Nathaniel Wood (fighter) explained

Nathaniel Wood
Other Names:The Prospect
Birth Date:5 August 1993
Birth Place:London, England[1]
Weight:145 lb (66 kg)
Weight Class:Bantamweight (2012-2022)
Featherweight (2022-present)
Reach In:69
Fighting Out Of:Morden, England
Trainer:Brad Pickett
Team:Nova Forca
Raptors Strike Force
Team Titan (2017–2019)[2] [3]
Great Britain Top Team (2019–present)[4]
Rank:Black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under Ashley Grimshaw[5]
Years Active:2011–present
Mma Kowin:8
Mma Subwin:5
Mma Decwin:7
Mma Koloss:2
Mma Subloss:2
Mma Decloss:2
Sherdog:82395

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.

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

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 . 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 .[22] He won the fight via a submission in round two.[23]

Wood faced John Dodson on 15 February 2020 at .[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 July 27, 2024, at UFC 304.[49] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[50]

Professional grappling career

Wood was booked to compete in a superfight against Aljamain Sterling at Polaris 25 on 30 September 2023.[51] However, Wood withdrew from the match and was replaced by Mike Grundy instead.[52]

Wood was scheduled to compete against Mason Jones in a superfight at Polaris 27 on 23 March 2024.[53] However, Wood ended up facing Alex Caceres and submitted him via a rear-naked choke submission.[54]

Wood competed against Cameron Else at Polaris 30 on November 2, 2024.[55] He won the match by decision.[56]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

