English mixed martial artist (born 1993)
Nathaniel Wood Wood at UFC 232 in 2018
Born (1993-08-05 ) 5 August 1993 (age 31) London , England[ 1] Other names The Prospect Height 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) Weight 145 lb (66 kg) Division Bantamweight (2012-2022)Featherweight (2022-present)Reach 69 in (175 cm) Fighting out of Morden , EnglandTeam Nova Forca Raptors Strike Force Team Titan (2017–2019)[ 2] [ 3] Great Britain Top Team (2019–present)[ 4] Trainer Brad Pickett Rank Black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under Ashley Grimshaw[ 5] Years active 2011–present Total 26 Wins 20 By knockout 8 By submission 5 By decision 7 Losses 6 By knockout 2 By submission 2 By decision 2
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Nathaniel Wood (born 5 August 1993) is an English professional mixed martial artist who competes in the Featherweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A professional competitor since 2012, he formerly competed for Cage Warriors , where he was the Bantamweight Champion.
Background
Growing up playing football, Wood followed his father to a Brazilian jiu-jitsu practice at the age of 16.[ 6] He attended college for carpentry for a spell, but dropped out in order to pursue a career in mixed martial arts.[ 6]
Professional mixed martial arts career
Early career
Wood made his professional debut against James Humphries at Fusion Fighting Championship: Breakthrough on 18 February 2012. He won the fight by a second-round technical knockout. He went on to amass a 9–3 record, before signing with Cage Warriors .[ 7]
Cage Warriors Bantamweight champion
Nathaniel Wood won the Cage Warriors Bantamweight Championship
Wood was scheduled to make his Cage Warriors debut against Vaughan Lee at CWFC 82 on 1 April 2017. They were originally scheduled to meet at CWFC 80, before the fight was postponed due to an anomaly found on Wood's brain in a pre-fight scan.[ 8] Wood staggered Lee near the beginning of the second round, and pursued him for the remainder of the fight, knocking him out with a right straight at the 4:22 minute mark.[ 9]
Following his dominant victory against Lee, Wood was scheduled to fight Marko Kovacevic for the vacant Cage Warriors Bantamweight Championship at CWFC 84 on 2 June 2017.[ 10] Wood won the fight by a first-round technical knockout, after weathering some early counter right hands by Kovacic.[ 11]
Wood was scheduled to make his first title defense against Josh Reed at CWFC 86 on 17 September 2017.[ 12] Reed dominated the champion for the duration of the short-lived bout, surging forward with power shots and managing to drop Wood with a combination of punches. Wood however managed to stagger back to his feet and counter the onrushing Reed with a counter left, winning the fight by a first-round knockout.[ 13]
Wood made his second and final title defense against Luca Iovine at CWFC 92 on 24 March 2018.[ 14] Wood made quick work of the challenger, knocking him out with a left hook after just 50 seconds.[ 15]
It was announced on 5 April 2018 that Wood had signed with the UFC .[ 16]
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Wood made his promotional debut against Johnny Eduardo on 1 June 2018 at UFC Fight Night: Rivera vs. Moraes . He won the fight via submission in Round 2,[ 17] for which he was awarded with a Performance of the Night bonus.[ 18]
Wood was originally scheduled to face Tom Duquesnoy on 29 December 2018 at UFC 232 .[ 19] However, Dusquenoy pulled out due to an injury and was replaced by Andre Ewell .[ 20] He won the bout via submission in the third round.[ 21]
Wood faced José Alberto Quiñónez on 16 March 2019 at UFC Fight Night: Till vs. Masvidal .[ 22] He won the fight via a submission in round two.[ 23]
Wood faced John Dodson on 15 February 2020 at UFC Fight Night: Anderson vs. Błachowicz 2 .[ 24] He lost the fight via TKO in round three.[ 25]
Wood was scheduled to face Umar Nurmagomedov on 26 July 2020 at UFC on ESPN 14 .[ 26] However, Nurmagomedov withdrew from the bout due to his uncle Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov 's passing [ 27] He was replaced by promotional newcomer John Castañeda .[ 28] Wood won the fight via unanimous decision.[ 29]
