Juan Archuleta
BornJuan Archuleta
(1987-09-13) September 13, 1987
Hesperia, California, U.S.
Other namesThe Spaniard
NationalityAmerican
Height5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)
Weight135 lb (61 kg; 9.6 st)
DivisionBantamweight
Featherweight
Lightweight
Light Welterweight
Reach69 in (175 cm)
StyleBoxing, Wrestling
Fighting out ofHesperia, California, United States
TeamThe Treigning Lab
Cobra Kai Victorville
RankPurple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Philipe Furão[1]
WrestlingNCAA Division I Wrestling[2]
Mixed martial arts record
Total34
Wins29
By knockout11
By submission1
By decision17
Losses5
By knockout2
By submission1
By decision2
UniversityPurdue University
SpouseJannai
Notable school(s)Sultana High School
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Juan Archuleta (born September 13, 1987) is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the bantamweight divisions of Bellator MMA and Rizin Fighting Federation, where in the latter promotion, he is the former Rizin Bantamweight Champion. A professional MMA competitor since 2013, he has also previously fought for King of the Cage and the World Series of Fighting. Archuleta is also a former Bellator Bantamweight World Champion.

As of July 26, 2022, he is ranked #3 in the Bellator Bantamweight Rankings.[3]

Background

Archuleta was born in Hesperia, California, to parents of Spanish and Mexican descent. Archuleta's background is in amateur wrestling. In high school, he was a state championship qualifier at Sultana High School. He moved on to Sacramento City College where he became a junior college All-American, and finally he transferred to Purdue University where he wrestled at the NCAA Division I level.[4] In January 2021, he was promoted to purple belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu by his teacher Philipe Furão.[1]

Mixed martial arts career

King of the Cage

After going 12–1 on the regional circuit, Archuleta then began fighting for the King of the Cage promotion. In his first fight with the promotion, Archuleta claimed the KOTC featherweight title when he finished former UFC fighter Chris Tickle in the second round via technical knockout. Archuleta also went on to become KOTC bantamweight, lightweight, and light welterweight champion.

Bellator MMA

After a successful run in King of the Cage, Archuleta signed with Bellator MMA. He made his promotional debut at Bellator 195 against William Joplin. He won the bout via unanimous decision.[5]

His next bout came against Robbie Peralta at Bellator 201 on June 29, 2018. He won the bout via knockout in the third round.[6]

Archuleta next faced Jeremy Spoon at Bellator 210 on November 30, 2018. He won via unanimous decision.[7]

Archuleta's next bout took place on January 26, 2019, against Ricky Bandejas at Bellator 214. He won via unanimous decision.[8]

In his next bout, Archuleta faced former Bellator Bantamweight World Champion Eduardo Dantas at Bellator 222 on June 14, 2019. Archuleta was victorious via knockout at 4:59 of round 2.[9]

For his next fight, Archuleta entered the Bellator Featherweight World Grand Prix and in the opening round, he received a Featherweight title shot against champion Patrício Freire at Bellator 228 on September 28, 2019. He lost via unanimous decision.[10]

Archuleta then faced Henry Corrales at Bellator 238 on January 25, 2020. He was victorious via unanimous decision.[11]

Bellator MMA Bantamweight World Champion

Archuleta returned to the bantamweight division to face Patchy Mix for the vacant Bellator Bantamweight World Championship on September 12, 2020, at Bellator 246. He won the bout via unanimous decision to become Bellator Bantamweight world champion.[12]

Archuleta made his first title defense against Sergio Pettis at Bellator 258 on May 7, 2021.[13] He lost the bout and the title via unanimous decision.[14]

Bellator Bantamweight World Grand Prix

Archuleta, replacing the injured Sergio Pettis, faced Raufeon Stots for the Interim Bellator Bantamweight World Championship on April 23, 2022, at Bellator 279.[15] Archuleta lost the bout after getting knocked out by a head kick and then finished on the ground with elbows at the beginning of the third round.[16]

Post Grand Prix; Rizin FF

Archuleta faced Enrique Barzola on October 1, 2022, at Bellator 286.[17] At weigh ins, the bout was moved to a catchweight of 141 pounds.[18] In a fast paced bout, Archuleta won the bout via unanimous decision.[19]

