Enrique Barzola

Enrique Johnatan Barzola Acosta and he competed in both Bellator MMA and the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He transitioned from wrestling to mixed martial arts when he was 22. and four years later he became the winner of “The Ultimate Fighter: Latin America 2".

The Ultimate Fighter: Latin America 2 Barzola was selected as one of the cast members for The Ultimate Fighter: Latin America 2, UFC The Ultimate Fighter TV series, under Team Efraín Escudero in April 2015.

In the elimination round, Barzola defeated the Chilean Jonathan Ortega by unanimous decision. Barzola next faced Paraguayan Cesar Arzamendia in the semifinals and won by submission in round one. He moved on to face Horacio Gultierrez in the finals at UFC Fight Night: Magny vs. Gastelum.

Ultimate Fighting Championship Barzola made his promotional debut on 21 November 2015 at The Ultimate Fighter Latin America 2 Finale. He faced Horacio Gutierrez in the finals for The Ultimate Fighter: Latin America 2. He defeated Gutierrez via unanimous decision (30-27, 30–27, 30–27). He lost via split decision. He stated after the fight that he disagreed with the judges decision saying "It was a very bad decision because everyone saw that I won. I connected more, I was more active and pressed all the time. I will correct some errors without considering this duel as a defeat". 14 out of 14 media scores gave it to Barzola.

His third fight in UFC was against Chris Avila on 5 November 2016 at The Ultimate Fighter Latin America 3 Finale. He picked up a win via unanimous decision.

On 13 May 2017, Barzola took up Gabriel Benítez at UFC 211. After three rounds, judges awarded the win to Barzola via unanimous decision with (29-28) across the score board.

Barzola faced Arnold Allen at UFC 220 on 20 January 2018. However, Allen was pulled from the fight on 11 January due to alleged visa issues which restricted his ability to travel, and he was replaced by Matt Bessette. Barzola won the fight by unanimous decision.

Barzola faced Brandon Davis on 19 May 2018 at UFC Fight Night 129. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Barzola was expected to face Nad Narimani on 17 November 2018 at UFC Fight Night 140. However, on 25 October 2018, it was reported that Barzola pulled out of the fight due to arm injury.

Barzola faced Kevin Aguilar on 30 March 2019 at UFC on ESPN 2. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Barzola faced Bobby Moffett on 10 August 2019 at UFC on ESPN+ 14. He won the fight via split decision. 7 out of 12 media scores gave it to Barzola.

Barzola faced Movsar Evloev on 26 October 2019 at UFC on ESPN+ 20. He lost the fight via unanimous decision. 4 out of 9 media scores gave it to Barzola.

Barzola faced Rani Yahya on 14 March 2020 at UFC Fight Night 170. After a back-and-forth three rounds, the judges declared the bout a majority draw decision.

After fighting out his four-year and 10-fight contract, he was not re-signed and became a free agent.

Bellator MMA On 11 August 2021, it was announced that Barzola signed a multifight contract with Bellator.

Barzola made his promotional debut against Darrion Caldwell on January 29, 2022, at Bellator 273. He won the bout via ground and pound TKO in the third round.

Barzola was scheduled to face Josh Hill on April 22, 2022, at Bellator 278. Due to the pull out of two fighters from the Bellator Bantamweight World Grand Prix due to injuries, the bout was changed to a wild card qualifier for one of the spots in the tournament. Due to Covid, Hill had to pull out of the bout and was replaced by Nikita Mikhailov. He won the bout in dominant fashion via unanimous decision.

Barzola faced Magomed Magomedov in the quarterfinals of the Bellator Bantamweight World Grand Prix on June 24, 2022, at Bellator 282.

Barzola faced Juan Archuleta on October 1, 2022, at Bellator 286. At weigh ins, the bout was moved to a catchweight of 141 pounds. In a fast-paced bout, Barzola lost the bout via unanimous decision.

Barzola faced Erik Pérez on March 10, 2023, at Bellator 292. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Barzola faced Jaylon Bates on August 11, 2023, at Bellator 298. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

PFL In his PFL debut, Barzola faced Ádám Borics on April 19, 2024 at PFL 3 (2024). He lost the bout via unanimous decision.

Barzola next faced Timur Khizriev at PFL 6 (2024) on June 28, 2024, losing the fight via unanimous decision.

