Joshua Culibao

Joshua Culibao
Born	(1994-05-24) May 24, 1994 (age 30) Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Other names	Kuya
Height	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight	145 lb (66 kg; 10 st 5 lb)
Division	Lightweight Featherweight
Reach	73 in (185 cm) [1]
Fighting out of	Sydney, New South Wales
Team	Igor MMA
Rank	Purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu [2]
Years active	2016–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total	16
Wins	11
By knockout	5
By submission	1
By decision	5
Losses	4
By knockout	1
By decision	3
Draws	1
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Joshua Culibao (born May 24, 1994) is an Australian mixed martial artist who competes in the Featherweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Background

The youngest of four siblings in a Filipino family, with his mother from Boracay while his father is from Pampanga, ^{[3] [4]} he was given the nickname "Kuya", a familial term used in a respectful manner to address an older male relative, brother, or friend, by his teammates at the Sydney-based Igor MMA, since he calls everyone in the gym by the Filipino kin endearment. ^[5] Having practised taekwondo in his childhood, Culibao eventually started training mixed martial arts in order to lose weight in his adolescent years. ^{[2] [6] [7]}

Before signing with the UFC, Culibao was a full-time electrician doing 40-plus-hour workweeks with training on top. ^[8]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Starting his professional MMA career in 2016, Culibao compiled a perfect 8–0 record on the regional Australian scene, capturing three titles during this time. He won his debut at Superfight MMA 2 on February 19, 2016, by stopping Paul Traish in the first round via TKO. ^[9] He would win his next two fights in the Urban Fight Night promotion; winning via majority decision against Brad Shortland at UFN 7 on May 7, 2016 ^[10] and via TKO against Simon Arentz at UFN 8 on August 27, 2016. ^[11] Culibao would fight his next two bouts in the Hex Fight Series promotion, winning the HEX Featherweight Championship against Raphael Berthet at HFS 7 after dropping his with a body shot and finishing him with soccer kicks. ^[12] He defended this title at HFS 8 against Jordan Cameron, who he beat in a close bout via split decision. ^[13] After returning to Urban Fight Nights for one bout which he won via majority decision against James McGlashan, ^[14] Culibao won the DFC Featherweight Championship against Rodolfo Marques at DFC 7 on November 10, 2018, via head kick and ground and pound. ^[15] He would then capture the Superfight MMA Featherweight championship against Josh Payne at Superfight MMA 10 on March 1, 2019, winning the bout via TKO in the first round. ^[16]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Culibao signed with the UFC in February 2020 to replace Jamie Mullarkey on short notice against Jalin Turner at UFC Fight Night: Felder vs. Hooker on February 23, 2020. ^[17] He lost the fight via second-round knockout. ^[18]

He made his sophomore appearance against Charles Jourdain at UFC on ESPN: Holm vs. Aldana on October 4, 2020. The bout ended in a split draw, which drew ire with most of the media scoring it for Jourdain. ^{[19] [20] [21]}

Culibao faced Shayilan Nuerdanbieke at UFC Fight Night: Font vs. Garbrandt on May 22, 2021. ^[22] He won the fight by unanimous decision. ^[23]

Culibao was scheduled to face Damon Jackson on March 12, 2022 UFC Fight Night 203. ^[24] However, Culibao was pulled from the event for undisclosed reasons and he was replaced by Kamuela Kirk. ^[25]

Culibao faced Seung Woo Choi on June 11, 2022, at UFC 275. ^[26] After knocking his opponent down multiple times during the fight, Culibao won the bout via split decision. ^[27]

Culibao faced Melsik Baghdasaryan on February 12, 2023, at UFC 284. ^[28] He won the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in the second round. ^[29]

Culibao faced Lerone Murphy on July 22, 2023, at UFC on ESPN+ 82. ^[30] He lost the fight via unanimous decision. ^[31]

Culibao faced Danny Silva on March 16, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 239. ^[32] At the weigh-in, Silva weighed in at 148.5 pounds, two and a half pounds over the featherweight non-title fight limit. The bout proceeded at catchweight and Silva was fined 20% of his purse which went to Culibao. ^[33] He lost the bout via split decision. ^[34]

Culibao faced Ricardo Ramos on August 17, 2024, at UFC 305. ^[35] He lost the fight by split decision. ^[36] 8 out of 12 media outlets scored the bout for Culibao. ^[37]

