Joshua Culibao (born May 24, 1994) is an Australian mixed martial artist who competes in the Featherweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
The youngest of four siblings in a Filipino family, with his mother from Boracay while his father is from Pampanga,[3][4] he was given the nickname "Kuya", a familial term used in a respectful manner to address an older male relative, brother, or friend, by his teammates at the Sydney-based Igor MMA, since he calls everyone in the gym by the Filipino kin endearment.[5] Having practised taekwondo in his childhood, Culibao eventually started training mixed martial arts in order to lose weight in his adolescent years.[2][6][7]
Before signing with the UFC, Culibao was a full-time electrician doing 40-plus-hour workweeks with training on top.[8]
Starting his professional MMA career in 2016, Culibao compiled a perfect 8-0 record on the regional Australian scene, capturing three titles during this time. He won his debut at Superfight MMA 2 on February 19, 2016 by stopping Paul Traish in the first round via TKO.[9] He would win his next two fights in the Urban Fight Night promotion; winning via majority decision against Brad Shortland at UFN 7 on May 7, 2016[10] and via TKO against Simon Arentz at UFN 8 on August 27, 2016.[11] Culibao would fight his next two bouts in the Hex Fight Series promotion, winning the HEX Featherweight Championship against Raphael Berthet at HFS 7 after dropping his with a body shot and finishing him with soccer kicks.[12] He defended this title at HFS 8 against Jordan Cameron, who he beat in a close bout via split decision.[13] After returning to Urban Fight Nights for one bout which he won via majority decision against James McGlashan,[14] Culibao won the DFC Featherweight Championship against Rodolfo Marques at DFC 7 on November 10, 2018 via head kick and ground and pound.[15] He would then capture the Superfight MMA Featherweight championship against Josh Payne at Superfight MMA 10 on March 1, 2019, winning the bout via TKO in the first round.[16]
Culibao signed with the UFC in February 2020 to replace Jamie Mullarkey on short notice against Jalin Turner at UFC Fight Night: Felder vs. Hooker on February 23, 2020.[17] He lost the fight via second-round knockout.[18]
He made his sophomore appearance against Charles Jourdain at UFC on ESPN: Holm vs. Aldana on October 4, 2020. The bout ended in a split draw, which drew ire with most of the media scoring it for Jourdain.[19][20][21]
Culibao faced Shayilan Nuerdanbieke at UFC Fight Night: Font vs. Garbrandt on May 22, 2021.[22] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[23]
Culibao was scheduled to face Damon Jackson on March 12, 2022 UFC Fight Night 203.[24] However, Culibao was pulled from the event for undisclosed reasons and he was replaced by Kamuela Kirk.[25]
Culibao faced Seung Woo Choi on June 11, 2022 at UFC 275.[26] After knocking his opponent down multiple times during the fight, Culibao won the bout via split decision.[27]
Culibao faced Melsik Baghdasaryan on February 12, 2023, at UFC 284.[28] He won the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in the second round.[29]
Culibao faced Lerone Murphy on July 22, 2023 at UFC on ESPN+ 82.[30] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[31]
Culibao faced Danny Silva on March 16, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 239.[32] At the weigh-in, Silva weighed in at 148.5 pounds, two and a half pounds over the featherweight non-title fight limit. The bout proceeded at catchweight and Silva was fined 20% of his purse which went to Culibao.[33] He lost the bout via split decision.[34]
Culibao is scheduled to face Ricardo Ramos on August 17, 2024 at UFC 305.[35]
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