Wood faced Casey Kenney on 24 October 2020 at UFC 254 .[ 30] He lost the back-and-forth fight via unanimous decision.[ 31] This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award.[ 32]
Wood was scheduled to face Jonathan Martinez on 4 September 2021 at UFC Fight Night 191 .[ 33] However, Wood was removed from the bout in mid-August for undisclosed reasons and replaced by Marcelo Rojo.[ 34]
Wood was scheduled to face Liudvik Sholinian on 19 March 2022 at UFC Fight Night 204 .[ 35] However due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine , Sholinian was unable to leave the country or train so he was replaced by Vince Morales .[ 36] In turn, just days before the event, Morales withdrew due to illness,[ 37] and the pair will be rescheduled for future event.[ 38]
In his debut at featherweight, Wood faced Charles Rosa on 23 July 2022 at UFC Fight Night 208 .[ 39] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[ 40]
Wood faced Charles Jourdain on 3 September 2022 at UFC Fight Night 209 .[ 41] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[ 42]
Wood was scheduled to face Lerone Murphy on 18 March 2023 at UFC 286 .[ 43] However, Wood was forced to withdraw from the event due to leg injury.[ 44]
Wood faced Andre Fili on 22 July 2023 at UFC on ESPN+ 82 .[ 45] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[ 46]
Wood faced Muhammad Naimov on 21 October 2023, at UFC 294 .[ 47] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[ 48]
Wood faced Daniel Pineda on 27 July 2024, at UFC 304 .[ 49] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[ 50]
Wood is scheduled to face former Cage Warriors Featherweight Champion Morgan Charrière on 22 March 2025 at UFC Fight Night 255 .[ 51]
Professional grappling career
Wood was booked to compete in a superfight against Aljamain Sterling at Polaris 25 on 30 September 2023.[ 52] However, Wood withdrew from the match and was replaced by Mike Grundy instead.[ 53]
Wood was scheduled to compete against Mason Jones in a superfight at Polaris 27 on 23 March 2024.[ 54] However, Wood ended up facing Alex Caceres and submitted him via a rear-naked choke submission.[ 55]
Wood competed against Cameron Else at Polaris 30 on November 2, 2024.[ 56] He won the match by decision.[ 57]
Championships and accomplishments
Mixed martial arts
Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown
26 matches
20 wins
6 losses
By knockout
8
2
By submission
5
2
By decision
7
2
Res.
Record
Opponent
Method
Event
Date
Round
Time
Location
Notes
Win
20–6
Daniel Pineda
Decision (unanimous)
UFC 304
July 27, 2024
3
5:00
Manchester , England
Loss
19–6
Muhammad Naimov
Decision (unanimous)
UFC 294
October 21, 2023
3
5:00
Abu Dhabi , United Arab Emirates
Win
19–5
Andre Fili
Decision (unanimous)
UFC Fight Night: Aspinall vs. Tybura
July 22, 2023
3
5:00
London , England
Win
18–5
Charles Jourdain
Decision (unanimous)
UFC Fight Night: Gane vs. Tuivasa
September 3, 2022
3
5:00
Paris , France
Win
17–5
Charles Rosa
Decision (unanimous)
UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Aspinall
July 23, 2022
3
5:00
London , England
Featherweight debut.
Loss
16–5
Casey Kenney
Decision (unanimous)
UFC 254
October 24, 2020
3
5:00
Abu Dhabi , United Arab Emirates
Catchweight (140 lb) bout. Fight of the Night.
Win
16–4
John Castañeda
Decision (unanimous)
UFC on ESPN: Whittaker vs. Till
July 26, 2020
3
5:00
Abu Dhabi , United Arab Emirates
Loss
15–4
John Dodson
TKO (punches)
UFC Fight Night: Anderson vs. Błachowicz 2
February 15, 2020
3
0:16
Rio Rancho, New Mexico , United States
Win
15–3
José Alberto Quiñónez
Submission (rear-naked choke)
UFC Fight Night: Till vs. Masvidal
March 16, 2019
2
2:46
London , England
Win
14–3
Andre Ewell
Submission (rear-naked choke)
UFC 232
December 29, 2018
3
4:12
Inglewood, California , United States
Win
13–3
Johnny Eduardo
Submission (brabo choke)
UFC Fight Night: Rivera vs. Moraes
June 1, 2018
2
2:18
Utica, New York , United States
Performance of the Night.
Win
12–3
Luca Iovine
KO (punch)
Cage Warriors 92
March 24, 2018
1
0:50
London , England
Defended the Cage Warriors Bantamweight Championship .
