Fernando Padilla
| Fernando Padilla | |
|---|---|
| Born | Fernando Padilla[1] December 15, 1996 Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico |
| Other names | El Valiente |
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
| Weight | 145 lb (66 kg; 10 st 5 lb) |
| Division | Featherweight |
| Fighting out of | Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Mexico |
| Team | Team Oyama Pro Athletes |
| Years active | 2015–present |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 22 |
| Wins | 16 |
| By knockout | 5 |
| By submission | 9 |
| By decision | 2 |
| Losses | 6 |
| By knockout | 1 |
| By decision | 5 |
| Other information | |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
Fernando Padilla (born December 12, 1996) is a Mexican professional mixed martial artist who currently competes in featherweight division of Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
Background
Padilla's involvement with sports began at a young age, when as a child he would defend himself against those who tried to intimidate him. He started practicing karate and Brazilian jiu-jitsu at the 10th Planet Chihuahua gym, where he began his transition to MMA.[2]
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Padilla began his professional career in April 2015, and achieved an undefeated 5–0 record before being defeated in March 2017 by Dan Ige at a Cage Fury Championships event.[3]
During the next four years, Padilla competed for various promotions, including Legacy Fighting Alliance and King of the Cage, where he amassed 7 wins and 3 losses.[1]
Fury FC champion
On May 16, 2021, at Fury FC 46, Padilla defeated Cameron Graves by technical knockout after a knee strike in the second round, becoming the new Fury FC champion. It was his last fight before signing with the UFC.[4] In that fight, he caught Dana White's attention when he executed the spinning elbow that gave him the victory.[5]
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Padilla made his UFC promotional debut against Julian Erosa on April 29, 2023, at UFC on ESPN 45.[6] He won the fight by technical knockout in the first round.[7]
Padilla faced Kyle Nelson on September 16, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 227.[8] He lost the fight by unanimous decision.[9]
Padilla faced Luis Pajuelo on March 23, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 53.[10] He won the fight by submission with a Brabo choke in the first round.[11] This victory earned him the Performance of the Night award.[12]
Padilla faced Sean Woodson on December 14, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 63.[13] He lost the fight by technical knockout at the end of the first round.[14]
Championships and accomplishments
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- Performance of the Night (One time) vs. Luis Pajuelo[12]
- Fury Fighting Championship
- Fury FC Featherweight Championship (One time)
Mixed martial arts record
| 22 matches | 16 wins | 6 losses |
| By knockout | 5 | 1 |
| By submission | 9 | 0 |
| By decision | 2 | 5 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 16–6 | Sean Woodson | TKO (punches) | UFC on ESPN: Covington vs. Buckley | December 14, 2024 | 1 | 4:58 | Tampa, Florida, United States | |
| Win | 16–5 | Luis Pajuelo | Submission (brabo choke) | UFC on ESPN: Ribas vs. Namajunas | March 23, 2024 | 1 | 2:45 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Performance of the Night. |
| Loss | 15–5 | Kyle Nelson | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Grasso vs. Shevchenko 2 | September 16, 2023 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 15–4 | Julian Erosa | TKO (punches) | UFC on ESPN: Song vs. Simón | April 29, 2023 | 1 | 1:41 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 14–4 | Cameron Graves | TKO (elbow) | Fury FC 46 | May 16, 2021 | 2 | 1:19 | Houston, Texas, United States | Won the Fury FC Featherweight Championship. |
| Win | 13–4 | Nate Richardson | Decision (split) | LFA 99: Dennis vs. Cherant | February 12, 2021 | 3 | 5:00 | Park City, Kansas, United States | |
| Loss | 12–4 | Spike Carlyle | Decision (unanimous) | California Xtreme Fighting 17 | March 9, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Los Angeles, California, United States | |