Archuleta faced former Road FC and ONE Championship Bantamweight Champion Soo Chul Kim at Bellator MMA vs. Rizin on December 31, 2022.[20] In a close back and forth bout, Archuleta came out of it with a split decision victory.[21]

Archuleta was booked to face Naoki Inoue at Rizin 42 on May 6, 2023.[22] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[23]

Rizin Bantamweight World Champion

Archuleta was next expected to face former Rizin Bantamweight Champion Kai Asakura for the vacant Rizin Bantamweight Championship as part of the Bellator MMA x Rizin 2 card on July 30, 2023.[24] However on July 18 it was announced that Asakura withdrew due to injury and was replaced by Hiromasa Ougikubo.[25] Archuleta won the bout via unanimous decision.[26]

For his first title defense, Archuleta faced Kai Asakura on December 31, 2023, at Rizin 45.[27] At the weigh-ins, Archuleta weighed in at 140.65 pounds, 5.65 pounds over the limit. As a result, Archuleta was stripped of the title and only Asakura was eligible to win it.[28] Archuleta lost the bout via TKO in the second round.[29]

Personal life

After being deemed academically ineligible to continue wrestling at Purdue University, Archuleta succumbed to alcohol addiction and crime. He eventually served a prison stint prior to becoming a mixed martial artist.[30]

