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Jared Gooden
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Jared Alexander Gooden[5] (born December 5, 1993) is an American retired mixed martial artist who competed in the Welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. A professional since 2015, Gooden has also competed for Legacy Fighting Alliance and Titan Fighting Championships.

Key Information

Background

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When Jared was 16 years old, he came across Matt Hughes and BJ Penn while flipping channels at his dad's house. He fell in love with the sport after watching the fight. A few years later, Jared saw a MMA fight poster come up on his Facebook feed and emailed the address that appeared on it. He would get a reply from the promoter, David Oblas, asking for his gym, length of training time and MMA record, all of which Jared did not have. David then sent him to a nearby gym run by Phillipe Gentry instead. He walked into Coach Phillipe's gym and started training at 17 years old on June 2, 2011.[2]

Mixed martial arts career

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Early career

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Gooden made his MMA debut at NFC 76, where he submitted Bobby Tucker via rear-naked choke in the second round. Gooden would win his next 5 bouts, before losing to Dave Vitkay at NFC 86 for the NFC Welterweight Championship via unanimous decision. Rebounding with a win via unanimous decision at NFC 89 against Micah Miller, he would lose to Julien Williams at NFC 94 via unanimous decision. Winning his next 7 bouts, culminating his one and only outing with Legacy Fighting Alliance at LFA 59, where he faced Steven Newell and went on to defeat him via unanimous decision. He would then fight at Titan FC 53: Bad Blood, where he faced Michael Graves for the interim Titan FC Welterweight Championship, however he lost the bout via unanimous decision. After defeating Will Santiago Jr via TKO in the first round at Jackson Wink Fight Night 5., he would return to Titan FC at Titan FC 55 against Bruno Oliveira, losing again but this time by TKO in the first round. He would win the next three bouts; tapping out Marcel Stamps in the second round via guillotine at Island Fights 60, Jay Jackson via rear-naked choke in the first at Empire FC 5 and finally Trent McCown via TKO in the 2nd round at Titan FC 62.[6]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

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Gooden made his UFC debut against Alan Jouban on November 21, 2020, at UFC 255.[7] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[8]

Gooden faced Abubakar Nurmagomedov on March 27, 2021, at UFC 260.[9] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[10]

Gooden, as a replacement for Mounir Lazzez, faced Niklas Stolze on July 31, 2021, at UFC on ESPN: Hall vs. Strickland.[11] He won the fight via knockout in round one.[12]

Gooden faced Randy Brown on October 9, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 194.[13] At the weight-ins, Jared Gooden weighted 174 pounds, three pounds over the limit of non-championship welterweight bouts. The bout proceeded to a catchweight bout. Gooden was fined 20% of his purse and it went to his opponent Randy Brown.[14] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[15]

On January 12, 2022, it was announced that Gooden's contract was not renewed.[16]

Post-UFC

[edit]

Gooden made his first appearance post-release at iKON FC 1 on January 21, 2022, against Aaron Highbaugh for the iKON FC middleweight title.[17] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[18]

Gooden faced Curtis Millender on April 2, 2022, at XMMA 4.[19] He won the bout after dropping Millender in the second round with a leg kick and finishing him with ground and pound.[20]

Gooden faced Impa Kasanganay at XMMA 5 on July 23, 2022. He lost the fight by a first-round TKO stoppage.[21]

Gooden returned in October to face Doug Usher at NFC 150 for the NFC Middleweight Championship, winning the bout in the second round after Usher was unable to continue due to injury.[22]

Gooden faced Demarques Jackson in the Quarter-finals of the Welterweight Grand Prix on February 18, 2023, at United Fight League 1, winning the bout in the second round via TKO stoppage.[23]

Return to UFC

[edit]

Gooden stepped in on three days notice to face Carlston Harris, replacing Abubakar Nurmagomedov, on March 11, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 221.[24] At the weigh-ins, Gooden weighed in at 177 pounds, six pounds over the welterweight non-title fight limit. The bout proceeded at catchweight and he was fined 30% of his purse, which went to Harris.[25] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[26]

Gooden faced Wellington Turman on December 2, 2023, at UFC on ESPN 52.[27] He won the fight via rear-naked choke in round two,[28] and this fight earned him the Performance of the Night award.[29]

