Early career and appearance on Dana White's Contender Series After a 6–1 amateur career, Roberts started his professional MMA career in 2016. He amassed a record of 5–0 prior to his appearance on
Dana White's Contender Series 15 web-series program on July 21, 2018, where he faced Garrett Gross. He won the fight via a submission in the second round and was signed by UFC.
Ultimate Fighting Championship Roberts made his UFC debut on November 20, 2018, against
Darrell Horcher at
The Ultimate Fighter 28 Finale. He won the fight via a guillotine choke in round one. This win earned the
Performance of the Night award. His next fight came on April 27, 2019, against Thomas Gifford at
UFC Fight Night: Jacaré vs. Hermansson. He won the fight via unanimous decision. Roberts faced
Vinc Pichel on June 29, 2019, at
UFC on ESPN 3. He lost the fight via unanimous decision. Roberts faced
Alexander Yakovlev on November 9, 2019, at
UFC on ESPN+ 21. He won the fight via unanimous decision. Roberts was scheduled to face
Matt Frevola on
April 25, 2020. However, on April 9, promotional officials scrapped the pairing due to
COVID-19 pandemic. Roberts faced
Brok Weaver on May 30, 2020, at
UFC on ESPN: Woodley vs. Burns. At the weigh-ins, Weaver weighed in at 157.5 pounds, 1.5 pounds over the lightweight non-title fight limit of 156 pounds. He was fined 20 percent of his purse and the bout with Roberts proceeded at a catchweight. Roberts won the fight via submission in round two. Roberts faced
Jim Miller on June 20, 2020, at
UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Volkov. He lost the fight in the first round after verbally submitting to an armbar. A bout with
Matt Frevola was rescheduled and is expected to take place on September 12, 2020, at
UFC Fight Night 177. On September 11, 2020, Frevola pulled out of the bout against Roberts, citing an injury. He was replaced by newcomer
Kevin Croom. Roberts lost the fight via a guillotine choke in round one. On November 4, it was announced by the
Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) that the fight with Croom would be overturned to a no contest, after Croom tested positive for marijuana. Roberts faced
Ignacio Bahamondes on August 21, 2021, at
UFC on ESPN 29. He lost the fight via knock out in round three. On September 17, 2021, it was announced that Roberts was released by the UFC.
Eagle FC After being released from the UFC, Roberts faced Darren Smith Jr. for the vacant LXF Welterweight Championship at Lights Out Xtreme Fighting 7 on December 10, 2021. He claimed the title via first-minute knockout. Roberts faced Alexandre de Almeida on May 20, 2022, at
Eagle FC 47. At weigh ins, Alexandre Almeida missed weight for the bout. Alexandre Almeida weighed in at 158.4 pounds and was fined a percentage of his purse and the bout proceeded at catchweight. He won the fight via unanimous decision.
The Ultimate Fighter 31 In mid-March 2023, it was announced that Roberts would be competing in the thirty-first season of
The Ultimate Fighter. Roberts was selected to be a part of Team
Chandler, being ranked third overall. In his first fight on the show, Roberts faced #2 ranked Nate Jennerman, and won the fight by knockout eight seconds into the first round. In the semi-final round, Roberts faced former
LFA Lightweight Champion and teammate
Austin Hubbard, and lost the fight via split decistion.
Return to UFC Roberts faced
Mateusz Rębecki on November 11, 2023, at
UFC 295. At the weigh-ins, Roberts came in at 158 pounds (two pounds over the lightweight non-title bout limit). His bout with Rebecki proceeded at catchweight with Roberts forfeiting 20% of his purse. He lost the bout in the first round via an armbar submission. Replacing Nikolas Motta, Roberts faced
Ľudovít Klein on September 28, 2024, at
UFC Fight Night 243. He lost the fight by unanimous decision. On February 28, 2025, it was reported that Roberts was once again removed from the UFC roster. ==Personal life==