UFC"Pressure"Preston Parsons Record: 11-6-0
WelterweightRecord11-6-0
Age30
DivisionWelterweight · #146
Combat Edge Elo1610
Last fightJan 11 2025
Preston Parsons has a 11-6-0 professional record and is 30 years old in the Welterweight division, representing Elevate MMA. This profile tracks fight history, UFC stats, ELO rating, record, age, and opponent links.
Last updated Jun 19, 2026 · Combat Edge fight database
Preston Parsons bio
Personal background
Preston "Pressure" Parsons is an American welterweight in the UFC, a relentless submission grappler who built his name on the Florida regional scene before reaching the sport's top promotion. He was born on July 15, 1995, in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, where his family ran a seafood restaurant and he spent much of his youth. His introduction to the sport was a now-familiar story: his stepfather sat him down at 15 to watch the earliest UFC events featuring Royce Gracie, and the spark from that grappling-dominant era led him straight to a local gym. Standing 5'11" with a 71-inch reach and fighting out of Elevate MMA in his hometown, Parsons carries an 11-6 record defined by a back-taking, choke-hunting style that has made him a dangerous out for anyone who ends up grounded with him.
Path to the UFC
Parsons turned professional in 2014 and learned his trade against tough competition, including an early loss to future UFC and BKFC star Mike Perry in 2015. He bounced back by stacking submissions, notably tapping unbeaten prospect Ignacio Bahamondes — himself a future UFC fighter — with a first-round armbar at Titan FC 39 in 2016. A long run of finishes through Combat Night and Titan FC, most of them by choke or armbar, established him as one of the region's premier grapplers and earned him his shot in the UFC.
UFC career
Parsons stepped up to the UFC in July 2021 and ran into a difficult debut, losing by first-round strikes to the more polished Daniel Rodriguez. He rebounded impressively in April 2022, grinding out a unanimous-decision win over previously unbeaten Evan Elder. The years since have been a back-and-forth grind: a 2023 split-decision loss to veteran Trevin Giles, a strong unanimous-decision win over Matthew Semelsberger in January 2024, then a unanimous-decision defeat to Oban Elliott at UFC 304 that summer. In January 2025 he was knocked out in the first round by undefeated Jacobe Smith, a setback that underscored the fine margins of his place on the roster.
Fighting style
Parsons is a grappling specialist through and through: nine of his 11 wins have come by submission, an 82 percent finish rate, with not a single knockout on his ledger. His calling card is back control — as opponents scramble to their feet, he climbs onto their back and threatens the rear-naked choke, a finish he has secured multiple times, alongside a sharp armbar and guillotine game. The vulnerability is on the feet and in the wrestling exchanges: all three of his most recent setbacks involved being out-struck or out-wrestled, and a knockout loss to Jacobe Smith showed the risk when the fight stays standing. When Parsons gets the grappling battle he wants, though, he remains a constant submission threat.
Career highlights
- Win over unbeaten Evan Elder — outpointed Evan Elder by unanimous decision in 2022 for a signature UFC victory over a previously perfect prospect.
- Decision over Matthew Semelsberger — took a unanimous nod against the powerful Matthew Semelsberger in January 2024.
- Submission specialist — nine of his 11 career wins have come by submission for an 82 percent finish rate, most via the rear-naked choke.
Career snapshot
Preston Parsons career snapshot
EloCombat Edge Elo
1610Solid ratingElo trajectory (last 3 years)
Overall#1256
Welterweight#146of 211 active
Peak1642
Last move-17
Opponent quality1595avg. pre-fight Elo · last 10
Career-high 1642 Elo after defeating Matthew Semelsberger (2024-01-14)
Similar Elo in Welterweight
Preston Parsons quick answers
What is Preston Parsons's record?
Preston Parsons's professional MMA record is 11-6-0.
How old is Preston Parsons?
Preston Parsons is 30 years old.
What weight class is Preston Parsons?
Preston Parsons fights at Welterweight in UFC.
How tall is Preston Parsons?
Preston Parsons is 5'11" tall with a 71" reach.
How much does Preston Parsons weigh?
Preston Parsons competes at Welterweight, with a most recent weigh-in of 170 lbs.
What is Preston Parsons's Combat Edge Elo?
Preston Parsons's Combat Edge Elo is 1610, with a peak Elo of 1642.
How strong is Preston Parsons's recent opposition?
Preston Parsons's latest 10 counted opponents averaged 1595 Elo immediately before their fights. This avoids using opponents' later career results with hindsight.
When was Preston Parsons's last fight?
Preston Parsons's latest tracked pro fight was against Jacobe Smith at UFC Fight Night on Jan 11 2025.
What is Preston Parsons's recent form?
Preston Parsons's recent tracked pro form is L-L-W-L-W over the latest 5 decisive pro results.
How does Preston Parsons usually win?
Preston Parsons's 11 recorded wins include 0 knockouts, 9 submissions, and 2 decisions, with 82% ending before the final bell.
0Wins by knockout
9Wins by submission
2Wins by decision
3Loss by knockout
1Loss by submission
2Loss by decision
Preston Parsons stats
Record : 11 / 6 / 0Significant strikes landed per minute
3.50Fighter2.97Division average
Significant striking accuracy
52%Fighter43%Division average
Significant strikes absorbed per minute
3.12Fighter3.82Division average
Significant strike defenseThe % of opponents strikes that did not land
55%Fighter52%Division average
Average takedowns landed per 15 minutes
3.53Fighter1.38Division average
Takedown accuracy
37%Fighter37%Division average
Takedown defenseThe % of opponents TD attempts that did not land
71%Fighter51%Division average
Average submissions attempted per 15 minutes
2.35Fighter0.63Division average
Pro fight history
ResultOpponentMethodTimeRoundEventDateFight details
Amateur fight history
ResultOpponentMethodTimeRoundEventDateFight details
Loading comments…