Championships and awards

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
34 matches 29 wins 5 losses
By knockout 11 2
By submission 1 1
By decision 17 2
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 29–5 Kai Asakura TKO (knee to the body and punches) Rizin 45 December 31, 2023 2 3:20 Saitama, Japan For the vacant Rizin Bantamweight Championship. Archuleta missed weight (140.65 lb) and was stripped of the title. Only Asakura was eligible to win the title.
Win 29–4 Hiromasa Ougikubo Decision (unanimous) Super Rizin 2 July 30, 2023 3 5:00 Saitama, Japan Won the vacant Rizin Bantamweight Championship.
Win 28–4 Naoki Inoue Decision (unanimous) Rizin 42 May 6, 2023 3 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 27–4 Kim Soo-chul Decision (split) Bellator MMA vs. Rizin December 31, 2022 3 5:00 Saitama, Japan
Win 26–4 Enrique Barzola Decision (unanimous) Bellator 286 October 1, 2022 3 5:00 Long Beach, California, United States Catchweight (141 lb) bout.
Loss 25–4 Raufeon Stots KO (head kick and elbows) Bellator 279 April 23, 2022 3 0:16 Honolulu, Hawaii, United States Bellator Bantamweight World Grand Prix Quarterfinal. For the interim Bellator Bantamweight World Championship.
Loss 25–3 Sergio Pettis Decision (unanimous) Bellator 258 May 7, 2021 5 5:00 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Lost the Bellator Bantamweight World Championship.
Win 25–2 Patchy Mix Decision (unanimous) Bellator 246 September 12, 2020 5 5:00 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Return to Bantamweight. Won the vacant Bellator Bantamweight World Championship.
Win 24–2 Henry Corrales Decision (unanimous) Bellator 238 January 25, 2020 3 5:00 Inglewood, California, United States
Loss 23–2 Patrício Freire Decision (unanimous) Bellator 228 September 28, 2019 5 5:00 Inglewood, California, United States Bellator Featherweight World Grand Prix Opening Round. For the Bellator Featherweight World Championship.
Win 23–1 Eduardo Dantas KO (punch) Bellator 222 June 14, 2019 2 4:59 New York City, New York, United States
Win 22–1 Ricky Bandejas Decision (unanimous) Bellator 214 January 26, 2019 3 5:00 Inglewood, California, United States Bantamweight bout.
Win 21–1 Jeremy Spoon Decision (unanimous) Bellator 210 November 30, 2018 3 5:00 Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States
Win 20–1 Robbie Peralta KO (punches) Bellator 201 June 29, 2018 3 0:14 Temecula, California, United States
Win 19–1 William Joplin Decision (unanimous) Bellator 195 March 2, 2018 3 5:00 Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States
Win 18–1 Mark Dickman TKO (retirement) KOTC: Conquistadores December 3, 2017 4 5:00 Ontario, California, United States Defended the KOTC Featherweight Championship.
Win 17–1 Adel Altamimi TKO (punches) KOTC: Never Quit September 2, 2017 1 4:23 Ontario, California, United States Won the vacant KOTC Light Welterweight Championship.
Win 16–1 Vytautas Sadauskas Decision (unanimous) KOTC: Baltic Tour April 8, 2017 5 5:00 Kaunas, Lithuania Defended the KOTC Featherweight Championship.
Win 15–1 Brandon Hastings TKO (punches) KOTC: Supernova March 18, 2017 1 0:24 Ontario, California, United States Won the KOTC Lightweight Championship.
Win 14–1 Derrick Mandell Decision (unanimous) KOTC: Warranted Aggression December 18, 2016 5 5:00 Ontario, California, United States Won the KOTC Bantamweight Championship.
Win 13–1 Jay Bogan TKO (retirement) California Fight League 9 October 22, 2016 1 5:00 California, United States Won the vacant CFL Featherweight Championship.
Win 12–1 Jordan Griffin Decision (unanimous) KOTC: Destructive Intent July 23, 2016 5 5:00 Washington, Pennsylvania, United States Defended the KOTC Featherweight Championship.
Win 11–1 Chris Tickle TKO (punches) KOTC: Firefight June 4, 2016 2 0:41 San Jacinto, California, United States Won the KOTC Featherweight Championship.
Win 10–1 Emilio Chavez Decision (unanimous) SMASH Global 3 March 24, 2016 3 5:00 Los Angeles, California, United States
Win 9–1 Luis Guerra TKO (punches) Tru-Form Entertainment: No Fear January 23, 2016 3 2:39 Sullivan, Indiana, United States Featherweight debut. Won the vacant TFE Featherweight Championship.
Win 8–1 Andrew Natividiad Decision (unanimous) California Fight League 5 November 21, 2015 3 5:00 Fort Irwin, California, United States
Win 7–1 Alfred Khashakyan Decision (unanimous) Lights Out / Bash Entertainment Fight Night At Sportsmen's Lodge 4 October 23, 2015 3 5:00 Los Angeles, California, United States Return to Bantamweight.
Win 6–1 Alex Valdez Submission (Brabo choke) Gladiator Challenge: Collision Course October 10, 2015 3 0:13 Lincoln, California, United States Lightweight debut.
Loss 5–1 Andres Ponce Submission (triangle choke) WSOF 19 March 28, 2015 2 0:53 Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Win 5–0 Ralph Acosta Decision (split) Gladiator Challenge: Season's Beatings November 22, 2014 3 3:00 Rancho Mirage, California, United States Won the GC Bantamweight Championship.
Win 4–0 Valentino Beatty TKO (punches) Gladiator Challenge: Carnage October 11, 2014 1 2:30 Lincoln, California, United States
Win 3–0 Casey Doyle TKO (punches) Gladiator Challenge: Payback August 30, 2014 1 0:46 San Jacinto, California, United States
Win 2–0 Justin Santistevan TKO (punches) Gladiator Challenge: Night of Champions July 19, 2014 3 1:25 Rancho Mirage, California, United States
Win 1–0 David Duran Decision (unanimous) BAMMA USA: Badbeat 10 August 9, 2013 3 5:00 Commerce, California, United States Bantamweight debut.

