Fernandez
OPPONENT
• UFC 326(3/7/26) Fernandez was stopped by Rodolfo Bellato via strikes at 2:42 of the first round
• Dana White's Contender Series, Season 9
• Episode 9 (10/7/25) Fernandez stopped Rafael Pergentino via strikes at :15 of the first round
BIO
FIGHTS
STATS
UFC HISTORY & CAREER
IMPORTANT FACTS
Pro since 2023
Five wins by KO
Four first-round finishes
Won CFFC Light Heavyweight title in December 2023, defended it twice
Went 6-0 as an Amateur, also won an amateur title with CFFC
Also competes as a pro in grappling where he has wins over UFC-vets Eryk Anders & Phil Hawes
Wrestled at Division III Elizabethtown College, went 66-23 in three years there
Q & A
Q: When and why did you start training for fighting?
ANSWER:
I started training MMA seriously in the summer of 2020. Before that I tried a few MMA classes but they were few and far between. Other than that I wrestled in high school and college and did some boxing mitts workouts with my dad, but nothing too serious.
Q: What professional titles have you held?
ANSWER:
CFFC LHWT champion. I defended that title twice.
Q: Any accomplishments in amateur combat sports?
ANSWER:
I was the CFFC next gen LHWT champion.
Q: Any belts/ranks in grappling disciplines
ANSWER:
? I’m a purple belt in BJJ under Dante Rivera
Q: What fight do you consider to be the key fight in your career?
ANSWER:
I would say the fight of my career was my last title defense for CFFC. I fought a tough opponent with more experience than me and dominated the fight. I feel like I was able to show that I belonged in the bigger promotion with that performance.
Q: Who is your favorite fighter and why?
ANSWER:
My favorite fighter is John Jones or Anderson Silva. I grew up watching both of them dominate in championship fashion, that really caused me to fall in love with MMA.
Q: Do you have any heroes outside of fighting?
ANSWER:
I would say my hero’s are my parents for always showing me unconditional love and support.
Q: Is there a cause that you want to use your platform for?
ANSWER:
I want to show people that you can change your life and future if you decide to take a chance on yourself and pursue your dreams. I want to be an example of someone that didn’t give up on themselves. They continued to work hard to reach their goals.
Q: Beyond a championship and money, what motivates you?
ANSWER:
What motivates me is being told I can’t do something or I don’t have what it takes. I think my competitive nature thrives in others doubt. I’ve been competitive since I was very young.
Q: Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn?
ANSWER:
I graduated from Elizabethtown College with a bachelors degree in Communications.
Q: What was your job before you started fighting?
ANSWER:
I worked for a company named Prime Exteriors LLC, doing roofing and siding. Also I would substitute and coach wrestling at Lacey township High School.
Q: Tell us about your life outside of fighting
ANSWER:
? When I’m not training or working out I’m probably watching fights with my dad and or girlfriend. My girlfriend’s name is LeAnna Cruz, she’s an undefeated professional boxer currently ranked top 3 in the world at 115. So we both love watching MMA and boxing together.bOutside of fighting I love to golf and bowl and spend time with my family whenever possible.
STRIKING ANALYSIS
STRIKING ACCURACY58%
STRIKING DEFENSE36%
LANDED/MIN
8.14
STRIKES PER MINUTEABSORBED/MIN
10.17
STRIKES ABSORBED PER MINUTEGRAPPLING & WRESTLING
TAKEDOWN ACCURACY0%
TAKEDOWN DEFENSE0%
TAKEDOWNS/FIGHT
0
15 MIN AVERAGESUBMISSIONS/FIGHT
0
15 MIN AVERAGEGENERAL ANALYSIS
UFC RECORD
0 W - 1 L
ACTIVE STREAK
-1 Losses
WIN BREAKDOWN
Knockout (KO)0
Submission0
Decision0
LOSS BREAKDOWN
Knockout (KO)1
Submission0
Decision0
FIGHTING STYLE
Boxer
STANCE
Orthodox
UFC DEBUT
Mar. 7, 2026