Charles Jourdain

Early Career and Amateur Success

Charles Jourdain began his mixed martial arts journey in 2013, quickly establishing himself as a promising amateur talent on the Quebec scene. He compiled an amateur record of 8-2, with seven of those victories coming in his first year of competition. In 2014, his amateur success culminated in winning the vacant FightQuest Featherweight Championship, an achievement that also earned him a FightQuest Performance of the Night bonus. This early recognition highlighted his finishing ability and set the stage for his professional transition. Jourdain turned professional in 2015 and fought exclusively within Canadian promotions, honing his skills against domestic competition. His professional debut occurred on May 21, 2016, at LAMMQ 5, where he faced Thomas Sumantri. Jourdain announced his arrival with a spectacular first-round knockout via flying knee, a victory that earned him the event's Knockout of the Night bonus.

He continued to build momentum, eventually capturing two major titles in the prominent Canadian promotion TKO Major League MMA. Jourdain secured the TKO Featherweight Championship and later won the Interim TKO Lightweight Championship, becoming a double champion. By the time he signed with the UFC in 2019, he had amassed a formidable professional record of 9-1, demonstrating he was ready for the sport's biggest stage. His early career in Quebec laid a strong foundation of experience and championship success that prepared him for the international competition he would face in the years to come.

UFC Career: Featherweight Tenure and Notable Bouts

Charles Jourdain made his UFC debut on short notice against Des Green on May 18, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 152, losing a unanimous decision. He quickly rebounded later that year in a memorable bout against South Korean star Doo Ho Choi at UFC Fight Night 165. The back-and-forth battle saw both men hurt each other before Jourdain secured a second-round TKO victory, earning the pair the Fight of the Night bonus. This win established Jourdain as an action fighter capable of thrilling performances. His next several fights in the featherweight division were marked by competitive, often close decisions, including a split decision loss to Andre Fili and a split draw with Joshua Culibao in 2020.

Jourdain's featherweight run also included several decisive finishes that displayed his skill set. He scored a third-round TKO victory over UFC newcomer Marcelo Rojo in March 2021 and a unanimous decision win over Andre Ewell in December of that year. A first-round guillotine choke submission victory over veteran Lando Vannata in April 2022 further demonstrated his evolving grappling game. However, he also faced setbacks in high-profile fights against contenders like Shane Burgos and Nathaniel Wood, losing by decision in 2022. His final victories at 145 pounds were a unanimous decision over Kron Gracie in May 2023 and a first-round submission of Ricardo Ramos in September 2023, the latter earning a Performance of the Night award.

Transition to Bantamweight and Career Resurgence

A major shift in Charles Jourdain's career and personal life began following a knockout loss to Jean Silva in June 2024. In his own words, this defeat prompted a serious introspection about his lifestyle and training habits. The impending birth of his son, Hector, with his wife Clarence served as a powerful catalyst for change. Jourdain committed to transforming his approach, abandoning what he described as bad habits and dedicating himself fully to his craft. A key component of this transformation was a move to the UFC Performance Institute, where testing confirmed that a drop to the bantamweight division was both feasible and advantageous for his career. Jourdain's bantamweight debut was a resounding success on November 2, 2024, when he faced Victor Henry at UFC Fight Night 246 and won via a second-round guillotine choke.

This victory was historically significant as it marked the first time Henry had been finished in his career. The performance earned Jourdain a Performance of the Night bonus and validated his decision to change weight classes. After an eye injury forced him to withdraw from a scheduled bout in June 2025, he returned in October 2025 to face Davey Grant at UFC Fight Night 262. Jourdain won the fight with a first-round guillotine choke, executing a game plan that involved precise striking before securing the submission, and collected another Performance of the Night award. His successful run at 135 pounds continued into 2026 with a unanimous decision victory over highly regarded contender Kyler Phillips at UFC Fight Night 273 in April, a bout that earned a $100,000 Fight of the Night bonus.

