Keep your eyes on this Featherweight …
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is heading back to “Father of the gazelle” this weekend (Sat., Oct. 25, 2025) for UFC 321. In the main event, Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Heavyweight
champion Tom Aspinall is set to make his first-ever title defense as undisputed champion against former interim champion Ciryl Gane inside Etihad Arena on “Fight Island” in Abu Dhabi.
Checkout UFC 321’s entire card here.
There are several up-and-coming fighters featured throughout the card this weekend (see them here), but let’s give you one to really keep your eyes on.
Without further ado …
The MMA Lab in Phoenix, Arizona, has produced some of the most exciting names inside the Octagon, especially with the lighter weight classes, with names like Sean O’Malley, Kyler Phillips, Mario Bautista, Marcus McGhee — and now, Jose Delgado might be the next to join that list.
The 27-year-old earned his UFC contract on Contender Series last year by knocking out Ernie Juarez with a brutal knee. He then kicked off his UFC career in 2025 with two statement wins: a knockout over Connor Matthews in February (watch highlights), followed by a 30-second demolition of Hyder Amil during International Fight Week.
I knew Delgado was talented and dangerous, but that last win was eye-opening. Delgado became the first fighter to crack Amil’s iron chin and hand him his first professional loss — a sign that this kid is no ordinary prospect.
Now, just two fights into his UFC run, Delgado faces a serious test in Nathaniel Wood, one of the most underrated Featherweights on the roster. Aside from a controversial loss to Muhammad Naimov at UFC 294, Wood has been nearly flawless since 2022, defeating names like Andre Fili, Morgan Charrière, and Charles Jourdain.
So, what I’m saying is this matchup is a pretty big step up for Delgado. Still, he has all of the tools to win, even though he is still raw.
At 5’11” with a 73-inch reach, Delgado is a big Featherweight who carries fight-ending power and relentless aggression. He’s not the most polished striker, but when he lands, opponents crumble. He holds a 100 percent finish rate with six knockouts and four submissions to his name.
His striking is his bread and butter, but he has good grappling that is hardly used.
Beyond his power, Delgado’s mentality sets him apart. He studies his opponents and lets his performances do the talking.
“This fight takes me out of the box of fun prospect and cements me as a real problem for the division. I want people to know I’m here to fight the best,” Delgado told UFC.com.
Indeed, a win over Wood would catapult Delgado into the upper echelon of UFC Featherweight prospects and put him one step closer to the Top 15.
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