Kestin McClain
| Kestin McClain | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | August 22, 2000 Paducah, Kentucky, United States |
| Other names | The Melanin Shinobi |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) |
| Weight | 155 lb (70 kg) |
| Division | Lightweight |
| Reach | 72 in (183 cm) |
| Style | Freestyle wrestling, Kickboxing |
| Fighting out of | Paducah, Kentucky |
| Team | Critical Talent Agency |
| Years active | 2021–present |
| Amateur record | |
| Total | 16 |
| Wins | 12 |
| Losses | 4 |
| Website | |
Search Kestin McClain on Amazon.
Kestin McClain (born August 22, 2000) is an American mixed martial artist.[1] Competing in the lightweight division, he is known by the nickname The Melanin Shinobi. McClain is the 2023 ISKA Kentucky State Kickboxing Champion and a 2017 Kentucky Freestyle Wrestling State Champion.[2][3]
Early life and wrestling career
McClain grew up in Paducah, Kentucky, where he began competing in amateur wrestling. He qualified for the Kentucky state freestyle wrestling championships in 2017 and went on to win the state title that same year.[2][3]
Amateur career
McClain transitioned into kickboxing and mixed martial arts, compiling an amateur record of 12 wins and 4 losses across regional promotions.[1] On October 7, 2023, he defeated Dustin Whittemore to win the ISKA Kentucky State Kickboxing Title at Rival FC: Beacon Beatdown 2.[4]
Amateur record
| Result | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 12–4 | Dustin Whittemore | Decision (unanimous) | Rival FC: Beacon Beatdown 2 | October 7, 2023 | 3 | 3:00 | Paducah, Kentucky, United States | Won ISKA KY State Kickboxing Title |
| Loss | 11–4 | Elijah Woodroof | Decision (unanimous) | HRMMA 122: The Return | August 3, 2024 | 3 | 3:00 | Bowling Green, Kentucky, United States | Lightweight Title Fight |
| Win | 11–3 | Liam Hamill | Submission (armbar) | Future of Fighting 3 | June 22, 2024 | 3 | 2:02 | Louisville, Kentucky, United States | Welterweight Title Fight |
| Win | 10–3 | Travis Hudson | Decision (unanimous) | SICP 5: Mayhem | May 4, 2024 | 3 | 3:00 | Evansville, Indiana, United States | Lightweight Title Fight |
| Win | 9–3 | Craig Archey | TKO (punches) | Black Tie & Boxing | January 13, 2024 | 1 | 0:48 | Hopkinsville, Kentucky, United States | Welterweight Title Fight |
| Win | 8–3 | Wilder Lahens | TKO (punches) | Future of Fighting | December 2, 2023 | 2 | 2:14 | Louisville, Kentucky, United States | |
| Win | 7–3 | Sergio Martinez | TKO (retirement) | SICP 4 | November 4, 2023 | 3 | 3:00 | Evansville, Indiana, United States | Lightweight Title Fight |
| Win | 6–3 | Zaine Miller | TKO (strikes) | SICP 3 | August 5, 2023 | 3 | 2:18 | Evansville, Indiana, United States | |
| Loss | 5–3 | Caleb Woodside | Decision (split) | Hub City MMA 5 | May 20, 2023 | 3 | 3:00 | Jackson, Tennessee, United States | Lightweight Title Fight |
| Win | 5–2 | Harvey Mardis | Decision | Black Tie & Boxing | January 21, 2023 | 3 | 3:00 | Hopkinsville, Kentucky, United States | |
| Loss | 4–2 | Max Metzgar | TKO (punches) | ECC Cage Fighting | September 24, 2022 | 3 | 0:17 | Nashville, Tennessee, United States | Lightweight Title Fight |
| Win | 4–1 | Devante' Chaney | Submission | Hub City MMA | September 10, 2022 | 1 | — | Jackson, Tennessee, United States | Lightweight Title Fight |
| Win | 3–1 | Justin Johnson | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Hub City MMA | May 7, 2022 | 1 | 1:20 | Jackson, Tennessee, United States | Lightweight Title Fight |
| Win | 2–1 | Cameron Williams | Submission | Warriors Den FC | December 11, 2021 | 1 | 2:48 | Nashville, Tennessee, United States | |
| Loss | 1–1 | Nick Daniels | Decision | Warriors Den FC 15 | April 17, 2021 | 3 | 3:00 | Nashville, Tennessee, United States | |
| Win | 1–0 | Daniel Wheeler | Submission | Johnathan Ivey's Cage Fighting Championships 9 | March 6, 2021 | 1 | 1:54 | Nashville, Tennessee, United States | Amateur debut |
Professional career
McClain made his professional MMA debut on June 6, 2025, at Future of Fighting 7 in Louisville, Kentucky, defeating Ruben Vargas Jr. by technical knockout in the first round.[5]
Professional record
| Result | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 1–0 | Ruben Vargas Jr. | TKO (punches) | Future of Fighting 7 | June 6, 2025 | 1 | 4:37 | Louisville, Kentucky, United States | Professional debut |
Fighting style
McClain competes primarily as a lightweight, occasionally participating in the welterweight division. He combines a background in freestyle wrestling with kickboxing techniques.[1]
Personal life
In 2024, McClain signed with Critical Talent Agency.[6]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Kestin McClain MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, Biography". Tapology. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Calloway leads area wrestlers". The Paducah Sun. June 6, 2017. Archived from the original on September 16, 2025. Retrieved September 16, 2025.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Calloway's Woods wins state wrestling title". The Paducah Sun. June 7, 2017. Archived from the original on September 16, 2025. Retrieved September 16, 2025.
- ↑ "Kestin McClain vs. Dustin Whittemore – ISKA KY Kickboxing Title". Rival FC. October 7, 2023. Retrieved September 16, 2025.
- ↑ Lee, Alexander K. (October 6, 2023). "Missed Fists: Referee nails flying tackle to save fallen fighter". MSN. MMA Fighting. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
- ↑ "Critical Talent Agency welcomes Kestin McClain". Instagram. Critical Talent Agency. 2024. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
External links
- Template:Tapology fighter
- Kestin McClain on Instagram
- Kestin McClain on YouTube
This article "Kestin McClain" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical and/or the page Edithistory:Kestin McClain. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.
