Miguel Baeza
{{short description|American mixed martial artist (born 1992)}}
{{for|the Spanish footballer|Miguel Baeza (footballer)}}
{{Infobox martial artist
| name = Miguel Baeza
| other_names = Caramel Thunder
| image =
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption =
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1992|08|23}}
| birth_place = Davie, Florida, U.S.
| residence =
| nationality =
| height = {{height|ft=6|in=2}}
| weight = 170 lb
| weight_class = Welterweight (2016–present)
Lightweight (2015)
| reach = 74 in {{Cite web|title=Stats {{!}} UFC|url=http://ufcstats.com/fighter-details/82d4c957649faf9b|access-date=2020-10-04|website=ufcstats.com}}
| style =
| stance = Orthodox
| fighting_out_of = Davie, Florida, United States
| team = MMA Masters
| trainer =
| rank = Black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu{{cite web|url=https://www.fansided.com/2020/05/16/ufc-jacksonville-miguel-baeza-kos-matt-brown-stays-unbeaten/amp/|title=UFC Jacksonville: Miguel Baeza KOs Matt Brown, stays unbeaten|website=fansided.com|author=Thomas Albano|date=May 17, 2020|access-date=August 30, 2020}}
| years_active = 2015–present
| mma_kowin = 7
| mma_subwin = 1
| mma_decwin = 2
| mma_dqwin =
| mma_otherwin =
| mma_koloss = 2
| mma_subloss =
| mma_decloss = 2
| mma_dqloss =
| mma_otherloss =
| mma_draw =
| mma_nc =
| am_win =
| am_kowin =
| am_subwin =
| am_loss =
| am_koloss =
| am_subloss =
| am_draw =
| am_nc =
| occupation =
| university =
| spouse =
| children =
| relatives =
| website =
| sherdog = 231403
| footnotes =
| medaltemplates =
| show-medals =
| updated =
}}
Miguel Baeza (born August 23, 1992) is an American mixed martial artist who competed in the Welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
Background
Baeza was born in Davie, Florida to a Puerto Rican family. Baeza grew up a boxing fan, and he lists Félix Trinidad as one of his all-time favorites. Baeza first dabbled in mixed martial arts in 2011 as an amateur, compiling a record of 4–0 before turning professional in 2015. Baeza holds a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt.
Mixed martial arts career
=Dana White's Contender Series=
After going 6–0 on the regional circuit, Baeza was invited to compete on Dana White's Contender Series 18. He faced Victor Reyna and won the bout via unanimous decision, a victory that earned him a UFC contract.{{cite web|url=https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/UFC-Signs-Miles-Johns-Miguel-Baeza-After-Episode-2-of-Dana-Whites-Contender-Series-157255|title=UFC SIGNS MILES JOHNS, MIGUEL BAEZA AFTER EPISODE 2 OF DANA WHITE'S CONTENDER SERIES|author=Brian Knapp|work=Sherdog.com|date=June 25, 2019}}
=Ultimate Fighting Championship=
Baeza made his UFC debut at UFC Fight Night 161 on October 12, 2019, facing Hector Aldana. Baeza was victorious via second-round technical knockout.{{cite web|url=https://www.bloodycanvas.net/miguel-baeza-gets-tko-victory-over-hector-aldana/|title=Miguel Baeza Gets TKO Victory Over Hector Aldana|work=BloodyCanvas.net|author=Jon Realejo|date=October 13, 2019}}
Baeza then faced veteran Matt Brown on May 16, 2020, at UFC on ESPN 8. Baeza rallied back after being dropped in the first round, finishing Brown via technical knockout in the second round.{{Cite web|title=Matt Brown vs. Miguel Baeza Results and News - UFC FIGHT NIGHT: Overeem vs. Harris - MMA Fighting|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/fight/10269/matt-brown-vs-miguel-baeza|website=www.mmafighting.com|access-date=2020-08-30}} This win earned Baeza his first Performance of the Night award.{{cite web|url=https://www.mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/05/ufc-on-espn-8-jacksonville-bonuses-song-yadong-marlon-vera-cortney-casey-miguel-baeza/amp|title=UFC on ESPN 8 bonuses: Yadong-Vera war takes 'Fight of Night' honors|work=MMAJunkie.com|access-date=August 30, 2020}}
