Jose Ochoa Record: 9-2-0

Inside the Octagon

Ochoa's UFC arc opened with a tough lesson. In November 2024 he dropped a unanimous decision to unbeaten Englishman Lone'er Kavanagh, his first taste of how unforgiving the elite level can be for a one-dimensional pressure striker. He answered emphatically in June 2025, scoring a second-round knockout of veteran Cody Durden that showcased the power and aggression that made his name on the regional circuit. The momentum stalled the following month when he lost a unanimous decision to surging contender Asu Almabayev in July 2025, again outworked by a grappler who could neutralize his offense. Ochoa rebounded in May 2026 with a measured unanimous-decision win over Clayton Carpenter at UFC 328, a result that showed a more patient, well-rounded version of the young Peruvian.

Fighting style

Ochoa is a volume striker first and foremost, and the numbers reflect it: seven of his nine wins have come by knockout, with just a single submission and one decision among them, for a finish rate near 90 percent. He throws a heavy diet of kicks, mixes in sharp boxing, and uses speed and footwork to stay in opponents' faces, the hallmark Chute Boxe approach. His losses have followed a consistent script, however, both coming by decision against opponents who could ground him or out-pace his output over three rounds, exposing wrestling and pacing as the areas he must continue to round out to climb the flyweight ladder.

Career highlights

• Direct UFC signing — earned a UFC contract without a Contender Series appearance, a rare endorsement of his finishing reputation on the South American circuit.
• Knockout of Cody Durden — stopped the experienced Cody Durden in the second round in June 2025 for his statement win inside the Octagon.
• Submission of an unbeaten prospect — choked out previously perfect Juscelino Pantoja in the first round at LFA 171 to punch his ticket toward the UFC.