Kevin Croom
Kevin Michael Croom (born July 15, 1987) is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Featherweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Mixed martial arts career. Early career. Croom has fought for multiple MMA promotions during his professional MMA career, including Legacy Fighting Alliance and Bellator MMA. Croom has 16 stoppages in his total of 21 professional victories. Croom faced Brian Davidson at Bellator 26 on August 26, 2010. Davidson lost via rear-naked choke submission in the second round. In his seventh fight, Croom faced Justin Gaethje in his professional debut on August 20, 2011 . Gaethje won the fight in the first round via KO due to a slam after Croom attempted a submission. Croom faced Bryan Goldsby at Titan FC 27 on February 28, 2014. He won by unanimous decision. Croom fought for the CES MMA Featherweight Championship against reigning champion Matt Bessette at CES MMA 41, losing via TKO. Croom defeated Darrick Minner via TKO in the second round at . Croom faced John Teixeira at Bellator 218 on March 22, 2019. He lost the fight via unanimous decision. Croom tapped out Charles Bennett via rear-naked choke in round one at FAC 1  to pick up submission victory number 10 as a professional. At Bellator 239, Croom took on Adil Benijilany and defeated him via split decision. In the fight before getting a UFC contract, Croom faced Anderson Hutchinson, who was later in September arrested for having sex with a 17-year-old female boxing student, on August 14, 2020 at Fighting Alliance Championship 3 for the FAC Featherweight Championship. Croom won the championship fight via unanimous decision. Ultimate Fighting Championship. Croom, replacing Giga Chikadze as an COVID replacement, was scheduled to face Alex Caceres on August 29, 2020 at The following day , Croom was removed after also testing positive for COVID and replaced by fellow newcomer Austin Springer. Croom made his UFC debut, as an injury fill in for Matt Frevola, against Roosevelt Roberts on September 12, 2020 at . Croom won the fight via a guillotine choke in round one. This fight earned him the "Performance of the Night" award. After the fight, Croom said on Twitter that he had only $64 in his bank account before the fight. On November 4, it was announced by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) that the fight with Roosevelt Roberts would be overturned  to a no contest, after Croom tested positive for marijuana. Croom was suspended for 4 1⁄2 months and had to pay a fine of $1,800. Croom faced Alex Caceres on February 27, 2021 at . He lost the bout via unanimous decision. Croom was scheduled to face Marcelo Rojo on August 28, 2021 at UFC on ESPN 30. However, Croom was removed from the bout in mid-August for undisclosed reasons. Croom faced Brian Kelleher, replacing Saidyokub Kakhramonov, on January 15, 2022 at UFC on ESPN 32. He lost the fight via unanimous decision. Croom faced Alateng Heili at UFC  on ESPN 34 on April 16, 2022. He lost the fight via TKO early into the first round.