Baeza was set to face Mickey Gall at UFC Fight Night 178.{{cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/platform/amp/2020/8/28/21406224/miguel-baeza-vs-mickey-gall-targeted-for-ufc-event-on-sept-19|title=Miguel Baeza vs. Mickey Gall targeted for UFC event on Sept. 19|author=Mike Heck, Guillherme Cruz|date=August 28, 2020|access-date=August 30, 2020|work=MMAFighting.com}} However, on September 11, Gall pulled out due to an injury.{{cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2020/9/11/21433495/mickey-gall-injured-out-of-fight-with-miguel-baeza-at-ufc-vegas-11|title=Mickey Gall injured, out of fight with Miguel Baeza at UFC Vegas 11|publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Mike Heck|date=2020-09-11|access-date=2020-09-12}} He was replaced by Jeremiah Wells.{{cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/09/ufc-on-espn-plus-36-miguel-baeza-jeremiah-wells-replacement|title=Miguel Baeza now fights Jeremiah Wells at UFC on ESPN+ 36|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Dave Doyle|date=2020-09-15|access-date=2020-09-15}} On September 17, it was announced that the bout was canceled due to undisclosed reasons.{{cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/09/ufc-on-espn-plus-36-miguel-baeza-vs-jeremiah-wells-removed|title=Miguel Baeza vs. Jeremiah Wells removed from UFC on ESPN+ 36|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Danny Segura|date=2020-09-17|access-date=2020-09-17}}
Baeza faced Takashi Sato on November 28, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 184.{{Cite web|last=DNA|first=MMA|date=2020-11-07|title=BREAKING: Miguel Baeza vs. Takashi Sato toegevoegd aan UFC evenement op 28 november|url=https://mmadna.nl/breaking-miguel-baeza-vs-takashi-sato-toegevoegd-aan-ufc-evenement-op-28-november/|access-date=2020-11-07|website=MMA DNA|language=en-US}} He won via second round arm-triangle choke, thus earning his first career win by submission.{{Cite web|last=McClory|first=Mike|date=2020-11-28|title=UFC Vegas 15 Results: Miguel Baeza Earns Another Finish with Sub of Takashi Sato|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2020/11/29/ufc-vegas-15-results-miguel-baeza-vs-takashi-sato/|access-date=2020-11-28|website=cagesidepress|language=en-US}} He earned a Performance of the Night bonus for the win.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bloodyelbow.com/2020/11/29/21724480/ufc-vegas-15-post-fight-bonuses-smith-nabs-potn-for-first-round-triangle|title=UFC Vegas 15 post-fight bonuses: Smith nabs POTN for first round triangle|publisher=bloodyelbow.com|author=Stephie Haynes|date=2020-11-29|access-date=2020-11-29}}
Baeza faced Santiago Ponzinibbio on June 5, 2021, at UFC Fight Night: Rozenstruik vs. Sakai.{{Cite web|last=DNA|first=MMA|date=2021-04-15|title=Santiago Ponzinibbio vs. Miguel Baeza toegevoegd aan UFC evenement op 5 juni|url=https://mmadna.nl/santiago-ponzinibbio-vs-miguel-baeza-toegevoegd-aan-ufc-evenement-op-5-juni/|access-date=2021-04-16|website=MMA DNA|language=en-US}} He lost the back-and-forth fight via unanimous decision.{{Cite web|last=Anderson|first=Jay|date=2021-06-05|title=UFC Vegas 28 Results: Santiago Ponzinibbio Survives Miguel Baeza's Early Storm, Battles Back|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2021/06/05/ufc-vegas-28-results-santiago-ponzinibbio-vs-miguel-baeza/|access-date=2021-06-06|website=Cageside Press|language=en-US}} This bout earned him the Fight of the Night award.{{Cite web|last=Marrocco|first=Steven|date=2021-06-05|title=UFC Vegas 28 bonuses: Santiago Ponzinibbio, Miguel Baeza get $50k each for 'Fight of the Year' candidate|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2021/6/5/22520836/ufc-vegas-28-bonuses-santiago-ponzinibbio-miguel-baeza-get-50k-each-for-fight-of-the-year-candidate|access-date=2021-06-06|website=MMA Fighting|language=en}}
Baeza faced Khaos Williams on November 13, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 197.{{Cite web|last=Heck|first=Mike|date=2021-10-15|title=Miguel Baeza vs. Khaos Williams set for UFC event on Nov. 13|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2021/10/15/22728929/miguel-baeza-vs-khaos-williams-set-for-ufc-event-on-nov-13|access-date=2021-10-16|website=MMA Fighting|language=en}} He lost the fight via technical knockout in round three.{{Cite web|last=Anderson|first=Jay|date=2021-11-13|title=UFC Vegas 42: Khaos Williams Earns Third Round KO Over Miguel Baeza|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2021/11/13/ufc-vegas-42-miguel-baeza-khaos-williams/|access-date=2021-11-13|website=Cageside Press|language=en-US}}