Gooden was scheduled to face Kevin Jousset on May 11, 2024 UFC on ESPN 56.[30] However, for medical reasons, Gooden was unable to compete and the bout was cancelled.[31]

Gooden faced Chidi Njokuani on October 12, 2024 at UFC Fight Night 244.[32] At the weigh-ins, Gooden weighed in at 172.5 pounds, one and a half pounds over the welterweight non-title fight limit.[33] The bout proceeded at catchweight and Gooden was fined 20 percent of his purse which went to Njokuani.[33] He lost the fight by unanimous decision.[34]

On December 21, 2024, it was reported that Gooden was removed from the UFC roster.[35]

On March 31, 2025, it was reported that Gooden had retired from mixed martial arts competition.[36]

Championships and accomplishments

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Mixed martial arts

[edit]

Mixed martial arts record

[edit]
Professional record breakdown
34 matches 23 wins 11 losses
By knockout 11 2
By submission 7 0
By decision 5 9
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 23–11 Mahamed Aly Decision (unanimous) Shogun Fights 30 March 29, 2025 3 5:00 Hanover, Maryland, United States Light Heavyweight debut.
Loss 23–10 Chidi Njokuani Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Royval vs. Taira October 12, 2024 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Catchweight (172.5 lb) bout; Gooden missed weight.
Win 23–9 Wellington Turman Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC on ESPN: Dariush vs. Tsarukyan December 2, 2023 2 1:11 Austin, Texas, United States Performance of the Night.
Loss 22–9 Carlston Harris Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Yan vs. Dvalishvili March 11, 2023 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Catchweight (177 lb) bout; Gooden missed weight.
Win 22–8 Demarques Jackson TKO (punches) United Fight League 1 February 18, 2023 2 0:50 Mesa, Arizona, United States Return to Welterweight. UFL Welterweight Grand Prix Quarter-finals
Win 21–8 Doug Usher TKO (injury) NFC 150 October 15, 2022 2 4:55 Atlanta, Georgia, United States Won the NFC Middleweight Championship.
Loss 20–8 Impa Kasanganay TKO (punches) XMMA 5 July 23, 2022 1 3:16 Columbia, South Carolina, United States
Win 20–7 Curtis Millender TKO (leg kick and punches) XMMA 4 April 2, 2022 2 0:16 New Orleans, Louisiana, United States Welterweight bout.
Win 19–7 Aaron Highbaugh Decision (unanimous) Jorge Masvidal's iKON FC 1 January 21, 2022 3 5:00 West Palm Beach, Florida, United States Return to Middleweight.
Loss 18–7 Randy Brown Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Dern vs. Rodriguez October 9, 2021 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Catchweight (174 lb) bout; Gooden missed weight.
Win 18–6 Niklas Stolze KO (punch) UFC on ESPN: Hall vs. Strickland July 31, 2021 1 1:08 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 17–6 Abubakar Nurmagomedov Decision (unanimous) UFC 260 March 27, 2021 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 17–5 Alan Jouban Decision (unanimous) UFC 255 November 21, 2020 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 17–4 Trent McCown TKO (punches and elbows) Titan FC 62 July 23, 2020 2 2:31 Miami, Florida, United States Return to Welterweight.
Win 16–4 Jay Jackson Submission (rear-naked choke) Empire FC 5 February 29, 2020 1 1:45 Biloxi, Mississippi, United States
Win 15–4 Marcel Stamps Submission (guillotine choke) Island Fights 60 October 10, 2019 2 2:18 Columbus, Georgia, United States
Loss 14–4 Bruno Oliveira TKO (punches and knee) Titan FC 55 June 28, 2019 1 0:53 Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States Return to Middleweight.
Win 14–3 Will Santiago TKO (knee and punches) JacksonWink Fight Night 5 May 10, 2019 1 0:28 Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
Loss 13–3 Michael Graves Decision (unanimous) Titan FC 53 March 15, 2019 5 5:00 Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States For the interim Titan FC Welterweight Championship.
Win 13–2 Steven Newell Decision (unanimous) LFA 59 February 1, 2019 3 5:00 Phoenix, Arizona, United States Catchweight (180 lb) bout.
Win 12–2 Cody Wilson TKO (superman punch) 864 FC: Fight 7 September 29, 2018 3 0:24 Greenville, South Carolina, United States
Win 11–2 Ladarious Jackson KO (flying knee) NFC 108 June 22, 2018 3 0:07 Kennesaw, Georgia, United States Middleweight bout.
Win 10–2 Sean Kilgus TKO (punches) NFC 105 March 30, 2018 1 4:59 Kennesaw, Georgia, United States Defended the NFC Welterweight Championship.
Win 9–2 Elijah Wynter Decision (unanimous) NFC 99 September 22, 2017 3 5:00 Atlanta, Georgia, United States Won the NFC Welterweight Championship.
Win 8–2 Wesley Golden Submission (rear-naked choke) NFC 96 June 30, 2017 2 1:53 Kennesaw, Georgia, United States
Loss 7–2 Julien Williams Decision (unanimous) NFC 94 April 22, 2017 3 5:00 Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Win 7–1 Micah Miller Decision (unanimous) NFC 89 December 9, 2016 3 5:00 Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Loss 6–1 Dave Vitkay Decision (unanimous) NFC 86 August 27, 2016 3 5:00 Atlanta, Georgia, United States For the NFC Welterweight Championship.
Win 6–0 Amir Dadovic Decision (unanimous) NFC 84 June 11, 2016 3 5:00 Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Win 5–0 Tanner Saraceno TKO (punches) NFC 83 March 25, 2016 2 1:45 Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Win 4–0 Smith Amisial Submission (rear-naked choke) OCF Fight Night 1 January 22, 2016 2 2:09 Fern Park, Florida, United States Return to Welterweight.
Win 3–0 Nick Poythress TKO (doctor stoppage) NFC 80 December 5, 2015 3 3:10 Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Win 2–0 Brad Taylor Submission (armbar) Legacy FC 47 October 16, 2015 3 2:01 Atlanta, Georgia, United States Middleweight debut.
Win 1–0 Bobby Tucker Submission (triangle choke) NFC 76 August 8, 2015 2 4:02 Atlanta, Georgia, United States Welterweight debut.

