Randy Brown has seen the dark side of life long before making his way into MMA. He witnessed his father go to jail when he was just 2 years old, a moment that cast a long shadow over his early years. But even through the hardship, he always believed there was a silver lining somewhere in the dark clouds that loomed over his family. Now, through his fighting career, he continues to push forward, determined to clear those clouds. He’s never forgotten where he came from or what he’s fighting for.

“My job is to change the narrative of the last name Brown,” he explained on The MMA Hour. “My job now as an MMA fighter, this small thing that I do, I want to change my entire name for everyone.” But where exactly does “Rudeboy” call home? What flag does he represent, and how did a boy from Spanish Town grow into one of the most respected names in the welterweight division?

Jamaican-American Background and Spanish Town Roots

Randall Joseph Brown was born on July 8, 1990, in Springfield, Massachusetts, to Jamaican parents. However, life took a difficult turn early on. As a toddler, he moved to Spanish Town, Jamaica, with his mother after she was deported. The hardship didn’t stop there—his father has spent most of Randy’s life behind bars, serving a triple-life sentence.

He’s spoken openly about his past on The MMA Hour, revealing the pain of growing up without his father ever seeing him compete. “He went to jail under the RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations) Act, that’s when they first started RICO and all that. He was someone of interest that they wanted to get into organized crime. They slowly worked their way and built up over time, and built up a case against him.”

Brown and his mother were deported back to Jamaica, but despite the separation, they stayed in close contact with his father through regular phone calls. When Brown eventually returned to the U.S. for high school, that bond never wavered. “He’s a good guy, he’s completely changed,” Brown shared. “He’s devoted his life to God. I think that time is served—he did a lot of time.” That deep Jamaican connection also shaped the identity he proudly carries today.

Randy Brown’s Nationality and Flag Representation

Randy Brown isn’t just a UFC athlete; he’s an embodiment of two cultures. Jamaican by heritage and American by nationality, Brown proudly represents both countries. But when he steps into the Octagon, it’s the green, yellow, and black of the Jamaican flag that waves behind him.

The Jamaican culture flows through everything he does, from his rhythm in the cage to the nickname “Rudeboy,” a term born from Kingston’s street culture that symbolizes fearlessness and rebellion. Even as he trains in New York at Budokan Martial Arts Academy, his spirit stays rooted in Jamaica. 

‘Rudeboy’ isn’t just known for his striking and grappling inside the Octagon; he’s also made moves beyond MMA. A self-proclaimed ‘low-key nerd,’ as noted on UFC.com, he built his own PC and even set up a home studio with hopes of growing his YouTube channel. He’s passionate about showing fans who he is outside of fight night, since most only catch glimpses of him during interviews or in the cage.

Though he primarily speaks English in interviews to connect with a wider audience, especially after spending so much time in the U.S., he may also know Jamaican Patois. Still, English remains his main language of communication. 

Career Journey from Jamaica to UFC

Brown’s Instagram primarily focuses on his fighting career and training, with little mention of his faith. However, he did open up about his beliefs during an appearance on The Fix in March, where he spoke candidly about his journey to the UFC. He credited divine intervention for his success, saying that he would never have made it to the UFC without God’s plan for his life. While his Jamaican roots may imply a background influenced by Christianity, there is no confirmed information about his specific religious affiliation.

What is clear, though, is that Brown believes in a higher power and seamlessly blends his faith with a deep appreciation for his Jamaican heritage. In an October 2023 appearance on Rochielin’s YouTube podcast, he discussed the cultural differences between Jamaica and the U.S., and how he’s found a way to embrace both worlds. During the interview, he also referenced a quote from the Carthaginian general Hannibal Barca: “God has given to man no sharper spur to victory than contempt of death.” Brown said he resonates with this message, as it reflects his fearless mindset and relentless pursuit of victory, regardless of the odds.

After returning to the U.S. as a teenager, he found purpose in boxing at first, then later transitioned to MMA at 19. His MMA  journey officially began in 2014, when Brown made his professional debut. Within a year, he became the Ring of Combat Welterweight Champion, catching the eye of Dana White, who signed him to the UFC in 2016 after seeing him on Dana White: Lookin’ for a Fight.

Since then, Brown has fought some of the division’s toughest names, from Vicente Luque to Belal Muhammad, and he’s never missed weight, never lost back-to-back fights, and continues to evolve technically with every outing.

In April 2025, Brown delivered one of his most emphatic performances, knocking out Nicolas Dalby in the second round at UFC on ESPN 66. The victory earned him his first Fight of the Night bonus, proving that experience and patience had finally paid off. Now, he’s set to face Gabriel Bonfim in the main event of UFC on ESPN 73/UFC Vegas 110 in a matchup that could cement his push towards title contention!