Baeza was scheduled to face Dhiego Lima on April 16, 2022, at UFC on ESPN: Luque vs. Muhammad 2.{{Cite web|date=2022-01-18|title=Baeza en Lima treffen elkaar op 16 april|url=https://www.eurosport.nl/mixed-martial-arts/ufc/2022/baeza-en-lima-treffen-elkaar-op-16-april_sto8717893/story.shtml|access-date=2022-01-18|website=Eurosport|language=nl}} However, Lima announced his retirement from competition in MMA{{Cite web|date=2022-02-09|title=UFC veteran, 'TUF' finalist Dhiego Lima announces MMA retirement|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/02/ufc-veteran-tuf-finalist-dhiego-lima-announces-mma-retirement|access-date=2022-02-10|website=MMA Junkie|language=en-US}} in early February 2022 and was subsequently replaced by André Fialho.{{Cite web|date=2022-02-25|title=UFC Vegas 51 Fialho fills in against Baeza on April 16|url=https://www.eurosport.nl/mixed-martial-arts/ufc/2022/ufc-vegas-51-fialho-valt-in-tegen-baeza-op-16-april_sto8815733/story.shtml|access-date=2022-02-25|work=Eurosport|author=Dorff Marcellanguage=nl}} Baeza lost the fight via technical knockout in round one.{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Jay |date=2022-04-16 |title=UFC Vegas 51: Andre Fialho Rocks, Drops Miguel Baeza for First UFC Win |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2022/04/16/ufc-vegas-51-miguel-baeza-vs-andre-fialho/ |access-date=2022-04-17 |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}}
Baeza faced Punahele Soriano on June 8, 2024 at UFC on ESPN 57.{{Cite web |last=Heck |first=Mike |date=2024-04-11 |title=Punahele Soriano moves to 170, welcomes Miguel Baeza back at June 8 UFC event |url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2024/4/11/24127721/punahele-soriano-moves-to-170-welcomes-miguel-baeza-at-june-8-ufc-event |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=MMA Fighting |language=en}} He lost the fight by unanimous decision.{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Jay |date=2024-06-09 |title=UFC Louisville: Punahele Soriano Overpowers Miguel Baeza in 170lb Debut |url=https://cagesidepress.com/?p=189888 |access-date=2024-06-09 |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}}
On July 30, 2024, it was reported that Baeza was removed from the UFC roster.{{Cite web |date=Jul 30, 2024 |title=❌ Fighter removed: Miguel Baeza|url=https://x.com/RosterTracker/status/1818049887948128493|access-date=Jul 30, 2024|website=UFCRosterTracker}}
Professional grappling career
Baeza was due to face Neil Magny at Fury Pro Grappling 9 on April 4, 2024.{{cite web |last1=Rogers |first1=Kian |title=Lineup Full Of MMA Stars Announced For Fury Pro Grappling 9 |url=https://jitsmagazine.com/lineup-full-of-mma-stars-announced-for-fury-pro-grappling-9/ |website=Jitsmagazine |date=23 March 2024 |access-date=23 March 2024}} Magny withdrew on short notice and was replaced by Guilherme Neves. Baeza won the match by submission with an armbar.{{cite web |title=Fury Pro Grappling 9 Full Results And Review |url=https://jitsmagazine.com/fury-pro-grappling-9-full-results-and-review/ |website=Jitsmagazine |date=5 April 2024 |access-date=5 April 2024}}
Championships and accomplishments
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- Performance of the Night (Two times) {{small|vs. Matt Brown and Takashi Sato}}
- Fight of the Night (One Time) {{small|vs. Santiago Ponzinibbio}}
- UFC.com Awards
- 2021: Ranked #8 Fight of the Year {{small|vs. Santiago Ponzinibbio}}{{cite web|url=https://www.ufc.com/news/ten-best-fights-2021-gaethje-chandler-oliveira-holloway-volkanovski|title=THE TEN BEST FIGHTS OF 2021|date=December 26, 2021|author=Thomas Gerbasi|work=Ultimate Fighting Championship}}
- MMAjunkie.com
- 2021 June Fight of the Month vs. Santiago Ponzinibbio{{cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/lists/fight-of-the-month-june-2021-santiago-ponzinibbio-miguel-baeza-ufc-fight-night-189|title=MMA Junkie's 'Fight of the Month' for June: A welterweight war|author=Mike Bohn|date=July 5, 2021|work=MMAjunkie.com}}
