Chelsea Chandler (born January 29, 1994) is an American mixed martial artist and competes in Bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A professional since 2018, she has also previously competed for Invicta Fighting Championships (Invicta FC). As of April 16, 2024, she is #14 in the UFC women's bantamweight rankings.[3]
| Chelsea Chandler | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 29, 1994 Stockton, California, United States[1] |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (173 cm) |
| Weight | 145 lb (66 kg; 10 st 5 lb) |
| Division | Bantamweight (135 lb) |
| Fighting out of | Stockton, California, United States |
| Team | Cesar Gracie Jiu-Jitsu |
| Rank | Purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu[2] |
| Years active | 2018–present |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 8 |
| Wins | 6 |
| By knockout | 2 |
| By submission | 1 |
| By decision | 3 |
| Losses | 2 |
| By decision | 2 |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
Background
Chandler played basketball and competed in track in high school. She started training at Tiger Muay Thai, Thailand in 2011 and joined Nick Diaz's Academy after she finished college.[4]
Mixed martial arts career
Invicta Fighting Championships
Martin made her promotional debut on March 24, 2018, at Invicta FC 28: Mizuki vs. Jandiroba against Kerri Kenneson.[5] She lost the fight via unanimous decision.[6]
On the next fight, she faced Mitzi Merry on November 16, 2018, at Invicta FC 32: Spencer vs. Sorenson.[7] She won the fight via unanimous decision.[8]
Her third fight in Invicta came on June 7, 2019, at Invicta FC 35: Bennett vs. Rodriguez facing Brittney Victoria Grizzelle.[9] She won the fight via technical knockout in round two.[10]
Chandler faced Olivia Parker on July 2, 2020, at Invicta FC 40: Ducote vs. Lima.[11] She won the fight via rear naked choke submission in round one.[12]
Chandler faced Courtney King on May 11, 2022, at Invicta FC 47.[13] She won the bout via unanimous decision.[14]
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Chandler was scheduled to face Leah Letson in her UFC debut on October 1, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 211.[15] However, Letson pulled out in late August due to personal reasons and was replaced by Julija Stoliarenko, therefore changing the pairing to a catchweight of 140 pounds.[16] She won the bout via TKO stoppage at the end of the first round.[17] This win earned her the Performance of the Night award.[18]
Chandler faced Norma Dumont on July 15, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 224.[19] She lost the fight by unanimous decision.[20]
Chandler faced Josiane Nunes on March 16, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 239 in what was scheduled to be a bantamweight bout.[21] At the weigh-in, Chelsea weighed in at 137 pounds, one pound over the bantamweight non-title fight limit. The bout proceeded at catchweight and Chelsea was fined 20% of her purse which went to her opponent Nunes.[22] Chandler won the bout by unanimous decision.[23]
Championships and accomplishments
Mixed martial arts record
| 8 matches | 6 wins | 2 losses |
| By knockout | 2 | 0 |
| By submission | 1 | 0 |
| By decision | 3 | 2 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 6–2 | Josiane Nunes | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Tuivasa vs. Tybura | March 16, 2024 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Return to Bantamweight; Chandler missed weight (137 lb). |
| Loss | 5–2 | Norma Dumont | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on ESPN: Holm vs. Bueno Silva | July 15, 2023 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 5–1 | Julija Stoliarenko | TKO (punches) | UFC Fight Night: Dern vs. Yan | October 1, 2022 | 1 | 4:15 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Catchweight (140 lb) bout. Performance of the Night. |
| Win | 4–1 | Courtney King | Decision (unanimous) | Invicta FC 47 | May 11, 2022 | 3 | 5:00 | Kansas City, Kansas, United States | |
| Win | 3–1 | Olivia Parker | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Invicta FC 40 | July 2, 2020 | 1 | 1:05 | Kansas City, Missouri, United States | Featherweight debut. Performance of the Night. |
| Win | 2–1 | Brittney Victoria | TKO (punches) | Invicta FC 35 | June 7, 2019 | 2 | 3:58 | Kansas City, Missouri, United States | Performance of the Night. |
| Win | 1–1 | Mitzi Merry | Decision (unanimous) | Invicta FC 32 | November 16, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Kansas City, Missouri, United States | Catchweight (136.6 lb) bout; Chandler missed weight. |
| Loss | 0–1 | Kerri Kenneson | Decision (unanimous) | Invicta FC 28 | March 24, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Kansas City, Missouri, United States | Bantamweight debut. |