Bryan Barberena

American mixed martial arts fighter
Bryan Barberena
Born (1989-05-03) May 3, 1989 (age 34)
Montclair, California, U.S.
Other namesBam Bam
ResidenceKnoxville, Tennessee, United States[1]
Height6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight185 lb (84 kg; 13.2 st)
DivisionMiddleweight
Welterweight
Lightweight
Fighting out ofMinneapolis, Minnesota
TeamMMA Lab (formerly)
Gym-O (2018–present)[1]
RankBlue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under John Crouch[2]
Years active2009–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total30
Wins18
By knockout11
By submission2
By decision5
Losses12
By knockout2
By submission4
By decision6
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Bryan Barberena (born May 3, 1989) is an American mixed martial artist formerly fighting in the Middleweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. A professional competitor since 2009, he has also competed for King of the Cage.[3]

Background

Barberena was born in Montclair, California, but grew up in Rancho Cucamonga, where he moved with his parents at a young age. He later attended Prescott High School, after moving to Arizona during his sophomore year where he played football and was a standout as a linebacker. His father is originally from Cali, Colombia, and Barberena has stated he feels both American and Colombian. He brings each country's flags to his fights.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Barberena begin his professional mixed martial arts career in late 2009 with an amateur record of 1–0. Over the next five years he trained primarily at the MMA Lab in Arizona and amassed a record of 9–2 for promotions such as Dakota Fighting Championships and King of the Cage; all but one of his wins came before the final bell.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Barberena made his UFC debut in December 2014 when he faced Joe Ellenberger on December 13, 2014 at UFC on Fox 13. He won the fight via TKO in the third round.[4]

In his second fight for the promotion, Barberena faced Chad Laprise at UFC 186. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[5] Both participants were awarded Fight of the Night honors.[6]

In his third fight for the promotion, Barberena filled in as a short notice replacement for Andrew Holbrook against Sage Northcutt at UFC on Fox: Johnson vs. Bader.[7] With the late change, the matchup was contested at welterweight.[8] Despite being a heavy underdog, Barberena won the bout via choke[9] in the second round.[10]

In his fourth fight for the promotion, Barberena faced Warlley Alves at UFC 198. Once again a substantial underdog, Barberena won the fight by unanimous decision after withstanding the initial storm.[11]

Barberena next faced Colby Covington on December 17, 2016 at UFC on Fox 22.[12] He lost the fight by unanimous decision.[13]

Barberena next faced Joe Proctor on April 23, 2017 at UFC Fight Night: Swanson vs. Lobov.[14] He won the fight via TKO in the first round.[15]

Barberena faced Leon Edwards on September 2, 2017 at UFC Fight Night 115.[16] He lost the fight by unanimous decision.[17]

Barberena was expected to face Jake Ellenberger on June 1, 2018 at UFC Fight Night 131.[18] However, on March 23, 2018, Barberena pulled out due to injury.[19] The pairing was rescheduled and took place on August 25, 2018 at UFC Fight Night 135.[20] He won the fight via technical knockout in the first round.[21]

After having split his training at MMA Lab and Gym-O before Ellenberger fight, Barberena decided to move his camp entirely to Gym-O in Gastonia, North Carolina in order to be closer to his residence near Knoxville, Tennessee.[1] Barberena faced Vicente Luque on February 17, 2019 at UFC on ESPN 1.[22] After a back-and-forth two rounds, he lost the fight via TKO late in the third round.[23] This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award.[24]

Barberena faced Randy Brown on June 22, 2019 at UFC Fight Night 154.[25] He lost the fight via TKO in the third round.[26]

Barberena faced Anthony Ivy on September 12, 2020 at UFC Fight Night 177.[27] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[28]

Barberena was expected to face Daniel Rodriguez on November 14, 2020 at UFC Fight Night: Felder vs. dos Anjos.[29] However, Barberena underwent an emergency laparotomy a week before the event due to "internal bleeding from a couple ruptured arteries in his omentum" and was sidelined indefinitely.[30]

Barberena faced Jason Witt on July 31, 2021 at UFC on ESPN 28.[31] He lost the fight via majority decision.[32] This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award.[33]

