Miguel Baeza Explained

Miguel Baeza
Other Names:Caramel Thunder
Birth Date:23 August 1992
Birth Place:Davie, Florida, U.S.
Weight:170 lb
Weight Class:Welterweight (2016–present)
Lightweight (2015)
Reach:74 in [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
Mma Kowin:7
Mma Subwin:1
Mma Decwin:2
Mma Koloss:2
Mma Decloss:2
Sherdog:231403

Miguel Baeza (born August 23, 1992) is an American mixed martial artist who competed in the Welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

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.

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 .[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 .[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]

On July 30, 2024, it was reported that Baeza was removed from the UFC roster.[25]

Professional grappling career

Baeza was due to face Neil Magny at Fury Pro Grappling 9 on April 4, 2024.[26] Magny withdrew on short notice and was replaced by Guilherme Neves. Baeza won the match by submission with an armbar.[27]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts record

|-|Loss|align=center|10–4|Punahele Soriano|Decision (unanimous)| | |align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Louisville, Kentucky, United States||-|Loss|align=center|10–3|André Fialho|TKO (punches)| ||align=center|1|align=center|4:39|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Loss|align=center|10–2|Khaos Williams|TKO (punches)|||align=center|3|align=center|1:02|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Loss|align=center|10–1|Santiago Ponzinibbio|Decision (unanimous)|||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Win|align=center|10–0|Takashi Sato|Submission (arm-triangle choke)|||align=center|2|align=center|4:28|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Win|align=center|9–0|Matt Brown|TKO (punches)|||align=center|2|align=center|0:18|Jacksonville, Florida, United States||-|Win|align=center|8–0|Hector Aldana|TKO (leg kick and elbows)| ||align=center|2|align=center|2:32|Tampa, Florida, United States||-|Win|align=center|7–0|Victor Reyna|Decision (unanimous)|Dana White's Contender Series 18||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Win|align=center|6–0|Matthew Colquhoun|KO (punches)|XFN 22||align=center|1|align=center|3:31|Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, United States| |-|Win|align=center|5–0|Leo Valdivia|Decision (split)|Fight Time 37||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, United States| |-|Win|align=center|4–0|Augustus D'Angelo|TKO (pucnhes)|Fight Time 36||align=center|2|align=center|1:14|Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, United States||-|Win|align=center|3–0|Mike D'Angelo|KO (punches)|Fight Time 33||align=center|1|align=center|3:48|Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, United States||-|Win|align=center|2–0|Emre Orun|KO (punch)|Titan FC 40||align=center|1|align=center|1:45|Coral Gables, Florida, United States||-|Win|align=center|1–0|John McDonald|TKO (punches)|Rings of Dreams: Fight Night 17||align=center|1|align=center|1:21|Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States|[29]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Stats UFC. 2020-10-04. ufcstats.com.
  2. Web site: UFC Jacksonville: Miguel Baeza KOs Matt Brown, stays unbeaten. fansided.com. Thomas Albano. May 17, 2020. August 30, 2020.
  3. Web site: UFC SIGNS MILES JOHNS, MIGUEL BAEZA AFTER EPISODE 2 OF DANA WHITE'S CONTENDER SERIES. Brian Knapp. Sherdog.com. June 25, 2019.
