Nathaniel Wood (fighter)

Last updated

Nathaniel Wood
Nathaniel Wood at UFC 232.jpg
Wood at UFC 232 in 2018
Born (1993-08-05) 5 August 1993 (age 33)
London, England [1]
Other namesThe Prospect, The Last Kingsman
Height5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)
Weight145 lb (66 kg)
Division Bantamweight (2012–2022)
Featherweight (2022–present)
Reach69 in (175 cm)
Fighting out of
 Morden, England
TeamNova Forca
Raptors Strike Force
Team Titan (2017–2019) [2] [3]
Great Britain Top Team (2019–present) [4]
Trainer Brad Pickett
RankBlack belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Ashley Grimshaw [5]
Years active2011–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total30
Wins23
By knockout8
By submission5
By decision10
Losses7
By knockout2
By submission2
By decision3
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Nathaniel Wood (born 5 August 1993) is an English professional mixed martial artist who competes in the Featherweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A professional competitor since 2012, he formerly competed for Cage Warriors, where he was the Bantamweight Champion.

Contents

Background

Growing up playing football, Wood followed his father to a Brazilian jiu-jitsu practice at the age of 16. [6] He attended college for carpentry for a spell, but dropped out in order to pursue a career in mixed martial arts. [6]

Professional mixed martial arts career

Early career

Wood amassed a record of 8–3 record, before signing with Cage Warriors. [7]

Cage Warriors Bantamweight champion

Nathaniel Wood won the Cage Warriors Bantamweight Championship Nathaniel Wood Cage Warriors belt 02062017.jpg
Nathaniel Wood won the Cage Warriors Bantamweight Championship

Wood was scheduled to face Vaughan Lee at CWFC 82 on 1 April 2017. They were originally scheduled to meet at CWFC 80, before the fight was postponed due to an anomaly found on Wood's brain in a pre-fight scan. [8] Wood staggered Lee near the beginning of the second round, and pursued him for the remainder of the fight, knocking him out with a right straight at the 4:22 minute mark. [9]

Following his dominant victory against Lee, Wood was scheduled to fight Marko Kovacevic for the vacant Cage Warriors Bantamweight Championship at CWFC 84 on 2 June 2017. [10] Wood won the fight by a first-round technical knockout, after weathering some early counter right hands by Kovacic. [11]

Wood was scheduled to make his first title defense against Josh Reed at CWFC 86 on 17 September 2017. [12] Reed dominated the champion for the duration of the short-lived bout, surging forward with power shots and managing to drop Wood with a combination of punches. Wood however managed to stagger back to his feet and counter the onrushing Reed with a counter left, winning the fight by a first-round knockout. [13]

Wood made his second and final title defense against Luca Iovine at CWFC 92 on 24 March 2018. [14] Wood made quick work of the challenger, knocking him out with a left hook after just 50 seconds. [15]

It was announced on 5 April 2018 that Wood had signed with the UFC. [16]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Wood made his promotional debut against Johnny Eduardo on 1 June 2018 at UFC Fight Night 131. He won the fight via submission in Round 2, [17] for which he was awarded with a Performance of the Night bonus. [18]

Wood was originally scheduled to face Tom Duquesnoy on 29 December 2018 at UFC 232. [19] However, Dusquenoy pulled out due to an injury and was replaced by Andre Ewell. [20] He won the bout via submission in the third round. [21]

Wood faced José Alberto Quiñónez on 16 March 2019 at UFC Fight Night 147. [22] He won the fight via a submission in round two. [23]

Wood faced John Dodson on 15 February 2020 at UFC Fight Night 167. [24] He lost the fight via TKO in round three. [25]

Wood was scheduled to face Umar Nurmagomedov on 26 July 2020 at UFC on ESPN 14. [26] However, Nurmagomedov withdrew from the bout due to his uncle Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov's passing [27] He was replaced by promotional newcomer John Castañeda. [28] Wood won the fight via unanimous decision. [29]

Wood faced Casey Kenney on 24 October 2020 at UFC 254. [30] He lost the back-and-forth fight via unanimous decision. [31] This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award. [32]

Wood was scheduled to face Jonathan Martinez on 4 September 2021 at UFC Fight Night 191. [33] However, Wood was removed from the bout in mid-August for undisclosed reasons and replaced by Marcelo Rojo. [34]

Wood was scheduled to face Liudvik Sholinian on 19 March 2022 at UFC Fight Night 204. [35] However due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Sholinian was unable to leave the country or train so he was replaced by Vince Morales. [36] In turn, just days before the event, Morales withdrew due to illness. [37]