[37]

See also

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References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Jared Gooden

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Jared Gooden (born December 5, 1993) is an American retired professional mixed martial artist who competed primarily in the welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Gooden, nicknamed "Nite Train" after his uncle's reference to his relentless forward momentum in fights, began training in mixed martial arts on June 2, 2011, inspired by the BJ Penn versus Matt Hughes rivalry. Growing up with a background in fighting—taught basic techniques by his mother—he transitioned from a job at a BMW dealership to pursue a full-time career in the sport, starting professionally in 2015 while training at Kelly Davis MMA in freestyle. As an amateur, he captured welterweight championships in the NFC and RFL promotions, and he holds a brown belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Gooden's professional record stands at 23 wins and 11 losses, with 11 knockouts or technical knockouts, seven submissions, and five decisions; his losses came via nine decisions and two TKOs. He was once ranked as high as third in the United States for his division. In the UFC, where he competed across two stints from 2020 to 2024, Gooden posted a 2-5 record, debuting with a loss to at on November 21, 2020. His UFC victories included a first-round of in 1:08 at UFC on ESPN on July 31, 2021, and a second-round rear-naked choke submission of at 1:11 during UFC on ESPN on December 2, 2023. Other notable UFC bouts resulted in unanimous decision losses to opponents such as , Randy Brown, , and . After departing the UFC in 2021, Gooden fought regionally before returning to the promotion in 2023, accumulating over 30 professional bouts in total across 10 years. He announced his retirement on April 1, 2025, via following a loss to Mahamed Aly at Fights in , citing a diminished passion for competition and a desire to focus on raising his daughter and pursuing new projects. At 6 feet tall with a 77-inch reach, Gooden fought out of Gwinnett, Georgia, and was known for his aggressive style and finishing ability, securing four first-round stoppages in his career.

Background

Early life

Jared Gooden was born on December 5, 1993, in . During his childhood in , Gooden developed an early fascination with nature, spending much of his time collecting rocks and bugs rather than engaging in organized sports or physical activities. He was taught basic fighting techniques by his mother. Limited public information is available about his formal education or other aspects of his family background in these formative years. This phase of curiosity about the outdoors would later give way to a pivotal shift toward training.