Win
11–3
Josh Reed
TKO (punches)
Cage Warriors 86
September 17, 2017
1
2:19
London , England
Defended the Cage Warriors Bantamweight Championship .
Win
10–3
Marko Kovacevic
KO (punches)
Cage Warriors 84
June 2, 2017
1
3:41
London , England
Won the vacant Cage Warriors Bantamweight Championship .
Win
9–3
Vaughan Lee
TKO (punches)
Cage Warriors 82
April 1, 2017
2
4:22
Liverpool , England
Win
8–3
Chase Morton
Submission (rear naked choke)
Bellator 158
July 16, 2016
2
0:48
London , England
Loss
7–3
Alan Philpott
TKO (doctor stoppage)
BAMMA 24
February 26, 2016
3
3:40
Dublin , Ireland
For the Lonsdale Bantamweight Championship .
Win
7–2
Bryan Creighton
Decision (unanimous)
BAMMA 23
November 14, 2015
3
5:00
Birmingham , England
Win
6–2
Thiago Aguiar
Decision (unanimous)
Phoenix Fight Night 27
September 12, 2015
3
5:00
Bournemouth , England
Loss
5–2
Mike Cutting
Submission (armbar)
BAMMA 18
February 21, 2015
1
3:26
Wolverhampton , England
Win
5–1
Steve McCombe
TKO (arm injury)
Cage Warriors 74
November 15, 2014
1
2:23
London , England
Win
4–1
Alexander Bilobrovka
TKO (punches)
UCMMA 39
May 3, 2014
1
0:34
London , England
Loss
3–1
Ed Arthur
Submission (rear naked choke)
BAMMA 15
April 5, 2014
3
1:48
London , England
Win
3–0
Abdullah Saleh
TKO (punches)
UCMMA 38
February 1, 2014
1
0:22
London , England
Win
2–0
Grisha Adams
Submission (triangle choke)
UCMMA 35
August 3, 2013
1
3:01
London , England
Win
1–0
Damo Weeden
TKO (punches)
Fusion FC: Reality Check
February 9, 2013
2
2:10
Epsom , England
Bantamweight debut.
[ 59]
See also
References
^ "Pro Fighter Bio: Nathaniel Wood" . Great Britain Top Team . Retrieved 12 September 2023 .
^ "Fighter Profile: Nathaniel Wood" . overtimeheroics.net . 28 July 2020.
^ The Fight Chamber (25 February 2018). Controlled Agression [sic] (A Nathaniel Wood Film) – via YouTube.
^ "Nathaniel Wood" . gbtt.co.uk . Retrieved 28 October 2021 .
^ Williams, Jackson (23 March 2024). "UFC Veteran Nathaniel Wood Promoted To BJJ Black Belt After Polaris Win" . Jitsmagazine . Retrieved 23 March 2024 .
^ a b "Nathaniel 'The Prospect' Wood" . theprospectapparel.com . Retrieved 28 October 2021 .
^ "BAMMA 24 Sees the Next Generation Look to Make Definitive Statement" . mmamicks.com . 19 February 2016. Retrieved 12 July 2021 .
^ Sanford, Elis (10 March 2017). "Nathaniel Wood vs. Vaughan Lee rebooked for Cage Warriors 82" . mmaplus.co.uk . Retrieved 12 July 2021 .
^ Murphy, Darragh. "Everybody's talking about Nathaniel 'The Prospect' Wood after Cage Warriors 82" . joe.co.uk . Retrieved 12 July 2021 .
^ Head, Simon (12 May 2017). "Nathaniel Wood v Marko Kovacevic to headline Cage Warriors 84 in London" . medium.com . Retrieved 12 July 2021 .
^ Edwards, Jim (4 June 2017). "Nathaniel Wood fulfils a dream and takes home historic gold at Cage Warriors 84" . metro.co.uk . Retrieved 12 July 2021 .
^ MMA Junkie Staff (21 June 2017). "Cage Warriors 86 features champ Nathaniel Wood vs. Josh Reed in London" . mmajunkie.usatoday.com . Retrieved 12 July 2021 .
^ Kiely, Ben (17 September 2017). "Single punch changes story of arguably the greatest world title fight of 2017" . sportsjoe.ie . Retrieved 12 July 2021 .
