Bryan Barberena Explained

Bryan Barberena
Other Names:Bam Bam
Birth Date:3 May 1989
Birth Place:Montclair, California, U.S.
Residence:Knoxville, Tennessee, United States[1]
Weight:185lb
Weight Class:Middleweight
Welterweight
Lightweight
Fighting Out Of:Minneapolis, Minnesota
Team:MMA Lab (formerly)
Gym-O (2018–present)
Rank:Blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under John Crouch[2]
Years Active:2009–present
Mma Kowin:11
Mma Subwin:2
Mma Decwin:5
Mma Koloss:2
Mma Subloss:4
Mma Decloss:6
Sherdog:51471

Bryan Barberena (born May 3, 1989) is an American mixed martial artist formerly fighting in the Middleweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. A professional competitor since 2009, he has also competed for King of the Cage.[3]

Background

Barberena was born in Montclair, California, but grew up in Rancho Cucamonga, where he moved with his parents at a young age. He later attended Prescott High School, after moving to Arizona during his sophomore year where he played football and was a standout as a linebacker. His father is originally from Cali, Colombia, and Barberena has stated he feels both American and Colombian. He brings each country's flags to his fights.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Barberena begin his professional mixed martial arts career in late 2009 with an amateur record of 1–0. Over the next five years he trained primarily at the MMA Lab in Arizona and amassed a record of 9–2 for promotions such as Dakota Fighting Championships and King of the Cage; all but one of his wins came before the final bell.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Barberena made his UFC debut in December 2014 when he faced Joe Ellenberger on December 13, 2014 at UFC on Fox 13. He won the fight via TKO in the third round.[4]

In his second fight for the promotion, Barberena faced Chad Laprise at UFC 186. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[5] Both participants were awarded Fight of the Night honors.[6]

In his third fight for the promotion, Barberena filled in as a short notice replacement for Andrew Holbrook against Sage Northcutt at .[7] With the late change, the matchup was contested at welterweight.[8] Despite being a heavy underdog, Barberena won the bout via choke[9] in the second round.[10]

In his fourth fight for the promotion, Barberena faced Warlley Alves at UFC 198. Once again a substantial underdog, Barberena won the fight by unanimous decision after withstanding the initial storm.[11]

Barberena next faced Colby Covington on December 17, 2016 at UFC on Fox 22.[12] He lost the fight by unanimous decision.[13]

Barberena next faced Joe Proctor on April 23, 2017 at .[14] He won the fight via TKO in the first round.[15]

Barberena faced Leon Edwards on September 2, 2017 at UFC Fight Night 115.[16] He lost the fight by unanimous decision.[17]

Barberena was expected to face Jake Ellenberger on June 1, 2018 at UFC Fight Night 131.[18] However, on March 23, 2018, Barberena pulled out due to injury.[19] The pairing was rescheduled and took place on August 25, 2018 at UFC Fight Night 135.[20] He won the fight via technical knockout in the first round.[21]

After having split his training at MMA Lab and Gym-O before Ellenberger fight, Barberena decided to move his camp entirely to Gym-O in Gastonia, North Carolina in order to be closer to his residence near Knoxville, Tennessee. Barberena faced Vicente Luque on February 17, 2019 at UFC on ESPN 1.[22] After a back-and-forth two rounds, he lost the fight via TKO late in the third round.[23] This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award.[24]

Barberena faced Randy Brown on June 22, 2019 at UFC Fight Night 154.[25] He lost the fight via TKO in the third round.[26]

Barberena faced Anthony Ivy on September 12, 2020 at UFC Fight Night 177.[27] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[28]

Barberena was expected to face Daniel Rodriguez on November 14, 2020 at .[29] However, Barberena underwent an emergency laparotomy a week before the event due to "internal bleeding from a couple ruptured arteries in his omentum" and was sidelined indefinitely.[30]

Barberena faced Jason Witt on July 31, 2021 at UFC on ESPN 28.[31] He lost the fight via majority decision.[32] This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award.[33]

Barberena was scheduled to face Matt Brown on December 4, 2021 at UFC on ESPN 31.[34] However, Brown forced out of the bout due to testing positive for Covid-19,[35] and he was replaced by Darian Weeks.[36] Barberena won the fight via unanimous decision.[37]

