Daniel Barez Record: 17-8-0

Reaching the UFC

Rather than fold, Barez rebuilt with a string of first-round finishes on the regional scene and earned his UFC contract. He debuted in July 2023 in London, but ran into a tough first assignment: a first-round arm-triangle submission loss to Jafel Filho. The setback didn't define him. In September 2024 he delivered the breakthrough he had chased for a decade, outpointing Victor Altamirano over three rounds for a unanimous decision and his first UFC win.

Recent campaign

The flyweight division's depth has tested Barez since. In March 2025 he dropped a three-round fight to unbeaten prospect André Lima by third-round rear-naked choke, and in May 2026 he lost a unanimous decision to Luis Gurule. The results underline how thin the margins are at the top of the division, even for a fighter with Barez's experience and finishing pedigree.

Fighting style

Barez is an aggressive, finish-minded fighter with a 76% finish rate and a genuinely balanced attack: seven of his wins have come by knockout and six by submission, with four going the distance. His combat-sambo and wrestling background gives him grappling credibility, but it's the pressuring, body-punishing boxing honed in Tijuana that he leans on most, and he has talked openly about testing his "Mexican boxing" against the division's best. The flip side shows in his losses – four by submission and four by decision – pointing to a fighter who can be out-grappled on the mat or out-pointed across 15 minutes when he can't impose his pace.

Career highlights

• First UFC victory — defeated Victor Altamirano by unanimous decision in September 2024, cashing in more than a decade of professional experience on the sport's biggest stage.
• Two-time BAMMA World Flyweight Champion — claimed major regional gold on his way up, headlining the European circuit before his UFC call.
• Decorated combat-sports resume — a Spanish Combat Sambo Champion with wrestling honors and a 76% MMA finish rate, blending grappling credentials with pressure striking.