Barberena was scheduled to face Matt Brown on December 4, 2021 at UFC on ESPN 31.[34] However, Brown forced out of the bout due to testing positive for Covid-19,[35] and he was replaced by Darian Weeks.[36] Barberena won the fight via unanimous decision.[37]

The bout against Brown was rescheduled and eventually took place on March 26, 2022 at UFC on ESPN 33.[38] Barberena won the back-and-forth bout via split decision.[39] The fight was awarded the Fight of the Night award.[40]

Barberena faced Robbie Lawler on July 2, 2022, at UFC 276.[41] He won the back-and-forth bout by TKO in the second round.[42] This fight earned him a Fight of the Night award.[43]

Barberena faced Rafael dos Anjos on December 3, 2022 at UFC on ESPN 42.[44] He lost via neck crank in the second round.[45]

Barbarena, as a replacement for Daniel Rodriguez, faced Gunnar Nelson on March 18, 2023, at UFC 286.[46] He lost the fight via an armbar submission in the first round.[47]

Barbarena faced Makhmud Muradov on July 22, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 224.[48] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[49]

Barberena faced Gerald Meerschaert on March 16, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 239.[50] He lost the bout by a rear-naked choke submission at the end of the second round.[51]

Barberena was released from the UFC on March 21, 2024.[52]

Personal life

Barberena and his wife Diana have three children.[53]

Championships and awards

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
30 matches 18 wins 12 losses
By knockout 11 2
By submission 2 4
By decision 5 6
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 18–12 Gerald Meerschaert Technical Submission (face crank) UFC Fight Night: Tuivasa vs. Tybura March 16, 2024 2 4:23 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 18–11 Makhmud Muradov Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Aspinall vs. Tybura July 22, 2023 3 5:00 London, England Middleweight debut.
Loss 18–10 Gunnar Nelson Submission (armbar) UFC 286 March 18, 2023 1 4:51 London, England
Loss 18–9 Rafael dos Anjos Submission (neck crank) UFC on ESPN: Thompson vs. Holland December 3, 2022 2 3:20 Orlando, Florida, United States
Win 18–8 Robbie Lawler TKO (punches) UFC 276 July 2, 2022 2 4:47 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Fight of the Night.
Win 17–8 Matt Brown Decision (split) UFC on ESPN: Blaydes vs. Daukaus March 26, 2022 3 5:00 Columbus, Ohio, United States Fight of the Night.
Win 16–8 Darian Weeks Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Font vs. Aldo December 4, 2021 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 15–8 Jason Witt Decision (majority) UFC on ESPN: Hall vs. Strickland July 31, 2021 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Fight of the Night.
Win 15–7 Anthony Ivy Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Waterson vs. Hill September 12, 2020 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 14–7 Randy Brown TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Moicano vs. The Korean Zombie June 22, 2019 3 2:54 Greenville, South Carolina, United States
Loss 14–6 Vicente Luque TKO (knees and punches) UFC on ESPN: Ngannou vs. Velasquez February 17, 2019 3 4:54 Phoenix, Arizona, United States Fight of the Night.
Win 14–5 Jake Ellenberger TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Gaethje vs. Vick August 25, 2018 1 2:26 Lincoln, Nebraska, United States
Loss 13–5 Leon Edwards Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Volkov vs. Struve September 2, 2017 3 5:00 Rotterdam, Netherlands
Win 13–4 Joe Proctor TKO (knees and punches) UFC Fight Night: Swanson vs. Lobov April 22, 2017 1 3:30 Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Loss 12–4 Colby Covington Decision (unanimous) UFC on Fox: VanZant vs. Waterson December 17, 2016 3 5:00 Sacramento, California, United States
Win 12–3 Warlley Alves Decision (unanimous) UFC 198 May 14, 2016 3 5:00 Curitiba, Brazil
Win 11–3 Sage Northcutt Submission (arm-triangle choke) UFC on Fox: Johnson vs. Bader January 30, 2016 2 3:06 Newark, New Jersey, United States Return to Welterweight.
Loss 10–3 Chad Laprise Decision (unanimous) UFC 186 April 25, 2015 3 5:00 Montreal, Quebec, Canada Fight of the Night.
Win 10–2 Joe Ellenberger TKO (punches) UFC on Fox: dos Santos vs. Miocic December 13, 2014 3 3:24 Phoenix, Arizona, United States Lightweight debut.
Win 9–2 Eric Moon TKO (punches) KOTC: Radar Lock February 22, 2014 1 4:07 Scottsdale, Arizona, United States
Win 8–2 Damien Hill Submission (rear-naked choke) Dakota FC 17: Winter Brawl 2014 January 11, 2014 3 2:17 Fargo, North Dakota, United States Catchweight (160 lb) bout.
Win 7–2 Marcos Marquez TKO (punches) Dakota FC 16: Fall Brawl 2013 August 23, 2013 3 3:43 Fargo, North Dakota, United States
Win 6–2 Dane Sayers Decision (unanimous) Dakota FC 13: Coming Home October 13, 2012 5 5:00 Grand Forks, North Dakota, United States
Win 5–2 Vernon Harrison TKO (punches) Crowbar MMA: Rumble at the Fair June 25, 2011 2 4:00 Grand Forks, North Dakota, United States
Win 4–2 Garrett Olson TKO (punches) KOTC: Mainstream October 29, 2010 2 4:24 Morton, Minnesota, United States
Loss 3–2 Tyler Klejeski Decision (unanimous) Cage Fighting Xtreme May 15, 2010 3 5:00 Red Lake, Minnesota, United States
Win 3–1 David Barnett KO (punches) KOTC: Uppercut March 13, 2010 1 2:25 Laughlin, Nevada United States
Loss 2–1 Derek Smith Submission (armbar) KOTC: Offensive Strategy February 6, 2010 3 2:55 Walker, Minnesota, United States
Win 2–0 Dave Alvarez TKO (punches) The Cage Inc.: Battle at the Border 3 December 19, 2009 2 1:41 Hankinson, North Dakota, United States
Win 1–0 Dirk Thiedeman KO (punches) Dakota FC 12 October 10, 2009 1 2:20 Fargo, North Dakota, United States

