John Castañeda

John Castañeda (born December 18, 1991) is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A professional competitor since 2012, he formerly competed for Combate Global.

Background
Castañeda was born in Dallas, Texas. At four, he relocated to Minnesota, where he currently resides. During his freshman year of college, he wrestled for the Minnesota State Mavericks. In 2013, Castañeda graduated from Minnesota State University, Mankato. He double-majored in criminal justice and Spanish with a minor in social work.

Early career
Castañeda went 15–1 in amateur competition, and racked a professional record of 7–2 in the regional circuit of Minnesota before signing with Combate Americas. In Combate Americas, Castañeda amassed four straight victories which led to a shot at the inaugural Combate Americas Bantamweight Championship. Castañeda faced Gustavo Lopez at Combate Americas - Empire Rising on October 14, 2016, with the bout being originally being for the championship, however Castañeda missed weight, coming in at 137.5 lbs. He won the bout via fourth-round knockout.

Castañeda was cut from Combate Americas after he refused the rematch against Gustavo Lopez, however he later returned to the promotion, defeating Chris Beal via TKO in the second round at Combate Americas 14.

Dana White's Contender Series
Having racked up a record of 13–2, Castañeda was invited to compete at Dana White's Contender Series 5, facing Cheyden Leialoha. He won the bout via unanimous decision, but was not awarded with a contract to the UFC.

Return to Combate
On October 26, 2017, it was announced that Castañeda would participate in Combate Americas' Copa Combate 2017 one-night tournament that took place on November 11, 2017. In the quarterfinals Castañeda faced Kevin Moreyra, winning by first-round submission. Advancing to the semifinals, he defeated Marc Gomez by unanimous decision. In the tournament final Castañeda faced Levy Marroquín, losing the bout via unanimous decision.

Castañeda was expected to headline Combate Americas Mexico vs. USA against Érik Pérez on October 13, 2018, but the bout was postponed to a later date because Castañeda caught staph infection.

After the tournament, Castañeda went on to lose one and win one bout in Combate Americas before being signed to the UFC on short notice.

Ultimate Fighting Championship
Replacing the mourning Umar Nurmagomedov on short notice on July 26, 2020, Castañeda made his UFC debut against Nathaniel Wood at UFC on ESPN 14. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Castañeda faced Eddie Wineland on February 20, 2021 at UFC Fight Night 185. He won the fight via first round technical knockout.

Castañeda faced Miles Johns on February 5, 2022 at UFC Fight Night: Hermansson vs. Strickland. He won the fight via third round technical submission.

As the last bout of his initial UFC contract, Castañeda faced Daniel Santos on October 1, 2022 at UFC Fight Night 211. He lost the bout in the second round, getting knocked out with a knee. This bout earned the Fight of the Night award.

As the first fight of his new four-fight contract, Castañeda was scheduled to face Mateus Mendonça on June 3, 2023, at UFC on ESPN 46. However, Mendonça withdrew from the bout and was replaced by Muin Gafurov. Castañeda won the fight by unanimous decision.

Castañeda faced Kang Kyung-ho on November 18, 2023 at UFC 295. He won the bout via unanimous decision.

Castañeda faced Daniel Marcos on June 8, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 57. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Mixed martial arts

 * Ultimate Fighting Championship
 * Fight of the Night (One time) vs. Daniel Santos