[31]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 BjjTribes (January 10, 2021). "TJ Dillashaw & Juan Archuleta promoted to Purple Belt by Philipe Furao". BjjTribes. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
  2. ↑ "Wrestling, roster, Juan Archuleta - Wrestling - Purdue University Athletics". Purdue Sports. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  3. ↑ "Bellator Rankings". www.bellator.com. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  4. ↑ Jose Quinteros (July 22, 2016). "Sultana grad Juan Archuleta fighting for King of the Cage title". Desert Dispatch.
  5. ↑ Bryan Tucker (March 2, 2018). "Bellator 195 Results: Caldwell vs. Higo". MMAFighting.com.
  6. ↑ MMA Junkie Staff (June 29, 2018). "Bellator 201 official results and live stream". MMA Junkie.
  7. ↑ Bryan Tucker (November 30, 2018). "Bellator 210 Results: Njokuani vs. Salter".
  8. ↑ Adam Stocker (January 27, 2019). "Bellator 214: Juan Archuleta eyes title fight after beating Ricky Bandejas". FanSided.com.
  9. ↑ Mike Bohn (June 14, 2019). "Bellator 222 results: Juan Archuleta flattens Eduardo Dantas with one-punch knockout". MMA Junkie.
  10. ↑ Jay Anderson (September 28, 2019). "Bellator 228 Results: Juan Archuleta Comes Up Short, Patricio Pitbull Retains 145lb Title". Cageside Press.
  11. ↑ Thomas Albano (January 25, 2020). "Bellator 238: Juan Archuleta edges Henry Corrales in decision".
  12. ↑ "Bellator 246: Juan Archuleta beats Patchy Mix for the bantamweight title". Sky Sports. September 13, 2020.
  13. ↑ Nolan King (February 9, 2021). "Bellator 258 set for May 7, headlined by Juan Archuleta vs. Sergio Pettis title fight". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
  14. ↑ Anderson, Jay (May 7, 2021). "Bellator 258 Results: Sergio Pettis Claims Bantamweight Gold Against Juan Archuleta". Cageside Press. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
  15. ↑ "Bellator 279 card: Sergio Pettis out of Bantamweight World Grand Prix with injury, Juan Archuleta steps in". CBSSports.com. Retrieved March 22, 2022.
  16. ↑ Anderson, Jay (April 24, 2022). "Bellator 279: Raufeon Stots Scores Stupendous Knockout of Archuleta to Claim Interim Belt, Advance in Grand Prix". Cageside Press. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
  17. ↑ Hannoun, Farah (August 9, 2022). "Aaron Pico vs. Jeremy Kennedy, Juan Archuleta vs. Enrique Barzola among 6 additions to Bellator 286". MMA Junkie. Retrieved August 9, 2022.
  18. ↑ Sherdog.com. "Bellator 286 Weigh-in Results: Title Fight Official; 2 Fighters Miss Weight". Sherdog. Retrieved September 30, 2022.
  19. ↑ Bohn, Mike (October 2, 2022). "Bellator 286 results: Juan Archuleta's takedowns key in decision over Enrique Barzola". MMA Junkie. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
  20. ↑ Farah Hannoun (October 26, 2022). "Rizin vs. Bellator New Year's Eve matchups announced: A.J. McKee headlines over Patricio Freire". MMAjunkie.com.
  21. ↑ Anderson, Jay (December 31, 2022). "Bellator MMA vs. RIZIN: Juan Archuleta Survives Late Choke Attempt, Wins Decision Over Soo Chul Kim". Cageside Press. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
  22. ↑ "【RIZIN】アーチュレッタを迎え撃つのは井上直樹！ 「自分がRIZINのチャンピオンとして顔としてやっていく」（アーチュレッタ）、「次につなげるために勝つ」（井上）". news.yahoo.co.jp. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  23. ↑ "【RIZIN】元ベラトール王者アーチュレッタ 井上直樹に判定勝利！バンタム級王座決定戦へ進出". sponichi.co.jp. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
  24. ↑ Anderson, Jay (May 27, 2023). "Kai Asakura vs. Juan Archuleta, Mikuru Asakura vs. Vugar Karamov Announced for Bellator X RIZIN 2". Cageside Press. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
  25. ↑ "Ougikubo Replaces Asakura, Faces Archuleta for Bantamweight Title at Super Rizin 2". sherdog.com.
  26. ↑ "【超RIZIN】ケラモフが朝倉未来に一本勝ちでフェザー級王者に！ アーチュレッタがバンタム級王者に、伊澤星花が一本勝ち防衛、緊急参戦の鈴木千裕がパトリシオをKO、ムサエフがア..." ゴング格闘技 - GONKAKU. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
  27. ↑ "RIZIN 45 Adds Multiple Bouts, Including Miyuu Yamamoto Retirement Fight". cagesidepress.com.
  28. ↑ Cruz, Guillherme (December 30, 2023). "RIZIN 45 weigh-in results: Juan Archuleta misses weight, stripped of bantamweight title". MMA Fighting. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
  29. ↑ "Kai Asakura stops Juan Archuleta with brutal knee to the body, wins bantamweight title at Rizin 45". mmajunkie.usatoday.com.
  30. ↑ Shakiel Mahjouri (January 21, 2020). "Juan Archuleta talks prison time, substance abuse: I was 'being a fool'". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  31. ↑ "Juan "The Spaniard" Archuleta MMA Stats". Sherdog.com. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
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