In his debut at featherweight, Wood faced Charles Rosa on 23 July 2022 at UFC Fight Night 208. [38] He won the fight by unanimous decision. [39]

Wood faced Charles Jourdain on 3 September 2022 at UFC Fight Night 209. [40] He won the fight via unanimous decision. [41]

Wood was scheduled to face Lerone Murphy on 18 March 2023 at UFC 286. [42] However, Wood was forced to withdraw from the event due to leg injury. [43]

Wood faced Andre Fili on 22 July 2023 at UFC Fight Night 224. [44] He won the fight via unanimous decision. [45]

Wood faced Muhammad Naimov on 21 October 2023, at UFC 294. [46] He lost the fight via unanimous decision. [47]

Wood faced Daniel Pineda on 27 July 2024, at UFC 304. [48] He won the fight by unanimous decision. [49]

Wood faced former Cage Warriors Featherweight Champion Morgan Charrière on 22 March 2025 at UFC Fight Night 255. [50] He won the fight by unanimous decision. [51]

Wood faced José Miguel Delgado on 25 October 2025, at UFC 321. [52] At the weigh-ins, Delgado weighed in at 147 pounds, one pound over the featherweight non-title fight limit. The bout proceeded at catchweight. [53] Wood won the fight by unanimous decision. [54]

Wood faced Losene Keita on 21 March 2026, at UFC Fight Night 270. [55] He won the fight by split decision. [56]

Wood was scheduled to face Mairon Santos on 5 September 2026 at UFC Fight Night 287. [57] However, Santos was forced to withdraw due to an unspecified health issue and was replaced by promotional newcomer Pavel Andrusca. [58] [59] Wood lost the fight by unanimous decision. [60]

Professional grappling career

Wood was booked to compete in a superfight against Aljamain Sterling at Polaris 25 on 30 September 2023. [61] However, Wood withdrew from the match and was replaced by Mike Grundy instead. [62]

Wood was scheduled to compete against Mason Jones in a superfight at Polaris 27 on 23 March 2024. [63] However, Wood ended up facing Alex Caceres and won via decision. [64]

Wood competed against Cameron Else at Polaris 30 on 2 November 2024. [65] He won the match by decision. [66]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
30 matches23 wins7 losses
By knockout82
By submission52
By decision103
Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Loss23–7Pavel AndruscaDecision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Hooker vs. Parnasse 5 September 202635:00 Paris, France
Win23–6 Losene Keita Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Evloev vs. Murphy 21 March 202635:00 London, England
Win22–6José Miguel DelgadoDecision (unanimous) UFC 321 25 October 202535:00 Abu Dhabi, United Arab EmiratesCatchweight (147 lb) bout; Delgado missed weight.
Win21–6Morgan CharrièreDecision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Edwards vs. Brady 22 March 202535:00 London, England
Win20–6 Daniel Pineda Decision (unanimous) UFC 304 27 July 202435:00 Manchester, England
Loss19–6 Muhammad Naimov Decision (unanimous) UFC 294 21 October 202335:00 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Win19–5 Andre Fili Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Aspinall vs. Tybura 22 July 202335:00 London, England
Win18–5 Charles Jourdain Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Gane vs. Tuivasa 3 September 202235:00 Paris, France
Win17–5 Charles Rosa Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Aspinall 23 July 202235:00 London, EnglandFeatherweight debut.
Loss16–5 Casey Kenney Decision (unanimous) UFC 254 24 October 202035:00 Abu Dhabi, United Arab EmiratesCatchweight (140 lb) bout. Fight of the Night.
Win16–4 John Castañeda Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Whittaker vs. Till 26 July 202035:00 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Loss15–4 John Dodson TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Anderson vs. Błachowicz 2 15 February 202030:16 Rio Rancho, New Mexico, United States
Win15–3 José Alberto Quiñónez Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC Fight Night: Till vs. Masvidal 16 March 201922:46 London, England
Win14–3 Andre Ewell Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC 232 29 December 201834:12 Inglewood, California, United States
Win13–3 Johnny Eduardo Submission (brabo choke) UFC Fight Night: Rivera vs. Moraes 1 June 201822:18 Utica, New York, United StatesPerformance of the Night.
Win12–3Luca IovineKO (punch)Cage Warriors 9224 March 201810:50 London, EnglandDefended the Cage Warriors Bantamweight Championship.
Win11–3Josh ReedTKO (punches)Cage Warriors 8617 September 201712:19 London, EnglandDefended the Cage Warriors Bantamweight Championship.
Win10–3Marko KovacevicKO (punches)Cage Warriors 842 June 201713:41 London, EnglandWon the vacant Cage Warriors Bantamweight Championship.
Win9–3 Vaughan Lee TKO (punches)Cage Warriors 821 April 201724:22 Liverpool, England
Win8–3Chase MortonSubmission (rear naked choke) Bellator 158 16 July 201620:48 London, England
Loss7–3Alan PhilpottTKO (doctor stoppage) BAMMA 24 26 February 201633:40 Dublin, IrelandFor the Lonsdale Bantamweight Championship.
Win7–2Bryan CreightonDecision (unanimous) BAMMA 23 14 November 201535:00 Birmingham, England
Win6–2Thiago AguiarDecision (unanimous)Phoenix Fight Night 2712 September 201535:00 Bournemouth, England
Loss5–2Mike CuttingSubmission (armbar) BAMMA 18 21 February 201513:26 Wolverhampton, England
Win5–1Steve McCombeTKO (arm injury)Cage Warriors 7415 November 201412:23 London, England
Win4–1Alexander BilobrovkaTKO (punches)Ultimate Challenge MMA 393 May 201410:34 London, England
Loss3–1Ed ArthurSubmission (rear naked choke) BAMMA 15 5 April 201431:48 London, England
Win3–0Abdullah SalehTKO (punches)Ultimate Challenge MMA 381 February 201410:22 London, England
Win2–0Grisha AdamsSubmission (triangle choke)Ultimate Challenge MMA 353 August 201313:01 London, England
Win1–0Damo WeedenTKO (punches)Fusion FC: Reality Check9 February 201322:10 Epsom, EnglandBantamweight debut.

