Former Bellator and RIZIN Bantamweight Champion Juan Archuleta is making a strong case for a UFC contract after back-to-back victories in Las Vegas over the weekend. At 38, time may be against him, but his recent performances suggest he still has plenty to offer.
Archuleta snapped a three-fight losing streak earlier this year with a flying knee knockout at BORROKA 3, and this weekend, he followed it up by submitting former UFC fighter Jose Johnson with a second-round rear-naked choke. Johnson, standing at 6’0″, is the tallest fighter in UFC flyweight history, making Archuleta’s victory all the more impressive. This marked Archuleta’s second career submission win and improved his professional record to 31-7.
Post-fight, Archuleta made his intentions clear: he wants a UFC contract and is calling out top featherweight contenders like Dan Ige and Diego Lopes. With the UFC recently signing 37-year-old former Bellator two-division champion Patricio “Pitbull” Freire, there is precedent for the promotion to bring in a veteran with Archuleta’s experience and credentials.
Archuleta has faced and defeated a host of notable fighters, including Patchy Mix, Enrique Barzola, Eduardo Dantas, Henry Corrales, Ricky Bandejas, and Hiromasa Ougikubo, showing he can compete with high-level talent.
The weekend also saw Daniel Weichel, a two-time Bellator title challenger, return from a two-year hiatus to defeat Abou Tounkara via unanimous decision in Frankfurt, Germany. At 40, Weichel snapped a two-fight losing skid, demonstrating that veteran fighters can still compete at a high level.
For Archuleta, the path to the UFC may be narrow due to his age, but his recent performances—highlighted by a mix of striking, submissions, and championship pedigree—make a compelling case that he’s ready for the sport’s biggest stage.