Championships and accomplishments

• Hex Fight Series
  • HEX Featherweight Championship (one time; former) ^[12]
    • One successful title defense ^[13]
• Diamondback FC
  • DFC Featherweight Championship (one time; former) ^[15]
• Superfight MMA
  • Superfight MMA Featherweight Championship (one time; former) ^[16]

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown

16 matches	11 wins	4 losses
By knockout	5	1
By submission	1	0
By decision	5	3
Draws	1

Res.	Record	Opponent	Method	Event	Date	Round	Time	Location	Notes
Loss	11–4–1	Ricardo Ramos	Decision (split)	UFC 305	August 18, 2024	3	5:00	Perth, Australia
Loss	11–3–1	Danny Silva	Decision (split)	UFC Fight Night: Tuivasa vs. Tybura	March 16, 2024	3	5:00	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States	Catchweight (148.5 lb) bout; Silva missed weight.
Loss	11–2–1	Lerone Murphy	Decision (unanimous)	UFC Fight Night: Aspinall vs. Tybura	July 22, 2023	3	5:00	London, England
Win	11–1–1	Melsik Baghdasaryan	Submission (rear-naked choke)	UFC 284	February 12, 2023	2	2:02	Perth, Australia
Win	10–1–1	Choi Seung-woo	Decision (split)	UFC 275	June 11, 2022	3	5:00	Kallang, Singapore
Win	9–1–1	Shayilan Nuerdanbieke	Decision (unanimous)	UFC Fight Night: Font vs. Garbrandt	May 22, 2021	3	5:00	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Draw	8–1–1	Charles Jourdain	Draw (split)	UFC on ESPN: Holm vs. Aldana	October 4, 2020	3	5:00	Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates	Return to Featherweight.
Loss	8–1	Jalin Turner	TKO (punches)	UFC Fight Night: Felder vs. Hooker	February 23, 2020	2	3:01	Auckland, New Zealand	Lightweight debut.
Win	8–0	Josh Payne	TKO (punches)	Superfight MMA 10	March 1, 2019	1	3:02	Punchbowl, Australia	Won the vacant Superfight MMA Featherweight Championship.
Win	7–0	Rodolfo Marques	TKO (head kick and punches)	Diamondback FC 7	November 10, 2018	4	0:00	North Adelaide, Australia	Won the vacant DFC Featherweight Championship.
Win	6–0	James McGlashan	Decision (majority)	Urban Fight Night 13	December 2, 2017	3	5:00	Liverpool, Australia
Win	5–0	Jordan Cameron	Decision (split)	Hex Fight Series 8	March 31, 2017	5	5:00	Melbourne, Australia	Defended the HEX Featherweight Championship.
Win	4–0	Raphael Berthet	TKO (punch to the body and soccer kicks)	Hex Fight Series 7	December 2, 2016	5	1:35	Melbourne, Australia	Won the HEX Featherweight Championship.
Win	3–0	Simon Arentz	TKO (punches)	Urban Fight Night 8	August 27, 2016	1	4:49	Liverpool, Australia	Catchweight (146.2 lb) bout; Culibao missed weight.
Win	2–0	Brad Shortland	Decision (majority)	Urban Fight Night 7	May 7, 2016	3	5:00	Liverpool, Australia
Win	1–0	Paul Traish	TKO (punches)	Superfight MMA 2	February 19, 2016	1	4:28	Sydney, Australia	Featherweight debut.

^[38]