[69]

Personal life

Wood has a wife and two daughters. He has Obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD). [70]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Pro Fighter Bio: Nathaniel Wood". Great Britain Top Team. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
  2. ↑ "Fighter Profile: Nathaniel Wood". overtimeheroics.net. 28 July 2020.
  3. ↑ The Fight Chamber (25 February 2018). Controlled Agression [sic] (A Nathaniel Wood Film) – via YouTube.
  4. ↑ "Nathaniel Wood". gbtt.co.uk. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  5. ↑ Williams, Jackson (23 March 2024). "UFC Veteran Nathaniel Wood Promoted To BJJ Black Belt After Polaris Win". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
  6. 1 2 "Nathaniel 'The Prospect' Wood". theprospectapparel.com. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  7. ↑ "BAMMA 24 Sees the Next Generation Look to Make Definitive Statement". mmamicks.com. 19 February 2016. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  8. ↑ Sanford, Elis (10 March 2017). "Nathaniel Wood vs. Vaughan Lee rebooked for Cage Warriors 82". mmaplus.co.uk. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  9. ↑ Murphy, Darragh. "Everybody's talking about Nathaniel 'The Prospect' Wood after Cage Warriors 82". joe.co.uk. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  10. ↑ Head, Simon (12 May 2017). "Nathaniel Wood v Marko Kovacevic to headline Cage Warriors 84 in London". medium.com. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  11. ↑ Edwards, Jim (4 June 2017). "Nathaniel Wood fulfils a dream and takes home historic gold at Cage Warriors 84". metro.co.uk. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  12. ↑ MMA Junkie Staff (21 June 2017). "Cage Warriors 86 features champ Nathaniel Wood vs. Josh Reed in London". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  13. ↑ Kiely, Ben (17 September 2017). "Single punch changes story of arguably the greatest world title fight of 2017". sportsjoe.ie. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  14. ↑ Zullino, Al (26 February 2020). "Luca Iovine: "Posso essere selezionato per il KSW"". fattimarziali.it (in Italian). Archived from the original on 12 July 2021. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  15. ↑ Carroll, Peter (24 March 2018). "Cage Warriors 92 results: Nathaniel Wood stops Luca Iovine in 50 seconds". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  16. ↑ Edwards, Jim (5 April 2018). "Cage Warriors Champion Nathaniel Wood Signs For The UFC". mmanytt.com. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  17. ↑ "UFC Fight Night 131 results: Nathaniel Wood chokes out Johnny Eduardo in second". MMA Junkie. 1 June 2018. Retrieved 17 March 2019.
  18. 1 2 "British MMA fighter Nathaniel Wood scoops $50,000 bonus after winning his first ever UFC bout". Mirror. 2 June 2018. Retrieved 2 February 2019.
  19. ↑ "UFC 232: Britain's Nathaniel Wood to meet Tom Duquesnoy in Las Vegas". BBC Sport. 18 October 2018. Retrieved 2 February 2019.
  20. ↑ "Nathaniel Wood vs. Andre Ewell booked for UFC 232". MMA Fighting. 3 December 2018. Retrieved 2 February 2019.
  21. ↑ Marrocco, Steven (29 December 2018). "UFC 232 results: Nathaniel Wood bullies Andre Ewell before third-round submission". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2 February 2019.
  22. ↑ "Nathaniel Wood vs. Jose Quinonez among three fights announced for UFC London". MMAjunkie. 30 January 2019. Retrieved 2 February 2019.
  23. ↑ Pearson, Andrew (16 March 2019). "'The Prospect' Taps Quiñónez in 2nd for 8th Straight Win". MMAmania.com. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
  24. ↑ Critchfield, Tristen (19 December 2019). "John Dodson vs. Nathaniel Wood booked for UFC Rio Rancho on Feb. 15". Sherdog.com. Retrieved 19 December 2019.
