Hector Sandoval

{{short description|Mexican mixed martial arts fighter}}

{{Infobox martial artist

| name = Hector Sandoval

| other_names = Kid Alex

| image =

| image_size =

| alt =

| caption =

| birth_name =

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1986|07|19}}

| birth_place = Uruapan, Michoacán, Mexico

| death_date =

| death_place =

| death_cause =

| residence = Sacramento, California

| nationality = Mexican and American

| height = {{height|ft=5|in=2}}

| weight = {{convert|125|lb|kg st|abbr=on}}

| weight_class = Flyweight

| reach_in = 64

| reach_footnote = {{cite web|url=https://www.ufc.com/athlete/hector-sandoval|title=Hector Sandoval - Official UFC Profile|publisher=UFC|access-date=June 1, 2017}}

| style =

| stance =

| fighting_out_of = Sacramento, California

| team = Team Alpha Male

| rank =

| years_active = 2008–present

| mma_kowin = 4

| mma_subwin = 2

| mma_decwin = 9

| mma_koloss = 2

| mma_subloss = 2

| mma_decloss =

| mma_draw =

| mma_nc =

| url =

| university =

| sherdog = 35409

| footnotes =

| updated =

}}

Hector Sandoval (born July 19, 1986) is a Mexican mixed martial artist, who competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He currently competes in the flyweight division. At 5 ft 2 in (1.57 m), he is the shortest male fighter in the history of the UFC.

Background

Born in Uruapan, Michoacán, Mexico, Sandoval moved to San Jose, California, as a child. He began training in mixed martial arts in 2006 at the age of 19.{{citation needed|date=April 2024}}

Mixed martial arts career

Sandoval made his professional debut in July 2008. He compiled a record of 12–2 on the regional scene in California, including stints for Palace Fighting Championship and Tachi Palace Fights, before signing with the UFC on the heels of a four fight winning streak in June 2016.{{cite web|url=http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2016/7/19/12215804/ufc-fox-20-signs-jc-cottrell-vs-michel-prazeres-salt-lake-joseph-gigliotti-vs-trevor-smith-mma-news|title=Welcome to the UFC Hector Sandoval|publisher=bloodyelbow.com|author=Zane Simon|date=2016-07-19|accessdate=2016-07-19}}

= Ultimate Fighting Championship =

Morales made his promotional debut as a short notice replacement against Wilson Reis on July 30, 2016, at UFC 201.{{cite news|url=http://www.mmanews.com/team-alpha-males-hector-sandoval-takes-on-wilson-reis-at-ufc-201/|title=Team Alpha Male's Hector Sandoval Takes On Wilson Reis At UFC 201|publisher=mmanews.com|author=Dana Becker|date=2016-07-18|accessdate=2016-07-18}} He lost the fight via submission in the first round.{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2016/07/ufc-201-results-no-title-fight-so-wilson-reis-makes-quick-statement-by-tapping-hector-sandoval|title=UFC 201 results: No title fight, so Wilson Reis makes quick statement by tapping Hector Sandoval|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Steven Marrocco|accessdate=2016-07-30|date=2016-07-30}}

Sandoval faced Fredy Serrano on December 17, 2016, at UFC on Fox 22.{{cite web|url=http://www.mmafighting.com/2016/10/27/13440386/fredy-serrano-vs-hector-sandoval-added-to-ufc-on-fox-22|title=Fredy Serrano vs. Hector Sandoval added to UFC on Fox 22|publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Danny Segura|accessdate=2016-10-27|date=2016-10-27}} He won the fight via unanimous decision.{{Cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2016/12/ufc-on-fox-22-results-hector-sandoval-outpoints-fredy-serrano-for-first-ufc-win|title=UFC on FOX 22 results: Hector Sandoval outpoints Fredy Serrano for first UFC win|author=Ben Fowlkes|website=mmajunkie.com|date=2016-12-17|accessdate=2016-12-17}}

