Bryan Barberena

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.

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.

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.

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

In his third fight for the promotion, Barberena filled in as a short notice replacement for Andrew Holbrook against Sage Northcutt at UFC on Fox: Johnson vs. Bader. With the late change, the matchup was contested at welterweight. Despite being a heavy underdog, Barberena won the bout via choke in the second round.

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.

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

Barberena next faced Joe Proctor on April 23, 2017 at UFC Fight Night: Swanson vs. Lobov. He won the fight via TKO in the first round.

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

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

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. After a back-and-forth two rounds, he lost the fight via TKO late in the third round. This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award.

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

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

Barberena was expected to face Daniel Rodriguez on November 14, 2020 at UFC Fight Night: Felder vs. dos Anjos. 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Personal life
Barberena and his wife Diana have three children.

Championships and awards

 * Ultimate Fighting Championship
 * Fight of the Night (Five times) vs. Chad Laprise, Vicente Luque, Jason Witt, Matt Brown, and Robbie Lawler
 * MMAJunkie.com
 * 2019 February Fight of the Month vs. Vicente Luque