  25. ↑ Lee, Alexander K. (15 February 2020). "UFC Rio Rancho results: John Dodson scores third-round TKO of Nathaniel Wood to snap skid". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 16 February 2020.
  26. ↑ "UFC adds Nathaniel Wood vs. Umar Nurmagomedov to July 25 lineup". MMA Junkie. 12 June 2020. Retrieved 13 June 2020.
  27. ↑ "Umar Nurmagomedov, Tagir Ulanbekov delay travel to Fight Island following the passing of Khabib's dad". FanSided. 3 July 2020. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
  28. ↑ King, Nolan; Head, Simon (9 July 2020). "UFC taps John Castaneda to replace Umar Nurmagomedov, will fight Nathaniel Wood on 'Fight Island'". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  29. ↑ Bitter, Shawn (25 July 2020). "UFC Fight Island 3 Results: Nathaniel Wood Too Much for Debuting John Castaneda". Cageside Press. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
  30. ↑ ATSteveDuncan (5 October 2020). "Casey Kenney vs. Nathaniel Wood agregado a UFC 254". MMA.uno, #1 En noticias de Artes Marciales Mixtas (MMA) en Español. (in Spanish). Retrieved 6 October 2020.
  31. ↑ Vreeland, Daniel (24 October 2020). "UFC 254 Results: Casey Kenney Outworks Nathaniel Wood in a Banger". Cageside Press. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  32. 1 2 Anderson, Jay (24 October 2020). "UFC 254 Bonuses: Khabib Earns Performance Award in Final Fight". Cageside Press. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  33. ↑ Zullino, Alfredo (1 July 2021). "Nathaniel Wood returns to action on September 4, faces Jonathan Martinez". BJ Penn. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  34. ↑ Dorff, Marcel (11 August 2021). "Jonathan Martinez en Marcelo Rojo treffen elkaar op 4 september". MMA DNA (in Dutch). Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  35. ↑ Gorrie, Jonathan (25 January 2022). "Wood to take on Sholinian in bantamweight battle at UFC London". www.standard.co.uk. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  36. ↑ Behunin, Alex (5 March 2022). "Liudvik Sholinian Out, Vince Morales Will Face Nathaniel Wood At UFC London". Cageside Press. Retrieved 7 March 2022.
  37. ↑ King, Nolan (16 March 2022). "Nathaniel Wood in need of UFC Fight Night 204 opponent after Vince Morales withdraws due to illness". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  38. ↑ Staff (16 June 2022). "Charles Rosa vs. Nathaniel Wood teed up for UFC's July return to London". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
  39. ↑ Anderson, Jay (23 July 2022). "UFC London: Nathaniel Wood Triumphant in Return, Chews Up Charles Rosa's Leg with Calf Kicks". Cageside Press. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  40. ↑ Duncan, Steve (11 August 2022). "Charles Jourdain vs. Nathaniel Wood agregado a UFC París - MMA.uno, #1 En noticias de Artes Marciales Mixtas (MMA) en Español". mma.uno. Retrieved 11 August 2022.(in Spanish)
  41. ↑ Anderson, Jay (3 September 2022). "UFC Paris: Hand Needs Fixing, but Nathaniel Wood Wants on Rumored U.K. Stadium Card". Cageside Press. Retrieved 3 September 2022.
  42. ↑ Al-Shatti, Shaun (6 January 2023). "Lerone Murphy vs. Nathaniel Wood set for UFC 286 in London". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  43. ↑ Calhoun, Curtis (8 February 2023). "Nathaniel Wood Announces Withdrawal From UFC 286 After 'Freak Accident'". MMA News. Retrieved 9 February 2023.[ permanent dead link ]
  44. ↑ "Andre Fili vs. Nathaniel Wood joins UFC London lineup". MMA Junkie. 11 May 2023. Retrieved 11 June 2023.
  45. ↑ Dewar, Val (22 July 2023). "UFC London: Nathaniel Wood Defeats Andre Fili by Close Decision After Both Fighters Dropped". Cageside Press. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  46. ↑ "Nathaniel Wood to fight Muhammad Naimov at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi". MMA Junkie. 16 September 2023. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
