Ignacio Bahamondes Bio
Ignacio Antonio Bahamondes Carabantes, born on August 27, 1997, in Santiago, Chile, is a professional mixed martial artist who competes in the lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Known by the nickname “La Jaula,” he is also the inaugural lightweight champion of the LUX Fight League. Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall with a 75-inch reach, Bahamondes fights out of Chicago, Illinois, and is recognized for his dynamic striking and finishing ability inside the cage.
Following in the footsteps of his father, a former South American WKN kickboxing champion, Bahamondes built a foundation in amateur kickboxing before transitioning to mixed martial arts. After compiling a strong amateur record, he moved to the United States at the age of 16 to pursue his professional career, eventually settling in Chicago and training with the Valle Flow Striking team.
Early Life and Background
Ignacio Antonio Bahamondes Carabantes was born and raised in Santiago, Chile, where he was introduced to combat sports at a young age. His father, a former South American WKN kickboxing champion, served as his primary influence and inspired him to begin training in kickboxing. Growing up in a household rooted in martial arts, Bahamondes developed his striking foundation through years of dedicated amateur competition.
During his amateur kickboxing career, he compiled an impressive record of 35 wins, no losses, and one draw across 36 total bouts, showcasing his technical skill and finishing instinct early on. This success at the amateur level helped him gain recognition in South American fight circles and laid the groundwork for his transition to mixed martial arts.
Path to MMA
After establishing himself as a top amateur kickboxer in Chile, Bahamondes made the bold decision to relocate to the United States at just 16 years of age to pursue a career in mixed martial arts. He initially settled in Miami, arriving alone and unable to speak English, an experience that tested his resolve but also accelerated his growth as a fighter and as a person. This early independence shaped his disciplined approach to training and competition.
Bahamondes began his professional MMA career in 2015, initially competing at welterweight before eventually settling in the lightweight division. He trained with the Young Tigers team during the earliest stage of his professional journey, racking up experience across both North and South American regional circuits. His development through these regional promotions allowed him to refine his skills and build the confidence needed to compete on larger stages.
Ignacio Bahamondes Career
Early Career (2015–2020)
During his early professional career, Bahamondes competed primarily in regional promotions across the Americas, building a record of 10 wins and 3 losses while transitioning between weight classes. He started at welterweight before eventually making his official debut at lightweight, a division that better suited his frame and skill set. His performances in these regional circuits helped him capture the inaugural LUX Fight League lightweight championship, a title that elevated his profile within the sport.
These developmental years allowed Bahamondes to sharpen his striking and grappling under varied competition formats. Training alongside experienced teammates and coaches, he developed the all-around game that would later earn him a place on one of the sport’s biggest stages.
Dana White’s Contender Series (2020)
Bahamondes received an invitation to compete on Dana White’s Contender Series 34, where he faced Edson Gomez on November 4, 2020. He delivered a dominant performance, winning the bout via second-round knockout. The finish was impressive enough to earn him a contract with the Ultimate Fighting Championship, marking a defining moment in his career and launching him onto the global MMA stage.
Ultimate Fighting Championship (2021–Present)
Bahamondes made his UFC debut against John Makdessi on April 10, 2021, at UFC on ABC 2. After weighing in 0.75 pounds over the lightweight non-title limit, the bout proceeded at a catchweight, and he was fined 20 percent of his purse. He lost the fight via split decision, but the experience gave him valuable insight into competing at the highest level.
He quickly bounced back in his sophomore UFC appearance against Roosevelt Roberts at UFC on ESPN 29 on August 21, 2021. Bahamondes delivered a thrilling performance, winning via knockout just five seconds before the final bell in the third round. The dramatic finish earned him his first Performance of the Night bonus award, signaling his arrival as a finisher in the lightweight division.
Continuing his momentum, Bahamondes faced Rong Zhu at UFC Fight Night: Makhachev vs. Green on February 26, 2022, and secured a third-round submission victory. He was later scheduled to face Ľudovít Klein at UFC 277 in July 2022, but withdrew from the bout on July 15. Returning in 2023, he defeated Trey Ogden via unanimous decision at UFC 287 after original opponent Nikolas Motta withdrew, then faced Klein again at UFC Fight Night 226 in August 2023, losing by unanimous decision.