^ Zullino, Al (26 February 2020). "Luca Iovine: "Posso essere selezionato per il KSW" " . fattimarziali.it (in Italian). Retrieved 12 July 2021 .
^ Carroll, Peter (24 March 2018). "Cage Warriors 92 results: Nathaniel Wood stops Luca Iovine in 50 seconds" . mmafighting.com . Retrieved 12 July 2021 .
^ Edwards, Jim (5 April 2018). "Cage Warriors Champion Nathaniel Wood Signs For The UFC" . mmanytt.com . Retrieved 12 July 2021 .
^ "UFC Fight Night 131 results: Nathaniel Wood chokes out Johnny Eduardo in second" . MMA Junkie . 1 June 2018. Retrieved 17 March 2019 .
^ a b "British MMA fighter Nathaniel Wood scoops $50,000 bonus after winning his first ever UFC bout" . Mirror. 2 June 2018. Retrieved 2 February 2019 .
^ "UFC 232: Britain's Nathaniel Wood to meet Tom Duquesnoy in Las Vegas" . BBC Sport. 18 October 2018. Retrieved 2 February 2019 .
^ "Nathaniel Wood vs. Andre Ewell booked for UFC 232" . MMA Fighting. 3 December 2018. Retrieved 2 February 2019 .
^ Steven Marrocco (29 December 2018). "UFC 232 results: Nathaniel Wood bullies Andre Ewell before third-round submission" . mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2 February 2019 .
^ "Nathaniel Wood vs. Jose Quinonez among three fights announced for UFC London" . MMAjunkie. 30 January 2019. Retrieved 2 February 2019 .
^ Pearson, Andrew (16 March 2019). " 'The Prospect' Taps Quiñónez in 2nd for 8th Straight Win" . MMAmania.com . Retrieved 27 April 2019 .
^ Critchfield, Tristen (19 December 2019). "John Dodson vs. Nathaniel Wood booked for UFC Rio Rancho on Feb. 15" . Sherdog .com. Retrieved 19 December 2019 .
^ Lee, Alexander K. (15 February 2020). "UFC Rio Rancho results: John Dodson scores third-round TKO of Nathaniel Wood to snap skid" . MMA Fighting . Retrieved 16 February 2020 .
^ "UFC adds Nathaniel Wood vs. Umar Nurmagomedov to July 25 lineup" . MMA Junkie . 12 June 2020. Retrieved 13 June 2020 .
^ "Umar Nurmagomedov, Tagir Ulanbekov delay travel to Fight Island following the passing of Khabib's dad" . FanSided . 3 July 2020. Retrieved 5 July 2020 .
^ Nolan King and Simon Head (9 July 2020). "UFC taps John Castaneda to replace Umar Nurmagomedov, will fight Nathaniel Wood on 'Fight Island' " . mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 9 July 2020 .
^ Bitter, Shawn (25 July 2020). "UFC Fight Island 3 Results: Nathaniel Wood Too Much for Debuting John Castaneda" . Cageside Press . Retrieved 25 July 2020 .
^ ATSteveDuncan (5 October 2020). "Casey Kenney vs. Nathaniel Wood agregado a UFC 254" . MMA.uno, #1 En noticias de Artes Marciales Mixtas (MMA) en Español. (in Spanish). Retrieved 6 October 2020 .
^ Vreeland, Daniel (24 October 2020). "UFC 254 Results: Casey Kenney Outworks Nathaniel Wood in a Banger" . Cageside Press . Retrieved 25 October 2020 .
^ a b Anderson, Jay (24 October 2020). "UFC 254 Bonuses: Khabib Earns Performance Award in Final Fight" . Cageside Press . Retrieved 25 October 2020 .
^ Alfredo Zullino (1 July 2021). "Nathaniel Wood returns to action on September 4, faces Jonathan Martinez" . BJ Penn . Retrieved 1 July 2021 .
^ Dorff, Marcel (11 August 2021). "Jonathan Martinez en Marcelo Rojo treffen elkaar op 4 september" . MMA DNA (in Dutch). Retrieved 11 August 2021 .
^ Gorrie, Jonathan (25 January 2022). "Wood to take on Sholinian in bantamweight battle at UFC London" . www.standard.co.uk . Retrieved 25 January 2022 .
