| Juan Archuleta | |
|---|---|
 Archuleta in December 2023 | |
| Born | Juan Archuleta (1987-09-13)September 13, 1987 (age 38) Hesperia, California, U.S. |
| Other names | The Spaniard |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) |
| Weight | 146 lb (66 kg; 10.4 st) |
| Division | Bantamweight Featherweight Lightweight Light Welterweight |
| Reach | 69 in (175 cm) |
| Style | Boxing,Wrestling |
| Fighting out of | Hesperia, California, United States |
| Team | The Treigning Lab Cobra Kai Victorville |
| Rank | Purple belt inBrazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Philipe Furão[1] |
| Wrestling | NCAADivision IWrestling[2] |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 38 |
| Wins | 31 |
| By knockout | 12 |
| By submission | 2 |
| By decision | 17 |
| Losses | 7 |
| By knockout | 2 |
| By submission | 3 |
| By decision | 2 |
| Other information | |
| University | Purdue University |
| Spouse | Jannai |
| Notable school | Sultana High School |
| Mixed martial arts record fromSherdog | |
Juan Archuleta (born September 13, 1987) is an American mixed martial artist who competes in thebantamweight divisions ofBellator MMA andRizin Fighting Federation, where in the latter promotion, he is the formerRizin Bantamweight Champion. A professional MMA competitor since 2013, he has also previously fought forKing of the Cage and theWorld Series of Fighting. Archuleta is also a formerBellator Bantamweight World Champion.
Archuleta was born inHesperia, California, and is ofSpanish andMexican descent. Archuleta's background is infolkstyle wrestling. In high school, he was a state championship qualifier atSultana High School. He moved on toSacramento City College where he became ajunior college All-American, and finally he transferred toPurdue University where he wrestled at the NCAA Division I level.[3] In January 2021, he was promoted to purple belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu by his teacher Philipe Furão.[1]
After going 12–1 on the regional circuit, Archuleta then began fighting for theKing of the Cage promotion. In his first fight with the promotion, Archuleta claimed the KOTC featherweight title when he finished former UFC fighter Chris Tickle in the second round via technical knockout. Archuleta also went on to become KOTC bantamweight, lightweight, and light welterweight champion.
After a successful run in King of the Cage, Archuleta signed withBellator MMA. He made his promotional debut atBellator 195 against William Joplin. He won the bout via unanimous decision.[4]
His next bout came againstRobbie Peralta atBellator 201 on June 29, 2018. He won the bout via knockout in the third round.[5]
Archuleta next facedJeremy Spoon atBellator 210 on November 30, 2018. He won via unanimous decision.[6]
Archuleta's next bout took place on January 26, 2019, against Ricky Bandejas atBellator 214. He won via unanimous decision.[7]
In his next bout, Archuleta faced formerBellator Bantamweight World ChampionEduardo Dantas atBellator 222 on June 14, 2019. Archuleta was victorious via knockout at 4:59 of round 2.[8]
For his next fight, Archuleta entered the Bellator Featherweight World Grand Prix and in the opening round, he received aFeatherweight title shot against championPatrício Freire atBellator 228 on September 28, 2019. He lost via unanimous decision.[9]
Archuleta then facedHenry Corrales atBellator 238 on January 25, 2020. He was victorious via unanimous decision.[10]
Archuleta returned to the bantamweight division to facePatchy Mix for the vacantBellator Bantamweight World Championship on September 12, 2020, atBellator 246. He won the bout via unanimous decision to become Bellator Bantamweight world champion.[11]
Archuleta made his first title defense againstSergio Pettis atBellator 258 on May 7, 2021.[12] He lost the bout and the title via unanimous decision.[13]
Archuleta, replacing the injuredSergio Pettis, facedRaufeon Stots for theInterimBellator Bantamweight World Championship on April 23, 2022, atBellator 279.[14] Archuleta lost the bout after getting knocked out by a head kick and then finished on the ground with elbows at the beginning of the third round.[15]
Archuleta facedEnrique Barzola on October 1, 2022, atBellator 286.[16] At weigh ins, the bout was moved to a catchweight of 141 pounds.[17] In a fast paced bout, Archuleta won the bout via unanimous decision.[18]
