Early career Means began his MMA career in 2004, recording a 3–2 record before serving a prison sentence. His two losses were to future UFC fighters
Spencer Fisher and
Luke Caudillo. Means overwhelmed
Justin Salas on June 8, 2012, at
UFC on FX 3, knocking him down multiple times before finishing him with punches in just over a minute. Means was expected to face promotional newcomer
Abel Trujillo on September 1, 2012, at
UFC 151. However, after
UFC 151 was cancelled, the bout was rescheduled for December 8, 2012, at
UFC on Fox 5. On the day of the weigh-ins for the event, Means fell in a hotel sauna, injuring his head, and was replaced by
Marcus LeVesseur. Means lost a unanimous decision to
Jorge Masvidal on April 20, 2013, at
UFC on Fox 7. Means, replacing an injured
Bobby Green, lost a unanimous decision to
Danny Castillo on July 27, 2013, at
UFC on Fox 8, and was subsequently released from UFC.
Legacy FC After his release from the UFC, Means was called to replace Danny Salinas in the main event against
Pete Spratt on September 13, 2013, at Legacy FC 23. He won via first-round knockout. The win was not without controversy, as after the event Pete Spratt in an interview later claimed that it in the combination that knocked him out, the elbow had knocked him down but it was the follow-up punches to the back head, which are illegal, that knocked him out, and expressed he would appeal the decision. Means manager Tom Vaughn when asked for statement didn't respond for comment to the allegations. Means then defeated Artenas Young via first-round technical knockout at Legacy FC 27, on January 31, 2014.
UFC return Following two wins on the regional circuit, Means was re-signed by the UFC and lost a unanimous decision to
Neil Magny in a welterweight bout on May 10, 2014, at
UFC Fight Night 40, replacing
William Macário. Means beat Hernani Perpetuo by unanimous decision on July 26, 2014, at
UFC on Fox 12. Means won a split decision over Márcio Alexandre on December 20, 2014, at
UFC Fight Night 58. Means earned a
Performance of the Night bonus for defeating
Dhiego Lima via TKO in the first round on February 28, 2015, at
UFC 184. Means, replacing an injured
Kenny Robertson, defeated
George Sullivan via submission (arm-triangle choke) in round three on April 18, 2015, at
UFC on Fox 15. Means faced
Matt Brown on July 11, 2015, at
UFC 189. Despite finding some success via striking early in the fight, Means lost the fight by submission due to a guillotine choke. Means faced
John Howard on December 10, 2015, at
UFC Fight Night 80. He won the fight via knockout in the second round. The win also earned Means his second
Performance of the Night bonus award. Means was expected to face
Donald Cerrone on February 21, 2016, at
UFC Fight Night 83. However, Means was pulled from the fight as a result of a violation of the USADA anti-doping policy. He was replaced by
Alex Oliveira. At the conclusion of his suspension, Means was expected to face
Sean Strickland on August 20, 2016, at
UFC 202. However Strickland pulled out of the fight in early August citing a knee injury. He was replaced by promotional newcomer
Sabah Homasi. Means defeated Homasi by technical knockout in the second round. Means faced
Alex Oliveira on December 30, 2016, at
UFC 207. The bout was halted in the first round after Means landed several knees to the head of Oliveira while he was considered a grounded opponent. As a result, Oliveira was unable to continue after the foul occurred. Subsequently, referee
Dan Miragliotta judged that the foul was accidental, and in turn, the result was scored a no contest. A rematch with Oliveira eventually took place on March 11, 2017, at
UFC Fight Night 106. Means lost the fight via submission in the second round. Means faced
Alex Garcia on June 25, 2017, at
UFC Fight Night 112. He won by unanimous decision. Means faced
Belal Muhammad on November 19, 2017, at
UFC Fight Night: Werdum vs. Tybura. He lost the fight via split decision. On December 20, 2017, Means announced he had signed a new, five-fight contract with UFC. Means faced
Sérgio Moraes on February 3, 2018, at
UFC Fight Night: Machida vs. Anders. He lost the fight via split decision. Means was given win bonus. Means faced
Ricky Rainey on November 30, 2018, at
The Ultimate Fighter 28 Finale. He won the fight via a technical knockout in round one. Means faced
Niko Price on March 9, 2019, at
UFC Fight Night 146. He lost the fight via knockout in the first round, marking the first time he's been stopped due to strikes. In the last fight of his prevailing contract, Means faced
Thiago Alves on December 7, 2019, at
UFC on ESPN 7. He won the fight via a submission in round one. Means signed a new contract with the UFC in the following week. Means was scheduled to face
Ramazan Emeev on February 15, 2020, at
UFC Fight Night 167. However, Emeev was removed from the bout in late-January for undisclosed reasons and replaced by
Daniel Rodriguez. Means lost the fight via submission in the second round. Means dedicated his fight to two teenage boys who had died in a car crash in his community. He had a special mouth piece made in their honor and claimed to had "fought his hardest" for them that night. Means faced
Laureano Staropoli on August 8, 2020, at
UFC Fight Night 174. At the weigh-ins, Staropoli weighed in at 174.5 pounds, three and a half pounds over the welterweight non-title fight limit. The bout proceeded at a catchweight and Stropoli was fined 20% of his purse, which went to Means. He won the fight via unanimous decision. Means replaced
Robbie Lawler to face
Mike Perry on November 21, 2020, at
UFC 255. At the weigh-ins on November 20, Perry missed weight, weighing in at 175.5 pounds, over the non-title welterweight limit of 171.0 pounds. As a result, the bout proceeded at a catchweight and Perry was fined 30 percent of his purse, which went to Means. Means won the fight via unanimous decision. Means was scheduled to face
Danny Roberts on June 19, 2021, at
UFC on ESPN 25. However, Roberts was removed from the pairing due to
COVID-19 protocols in the days leading up to the event. Subsequently Means was shifted to face
Nicolas Dalby at
UFC Fight Night 190 on June 26, 2021. Means won the fight via unanimous decision. Means faced
Kevin Holland on June 18, 2022, at
UFC on ESPN 37. He lost the bout in the second round after getting submitted with a D'arce choke. Means faced
Max Griffin on October 29, 2022, at
UFC Fight Night 213. He lost the fight via a split decision. Means faced
Alex Morono on May 13, 2023, at
UFC on ABC 4. He lost fight via guillotine choke in the second round. Means faced
André Fialho on September 23, 2023, at
UFC Fight Night 228. He won the fight via technical knockout in round three. This fight earned him the
Fight of the Night award. Means faced
Uroš Medić on April 27, 2024 at
UFC on ESPN 55. He lost the fight by knockout in the first round. Means faced
Court McGee on October 5, 2024 at
UFC 307. He lost the fight via a neck crank submission in the first round. == Championships and accomplishments ==