Steven Peterson
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Steven Timothy Peterson (born May 29, 1990) is an American former professional mixed martial artist. Peterson competed in the Featherweight division, for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A professional competitor, from 2010 to 2023, Peterson has also competed for Bellator Fighting Championships, and the Legacy Fighting Alliance.
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Peterson made his Bellator Fighting Championships debut, on September 2, 2010 at Bellator 27, against Ernest de la Cruz, winning by unanimous decision.
Peterson made his second and final appearance in Bellator, on March 23, 2012, against Chris Jones, at Bellator 62, losing by split decision. Peterson competed extensively in both Legacy FC and Legacy Fighting Alliance, winning the Legacy FC Bantamweight title, at Legacy FC 56 vs. Manny Vasquez by rear-naked choke. Peterson lost a title unification bout at LFA 1, against Leandro Higo by unanimous decision.
Dana White Tuesday Night Contender Series
Peterson competed on Dana White's Contender Series 7, for a chance at a UFC contract, on August 22, 2017, against Benito Lopez, losing by split decision.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Peterson was expected to make his UFC debut, at UFC Fight Night 126, on February 18, 2018, against Humberto Bandenay. However, due to visa issues, for Bandenay, he was replaced by Brandon Davis. Peterson lost the fight by unanimous decision. This fight earned Peterson the Fight of the Night award.
Peterson's next bout took place, at The Ultimate Fighter: Undefeated Finale, on July 6, 2018, against Matt Bessette. Peterson won the fight by split decision.
Peterson faced Luis Peña, on March 23, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 148. At the weigh-ins, Peña weighed in at 148.5 lbs, 2.5 pounds over the featherweight non-title fight limit of 146 lbs. Peña was fined 30% of his fight purse, and the bout proceed at a catchweight. Peterson lost the fight by unanimous decision. Peterson signed a new, four-fight contract with the UFC after the fight.
Peterson faced Alex Caceres, on July 20, 2019, at UFC on ESPN 4. Peterson lost the fight by unanimous decision.
Peterson faced Martín Bravo, on September 21, 2019, at UFC on ESPN+ 17. Peterson won the fight by knockout by spinning back fist in the second round. This win earn Peterson the Performance of the Night award. Peterson said of his knockout, "I went to evade his spinning backfist and it just naturally came because I made the same step and it was right after I jabbed when he did it. The jab was the perfect setup. I was just in a flow state when I did it. Everything came natural when I landed that backfist."
Peterson was expected to face Aalon Cruz, on February 29, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 169. However, Peterson was pulled from the event, for unknown reasons, and he was replaced by promotional newcomer Spike Carlyle.
Peterson was expected to face Seung Woo Choi, on February 6, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 184. However, Peterson pulled out of the fight on January 1, due to an injury, and he was replaced by promotional newcomer Collin Anglin.
Peterson faced Chase Hooper, on June 12, 2021, at UFC 263. At the weigh-ins, Peterson weighed in at 148.5 pounds, two and a half pounds over the featherweight non-title fight limit. The bout proceeded at a catchweight, and Peterson was fined 20% of his purse, which went go to his opponent. Peterson won the fight by unanimous decision.
Peterson faced Julian Erosa, on February 5, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 200. At the weigh-ins, Peterson weighed in at 149 pounds, three pounds over the featherweight non-title fight limit. The bout proceeded at a catchweight, and Peterson was fined 30% of his purse, which went to his opponent. Peterson lost the fight by split decision. 13 out of 18 media scores gave it to Erosa. This fight earned Peterson the Fight of the Night award, but Peterson was unable to collect the bonus, due to his weight miss. As a result, Peterson's award was given to Erosa.
Peterson faced Lucas Alexander, on March 25, 2023, at UFC on ESPN 43. Peterson lost the fight by unanimous decision, and announced his retirement after his fight.
