Last fight
Draw
Castaneda vs Vologdin
Apr. 18, 2026
UFC Spotlight
Stats & Records
8
Wins by Knockout
6
Wins by Submission
7
First Round Finishes
Significant Strikes include all strikes at distance, plus power strikes in the clinch and on the ground.
Striking accuracy
- Sig. Strikes Landed
- 647
- Sig. Strikes Attempted
- 1264
A takedown is awarded when a fighter deliberately grapples an opponent to the ground and establishes an advantageous position for an appreciable amount of time.
Takedown Accuracy
- Takedowns Landed
- Takedowns Attempted
- 35
- Sig. Str. Defense is the percentage of significant strikes attempted against a fighter that do not land.
- Takedown defense is the percentage of takedowns attempted against a fighter that do not land.
- Knockdown Avg. is the average number of knockdowns per 15 Minutes window.
Sig. Str. by target
athlete record
Info
Status
Active
Place of Birth
Dallas, United States
Fighting style
MMA
Age
34
Height
66.00
Weight
146.00
Octagon Debut
Aug. 1, 2017
Reach
71.00
Leg reach
37.00
- Pro since 2012, made UFC Debut in July 2020
- Eight wins by KO, six by submission (3 Arm triangle, 3 RNC)
- Has won four of his last eight
- Pro since 2012
- Seven first round finishes
- Has 8-6 record since DWCS appearance
- Owns TKO win over UFC vet Chris Beal in May 2017
UFC Fight Night (4/18/26) Castaneda and Mark Vologdin fought to a majority draw
UFC Fight Night (4/26/25) Castaneda lost a three round unanimous decision to Chris Gutierrez
UFC on ESPN (6/8/24) Castaneda lost a three round unanimous decision to Daniel Marcos
UFC 295 (11/11/23) Castaneda won a three round unanimous decision over Kyung Ho Kang
UFC on ESPN (6/3/23) Castaneda won a three round unanimous decision over Muin Gafurov
UFC Fight Night (10/1/22) Castaneda was knocked out by Daniel Santos at 4:28 of the second round
UFC Fight Night (2/5/22) Castaneda submitted Miles Johns via arm triangle choke at 1:38 of the third round
UFC Fight Night (2/20/21) Castaneda stopped Eddie Wineland via strikes at 4:44 of the first round
UFC on ESPN (7/25/20) Castaneda lost a three round unanimous decision to Nathaniel Wood
Dana White's Contender Series, Season 1
Episode 4 (8/1/17) Castaneda won a three round unanimous decision over Cheyden Leialoha
When and why did you start training for fighting? I wrestled D2 my freshman year of college and then got introduced to the MMA program where my college was. I opted out of wrestling to pursue MMA. I have been training MMA for 10 years and wrestling for 16.
What ranks and titles have you held? Combate Americas bantamweight champion and Driller Promotions lightweight champion, BJJ black belt
Who is your favorite fighter and why? My favorite fighter has always been TJ Dillishaw. He’s the reason I fight from both southpaw and orthodox.
Do you have any heroes? My mom has always been my hero. She’s been through a ton in her lifetime and overcome it all and given me and my siblings such a love filled life. My best friend and my hero. I aspire to be half the person she is one day.
What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? It's a dream come true. It's everything I've worked for and will continue to prove I deserve.
What fight do you consider to be the key fight in your career and why? There is no key fight in my career but one that stood out to me personally was the Eddie Wineland fight. I came up watching him and it was the classic “work hard until your idols become your rivals” quote. I’ve seen this guy fight at the highest level before I got there and now; he’s my opponent! It was a full-circle moment for me.
Is there a cause that you want to use your platform for? I just want to show and prove that with hard work and consistency, anyone can get to the absolute highest level of their chosen careers. I come from very little, and worked my ass off to get to the top of my profession.
Beyond a championship or money, what motivates you? The love and respect for martial arts is all I need as motivation. Martial arts saved me as a kid and adult and I owe it to myself to be the best martial artist I can be.
Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? Minnesota State University, Mankato, where I double majored in Criminal Law and Spanish and received a minor in social work as well.
What was your job before you started fighting? Full-time student.
Specific accomplishments in amateur competition? 15-1 record.
Favorite grappling technique: All
Favorite Striking technique: Flying knee
Tell us about your life outside of fighting: I own a martial arts school and teach BJJ. I have 5 pets; 2 dogs and 3 cats. My hobbies include hanging out with my family and animals and being a homebody, cooking, and training martial arts.