Introduction to MMA

Jared Gooden's interest in was sparked in his mid-teens while watching UFC fights on television, particularly inspired by the matchup between Matt Hughes and , where the smaller Penn overcame the larger Hughes through superior technique and resilience. This encounter ignited a passion for the sport and motivated him to pursue formal training as a way to channel his energy and build discipline. At the age of 17, Gooden began his MMA training on June 2, 2011, at Phillipe Gentry's gym in , initially known as Eagle Training Academy. Under Gentry's guidance, he focused on foundational skills, starting with to develop grappling proficiency, alongside striking and conditioning drills that included daily runs and sparring sessions. This structured entry into the sport marked a turning point, transforming his informal street-fighting background into disciplined athletic preparation. Prior to turning , Gooden's progression included amateur competitions where he honed his skills, ultimately earning titles as the NFC and RFL Welterweight Champion. His dedication to training advanced him to a brown belt in , reflecting steady growth in both stand-up and ground game through consistent practice and informal bouts that built his confidence and technical base. These early experiences solidified MMA as a positive outlet, setting the stage for his competitive journey without delving into bouts.

Professional MMA career

Early professional career (2015–2019)

Jared Gooden made his professional debut on August 8, 2015, at NFC 76 against Bobby Tucker, securing a submission victory via in the second round. Fighting primarily in the division during his early career, Gooden quickly established himself in regional promotions, particularly with the National Fighting Championship (NFC), where he competed in the majority of his initial bouts. Following his debut, Gooden embarked on a six-fight that showcased his developing and striking skills. Notable victories included a third-round armbar submission against Brad Taylor at Legacy Fighting Championship 47 on October 16, 2015, and a second-round TKO via punches over Tanner Saraceno at NFC 83 on March 25, 2016. This streak was interrupted by a unanimous decision loss to Dave Vitkay at NFC 86 on August 27, 2016, but Gooden rebounded with a win over veteran Micah Miller at NFC 89 later that year. He faced another setback with a decision defeat to Julien Williams at NFC 94 on April 22, 2017, yet responded by submitting Wesley Golden via rear-naked choke in the second round at NFC 96 on June 30, 2017. Gooden's record continued to build through 2018 and 2019 as he ventured into additional promotions like the (LFA) and . Highlights included a first-round TKO of Sean Kilgus at NFC 105 on March 30, 2018, a third-round knockout via flying knee against Ladarious Jackson at NFC 108 on June 22, 2018, and a unanimous decision over Steven Newell at LFA 59 on February 1, 2019. However, he encountered challenges in Titan FC, dropping unanimous decisions to on March 15, 2019, and a first-round TKO loss to Bruno Oliveira on June 28, 2019, while securing quick finishes like a first-round TKO of Will Santiago Jr. on May 10, 2019. By the end of 2019, after a second-round guillotine submission win over Marcel Stamps at Island Fights 60 on October 10, Gooden had compiled a 15-4 professional record, demonstrating versatility in both submissions and knockouts while honing his welterweight skill set in these regional circuits.

UFC debut and early stint (2020–2021)

Gooden continued his regional success into 2020 with a first-round rear-naked choke submission victory over Jay Jackson at EFC 5 on February 29, 2020. Jared Gooden signed a contract with the following his victory at Titan FC 62 on July 23, 2020. Initially scheduled to debut against on August 22, 2020, Gooden was forced to withdraw due to injury, leading to a rescheduling against at on November 21, 2020. In his promotional debut, Gooden lost to Jouban via (29-28, 29-28, 30-27), marking a challenging introduction to the division's elite competition. Gooden's next bout came on March 27, 2021, at against , where he suffered another unanimous decision loss (30-27 across all judges), dropping to 0-2 in the UFC. He rebounded on July 31, 2021, at UFC on ESPN: Hall vs. Strickland, stepping in on short notice as a replacement for to face ; Gooden secured his first UFC victory via knockout punch at 1:08 of the first round. His early stint concluded on October 9, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 194 against Randy Brown in a bout after Gooden missed the limit by three pounds (weighing in at 174 lbs and forfeiting 20% of his purse); he lost via unanimous decision (30-27 x3). During this period, Gooden faced significant hurdles in adapting to the UFC's higher level of competition, including the pressure of performing after back-to-back losses, which he described as fighting for his roster spot ahead of the Stolze bout. An initial delayed his debut, and the weight miss against highlighted ongoing challenges with under the promotion's rigorous standards. These issues contributed to a 1-3 record, underscoring the steep learning curve from regional promotions to the .

