Chris Padilla
"Taco"
USA
Remains undefeated in UFC
Padilla defeated Jai Herbert via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in London.
ANALYSIS
Padilla lost six of nine fights from June 2016 to August 2021. He stuck with it, finally got his UFC opportunity last April, and he's now won each of his first three bouts with the company. This was by far the most difficult and most competitive. Padilla won the significant strike battle by a 39-38 count. He also managed to find 3:41 worth of control time despite failing on all six of his takedown attempts. Simply put, there wasn't a lot separating these two. Padilla's background suggests this run won't last, but he's already exceeded the most optimistic expectations.
Padilla lost six of nine fights from June 2016 to August 2021. He stuck with it, finally got his UFC opportunity last April, and he's now won each of his first three bouts with the company. This was by far the most difficult and most competitive. Padilla won the significant strike battle by a 39-38 count. He also managed to find 3:41 worth of control time despite failing on all six of his takedown attempts. Simply put, there wasn't a lot separating these two. Padilla's background suggests this run won't last, but he's already exceeded the most optimistic expectations.
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London calling in March
Padilla is scheduled to compete against Jai Herbert in a lightweight fight at UFC London on March 22, per Nolan King of MMA Junkie.
ANALYSIS
Padilla began his UFC career with a strong 2024 by finishing a heavy James Llontop and Rong Zhu, the latter via doctor stoppage. Padilla's first fight for 2025 will see him compete in enemy territory, as Herbert is an Englishman scheduled to fight in his native country.
Padilla began his UFC career with a strong 2024 by finishing a heavy James Llontop and Rong Zhu, the latter via doctor stoppage. Padilla's first fight for 2025 will see him compete in enemy territory, as Herbert is an Englishman scheduled to fight in his native country.
Pulls upset in Vegas
Padilla defeated Rong Zhu via TKO (doctor stoppage) at 4:14 of Round 2 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Padilla has done quite a job in his first two UFC bouts. He took out a heavy James Llontop on short notice in his debut in April and pulled the upset of Rong here as a +210 underdog. Chris landed by far the biggest blows of the night, a pair of crushing elbows to the eye of Rong that caused so much damage that the doctor was forced to stop the fight late in Round 2. The fact Padilla is having success at this level is remarkable when you take into account this is a guy that lost five of seven fights from June 2016 to August 2021. It's far more likely than not this will be Padilla's high-water mark with the company, but he's certainly exceeded expectations thus far.
Padilla has done quite a job in his first two UFC bouts. He took out a heavy James Llontop on short notice in his debut in April and pulled the upset of Rong here as a +210 underdog. Chris landed by far the biggest blows of the night, a pair of crushing elbows to the eye of Rong that caused so much damage that the doctor was forced to stop the fight late in Round 2. The fact Padilla is having success at this level is remarkable when you take into account this is a guy that lost five of seven fights from June 2016 to August 2021. It's far more likely than not this will be Padilla's high-water mark with the company, but he's certainly exceeded expectations thus far.
Zhu up next
Padilla is scheduled to compete against Rong Zhu in a lightweight fight at UFC Vegas 97 on Sept. 7, per Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
After defeating a heavier James Llontop at UFC Vegas 91, Padilla will look to build a streak by defeating Zhu. In what turned out to be his UFC debut, Padilla defeated Llontop in under a week's notice.
After defeating a heavier James Llontop at UFC Vegas 91, Padilla will look to build a streak by defeating Zhu. In what turned out to be his UFC debut, Padilla defeated Llontop in under a week's notice.
Stoppage win in UFC debut
Padilla defeated James Llontop via submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:33 of Round 1 at UFC on ESPN 55 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
That's quite a job by Padilla in his late-notice UFC debut. Not only will he get his show and win bonus, but will also walk away with 20 percent of Llontop's purse after the latter missed weight Friday morning. Padilla kept things simple and went for a few well-timed takedown attempts, landing three of them, the last of which led to the submission win. Padilla's results on the regional scene would appear to make this performance an aberration as opposed to a sign of things to come, but he deserves credit for coming through in a difficult spot against Llontop.
That's quite a job by Padilla in his late-notice UFC debut. Not only will he get his show and win bonus, but will also walk away with 20 percent of Llontop's purse after the latter missed weight Friday morning. Padilla kept things simple and went for a few well-timed takedown attempts, landing three of them, the last of which led to the submission win. Padilla's results on the regional scene would appear to make this performance an aberration as opposed to a sign of things to come, but he deserves credit for coming through in a difficult spot against Llontop.
Facing heavy opponent
Padilla will match up against a heavy James Llontop at UFC Vegas 91 this weekend, MMA Junkie reports.
ANALYSIS
Padilla will get 20 percent of James Llontop's purse as a result of the weight miss, a nice boost for the newcomer. The 28-year-old American is 13-6 in his professional career, looking for a win in his UFC debut.
Padilla will get 20 percent of James Llontop's purse as a result of the weight miss, a nice boost for the newcomer. The 28-year-old American is 13-6 in his professional career, looking for a win in his UFC debut.