Amateur mixed martial arts record

Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 1–0 Brandon Rossbach Decision (unanimous) KOTC: Turmoil September 5, 2009 3 3:00 Walker, Minnesota, United States

[56]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Alexander K. Lee (February 24, 2019). "Bryan Barberena talks insane battle with Vicente Luque, 'Baby Shark' entrance". mmafighting.com.
  2. ^ "Bryan Barberena | UFC". UFC.com. Retrieved March 27, 2022.
  3. ^ Simon, Zane. "News Welcome to the UFC Dwyer, O'Reilly, Holohan, and Barberena". Bloodyelbow.com. Vox Media, Inc. Retrieved 19 February 2016.
  4. ^ Ben Fowlkes (2014-12-13). "UFC on Fox 13 results: Bryan Barberena batters, breaks Joe Ellenberger". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-12-13.
  5. ^ Ben Fowlkes (April 25, 2015). "UFC 186 results: Chad Laprise outstrikes, outworks Bryan Barberena for decision". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved April 25, 2015.
  6. ^ Matt Erickson (2015-04-26). "UFC 186 bonuses: Yeah, duh – Demetrious Johnson got $50,000 for that craziness". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-04-26.
  7. ^ "Andrew Holbrook out, Bryan Barberena meets Sage Northcutt at UFC on Fox 18". mmajunkie.com. 2016-01-22.
  8. ^ "Sage Northcutt gets new opponent & weight class at UFC on Fox 18". mmafighting.com. 2016-01-22.
  9. ^ Seamus Raftery (2016-02-02). "Rener Gracie explains why Sage Northcutt's tap wasn't so hasty". punditarena.com. Archived from the original on 2016-12-20. Retrieved 2016-06-06.
  10. ^ Steven Marrocco (2016-01-30). "UFC on Fox 18 results: Bryan Barberena slows Sage Northcutt hype with submission win". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-01-30.
  11. ^ Brent Brookhouse (2016-05-14). "UFC 198 results: Bryan Barberena edges Warlley Alves by decision in grueling battle". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-05-14.
  12. ^ Staff (2016-10-17). "Bryan Barberena and Colby Covington set to meet at December's UFC on Fox 22". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-10-17.
  13. ^ Brent Brookhouse (2016-12-17). "UFC on Fox 22 results: Colby Covington smothers Bryan Barberena to take decision win". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-12-17.
  14. ^ Staff (2017-03-03). "Bryan Barberena vs. Joe Proctor set for UFC Fight Night 108 in Nashville". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2017-03-03.
  15. ^ Ben Fowlkes (2017-04-22). "UFC Fight Night 108 results: Bryan Barberena draws Joe Proctor into brawl, wins by TKO". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2017-04-22.
  16. ^ Jordan Breen (2017-07-03). "Bryan Barberena-Leon Edwards welterweight tilt joins Sept. 2 UFC Fight Night 115 in Rotterdam". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2017-07-03.
  17. ^ "UFC-Rotterdam results: Leon Edwards survives knockdown, works to decision over Bryan Barberena". MMAjunkie. 2017-09-02. Retrieved 2017-09-03.
  18. ^ Alexander K. Lee (2018-03-20). "Jake Ellenberger meets Bryan Barberena at UFC Utica". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2018-03-20.
