Nathaniel Wood

Background and Record:

17 wins – 5 defeats
9 KO/TKO : 5 SUBMISSIONS : 3 DECISIONS
Nathaniel is a true London boy. Devoted to his family, his father Gary in particular has been a huge influence on his life and career. Gary himself is a black belt in Karate, Judo, kickboxing and BJJ and remains one of Nathaniel’s head coaches.

Kickboxing from age 10, Nathaniel knew his way around the gym early on, but it was only at 16 that he started to become “The Prospect”. Discovering BJJ to add to his striking, it all clicked.

Nathaniel is part of the first generation of completely MMA trained fighters – He is fully well rounded, neither a striker or a grappler. This is in part due to his chance meeting with Brad “One Punch” Pickett. Nathaniel fanboyed Brad and Brad saw Nathaniel train. Having one of Britain’s most well-respected pioneers of MMA, conveniently soon to retire and in the same weight class meant Nathaniel’s overall skill level improved exponentially.

A Cage Warriors Bantamweight Championship soon followed….2 defences later and the shouts for a UFC signing became deafening. Nathaniel’s fights were notably exciting. Explosive and punishing on the feet, crushing wrestling, slick BJJ….Nathaniel’s debut in the UFC was a performance of the night winning D’arce choke over a game Jonny Eduardo. Another dominating performance against Andre Ewell led to a breakout showing at UFC London in March 2019, with Jose Quinones crumbling under the pressure of Nathaniel’s attack.

MMA is a cruel mistress though, and on 15th Feb 2020 he ended up being on the wrong side of a stoppage to the always dangerous John Dodson.

A last minute change of fighter saw Nathaniel fight newcomer John Castañeda on 26 July 2020 where he won the fight via unanimous decision.
Facing Casey Kenney on 24 October 2020 at at UFC 254, he lost the back-and-forth fight via unanimous decision.

Nathaniel’s next fight is yet to be scheduled.