Chris Padilla
"Taco"
USA
Stops heavy opponent
Padilla defeated Ismael Bonfim via TKO (punches) at 4:30 of Round 2 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
It will almost certainly go down as the most lucrative evening of Padilla's career. Not only will he pick up both his how and win money, but he'll also walk away with 25 percent of Bonfim's purse after the latter missed weight by a whopping five pounds Friday morning. The fight was closely contested throughout until Bonfim's gas tank immediately emptied midway through Round 2. Padilla took advantage, climbing on top of his prone opponent and firing off unanswered blows to the side of the head until referee Chris Tognoni had seen enough. The 30-year-old California native improves to 4-0 in the UFC, with three of those victories coming via stoppage.
It will almost certainly go down as the most lucrative evening of Padilla's career. Not only will he pick up both his how and win money, but he'll also walk away with 25 percent of Bonfim's purse after the latter missed weight by a whopping five pounds Friday morning. The fight was closely contested throughout until Bonfim's gas tank immediately emptied midway through Round 2. Padilla took advantage, climbing on top of his prone opponent and firing off unanswered blows to the side of the head until referee Chris Tognoni had seen enough. The 30-year-old California native improves to 4-0 in the UFC, with three of those victories coming via stoppage.
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More Fantasy News
Fighting heavier Bonfim
Padilla and Ismael Bonfim are scheduled to compete in a catchweight fight Saturday at UFC Vegas 111, MMA Fighting reports.
ANALYSIS
Padilla will receive 25 percent of Bonfim's purse after the latter missed weight by five pounds for their upcoming fight. The former is looking to remain undefeated in UFC action and go 4-0 in the promotion.
Padilla will receive 25 percent of Bonfim's purse after the latter missed weight by five pounds for their upcoming fight. The former is looking to remain undefeated in UFC action and go 4-0 in the promotion.
Clash with Ismael Bonfim set
Padilla will take on Ismael Bonfim in a lightweight matchup at UFC Vegas 111 on Nov. 8, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Padilla has been an impressive 3-0 since joining the UFC in April of 2024, though his most recent win was of the split-decision variety against Jai Herbert back in March. He now takes on Bonfim, who had some steam coming into the UFC, but has lost two of his last three after getting a step up in competition. It's a small sample size, but Bonfim is the statistically better striker, while Padilla holds better wrestling marks, both in takedown volume and defense. Padilla will have a three-inch reach advantage when the cage doors close.
Padilla has been an impressive 3-0 since joining the UFC in April of 2024, though his most recent win was of the split-decision variety against Jai Herbert back in March. He now takes on Bonfim, who had some steam coming into the UFC, but has lost two of his last three after getting a step up in competition. It's a small sample size, but Bonfim is the statistically better striker, while Padilla holds better wrestling marks, both in takedown volume and defense. Padilla will have a three-inch reach advantage when the cage doors close.
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.
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.