The bout against Brown was rescheduled and eventually took place on March 26, 2022 at UFC on ESPN 33.[38] Barberena won the back-and-forth bout via split decision.[39] The fight was awarded the Fight of the Night award.[40]

Barberena faced Robbie Lawler on July 2, 2022, at UFC 276.[41] He won the back-and-forth bout by TKO in the second round.[42] This fight earned him a Fight of the Night award.[43]

Barberena faced Rafael dos Anjos on December 3, 2022 at UFC on ESPN 42.[44] He lost via neck crank in the second round.[45]

Barbarena, as a replacement for Daniel Rodriguez, faced Gunnar Nelson on March 18, 2023, at UFC 286.[46] He lost the fight via an armbar submission in the first round.[47]

Barbarena faced Makhmud Muradov on July 22, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 224.[48] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[49]

Barberena faced Gerald Meerschaert on March 16, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 239.[50] He lost the bout by a rear-naked choke submission at the end of the second round.[51]

Barberena was released from the UFC on March 21, 2024.[52]

Personal life

Barberena and his wife Diana have three children.[53]

Championships and awards

Mixed martial arts record

|-|Loss|align=center|18–12|Gerald Meerschaert|Technical Submission (face crank)|||align=center|2|align=center|4:23|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Loss|align=center|18–11|Makhmud Muradov|Decision (unanimous)|||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|London, England||-|Loss|align=center|18–10|Gunnar Nelson|Submission (armbar)|UFC 286||align=center|1|align=center|4:51|London, England||-|Loss|align=center|18–9|Rafael dos Anjos|Submission (neck crank)|||align=center|2|align=center|3:20|Orlando, Florida, United States||-|Win|align=center|18–8|Robbie Lawler|TKO (punches)|UFC 276| |align=center|2|align=center|4:47|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Win|align=center|17–8|Matt Brown|Decision (split)|||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Columbus, Ohio, United States||-|Win|align=center|16–8|Darian Weeks|Decision (unanimous)|||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Loss|align=center|15–8|Jason Witt|Decision (majority)| ||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Win|align=center|15–7|Anthony Ivy|Decision (unanimous)|||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Loss|align=center|14–7|Randy Brown|TKO (punches)| ||align=center|3|align=center|2:54|Greenville, South Carolina, United States||-|Loss|align=center|14–6|Vicente Luque|TKO (knees and punches)| ||align=center|3|align=center|4:54|Phoenix, Arizona, United States| |-|Win|align=center|14–5|Jake Ellenberger|TKO (punches)| ||align=center|1|align=center|2:26|Lincoln, Nebraska, United States||-|Loss|align=center|13–5|Leon Edwards|Decision (unanimous)| ||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Rotterdam, Netherlands||-|Win|align=center|13–4|Joe Proctor|TKO (knees and punches)|||align=center|1|align=center|3:30|Nashville, Tennessee, United States||-|Loss|align=center|12–4|Colby Covington|Decision (unanimous)|||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Sacramento, California, United States||-|Win|align=center|12–3|Warlley Alves|Decision (unanimous)|UFC 198||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Curitiba, Brazil||-| Win| align=center|11–3| Sage Northcutt| Submission (arm-triangle choke)| | | align=center|2| align=center|3:06| Newark, New Jersey, United States||-| Loss| align=center|10–3| Chad Laprise| Decision (unanimous)| UFC 186| | align=center|3| align=center|5:00| Montreal, Quebec, Canada| |-| Win| align=center|10–2| Joe Ellenberger| TKO (punches)| | | align=center|3| align=center|3:24| Phoenix, Arizona, United States||-| Win| align=center|9–2| Eric Moon| TKO (punches)| KOTC: Radar Lock| | align=center|1| align=center|4:07| Scottsdale, Arizona, United States||-| Win| align=center|8–2| Damien Hill| Submission (rear-naked choke)| Dakota FC 17: Winter Brawl 2014| | align=center|3| align=center|2:17| Fargo, North Dakota, United States||-| Win| align=center|7–2| Marcos Marquez| TKO (punches)| Dakota FC 16: Fall Brawl 2013| | align=center|3| align=center|3:43| Fargo, North Dakota, United States||-| Win| align=center|6–2| Dane Sayers| Decision (unanimous)| Dakota FC 13: Coming Home| | align=center|5| align=center|5:00| Grand Forks, North Dakota, United States||-| Win| align=center|5–2| Vernon Harrison| TKO (punches)| Crowbar MMA: Rumble at the Fair| | align=center|2| align=center|4:00| Grand Forks, North Dakota, United States||-|Win| align=center|4–2| Garrett Olson| TKO (punches)| KOTC: Mainstream| | align=center|2| align=center|4:24| Morton, Minnesota, United States||-| Loss| align=center|3–2| Tyler Klejeski| Decision (unanimous)| Cage Fighting Xtreme| | align=center|3| align=center|5:00| Red Lake, Minnesota, United States||-| Win| align=center|3–1| David Barnett| KO (punches)| KOTC: Uppercut| | align=center| 1| align=center| 2:25| Laughlin, Nevada United States||-| Loss| align=center|2–1| Derek Smith| Submission (armbar)| KOTC: Offensive Strategy| | align=center| 3| align=center| 2:55| Walker, Minnesota, United States| |-| Win| align=center|2–0| Dave Alvarez| TKO (punches)| The Cage Inc.: Battle at the Border 3| | align=center| 2| align=center| 1:41| Hankinson, North Dakota, United States||-| Win| align=center|1–0| Dirk Thiedeman| KO (punches)| Dakota FC 12| | align=center| 1| align=center| 2:20| Fargo, North Dakota, United States|

