John Castaneda • Stats, Record and Fight History

BIO

FIGHTS

STATS

UFC HISTORY & CAREER

• UFC Fight Night(4/18/26) Castaneda and Mark Vologdin fought to a majority draw
• UFC Fight Night(4/26/25) Castaneda lost a three round unanimous decision to Chris Gutierrez
• UFC on ESPN(6/8/24) Castaneda lost a three round unanimous decision to Daniel Marcos
• UFC 295(11/11/23) Castaneda won a three round unanimous decision over Kyung Ho Kang
• UFC on ESPN(6/3/23) Castaneda won a three round unanimous decision over Muin Gafurov
• UFC Fight Night(10/1/22) Castaneda was knocked out by Daniel Santos at 4:28 of the second round
• UFC Fight Night(2/5/22) Castaneda submitted Miles Johns via arm triangle choke at 1:38 of the third round
• UFC Fight Night(2/20/21) Castaneda stopped Eddie Wineland via strikes at 4:44 of the first round
• UFC on ESPN(7/25/20) Castaneda lost a three round unanimous decision to Nathaniel Wood
• Dana White's Contender Series,Season 1
• Episode 4(8/1/17) Castaneda won a three round unanimous decision over Cheyden Leialoha

IMPORTANT FACTS

Pro since 2012, made UFC Debut in July 2020

Eight wins by KO, six by submission (3 Arm triangle, 3 RNC)

Has won four of his last eight

Pro since 2012

Seven first round finishes

Has 8-6 record since DWCS appearance

Owns TKO win over UFC vet Chris Beal in May 2017

Q & A

Q: When and why did you start training for fighting?

ANSWER: I wrestled D2 my freshman year of college and then got introduced to the MMA program where my college was. I opted out of wrestling to pursue MMA. I have been training MMA for 10 years and wrestling for 16.

Q: What ranks and titles have you held?

ANSWER: Combate Americas bantamweight champion and Driller Promotions lightweight champion, BJJ black belt

Q: Who is your favorite fighter and why?

ANSWER: My favorite fighter has always been TJ Dillishaw. He’s the reason I fight from both southpaw and orthodox.

Q: Do you have any heroes?

ANSWER: My mom has always been my hero. She’s been through a ton in her lifetime and overcome it all and given me and my siblings such a love filled life. My best friend and my hero. I aspire to be half the person she is one day.

Q: What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC?

ANSWER: It's a dream come true. It's everything I've worked for and will continue to prove I deserve.

Q: What fight do you consider to be the key fight in your career and why?

ANSWER: There is no key fight in my career but one that stood out to me personally was the Eddie Wineland fight. I came up watching him and it was the classic “work hard until your idols become your rivals” quote. I’ve seen this guy fight at the highest level before I got there and now; he’s my opponent! It was a full-circle moment for me.

Q: Is there a cause that you want to use your platform for?

ANSWER: I just want to show and prove that with hard work and consistency, anyone can get to the absolute highest level of their chosen careers. I come from very little, and worked my ass off to get to the top of my profession.

Q: Beyond a championship or money, what motivates you?

ANSWER: The love and respect for martial arts is all I need as motivation. Martial arts saved me as a kid and adult and I owe it to myself to be the best martial artist I can be.

Q: Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn?

ANSWER: Minnesota State University, Mankato, where I double majored in Criminal Law and Spanish and received a minor in social work as well.

Q: What was your job before you started fighting?

ANSWER: Full-time student.

Q: Specific accomplishments in amateur competition?

ANSWER: 15-1 record.

Q: Favorite grappling technique

ANSWER: All

Q: Favorite Striking technique

ANSWER: Flying knee

Q: Tell us about your life outside of fighting:

ANSWER: I own a martial arts school and teach BJJ. I have 5 pets; 2 dogs and 3 cats. My hobbies include hanging out with my family and animals and being a homebody, cooking, and training martial arts.