Barzola faced Tyler Diamond on August 23, 2024 at PFL 9. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Championships and accomplishments Mixed martial arts Ultimate Fighting Championship The Ultimate Fighter: Latin America 2 Lightweight Tournament Winner

Personal life Barzola's moniker "El Fuerte" means "The Fort / The Strong" in English and he considers himself as "The Fort of El Agustino" (El Agustino, a district of Lima) - a humble person who fights for his dream.

Barzola appeared in the Reebok "Be More Human" Latin America advertising campaign.

His favorite fighter is Stipe Miocic.

He is also a Christian, and nicknames himself "Guerrero de Cristo" (Warrior for Christ), as this nickname is also written on a Peruvian flag that is usually shown in the cage.

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Saifullah Dzhabrailov TKO (punches) ACA 206

Moscow, Russia Loss

Makharbek Karginov TKO (punches) ACA 197

Moscow, Russia Win

Marat Balaev Submission (rear-naked choke) ACA 190

Moscow, Russia Win

Kafiz Sakibekov Technical Submission (guillotine choke) ACA 187

Moscow, Russia Win

Tyler Diamond Decision (unanimous) PFL 9 (2024)

Washington, D.C., United States Loss

Timur Khizriev Decision (unanimous) PFL 6 (2024)

Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States Loss

Ádám Borics Decision (unanimous) PFL 3 (2024)

Chicago, Illinois, United States Win

Jaylon Bates Decision (unanimous) Bellator 298

Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States Win

Erik Pérez Decision (unanimous) Bellator 292

San Jose, California, United States Loss

Juan Archuleta Decision (unanimous) Bellator 286

Long Beach, California, United States Loss

Magomed Magomedov Submission (guillotine choke) Bellator 282

Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Win

Nikita Mikhailov Decision (unanimous) Bellator 278

Honolulu, Hawaii, United States Win

Darrion Caldwell TKO (punches and elbows) Bellator 273

Phoenix, Arizona, United States Draw

Rani Yahya Draw (majority) UFC Fight Night: Lee vs. Oliveira

Brasília, Brazil Loss

Movsar Evloev Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Maia vs. Askren

Kallang, Singapore Win

Bobby Moffett Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Shevchenko vs. Carmouche 2

Montevideo, Uruguay Loss

Kevin Aguilar Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Barboza vs. Gaethje

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States Win

Brandon Davis Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Maia vs. Usman

Santiago, Chile Win

Matt Bessette Decision (unanimous) UFC 220

Boston, Massachusetts, United States Win

Gabriel Benítez Decision (unanimous) UFC 211

Dallas, Texas, United States Win

Chris Avila Decision (unanimous) The Ultimate Fighter Latin America 3 Finale: dos Anjos vs. Ferguson

Mexico City, Mexico Loss

Kyle Bochniak Decision (split) UFC on Fox: Maia vs. Condit

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Win

Horacio Gutierrez Decision (unanimous) The Ultimate Fighter Latin America 2 Finale: Magny vs. Gastelum

Monterrey, Mexico Win

Fernando Perez TKO (punches) Peru FC 18

Lima, Peru Loss

Martin Mollinedo Decision (unanimous) Fusion FC 9

Lima, Peru Win

Manuel Meza Decision (unanimous) Inka FC 26

Lima, Peru Win

Humberto Bandenay Submission (rear-naked choke) Inka FC 25

Lima, Peru Loss

Fernando Bruno Decision (unanimous)

Win

Marco Anatoly TKO (punches)

Win

Missael Silva de Souza TKO (punches) Show Fighting Enterprise 2

Quito, Ecuador Win

Joel Iglesias TKO (punches) Inka FC 24

Lima, Peru Win

Jorge Enciso Submission (rear-naked choke) 300 Sparta MMA 4

Lima, Peru Draw

Gonzalo Vallejo Decision (unanimous) 300 Sparta MMA 2

Lima, Peru Win

Emiliano Nielli Submission (rear-naked choke) Inka FC 21

Lima, Peru Win

Jorge Luis Figueroa Duran Decision (unanimous) 300 Sparta MMA 1

Lima, Peru Win

Arturo Frias Submission (rear-naked choke) Inka FC 19

Lima, Peru