Archuleta faced formerRoad FC andONE Championship Bantamweight Champion Soo Chul Kim atBellator MMA vs. Rizin on December 31, 2022.[19] In a close back and forth bout, Archuleta came out of it with a split decision victory.[20]
Archuleta was booked to faceNaoki Inoue atRizin 42 on May 6, 2023.[21] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[22]
Archuleta was next expected to face formerRizin Bantamweight ChampionKai Asakura for the vacantRizin Bantamweight Championship as part of theBellator MMA x Rizin 2 card on July 30, 2023.[23] However on July 18 it was announced that Asakura withdrew due to injury and was replaced byHiromasa Ougikubo.[24] Archuleta won the bout via unanimous decision.[25]
For his first title defense, Archuleta facedKai Asakura on December 31, 2023, atRizin 45.[26] At the weigh-ins, Archuleta weighed in at 140.65 pounds, 5.65 pounds over the limit. As a result, Archuleta was stripped of the title and only Asakura was eligible to win it.[27] Archuleta lost the bout via TKO in the second round.[28]
In his next bout, Archuleta faced former Rizin Featherweight ChampionKleber Koike Erbst in a featherweight bout atRizin 47 on June 9, 2024.[29] He lost the bout via an inverted heel hook submission in the first round.[30]
Archuleta facedRazhabali Shaydullaev atRizin 48 on September 29, 2024, and lost the bout via armbar submission in the first round.[31]
After being deemed academically ineligible to continue wrestling atPurdue University, Archuleta succumbed to alcohol addiction and crime. He eventually served a prison stint prior to becoming a mixed martial artist.[32]
| 38 matches | 31 wins | 7 losses |
| By knockout | 12 | 2 |
| By submission | 2 | 3 |
| By decision | 17 | 2 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 31–7 | Jose Johnson | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Borroka Presents: XFC 53 | September 20, 2025 | 2 | 2:31 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Defended the Borroka Featherweight Championship. |
| Win | 30–7 | Dennis Linton | KO (flying knee) | Borroka Promotion 3 | June 21, 2025 | 2 | 0:32 | Laughlin, Nevada, United States | Won the inaugural Borroka Featherweight Championship. |
| Loss | 29–7 | Razhabali Shaydullaev | Submission (armbar) | Rizin 48 | September 29, 2024 | 1 | 3:12 | Saitama, Japan | |
| Loss | 29–6 | Kleber Koike Erbst | Submission (inverted heel hook) | Rizin 47 | June 9, 2024 | 1 | 2:25 | Tokyo, Japan | Return to Featherweight. |
| Loss | 29–5 | Kai Asakura | TKO (knee to the body and punches) | Rizin 45 | December 31, 2023 | 2 | 3:20 | Saitama, Japan | Archuleta missed weight (140.65 lb) and was stripped of theRizin Bantamweight Championship. Only Asakura was eligible to win the title. |
| Win | 29–4 | Hiromasa Ougikubo | Decision (unanimous) | Super Rizin 2 | July 30, 2023 | 3 | 5:00 | Saitama, Japan | Won the vacantRizin Bantamweight Championship. |
| Win | 28–4 | Naoki Inoue | Decision (unanimous) | Rizin 42 | May 6, 2023 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 27–4 | Kim Soo-chul | Decision (split) | Bellator MMA vs. Rizin | December 31, 2022 | 3 | 5:00 | Saitama, Japan | |
| Win | 26–4 | Enrique Barzola | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 286 | October 1, 2022 | 3 | 5:00 | Long Beach, California, United States | Catchweight (141 lb) bout. |
| Loss | 25–4 | Raufeon Stots | KO (head kick and elbows) | Bellator 279 | April 23, 2022 | 3 | 0:16 | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States | Bellator Bantamweight World Grand Prix Quarterfinal. For the interimBellator Bantamweight World Championship. |
| Loss | 25–3 | Sergio Pettis | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 258 | May 7, 2021 | 5 | 5:00 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | Lost theBellator Bantamweight World Championship. |
| Win | 25–2 | Patchy Mix | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 246 | September 12, 2020 | 5 | 5:00 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | Return to Bantamweight. Won the vacantBellator Bantamweight World Championship. |
| Win | 24–2 | Henry Corrales | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 238 | January 25, 2020 | 3 | 5:00 | Inglewood, California, United States | |
