Joshua Culibao

Joshua Culibao is an Australian mixed martial artist from a Filipino family who turned to combat sports as a teenager to lose weight and build confidence. Growing up in Sydney, he balanced a full-time electrician career (40+ hours per week) with serious training at Igor MMA, where teammates gave him the Tagalog nickname "Kuya" meaning older brother. From 2016 to early 2020, Culibao compiled a perfect 8-0 record on the Australian regional circuit, capturing three featherweight titles and establishing himself as a legitimate prospect before signing with the UFC in February 2020.

Inside the Octagon, Culibao has been an aggressive, volume-striking featherweight who lands nearly 90 percent of his significant strikes from standing range. His finisher's mentality is on full display: five knockout wins, one submission victory (a rear-naked choke submission of Melsik Baghdasaryan at UFC 284 that showcased his grappling range), and three first-round stoppages. His best UFC performance came against SeungWoo Choi at UFC 275, where he landed multiple knockdowns across three rounds and claimed a split-decision victory. However, consistency has eluded him: his UFC record stands at 6-4, and he entered a brutal three-fight losing skid in 2023-24, dropping split decisions to Lerone Murphy, Danny Silva, and Ricardo Ramos, respectively. That second loss to Silva was particularly contested; 8 of 12 media outlets scored the bout in Culibao's favor, raising questions about close-call decision-making.

Culibao's appeal lies in his hunger to finish and willingness to engage, combined with legitimate power and grappling depth. He represents the working-class athlete who grinded regional MMA while holding down a day job, bringing authenticity and relatability that resonates with grassroots fans. Yet the recent three-fight skid and his subsequent removal from the UFC roster in February 2025 mark a downturn in his career trajectory. At 30 years old with a volatile Octagon record, Culibao faces an uncertain path forward.