Born and raisedTuscumbia, Missouri, White was critically injured as a toddler when he mistakenly drank gasoline placed in a milk jug near other jugs that were filled with lemonade. The gasoline accident burned his vocal cords, damaged his hearing and contributed to a minor speech impediment. As a young adult, White was in and out of homelessness for a time before discovering combat sports: First, boxing, then mixed martial arts.
White began his mixed martial arts career in 2009, and turned professional the following year. Along the way he compiled an undefeated record on the regional circuit, competing mostly in his native Missouri before signing with the UFC in March 2014.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
White made his promotional debut on April 19, 2014 at UFC on Fox 11 against Estevan Payan, replacing an injured Mike Brown. He won his debut via first round KO. White faced Lucas Martins on July 16, 2014 at UFC Fight Night 45, again as a short notice replacement, filling in for an injured Jim Alers. He lost the back-and-forth fight via knockout due to punches in the third round. White next faced Clay Collard on December 6, 2014 at UFC 181. He lost the fight via unanimous decision. White was expected to face Mark Eddiva on May 16, 2015 at UFC Fight Night 66. However on April 26, it was announced that White suffered an undisclosed injury and was forced out of the bout. White faced Artem Lobov on February 2, 2016 at UFC Fight Night 82. He won the fight by unanimous decision. White was expected to face Ryan Hall on July 13, 2016 at UFC Fight Night 91. However, the bout was scrapped on June 28 as White pulled out due to an undisclosed injury. In turn, Hall elected to fight on a different date rather than have the promotion find him a replacement. White was tabbed as a short notice replacement and faced Tony Martin in a lightweight bout on January 15, 2017 at UFC Fight Night 103. He lost the fight via unanimous decision. White faced Mitch Clarke on September 9, 2017 at UFC 215. He won the fight via TKO in the second round. White faced James Krause on January 14, 2018 at. He lost the fight by unanimous decision. White faced Jim Miller on September 8, 2018 at UFC 228. He lost the fight via submission in the first round. White faced Dan Moret on March 9, 2019 at UFC Fight Night 146. He won the fight by unanimous decision. White faced Rafael Fiziev on October 26, 2019 at UFC on ESPN+ 20. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.