Mixed martial arts record

 * Loss
 * align=center|21–7
 * Daniel Marcos
 * Decision (unanimous)
 * UFC on ESPN: Cannonier vs. Imavov
 * June 8 2024
 * align=center|3
 * align=center|5:00
 * Louisville, Kentucky, United States
 * Win
 * align=center|21–6
 * Kang Kyung-ho
 * Decision (unanimous)
 * UFC 295
 * November 11 2023
 * align=center|3
 * align=center|5:00
 * New York City, New York, United States
 * Catchweight (138 lb) bout.
 * Win
 * align=center|20–6
 * Muin Gafurov
 * Decision (unanimous)
 * UFC on ESPN: Kara-France vs. Albazi
 * June 03 2023
 * align=center|3
 * align=center|5:00
 * Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
 * Gafurov was deducted 1 point in round 2 due to repeatedly leading with the head.
 * Loss
 * align=center|19–6
 * Daniel Santos
 * KO (punches and knee)
 * UFC Fight Night: Dern vs. Yan
 * October 1 2022
 * align=center|2
 * align=center|4:28
 * Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
 * Catchweight (140 lb) bout. Fight of the Night.
 * Win
 * align=center|19–5
 * Miles Johns
 * Technical Submission (arm-triangle choke)
 * UFC Fight Night: Hermansson vs. Strickland
 * February 5 2022
 * align=center|3
 * align=center|1:38
 * Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
 * Johns tested positive for adderall.
 * Win
 * align=center|18–5
 * Eddie Wineland
 * TKO (punches)
 * UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Lewis
 * February 20 2021
 * align=center|1
 * align=center|4:44
 * Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
 * Loss
 * align=center|17–5
 * Nathaniel Wood
 * Decision (unanimous)
 * UFC on ESPN: Whittaker vs. Till
 * July 26 2020
 * align=center|3
 * align=center|5:00
 * Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
 * Win
 * align=center|17–4
 * Marcelo Rojo
 * Submission (arm-triangle choke)
 * Combate Americas 35
 * April 12 2019
 * align=center|3
 * align=center|2:37
 * Monterrey, Mexico
 * Catchweight (138.5 lb) bout; Castañeda missed weight.
 * Loss
 * align=center|16–4
 * José Alday
 * Decision (split)
 * Combate Americas 20
 * April 13 2018
 * align=center|3
 * align=center|5:00
 * Los Angeles, California, United States
 * Loss
 * align=center|16–3
 * Levy Marroquín
 * Decision (unanimous)
 * rowspan=3|Combate Americas 18: Copa Combate
 * rowspan=3|November 11 2017
 * align=center|3
 * align=center|3:00
 * rowspan=3|Cancún, Mexico
 * Lost the Copa Combate 2017.
 * Win
 * align=center|16–2
 * Marc Gomez
 * Decision (unanimous)
 * align=center|3
 * align=center|3:00
 * Copa Combate 2017 Semifinal.
 * Win
 * align=center|15–2
 * Kevin Moreyra
 * Submission (rear-naked choke)
 * align=center|1
 * align=center|4:52
 * Copa Combate 2017 Quarterfinal.
 * Win
 * align=center|14–2
 * Cheyden Leialoha
 * Decision (unanimous)
 * Dana White's Contender Series 4
 * August 1 2017
 * align=center|3
 * align=center|5:00
 * Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
 * Win
 * align=center|13–2
 * Chris Beal
 * TKO (punches)
 * Combate Americas 14
 * May 5 2017
 * align=center|2
 * align=center|0:42
 * Ventura, California, United States
 * Win
 * align=center|12–2
 * Gustavo Lopez
 * TKO (punches)
 * Combate Americas 9
 * October 14 2016
 * align=center|4
 * align=center|2:24
 * Verona, New York, United States
 * For the vacant CAMMA Bantamweight Championship. Castañeda missed weight (137.5 lb) and was ineligible to win the title.
 * Win
 * align=center|11–2
 * Angel Cruz
 * TKO (punches)
 * Combate Americas 8
 * August 11 2016
 * align=center|2
 * align=center|2:25
 * Los Angeles, California, United States
 * Featherweight bout.
