JP Buys

Overview

His only submission win came on the Contender Series, not in the UFC. JP Buys, "Young Savage," is a South African bantamweight out of Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas. His professional record across all promotions is 9-6-0, but his UFC record is 0-4, and he carries a four-fight losing streak into his next bout.

Three of those four UFC losses ended by KO/TKO. The fourth went the distance.

UFC Career

Buys' first appearance on the Contender Series came in August 2017, where Joby Sanchez stopped him by KO/TKO in round 2 at 2:28. He returned to the series in November 2020 and submitted Jacob Silva in round 1 at 4:54. Neither fight counts toward his UFC record.

His UFC debut came in March 2021 against Bruno Silva, who finished him by KO/TKO in round 2 at 2:56. In September 2021, Montel Jackson took a unanimous decision over three rounds. That decision is the only UFC fight of his that went the distance.

The last two losses were quick. Cody Durden stopped him in round 1 at 1:08 in June 2022. Marcus McGhee did the same in August 2023, in round 1 at 2:19.

Four fights, four losses, no UFC wins. The sample is small, but the trend runs toward earlier finishes.

Fighting Style

Buys is a low-volume striker who doesn't land much and is easy to hit when he does engage. His accuracy sits below the UFC average, and his striking defense is well off the pace. He still absorbs fewer strikes per minute than most, though that number is thin evidence of anything beyond how his fights have gone.

The clearest weakness is on the mat. He gets taken down more than most, and his own takedown volume is about typical, so he isn't pushing the wrestling exchange in his favor.

What sets him apart is the hunt for submissions. He attempts them far more often than most UFC fighters. That matches his submission win on the Contender Series, though it hasn't yet produced a win inside the UFC, where he is 0-4 with three losses by KO or TKO and one by decision.

Notable Wins

• Jacob Silva — submission, round 1 (4:54), Dana White's Contender Series 4.10 (2020)

Quick Facts

• Division: Bantamweight
• UFC record: 0-4
• Professional record (all promotions): 9-6-0
• UFC debut: 2021 (first Contender Series appearance in 2017)
• Stance: Orthodox
• Height / reach: 5'5" / 67"
• Team: Xtreme Couture - Las Vegas, NV
• Born: Brakpan, South Africa