Sandoval faced Matt Schnell on April 22, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 108.{{Cite web|url=http://www.mmamad.com/2017/03/14/official-fight-card-lineup-set-for-ufc-fight-night-108-in-in-nashville-tennessee/|title=Official fight card lineup set for UFC Fight Night 108 in Nashville, Tennessee|author=Dale Jordan|website=mmamad.com|date=2017-03-08|accessdate=2017-03-08}} He won via knockout in the first round.{{Cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2017/04/ufc-fight-night-108-results-hector-sandoval-vs-matt-schnell|title=UFC Fight Night 108 results: Risky Hector Sandoval finishes Matt Schnell with hammerfists|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Steven Marrocco|date=2017-04-22|accessdate=2017-04-22}}

Sandoval faced Dustin Ortiz on August 5, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 114.{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2017/05/dustin-ortiz-hector-sandoval-set-for-ufc-fight-night-114-mexico-city|title=Dustin Ortiz vs. Hector Sandoval set for UFC Fight Night 114 in Mexico City|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Staff|date=2017-05-31|accessdate=2017-05-31}} He lost the fight via knockout in the first round.{{Cite news|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2017/08/ufc-fight-night-114-results-dustin-ortiz-knockout-hector-sandoval-fastest-flyweight-win|title=UFC Fight Night 114 results: Dustin Ortiz KOs Hector Sandoval in 15 seconds for fastest flyweight win|date=2017-08-06|work=MMAjunkie|access-date=2017-08-06}}

Sandoval was scheduled to face Jarred Brooks on June 1, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 131.{{Cite news|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2018/02/sijara-eubanks-lauren-murphy-ufc-debut-utica-n-y-walt-harris-daniel-spitz-jarred-brooks-hector-sandoval-mma|title=Sijara Eubanks vs. Lauren Murphy among three fights added to UFC's debut in Utica, N.Y.|date=2018-02-24|work=MMAjunkie|access-date=2018-02-24}} However, Sandoval was removed from the bout on May 22 for undisclosed reasons and replaced by promotional newcomer Jose Torres.{{cite news|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2018/5/22/17381396/titan-fc-double-champ-jose-torres-signs-with-ufc-will-debut-in-utica|title=Titan FC double champ Jose Torres signs with UFC, will debut in Utica|website=mmafighting.com|author=Ariel Helwani|date=2018-05-22|accessdate=2018-05-22}}

It was reported in November 2018 that Sandoval was released from UFC.{{Cite web|url=https://www.flocombat.com/articles/6273600-ufc-fight-announcements-injury-shakeups-late-replacements-more|title=UFC Fight Announcements: Injury Shakeups, Late Replacements, More|website=www.flocombat.com|date=19 November 2018 |access-date=2018-12-05}}

= Post-UFC career =

After being released from the UFC, Sandoval next faced Jorge Calvo Martin at Combate 37 on May 10, 2019. Sandoval won the fight via unanimous decision.{{cite web |last1=Treese |first1=Tyler |title=Erick Sanchez, Hector Sandoval Impress at Combate Americas 'Stockton' |url=https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Erick-Sanchez-Hector-Sandoval-Impress-at-Combate-Americas-Stockton-154399 |website=sherdog.com |access-date=12 April 2022 |date=10 May 2019}}

Sandoval was expected to face John Moraga at ARES 2 on April 3, 2020.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2020/1/28/21111377/nordine-taleb-john-moraga-set-for-debuts-at-ares-2-in-brussels-on-april-3|title=Nordine Taleb, John Moraga set for debuts at ARES 2 in Brussels on April 3|last=Carroll|first=Peter|date=2020-01-28|website=MMA Fighting|language=en|access-date=2020-01-29}} However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was postponed until October 30, 2020.{{cite web|url=https://thebodylockmma.com/mma/upstart-ares-fc-promotion-postpones-second-event-due-to-coronavirus/|title= Upstart ARES FC promotion postpones second event due to coronavirus|date=March 6, 2020|publisher=thebodylockmma.com|author=Michael Fiedel}}