| Loss | 23–2 | Patrício Freire | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 228 | September 28, 2019 | 5 | 5:00 | Inglewood, California, United States | Bellator Featherweight World Grand Prix Opening Round. For theBellator Featherweight World Championship. |
| Win | 23–1 | Eduardo Dantas | KO (punch) | Bellator 222 | June 14, 2019 | 2 | 4:59 | New York City, New York, United States | |
| Win | 22–1 | Ricky Bandejas | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 214 | January 26, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Inglewood, California, United States | Bantamweight bout. |
| Win | 21–1 | Jeremy Spoon | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 210 | November 30, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States | |
| Win | 20–1 | Robbie Peralta | KO (punches) | Bellator 201 | June 29, 2018 | 3 | 0:14 | Temecula, California, United States | |
| Win | 19–1 | William Joplin | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 195 | March 2, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States | |
| Win | 18–1 | Mark Dickman | TKO (retirement) | KOTC: Conquistadores | December 3, 2017 | 4 | 5:00 | Ontario, California, United States | Defended theKOTC Bantamweight Championship. |
| Win | 17–1 | Adel Altamimi | TKO (punches) | KOTC: Never Quit | September 2, 2017 | 1 | 4:23 | Ontario, California, United States | Won the vacantKOTC Light Welterweight Championship. |
| Win | 16–1 | Vytautas Sadauskas | Decision (unanimous) | KOTC: Baltic Tour | April 8, 2017 | 5 | 5:00 | Kaunas, Lithuania | |
| Win | 15–1 | Brandon Hastings | TKO (punches) | KOTC: Supernova | March 18, 2017 | 1 | 0:24 | Ontario, California, United States | Defended theKOTC Lightweight Championship. |
| Win | 14–1 | Derrick Mandell | Decision (unanimous) | KOTC: Warranted Aggression | December 18, 2016 | 5 | 5:00 | Ontario, California, United States | Won theKOTC Flyweight Championship. |
| Win | 13–1 | Jay Bogan | TKO (retirement) | California Fight League 9 | October 22, 2016 | 1 | 5:00 | California, United States | Won the vacant CFL Featherweight Championship. |
| Win | 12–1 | Jordan Griffin | Decision (unanimous) | KOTC: Destructive Intent | July 23, 2016 | 5 | 5:00 | Washington, Pennsylvania, United States | Won theKOTC Bantamweight Championship. |
| Win | 11–1 | Chris Tickle | TKO (punches) | KOTC: Firefight | June 4, 2016 | 2 | 0:41 | San Jacinto, California, United States | Won the vacantKOTC Lightweight Championship. |
| Win | 10–1 | Emilio Chavez | Decision (unanimous) | SMASH Global 3 | March 24, 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Los Angeles, California, United States | |
| Win | 9–1 | Luis Guerra | TKO (punches) | Tru-Form Entertainment: No Fear | January 23, 2016 | 3 | 2:39 | Sullivan, Indiana, United States | Featherweight debut. Won the vacant TFE Featherweight Championship. |
| Win | 8–1 | Andrew Natividiad | Decision (unanimous) | California Fight League 5 | November 21, 2015 | 3 | 5:00 | Fort Irwin, California, United States | |
| Win | 7–1 | Alfred Khashakyan | Decision (unanimous) | Lights Out / Bash Entertainment Fight Night At Sportsmen's Lodge 4 | October 23, 2015 | 3 | 5:00 | Los Angeles, California, United States | Return to Bantamweight. |
| Win | 6–1 | Alex Valdez | Submission (Brabo choke) | Gladiator Challenge: Collision Course | October 10, 2015 | 3 | 0:13 | Lincoln, California, United States | Lightweight debut. |
| Loss | 5–1 | Andres Ponce | Submission (triangle choke) | WSOF 19 | March 28, 2015 | 2 | 0:53 | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | |
| Win | 5–0 | Ralph Acosta | Decision (split) | Gladiator Challenge: Season's Beatings | November 22, 2014 | 3 | 3:00 | Rancho Mirage, California, United States | Won the GC Bantamweight Championship. |
| Win | 4–0 | Valentino Beatty | TKO (punches) | Gladiator Challenge: Carnage | October 11, 2014 | 1 | 2:30 | Lincoln, California, United States | |
| Win | 3–0 | Casey Doyle | TKO (punches) | Gladiator Challenge: Payback | August 30, 2014 | 1 | 0:46 | San Jacinto, California, United States | |
| Win | 2–0 | Justin Santistevan | TKO (punches) | Gladiator Challenge: Night of Champions | July 19, 2014 | 3 | 1:25 | Rancho Mirage, California, United States | |
| Win | 1–0 | David Duran | Decision (unanimous) | BAMMA USA: Badbeat 10 | August 9, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Commerce, California, United States | Bantamweight debut. |