Mixed martial arts record

|-|Win|align=center|20–6|Daniel Pineda|Decision (unanimous)|UFC 304 | |align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Manchester, England||-|Loss|align=center|19–6|Muhammad Naimov|Decision (unanimous)|UFC 294||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates ||-|Win|align=center|19–5|Andre Fili|Decision (unanimous)|||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|London, England||-|Win|align=center|18–5|Charles Jourdain|Decision (unanimous)|||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Paris, France||-|Win|align=center|17–5|Charles Rosa|Decision (unanimous)| ||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|London, England||-|Loss|align=center|16–5|Casey Kenney|Decision (unanimous)|UFC 254||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates||-|Win|align=center|16–4|John Castañeda|Decision (unanimous)| ||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates| |-|Loss|align=center|15–4|John Dodson|TKO (punches)| ||align=center|3|align=center|0:16|Rio Rancho, New Mexico, United States||-|Win|align=center|15–3|José Alberto Quiñónez|Submission (rear-naked choke)| ||align=center|2|align=center|2:46|London, England||-|Win|align=center|14–3|Andre Ewell|Submission (rear-naked choke)|UFC 232 ||align=center|3|align=center|4:12|Inglewood, California, United States| |-|Win|align=center|13–3|Johnny Eduardo|Submission (D'Arce choke)| ||align=center|2|align=center|2:18|Utica, New York, United States||-|Win|align=center|12–3|Luca Iovine|KO (punch)|Cage Warriors 92||align=center|1|align=center|0:50|London, England| |-|Win|align=center|11–3|Josh Reed|TKO (punches)|Cage Warriors 86||align=center|1|align=center|2:19|London, England| |-|Win|align=center|10–3|Marko Kovacevic|KO (punches)|Cage Warriors 84||align=center|1|align=center|3:41|London, England| |-|Win|align=center|9–3|Vaughan Lee|TKO (punches)|Cage Warriors 82 ||align=center|2|align=center|4:22|Liverpool, England||-| Win| align=center|8–3| Chase Morton| Submission (rear naked choke)| Bellator 158| | align=center| 2| align=center| 0:48|London, England||-| Loss| align=center|7–3| Alan Philpott| TKO (doctor stoppage)| BAMMA 24| | align=center|3| align=center| 3:40| Dublin, Ireland||-| Win| align=center|7–2| Bryan Creighton| Decision (unanimous)| BAMMA 23| | align=center| 3| align=center| 5:00| Birmingham, England||-| Win| align=center|6–2| Thiago Aguiar| Decision (unanimous)| Phoenix Fight Night 27| | align=center| 3| align=center| 5:00| Bournemouth, England||-| Loss| align=center|5–2| Mike Cutting| Submission (armbar)| BAMMA 18| | align=center| 1| align=center| 3:26| Wolverhampton, England| |-| Win| align=center|5–1| Steve McCombe| TKO (arm injury)| Cage Warriors 74| | align=center| 1| align=center| 2:23| London, England| |-| Win| align=center|4–1| Alexander Bilobrovka| TKO (punches)| UCMMA 39| | align=center| 1| align=center| 0:34| London, England| |-| Loss| align=center|3–1| Ed Arthur| Submission (rear naked choke)| BAMMA 15| | align=center| 3| align=center| 1:48| London, England| |-| Win| align=center|3–0| Abdullah Saleh| KO| UCMMA 38| | align=center| 1| align=center| 0:22| London, England| |-| Win| align=center|2–0| Grisha Adams| Submission (triangle choke)| UCMMA 35| | align=center| 1| align=center| 3:01| London, England| |-| Win| align=center|1–0| Damo Weeden| TKO (punches)| Fusion FC: Reality Check| | align=center| 2| align=center| 2:10| Epsom, England| |-[58]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Pro Fighter Bio: Nathaniel Wood. Great Britain Top Team. 2023-09-12.
  2. Web site: Fighter Profile: Nathaniel Wood. July 28, 2020. overtimeheroics.net.
  3. Controlled Agression [sic] (A Nathaniel Wood Film)]. February 25, 2018. The Fight Chamber. YouTube.
  4. Web site: Nathaniel Wood. gbtt.co.uk. October 28, 2021.
  5. Web site: Williams . Jackson . UFC Veteran Nathaniel Wood Promoted To BJJ Black Belt After Polaris Win . Jitsmagazine . 23 March 2024 . 23 March 2024.
