Steven Peterson

Mixed martial arts career Early career Peterson made his Bellator Fighting Championships debut, on September 2, 2010 at Bellator 27, against Ernest de la Cruz, winning by unanimous decision.

Peterson made his second and final appearance in Bellator, on March 23, 2012, against Chris Jones, at Bellator 62, losing by split decision. Peterson competed extensively in both Legacy FC and Legacy Fighting Alliance, winning the Legacy FC Bantamweight title, at Legacy FC 56 vs. Manny Vasquez by rear-naked choke. Peterson lost a title unification bout at LFA 1, against Leandro Higo by unanimous decision.

Dana White Tuesday Night Contender Series Peterson competed on Dana White's Contender Series 7, for a chance at a UFC contract, on August 22, 2017, against Benito Lopez, losing by split decision.

Ultimate Fighting Championship Peterson was expected to make his UFC debut, at UFC Fight Night 126, on February 18, 2018, against Humberto Bandenay. However, due to visa issues, for Bandenay, he was replaced by Brandon Davis. Peterson lost the fight by unanimous decision. This fight earned Peterson the Fight of the Night award.

Peterson's next bout took place, at The Ultimate Fighter: Undefeated Finale, on July 6, 2018, against Matt Bessette. Peterson won the fight by split decision.

Peterson faced Luis Peña, on March 23, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 148. At the weigh-ins, Peña weighed in at 148.5 lbs, 2.5 pounds over the featherweight non-title fight limit of 146 lbs. Peña was fined 30% of his fight purse, and the bout proceed at a catchweight. Peterson lost the fight by unanimous decision. Peterson signed a new, four-fight contract with the UFC after the fight.

Peterson faced Alex Caceres, on July 20, 2019, at UFC on ESPN 4. Peterson lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Peterson faced Martín Bravo, on September 21, 2019, at UFC on ESPN+ 17. Peterson won the fight by knockout by spinning back fist in the second round. This win earn Peterson the Performance of the Night award. Peterson said of his knockout, "I went to evade his spinning backfist and it just naturally came because I made the same step and it was right after I jabbed when he did it. The jab was the perfect setup. I was just in a flow state when I did it. Everything came natural when I landed that backfist."

Peterson was expected to face Aalon Cruz, on February 29, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 169. However, Peterson was pulled from the event, for unknown reasons, and he was replaced by promotional newcomer Spike Carlyle.

Peterson was expected to face Seung Woo Choi, on February 6, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 184. However, Peterson pulled out of the fight on January 1, due to an injury, and he was replaced by promotional newcomer Collin Anglin.

Peterson faced Chase Hooper, on June 12, 2021, at UFC 263. At the weigh-ins, Peterson weighed in at 148.5 pounds, two and a half pounds over the featherweight non-title fight limit. The bout proceeded at a catchweight, and Peterson was fined 20% of his purse, which went go to his opponent. Peterson won the fight by unanimous decision.

Peterson faced Julian Erosa, on February 5, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 200. At the weigh-ins, Peterson weighed in at 149 pounds, three pounds over the featherweight non-title fight limit. The bout proceeded at a catchweight, and Peterson was fined 30% of his purse, which went to his opponent. Peterson lost the fight by split decision. 13 out of 18 media scores gave it to Erosa. This fight earned Peterson the Fight of the Night award, but Peterson was unable to collect the bonus, due to his weight miss. As a result, Peterson's award was given to Erosa.

Peterson faced Lucas Alexander, on March 25, 2023, at UFC on ESPN 43. Peterson lost the fight by unanimous decision, and announced his retirement after his fight.

Championships and achievements Ultimate Fighting Championship Performance of the Night (One time) Fight of the Night (Two times)

Mixed martial arts record --> Loss

Lucas Alexander Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Vera vs. Sandhagen

San Antonio, Texas, United States Loss

Julian Erosa Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Hermansson vs. Strickland

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Chase Hooper Decision (unanimous) UFC 263

Glendale, Arizona, United States Win

Martín Bravo KO (spinning back fist) UFC Fight Night: Rodríguez vs. Stephens

Mexico City, Mexico Loss

Alex Caceres Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: dos Anjos vs. Edwards

San Antonio, Texas, United States Loss

Luis Peña Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Thompson vs. Pettis

Nashville, Tennessee, United States Win

Matt Bessette Decision (split) The Ultimate Fighter: Undefeated Finale

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Brandon Davis Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Cowboy vs. Medeiros

Austin, Texas, United States Win

Dustin Winter TKO (punches) LFA 28

Dallas, Texas, United States Loss

Benito Lopez Decision (split) Dana White's Contender Series 7

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Ryan Hollis Submission (rear-naked choke) LFA 16

Dallas, Texas, United States Loss

Leandro Higo Decision (unanimous) LFA 1

Dallas, Texas, United States Win

Manny Vasquez Technical Submission (rear-naked choke) Legacy FC 56

Dallas, Texas, United States Win

Irwin Rivera Decision (unanimous) Legacy FC 46

Allen, Texas, United States Win

Caio Machado Submission (guillotine choke) Legacy FC 38

Allen, Texas, United States Win

Ray Rodriguez Decision (unanimous) Legacy FC 33

Allen, Texas, United States Win

Ray Rodriguez TKO Legacy FC 28

Arlington, Texas, United States Win

Nelson Salas TKO (punches) Xtreme Knockout 19

Dallas, Texas, United States Loss

George Pacurariu KO (punch) Legacy FC 19

Dallas, Texas, United States Loss

Matt Hobar Decision (majority) Legacy FC 16

Dallas, Texas, United States Win

Cody Williams Submission (omoplata) Legacy FC 14

Houston, Texas, United States Win

Matt Hobar TKO (arm injury) Legacy FC 13

Dallas, Texas, United States Loss

Chris Jones Decision (split) Bellator 62

Laredo, Texas, United States Win

Steve Garcia Submission (guillotine choke) Legacy FC 8

Houston, Texas, United States Win

Alex Russ Submission (rear-naked choke) Xtreme Knockout 11

Arlington, Texas, United States Win

Douglas Frey Decision (majority) Xtreme Knockout 10

Arlington, Texas, United States Win

Quaint Kempf Submission (armbar) Xtreme Knockout 9

Arlington, Texas, United States Loss

Brad Mitchell Decision (unanimous) Xtreme Knockout 8

Arlington, Texas, United States Win

Ernest de la Cruz Decision (unanimous) Bellator 27

San Antonio, Texas, United States Win

Marcus Dupar Submission (armbar) TCF: Puro Combate 1

Houston, Texas, United States