Clayton Carpenter, head-and-shoulders portrait

Clayton Carpenter

Flyweight
MMA Lab
4 submission wins
Record Record: 8-3-0
Wins
8
Losses
3
Draws
0
2KO/TKO
4Sub
2Dec
View full record ↓

Vitals

Height, reach, and career background.

Age30
Height1.68 m
Reach168 cm
NationalityUnited States
TeamMMA Lab
Weight classFlyweight
Active2019-present

Record

Tap any fight for the breakdown.

LossDEC
Opponent: Jose OchoaunanimousR3 5:00
UFC 328
9 May 2026
LossSUB
Opponent: Jafel FilhokimuraR1 4:42
UFC Fight Night: Oliveira vs. Gamrot
11 Oct 2025

Filho's jiu-jitsu edge ended Carpenter's night late in the first round in Rio.

Key moments

  • Filho got Carpenter to the canvas midway through round one and controlled from back mount for well over a minute.
  • Carpenter reversed inside the guard and briefly landed on top.
  • Filho attacked a kimura as soon as Carpenter settled, using it to sweep into top position.
  • The kimura finish came at 4:42 of the opening round.
LossDEC
Opponent: Tagir UlanbekovunanimousR3 5:00
UFC 311
18 Jan 2025
WinSUB
Opponent: Lucas Rocharear-naked chokeR2 2:12
UFC Fight Night: Royval vs. Taira
12 Oct 2024

Carpenter rebounded in Las Vegas by submitting Lucas Rocha in the second round.

Key moments

  • Rocha shot early in round two, and Carpenter jumped on a guillotine during the entry.
  • Even after Rocha escaped the choke and returned to his feet, Carpenter stayed attached and climbed back onto his back.
  • The technical submission finish came by rear-naked choke at 2:12 of round two.
WinSUB
Opponent: Juancamilo Ronderosrear-naked chokeR1 3:13
UFC Fight Night: Andrade vs. Blanchfield
18 Feb 2023

Carpenter's UFC debut showcased the grappling instincts that got him signed in the first place.

Key moments

  • Ronderos caught a kick and forced Carpenter to the mat early in the round.
  • Carpenter attacked from bottom with both triangle and armbar threats before creating a scramble.
  • He used that scramble to come up on top and quickly move to mount.
  • Ronderos gave up his back from there, and Carpenter secured the rear-naked choke at 3:13 of round one.
WinDEC
Opponent: Edgar ChairezunanimousR3 5:00
Dana White's Contender Series 56
9 Aug 2022
WinKO
Opponent: Rodney Kealohihead kickR1 0:13
LFA 119
3 Dec 2021
WinSUB
Opponent: Nick ClemkneebarR1 0:45
LFA 108
21 May 2021
WinDEC
Opponent: Manuel MedinaunanimousR3 5:00
LFA 89
28 Aug 2020
WinKO
Opponent: Maui Acantiladohead kickR1 4:28
WFF 42
22 Feb 2020
WinSUB
Opponent: Efren Ramirezrear-naked chokeR3 2:16
Iron Boy MMA 16
24 Aug 2019

The Read

Style, strengths, and defining traits.

Clayton Carpenter is a grappling-first flyweight whose background shows up immediately once fights hit the mat.

The early UFC run has been volatile but informative. He submitted Juancamilo Ronderos and Lucas Rocha, but losses to Tagir Ulanbekov, Jafel Filho, and Jose Ochoa exposed how much harder the division gets when opponents can either out-position him in the grappling or force him to fight from behind on the feet.