Thomas Gifford

The Young Lion

USA

Let go by UFC
LightweightOther
November 5, 2019
Gifford has been released by the UFC, Guilherme of MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
The UFC has been trimming their roster recently and Gifford is the latest casualty. The decision comes after his loss via knockout to Mike Davis at UFC Tampa. He rode a wave of momentum into the company by winning seven consecutive fights, but was unable to snag a victory in the two bouts since his arrival.
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Hammered at UFC Tampa
LightweightOther
October 12, 2019
Gifford lost to Mike Davis via KO (punch) at 4:45 of Round 3 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Tampa.
ANALYSIS
Gifford is too tough for his own good. An argument can be made that this fight never should have seen a second round, let alone a third. Gifford took a ridiculous amount of abuse -- mostly to the head -- and although he nearly made it to the end of the fight, either referee Andrew Glenn, or more likely, Gifford's corner, should have put a stop to the contest much earlier. It was truly difficult to watch and helped no one. It was such a lopsided result that the UFC is going to have a difficult time putting Gifford back in there.
Will face Mike Davis at UFC Tampa
LightweightOther
October 8, 2019
Gifford will face Mike Davis in a lightweight bout at UFC Tampa on Oct. 12, Ariel Helwani of ESPN reports.
ANALYSIS
A day after Brok Weaver withdrew from Saturday's fight for unspecified reasons, Gifford's fight is back on against Davis, who is 6-2 as a professional fighter. Davis suffered defeats in his first two UFC fights, and will be forced to compete at UFC Tampa on short notice. Gifford carries slight advantages in height and reach, and should also benefit from having more time to prepare for the fight.
In danger of missing UFC Tampa
LightweightOther
October 7, 2019
Gifford could miss his upcoming fight at UFC Tampa on Oct. 12 after Brok Weaver was forced to withdraw for unspecified reasons, MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Gifford was looking to bounce back from a defeat in his UFC debut by facing Brok Weaver, who was scheduled to make his UFC debut. It's unclear why Weaver was forced to withdraw, although it appears that it was not injury-related or due to issues making weight. Officials are searching for a new opponent for Gifford at UFC Tampa, but he is in danger of missing out on UFC Tampa due to the accelerated timeline.
Scheduled to fight Oct. 12
LightweightOther
August 26, 2019
Gifford will face Brok Weaver (14-4-0) at UFC Tampa on Oct. 12.
ANALYSIS
At 6-foot-1 and with a 76-inch reach, Gifford will have a one-inch height advantage and three-inch edge in reach against Weaver, who will be making his UFC debut. Both fighters are 27 years of age, so this looks like a fairly evenly matched lightweight bout on its face.
Shows durability in debut
LightweightOther
April 27, 2019
Gifford lost to Roosevelt Roberts via unanimous decision (27-30, 27-30, 27-30) at UFC Fort Lauderdale on Saturday.
ANALYSIS
Gifford has little reason to hang his head after a debut that showcased his durability, in addition to encouraging signs in the grappling department. He was even able to take down Roberts and threaten with a submission, but the exchanges on the feet were a much different story. Gifford lost the striking battle convincingly, and was wearing plenty of damage after the bout. With Roberts considered one of the division's top prospects, however, Gifford can expect to be handed a more reasonable test in his next time out.