Jordan Wright
Jordan Michael Wright (born October 7, 1991) is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Background. Wright started gymnastics at age 4, but after watching the cartoon Dragon Ball Z, he developed an interest in martial arts. Trying karate as his first martial art, he would then try his hand in wushu, muay Thai and kickboxing. After participating in some muay Thai smokers at the age of 16, he was instantly hooked. After high school, Wright decided to make fighting a full-time job and moved to New Mexico  and tried out for Jackson-Wink MMA. After passing the tryout, Wright would sleep and live at the gym during the summer before his freshman year at the University of New Mexico. Mixed martial arts career. Early career. Soon after graduating from college, Wright made his professional MMA debut at 23 years old under the banner of Xplode Fight Series. He was victorious, submitting John Lee with a rear-naked choke in just 63 seconds. Wright would go on to win his next seven bouts, none lasting longer than 2:48. At on January 12, 2018, Wright submitted Craig Wilkerson in  1 minute and 29 seconds. Fighting under the banner of Dana White's Contender Series 10, he faced Anthony Hernandez. Despite losing the fight in 40 seconds, the fight would be declared a no contest, as Hernandez tested positive for marijuana. Wright faced Gabriel Checco at on January 17, 2020. He won the bout via TKO in the second round. Ultimate Fighting Championship. Wright made his UFC debut on short notice, as a replacement for Jorge Gonzalez, against Ike Villanueva on August 22, 2020 at . Wright won after cutting Isaac badly with a knee, leading to a doctor's stoppage . Wright faced Joaquin Buckley at UFC 255 on November 21, 2020. He lost the fight via knockout in round two. Wright faced Jamie Pickett on May 15, 2021 at UFC 262.He won the bout via TKO in the first round. Wright was scheduled to face Julian Marquez on October 16, 2021 at UFC Fight Night 195. At the weigh-ins, it was announced that Marquez was pulled from the bout due to non-COVID related health issues and the fight was canceled. Wright faced Bruno Silva on December 11, 2021 at UFC 269. He lost the fight via TKO in  the first round. Wright was scheduled to face Roman Kopylov on April 23, 2022 at UFC Fight Night 205. However Kopylov withdrew due to medical reasons and he was replaced by Marc-André Barriault. Wright lost the fight via a guillotine choke in round one.