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts record

{{MMArecordbox

|draws=

|ko-wins=4

|ko-losses=2

|sub-wins=2

|sub-losses=2

|dec-wins=9

|dec-losses=

}}

{{MMA record start}}

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|15–4

|Jorge Calvo Martin

|Decision (unanimous)

|Combate 36: Sanchez vs. Velasco

|{{dts|2019|May|10}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Stockton, California, United States

|

|-

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center|14–4

|Dustin Ortiz

|KO (punches)

|UFC Fight Night: Pettis vs. Moreno

|{{dts|2017|August|5}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|0:15

|Mexico City, Mexico

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|14–3

|Matt Schnell

|KO (punches)

|UFC Fight Night: Swanson vs. Lobov

|{{dts|2017|April|22}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|4:24

|Nashville, Tennessee, United States

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|13–3

|Fredy Serrano

|Decision (unanimous)

|UFC on Fox: VanZant vs. Waterson

|{{dts|2016|December|17}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Sacramento, California, United States

|

|-

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center|12–3

|Wilson Reis

|Submission (rear-naked choke)

|UFC 201

|{{dts|2016|July|30}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|1:49

|Atlanta, Georgia, United States

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center| 12–2

|Eloy Garza

|TKO (punches)

|Global Knockout 6

|{{dts|2016|March|26}}

|align=center| 1

|align=center| 3:19

|Jackson, California, United States

|{{small|Won the Global Knockout Flyweight Championship.}}

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center| 11–2

|Martin Sandoval

|Decision (unanimous)

|TPF 26: Brawl in the Hall

|{{dts|2016|February|18}}

|align=center| 3

|align=center| 5:00

|Lemoore, California, United States

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center| 10–2

|Derrick Easterling

|Decision (unanimous)

|Conquer Fighting Championships

|{{dts|2015|November|21}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Richmond, California, United States

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center| 9–2

|Oscar Ramirez

|TKO (punches)

|West Coast FC 13

|{{dts|2015|February|28}}

|align=center|2

|align=center|0:41

|Sacramento, California, United States

|{{small|Won the West Coast FC Flyweight Championship.}}

|-

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center| 8–2

|Willie Gates

|TKO (punches)

|TPF 21: All or Nothing

|{{dts|2014|November|6}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|1:23

|Lemoore, California, United States

|{{small|Lost the TPF Bantamweight Championship.}}

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center| 8–1

|Ryan Hollis

|Decision (unanimous)

|TPF 20: Night of Champions

|{{dts|2014|August|7}}

|align=center|5

|align=center|5:00

|Lemoore, California, United States

|{{small|Won the vacant TPF Flyweight Championship.}}

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center| 7–1

|Benjamin Vinson

|Decision (unanimous)

|TPF 18: Martinez vs. Culley

|{{dts|2014|February|6}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Lemoore, California, United States

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center| 6–1

|Robert Schepps

|Decision (unanimous)

|Rogue Fights 22

|{{dts|2013|April|13}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Redding, California, United States

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center| 5–1

|Andrew Vallarerez

|Submission (guillotine choke)

|Dragon House 13

|{{dts|2013|February|2}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|0:50

|Oakland, California, United States

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center| 4–1

|Taylor McCorriston

|Decision (unanimous)

|Impact MMA - Recognition

|{{dts|2011|December|10}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Pleasanton, California, United States

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center| 3–1

|Bobby Escalante

|TKO (punches)

|UPC Unlimited 6

|{{dts|2011|September|10}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|2:53

|Turlock, California, United States

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center| 2–1

|Jordan Felix

|Submission (armbar)

|Gladiator Challenge - Warpath

|{{dts|2011|May|21}}

|align=center|2

|align=center|1:04

|Placerville, California, United States

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center| 1–1

|Ronald Carillo

|Decision (unanimous)

|CCFC - El Reventon

|{{dts|2010|April|24}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Santa Rosa, California, United States

|

|-

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center| 0–1

|Ulysses Gomez

|Submission (armbar)

|PFC 9: The Return

|{{dts|2008|July|18}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|0:51

|Lemoore, California, United States

|

|-

{{end}}

See also

References

{{reflist}}