UFCKody Steele Record: 8-1-0
LightweightRecord8-1-0
Age31
DivisionLightweight · #96
Combat Edge Elo1658
Last fightMay 2 2026
Kody Steele has a 8-1-0 professional record and is 31 years old in the Lightweight division, representing Syndicate MMA. This profile tracks fight history, UFC stats, ELO rating, record, age, and opponent links.
Last updated Jun 17, 2026 · Combat Edge fight database
Kody Steele bio
Personal background
Kody Steele is an American lightweight competing in the UFC, a grappling-first prospect who reached the sport's biggest stage on the strength of an elite submission game. Born on April 21, 1995, in Port Angeles, Washington, he grew up an athlete – playing football and baseball before discovering wrestling around age 13 and competing in Greco-Roman, freestyle and folkstyle. In 2013 he moved to Texas, where a relative lack of wrestling outlets pushed him toward Brazilian jiu-jitsu. He flourished, earning his black belt under Rodrigo Cabral at Brazilian Fight Factory (a Checkmat affiliate) in 2020 and establishing himself as a Combat Jiu-Jitsu world champion. A 5'9" lightweight with a 71-inch reach, Steele now trains out of the respected Syndicate MMA in Las Vegas.
From grappling standout to MMA
Before MMA, Steele built a serious name on the professional grappling circuit, competing across Combat Jiu-Jitsu Worlds, Submission Underground, Who's Number One, Third Coast Grappling and the ADCC trials. Among his notable grappling results were a 2019 rear-naked-choke win over Jean-Paul Lebosnoyani at Combat Jiu-Jitsu Worlds and a 2021 decision win over Phil Rowe. He tested himself against top names too, dropping decisions to the likes of Vagner Rocha in 2020 and, on the same 2021 UFC Fight Pass Invitational card, fighting Jason High to a draw before falling to Gregory Rodrigues. That grappling pedigree formed the foundation for his transition to mixed martial arts.
Building a pro MMA record
Steele turned his attention to MMA and racked up wins on the regional scene, primarily through Fury FC in Texas. He showed his striking was catching up to his grappling, scoring knockouts and stoppages on his way up the ladder, including a finish of the experienced Nico Echeverry in 2023 and a third-round TKO of seasoned veteran Alejandro Martinez in 2024. The defining moment of his climb came on Dana White's Contender Series in October 2024, where he stopped Chasen Blair by second-round TKO to earn a UFC contract – the payoff for years of grappling and regional grind.
UFC arrival
Steele's promotional debut came at UFC 312 in February 2025, where he was outpointed over three rounds by the experienced Rongzhu in a competitive unanimous-decision loss. He returned to the win column on a UFC Fight Night card in May 2026, submitting Dom Mar Fan with a first-round inverted heel hook – a finish that put his world-class grappling on full display and reasserted exactly why the UFC signed him. The win moved his pro MMA record to 8-1.
Fighting style
Steele is a grappling-driven finisher whose game is built on a championship-level submission arsenal, with a particular gift for leg locks – as the inverted heel hook against Mar Fan underlined. His 8-1 MMA record carries a 75 percent finish rate, with four knockouts and two submissions, a balance that reflects a wrestler-grappler whose hands have developed into a genuine threat. His lone professional MMA loss came by decision against a durable, experienced opponent, suggesting his ceiling is tied to continuing to round out his striking and cardio over 15 minutes. With elite control on the mat and improving stand-up, he profiles as one of the more dangerous submission threats among the UFC's newer lightweights.
Career highlights
- Combat Jiu-Jitsu world champion — a black belt under Rodrigo Cabral whose grappling pedigree underpins his entire MMA game.
- Contender Series contract — stopped Chasen Blair by TKO on Dana White's Contender Series in 2024 to earn his place on the UFC roster.
- Submission specialist — announced himself in the UFC win column with a first-round inverted heel hook of Dom Mar Fan.
Career snapshot
Kody Steele career snapshot
EloCombat Edge Elo
1658Good ratingElo trajectory (last 3 years)
Overall#726
Lightweight#96of 204 active
Peak1658
Last move+31
Opponent quality1530avg. pre-fight Elo · last 9
Career-high 1658 Elo after defeating Dom Mar Fan (2026-05-02)
Similar Elo in Lightweight
Recent Elo history
WinDom Mar Fan2026-05-02 | Submission+31LossRongzhu2025-02-08 | Decision (unanimous)-19WinChasen Blair2024-10-08 | TKO (Punches)+17WinAlejandro Martinez2024-04-21 | TKO (Punches)+16WinNico Echeverry2023-09-24 | KO (Knee and Punches)+17Kody Steele quick answers
What is Kody Steele's record?
Kody Steele's professional MMA record is 8-1-0.
How old is Kody Steele?
Kody Steele is 31 years old.
What weight class is Kody Steele?
Kody Steele fights at Lightweight in UFC.
How tall is Kody Steele?
Kody Steele is 5'9" tall with a 71" reach.
How much does Kody Steele weigh?
Kody Steele competes at Lightweight, with a most recent weigh-in of 155 lbs.
What is Kody Steele's Combat Edge Elo?
Kody Steele's Combat Edge Elo is 1658, with a peak Elo of 1658.
How strong is Kody Steele's recent opposition?
Kody Steele's latest 9 counted opponents averaged 1530 Elo immediately before their fights. This avoids using opponents' later career results with hindsight.
When was Kody Steele's last fight?
Kody Steele's latest tracked pro fight was against Dom Mar Fan at UFC Fight Night on May 2 2026.
What is Kody Steele's recent form?
Kody Steele's recent tracked pro form is W-L-W-W-W over the latest 5 decisive pro results.
How does Kody Steele usually win?
Kody Steele's 8 recorded wins include 4 knockouts, 2 submissions, and 2 decisions, with 75% ending before the final bell.
4Wins by knockout
2Wins by submission
2Wins by decision
0Loss by knockout
0Loss by submission
1Loss by decision
Kody Steele stats
Record : 8 / 1 / 0Significant strikes landed per minute
4.44Fighter3.07Division average
Significant striking accuracy
33%Fighter43%Division average
Significant strikes absorbed per minute
7.17Fighter3.89Division average
Significant strike defenseThe % of opponents strikes that did not land
52%Fighter53%Division average
Average takedowns landed per 15 minutes
0.62Fighter1.59Division average
Takedown accuracy
14%Fighter35%Division average
Takedown defenseThe % of opponents TD attempts that did not land
100%Fighter51%Division average
Average submissions attempted per 15 minutes
0Fighter0.66Division average
Pro fight history
ResultOpponentMethodTimeRoundEventDateFight details
Amateur fight history
ResultOpponentMethodTimeRoundEventDateFight details
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