Sullivan Cauley Bio
Sullivan Troy Cauley (born May 15, 1996) is an American professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the light heavyweight division of the Professional Fighters League (PFL). A professional competitor since 2020, Cauley has built a reputation as a knockout artist, training out of Dan’s Gym in Mesa, Arizona, and fighting under the nickname “Sully.”
Standing 6 ft 3 in tall with a 74.5 in reach, Cauley combines freestyle wrestling with Muay Thai to finish opponents. As of February 2026, he was ranked No. 4 in the PFL light heavyweight division.
Early Life and Background
Sullivan Troy Cauley was born on May 15, 1996, in Scottsdale, Arizona. He grew up in the United States and later relocated to Nevada during his teenage years, attending Reno High School. It was at Reno High where he first discovered combat sports, joining the school’s wrestling team during his sophomore year.
His high school wrestling experience opened the door to a college career. Cauley went on to attend Arizona State University, where he became a member of the Sun Devils wrestling program. The combination of scholastic and collegiate wrestling gave him a strong grappling base that would later define his professional fighting style.
Path to MMA
While at Arizona State, Cauley expanded his striking game by training in Muay Thai. His dedication to the discipline paid off internationally in 2019, when he won the silver medal in the +91 kg U-23 division at the IFMA World Muaythai Championships held in Bangkok, Thailand.
That same period, he refined his mixed martial arts skill set at Dan’s Gym in Mesa, Arizona, where he continues to train. The blend of elite-level wrestling, international-caliber Muay Thai, and a dedicated coaching environment prepared him for a professional career that began in late 2020.
Sullivan Cauley Career
Early Career (2020–2021)
Cauley made his professional MMA and Bellator debut on November 19, 2020, at Bellator 253, where he faced Jason Markland. He announced his arrival in the light heavyweight division with a first-round TKO victory, signaling the knockout power that would become his trademark.
He returned to the Bellator cage on October 16, 2021, at Bellator 268, taking on Deon Clash. Cauley delivered another first-round finish, this time via technical knockout with only one second remaining in the opening frame. Two fights, two first-round finishes, and a perfect start to his professional record.
Bellator MMA Breakthrough (2022–2023)
The year 2022 proved to be a breakout stretch for Cauley. At Bellator 273 on January 29, 2022, he stopped Ben Parrish via TKO with 25 seconds left in round one. He followed that with a first-round knockout of Tyson Jeffries at Bellator 284 on August 12, 2022, and another opening-round knockout of Jay Radick at Bellator 288: Nemkov vs. Anderson 2 on November 18, 2022.
His unbeaten streak came to an end on March 31, 2023, at Bellator 293, when Luke Trainer submitted him via rear-naked choke in the first round. Cauley bounced back on August 11, 2023, at Bellator 298, submitting Hamza Salim with an arm-triangle choke in round one to reestablish his finishing ability.
Professional Fighters League Era (2025–Present)
On March 4, 2025, the Professional Fighters League announced that Cauley would join the 2025 PFL Light Heavyweight Tournament. In the quarterfinals at PFL 4 on May 1, 2025, he was originally scheduled to face Marcelo Nunes, but Nunes withdrew and was replaced by former LFA Heavyweight Champion Alex Polizzi. Cauley won by first-round TKO to advance.
He continued his run in the semifinals at PFL 7 on June 27, 2025, earning a unanimous decision victory over veteran Phil Davis. By July 2025, Cauley had climbed to No. 10 in the light heavyweight rankings according to Fight Matrix. In the tournament finals at PFL 10 on August 21, 2025, he faced Antônio Carlos Júnior and lost via second-round submission, finishing the year as a PFL tournament finalist.
Style and Strengths
Cauley is a power puncher with a freestyle wrestling and Muay Thai base. His long frame, 74.5 in reach, and finishing instincts allow him to end fights early, and six of his eight professional wins have come by knockout. He trains out of Dan’s Gym in Mesa, Arizona, alongside a stable of established coaches and training partners.
Notable Events and Milestones
Highlights of Cauley’s career include a 2019 IFMA World Muaythai Championships silver medal, an undefeated run through his first four Bellator appearances, and a 2025 PFL Light Heavyweight Tournament finals appearance. His ranking inside the PFL light heavyweight top five reflects his rapid rise within the promotion.
Sullivan Cauley Career Wins
Across his professional career, Sullivan Cauley has compiled an 8-2 record, with six wins by knockout, two by submission, and one by decision. The majority of his victories have ended inside the first round, underscoring his finishing ability.
Bellator MMA Highlights
Cauley began his career with five consecutive first-round finishes under the Bellator banner. His first professional win came by TKO over Jason Markland at Bellator 253 in November 2020, and he added stoppages over Deon Clash, Ben Parrish, Tyson Jeffries, and Jay Radick. He also recorded a first-round submission of Hamza Salim at Bellator 298, with his only Bellator loss coming against Luke Trainer at Bellator 293.
Other Wins & Performances
Beyond Bellator, Cauley made an immediate impact in the PFL, winning a 2025 tournament quarterfinal against Alex Polizzi by first-round TKO and a semifinal against Phil Davis by unanimous decision. Those performances carried him to the PFL Light Heavyweight Tournament finals.
Sullivan Cauley Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Sullivan Cauley’s family is limited. He was born and raised in Scottsdale, Arizona, and has kept his personal and parental details out of the public eye.
Personal Life
Cauley resides in Mesa, Arizona, where he trains at Dan’s Gym. He is known by the nickname “Sully” and maintains a presence on Instagram under the handle @sullycauley. Further personal details, including marital status and children, have not been publicly confirmed.
2025 Season Performance
Sullivan Cauley’s 2025 campaign was defined by his entry into the PFL Light Heavyweight Tournament. After Bellator’s restructuring, the move to PFL gave him a fresh stage, and he delivered with a first-round TKO of Alex Polizzi in the quarterfinals and a decision win over Phil Davis in the semifinals. The run pushed him into the PFL light heavyweight top ten and established him as one of the division’s most dangerous finishers.
The tournament concluded at PFL 10 on August 21, 2025, where Cauley faced Antônio Carlos Júnior in the finals and lost by second-round submission. Despite the defeat, the finals appearance cemented his standing as a top contender, and his February 2026 ranking of No. 4 in the PFL light heavyweight division reflects the momentum he built throughout the year.