Frank Camacho

Franklin 'The Crank' Camacho is a lightweight mixed martial artist from Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands, who emerged from the Pacific Rim fighting circuit to become one of the most entertaining prospects in the UFC's lightweight division during 2017-2018. Starting training at age 15 in his remote island home, Camacho built a 20-4 record before a four-year gap and a stint on The Ultimate Fighter 16 preceded his UFC debut in June 2017 as a late replacement against Li Jingliang. Despite losing that debut, the fight was so competitive that Camacho earned a Fight of the Night bonus, setting in motion one of the most remarkable UFC debuts in recent memory: three consecutive FOTN awards in his first three fights, tying him with Yoshihiro Akiyama and Justin Gaethje for the most consecutive FOTN bonuses to start a career.

Camacho fights as a pressure striker with a 2010 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Championship pedigree, but his game has always centered on heavy hands and footwork. His jab-and-cross combination accounts for 90% of his offensive output, and he generates steady significant-strike volume. However, his wrestling and submission defense have been liabilities against elite competition: he was subbed in round one by Beneil Dariush, and top strikers like Drew Dober and Geoff Neal have out-maneuvered or finished him. A series of weight misses (notably at 160 lbs against Damien Brown and 158 lbs against Justin Jaynes) further complicated his rise.

What endeared Camacho to the hardcore fanbase, beyond his exciting fighting style, was his sportsmanship and humility. After missing weight against Brown and still earning a bonus, Camacho publicly asked UFC President Dana White to give the prize to his opponent instead, recognizing the unfairness of his miss. He has remained an active, engaged competitor despite a recent removal from the UFC roster following a May 2022 loss to Manuel Torres, cementing his legacy as a regional warrior who briefly shined on the biggest stage.