Amateur mixed martial arts record

| Win| align=center|1–0| Brandon Rossbach| Decision (unanimous)| KOTC: Turmoil| | align=center| 3| align=center| 3:00| Walker, Minnesota, United States|[56]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Bryan Barberena talks insane battle with Vicente Luque, 'Baby Shark' entrance. Alexander K. Lee. mmafighting.com. February 24, 2019.
  2. Web site: Bryan Barberena UFC. UFC.com. March 27, 2022.
  3. Web site: Simon. Zane. News Welcome to the UFC Dwyer, O'Reilly, Holohan, and Barberena. Bloodyelbow.com. Vox Media, Inc.. 19 February 2016.
  4. Web site: UFC on Fox 13 results: Bryan Barberena batters, breaks Joe Ellenberger. mmajunkie.com. Ben Fowlkes. 2014-12-13. 2014-12-13.
  5. Web site: UFC 186 results: Chad Laprise outstrikes, outworks Bryan Barberena for decision. mmajunkie.com. Ben Fowlkes. April 25, 2015. April 25, 2015.
  6. Web site: UFC 186 bonuses: Yeah, duh – Demetrious Johnson got $50,000 for that craziness. mmajunkie.com. Matt Erickson. 2015-04-26. 2015-04-26.
  7. Web site: Andrew Holbrook out, Bryan Barberena meets Sage Northcutt at UFC on Fox 18. mmajunkie.com. 2016-01-22.
  8. Web site: Sage Northcutt gets new opponent & weight class at UFC on Fox 18. mmafighting.com. 2016-01-22.
  9. Web site: Rener Gracie explains why Sage Northcutt's tap wasn't so hasty. punditarena.com. Seamus Raftery. 2016-06-06. 2016-02-02. 2016-12-20. https://web.archive.org/web/20161220074104/http://www.punditarena.com/mmaufc/sraftery/video-rener-gracie-explains-why-sage-northcutts-tap-wasnt-so-hasty/. dead.
  10. Web site: UFC on Fox 18 results: Bryan Barberena slows Sage Northcutt hype with submission win. mmajunkie.com. Steven Marrocco. 2016-01-30. 2016-01-30.
  11. Web site: UFC 198 results: Bryan Barberena edges Warlley Alves by decision in grueling battle. mmajunkie.com. Brent Brookhouse. 2016-05-14. 2016-05-14.
  12. Web site: Bryan Barberena and Colby Covington set to meet at December's UFC on Fox 22. mmajunkie.com. Staff. 2016-10-17. 2016-10-17.
  13. Web site: UFC on Fox 22 results: Colby Covington smothers Bryan Barberena to take decision win. Brent Brookhouse. mmajunkie.com. 2016-12-17. 2016-12-17.
  14. Web site: Bryan Barberena vs. Joe Proctor set for UFC Fight Night 108 in Nashville. mmajunkie.com. Staff. 2017-03-03. 2017-03-03.
  15. Web site: UFC Fight Night 108 results: Bryan Barberena draws Joe Proctor into brawl, wins by TKO. mmajunkie.com. Ben Fowlkes. 2017-04-22. 2017-04-22.
  16. Web site: Bryan Barberena-Leon Edwards welterweight tilt joins Sept. 2 UFC Fight Night 115 in Rotterdam. sherdog.com. Jordan Breen. 2017-07-03. 2017-07-03.
  17. News: UFC-Rotterdam results: Leon Edwards survives knockdown, works to decision over Bryan Barberena. 2017-09-02. MMAjunkie. 2017-09-03. en-US.
  18. Web site: Jake Ellenberger meets Bryan Barberena at UFC Utica. mmafighting.com. Alexander K. Lee. 2018-03-20. 2018-03-20.