  19. ^ "Bryan Barberena injured; new UFC Fight Night 131 opponent sought for Jake Ellenberger". MMAjunkie. 2018-03-23. Retrieved 2018-03-24.
  20. ^ Staff (2018-07-18). "Bryan Barberena announces UFC Lincoln bout with Jake Ellenberger". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2018-07-18.
  21. ^ "UFC Fight Night 135 results: Bryan Barberena stops Jake Ellenberger, who retires after loss". MMAjunkie. 2018-08-26. Retrieved 2018-08-26.
  22. ^ Tees, David. "Vicente Luque faces Bryan Barberena at UFC Fight Night Phoenix". fightful.com. Retrieved 2018-12-15.
  23. ^ "UFC on ESPN 1 results: Vicente Luque stops Bryan Barberena with six seconds left in epic brawl". MMAjunkie. 2019-02-18. Retrieved 2019-02-18.
  24. ^ Hiergesell, Dan (2019-02-18). "UFC Phoenix Bonuses! Luque, Barberena Battle it Out For $50K Each". MMAmania.com. Retrieved 2019-02-18.
  25. ^ Marcel Dorff (2019-04-30). "Bryan Barberena makes an appearance against Randy Brown during UFC Greenville" (in Dutch). mmadnanl.com. Retrieved 2019-04-30.
  26. ^ McClory, Mike (2019-06-22). "UFC Greenville Results: Randy Brown Beats the Odds and Finishes Bryan Barberena". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2019-06-23.
  27. ^ DNA, MMA (2020-08-08). "BREAKING: Bryan Barberena treft Anthony Ivy op 12 september tijdens UFC evenement in Las Vegas". MMA DNA. Retrieved 2020-08-08.
  28. ^ Doherty, Dan (2020-09-12). "UFC Vegas 10 Results: Bryan Barberena Wins Grueling Fight Against Anthony Ivy". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-09-12.
  29. ^ Staff (2020-10-28). "Bryan Barberena meets Daniel Rodriguez on November 14 in Las Vegas". mmadna.nl. Retrieved 2020-10-28. (in Dutch)
  30. ^ Staff (2020-11-07). "Bryan Barberena undergoes emergency surgery, out of Nov. 14 UFC Fight Night bout". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2020-11-07.
  31. ^ DNA, MMA (2021-05-08). "BREAKING: Bryan Barberena vs. Jason Witt toegevoegd aan UFC evenement op 31 juli". MMA DNA. Retrieved 2021-05-09.
  32. ^ Gibbons, Justin (2021-07-31). "UFC Vegas 33 Results: Jason Witt Gets by Bryan Barberena Via Majority Decision". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-08-01.
  33. ^ a b "UFC on ESPN 28 bonuses: Melsik Baghdasaryan's head-kick statement worth $50,000". MMA Junkie. 2021-08-01. Retrieved 2021-08-01.
  34. ^ Dorff, Marcel (2021-09-21). "Bryan Barberena vs. Matt Brown toegevoegd aan UFC evenement op 4 december". MMA DNA. Retrieved 2021-09-21.
  35. ^ Martin, Damon (2021-11-23). "Matt Brown forced out of UFC Vegas 44 fight against Bryan Barberena after positive COVID-19 test". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2021-11-24.
  36. ^ Behunin, Alex (2021-11-30). "Darian Weeks to Face Bryan Barberena This Weekend At UFC Vegas 44". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-11-30.
  37. ^ Bitter, Shawn (2021-12-04). "UFC Vegas 44: Bryan Barberena Takes Decision Over Debuting Darian Weeks". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-12-05.
