Clayton Carpenter
Concrete
USA
Drops UFC 311 opener
Carpenter lost to Tagir Ulanbekov via unanimous decision (27-30, 27-30, 27-30) at UFC 311 on Saturday in Los Angeles.
ANALYSIS
Entering as a +285 underdog, Carpenter was able to hang tough in what was a competitive 15-minute bout. Both men landed 42 significant strikes, but Carpenter allowed Ulanbekov to connect on three takedowns on six attempts, good for 6:49 worth of control time. It ended up being the difference in the bout. Still just 28 years of age and getting elite training every single day with the crew at the MMA Lab in Arizona, Carpenter still projects as a solid flyweight prospect three fights (2-1) into his UFC run.
Entering as a +285 underdog, Carpenter was able to hang tough in what was a competitive 15-minute bout. Both men landed 42 significant strikes, but Carpenter allowed Ulanbekov to connect on three takedowns on six attempts, good for 6:49 worth of control time. It ended up being the difference in the bout. Still just 28 years of age and getting elite training every single day with the crew at the MMA Lab in Arizona, Carpenter still projects as a solid flyweight prospect three fights (2-1) into his UFC run.
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Set to fight Ulanbekov
Carpenter will fight Tagir Ulanbekov at UFC 311 on Jan. 18, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
After cruising through his first two UFC bouts against Juancamilo Ronderos and Lucas Rocha, the undefeated Carpenter will now be tested against Ulanbekov, who boasts an impressive 4-1 UFC record but hasn't entered the Octagon since 2023.
After cruising through his first two UFC bouts against Juancamilo Ronderos and Lucas Rocha, the undefeated Carpenter will now be tested against Ulanbekov, who boasts an impressive 4-1 UFC record but hasn't entered the Octagon since 2023.
Dominates in return from layoff
Carpenter defeated Lucas Rocha via technical submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:12 of Round 2 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
On the sidelines since February 2023, Carpenter finally made his long-awaited return here and looked terrific. Recognizing his massive edge over Rocha in the grappling department, Clayton secured a pair of easy takedowns -- the second of which led to the rear-naked choke which ended the fight. It would also go on to earn him a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus. Carpenter gets elite training with the crew at the MMA Lab in his native Arizona every single day and appears to have a boatload of potential at 125 pounds. He just needs to fight a bit more often if he plans on moving up the flyweight rankings.
On the sidelines since February 2023, Carpenter finally made his long-awaited return here and looked terrific. Recognizing his massive edge over Rocha in the grappling department, Clayton secured a pair of easy takedowns -- the second of which led to the rear-naked choke which ended the fight. It would also go on to earn him a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus. Carpenter gets elite training with the crew at the MMA Lab in his native Arizona every single day and appears to have a boatload of potential at 125 pounds. He just needs to fight a bit more often if he plans on moving up the flyweight rankings.
Set to face Lucas Rocha
Carpenter will face Lucas Rocha in a flyweight bout at a UFC event on Oct. 12, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Carpenter has gone 7-0-0 in his career and will step on the octagon for the first time since Feb. 2023, when he defeated Juancamilo Ronderos. It's worth noting three of Carpenter's last four wins have come via knockouts in the first round.
Carpenter has gone 7-0-0 in his career and will step on the octagon for the first time since Feb. 2023, when he defeated Juancamilo Ronderos. It's worth noting three of Carpenter's last four wins have come via knockouts in the first round.
Set to face Steve Erceg
Carpenter agreed to fight Steve Erceg in a flyweight bout at UFC Vegas 73 on May 20, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Carpenter earned a UFC contract through Dana White's Contender Series last year and was victorious against Juancamilo Ronderos during his debut in February. Erceg recently signed a contract with the promotion and is making his debut after most recently competing with Eternal MMA in Australia.
Carpenter earned a UFC contract through Dana White's Contender Series last year and was victorious against Juancamilo Ronderos during his debut in February. Erceg recently signed a contract with the promotion and is making his debut after most recently competing with Eternal MMA in Australia.
Easy submission win in UFC debut
Carpenter defeated Juancamilo Ronderos via submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:13 of Round 1 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Carpenter earned a UFC contract despite a so-so showing in a unanimous decision win on Dana White's Contender Series last August. He was much better in this one. Clayton allowed Ronderos to land an early takedown, but once things hit the mat, Carpenter got his act together. He managed to reverse position on the mat before taking Ronderos' back and clamping on the rear-naked choke which closed the show. A native of Glendale, Arizona and training at the MMA Lab, Carpenter is worth keeping an eye on in a flyweight division that needs all the depth it can find.
Carpenter earned a UFC contract despite a so-so showing in a unanimous decision win on Dana White's Contender Series last August. He was much better in this one. Clayton allowed Ronderos to land an early takedown, but once things hit the mat, Carpenter got his act together. He managed to reverse position on the mat before taking Ronderos' back and clamping on the rear-naked choke which closed the show. A native of Glendale, Arizona and training at the MMA Lab, Carpenter is worth keeping an eye on in a flyweight division that needs all the depth it can find.