Philip De Fries is an English mixed martial artist fighting out of Sunderland (England), who fights at heavyweight. He is known for his explosive ground game and exceptional submission skills, and De Fries holds a BJJ purple belt (4 stripe) under Rodrigo Cabral.

Background

Since the very beginning of his MMA career, De Fries has shown great submission skills, defeating the likes of Darren Towler

Darren Towler

Darren Towler is an English mixed martial artist, who competes in the heavyweight division. He is currently the UCMMA Heavyweight Champion.-Mixed martial arts career:...

 and Stav Economou

Stav Economou

Stavros Economou is an English mixed martial artist of Cypriot descent, who fights at heavyweight. He is known for his rotund figure, strange hairsyles and nickname "Crazy Bear".-Mixed martial arts career:...

. He has been undefeated in his first 9 fights, going 8-0 (1NC).

Ultimate Fighting Championship

After his win over Stav Economou

Stav Economou

Stavros Economou is an English mixed martial artist of Cypriot descent, who fights at heavyweight. He is known for his rotund figure, strange hairsyles and nickname "Crazy Bear".-Mixed martial arts career:...

, De Fries was scouted and has since signed a fight deal with the UFC.

De Fries was expected to make his debut against Oli Thompson

Oli Thompson

Oli Thompson made his MMA debut on 3 Feb 2009, defeating Ashley Pollard by a second round arm triangle choke. He has continued to fight since then, On 26 March 2011, after amassing a record of 7-2-0, with his only losses coming to future UFC heavyweight Rob Broughton and former UFC fighter Joe...

 at UFC 138

UFC 138

UFC 138: Leben vs. Muñoz was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on November 5, 2011 at LG Arena in Birmingham, England. The event aired on the same day, via tape delay, on Spike TV in the U.S. and live on Sportsnet in Canada...

. However, on October 17, 2011, it was revealed that Thompson had to pull out of the bout due to injury and was replaced by Rob Broughton

Rob Broughton

Rob Broughton is an English mixed martial artist who competes as a heavyweight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He is a former Cage Rage British heavyweight champion.-Background:...

. De Fries won the fight via unanimous decision.

Mixed martial arts record

|-
| Win
| align="center" | 8–0 (1)
| Rob Broughton

Rob Broughton

Rob Broughton is an English mixed martial artist who competes as a heavyweight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He is a former Cage Rage British heavyweight champion.-Background:...

| Decision (unanimous)
| UFC 138

UFC 138

UFC 138: Leben vs. Muñoz was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on November 5, 2011 at LG Arena in Birmingham, England. The event aired on the same day, via tape delay, on Spike TV in the U.S. and live on Sportsnet in Canada...

|
| align="center" | 3
| align="center" | 5:00
| Birmingham, England
|
|-
| Win
| align="center" | 7–0 (1)
| Stav Economou

Stav Economou

Stavros Economou is an English mixed martial artist of Cypriot descent, who fights at heavyweight. He is known for his rotund figure, strange hairsyles and nickname "Crazy Bear".-Mixed martial arts career:...

| Submission (rear-naked choke)
| Ultimate Warrior Challenge 16
|
| align="center" | 2
| align="center" | 3:56
| Southend-on-Sea

Southend-on-Sea

Southend-on-Sea is a unitary authority area, town, and seaside resort in Essex, England. The district has Borough status, and comprises the towns of Chalkwell, Eastwood, Leigh-on-Sea, North Shoebury, Prittlewell, Shoeburyness, Southchurch, Thorpe Bay, and Westcliff-on-Sea. The district is situated...

, Essex

Essex

Essex is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England, and one of the home counties. It is located to the northeast of Greater London. It borders with Cambridgeshire and Suffolk to the north, Hertfordshire to the west, Kent to the South and London to the south west...

, England
|
|-
| Win
| align="center" | 6–0 (1)
| Colin Robinson

Colin Robinson

Colin "Big C" Robinson is a mixed martial artist from Northern Ireland. He competes in the Heavyweight division...

| Submission (armbar)
| Supremacy Fight Challenge 2
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 1:33
| Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, England
|
|-
| Win
| align="center" | 5–0 (1)
| Andy Spiers
| Submission (rear-naked choke)
| Supremacy Fight Challenge 1
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 3:14
| Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, England
|
|-
| NC
| align="center" | 4–0 (1)
| Dave Wilson
| No Contest (punches to the back of the head)
| Tyneside Fighting Challenge
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | N/A
| Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, England
|
|-
| Win
| align="center" | 4–0
| Darren Towler

Darren Towler

Darren Towler is an English mixed martial artist, who competes in the heavyweight division. He is currently the UCMMA Heavyweight Champion.-Mixed martial arts career:...

| Submission (brabo choke)
| Strike and Submit 14
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 3:37
| Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, England
|
|-
| Win
| align="center" | 3–0
| Grant Hocking
| Submission (rear-naked choke)
| Strike and Submit 13
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 1:35
| Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, England
|
|-
| Win
| align="center" | 2–0
| Jamie Sheldon
| Submission (rear-naked choke)
| Strike and Submit 12
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 2:10
| Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, England
|
|-
| Win
| align="center" | 1–0
| Darren Towler

Darren Towler

Darren Towler is an English mixed martial artist, who competes in the heavyweight division. He is currently the UCMMA Heavyweight Champion.-Mixed martial arts career:...

| Submission (rear-naked choke)
| Strike and Submit 10
|
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 4:48
| Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, England
|