  38. ^ Holland, Jesse (2022-01-06). "Matt Brown vs Bryan Barberena rebooked for UFC Columbus on March 26". MMAmania.com. Retrieved 2022-01-07.
  39. ^ Anderson, Jay (2022-03-26). "UFC Columbus: Bryan Barberena Slugs It Out with Matt Brown, Wins Split Decision". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-03-27.
  40. ^ a b "UFC on ESPN 33 bonuses: Matt Brown, Bryan Barberena rewarded for all-out brawl". MMA Junkie. 2022-03-27. Retrieved 2022-03-27.
  41. ^ Mike Heck (2022-05-03). "Robbie Lawler returns to face Bryan Barberena at UFC 276". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2022-05-03.
  42. ^ Doherty, Dan (2022-07-02). "UFC 276: Bryan Barberena Stops Robbie Lawler in Slugfest". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-07-03.
  43. ^ a b Alexander K. Lee (2022-07-02). "UFC 276 bonuses: Bryan Barberena and Robbie Lawler brawl wins Fight of the Night, three fast finishes rewarded". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2022-07-02.
  44. ^ "UFC: Rafael dos Anjos volta aos meio-médios e encara Barberena". ge (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2022-09-29.
  45. ^ "UFC on ESPN 42 results: Rafael dos Anjos gets submission win, tells Conor McGregor to 'clean his body' for July showdown". MMA Junkie. Retrieved 2022-12-04.
  46. ^ Tkaczuk, Michał (2023-02-22). "Bryan Barberena wchodzi na zastępstwo, aby zawalczyć z Gunnarem Nelsonem na UFC 286 | MMAROCKS". MMA Rocks! (in Polish). Retrieved 2023-02-24.
  47. ^ Martin, Damon (2023-03-18). "UFC 286 results: Gunnar Nelson taps out Bryan Barberena with lightning quick armbar submission". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2023-03-19.
  48. ^ Tkaczuk, Michał (2023-05-14). "Zawodnik Ankosu, Makhmud Muradov, zawalczy z Bryanem Barbereną na UFC w Londynie | MMAROCKS". MMA Rocks!. Retrieved 2023-05-14.
  49. ^ Dewar, Val (2023-07-22). "UFC London: Head Clashes Abound, but Makhmud Muradov Takes Three Rounds Over Bryan Barberena". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-08-04.
  50. ^ Martin, Damon (2024-01-23). "Ovince Saint Preux vs. Kennedy Nzechukwu among new additions to UFC Fight Night card on March 16". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2024-01-24.
  51. ^ Dewar, Val (2024-03-16). "UFC Vegas 88: Gerald Meerschaert Ties 'Spider' for Most MW Finishes, Submits Bryan Barberena". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2024-03-16.
  52. ^ Richardson, Andrew (2024-03-22). "Midnight Mania: The Second Roster Purge This Month!". MMAmania.com. Retrieved 2024-03-22.
  53. ^ Gavin Porter (September 9, 2020). "Bryan Barberena Is Rejuvenated And Ready For His Run". Ultimate Fighting Championship.
  54. ^ Hiergesell, Dan (2019-02-18). "UFC Phoenix Bonuses! Luque, Barberena Battle it Out For $50K Each". MMAmania.com. Retrieved 2019-02-18.
  55. ^ "MMAjunkie's 'Fight of the Month' for February: Could this winner hold up all year?". mmajunkie.com. February 28, 2019.
  56. ^ Sherdog.com. "Bryan". Sherdog. Retrieved 2018-12-02.

External links

  • Bryan Barberena at UFC
  • Professional MMA record for Bryan Barberena from Sherdog