Nate Maness

Maness played basketball throughout high school, aspiring to continue playing in college but instead opted to pursue a career in mixed martial arts.{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDNF_G0S2uw|title= The Fight Bananas Show LIVE - Chase Hooper, Nate Maness, UFC 304 Fight Card Re Action - 5.21.24|date=May 21, 2024|via=YouTube|author=Fight Bananas}}

Maness made his amateur debut in 2013, winning four bouts before turning professional in the same year.{{cite web | url=https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/fighters/41826-nathan-maness | title=Nate Maness ("Mayhem") | MMA Fighter Page }}

Outside the UFC, Nathan Maness collected three belts at three different weight classes, ranging from 135 through 155 lbs. in 12 professional fights, “Mayhem” won six of them via stoppage, four in the very first frame. After he won the bantamweight championship of the Quebec-based TKO promotion in 2018, his sole loss came when he dropped the belt to former UFC competitor Taylor Lapilus in May 2019 but came back with a first-round stoppage win in February in his next bout.{{Cite web|date=2020-07-31|title=One to Watch at UFC Vegas 5: Nathan Maness - Tap In MMA|url=https://tapinufc.com/2020/07/31/nathan-maness/|access-date=2021-09-16|website=Tap In|language=en-US}}

Maness was scheduled to face Ray Borg on August 1, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Brunson vs. Shahbazyan.{{Cite web|date=2020-07-17|title=Ray Borg treft nieuwkomer Nathan Maness tijdens UFC Fight Night 173 in Las Vegas|url=https://mmadna.nl/ray-borg-treft-nieuwkomer-nathan-maness-tijdens-ufc-fight-night-173-in-las-vegas/|access-date=2020-07-18|website=MMA DNA|author=Marcel Dorff|language=nl}} However, Borg was removed from the fight on the day of the event's weigh-in for undisclosed reasons. Maness went on to face Johnny Muñoz Jr. in a featherweight bout.{{cite web|author=Nolan King|date=2020-07-31|title=Ray Borg out of UFC on ESPN+ 31; Nate Maness expected to fight Johnny Munoz|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/07/ufc-espn-plus-31-ray-borg-out-nathan-maness-to-fight-johnny-munoz|access-date=2020-07-31|publisher=mmajunkiecom}} He won the close bout via unanimous decision.{{Cite web|last=Doherty|first=Dan|date=2020-08-01|title=UFC Vegas 5 Results: Nathan Maness Wins Grueling Decision Over Johnny Munoz|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2020/08/01/ufc-vegas-5-results-nathan-maness/|access-date=2021-09-16|website=Cageside Press|language=en-US}} 5 out of 15 media scores gave it to Muñoz, 6 out of 10 gave it to Maness, and 4 scored it a draw.{{Cite web |title=Nathan Maness def. Johnny Munoz :: UFC on ESPN+ 31 :: MMA Decisions |url=http://www.mmadecisions.com/decision/11180/Nathan-Maness-vs-Johnny-Munoz |access-date=2022-06-04 |website=www.mmadecisions.com}}

Maness faced Luke Sanders on November 28, 2020, at UFC on ESPN: Blaydes vs. Lewis.{{Cite web|date=2020-11-14|title=Luke Sanders vs. Nate Maness toegevoegd aan UFC evenement op 28 november in Las Vegas|url=https://mmadna.nl/luke-sanders-vs-nate-maness-toegevoegd-aan-ufc-evenement-op-28-november-in-las-vegas/|access-date=2020-11-15|website=MMA DNA|language=nl|author=Marcel Dorff}} He won the fight via second round submission.{{Cite web|last=Evanoff|first=Josh|date=2020-11-28|title=UFC Vegas 15 Results: Nathan Maness Survives, Finishes Luke Sanders|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2020/11/28/ufc-vegas-15-results-nathan-maness-survives-finishes-luke-sanders/|access-date=2020-11-28|website=cagesidepress|language=en-US}} He earned a Performance of the Night bonus for the win.{{Cite web|author=Stephie Haynes|date=2020-11-29|title=UFC Vegas 15 post-fight bonuses: Smith nabs POTN for first round triangle|url=https://www.bloodyelbow.com/2020/11/29/21724480/ufc-vegas-15-post-fight-bonuses-smith-nabs-potn-for-first-round-triangle|access-date=2020-11-29|publisher=bloodyelbow.com}}