| Win | 12–3 | Donald Sanchez | TKO (punches) | LFA 58: Park vs. Willis | January 25, 2019 | 2 | 1:27 | Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States | |
| Win | 11–3 | Fard Muhammad | Submission (triangle choke) | King of the Cage: 20th Anniversary | October 27, 2018 | 3 | 1:19 | Ontario, California, United States | |
| Loss | 10–3 | Kurt Kinser | Decision (split) | King of the Cage: Under Siege | May 4, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Alpine, California, United States | |
| Loss | 10–2 | Talison Soares Costa | Decision (unanimous) | LFA 30: Millender vs. Barnes | January 12, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Costa Mesa, California, United States | |
| Win | 10–1 | Jeff Mesa | TKO (punches) | Mid-Pac: Mid-Pacific Championships 5 | November 18, 2017 | 1 | 3:36 | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States | |
| Win | 9–1 | Darrick Minner | Submission (triangle armbar) | LFA 25: Cochrane vs. Rodrigues | October 20, 2017 | 1 | 3:10 | Omaha, Nebraska, United States | |
| Win | 8–1 | Ryan Fillingame | KO (punches) | King of the Cage: Never Quit | September 2, 2017 | 1 | 0:35 | Ontario, California, United States | |
| Win | 7–1 | Sergio Perez | Submission (armbar) | California Xtreme Fighting 9 | August 19, 2017 | 1 | 1:21 | Los Angeles, California, United States | |
| Loss | 6–1 | Dan Ige | Decision (unanimous) | CFFC 64: Sayles vs. Aguilera | March 25, 2017 | 3 | 5:00 | San Diego, California, United States | |
| Win | 6–0 | Edgar Díaz Guzmán | Submission (triangle choke) | Combate Extremo: Nino vs. Loco | November 18, 2016 | 1 | 1:12 | Monterrey, Mexico | |
| Win | 5–0 | Keni Harrison | Submission (armbar) | Red Cage 5 | June 11, 2016 | 1 | 0:44 | Chihuahua, Mexico | |
| Win | 4–0 | Kaleb Gonzales | Submission (armbar) | Red Cage 2: La Revancha | December 19, 2015 | 1 | 0:00 | Chihuahua, Mexico | |
| Win | 3–0 | Kaleb Gonzales | Submission (triangle choke) | MMA Revolution: Iron Kick vs. Red Cage - Team Durango vs. Team Chihuahua | November 20, 2015 | 1 | 2:50 | Durango, Mexico | |
| Win | 2–0 | José Landeros González | Submission (armbar) | Red Cage 1 | August 15, 2015 | 1 | 2:03 | Chihuahua, Mexico | |
| Win | 1–0 | Carlos Rivera | Decision (unanimous) | World Best Gladiators 8 | April 18, 2015 | 3 | 5:00 | Chihuahua, Mexico |
See also
References
- ^ a b "Fernando Padilla ("El Valiente") Profile - Tapology". Tapology. Retrieved 2026-03-09.
- ^ "Fernando Padilla: From Bouncey House Karate to UFC Tampa". Cageside Press. 2024-12-14. Retrieved 2026-03-09.
- ^ "CFFC 64 Highlights & Results". CFFC.tv. 2017-03-31. Retrieved 2026-03-09.
- ^ Gaytán, Arnoldo (2021-05-18). "Chihuahuense Fernando Padilla va a la UFC". El Diario de Juárez. Retrieved 2026-03-09.
- ^ "Fernando Padilla Listo Para Su Debut En UFC". www.ufcespanol.com. Retrieved 2026-03-09.
- ^ King, Nolan (2023-03-06). "Matchup Roundup: New UFC and Bellator fights announced in the past week (Feb. 27-March 5)". MMA Junkie. Retrieved 2026-03-09.
- ^ "Fernando Padilla debutó con nocaut sobre Julian Erosa en el UFC Vegas 72". AgFight.com. 2023-03-06. Retrieved 2026-03-09.
- ^ "Fernando Padilla vs Kyle Nelson Set for Noche UFC on Sept 16". www.itnwwe.com. 2023-08-02. Retrieved 2026-03-09.
- ^ Anderson, Jay (2023-09-16). "Noche UFC: Kyle Nelson Claims Hard-Fought Decision Over Fernando Padilla". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2024-03-24.
- ^ "Luis Pajuelo quedó listo para su debut en el UFC ante el mexicano Fernando Padilla". Trome.com. 2024-03-22. Retrieved 2026-03-09.
- ^ "UFC Vegas 89: El mexicano Fernando Padilla aniquila al peruano Luis Pajuelo con rápida sumisión". MMA al Dia. 2024-03-23. Retrieved 2026-03-09.
- ^ a b Taylor, Chris (2024-03-23). "UFC Vegas 89 Bonus Report: Five fighters take home an extra $50k". bjpenn.com. Retrieved 2026-03-09.
- ^ Leonard, Harvey (2024-10-27). "UFC Matchmaking Bulletin: Ikram Aliskerov Returns In Saudi Arabia". mmanews.com. Retrieved 2026-03-09.
- ^ Hester, Byron (2024-12-14). "Sean Woodson Snipes Padilla, Makes Him Look Slow In TKO Victory". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2026-03-09.