  19. News: Bryan Barberena injured; new UFC Fight Night 131 opponent sought for Jake Ellenberger. 2018-03-23. MMAjunkie. 2018-03-24. en-US.
  20. Web site: Bryan Barberena announces UFC Lincoln bout with Jake Ellenberger. Staff. mmajunkie.com. 2018-07-18. 2018-07-18.
  21. News: UFC Fight Night 135 results: Bryan Barberena stops Jake Ellenberger, who retires after loss. 2018-08-26. MMAjunkie. 2018-08-26. en-US.
  22. Web site: Vicente Luque faces Bryan Barberena at UFC Fight Night Phoenix. Tees. David. fightful.com. en-US. 2018-12-15.
  23. Web site: UFC on ESPN 1 results: Vicente Luque stops Bryan Barberena with six seconds left in epic brawl. 2019-02-18. MMAjunkie. en. 2019-02-18.
  24. Web site: UFC Phoenix Bonuses! Luque, Barberena Battle it Out For $50K Each. Hiergesell. Dan. 2019-02-18. MMAmania.com. 2019-02-18.
  25. Web site: Bryan Barberena makes an appearance against Randy Brown during UFC Greenville. Marcel Dorff. mmadnanl.com. 2019-04-30. 2019-04-30. nl.
  26. Web site: UFC Greenville Results: Randy Brown Beats the Odds and Finishes Bryan Barberena. McClory. Mike. 2019-06-22. Cageside Press. en-US. 2019-06-23.
  27. Web site: DNA. MMA. 2020-08-08. BREAKING: Bryan Barberena treft Anthony Ivy op 12 september tijdens UFC evenement in Las Vegas. 2020-08-08. MMA DNA. en-US.
  28. Web site: Doherty. Dan. 2020-09-12. UFC Vegas 10 Results: Bryan Barberena Wins Grueling Fight Against Anthony Ivy. 2020-09-12. Cageside Press. en-US.
  29. Web site: Bryan Barberena meets Daniel Rodriguez on November 14 in Las Vegas. mmadna.nl. Staff. 2020-10-28. 2020-10-28.
  30. Web site: Bryan Barberena undergoes emergency surgery, out of Nov. 14 UFC Fight Night bout. mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Staff. 2020-11-07. 2020-11-07.
  31. Web site: DNA. MMA. 2021-05-08. BREAKING: Bryan Barberena vs. Jason Witt toegevoegd aan UFC evenement op 31 juli. 2021-05-09. MMA DNA. en-US.
  32. Web site: Gibbons. Justin. 2021-07-31. UFC Vegas 33 Results: Jason Witt Gets by Bryan Barberena Via Majority Decision. 2021-08-01. Cageside Press. en-US.
  33. Web site: 2021-08-01. UFC on ESPN 28 bonuses: Melsik Baghdasaryan's head-kick statement worth $50,000. 2021-08-01. MMA Junkie. en-US.
  34. Web site: Dorff. Marcel. 2021-09-21. Bryan Barberena vs. Matt Brown toegevoegd aan UFC evenement op 4 december. 2021-09-21. MMA DNA. en-US.
  35. Web site: Martin. Damon. 2021-11-23. Matt Brown forced out of UFC Vegas 44 fight against Bryan Barberena after positive COVID-19 test. 2021-11-24. MMA Fighting. en.
  36. Web site: Behunin. Alex. 2021-11-30. Darian Weeks to Face Bryan Barberena This Weekend At UFC Vegas 44. 2021-11-30. Cageside Press. en-US.
  37. Web site: Bitter. Shawn. 2021-12-04. UFC Vegas 44: Bryan Barberena Takes Decision Over Debuting Darian Weeks. 2021-12-05. Cageside Press. en-US.
