John Castañeda-Cedar Herald Index

John Anthony Castañeda (born December 18, 1991) is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A professional competitor since 2012, he formerly competed for Combate Global.

Background

Castañeda was born in Dallas, Texas. At four, he relocated to Minnesota, where he currently resides. During his freshman year of college, he wrested for the Minnesota State Mavericks. In 2013, Castañeda graduated from Minnesota State University, Mankato. He double-majored in criminal justice and Spanish with a minor in social work.

John Castañeda

Professional mixed martial arts career

Early career

Castañeda went 15–1 in amateur competition, and racked a professional record of 7–2 in the regional circuit of Minnesota before signing with Combate Americas. In Combate Americas, Castañeda amassed four straight victories which led to a shot at the inaugural Combate Americas Bantamweight Championship. Castañeda faced Gustavo Lopez at Combate Americas - Empire Rising on October 14, 2016, with the bout being originally being for the championship, however Castañeda missed weight, coming in at 137.5 lbs. He won the bout via fourth-round knockout.

John Castañeda

Castañeda was cut from Combate Americas after he refused the rematch against Gustavo Lopez, however he later returned to the promotion, defeating Chris Beal via TKO in the second round at Combate Americas 14.

John Castañeda

Dana White's Contender Series

Having racked up a record of 13–2, Castañeda was invited to compete at Dana White's Contender Series 5, facing Cheyden Leialoha. He won the bout via unanimous decision, but was not awarded with a contract to the UFC.

Return to Combate

On October 26, 2017, it was announced that Castañeda would participate in Combate Americas' Copa Combate 2017 one-night tournament that took place on November 11, 2017. In the quarterfinals Castañeda faced Kevin Moreyra, winning by first-round submission. Advancing to the semifinals, he defeated Marc Gomez by unanimous decision. In the tournament final Castañeda faced Levy Marroquín, losing the bout via unanimous decision.

Castañeda was expected to headline Combate Americas Mexico vs. USA against Érik Pérez on October 13, 2018, but the bout was postponed to a later date because Castañeda caught staph infection.

After the tournament, Castañeda went on to lose one and win one bout in Combate Americas before being signed to the UFC on short notice.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Replacing the mourning Umar Nurmagomedov on short notice on July 26, 2020, Castañeda made his UFC debut against Nathaniel Wood at UFC on ESPN 14. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Castañeda faced Eddie Wineland on February 20, 2021 at UFC Fight Night 185. He won the fight via first round technical knockout.

Castañeda faced Miles Johns on February 5, 2022 at UFC Fight Night: Hermansson vs. Strickland. He won the fight via third round technical submission.

As the last bout of his initial UFC contract, Castañeda faced Daniel Santos on October 1, 2022 at UFC Fight Night 211. He lost the bout in the second round, getting knocked out with a knee. This bout earned the Fight of the Night award.

As the first fight of his new four-fight contract, Castañeda was scheduled to face Mateus Mendonça on June 3, 2023, at UFC on ESPN 46. However, Mendonça withdrew from the bout and was replaced by Muin Gafurov. Castañeda won the fight by unanimous decision.