Mixed martial arts record
{{MMArecordbox
|ko-wins=7
|sub-wins=1
|dec-wins=2
|ko-losses=2
|sub-losses=0
|dec-losses=2
}}
{{MMA record start}}
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|10–4
|Decision (unanimous)
|UFC on ESPN: Cannonier vs. Imavov
|{{dts|2024|June|8}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|Louisville, Kentucky, United States
|
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|10–3
|TKO (punches)
|UFC on ESPN: Luque vs. Muhammad 2
|{{dts|2022|April|16}}
|align=center|1
|align=center|4:39
|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
|
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|10–2
|TKO (punches)
|UFC Fight Night: Holloway vs. Rodríguez
|{{dts|2021|November|13}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|1:02
|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
|
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|10–1
|Decision (unanimous)
|UFC Fight Night: Rozenstruik vs. Sakai
|{{dts|2021|June|5}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
|{{small|Fight of the Night.}}
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|10–0
|Submission (arm-triangle choke)
|{{dts|2020|November|28}}
|align=center|2
|align=center|4:28
|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
|{{small|Performance of the Night.}}
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|9–0
|TKO (punches)
|UFC on ESPN: Overeem vs. Harris
|{{dts|2020|May|16}}
|align=center|2
|align=center|0:18
|Jacksonville, Florida, United States
|{{small|Performance of the Night.}}
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|8–0
|TKO (leg kick and elbows)
|UFC Fight Night: Joanna vs. Waterson
|{{dts|2019|October|12}}
|align=center|2
|align=center|2:32
|Tampa, Florida, United States
|
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|7–0
|Victor Reyna
|Decision (unanimous)
|Dana White's Contender Series 18
|{{dts|2019|June|25}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
|{{small|Catchweight (178 lb) bout; Reyna missed weight.}}
|-
|{{Yes2}}Win
|align=center|6–0
|Matthew Colquhoun
|KO (punches)
|XFN 22
|{{dts|2018|December|15}}
|align=center|1
|align=center|3:31
|Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, United States
|
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|5–0
|Leo Valdivia
|Decision (split)
|Fight Time 37
|{{dts|2017|September|1}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, United States
|
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|4–0
|Augustus D'Angelo
|TKO (pucnhes)
|Fight Time 36
|{{dts|2017|April|7}}
|align=center|2
|align=center|1:14
|Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, United States
|
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|3–0
|Mike D'Angelo
|KO (punches)
|Fight Time 33
|{{dts|2016|October|21}}
|align=center|1
|align=center|3:48
|Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, United States
|{{small|Welterweight debut.}}
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|2–0
|Emre Orun
|KO (punch)
|{{dts|2016|August|5}}
|align=center|1
|align=center|1:45
|Coral Gables, Florida, United States
|{{small|Catchweight (178 lb) bout.}}
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|1–0
|John McDonald
|TKO (punches)
|Rings of Dreams: Fight Night 17
|{{dts|2015|August|22}}
|align=center|1
|align=center|1:21
|Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States
|{{small|Lightweight debut.}}
{{end}}
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Sherdog|231403}}
- {{UFC|miguel-baeza}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Baeza, Miguel}}
Category:American male mixed martial artists
Category:American sportspeople of Puerto Rican descent
Category:Sportspeople from Davie, Florida
Category:Mixed martial artists from Florida
Category:Welterweight mixed martial artists
Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing Brazilian jiu-jitsu
Category:Ultimate Fighting Championship male fighters
Category:American practitioners of Brazilian jiu-jitsu