Release and regional promotions (2022)

Following his loss to Randy Brown at UFC Fight Night 194 on October 9, 2021, which capped a 1-3 run in the promotion, Gooden was released by the UFC later that year.<grok:render type="render_inline_citation"> 74 </grok:render> Motivated by the setbacks in the , he sought to rebuild his momentum on the regional scene. Gooden's first bout after the release came on January 21, 2022, at iKON FC 1 in , where he challenged Highbaugh for the inaugural iKON FC Championship in the main event, broadcast on .<grok:render type="render_inline_citation"> 32 </grok:render> Gooden dominated the three-round fight with superior striking and grappling control, securing a victory (29-28 on all cards) to claim the title.<grok:render type="render_inline_citation"> 30 </grok:render><grok:render type="render_inline_citation"> 33 </grok:render> This win marked his 20th professional victory and reestablished his status as a top contender outside the UFC. Building on the title win, Gooden competed twice in Xtreme MMA (XMMA) events that spring and summer. On April 2, 2022, at XMMA 4: Black Magic in , he faced fellow UFC veteran in a bout.<grok:render type="render_inline_citation"> 81 </grok:render> Gooden dropped Millender with a leg kick early in the second round and followed with ground strikes, prompting a referee stoppage at 0:16 for a TKO victory, his 21st win overall.<grok:render type="render_inline_citation"> 87 </grok:render> However, on July 23, 2022, at XMMA 5: Southern Heat in , Gooden dropped to to face former Bellator and UFC fighter .<grok:render type="render_inline_citation"> 91 </grok:render> Kasanganay overwhelmed him with pressure and landed a flurry of punches against the cage, leading to a first-round TKO stoppage at 3:16.<grok:render type="render_inline_citation"> 92 </grok:render> The loss snapped Gooden's brief but did not deter his pursuit of further accolades. Gooden rebounded in the fall, returning to the National Fighting Championship (NFC), a prominent regional promotion in the southeastern United States where he had previously competed. On October 15, , at NFC 150 in Atlanta, Georgia, he challenged Doug Usher for the vacant NFC Championship in the main event.<grok:render type="render_inline_citation"> 42 </grok:render><grok:render type="render_inline_citation"> 44 </grok:render> After a competitive first round, Gooden capitalized on an injury to Usher's arm during a exchange in the second round, forcing a TKO stoppage at 4:55 to capture the title.<grok:render type="render_inline_citation"> 40 </grok:render><grok:render type="render_inline_citation"> 64 </grok:render> This victory, his second regional title of the year, improved his record to 3-1 and positioned him as a dual-division champion holder at the time.<grok:render type="render_inline_citation"> 3 </grok:render>

UFC return (2023–2024)

After being released from the UFC in 2021, Gooden fought regionally in early 2023, securing a second-round TKO victory via punches over Demarques Jackson at United Fight League 1 on February 18, 2023. He re-signed with the promotion later that year, earning a spot on the card for UFC Fight Night 221 on March 11, 2023, in , where he faced on short notice after stepping in as a replacement. The bout was contested at a of 177 pounds after Gooden missed the limit by six pounds, and he lost via (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) over three rounds, landing 51 significant strikes but failing to secure any takedowns in a stand-up heavy affair. Gooden rebounded later that year, defeating Wellington Turman by rear-naked choke submission at 1:11 of the second round on December 2, 2023, at UFC on ESPN 52 in Austin, Texas. The victory came in a back-and-forth fight where Gooden absorbed early pressure but capitalized on a grappling exchange for the finish, marking his first UFC submission win and earning him the Performance of the Night bonus. Statistically, he connected on 53 significant strikes and attempted one takedown, showcasing improved ground control compared to his prior outing. Gooden's final UFC appearance occurred on October 12, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 244 in against , again at after weighing in at 172.5 pounds, two and a half pounds over the limit. He dropped a (30-27, 30-27, 30-27), recording just 20 significant strikes and two takedown attempts in a lopsided striking battle dominated by Njokuani's volume. Across these three fights, Gooden went 1-2, displaying a trend toward more aggressive integration—evident in his submission success against Turman and increased takedown efforts—while struggling with consistent striking output and .

