Danny Chavez (born March 14, 1987) is an American mixed martial artist who competes in Featherweight division. A professional since 2010, he most notably fought in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

Background

Born in Queens, New York, Chavez went to live in Miami when he was five years old. Two years later he went to Bogotá to live with his father. He lived there until he was 14 in the neighbourhood of Kennedy. He picked up mixed martial arts at the age of 19, when his friend Alex Bermudez showed himThe Ultimate Fighter: Season 3. After enjoying the show, he searched through the Yellow Pages for a school and found one that was advertising Muay Thai, Jiu-Jitsu, and wrestling. After two years, a friend told him about a school and that's when he joined MMA Masters.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Starting his career in 2010, Chavez started out his professional career fighting on the regional Florida scene, being selected to compete in the Championship Fighting Alliance Undefeated Featherweight Tournament after three straight wins to start his career, including a unanimous decision win in his CFA debut against Justin Steave at CFA 3: Howard vs. Olson on October 9, 2011.

Chavez next faced Humberto Rodriguez at CFA 4: Izquierdo vs. Cenoble on December 17, 2011, in the semifinal round of the promotions undefeated featherweight tournament. He won the fight via unanimous decision to secure his place in the finals.

Chavez faced off against Jordan Parsons in the finals, which took place at CFA 5: Chavez vs. Parsons on February 24, 2012 for the featherweight title. He lost the fight via unanimous decision after five rounds.

He would continue fighting on the Florida scene, picking up three straight decision wins, before dropping two straight fights in 2016. Chavez did not see any action in 2017 but later returned in 2018 to start his three-fight win streak which were all won by knockout inside the first round, culminating in Chavez fighting under the Global Legion Fighting Championship promotion, in which he knocked out Dylan Cala to become the new GLFC featherweight champion.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

In his UFC debut, Chavez faced T.J. Brown at UFC 252 on August 15, 2020. He won the bout via unanimous decision.

In his sophomore appearance in the organization, Chavez faced Jared Gordon on February 20, 2021 at UFC Fight Night 185. At the weigh-ins, Gordon weighed in at 150 pounds, four pounds over the featherweight non-title fight limit. Gordon was fined 30% of his purse which went to Chavez and the bout proceeded at catchweight. Chavez lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Chavez was scheduled to face Doo Ho Choi on July 31, 2021 at UFC on ESPN 28. However, Choi had to pull out of the bout due to injury and was replaced by Kai Kamaka III. The fight ended up with the result of majority draw.

Chavez faced Ricardo Ramos at UFC on ESPN: Kattar vs. Emmett on June 18, 2022. He lost the bout in the first round, getting knocked out with a spinning back elbow.

On August 8, 2022, it was announced that Chavez was no longer on the UFC roster.

Championships and accomplishments

  • Global Legion FC GLFC Featherweight Championship (One time)

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
17 matches11 wins5 losses
By knockout31
By submission01
By decision83
Draws1
Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Loss11–5–1Ricardo RamosKO (spinning back elbow)UFC on ESPN: Kattar vs. EmmettJune 18, 202211:12Austin, Texas, United States
Draw11–4–1Kai Kamaka IIIDraw (majority)UFC on ESPN: Hall vs. StricklandJuly 31, 202135:00Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesKamaka was deducted one point in round 2 for an eye poke and a groin strike.
Loss11–4Jared GordonDecision (unanimous)UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. LewisFebruary 20, 202135:00Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesCatchweight (150 lb) bout; Gordon missed weight.
Win11–3T.J. BrownDecision (unanimous)UFC 252August 15, 202035:00Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesCatchweight (146.5 lb) bout; Brown missed weight.
Win10–3Dylan CalaKOGlobal Legion FC 14July 18, 202012:24Clearwater, Florida, United StatesWon the GLFC Featherweight Championship.
Win9–3Felipe VargasTKO (head kick)XFN 22December 15, 201812:50Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States
Win8–3Leandro MagalhãesKO (punches)Shogun FightsMarch 17, 201814:08Hollywood, Florida, United States
Loss7–3Adi AlićDecision (unanimous)Fight Time 31June 24, 201635:00Miami, Florida, United States
Loss7–2Jason SoaresSubmission (guillotine choke)Fight Time 29February 12, 201652:32Miami, Florida, United StatesFor the Fight Time Featherweight Championship.
Win7–1John De JesusDecision (unanimous)Fight Time 27September 18, 201535:00Miami, Florida, United States
Win6–1Anderson HutchinsonDecision (split)HOF: Nations CollideMarch 13, 201535:00Coral Gables, Florida, United States
Win5–1Chino DuranDecision (unanimous)CFA 8: Araujo vs. BradleyOctober 6, 201235:00Miami, Florida, United States
Loss4–1Jordan ParsonsDecision (unanimous)CFA 5: Chavez vs. ParsonsFebruary 24, 201255:00Miami, Florida, United StatesCFA Undefeated Featherweight Tournament Final; For the CFA Featherweight Championship.
Win4–0Humberto RodriguezDecision (unanimous)CFA 4: Izquierdo vs. CenobleDecember 17, 201135:00Miami, Florida, United StatesCFA Undefeated Featherweight Tournament Semifinal.
Win3–0Justin SteaveDecision (unanimous)CFA 3: Howard vs OlsonOctober 9, 201135:00Miami, Florida, United States
Win2–0Casey PhelpsDecision (unanimous)Mixed Fighting Alliance 5May 6, 201135:00Miami, Florida, United States
Win1–0Nelson LopezDecision (unanimous)G-Force Fights 3February 4, 201035:00Miami, Florida, United States

See also

External links