Fernando Padilla (born December 15, 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.
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.
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.
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. In that fight, he caught Dana White's attention when he executed the spinning elbow that gave him the victory.
Ultimate Fighting Championship Padilla made his UFC promotional debut against Julian Erosa on April 29, 2023, at UFC on ESPN 45. He won the fight by technical knockout in the first round.
Padilla faced Kyle Nelson on September 16, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 227. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.
Padilla faced Luis Pajuelo on March 23, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 53. He won the fight by submission with a Brabo choke in the first round. This victory earned him the Performance of the Night award.
Padilla faced Sean Woodson on December 14, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 63. He lost the fight by technical knockout at the end of the first round.
Championships and accomplishments Ultimate Fighting Championship Performance of the Night (One time) Fury Fighting Championship Fury FC Featherweight Championship (One time)
Mixed martial arts record
|Loss |align=center|16–6 |Sean Woodson |TKO (punches) |UFC on ESPN: Covington vs. Buckley | |align=center|1 |align=center|4:58 |Tampa, Florida, United States
|Win |align=center|16–5 |Luis Pajuelo |Submission (brabo choke) |UFC on ESPN: Ribas vs. Namajunas | |align=center|1 |align=center|2:45 |Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
|Loss |align=center|15–5 |Kyle Nelson |Decision (unanimous) |UFC Fight Night: Grasso vs. Shevchenko 2 | |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
|Win |align=center|15–4 |Julian Erosa |TKO (punches) |UFC on ESPN: Song vs. Simón | |align=center|1 |align=center|1:41 |Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
|Win |align=center|14–4 |Cameron Graves |TKO (elbow) |Fury FC 46 | |align=center|2 |align=center|1:19 |Houston, Texas, United States
|Win |align=center|13–4 |Nate Richardson |Decision (split) |LFA 99 | |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Park City, Kansas, United States
|Loss |align=center|12–4 |Spike Carlyle |Decision (unanimous) |California Xtreme Fighting 17 | |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Los Angeles, California, United States
|Win |align=center|12–3 |Donald Sanchez |TKO (punches) |LFA 58 | |align=center|2 |align=center|1:27 |Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
|Win |align=center|11–3 |Fard Muhammad |Submission (triangle choke) |KOTC: 20th Anniversary | |align=center|3 |align=center|1:19 |Ontario, California, United States
|Loss |align=center|10–3 |Kurt Kinser |Decision (split) |KOTC: Under Siege | |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Alpine, California, United States
|Loss |align=center|10–2 |Talison Soares Costa |Decision (unanimous) |LFA 30 | |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Costa Mesa, California, United States
|Win |align=center|10–1 |Jeff Mesa |TKO (punches) |Capone's Productions: Mid-Pac 5 | |align=center|1 |align=center|3:36 |Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
|Win |align=center|9–1 |Darrick Minner |Submission (triangle armbar) |LFA 25 | |align=center|1 |align=center|3:10 |Omaha, Nebraska, United States
|Win |align=center|8–1 |Ryan Fillingame |KO (punches) |KOTC: Never Quit | |align=center|1 |align=center|0:35 |Ontario, California, United States
|Win |align=center|7–1 |Sergio Perez |Submission (armbar) |California Xtreme Fighting 9 | |align=center|1 |align=center|1:21 |Los Angeles, California, United States
|Loss |align=center|6–1 |Dan Ige |Decision (unanimous) |Cage Fury FC 64 | |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |San Diego, California, United States
|Win |align=center|6–0 |Edgar Díaz Guzmán |Submission (triangle choke) |Combate Extremo: Nino vs. Loco | |align=center|1 |align=center|1:12 |Monterrey, Mexico
|Win |align=center|5–0 |Keni Harrison |Submission (armbar) |Red Cage 5 | |align=center|1 |align=center|0:44 |Chihuahua, Mexico
|Win |align=center|4–0 |Kaleb Gonzales |Submission (armbar) |Red Cage 2 | |align=center|1 |align=center|N/A |Chihuahua, Mexico
|Win |align=center|3–0 |Kaleb Gonzales |Submission (triangle choke) |MMA Revolution: Equipo Durango vs. Equipo Chihuahua | |align=center|1 |align=center|2:50 |Durango, Mexico
|Win |align=center|2–0 |José Landeros González |Submission (armbar) |Red Cage 1 | |align=center|1 |align=center|2:03 |Chihuahua, Mexico
|Win |align=center|1–0 |Carlos Rivera |Decision (unanimous) |World Best Gladiators 8 | |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Chihuahua, Mexico
See also
List of current UFC fighters List of Mexican UFC fighters List of male mixed martial artists
References
External links