Burrell is from the Overbrook neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and attended Overbrook High School where he competed in football as well as track and field, and was talented. Burrell often got into fights and ultimately did not stick with sports as he admits that "did not like taking orders". However, after Burrell began watching UFC fights, he became motivated to become a mixed martial arts fighter himself.[2]
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
After a 3–2 amateur career, Burrell began his professional MMA career in 2010. He fought only for middle Atlantic states organizations. With a MMA record of 5–1, he signed with Strikeforce.
Burrell was expected to face Bobby Voelker on May 19, 2012, at Strikeforce: Barnett vs. Cormier, however Voelker had to withdraw due to injury and was replaced by Chris Spang.[6] He lost via TKO in the first round.
Burrell made his promotional debut against fellow Strikeforce import Yuri Villefort on February 23, 2013, at UFC 157. He won the back-and-forth fight via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28).[9]
Burrell faced Stephen Thompson on May 25, 2013, at UFC 160.[10] He lost the fight by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 29-28)[11] and was subsequently released from the promotion.[12]
Bellator MMA
Burrell was expected to make his promotional debut against Dante Rivera on November 15, 2013, at Bellator 108. However, Rivera was removed from the card due to undisclosed reasons and Burrell instead faced Jesus Martinez.[13] He won the fight via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28).[14]
Burrell faced Michael Page at Bellator 128 on October 10, 2014, and lost the bout via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).[16]
Absolute Championship Berkut
Burrell was scheduled to make his promotional debut at ACB 72. However, the bout was rescheduled to ACB 75 on November 25, 2017, due to unknown reasons. In turn, Isaev's entry to Germany was denied and the bout was cancelled.[17] Eventually, Burrell faced Beslan Isaev on December 23, 2017, at ACB 77. He lost the fight by majority decision.
Burrell faced Albert Tumenov on December 23, 2017, at ACB 80. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.
In his third fight in ACB, Burrell headlined ACB 84 against Arbi Agujev on April 7, 2018. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.
Return to regional circuit
After the three-fight stint in ACB, Burrell faced Ron Stallings at CES MMA 52 on August 17, 2018. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[18]
Burrell was expected to face Gabriel Checco at Final Fight Championship 38 on June 20, 2019.[19] However, the bout was cancelled due to unknown reasons.
Burrell was then scheduled to face Danny Davis Jr. at CFFC 85 on September 18, 2020.[20] However, the bout was scrapped due to unknown reasons and Burrell faced Ryot Waller at CFFC 84 on September 17, 2020. He won the fight via second-round submission.[21]
Burrell next faced Moses Murrietta at CFFC 90 on December 17, 2020.[22] He won the fight via first-round knockout.[23]
Burrell faced Khetag Pliev at CFFC 99 on August 14, 2021.[24] He won the fight via third-round knockout.[25]
Burrell faced Kyle Stewart at CFFC 102 on October 30, 2021. He won the fight via unanimous decision.[26]
Burrell faced Ikram Aliskerov at Eagle FC 46 on March 11, 2022.[27] At weigh ins, Aliskerov missed weight for his bout. Aliskerov weighed in at 186.2 pounds, 0.2 pounds over the middleweight non-title limit. The bout proceeded at catchweight and he was fined a percentage of his purse, which went to Burrell.[28] He lost the bout via unanimous decision.[29]
