Willie Gates

Willie Gates (born January 21, 1987) is an American mixed martial artist currently competing in the Flyweight division. A professional competitor since 2008, he has competed for the UFC, King of the Cage, Tachi Palace Fights, and Bellator MMA.

Early career
Born and raised in the Inland Empire region of Southern California, Gates began training in mixed martial arts in 2004. He made his professional debut as a lightweight in October 2008 where he competed in several regional promotions. Gates fought predominantly in his native state of California where he amassed a record of 11–4, competing primarily in the bantamweight division before joining the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Ultimate Fighting Championship
Gates made his promotional debut as a short notice replacement for an injured Jussier Formiga against John Moraga on December 13, 2014, at UFC on Fox 13. He lost the back-and-forth fight via submission in the third round.

Gates faced Darrell Montague on July 12, 2015, at The Ultimate Fighter 21 Finale. Gates won the one-sided fight via TKO in the first round.

In a quick turnaround, Gates faced Dustin Ortiz on August 8, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 73, filling in for an injured Ian McCall. He lost the fight via TKO in the third round.

Gates was expected to face Patrick Holohan on May 8, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 87. However, on April 25, Holohan abruptly announced his retirement, citing a rare blood disorder. He was replaced on the card by Ulka Sasaki. Gates lost the fight via submission in the second round.

On June 3 Willie Gates was released from the promotion.

Post UFC
In his first bout post UFC release, Gates faced Andre Ewell in September 2017, losing by a rear-naked choke submission at KOTC: Never Quit. Gates then lost to George Garcia in October 2018 in a bout for the CXF Bantamweight Championship at CXF 15: Rage in the Cage, with Garcia winning by a rear-naked choke submission in the second round. In March 2019, Gates lost to Marvin Garcia at KOTC: Sin Rival, with Garcia winning by unanimous decision. They then suffered a loss to Ryan MacDonald in October 2021 at Art of Scrap 3, with MacDonald winning by TKO punches during a catchweight (140 lb) bout.

In January 2023, they lost to Musa Toliver at LXF 8: The Return, with Toliver winning by split decision. Gates made a return a few months later against Teruto Ishihara at Urijah Faber's A1 Combat 9 in March 2023, with Ishihara winning by rear-naked choke submission in the first round.