Following his wins at bantamweight, Charles Jourdain expressed confidence that 2026 would be a bridge year to position himself at the top of the division. He stated he had championship aspirations for 2027. Jourdain was scheduled to face Marlon Vera in July 2026, but the bout was moved to UFC 331 on September 19, 2026. He lost that fight by technical knockout in the third round. Despite this setback, he remained undefeated in his other bantamweight bouts. His performances in the new weight class had clearly improved his standing.

Fighting Style and Notable Techniques

Charles Jourdain is known for a versatile and entertaining fighting style that blends creative striking with a dangerous submission game. On the feet, he employs dynamic techniques, including flying knees, spinning attacks, and powerful overhand punches, which have resulted in seven professional wins by knockout. His striking is not merely aggressive but has become increasingly precise and tactical, as evidenced by his detailed game plan against Davey Grant where he used linear strikes to set up his finishing sequence. Jourdain has worked with striking coaches like Son Thaï, a former Canadian taekwondo representative, and has received advice from former kickboxing champion Joseph Valtellini to refine this aspect of his game. Equally potent is his grappling, which has accounted for six professional submission victories.

His most successful technique is the high-elbow guillotine choke, a move he has used to finish multiple UFC opponents, including Lando Vannata, Ricardo Ramos, Victor Henry, and Davey Grant. This submission has become a signature weapon in his arsenal. Jourdain continues to develop his Brazilian jiu-jitsu under the guidance of coach Fabio Hollando. This combination of knockout power and submission acumen makes him a constant threat wherever the fight goes, embodying the modern, well-rounded mixed martial artist who must be prepared for all phases of combat.

Championships and Accomplishments

Throughout his career, Charles Jourdain has earned recognition for his performances both inside and outside the UFC. His accomplishments reflect his success at multiple levels of the sport, from the regional scene in Quebec to the global stage of the UFC. These honours highlight his finishing ability and his capacity to engage in thrilling contests that resonate with fans and promoters alike. The list of his awards provides a clear record of his impact in the cage across different stages of his development as a fighter.

• Ultimate Fighting Championship: Fight of the Night (Two times) vs. Doo Ho Choi (2019) and Kyler Phillips (2026).
• Ultimate Fighting Championship: Performance of the Night (Three times) vs. Ricardo Ramos (2023), Victor Henry (2024), and Davey Grant (2025).
• TKO Major League MMA: TKO Featherweight Championship (One time).
• TKO Major League MMA: Interim TKO Lightweight Championship (One time).
• Ligue d'Arts Martiaux Mixtes du Québec: LAMMQ 5 Knockout of the Night (2016).
• FightQuest Amateur Combat: FightQuest Featherweight Championship (2014).
• FightQuest Amateur Combat: FightQuest Performance of the Night (2014).

Charles Jourdain has won multiple UFC post-fight bonus awards. He has earned the Fight of the Night bonus twice and the Performance of the Night bonus three times. He also won regional awards like the Knockout of the Night at LAMMQ 5. These awards highlight a career built on exciting performances and success. They establish him as a decorated Canadian UFC fighter with a proven ability to finish fights.

Personal Life and Development

Charles Jourdain was born and raised in Beloeil, Quebec, and comes from a family with three brothers. His younger brother, Louis Jourdain, is also a mixed martial artist who earned a UFC contract in 2023 after a victory on Dana White's Contender Series. The birth of his son, Hector, in 2025 had a major impact on Jourdain, motivating him to reassess his priorities and commit to a more professional lifestyle. He has spoken openly about this personal transformation, which involved giving up distractions, improving his diet and sleep, and dedicating himself to film study and strategic fight preparation. This change in focus was directly linked to his improved results after moving to the bantamweight division.

Outside the cage, Jourdain has cultivated a presence on digital platforms, developing what he describes as a discipline for exploiting social media to grow his following and secure sponsorships. He views this as a sustainable way to remain engaged with the sport commercially. Following his loss to Marlon Vera in September 2026, reports indicated he was forced to retire from the fight, though he has previously articulated a long-term goal of reaching the top of the bantamweight division by 2027. His journey reflects an athlete evolving both as a competitor and a person, driven by new family responsibilities and a refined focus on his career that extends beyond his time in the octagon.