Maness was scheduled to face Tony Gravely at UFC on ESPN: Whittaker vs. Gastelum on April 17, 2021.{{Cite web|author=Nolan King and Farah Hannoun|date=2019-02-18|title=UFC books Tony Gravely vs. Nate Maness for April 17 event|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/02/ufc-news-tony-gravely-vs-nate-maness-april-17-event|access-date=2021-03-26|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com}} However, Maness was removed from the bout for undisclosed reasons.{{Cite web|author=Staff|date=2021-03-26|title=Anthony Birchak replaces Nate Maness against Tony Gravely at UFC event on April 17th|url=https://mmadna.nl/anthony-birchak-vervangt-nate-maness-tegen-tony-gravely-tijdens-ufc-evenement-op-17-april/|access-date=2021-03-26|publisher=mmadna.nl}} {{in lang|nl}}

The bout with Gravely was rescheduled for September 18, 2021, at UFC Fight Night: Smith vs. Spann.{{Cite web|date=2021-08-17|title=Tweede poging Tony Gravely vs. Nate Maness, ditmaal op 18 september|url=https://mmadna.nl/tweede-poging-tony-gravely-vs-nate-maness-ditmaal-op-18-september/|access-date=2021-08-17|website=MMA DNA|language=nl}} Maness won the fight via technical knockout in round two after being knocked down and almost finished in the first round.{{Cite web|last=Behunin|first=Alex|date=2021-09-18|title=UFC Vegas 37 Results: Nate Maness Knocks Tony Gravely Out In Comeback Win|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2021/09/18/ufc-vegas-37-results-nate-maness-knocks-tony-gravely-out-in-a-comeback-win/|access-date=2021-09-19|website=Cageside Press|language=en-US}} This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.{{Cite web|date=2021-09-19|title=UFC Fight Night 192 bonuses: Anthony Smith's submission, Nate Maness' comeback TKO among winners|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/lists/ufc-fight-night-192-bonuses-anthony-smiths-submission-nate-maness-comeback-tko-among-winners|access-date=2021-09-19|website=MMA Junkie|language=en-US}}

As the first bout of his new four-fight contract, Maness faced Umar Nurmagomedov on June 25, 2022, at UFC on ESPN 38.{{Cite web |date=2022-05-12 |title=UFC targets Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Nate Maness for June 25 |url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/05/ufc-fight-night-umar-nurmagomedov-vs-nate-maness-booked-june-25/ |access-date=2022-05-12 |website=MMA Junkie |language=en}} He lost the fight via unanimous decision.{{Cite web |last=Doherty |first=Dan |date=2022-06-25 |title=UFC Vegas 57: Umar Nurmagomedov Dominates Nate Maness, Stays Undefeated |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2022/06/25/ufc-vegas-57-nate-maness-umar-nurmagomedov/ |access-date=2022-06-27 |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}}

Maness faced Tagir Ulanbekov on November 5, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 214.{{Cite web |date=2022-08-10 |title=Nate Maness baja a los pesos moscas, enfrenta a Tagir Ulanbekov en UFC Fight Night del 5 de noviembre - MMA.uno, #1 En noticias de Artes Marciales Mixtas (MMA) en Español. |url=https://mma.uno/nate-maness-baja-a-los-pesos-moscas-enfrenta-a-tagir-ulanbekov-en-ufc-fight-night-del-5-de-noviembre/ |access-date=2022-08-10 |website=mma.uno |language=es}} He lost the fight via a guillotine choke in the first round.{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/11/ufc-fight-night-214-video-tagir-ulanbekov-spoils-nate-maness-flyweight-debut-standing-choke|title=UFC Fight Night 214 video: Tagir Ulanbekov spoils Nate Maness' flyweight debut with standing choke|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Mike Bohn|date=2022-11-05|access-date=2022-11-05}}