Retirement (2025)

Gooden returned to regional competition following his removal from the UFC roster in December 2024, but suffered a loss to Mahamed Aly at Shogun Fights 30 on March 29, 2025, in . On March 31, 2025, Jared Gooden announced his retirement from professional via a social media video, concluding a career that spanned over a decade. Gooden cited a diminished passion for the as a primary factor, stating, "I just don’t have the love or the passion I had for it anymore, like I did when I was younger," alongside his new role as a father to his daughter, which shifted his priorities toward family. His recent loss at a Shogun Fights event earlier that month prompted deeper reflection on these changes. In reflecting on his career, Gooden expressed gratitude for the support he received, noting key moments such as rapid knockouts and performance bonuses that highlighted his aggressive style in the division. Looking ahead, he indicated plans to pursue undisclosed ventures outside of fighting, emphasizing his excitement to share them with fans while focusing on fatherhood.

Achievements and legacy

Championships and titles

Jared Gooden captured the vacant NFC Championship on September 22, 2017, at NFC 99 in Atlanta, Georgia, defeating Elijah Wynter by after three rounds. He successfully defended the title once on March 30, 2018, at NFC 105, stopping Sean Kilgus via TKO in the first round. These accomplishments occurred during Gooden's tenure in the regional National Fighting Championship (NFC) promotion, where he established himself as a top contender in the Southeast MMA scene before transitioning to the UFC. Gooden later moved up in weight class and won the NFC Middleweight Championship on October 15, 2022, at NFC 150, earning a second-round TKO victory over Doug Usher due to injury. This title win marked his return to regional competition following a stint in the UFC and solidified his legacy within the NFC, though he did not record any defenses before his retirement in 2025.

Awards and notable performances

Jared Gooden earned the UFC Performance of the Night award for his second-round submission victory over at UFC Fight Night: vs. Tsarukyan (also known as UFC on 52) on December 2, 2023, in . In a back-and-forth bout, Gooden absorbed significant early damage before mounting a comeback, securing a rear-naked choke at 1:11 of the round after reversing position. This finish highlighted his resilience and grappling prowess, earning praise from MMA media for the dramatic turnaround. One of Gooden's most standout striking performances came against at UFC on ESPN 28 on July 31, 2021, where he delivered a devastating first-round at 1:08 via a right cross that flattened his opponent. The punch, thrown with precision and power, was lauded by outlets like as a "brutal one-punch ," and Tapology ranked it among the top 68 MMA of 2021. This victory underscored Gooden's threat, coming at a pivotal moment in his early UFC tenure. Gooden has secured several first-round finishes in his career, demonstrating his finishing ability across promotions. Notable examples include a 28-second TKO (knees and punches) against Will Santiago Jr. at Fresquez Productions' Jackson-Wink Fight Night 5 on May 10, 2019, and a near-full-round TKO (punches) over Sean Kilgus at 4:59 of the first at National Fighting Championship 105 on March 30, 2018. These rapid stoppages, often via overwhelming striking, have been recognized in fighter profiles for showcasing his aggressive style and early dominance in regional bouts.

Fighting style

Jared Gooden employed a freestyle fighting style that integrated striking and elements, resulting in a versatile approach throughout his professional MMA career. With 11 victories demonstrating his power, particularly through effective use of elbows as his preferred technique, Gooden showcased aggressive stand-up offense capable of ending fights early. Complementing this was his proficiency, highlighted by seven submission wins, including four via rear-naked choke, bolstered by his brown belt in . In his early professional years from 2015 to 2019, Gooden's style leaned more heavily toward submissions, with several finishes via chokes and joint locks in regional promotions. Upon entering the UFC in 2020, his approach evolved toward more stand-up exchanges and decision-based outcomes, reflected in his UFC striking accuracy of 48% and significant strikes landed per minute of 4.40. This shift was evident in bouts where he relied on volume striking rather than immediate transitions, though he retained finishing ability, as seen in his rear-naked choke submission against in 2023. Over time, Gooden adapted by improving his takedown defense to 65%, aiming to keep fights standing where his power could shine. A notable weakness in Gooden's style was his vulnerability to prolonged engagements, with nine of his 11 career losses coming by decision, often due to absorbing 6.74 significant strikes per minute and a 45% strike defense rate. Despite no submission losses, his lower takedown average of 0.91 per 15 minutes and 0.4 submission attempts indicated a selective rather than dominant ground game in higher-level competition. These adaptations, including a focus on cardio and defensive wrestling, helped him secure finishes even in the UFC but underscored the challenges of maintaining his early-career finishing rate against elite opponents.

