Tyson Pedro

Tyson “Kangaroo Paws” Pedro is what Australian MMA looks like when the knockout power is real and the fighting spirit is genuine — a Sydney product of Samoan and Aboriginal Australian heritage who punched his way into the UFC in 2017 and left an indelible mark on the light heavyweight division before the promotion and the fighter parted ways in late 2024. Born on November 29, 1991, Pedro earned his nickname through an explosive striking style that promised violence and consistently delivered it.

Pedro’s UFC record of 6-4 across 10 fights tells only part of the story. The knockouts were spectacular, the fan favourite status on Australian cards was earned rather than manufactured, and the setbacks — injuries that would have retired lesser fighters — were absorbed and overcome with the kind of stubbornness that defines the Australian sporting character. After departing the UFC, Pedro pivoted to professional boxing in 2025, picking up a seventh-round TKO of Taimoor Khan, because standing still has never been his style.

In December 2025, Pedro signed with the Professional Fighters League, and the PFL debut in 2026 represents a new chapter for a fighter whose narrative has already been more compelling than most. Pedro is no longer in the UFC, but his importance to Australian MMA history is undeniable — a trailblazer from the Sydney suburbs whose journey to the world stage has inspired the next generation of Australian combat sports athletes.

Fight Record

Fighter Profile

Tyson Pedro competed in the Light Heavyweight division of the UFC and now carries his explosive knockout power to the PFL for 2026. The Sydney fighter’s overall record of 10-5 tells the story of a career marked by spectacular finishes and frustrating injuries. His Indigenous Australian and Samoan heritage make him a unique ambassador for combat sports in this country, and his journey from local gyms to the global stage continues to inspire the next generation of Australian fighters.

VS — Chief sports columnist, australiafootball.com