Miguel Baeza (born August 23, 1992) is an American mixed martial artist, currently competing in the Welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
| Miguel Baeza | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 23, 1992 Davie, Florida, U.S. |
| Other names | Caramel Thunder |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Weight | 170 lb (77 kg; 12 st 2 lb) |
| Division | Welterweight (2016–present) Lightweight (2015) |
| Reach | 74 in (188 cm) [1] |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Fighting out of | Davie, Florida, United States |
| Team | MMA Masters |
| Rank | Black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu[2] |
| Years active | 2015–present |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 14 |
| Wins | 10 |
| By knockout | 7 |
| By submission | 1 |
| By decision | 2 |
| Losses | 4 |
| By knockout | 2 |
| By decision | 2 |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
Background
Baeza was born in Davie, Florida to a Puerto Rican family. Baeza grew up a boxing fan, and he lists Félix Trinidad as one of his all-time favorites. Baeza first dabbled in mixed martial arts in 2011 as an amateur, compiling a record of 4–0 before turning professional in 2015. Baeza holds a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt.[2]
Mixed martial arts career
Dana White's Contender Series
After going 6–0 on the regional circuit, Baeza was invited to compete on Dana White's Contender Series 18. He faced Victor Reyna and won the bout via unanimous decision, a victory that earned him a UFC contract.[3]
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Baeza made his UFC debut at UFC Fight Night 161 on October 12, 2019, facing Hector Aldana. Baeza was victorious via second-round technical knockout.[4]
Baeza then faced veteran Matt Brown on May 16, 2020, at UFC on ESPN 8. Baeza rallied back after being dropped in the first round, finishing Brown via technical knockout in the second round.[5] This win earned Baeza his first Performance of the Night award.[6]
Baeza was set to face Mickey Gall at UFC Fight Night 178.[7] However, on September 11, Gall pulled out due to an injury.[8] He was replaced by Jeremiah Wells.[9] On September 17, it was announced that the bout was canceled due to undisclosed reasons.[10]
Baeza faced Takashi Sato on November 28, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 184.[11] He won via second round arm-triangle choke, thus earning his first career win by submission.[12] He earned a Performance of the Night bonus for the win.[13]
Baeza faced Santiago Ponzinibbio on June 5, 2021, at UFC Fight Night: Rozenstruik vs. Sakai.[14] He lost the back-and-forth fight via unanimous decision.[15] This bout earned him the Fight of the Night award.[16]
Baeza faced Khaos Williams on November 13, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 197.[17] He lost the fight via technical knockout in round three.[18]
Baeza was scheduled to face Dhiego Lima on April 16, 2022, at UFC on ESPN: Luque vs. Muhammad 2.[19] However, Lima announced his retirement from competition in MMA[20] in early February 2022 and was subsequently replaced by André Fialho.[21] Baeza lost the fight via technical knockout in round one.[22]
Baeza faced Punahele Soriano on June 8, 2024 at UFC on ESPN 57.[23] He lost the fight by unanimous decision.[24]
Professional grappling career
Baeza was due to face Neil Magny at Fury Pro Grappling 9 on April 4, 2024.[25] Magny withdrew on short notice and was replaced by Guilherme Neves. Baeza won the match by submission with an armbar.[26]
Championships and accomplishments
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- Performance of the Night (Two times) vs. Matt Brown and Takashi Sato[6][13]
- Fight of the Night (One Time) vs. Santiago Ponzinibbio[16]
- MMAjunkie.com
- 2021 June Fight of the Month vs. Santiago Ponzinibbio[27]
Mixed martial arts record
| 14 matches | 10 wins | 4 losses |
| By knockout | 7 | 2 |
| By submission | 1 | 0 |
| By decision | 2 | 2 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 10–4 | Punahele Soriano | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on ESPN: Cannonier vs. Imavov | June 8, 2024 | 3 | 5:00 | Louisville, Kentucky, United States | |
| Loss | 10–3 | André Fialho | TKO (punches) | UFC on ESPN: Luque vs. Muhammad 2 | April 16, 2022 | 1 | 4:39 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 10–2 | Khaos Williams | TKO (punches) | UFC Fight Night: Holloway vs. Rodríguez | November 13, 2021 | 3 | 1:02 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 10–1 | Santiago Ponzinibbio | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Rozenstruik vs. Sakai | June 5, 2021 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Fight of the Night. |
| Win | 10–0 | Takashi Sato | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | UFC on ESPN: Smith vs. Clark | November 28, 2020 | 2 | 4:28 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Performance of the Night. |
| Win | 9–0 | Matt Brown | TKO (punches) | UFC on ESPN: Overeem vs. Harris | May 16, 2020 | 2 | 0:18 | Jacksonville, Florida, United States | Performance of the Night. |
| Win | 8–0 | Hector Aldana | TKO (leg kick and elbows) | UFC Fight Night: Joanna vs. Waterson | October 12, 2019 | 2 | 2:32 | Tampa, Florida, United States | |
| Win | 7–0 | Victor Reyna | Decision (unanimous) | Dana White's Contender Series 18 | June 25, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Catchweight (178 lb) bout; Reyna missed weight. |
| Win | 6–0 | Matthew Colquhoun | KO (punches) | XFN 22 | December 15, 2018 | 1 | 3:31 | Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, United States | |
| Win | 5–0 | Leo Valdivia | Decision (split) | Fight Time 37 | September 1, 2017 | 3 | 5:00 | Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, United States | |
| Win | 4–0 | Augustus D'Angelo | TKO (pucnhes) | Fight Time 36 | April 7, 2017 | 2 | 1:14 | Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, United States | |
| Win | 3–0 | Mike D'Angelo | KO (punches) | Fight Time 33 | October 21, 2016 | 1 | 3:48 | Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, United States | Welterweight debut. |
| Win | 2–0 | Emre Orun | KO (punch) | Titan FC 40 | August 5, 2016 | 1 | 1:45 | Coral Gables, Florida, United States | Catchweight (178 lb) bout. |
| Win | 1–0 | John McDonald | TKO (punches) | Rings of Dreams: Fight Night 17 | August 22, 2015 | 1 | 1:21 | Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States | Lightweight debut. |