Juan Archuleta

Juan Archuleta (born September 13, 1987) is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the bantamweight divisions of Bellator MMA and Rizin Fighting Federation, where in the latter promotion, he is the former Rizin Bantamweight Champion. A professional MMA competitor since 2013, he has also previously fought for King of the Cage and the World Series of Fighting. Archuleta is also a former Bellator Bantamweight World Champion.

Background

Archuleta was born in Hesperia, California, and is of Spanish and Mexican descent. Archuleta's background is in folkstyle wrestling. In high school, he was a state championship qualifier at Sultana High School. He moved on to Sacramento City College where he became a junior college All-American, and finally he transferred to Purdue University where he wrestled at the NCAA Division I level. In January 2021, he was promoted to purple belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu by his teacher Philipe Furão.

Mixed martial arts career

King of the Cage

After going 12–1 on the regional circuit, Archuleta then began fighting for the King of the Cage promotion. In his first fight with the promotion, Archuleta claimed the KOTC featherweight title when he finished former UFC fighter Chris Tickle in the second round via technical knockout. Archuleta also went on to become KOTC bantamweight, lightweight, and light welterweight champion.

Bellator MMA

After a successful run in King of the Cage, Archuleta signed with Bellator MMA. He made his promotional debut at Bellator 195 against William Joplin. He won the bout via unanimous decision.

His next bout came against Robbie Peralta at Bellator 201 on June 29, 2018. He won the bout via knockout in the third round.

Archuleta next faced Jeremy Spoon at Bellator 210 on November 30, 2018. He won via unanimous decision.

Archuleta's next bout took place on January 26, 2019, against Ricky Bandejas at Bellator 214. He won via unanimous decision.

In his next bout, Archuleta faced former Bellator Bantamweight World Champion Eduardo Dantas at Bellator 222 on June 14, 2019. Archuleta was victorious via knockout at 4:59 of round 2.

For his next fight, Archuleta entered the Bellator Featherweight World Grand Prix and in the opening round, he received a Featherweight title shot against champion Patrício Freire at Bellator 228 on September 28, 2019. He lost via unanimous decision.

Archuleta then faced Henry Corrales at Bellator 238 on January 25, 2020. He was victorious via unanimous decision.

Bellator MMA Bantamweight World Champion

Archuleta returned to the bantamweight division to face Patchy Mix for the vacant Bellator Bantamweight World Championship on September 12, 2020, at Bellator 246. He won the bout via unanimous decision to become Bellator Bantamweight world champion.

Archuleta made his first title defense against Sergio Pettis at Bellator 258 on May 7, 2021. He lost the bout and the title via unanimous decision.

Bellator Bantamweight World Grand Prix

Archuleta, replacing the injured Sergio Pettis, faced Raufeon Stots for the Interim Bellator Bantamweight World Championship on April 23, 2022, at Bellator 279. Archuleta lost the bout after getting knocked out by a head kick and then finished on the ground with elbows at the beginning of the third round.

Post Grand Prix; Rizin FF

Archuleta faced Enrique Barzola on October 1, 2022, at Bellator 286. At weigh ins, the bout was moved to a catchweight of 141 pounds. In a fast paced bout, Archuleta won the bout via unanimous decision.

Archuleta faced former Road FC and ONE Championship Bantamweight Champion Soo Chul Kim at Bellator MMA vs. Rizin on December 31, 2022. In a close back and forth bout, Archuleta came out of it with a split decision victory.

Archuleta was booked to face Naoki Inoue at Rizin 42 on May 6, 2023. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Rizin Bantamweight World Champion

Archuleta was next expected to face former Rizin Bantamweight Champion Kai Asakura for the vacant Rizin Bantamweight Championship as part of the Bellator MMA x Rizin 2 card on July 30, 2023. However on July 18 it was announced that Asakura withdrew due to injury and was replaced by Hiromasa Ougikubo. Archuleta won the bout via unanimous decision.

For his first title defense, Archuleta faced Kai Asakura on December 31, 2023, at Rizin 45. At the weigh-ins, Archuleta weighed in at 140.65 pounds, 5.65 pounds over the limit. As a result, Archuleta was stripped of the title and only Asakura was eligible to win it. Archuleta lost the bout via TKO in the second round.

In his next bout, Archuleta faced former Rizin Featherweight Champion Kleber Koike Erbst in a featherweight bout at Rizin 47 on June 9, 2024. He lost the bout via an inverted heel hook submission in the first round.

Archuleta faced Razhabali Shaydullaev at Rizin 48 on September 29, 2024, and lost the bout via armbar submission in the first round.

Personal life

After being deemed academically ineligible to continue wrestling at Purdue University, Archuleta succumbed to alcohol addiction and crime. He eventually served a prison stint prior to becoming a mixed martial artist.

Championships and awards

• Bellator MMA Bellator Bantamweight World Championship (One time)
• Rizin Fighting Federation RIZIN Bantamweight Championship (One time)
• King of the Cage KOTC Lightweight Championship (One time) KOTC Featherweight Championship (One time) Three successful title defenses KOTC Bantamweight Championship (One time) KOTC Light Welterweight Championship (One time)
• California Fight League CFL Featherweight Championship (One time)
• Tru-Form Entertainment TFE Featherweight Championship (One time)
• Gladiator Challenge GC Bantamweight Championship (One time)

Mixed martial arts record

See also

• List of current Bellator fighters
• List of male mixed martial artists

External links

• at Bellator
• from Sherdog