Second chances are rare, and in Dana White’s UFC, they are even rarer. Just ask undefeated flyweight prospect Muhammad Mokaev, who the promotion once released and who still waits for his return. For middleweight prospect Kyle Daukaus, brother of UFC heavyweight Chris Daukaus, the story has taken a different path.

Kyle entered the UFC through DWCS in 2019 after a six-fight win streak. Despite this, he returned to the regional scene before getting another shot in the UFC the following summer. The Philadelphia native struggled in his first seven Octagon outings, ultimately leading to his release in late 2022. After three years away, Kyle Daukaus made a short-notice return this year at UFC Shanghai, knocking out Michael Pereira in just 43 seconds and reclaiming his place in the promotion. Now ready to make his mark in the middleweight division once again, Kyle prepares to return this weekend at UFC 322.

Kyle Daukaus’ 2022 UFC release after losing streak

When Kyle Daukaus entered the UFC with an undefeated record and a strong amateur background, many expected big things, drawing comparisons to former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling. However, that expectation quickly shifted.

In his UFC debut, Brendan Allen outclassed him. Then, ‘The D’Arce Knight’ rebounded in his second fight with a victory over Dustin Stoltzfus, only to suffer another loss in his following bout. After that, his fight against Kevin Holland ended in a no contest. He bounded back with a first-round finish over Jamie Pickett in February 2022, but lost to Roman Dolidze and Eryk Anders in June and December, respectively.

Top Stories

UFC 323 Payouts: How Much Will Merab Dvalishvili, Petr Yan, Alexandre Pantoja, and Others Earn?

WATCH: Jamahal Hill and Joanna Jędrzejczyk Get Into Heated Altercation Backstage at UFC 323

Ilia Topuria’s Divorce Rumors Get New Twist on Joe Rogan Experience as Guest Brings Up Wild Theory

Dana White Lands in Hot Water After Backing UFC Doctors on Alexandre Pantoja

Joe Rogan-Daniel Cormier Urged to Step Down After ‘Ruining’ Tatsuro Taira’s UFC 323 Moment

These results left him with a 3-4 record (including 1 NC) at the end of 2022, and Dana White and the UFC decided to part ways with him. But upon his recent return, Kyle Daukaus reflected on his first UFC run. He said, “When I was in the UFC before, I kind of took everything for granted; I figured I’d be here for a while. That ended, and I had to build back up to where I was, get that fire again , that urge I had before, when I first started out, when I was 9-0 as a professional.”

Still, Kyle Daukaus harbors no ill will. He views his struggles as lessons that shaped him, and now he returns a stronger, wiser man, determined to make the most of his second UFC stint.

How Daukaus earned his way back to the UFC in 2025

After being released from the UFC, Kyle Daukaus returned to his roots at the New Jersey-based Cage Fury Fighting Championships. Starting from scratch, he gave everything to rebuild his reputation. He captured the title for a second time and successfully defended it twice. , ‘The D’Arce Knight’ also tested his skills in grappling, going 1-1, which ultimately paved the way for his return to the UFC. He made his comeback in August with a stunning 43-second knockout over Michel Pereira.

Following that victory, Kyle Daukaus set his sights on UFC 322, sharing that fighting at Madison Square Garden has long been a bucket-list goal. Reflecting on his second stint in the UFC, he said, “This return to the UFC, the performance I had against Pereira, having a second baby now, and fighting at MSG for the top organization in the top stadium in the sport, nothing could be better in my life right now. I’m just taking everything in. I’m very thankful and very grateful for life right now.”

Now,Kyle Daukaus is ready to seize every opportunity. This weekend at UFC 322, inside Madison Square Garden, he takes on Gerald Meerschaert with the goal of putting on a once-in-a-lifetime performance. Will he rise to the occasion? Stay tuned.