  4. Web site: Miguel Baeza Gets TKO Victory Over Hector Aldana. BloodyCanvas.net. Jon Realejo. October 13, 2019.
  5. Web site: Matt Brown vs. Miguel Baeza Results and News - UFC FIGHT NIGHT: Overeem vs. Harris - MMA Fighting. www.mmafighting.com. 2020-08-30.
  6. Web site: UFC on ESPN 8 bonuses: Yadong-Vera war takes 'Fight of Night' honors. MMAJunkie.com. August 30, 2020.
  7. Web site: Miguel Baeza vs. Mickey Gall targeted for UFC event on Sept. 19. Mike Heck, Guillherme Cruz. August 28, 2020. August 30, 2020. MMAFighting.com.
  8. Web site: Mickey Gall injured, out of fight with Miguel Baeza at UFC Vegas 11. mmafighting.com. Mike Heck. 2020-09-11. 2020-09-12.
  9. Web site: Miguel Baeza now fights Jeremiah Wells at UFC on ESPN+ 36. mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Dave Doyle. 2020-09-15. 2020-09-15.
  10. Web site: Miguel Baeza vs. Jeremiah Wells removed from UFC on ESPN+ 36. mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Danny Segura. 2020-09-17. 2020-09-17.
  11. Web site: DNA. MMA. 2020-11-07. BREAKING: Miguel Baeza vs. Takashi Sato toegevoegd aan UFC evenement op 28 november. 2020-11-07. MMA DNA. en-US.
  12. Web site: McClory. Mike. 2020-11-28. UFC Vegas 15 Results: Miguel Baeza Earns Another Finish with Sub of Takashi Sato. 2020-11-28. cagesidepress. en-US.
  13. Web site: UFC Vegas 15 post-fight bonuses: Smith nabs POTN for first round triangle. bloodyelbow.com. Stephie Haynes. 2020-11-29. 2020-11-29.
  14. Web site: DNA. MMA. 2021-04-15. Santiago Ponzinibbio vs. Miguel Baeza toegevoegd aan UFC evenement op 5 juni. 2021-04-16. MMA DNA. en-US.
  15. Web site: Anderson. Jay. 2021-06-05. UFC Vegas 28 Results: Santiago Ponzinibbio Survives Miguel Baeza's Early Storm, Battles Back. 2021-06-06. Cageside Press. en-US.
  16. Web site: Marrocco. Steven. 2021-06-05. UFC Vegas 28 bonuses: Santiago Ponzinibbio, Miguel Baeza get $50k each for ‘Fight of the Year’ candidate. 2021-06-06. MMA Fighting. en.
  17. Web site: Heck. Mike. 2021-10-15. Miguel Baeza vs. Khaos Williams set for UFC event on Nov. 13. 2021-10-16. MMA Fighting. en.
  18. Web site: Anderson. Jay. 2021-11-13. UFC Vegas 42: Khaos Williams Earns Third Round KO Over Miguel Baeza. 2021-11-13. Cageside Press. en-US.
  19. Web site: 2022-01-18. Baeza en Lima treffen elkaar op 16 april. 2022-01-18. Eurosport. nl.
  20. Web site: 2022-02-09. UFC veteran, 'TUF' finalist Dhiego Lima announces MMA retirement. 2022-02-10. MMA Junkie. en-US.
  21. Web site: 2022-02-25. UFC Vegas 51 Fialho fills in against Baeza on April 16. 2022-02-25. Eurosport. Dorff Marcellanguage=nl.
  22. Web site: Anderson . Jay . 2022-04-16 . UFC Vegas 51: Andre Fialho Rocks, Drops Miguel Baeza for First UFC Win . 2022-04-17 . Cageside Press . en-US.
  23. Web site: Heck . Mike . 2024-04-11 . Punahele Soriano moves to 170, welcomes Miguel Baeza back at June 8 UFC event . 2024-04-12 . MMA Fighting . en.
  24. Web site: Anderson . Jay . 2024-06-09 . UFC Louisville: Punahele Soriano Overpowers Miguel Baeza in 170lb Debut . 2024-06-09 . Cageside Press . en-US.
  25. Web site: Jul 30, 2024 . ❌ Fighter removed: Miguel Baeza. Jul 30, 2024. UFCRosterTracker.
  26. Web site: Rogers . Kian . Lineup Full Of MMA Stars Announced For Fury Pro Grappling 9 . Jitsmagazine . 23 March 2024.
  27. Web site: Fury Pro Grappling 9 Full Results And Review . Jitsmagazine . 5 April 2024.
  28. Web site: MMA Junkie's 'Fight of the Month' for June: A welterweight war. Mike Bohn. July 5, 2021. MMAjunkie.com.
  29. Web site: Sherdog.com. Miguel Baeza. 2020-08-07. Sherdog.