  6. Web site: Nathaniel 'The Prospect' Wood. October 28, 2021. theprospectapparel.com.
  7. Web site: BAMMA 24 Sees the Next Generation Look to Make Definitive Statement . mmamicks.com . 19 February 2016 . 12 July 2021.
  8. Web site: Sanford . Elis . Nathaniel Wood vs. Vaughan Lee rebooked for Cage Warriors 82 . mmaplus.co.uk . 10 March 2017 . 12 July 2021.
  9. Web site: Murphy . Darragh . Everybody's talking about Nathaniel 'The Prospect' Wood after Cage Warriors 82 . joe.co.uk . 12 July 2021.
  10. Web site: Head . Simon . Nathaniel Wood v Marko Kovacevic to headline Cage Warriors 84 in London . medium.com . 12 May 2017 . 12 July 2021.
  11. Web site: Edwards . Jim . Nathaniel Wood fulfils a dream and takes home historic gold at Cage Warriors 84 . metro.co.uk . 4 June 2017 . 12 July 2021.
  12. Web site: MMA Junkie Staff . Cage Warriors 86 features champ Nathaniel Wood vs. Josh Reed in London . mmajunkie.usatoday.com . 21 June 2017 . 12 July 2021.
  13. Web site: Kiely . Ben . Single punch changes story of arguably the greatest world title fight of 2017 . sportsjoe.ie . 17 September 2017 . 12 July 2021.
  14. Web site: Zullino . Al . Luca Iovine: "Posso essere selezionato per il KSW" . fattimarziali.it . 26 February 2020 . 12 July 2021. it.
  15. Web site: Carroll . Peter . Cage Warriors 92 results: Nathaniel Wood stops Luca Iovine in 50 seconds . mmafighting.com . 24 March 2018 . 12 July 2021.
  16. Web site: Edwards . Jim . Cage Warriors Champion Nathaniel Wood Signs For The UFC . mmanytt.com . 5 April 2018 . 12 July 2021.
  17. Web site: UFC Fight Night 131 results: Nathaniel Wood chokes out Johnny Eduardo in second. 2018-06-01. MMA Junkie. en. 2019-03-17.
  18. Web site: British MMA fighter Nathaniel Wood scoops $50,000 bonus after winning his first ever UFC bout. 2 June 2018. Mirror. 2019-02-02.
  19. Web site: UFC 232: Britain's Nathaniel Wood to meet Tom Duquesnoy in Las Vegas. BBC Sport. 2018-10-18. 2019-02-02.
  20. Web site: Nathaniel Wood vs. Andre Ewell booked for UFC 232. MMA Fighting. 2018-12-03. 2019-02-02.
  21. News: UFC 232 results: Nathaniel Wood bullies Andre Ewell before third-round submission. mmajunkie.com. Steven Marrocco. 2018-12-29. 2019-02-02.
  22. Web site: Nathaniel Wood vs. Jose Quinonez among three fights announced for UFC London. 30 January 2019. MMAjunkie. 2019-02-02.
  23. Web site: 'The Prospect' Taps Quiñónez in 2nd for 8th Straight Win. Pearson. Andrew. 2019-03-16. MMAmania.com. 2019-04-27.
  24. Web site: John Dodson vs. Nathaniel Wood booked for UFC Rio Rancho on Feb. 15. Critchfield. Tristen. 2019-12-19. Sherdog.com. en-US. 2019-12-19.
  25. Web site: UFC Rio Rancho results: John Dodson scores third-round TKO of Nathaniel Wood to snap skid. Lee. Alexander K.. 2020-02-15. MMA Fighting. en-US. 2020-02-16.
  26. Web site: 2020-06-12. UFC adds Nathaniel Wood vs. Umar Nurmagomedov to July 25 lineup. 2020-06-13. MMA Junkie. en.
  27. Web site: 2020-07-03. Umar Nurmagomedov, Tagir Ulanbekov delay travel to Fight Island following the passing of Khabib's dad. 2020-07-05. FanSided. en-US.
  28. Web site: UFC taps John Castaneda to replace Umar Nurmagomedov, will fight Nathaniel Wood on 'Fight Island'. mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Nolan King and Simon Head. 2020-07-09. 2020-07-09.
  29. Web site: Bitter. Shawn. 2020-07-25. UFC Fight Island 3 Results: Nathaniel Wood Too Much for Debuting John Castaneda. 2020-07-25. Cageside Press. en-US.
  30. Web site: ATSteveDuncan. 2020-10-05. Casey Kenney vs. Nathaniel Wood agregado a UFC 254. 2020-10-06. MMA.uno, #1 En noticias de Artes Marciales Mixtas (MMA) en Español.. es.
  31. Web site: Vreeland. Daniel. 2020-10-24. UFC 254 Results: Casey Kenney Outworks Nathaniel Wood in a Banger. 2020-10-25. Cageside Press. en-US.