  38. Web site: Holland. Jesse. 2022-01-06. Matt Brown vs Bryan Barberena rebooked for UFC Columbus on March 26. 2022-01-07. MMAmania.com. en.
  39. Web site: Anderson . Jay . 2022-03-26 . UFC Columbus: Bryan Barberena Slugs It Out with Matt Brown, Wins Split Decision . 2022-03-27 . Cageside Press . en-US.
  40. Web site: 2022-03-27 . UFC on ESPN 33 bonuses: Matt Brown, Bryan Barberena rewarded for all-out brawl . 2022-03-27 . MMA Junkie . en-US.
  41. Web site: Mike Heck . 2022-05-03 . Robbie Lawler returns to face Bryan Barberena at UFC 276 . 2022-05-03 . mmafighting.com.
  42. Web site: Doherty . Dan . 2022-07-02 . UFC 276: Bryan Barberena Stops Robbie Lawler in Slugfest . 2022-07-03 . Cageside Press . en-US.
  43. Web site: UFC 276 bonuses: Bryan Barberena and Robbie Lawler brawl wins Fight of the Night, three fast finishes rewarded. mmafighting.com. Alexander K. Lee. 2022-07-02. 2022-07-02.
  44. Web site: UFC: Rafael dos Anjos volta aos meio-médios e encara Barberena . 2022-09-29 . ge . pt-br.
  45. Web site: UFC on ESPN 42 results: Rafael dos Anjos gets submission win, tells Conor McGregor to 'clean his body' for July showdown. 2022-12-04. MMA Junkie . English.
  46. Web site: Tkaczuk . Michał . 2023-02-22 . Bryan Barberena wchodzi na zastępstwo, aby zawalczyć z Gunnarem Nelsonem na UFC 286 MMAROCKS . 2023-02-24 . MMA Rocks! . pl-PL.
  47. Web site: Martin . Damon . 2023-03-18 . UFC 286 results: Gunnar Nelson taps out Bryan Barberena with lightning quick armbar submission . 2023-03-19 . MMA Fighting . en.
  48. Web site: Tkaczuk . Michał . 2023-05-14 . Zawodnik Ankosu, Makhmud Muradov, zawalczy z Bryanem Barbereną na UFC w Londynie MMAROCKS . 2023-05-14 . MMA Rocks! . en-us.
  49. Web site: Dewar . Val . 2023-07-22 . UFC London: Head Clashes Abound, but Makhmud Muradov Takes Three Rounds Over Bryan Barberena . 2023-08-04 . Cageside Press . en-US.
  50. Web site: Martin . Damon . 2024-01-23 . Ovince Saint Preux vs. Kennedy Nzechukwu among new additions to UFC Fight Night card on March 16 . 2024-01-24 . MMA Fighting . en.
  51. Web site: Dewar . Val . 2024-03-16 . UFC Vegas 88: Gerald Meerschaert Ties 'Spider' for Most MW Finishes, Submits Bryan Barberena . 2024-03-16 . Cageside Press . en-US.
  52. Web site: Richardson . Andrew . 2024-03-22 . Midnight Mania: The Second Roster Purge This Month! . 2024-03-22 . MMAmania.com . en.
  53. Web site: Bryan Barberena Is Rejuvenated And Ready For His Run. September 9, 2020. Ultimate Fighting Championship. Gavin Porter.
  54. Web site: UFC Phoenix Bonuses! Luque, Barberena Battle it Out For $50K Each. Hiergesell. Dan. 2019-02-18. MMAmania.com. 2019-02-18.
  55. Web site: MMAjunkie's 'Fight of the Month' for February: Could this winner hold up all year?. February 28, 2019. mmajunkie.com.
  56. Web site: Bryan. Sherdog.com. Sherdog. 2018-12-02.

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