Mario Bautista facts for kids

Mario Alberto Bautista, born on July 1, 1993, is an American professional MMA fighter. He competes in the Bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). As of June 2025, he is ranked #8 among UFC bantamweight fighters.

Mario Bautista's Early Life and Training

Mario Bautista grew up in Winnemucca, Nevada. When he was 14, he started wrestling. He continued wrestling throughout his high school years. After high school, he began training in jiu-jitsu.

Later, Mario moved from Nevada to Arizona. There, he joined a training center called MMA Lab. He trained under a coach named John Crouch. This is where he began his professional MMA career in 2012.

Mario Bautista's MMA Career

Starting His Professional Journey

Before joining the UFC, Mario Bautista fought in several different MMA events. These included promotions like Tachi Palace Fights, Combate Americas, LFA, and SMASH Global. He competed in Arizona and California. During this time, he built an impressive record of 6 wins and 0 losses. This strong start helped him get signed by the UFC.

Fighting in the UFC

Mario Bautista made his UFC debut on January 19, 2019. He stepped in to fight Cory Sandhagen at UFC Fight Night: Cejudo vs. Dillashaw. Mario lost this fight in the first round by submission.

His next fight was on July 20, 2019, against Jin Soo Son. This fight took place at UFC on ESPN: dos Anjos vs. Edwards. Mario won by a unanimous decision, meaning all the judges agreed he won. This exciting match also earned him a Fight of the Night award.

On February 8, 2020, Mario faced Miles Johns at UFC 247. He won this fight by technical knockout in the second round. This victory earned him the Performance of the Night award.

Mario Bautista fought Trevin Jones on March 6, 2021, at UFC 259. He lost this fight by technical knockout in the second round.

He was supposed to fight Guido Cannetti on August 28, 2021. However, Mario tested positive for COVID-19 and could not compete.

On February 19, 2022, Mario was scheduled to fight Khalid Taha. Taha had to withdraw, and Jay Perrin stepped in as a new opponent. Mario won the fight against Perrin by unanimous decision.

Mario then faced Brian Kelleher on June 25, 2022, at UFC on ESPN 38. He won this fight in the first round using a rear-naked choke submission.

On November 5, 2022, Mario fought Benito Lopez at UFC Fight Night 214. Lopez weighed more than allowed for the fight. Mario won the fight in the first round with a reverse triangle armbar submission. This win also earned him another Performance of the Night award.

The fight between Mario Bautista and Guido Cannetti was rescheduled for March 11, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 221. Mario won this fight in the first round with a rear-naked choke submission.

Mario was set to fight Cody Garbrandt on August 19, 2023, at UFC 292. Garbrandt got injured, and Da'Mon Blackshear replaced him. Mario won the fight by unanimous decision.

On January 13, 2024, Mario Bautista fought Ricky Simón at UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs. Walker 2. He won this match by unanimous decision.

Mario faced former UFC Featherweight Champion José Aldo on October 5, 2024, at UFC 307. Even though he couldn't take Aldo down, Mario won the fight by split decision.

His most recent fight was on June 7, 2025, at UFC 316. He was scheduled to fight Marlon Vera, but Vera withdrew. Patchy Mix, a former Bellator Bantamweight World Champion, stepped in. Mario won the fight against Mix by unanimous decision.

Mario Bautista's Achievements

Mixed Martial Arts Awards

• Ultimate Fighting Championship
  • Performance of the Night (Two times): for his fights against Miles Johns and Benito Lopez.
  • Fight of the Night (One time): for his fight against Son Jin-soo.
  • He holds the third longest winning streak in the history of the UFC Bantamweight division, with 8 wins in a row.

Mario Bautista's Fight Record

Learn More About MMA

• List of current UFC fighters
• List of male mixed martial artists

See also

In Spanish: Mario Bautista para niños