Records and statistics

Professional MMA record

Jared Gooden compiled a professional mixed martial arts record of 23 wins and 11 losses in 34 fights. Among his victories, 11 were by knockout or technical knockout, 7 by submission, and 5 by decision; his losses consisted of 2 by knockout or technical knockout and 9 by decision. Gooden's career included a six-fight winning streak at the outset from August 2015 to June 2016, as well as a five-fight winning streak spanning June 2017 to September 2018, and shorter streaks of two wins following his 2021 UFC release (January to April 2022 and October 2022 to February 2023) and a single win during his 2023–2024 UFC return. He fought exclusively at welterweight for the majority of his career but transitioned to middleweight bouts starting around 2022 and competed at catchweight, including his final light heavyweight catchweight fight in 2025.
DateOpponentResultMethodRoundTimeEvent
Aug 08, 2015Bobby TuckerWinSubmission ()24:02NFC 76
Oct 16, 2015Brad TaylorWinSubmission (Armbar)32:01LFC 47
Dec 05, 2015Nick PoythressWinTKO (Doctor Stoppage)33:10NFC 80
Jan 22, 2016Smith AmisialWinSubmission (Rear-Naked Choke)22:09OCF
Mar 25, 2016Tanner SaracenoWinTKO (Punches)21:45NFC 83
Jun 11, 2016Amir DadovicWinDecision (Unanimous)35:00NFC 84
Aug 27, 2016Dave VitkayLossDecision (Unanimous)35:00NFC 86
Dec 09, 2016Micah MillerWinDecision (Unanimous)35:00NFC 89
Apr 22, 2017Julien WilliamsLossDecision (Unanimous)35:00NFC 94
Jun 30, 2017Wesley GoldenWinSubmission (Rear-Naked Choke)21:53NFC 96
Sep 22, 2017Elijah WynterWinDecision (Unanimous)35:00NFC 99
Mar 30, 2018Sean KilgusWinTKO (Punches)14:59NFC 105
Jun 22, 2018Ladarious JacksonWinKO (Flying Knee)30:07NFC 108
Sep 29, 2018WinTKO (Punches)30:24864 Fighting Championship 7
Feb 01, 2019Steven NewellWinDecision (Unanimous)35:00LFA 59
Mar 15, 2019LossDecision (Unanimous)55:00Titan FC 53
May 10, 2019Will Santiago Jr.WinTKO (Knee and Punches)10:28Jackson-Wink Fight Night 5
Jun 28, 2019Bruno OliveiraLossTKO (Punches and Knee)10:53Titan FC 55
Oct 10, 2019Marcel StampsWinSubmission ()22:18Island Fights 60
Feb 29, 2020Jay JacksonWinSubmission (Rear-Naked Choke)11:45EFC 5
Jul 23, 2020Trent McCownWinTKO (Punches and Elbows)22:31Titan FC 62
Nov 21, 2020LossDecision (Unanimous)35:00
Mar 27, 2021LossDecision (Unanimous)35:00
Jul 31, 2021WinKO (Punch)11:08UFC on 28
Oct 09, 2021Randy BrownLossDecision (Unanimous)35:00UFC Fight Night 194
Jan 21, 2022Aaron HighbaughWinDecision (Unanimous)35:00iFC 1
Apr 02, 2022WinTKO (Leg Kick and Punches)20:16XMMA 4
Jul 23, 2022LossTKO (Punches)13:16XMMA 5
Oct 15, 2022Douglas UsherWinTKO (Injury)24:55NFC 150
Feb 18, 2023Demarques JacksonWinTKO (Punches)20:50United Fight League - UFL 1
Mar 11, 2023LossDecision (Unanimous)35:00UFC Fight Night 221
Dec 02, 2023WinSubmission (Rear-Naked Choke)21:11UFC on 52
Oct 12, 2024LossDecision (Unanimous)35:00UFC Fight Night 244
Mar 29, 2025Mahamed AlyLossDecision (Unanimous)35:00Shogun Fights 30