^ Behunin, Alex (5 March 2022). "Liudvik Sholinian Out, Vince Morales Will Face Nathaniel Wood At UFC London" . Cageside Press . Retrieved 7 March 2022 .
^ Nolan King (16 March 2022). "Nathaniel Wood in need of UFC Fight Night 204 opponent after Vince Morales withdraws due to illness" . mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 16 March 2022 .
^ "UFC London: No replacement for Nathaniel Wood, bout against Vince Morales to be rescheduled" . MMA Junkie . 17 March 2022. Retrieved 17 March 2022 .
^ Staff (16 June 2022). "Charles Rosa vs. Nathaniel Wood teed up for UFC's July return to London" . mmajunkie.usatoday.com . Retrieved 17 June 2022 .
^ Anderson, Jay (23 July 2022). "UFC London: Nathaniel Wood Triumphant in Return, Chews Up Charles Rosa's Leg with Calf Kicks" . Cageside Press . Retrieved 24 July 2022 .
^ Steve Duncan (11 August 2022). "Charles Jourdain vs. Nathaniel Wood agregado a UFC París - MMA.uno, #1 En noticias de Artes Marciales Mixtas (MMA) en Español" . mma.uno. Retrieved 11 August 2022 . (in Spanish)
^ Anderson, Jay (3 September 2022). "UFC Paris: Hand Needs Fixing, but Nathaniel Wood Wants on Rumored U.K. Stadium Card" . Cageside Press . Retrieved 3 September 2022 .
^ Al-Shatti, Shaun (6 January 2023). "Lerone Murphy vs. Nathaniel Wood set for UFC 286 in London" . MMA Fighting . Retrieved 6 January 2023 .
^ Calhoun, Curtis (8 February 2023). "Nathaniel Wood Announces Withdrawal From UFC 286 After 'Freak Accident' " . MMA News . Retrieved 9 February 2023 .
^ "Andre Fili vs. Nathaniel Wood joins UFC London lineup" . MMA Junkie . 11 May 2023. Retrieved 11 June 2023 .
^ Dewar, Val (22 July 2023). "UFC London: Nathaniel Wood Defeats Andre Fili by Close Decision After Both Fighters Dropped" . Cageside Press . Retrieved 4 August 2023 .
^ "Nathaniel Wood to fight Muhammad Naimov at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi" . MMA Junkie . 16 September 2023. Retrieved 16 September 2023 .
^ Theodosi, Jamie (21 October 2023). "UFC 294: Muhammad Naimov Defeats Nathaniel Wood in Foul-Heavy Affair" . Cageside Press . Retrieved 21 October 2023 .
^ Anderson, Jay (30 April 2024). "Daniel Pineda vs. Nathaniel Wood Added to UFC 304" . Cageside Press . Retrieved 1 May 2024 .
^ Cade Morehouse (27 July 2024). "Nathaniel Wood Takes Win at UFC 304, Daniel Pineda Drops Another Decision" . cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 27 July 2024 .
^ Ross Markey (8 January 2025). "Report – Morgan Charriere books UFC London return in huge fight against European star" . lowkickmma.com. Retrieved 8 January 2025 .
^ Blackett, Todd (9 September 2023). "Aljamain Sterling To Face Nathaniel Wood In Polaris 25 Superfight" . Jitsmagazine . Retrieved 9 September 2023 .
^ Jones, Phil (19 September 2023). "Aljamain Sterling Gets New Opponent For Polaris 25" . Jitsmagazine . Retrieved 19 September 2023 .
^ Jones, Phil (7 February 2024). "UFC Veterans Nathaniel Wood And Mason Jones To Clash In Polaris 27 Superfight" . Jitsmagazine . Retrieved 7 February 2024 .
^ Jackson Williams (24 March 2024). "UFC Veteran Nathaniel Wood Promoted To BJJ Black Belt After Polaris Win" . jitsmagazine.com. Retrieved 20 September 2024 .
^ "Polaris 30 Full Card Preview" . Jits Magazine . Retrieved 28 October 2024 .
^ "Polaris 30 Full Results And Highlights" . Jits Magazine . Retrieved 3 November 2024 .
^ "MMA Junkie's 'Fight of the Month' for October: A catchweight scrap" . MMAjunkie.com . 3 November 2020.
^ Sherdog.com. "Nathaniel" . Sherdog . Retrieved 25 July 2020 .
External links