Professional Record and UFC Fight History

Charles Jourdain's professional mixed martial arts record, as of his last bout in 2026, stands at 18 wins, 9 losses, and 1 draw. His UFC tenure, beginning in 2019, has seen him compete against a wide range of opponents in both the featherweight and bantamweight divisions. The following table outlines his UFC fights, highlighting the results and methods of victory or defeat during his promotional career. This chronology provides a clear view of the challenges and successes he has faced on the sport's biggest stage, including his successful transition between weight classes.

Charles Jourdain's professional MMA record stands at 18 wins, 9 losses, and 1 draw. His record illustrates the challenges and successes of competing in the UFC. His move to bantamweight in 2024 marked a period of renewed success. This period included several wins and multiple Performance of the Night awards. These bonuses helped define the latter part of his career up to 2026.

Questions about Charles Jourdain

What happened in Charles Jourdain's fight against Marlon Vera at UFC 331?

At UFC 331 on September 19, 2026, Charles Jourdain faced veteran contender Marlon Vera. The bout, which was originally scheduled for July 2026, was moved to the September date. During the fight, Jourdain was stopped by technical knockout in the third round. Reports from the event indicated that the Quebec fighter was forced to retire from the contest, marking a setback in his pursuit of the bantamweight top ranks.

What is Charles Jourdain's professional MMA record?

As of his last noted bout in 2026, Charles Jourdain's professional mixed martial arts record stands at 18 wins, 9 losses, and 1 draw. This record is documented in his online MMA profile and encompasses his early career in Canadian promotions and his UFC tenure beginning in 2019. His victories include 7 wins by knockout and 6 wins by submission. Notable results contributing to this record include his win over Kyler Phillips in 2026 and his loss to Marlon Vera that same year.

How many UFC bonus awards has Charles Jourdain won?

Charles Jourdain has won a total of five UFC post fight bonus awards. According to his championship accomplishments, he has earned the Fight of the Night bonus twice, for his bouts against Doo Ho Choi in 2019 and Kyler Phillips in 2026. He has also won the Performance of the Night award three times, for his victories over Ricardo Ramos in 2023, Victor Henry in 2024, and Davey Grant in 2025. The Phillips fight also earned him a specific $100,000 Fight of the Night award.

When and why did Charles Jourdain switch to the bantamweight division?

Charles Jourdain switched to the bantamweight division in late 2024. This decision followed a personal and professional transformation after a knockout loss to Jean Silva in June 2024 and the news that he and his wife were expecting a child. He realized his lifestyle habits were holding him back and sought help from the UFC Performance Institute. The tests there confirmed that moving down to 135 pounds was the right competitive decision. His bantamweight debut was a success, submitting Victor Henry in November 2024.

How did becoming a father change Charles Jourdain's approach to his MMA career?

Becoming a father fundamentally changed Charles Jourdain's approach to his career by giving him a greater purpose. He stated that the news of his wife's pregnancy made him realize he needed to become a great man and a role model. He dropped bad habits like excessive gaming and poor diet, and began training with much more seriousness and dedication. He started treating his UFC career as a true professional, including meticulous film study. This shift in mindset led him to move to bantamweight and string together several impressive victories.

What championships did Charles Jourdain win before joining the UFC?

Before joining the UFC, Charles Jourdain was a double champion in TKO Major League MMA. He held both the TKO Featherweight Championship and the Interim TKO Lightweight Championship. Earlier in his amateur career, he also won the vacant FightQuest Featherweight Championship in 2014. These titles, along with an impressive 9-1 professional record, helped establish his reputation and led to his signing with the Ultimate Fighting Championship in 2019.

Sources and further reading

• Charles Jourdain (Wikipedia)
• Charles Jourdain | Just Getting Started (ufc.com)
• Charles Jourdain se voit au sommet… en 2027 (oeilregional.com)

Checked by the Garbutt Disposal desk. Last updated 2026-10-24.