Maness was scheduled to face Zhalgas Zhumagulov on May 6, 2023, at UFC 288.{{Cite web |last=Heck |first=Mike |date=2023-03-07 |title=UFC 288 set to take place in New Jersey on May 6; Kron Gracie's return vs. Charles Jourdain among additions |url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2023/3/7/23629224/ufc-288-set-to-take-place-in-new-jersey-on-may-6-kron-gracie-vs-charles-jourdain-among-additions |access-date=2023-03-08 |website=MMA Fighting |language=en}} However, Nate Maness pulled out of the fight due to injury and was replaced by UFC Newcomer Rafael Estevam, who was originally scheduled to face Carlos Candelario on April 22, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 222.{{Cite web |last1=King |first1=Nolan |last2=Hannoun |first2=Farah |date=2023-04-10| title=Rafael Estevam loses UFC Fight Night 222 opponent, now meets Zhalgas Zhumagulov at UFC 288|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2023/04/ufc-288-rafael-estevam-steps-in-vs-zhalgas-zhumagulov-fight-booking |access-date=2023-04-11 |website=MMAJunkie| language=en}}

Maness faced Mateus Mendonça on October 7, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 229.{{Cite web |date=2023-08-16 |title=Nate Maness & Mateus Mendonça Set for Flyweight Bout at UFC Vegas 80 |url=https://www.itnwwe.com/mma/nate-maness-mateus-mendonca-set-for-flyweight-bout-at-ufc-vegas-80/ |access-date=2023-08-18 |website=www.itnwwe.com |language=en-US}} He won the fight via TKO in the first round.{{Cite web |date=2023-10-07 |title=UFC Fight Night 229 video: Nate Maness pounds out submission-happy Mateus Mendonca |url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2023/10/ufc-fight-night-229-video-nate-maness-pounds-out-submission-happy-mateus-mendonca-tko |access-date=2023-10-07 |website=MMA Junkie |language=en-US}} This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/lists/ufc-fight-night-229-bonuses-be-joe-pyfer-win-50k|title=UFC Fight Night 229 bonuses: Be Joe Pyfer, win $50K|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Matthew Wells|date=2023-10-07|access-date=2023-10-08}}

Maness was scheduled to face Azat Maksum on February 3, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 235.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Nathan-Maness-Slated-to-Face-Undefeated-Prospect-Azat-Maksum-at-UFC-Fight-Night-235-191987|title=Nathan Maness Slated to Face Undefeated Prospect Azat Maksum at UFC Fight Night 235|publisher=sherdog.com|author=David Andrew|date=2023-12-09|access-date=2024-09-03}} However, Maness pulled out in early January due to injury and was replaced by Charles Johnson.{{cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2024/01/ufc-fight-night-235-news-nate-maness-injured-charles-johnson-vs-azat-maksum-set|title=Charles Johnson to replace injured Nate Maness at UFC Fight Night 235 vs. Azat Maksum|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Matthew Wells and Nolan King|date=2024-01-02|access-date=2024-01-02}}

As the last bout of his prevailing contract, Maness faced Jimmy Flick on June 15, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 58.{{Cite web |last=Raghuwanshi |first=Vipin |date=2024-03-22 |title=Report: Jimmy Flick To Face Nate Maness on UFC June 15 Event |url=https://www.itnwwe.com/mma/report-jimmy-flick-to-face-nate-maness-on-ufc-june-15-event/ |access-date=2024-03-23 |website=www.itnwwe.com |language=en-US}} He won the fight by unanimous decision.{{Cite web |last=Hester |first=Bryson |date=2024-06-16 |title=UFC Vegas 93: Nate Maness Tops Jimmy Flick in Decision |url=https://cagesidepress.com/?p=190415 |access-date=2024-06-16 |website=Cageside Press |language=en-US}}