See also

• List of current UFC fighters
• List of male mixed martial artists

References

1. "Stats | UFC". ufcstats.com. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
2. "Josh Culibao". UFC.com. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
3. "Fil-Aussie Josh Culibao out to redeem self in UFC Fight Island". Spin.ph. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
4. Ly, Megan (24 February 2020). "Joshua Culibao The Filipino-Australian Fighter Makes His UFC Debut In Auckland". Daily Bayonet. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
5. Icasiano, Nissi (2 October 2020). "Josh Culibao shares why he chose 'Kuya' moniker despite being 'bunso'". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
6. Ben Hampson (6 April 2021). "#005 AOS UFC - Josh Culibao" (Podcast).
7. Kayla Franchesca (18 November 2020). "EPISODE 3: Fighter Josh Culibao" (Podcast).
8. Suntay, Anthony. "Fil-Aussie MMA fighter makes it to the UFC". Philstar.com. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
9. "Superfight 2 Results: Beau Rawiri defeats David Francis in the main event – Fight News Australia" . Retrieved 18 May 2021.
10. "Urban Fight Night 7 Results: Shane Parker outpoints Ryan Robertson – Fight News Australia" . Retrieved 18 May 2021.
11. "Urban Fight night 8 Recap: James Najim submits Mark Familari with twister – Fight News Australia" . Retrieved 18 May 2021.
12. "Hex Fight Series 7 Recap: Joshua Culibao defeats Raphael Berthet to claim featherweight title – Fight News Australia" . Retrieved 18 May 2021.
13. "Hex Fight Series 8 Recap: Callan Potter, Joshua Culibao victorious in title fights – Fight News Australia" . Retrieved 18 May 2021.
14. "Urban Fight Night 13 | MMA Event". Tapology. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
15. "Still undefeated, Joshua Culibao stops Rodolfo Marques to claim Diamondback FC featherweight title – Fight News Australia" . Retrieved 18 May 2021.
16. "Superfight 10 Recap and Results: Mills dethrones Nelson in the main event – Fight News Australia" . Retrieved 18 May 2021.
17. "Joshua Culibao signs with UFC; set to debut at UFC Auckland". fightnewsaustralia.com. 6 February 2020.
18. Shawn Bitter (22 February 2020). "UFC Auckland Results: Jalin Turner Pounds Out Newcomer Joshua Culibao in Second Round". cagesidepress.com.
19. Jon Realejo (4 October 2020). "UFC on ESPN 16 Results: Charles Jourdain and Josh Culibao Fight To Draw". bloodycanvas.net.^{[ permanent dead link ]}
20. "Charles Jourdain drew with Joshua Culibao". mmadecisions.com. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
21. Brendan Bradford (4 October 2020). "UFC: Josh Culibao fights to rare split draw with Charles Jourdain on Fight Island". sportingnews.com.
22. Mike Heck (10 April 2021). "Joshua Culibao set to meet UFC newcomer Yilan Sha on May 22". mmafighting.com.
23. Bitter, Shawn (22 May 2021). "UFC Vegas 27 Results: Josh Culibao Turns Back Debuting Sha Yilan". Cageside Press. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
24. "Two bouts added to UFC Fight Night event on March 12". MMA Junkie. 23 December 2021. Retrieved 24 December 2021.
25. Marcel Dorff (29 January 2022). "Kirk opnieuw invaller tijdens tweede UFC partij tegen Jackson". Eurosport (in Dutch). Retrieved 29 January 2022.
26. Behunin, Alex (29 April 2022). "Jack Della Maddalena vs. Ramazan Emeev, Seung Woo Choi vs. Joshua Culibao Added To UFC 275". Cageside Press. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
27. Anderson, Jay (11 June 2022). "UFC 275: Josh Culibao Drops Seung Woo Choi Several Times, Survives Late Sub Attempts". Cageside Press. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
28. "UFC 284: Joshua Culibao to steal highlight off headliners Volkanovski and Whittaker". The Daily Telegraph. 4 November 2022. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
29. Jay Anderson (11 February 2023). "UFC 284: Josh Culibao endures low blow, subs Melsik Baghdasaryan". Cageside Press. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
30. "Tom Aspinall returns from year-long injury layoff to headline UFC London vs. Marcin Tybura". MMA Junkie. 10 May 2023. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
31. Doherty, Dan (22 July 2023). "UFC London: Lerone Murphy Finishes Strong Against Joshua Culibao". Cageside Press. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
32. Martin, Damon (23 January 2024). "Ovince Saint Preux vs. Kennedy Nzechukwu among new additions to UFC Fight Night card on March 16". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
33. Staff (15 March 2024). "UFC Fight Night 239 weigh-in results: Three misses on prelims in Las Vegas". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
34. Bitter, Shawn (16 March 2024). "UFC Vegas 88: Newcomer Danny Silva Slides Past Josh Culibao". Cageside Press. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
35. Christopher Reive (1 July 2024). "UFC 305: Kai Kara-France books return against Steve Erceg in Perth; seven more bouts confirmed". nzherald.co.nz. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
36. Bryson Hester (17 August 2024). "UFC 305: Ricardo Ramos Wins Split Over Stunned Josh Culibao". cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
37. MMA Decisions (18 August 2024). "MMA Decisions - Ricardo Ramos defeats Joshua Culibao". mmadecisions.com. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
38. Sherdog.com. "Joshua Culibao". Sherdog. Retrieved 7 August 2020.

External links

• Professional MMA record for Joshua Culibao from Sherdog
• Joshua Culibao at UFC