Ignacio Bahamondes

Ignacio Antonio Bahamondes Carabantes (born August 27, 1997) is a Chilean professional mixed martial artist who currently competes in the lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He is also the inaugural lightweight champion in LUX Fight League.

Background Born and raised in Santiago, Chile, he followed his father's footsteps into kickboxing; his father is a former South American WKN kickboxing champion. After a successful amateur kickboxing career, he moved to the United States at the age of 16 to pursue a career in mixed martial arts, settling in Miami alone and speaking no English.

Mixed martial arts career Early career During his early career, where he started off at welterweight to eventually debut at lightweight, Bahamondes racked up a 10–3 record while competing in both the North and South American regional circuits, eventually claiming the LUX Fight League lightweight championship.

Dana White's Contender Series Bahamondes was invited to compete at Dana White's Contender Series 34 against Edson Gomez on November 4, 2020. He won the bout via second-round knockout and was awarded a contract by the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Ultimate Fighting Championship Bahamondes faced John Makdessi on April 10, 2021, at UFC on ABC 2. At the weigh-ins, Bahamondes weighed in at 156.75 pounds, 0.75 pounds over the lightweight non-title fight limit. The bout proceeded at a catchweight and Bahamondes was fined 20% of his individual purse, which went to Makdessi. Bahamondes lost the bout via split decision.

He made his sophomore appearance in the organization against Roosevelt Roberts at UFC on ESPN 29 on August 21, 2021. He won the fight via knockout five seconds before the ending bell in the third round. The finish earned him his first Performance of the Night bonus award. He won the bout via submission in the third round.

Bahamondes was scheduled to face Ľudovít Klein on July 30, 2022, at UFC 277. However, Bahamondes pulled out of the bout on July 15.

Bahamondes was scheduled to face Nikolas Motta on April 8, 2023, at UFC 287. However, Motta pulled out in late March due to a cut on his head and was replaced by Trey Ogden, with the bout taking place at a catchweight of 160 pounds. Bahamondes won the bout via unanimous decision.

Bahamondes was rescheduled to face Ľudovít Klein on August 5, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 226. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Bahamondes faced Christos Giagos on April 6, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 240. He won by a head kick knockout in the first round. This fight earned him another Performance of the Night award.

Bahamondes faced Manuel Torres on September 14, 2024, at UFC 306. He won the fight by technical knockout in the first round. This fight earned him his second straight Performance of the Night award.

Bahamondes faced Jalin Turner on March 8, 2025, at UFC 313. He won the fight via a triangle choke submission in the first round. This fight earned him a third straight Performance of the Night award.

Bahamondes faced Rafael Fiziev on June 21, 2025, at UFC on ABC 8. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Bahamondes faced Tofiq Musayev on March 28, 2026 at UFC Fight Night 271. He lost the fight by unanimous decision. This fight earned him a $100,000 Fight of the Night award.

Returning to the welterweight division, Bahamondes is scheduled to face Muslim Salikhov on September 12, 2026 at UFC Fight Night 288.

Championships and accomplishments Ultimate Fighting Championship Fight of the Night (One time) UFC.com Awards 2021: Ranked #5 Knockout of the Year LUX Fight League LUX Lightweight Championship (One time; inaugural)