On June 29, 2024, it was reported that Maness was removed from UFC's roster.{{Cite web |date=2024-06-29 |title=❌ Fighter removed: Nate Maness |url=https://x.com/RosterTracker/status/1806843082517741841 |website=X.com |publisher=UFC Roster Tracker}} On an interview in July 2024, Maness stated that he was not given a reason for the non-renewal of his contract but hoped to return.{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2024/07/ufc-news-nate-maness-free-agent-split-next-fight?taid=669d858420f1650001b63237|title=Nate Maness hopes UFC circles back after 5-2 stint resulted in free agency: 'What can I do better?'|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Nolan King|date=2024-07-21|access-date=2024-07-25}} Maness later stated that the UFC let him know that his bouts were not exciting, which is why he was not offered a new contract.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Nathan-Maness-Confirms-UFC-Contract-Wont-Be-Extended-194488|title=Nathan Maness Confirms UFC Contract Won't Be Extended|author=Sayan Nag|publisher=sherdog.com|date=2024-07-30|access-date=2024-08-03}}

On September 3, 2024, it was reported that Maness signed a multi-fight deal with the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC).{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2024/09/ufc-bkfc-nate-maness-signing-release-free-agent|title=BKFC signs Nate Maness after UFC split|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Nolan King|date=2024-09-03|access-date=2024-09-03}}

Maness made his BKFC debut against Nick Burgos on December 6, 2024 at BKFC 69.{{Cite web |title=BKFC 69 RICHARDSON vs LARRIMORE |url=https://www.bkfc.com/events/bkfc-69-richardson-vs-larrimore:3c64571f-b3dc-42b1-a8db-e1778f4baa11 |access-date=2024-11-04 |website=Bare Knuckle Fighting Championships}} He won the fight by technical knockout at the end of the third round.{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/brianmazique/2024/12/07/bkfc-69-results-fighter-records-fastest-ko-in-history-video/|title=BKFC 69 Results: Fighter Records Fastest KO In History (Video)|publisher=forbes.com|author=Damon Martin|date=2024-12-07|access-date=2024-12-07}}

Maness and his wife have a daughter (born 2022).{{cite web|url=https://www.ufc.com/news/nate-maness-wants-to-dominate-ufc-vegas-93|title=Nate Maness Wants To Dominate|author=Zac Pacleb|date=June 14, 2024|work=Ultimate Fighting Championship}}

• Ultimate Fighting Championship
• Performance of the Night (Three times) {{small|vs. Luke Sanders, Tony Gravely, and Mateus Mendonça}}
• Hard Rock MMA
• HR MMA Featherweight Championship (One time; former)
• TKO Major League MMA
• TKO Bantamweight Championship (One time; former)
• Warrior FC
• Warrior FC Lightweight Championship (One time; former)
• Bluegrass Brawl
• BB Bantamweight Championship (One time; former)

{{MMArecordbox

| draws=

| nc=

| ko-wins= 6

| sub-wins= 3

| dec-wins= 7

| ko-losses= 1

| sub-losses= 1

| dec-losses= 1

| dq-wins=

| dq-losses=

| other-wins=

| other-losses=

}}

{{MMA record start}}

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|16–3

|Jimmy Flick

|Decision (unanimous)

|UFC on ESPN: Perez vs. Taira

|{{dts|2024|June|15}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|15–3

|Mateus Mendonça

|TKO (punches)

|UFC Fight Night: Dawson vs. Green

|{{dts|2023|October|7}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|4:40

|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

|{{small|Performance of the Night.}}

|-

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center|14–3

|Tagir Ulanbekov

|Submission (guillotine choke)

|UFC Fight Night: Rodriguez vs. Lemos

|{{dts|2022|November|05}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|2:11

|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

|{{small|Flyweight debut.}}

|-

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center|14–2

|Umar Nurmagomedov

|Decision (unanimous)

|UFC on ESPN: Tsarukyan vs. Gamrot

|{{dts|2022|June|25}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|14–1

|Tony Gravely

|TKO (punches)

|UFC Fight Night: Smith vs. Spann

|{{dts|2021|September|18}}

|align=center|2

|align=center|2:10

|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

|{{small|Return to Bantamweight. Performance of the Night.}}

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center|13–1

|Luke Sanders

|Submission (rear-naked choke)

|UFC on ESPN: Smith vs. Clark

|{{dts|2020|November|28}}

|align=center|2

|align=center|2:29

|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

|{{small|Catchweight (140 lb) bout. Performance of the Night.}}

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center| 12–1

|Johnny Muñoz Jr.

