Charles Jourdain (born November 27, 1995) is a Canadian mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter who is currently competing in the Ultimate Fighting Championship's (UFC) Featherweight division. He was previously a TKO Major League MMA Double Champion, winning the TKO Featherweight Championship and the TKO Interim Lightweight Championship.
Background
He has two older brothers and a younger brother Louis Jourdain, who has been quite involved in his mixed martial arts career and pursues a career of his own.
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Jourdain began competing in mixed martial arts in 2013. He earned an amateur record of 8–2, fighting 8 times in 2013 winning 7 of those bouts. He also competed in FightQuest Amateur Combat in 2014 where he won the vacant FightQuest Featherweight Championship and earned a "Performance of the Night" bonus. After going professional in 2015 he competed exclusively in Canadian MMA promotions. Jourdain made his MMA debut against Thomas Sumantri on May 21, 2016, at LAMMQ - Quebec Mixed Martial Arts League 5. He won the fight via knockout with a flying knee in the first round, earning a Knockout of the Night bonus. He was the TKO Featherweight and Interim Lightweight champion, and amassed a record 9–1 prior to signing with Ultimate Fighting Championship in 2019.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Making his promotional debut on short notice, Jourdain faced Des Green on May 18, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 152. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.
Jourdain would next face Doo Ho Choi at UFC Fight Night: Edgar vs. The Korean Zombie on December 21, 2019. Choi would drop Jourdain early with the rest of the round consisting of exchanges that would lead to Choi breaking his left arm on a spinning backfist attempt, Jourdain would later drop Choi with 0:21 seconds left in round 1. Round 2 would see more exchanges between the two fighters With 30 seconds left in the round, Jourdain dropped Choi with a left cross and then a right hook. He won the fight via TKO at 4:32 seconds of round 2. Earning him his first win in the promotion and a Fight of the Night bonus.
Returning to action amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, Jourdain faced Andre Fili at UFC on ESPN: Eye vs. Calvillo on June 13, 2020. The first round saw the two exchanging on the feet with Jourdain knocking Fili down with an overhand left. Fili secured a take down near the end of the round two. Jourdain lost the fight via split decision.
Jourdain next faced Joshua Culibao on October 4, 2020 at UFC on ESPN: Holm vs. Aldana. The bout would see both fighters push the pace and employ their game plans. The fight would go the distance ending with a split draw result.
Jourdain was scheduled to face Steve Garcia on March 13, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 187. On February 24, Garcia pulled out of the fight due to injury and was replaced by UFC newcomer Marcelo Rojo. He won the fight by technical knockout in the third round.
Jourdain was scheduled to face Lerone Murphy on September 4, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 191. However, Murphy was pulled from the event due to visa issues, and he was replaced by Julian Erosa. Jourdain lost the fight via a submission in round three.
As the last bout of his prevailing contract, Jourdain faced Andre Ewell on December 18, 2021, at UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Daukaus. He won the bout via unanimous decision.
As the first bout of his new four-fight contract Jourdain was scheduled to face Ilia Topuria , replacing Movsar Evloev, on January 22, 2022, at UFC 270. However, Topuria was pulled from the card due to a medical issue related to cutting weight and the bout was cancelled.
Jourdain faced Lando Vannata on April 23, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 205. He won the fight via a guillotine choke in round one.
Jourdain faced Shane Burgos on July 16, 2022, at UFC on ABC 3. He lost the back-and-forth fight via majority decision.
Jourdain faced Nathaniel Wood on September 3, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 209. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.
Jourdain faced Kron Gracie at UFC 288 on May 6, 2023. He won the fight via unanimous decision after outstriking Gracie through majority of the bout.
Jourdain faced Ricardo Ramos on September 23, 2023 at UFC Fight Night 228. He won the fight via guillotine choke in round one. This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.