Championships and achievements
- Ultimate Fighting Championship Performance of the Night (One time) vs. Martín Bravo Fight of the Night (Two times) vs. Brandon Davis and Julian Erosa
- MMAJunkie.com 2019 September Knockout of the Month vs. Martín Bravo
Mixed martial arts record
| 30 matches | 19 wins | 11 losses |
| By knockout | 5 | 1 |
| By submission | 8 | 0 |
| By decision | 6 | 10 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 19–11 | Lucas Alexander | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on ESPN: Vera vs. Sandhagen | March 25, 2023 | 3 | 5:00 | San Antonio, Texas, United States | |
| Loss | 19–10 | Julian Erosa | Decision (split) | UFC Fight Night: Hermansson vs. Strickland | February 5, 2022 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Catchweight (149 lb) bout; Peterson missed weight. Fight of the Night |
| Win | 19–9 | Chase Hooper | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 263 | June 12, 2021 | 3 | 5:00 | Glendale, Arizona, United States | Catchweight (148.5 lb) bout; Peterson missed weight. |
| Win | 18–9 | Martín Bravo | KO (spinning back fist) | UFC Fight Night: Rodríguez vs. Stephens | September 21, 2019 | 2 | 1:31 | Mexico City, Mexico | Performance of the Night. |
| Loss | 17–9 | Alex Caceres | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on ESPN: dos Anjos vs. Edwards | July 20, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | San Antonio, Texas, United States | |
| Loss | 17–8 | Luis Peña | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Thompson vs. Pettis | March 23, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Nashville, Tennessee, United States | Catchweight (148.5 lb) bout; Peña missed weight. |
| Win | 17–7 | Matt Bessette | Decision (split) | The Ultimate Fighter: Undefeated Finale | July 6, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 16–7 | Brandon Davis | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Cowboy vs. Medeiros | February 18, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Austin, Texas, United States | Fight of the Night. |
| Win | 16–6 | Dustin Winter | TKO (punches) | LFA 28 | December 8, 2017 | 2 | 2:38 | Dallas, Texas, United States | Return to Featherweight. |
| Loss | 15–6 | Benito Lopez | Decision (split) | Dana White's Contender Series 7 | August 22, 2017 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 15–5 | Ryan Hollis | Submission (rear-naked choke) | LFA 16 | July 14, 2017 | 2 | 1:43 | Dallas, Texas, United States | Catchweight (140 lb) bout. |
| Loss | 14–5 | Leandro Higo | Decision (unanimous) | LFA 1 | January 13, 2017 | 5 | 5:00 | Dallas, Texas, United States | For the inaugural LFA Bantamweight Championship. |
| Win | 14–4 | Manny Vasquez | Technical Submission (rear-naked choke) | Legacy FC 56 | June 24, 2016 | 4 | 3:08 | Dallas, Texas, United States | Won the Legacy FC Bantamweight Championship. |
| Win | 13–4 | Irwin Rivera | Decision (unanimous) | Legacy FC 46 | October 2, 2015 | 3 | 5:00 | Allen, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 12–4 | Caio Machado | Submission (guillotine choke) | Legacy FC 38 | February 13, 2015 | 1 | 3:55 | Allen, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 11–4 | Ray Rodriguez | Decision (unanimous) | Legacy FC 33 | July 18, 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | Allen, Texas, United States | Featherweight bout. |
| Win | 10–4 | Ray Rodriguez | TKO | Legacy FC 28 | February 21, 2014 | 2 | n/a | Arlington, Texas, United States | Featherweight bout. |
| Win | 9–4 | Nelson Salas | TKO (punches) | Xtreme Knockout 19 | August 17, 2013 | 4 | 1:58 | Dallas, Texas, United States | Won the XKO Bantamweight Championship. |
| Loss | 8–4 | George Pacurariu | KO (punch) | Legacy FC 19 | April 12, 2013 | 1 | 3:42 | Dallas, Texas, United States | |
| Loss | 8–3 | Matt Hobar | Decision (majority) | Legacy FC 16 | December 14, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Dallas, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 8–2 | Cody Williams | Submission (omoplata) | Legacy FC 14 | September 14, 2012 | 2 | 4:46 | Houston, Texas, United States | Catchweight (140 lb) bout. |
| Win | 7–2 | Matt Hobar | TKO (arm injury) | Legacy FC 13 | August 17, 2012 | 1 | 4:04 | Dallas, Texas, United States | Return to Bantamweight. |
| Loss | 6–2 | Chris Jones | Decision (split) | Bellator 62 | March 23, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Laredo, Texas, United States | Featherweight bout. |
| Win | 6–1 | Steve Garcia | Submission (guillotine choke) | Legacy FC 8 | September 16, 2011 | 1 | 1:40 | Houston, Texas, United States | Bantamweight bout. |
| Win | 5–1 | Alex Russ | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Xtreme Knockout 11 | July 23, 2011 | 1 | 1:57 | Arlington, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 4–1 | Douglas Frey | Decision (majority) | Xtreme Knockout 10 | April 9, 2011 | 4 | 1:11 | Arlington, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 3–1 | Quaint Kempf | Submission (armbar) | Xtreme Knockout 9 | January 29, 2011 | 1 | 0:24 | Arlington, Texas, United States | |
| Loss | 2–1 | Brad Mitchell | Decision (unanimous) | Xtreme Knockout 8 | October 9, 2010 | 3 | 3:00 | Arlington, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 2–0 | Ernest de la Cruz | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 27 | September 2, 2010 | 3 | 3:00 | San Antonio, Texas, United States | Featherweight bout. |
| Win | 1–0 | Marcus Dupar | Submission (armbar) | TCF: Puro Combate 1 | August 4, 2010 | 3 | 2:26 | Houston, Texas, United States |