 * Win
 * align=center|10–2
 * Gabriel Solorio
 * Decision (split)
 * Combate Americas 6
 * April 25 2016
 * align=center|3
 * align=center|5:00
 * Los Angeles, California, United States
 * Featherweight bout.
 * Win
 * align=center|9–2
 * Federico Lopez
 * Submission (arm-triangle choke)
 * Combate Americas: Road to the Championship 2
 * December 16 2015
 * align=center|3
 * align=center|4:49
 * Los Angeles, California, United States
 * Catchweight (140 lb) bout.
 * Win
 * align=center|8–2
 * Justin Governale
 * Decision (unanimous)
 * Combate Americas: Road to the Championship 1
 * September 17 2015
 * align=center|3
 * align=center|5:00
 * Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
 * Catchweight (140 lb) bout.
 * Win
 * align=center|7–2
 * Joe Pearson
 * TKO (punches)
 * KOTC: Power Surge
 * August 22 2015
 * align=center|1
 * align=center|2:47
 * Carlton, Minnesota, United States
 * Win
 * align=center|6–2
 * Pedro Velasco
 * Submission (rear-naked choke)
 * KOTC: Total Dominance
 * May 16 2015
 * align=center|1
 * align=center|2:42
 * Carlton, Minnesota, United States
 * Loss
 * align=center|5–2
 * Matt Brown
 * Decision (split)
 * RFA 19: Checco vs. Collier
 * October 10 2014
 * align=center|3
 * align=center|5:00
 * Prior Lake, Minnesota, United States
 * Win
 * align=center|5–1
 * Ruddy Gray
 * TKO (punches)
 * Driller Promotions: Live MMA at 7 Clans Casino
 * July 26 2014
 * align=center|2
 * align=center|3:17
 * River Falls, Minnesota, United States
 * Catchweight (140 lb) bout.
 * Loss
 * align=center|4–1
 * Matt Brown
 * TKO (punches)
 * Driller Promotions: Mecca 5
 * May 31 2014
 * align=center|1
 * align=center|2:22
 * Prior Lake, Minnesota, United States
 * For the Driller Promotions Bantamweight Championship.
 * Win
 * align=center|4–0
 * Derrick Mandell
 * Decision (unanimous)
 * Driller Promotions / SEG: Caged Chaos at Canterbury Park 5
 * February 22 2014
 * align=center|3
 * align=center|5:00
 * Shakopee, Minnesota, United States
 * Bantamweight bout.
 * Win
 * align=center|3–0
 * Adam Schumacher
 * TKO (submission to punches)
 * Driller Promotions: Mecca 2
 * November 2 2013
 * align=center|1
 * align=center|3:32
 * Prior Lake, Minnesota, United States
 * Win
 * align=center|2–0
 * Bruce Johnson
 * Submission (rear-naked choke)
 * Driller Promotions / SEG: Downtown Showdown 12
 * January 26 2013
 * align=center|1
 * align=center|2:32
 * Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
 * Catchweight (165 lb) bout.
 * Win
 * align=center|1–0
 * Brandon Abrego
 * KO (punch)
 * Driller Promotions / SEG: Caged Chaos
 * September 22 2012
 * align=center|1
 * align=center|0:36
 * Shakopee, Minnesota, United States
 * Lightweight debut.
 * }
 * align=center|3
 * align=center|5:00
 * Shakopee, Minnesota, United States
 * Bantamweight bout.
 * Win
 * align=center|3–0
 * Adam Schumacher
 * TKO (submission to punches)
 * Driller Promotions: Mecca 2
 * November 2 2013
 * align=center|1
 * align=center|3:32
 * Prior Lake, Minnesota, United States
 * Win
 * align=center|2–0
 * Bruce Johnson
 * Submission (rear-naked choke)
 * Driller Promotions / SEG: Downtown Showdown 12
 * January 26 2013
 * align=center|1
 * align=center|2:32
 * Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
 * Catchweight (165 lb) bout.
 * Win
 * align=center|1–0
 * Brandon Abrego
 * KO (punch)
 * Driller Promotions / SEG: Caged Chaos
 * September 22 2012
 * align=center|1
 * align=center|0:36
 * Shakopee, Minnesota, United States
 * Lightweight debut.
 * }
 * align=center|0:36
 * Shakopee, Minnesota, United States
 * Lightweight debut.
 * }