  47. ↑ Theodosi, Jamie (21 October 2023). "UFC 294: Muhammad Naimov Defeats Nathaniel Wood in Foul-Heavy Affair". Cageside Press. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  48. ↑ Anderson, Jay (30 April 2024). "Daniel Pineda vs. Nathaniel Wood Added to UFC 304". Cageside Press. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  49. ↑ Cade Morehouse (27 July 2024). "Nathaniel Wood Takes Win at UFC 304, Daniel Pineda Drops Another Decision". cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  50. ↑ Ross Markey (8 January 2025). "Report – Morgan Charriere books UFC London return in huge fight against European star". lowkickmma.com. Retrieved 8 January 2025.
  51. ↑ Brett Cagle (22 March 2025). "Nathaniel Wood Opens UFC London Main Card with Win Over Morgan Charriere". cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 22 March 2025.
  52. ↑ Kerman, Garrett (11 September 2025). "Jose Delgado vs. Nathaniel Wood joins stacked UFC 321 card in Abu Dhabi". ClutchPoints. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
  53. ↑ Staff (24 October 2025). "UFC 321 weigh-in results: Title fights official but two heavy on scale". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 24 October 2025.
  54. ↑ Eddie Law (25 October 2025). "Nathaniel Wood Edges Delgado In Tough Fight, Secures Decision Win at UFC 321". cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 25 October 2025.
  55. ↑ "Losene Keita va enfin combattre à l'UFC : la date et l'adversaire". La Sueur (in French). 22 January 2026. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
  56. ↑ Shawn Bitter (21 March 2026). "Losene Keita's long-awaited UFC debut ends in close loss to Nathaniel Wood". cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 22 March 2026.
  57. ↑ Marcel Dorff (20 July 2026). "Fan favorite takes on TUF winner at UFC Paris". heavy.com. Retrieved 21 July 2026.
  58. ↑ Josh (27 August 2026). "UFC Paris 5 – Un combat tombe à l'eau". lasueur.com. Retrieved 30 August 2026.(in French)
  59. ↑ Marcel Dorff (31 August 2026). "Nathaniel Wood draws undefeated newcomer at UFC Paris". heavy.com. Retrieved 1 September 2026.
  60. ↑ Shawn Bitter (5 September 2026). "UFC Paris: Pavel Andrusca impresses in short-notice victory over Nathaniel Wood". cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 6 September 2026.
  61. ↑ Blackett, Todd (9 September 2023). "Aljamain Sterling To Face Nathaniel Wood In Polaris 25 Superfight". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  62. ↑ Jones, Phil (19 September 2023). "Aljamain Sterling Gets New Opponent For Polaris 25". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  63. ↑ Jones, Phil (7 February 2024). "UFC Veterans Nathaniel Wood And Mason Jones To Clash In Polaris 27 Superfight". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  64. ↑ Jackson Williams (24 March 2024). "UFC Veteran Nathaniel Wood Promoted To BJJ Black Belt After Polaris Win". jitsmagazine.com. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
  65. ↑ "Polaris 30 Full Card Preview". Jits Magazine. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
  66. ↑ "Polaris 30 Full Results And Highlights". Jits Magazine. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
  67. ↑ "MMA Junkie's 'Fight of the Month' for October: A catchweight scrap". MMA Junkie . 3 November 2020.
  68. ↑ Jack Slack (5 January 2023). Most Improved Fighter of 2022 (Jack Slack Podcast) . Retrieved 20 January 2026– via YouTube.
  69. ↑ Sherdog.com. "Nathaniel". Sherdog. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
  70. ↑ Battison, Paul (23 October 2025). "'It can be living nightmare' - how UFC's Wood sought help for OCD". BBC Sport. BBC. Retrieved 5 September 2026.
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