Joshua Culibao (born May 24, 1994) is an Australian mixed martial artist who competed 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]

On February 27, 2025, it was reported that Culibao was removed from the UFC roster.[38]

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.

[39]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Stats | UFC". ufcstats.com. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
  2. ^ a b "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. ^ a b "Hex Fight Series 7 Recap: Joshua Culibao defeats Raphael Berthet to claim featherweight title – Fight News Australia". Retrieved 18 May 2021.
  13. ^ a b "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. ^ a b "Still undefeated, Joshua Culibao stops Rodolfo Marques to claim Diamondback FC featherweight title – Fight News Australia". Retrieved 18 May 2021.
  16. ^ a b "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. ^ Fernando Quiles (27 February 2025). "UFC parts ways with five fighters in latest roster purge". bjpenn.com. Retrieved 27 February 2025.
  39. ^ Sherdog.com. "Joshua Culibao". Sherdog. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
Allikas: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joshua_Culibao
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