UFC career statistics

Jared Gooden competed in seven UFC bouts, compiling a record of 2 wins and 5 losses with a total time of 1 hour, 22 minutes, and 19 seconds. His career UFC striking statistics include a significant strikes landed per minute (SLpM) of 4.40, striking accuracy of 48%, significant strikes absorbed per minute (SApM) of 6.74, and striking defense of 45%. In terms of , Gooden averaged 0.91 takedowns per 15 minutes with 45% takedown accuracy and 65% takedown defense, while attempting 0.4 submissions per 15 minutes. These metrics reflect his performances primarily in bouts, where he secured victories via and submission but struggled in decision-heavy losses.
StatisticEarly Stint (2020–2021, 4 fights, 1-3 record, 46:08 total time)Return Stint (2023–2024, 3 fights, 1-2 record, 36:11 total time)
SLpM5.163.43
Striking Accuracy45%57%
Takedown Avg. (per 15 min)0.651.24
Submission Avg. (per 15 min)0.000.83
Gooden's early UFC stint showed higher striking volume but lower accuracy and minimal grappling engagement, while his return demonstrated reduced output with improved precision and more frequent takedown and submission attempts, suggesting an adaptive shift toward a balanced approach.

References

  1. https://www.ufc.com/athlete/jared-gooden
  2. https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/fighters/43007-jared-gooden
  3. https://www.mmafighting.com/2025/4/1/24398632/ufc-veteran-jared-gooden-announces-retirement
  4. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm12555264/bio/
  5. https://mmasucka.com/jared-gooden-ufc-redemption/
  6. https://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Jared-Gooden-187959
  7. https://mymmanews.com/jared-gooden-signed-to-ufc-following-titan-fc-62-win-faces-dwight-grant/
  8. https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/story/sports/ufc/2020/09/21/alan-jouban-vs-jared-gooden-ufc-255-mma-fight-booking/81726088007/
  9. http://ufcstats.com/fight-details/4b3af85b0df51d09
  10. http://ufcstats.com/fight-details/e3ecb94228c2739f
  11. http://ufcstats.com/fight-details/d5ffdb5388ffabc6
  12. https://www.mmafighting.com/2021/10/8/22716741/randy-brown-criticizes-jared-gooden-sizable-weight-miss-gotta-start-hitting-these-dudes-50-percent
  13. https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/story/sports/ufc/2021/07/29/ufc-on-espn-28-jared-gooden-interview-replacement-relishes-four-days-notice-release-contract/81523698007/
  14. http://ufcstats.com/fighter-details/c730a0be691dc081
  15. https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/bouts/733346-united-fight-league-1-demarques-scrap-iron-jackson-vs-jared-nitetrain-gooden
  16. https://cagesidepress.com/2023/03/08/jared-gooden-returns-ufc-gets-carlston-harris-ufc-las-vegas-saturday/
  17. http://ufcstats.com/fight-details/ccb5e29cd0347110
  18. https://www.ufc.com/news/ufc-bonus-coverage-2023-performance-fight-of-the-night
  19. https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/story/sports/ufc/2023/12/02/ufc-espn-52-austin-bonuses-50000-all-slam-knockouts-submissions-miesha-tate-arman-tsarukyan/80250330007/
  20. http://ufcstats.com/fight-details/32813f5f46f045e8
  21. https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/story/sports/ufc/2024/10/11/ufc-fight-night-244-las-vegas-brandon-royval-vs-tatsuro-taira-weigh-in-results-live-stream/75624625007/
  22. http://ufcstats.com/fight-details/ee5c0b8a757992af
  23. https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/story/sports/ufc/2025/03/31/ex-ufc-welterweight-new-dad-jared-gooden-announces-mma-retirement/82739035007/
  24. https://www.sherdog.com/events/NFC-99-National-Fighting-Championship-Gooden-vs-Wynter-69809
  25. https://www.facebook.com/nfcfighting/videos/nfc-105-resultsmain-event-jared-gooden-def-sean-kilgus-via-1st-round-tko-to-reta/10155126458762035/
  26. https://www.sherdog.com/events/NFC-150-National-Fighting-Championship-150-94998
  27. https://www.espn.com/mma/fighter/history/_/id/4375621/jared-gooden
  28. https://www.nfcfighting.com/nfcchampions
  29. https://www.mmamania.com/2023/12/2/23985522/official-post-fight-bonus-winners-ufc-austin-results-espn-dana-white-turner-tsarukyan-tate-brady
  30. https://www.mmafighting.com/2021/7/31/22603871/ufc-vegas-33-video-jared-gooden-flattens-niklas-stolze-devastating-one-punch-knockout-in-68-seconds
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