  32. Web site: Anderson. Jay. 2020-10-24. UFC 254 Bonuses: Khabib Earns Performance Award in Final Fight. 2020-10-25. Cageside Press. en-US.
  33. Web site: 2021-07-01. Alfredo Zullino. Nathaniel Wood returns to action on September 4, faces Jonathan Martinez. 2021-07-01. BJ Penn.
  34. Web site: Dorff. Marcel. 2021-08-11. Jonathan Martinez en Marcelo Rojo treffen elkaar op 4 september. 2021-08-11. MMA DNA. nl.
  35. Web site: Gorrie. Jonathan. 2022-01-25. Wood to take on Sholinian in bantamweight battle at UFC London. 2022-01-25. www.standard.co.uk. en.
  36. Web site: Behunin . Alex . 2022-03-05 . Liudvik Sholinian Out, Vince Morales Will Face Nathaniel Wood At UFC London . 2022-03-07 . Cageside Press . en-US.
  37. Web site: Nathaniel Wood in need of UFC Fight Night 204 opponent after Vince Morales withdraws due to illness. mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Nolan King. 2022-03-16. 2022-03-16.
  38. Web site: 2022-03-17 . UFC London: No replacement for Nathaniel Wood, bout against Vince Morales to be rescheduled . 2022-03-17 . MMA Junkie . en-US.
  39. Web site: Staff . 2022-06-16 . Charles Rosa vs. Nathaniel Wood teed up for UFC's July return to London . 2022-06-17 . mmajunkie.usatoday.com.
  40. Web site: Anderson . Jay . 2022-07-23 . UFC London: Nathaniel Wood Triumphant in Return, Chews Up Charles Rosa's Leg with Calf Kicks . 2022-07-24 . Cageside Press . en-US.
  41. Web site: Charles Jourdain vs. Nathaniel Wood agregado a UFC París - MMA.uno, #1 En noticias de Artes Marciales Mixtas (MMA) en Español. . mma.uno. Steve Duncan. 2022-08-11. 2022-08-11.
  42. Web site: Anderson . Jay . 2022-09-03 . UFC Paris: Hand Needs Fixing, but Nathaniel Wood Wants on Rumored U.K. Stadium Card . 2022-09-03 . Cageside Press . en-US.
  43. Web site: Al-Shatti . Shaun . 2023-01-06 . Lerone Murphy vs. Nathaniel Wood set for UFC 286 in London . 2023-01-06 . MMA Fighting . en.
  44. Web site: Calhoun . Curtis . 2023-02-08 . Nathaniel Wood Announces Withdrawal From UFC 286 After 'Freak Accident' . 2023-02-09 . MMA News . en-US.
  45. Web site: 2023-05-11 . Andre Fili vs. Nathaniel Wood joins UFC London lineup . 2023-06-11 . MMA Junkie . en-US.
  46. Web site: Dewar . Val . 2023-07-22 . UFC London: Nathaniel Wood Defeats Andre Fili by Close Decision After Both Fighters Dropped . 2023-08-04 . Cageside Press . en-US.
  47. Web site: 2023-09-16 . Nathaniel Wood to fight Muhammad Naimov at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi . 2023-09-16 . MMA Junkie . en-US.
  48. Web site: Theodosi . Jamie . 2023-10-21 . UFC 294: Muhammad Naimov Defeats Nathaniel Wood in Foul-Heavy Affair . 2023-10-21 . Cageside Press . en-US.
  49. Web site: Anderson . Jay . 2024-04-30 . Daniel Pineda vs. Nathaniel Wood Added to UFC 304 . 2024-05-01 . Cageside Press . en-US.
  50. Web site: Nathaniel Wood Takes Win at UFC 304, Daniel Pineda Drops Another Decision. cagesidepress.com. Cade Morehouse. 2024-07-27. 2024-07-27.
  51. Web site: Blackett . Todd . Aljamain Sterling To Face Nathaniel Wood In Polaris 25 Superfight . Jitsmagazine . 9 September 2023 . 9 September 2023.
  52. Web site: Jones . Phil . Aljamain Sterling Gets New Opponent For Polaris 25 . Jitsmagazine . 19 September 2023 . 19 September 2023.
  53. Web site: Jones . Phil . UFC Veterans Nathaniel Wood And Mason Jones To Clash In Polaris 27 Superfight . Jitsmagazine . 7 February 2024 . 7 February 2024.
  54. Web site: UFC Veteran Nathaniel Wood Promoted To BJJ Black Belt After Polaris Win. jitsmagazine.com. Jackson Williams. 2024-03-24. 2024-09-20.
  55. Web site: Polaris 30 Full Card Preview . Jits Magazine . 28 October 2024.
  56. Web site: Polaris 30 Full Results And Highlights . Jits Magazine . 3 November 2024.
  57. Web site: MMA Junkie's 'Fight of the Month' for October: A catchweight scrap. MMAjunkie.com. November 3, 2020.
  58. Web site: Sherdog.com. Nathaniel. 2020-07-25. Sherdog.

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