|Decision (unanimous)

|UFC Fight Night: Brunson vs. Shahbazyan

|{{dts|2020.08.01}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

|{{small|Muñoz was deducted one point in round 3 due to repeated groin strikes.}}

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 11–1

|Kellen VanCamp

| KO (punches)

| HR MMA 114

| {{dts|2020.02.01}}

| align=center| 1

| align=center| 1:39

| Shepherdsville, Kentucky, United States

|{{small|Return to Featherweight. Won the vacant HRMMA Featherweight Championship.}}

|-

| {{no2}}Loss

| align=center|10–1

| Taylor Lapilus

|KO (kick to the body)

|TKO 48

|{{dts|2019|May|24}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|1:22

|Gatineau, Quebec, Canada

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

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center|10–0

| Jesse Arnett

| TKO (punches)

|TKO 44

|{{dts|2018.09.21}}

| align=center|2

| align=center|2:53

|Québec City, Québec, Canada

|{{small|Won the TKO Bantamweight Championship.}}

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center|9–0

| Caio Machado

|Decision (unanimous)

|TKO 42

|{{dts|2018.03.16}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Laval, Québec, Canada

|{{small|Return to Bantamweight.}}

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 8–0

| Marc McDonald

| Submission (brabo choke)

| Premier MMA Championship 3

| {{dts|2017.05.27}}

| align=center| 2

| align=center| 4:10

| Covington, Kentucky, United States

|{{small|Featherweight debut.}}

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 7–0

| Brandon Bell

|Decision (unanimous)

|Warrior FC: Caged Chaos

|{{dts|2016.09.17}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Harlan, Kentucky, United States

|{{small|Won the Warrior FC Lightweight Championship.}}

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 6–0

|Michael Ricketts

|TKO (punches)

|Colosseum Combat 33

|{{dts|2015.10.10}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|3:42

|Kokomo, Indiana, United States

|

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center|5–0

|Kodey Gulley

|Decision (unanimous)

|Fight Lab 45

|{{dts|2015.03.28}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Charlotte, North Carolina, United States

|

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 4–0

| Isaiah Ferguson

|Decision (split)

|Hardrock MMA 69

|{{dts|2014.11.08}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Shepherdsville, Kentucky, United States

|

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center|3–0

| Brandon Sandefur

|TKO (punches)

| Hardrock MMA 60

|{{dts|2014.02.01}}

| align=center|1

| align=center|3:13

|Shepherdsville, Kentucky, United States

|{{small|Return to Bantamweight.}}

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center|2–0

| Jason Blackford

| Submission (rear-naked choke)

|Hardrock MMA 58

|{{dts|2013.11.02}}

| align=center|1

| align=center|2:55

|Bowling Green, Kentucky, United States

|{{small|Lightweight debut.}}

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center|1–0

| Jeremy Pender

| Decision (unanimous)

|Bluegrass Brawl 8

|{{dts|2013.07.27}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Lexington, Kentucky, United States

|{{small|Bantamweight debut. Won the BB Bantamweight Championship.}}

{{end}}

{{Cite web|last=Sherdog.com|title=Nate Maness|url=https://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Joseph-Nathan-Maness-158855|access-date=2020-08-07|website=Sherdog}}

{{MMArecordbox

|ko-wins=1

|ko-losses=

|sub-wins=

|sub-losses=

|dec-wins=

|dec-losses=

}}

{{MMA record start}}

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|1–0

|Nick Burgos

|TKO

|BKFC 69

|{{dts|2024|December|6}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|1:59

|Duluth, Georgia, United States

|

{{end}}

• List of male mixed martial artists

{{reflist}}

• {{Sherdog|158855}}
• {{UFC|nate-maness}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Maness, Nate}}

Category:1991 births

Category:Living people

Category:American male mixed martial artists

Category:Bantamweight mixed martial artists

Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing Brazilian jiu-jitsu

Category:Ultimate Fighting Championship male fighters

Category:American practitioners of Brazilian jiu-jitsu

Category:21st-century American sportsmen