Get the app
← UFC 328: Chimaev vs. Strickland
UFC Flyweight

Clayton Carpenter VS Jose Ochoa

Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey, U.S.

Tale of the Tape

Clayton Carpenter VS Jose Ochoa
8-3-0 Record 9-2-0, 1 NC
29 Age 25
168 cm Height 170 cm
168 cm Reach 170 cm
orthodox Stance southpaw
75% Finish rate 89%
25% KO rate 78%
50% Sub rate 11%

Result Summary

Jose Ochoa def. Clayton Carpenter Decision (unanimous) · R3 5:00

Jose Ochoa defeated Clayton Carpenter by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) in the opening flyweight bout of UFC 328 at the Prudential Center in Newark on May 9, 2026. Ochoa controlled all three rounds with his speed and sharp body work, pressing forward from the opening bell and never allowing Carpenter to find an offensive rhythm. Carpenter showed durability and kept pushing forward, but Ochoa's consistent output denied him any sustained momentum. The win moved Ochoa to 2-0 in the UFC.

Fight Overview

Two flyweights both carrying consecutive UFC losses and enough to make this dangerous from the opening bell. Carpenter (8-2) is an IBJJF and FILA Pankration World Champion who was submitted by kimura in his last outing; Ochoa (8-2) earned a Performance of the Night KO of Cody Durden before dropping a decision to ranked contender Asu Almabayev. Grappling pedigree against Chute Boxe striking power, with a legitimate finish possible on either side.

Keys to Victory

Clayton Carpenter

  1. Secure early takedowns to impose the grappling game before Ochoa's striking finds rhythm and builds confidence in the stand-up.
  2. Stay disciplined about arm position on the ground — Ochoa's camp will have kimura sequences ready, and posting carelessly invites a repeat.
  3. Maintain relentless top pressure and high pace to limit Ochoa's time and space to generate the power shots that have finished his opponents.

Jose Ochoa

  1. Use volume kicking and constant footwork to prevent Carpenter from finding clean takedown entries — movement makes committed shot attempts costly.
  2. Capitalize immediately on stuffed takedowns with cage striking — when Carpenter is off-balance after a failed shot, that is the clearest finish window.
  3. Commit fully when Carpenter is hurt rather than allowing recovery — Ochoa's TKO of Durden showed his finishing instinct must be trusted.

Last 5 fights

Clayton Carpenter

  1. L Jafel Filho Submission · R1 4:42 · 11 OCT 2025
  2. L Tagir Ulanbekov Decision · R3 5:00 · 18 JAN 2025
  3. W Lucas Rocha Submission · R2 2:12 · 12 OCT 2024
  4. W Juancamilo Ronderos Submission · R1 3:13 · 18 FEB 2023
  5. W Édgar Cháirez Decision · R3 5:00 · 9 AUG 2022

Jose Ochoa

  1. L Asu Almabayev Decision · R3 5:00 · 26 JUL 2025
  2. W Cody Durden KO · R2 0:11 · 14 JUN 2025
  3. L Lone'er Kavanagh Decision · R3 5:00 · 23 NOV 2024
  4. W Juscelino Pantoja Submission · R1 4:30 · 3 NOV 2023
  5. W Jeferson Guilherme Pereira KO · R1 1:48 · 30 SEPT 2023

Related articles

Results

UFC 328: Chimaev vs. Strickland Recap: Full Results and Analysis

10 MAY · 5 min read
Preview

UFC 328: Chimaev vs. Strickland Preview: Full Fight Card Breakdown

4 MAY · 4 min read

AI-generated This analysis was generated with AI and may contain errors.

Free MMA picks game Get the app