Aaron Phillips (fighter)

Aaron Ern-Wuei Phillips (born August 5, 1989) is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Bantamweight division. A professional since 2011, he is most notable for his time in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Background
His mom came over from Penang, Malaysia to the US for university and met his father. She was a school teacher, so every summer he would go back to Malaysia from the age of four to eleven.

Early career
Phillips started fighting MMA professionally in 2011, mainly for regional Louisiana organizations, compiling a 7–0 record, before signing with the UFC in 2014.

Ultimate Fighting Championship
Philips made his UFC debut as an injury replacement for Doo Ho Choi against Sam Sicilia on May 24, 2014 at UFC 173. However, Choi pulled out of the bout citing an injury. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Aaron Phillips faced Matt Hobar at UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. dos Anjos on August 23, 2014. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

After his second loss in a row, Phillips was released from the UFC.

World Fighting Championships and Other Organizations
After his release from the UFC, Phillips faced future UFC fighter Chris Gutiérrez for the vacant WFC Bantamweight Championship. Due to the bay doors not being able to be closed, the fight took place in 30 F cold. Due to an injury picked up during the fight, he was unable to continue, therefore losing the fight.

After this fight, due to injuries, he did not fight for 3 years before coming back in 2018 and picking up 4 straight wins in the World Fighting Championships organization. With a one off fight in VFL which he won by TKO, he was signed once again to the UFC.

Second stint in the UFC
With Anderson dos Santos testing positive for COVID-19 before his fight with Jack Shore at bantamweight, Phillips was chosen as his replacement for the July 16, 2020 fight at UFC on ESPN: Kattar vs. Ige He lost the fight in the second round via rear-naked choke.

Philips was scheduled to face Adrian Yanez on October 31, 2020 at UFC Fight Night 181. However on October 20, Phillips pulled out due to an undisclosed injury.

Phillips was scheduled to face Cameron Else on July 17, 2021 at UFC on ESPN 26. However in mid-July, Else pulled out to undisclosed reasons. Aaron was expected to face Trevin Jones on July 24, 2021 at UFC on ESPN: Sandhagen vs. Dillashaw. On July 18, Phillips pulled out off the bout.

Phillips was scheduled to face Kris Moutinho on October 23, 2021 at UFC Fight Night 196. However, Moutinho was removed from the event for undisclosed reasons and was replaced by Jonathan Martinez. In turn, Philips withdrew from the bout due to illness.

Phillips faced Gastón Bolaños on April 15, 2023 at UFC on ESPN 44. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

On June 8, it was announced that Phillips was not extended a new contract and no longer on the UFC roster.