Bahamondes reignited his career in 2024 with a first-round head kick knockout of Christos Giagos at UFC Fight Night 240 on April 6, earning another Performance of the Night award. He followed that with a first-round technical knockout of Manuel Torres at UFC 306 on September 14, 2024, securing his second consecutive Performance of the Night bonus. On March 8, 2025, at UFC 313, he submitted Jalin Turner via triangle choke in the first round, earning a third straight Performance of the Night award. He most recently faced Rafael Fiziev on June 21, 2025, at UFC on ABC 8, losing the bout by unanimous decision.
Driving Style and Strengths
Bahamondes is widely regarded as a dynamic and creative striker, with his tall frame and long reach allowing him to control distance and deliver powerful kicks. His kickboxing background gives him a sharp technical edge on the feet, while his growing submission game has made him a more well-rounded threat. Training with the Valle Flow Striking team in Chicago has helped him refine his tactical approach and conditioning for high-level competition.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Bahamondes’ most memorable career moments is his dramatic late knockout of Roosevelt Roberts, which arrived just five seconds before the final bell and announced his UFC arrival. His first-round head kick of Christos Giagos, his technical knockout of Manuel Torres at UFC 306, and his first-round triangle choke of Jalin Turner at UFC 313 each earned him Performance of the Night bonuses, highlighting his consistent finishing ability against top competition.
Ignacio Bahamondes Career Wins
Across his professional mixed martial arts career, Bahamondes has compiled 17 wins against 6 losses in 23 total bouts. Of his victories, 11 have come by knockout, 4 by decision, and 2 by submission, reflecting his finishing instinct and well-rounded skill set. He has earned multiple Performance of the Night bonus awards in the UFC for his highlight-reel finishes.
UFC Highlights
Within the UFC, Bahamondes has earned notable victories over Roosevelt Roberts, Rong Zhu, Trey Ogden, Christos Giagos, Manuel Torres, and Jalin Turner. Several of these wins came in dramatic fashion, including late knockouts and first-round submissions, and have earned him Performance of the Night recognition. His first UFC win came against Roberts in 2021, while his most recent victory came over Turner at UFC 313 in 2025.
Other Wins and Performances
Outside the UFC, Bahamondes captured the inaugural LUX Fight League lightweight championship, a title that helped establish his credibility as a top regional prospect. His earlier career also featured multiple victories across North and South American regional promotions, where he built the experience that led to his opportunity on Dana White’s Contender Series.
Ignacio Bahamondes Family
Family Background and Fighting Lineage
Bahamondes comes from a family with deep roots in combat sports, having been raised by a father who is a former South American WKN kickboxing champion. This martial arts lineage played a central role in his development as a fighter, providing both inspiration and early training opportunities. His father’s accomplishments in kickboxing set a high standard that Ignacio has worked to match and surpass in his own career.
Personal Life
Bahamondes currently resides in Chicago, Illinois, where he trains with the Valle Flow Striking team. He previously trained with the Young Tigers team during the early stages of his professional career. Public details about his marital status, spouse, or children have not been officially confirmed.
2025 Season Performance
Bahamondes began 2025 on a high note with a first-round triangle choke submission of Jalin Turner at UFC 313 on March 8, earning his third straight Performance of the Night bonus and reinforcing his reputation as a dangerous finisher. The victory extended his momentum from a strong 2024 campaign and positioned him as a rising contender in the stacked UFC lightweight division.
His 2025 season continued at UFC on ABC 8 on June 21, where he faced Rafael Fiziev and lost by unanimous decision. Despite the setback, his prior finishes against Giagos, Torres, and Turner demonstrated that he remains one of the most exciting strikers in the division. His combination of kickboxing pedigree, finishing instincts, and steadily improving grappling makes him a fighter to watch in the lightweight ranks.