// Roster Index›Lightweight›Dossier · Chris Saunders
UFC FIGHTER PROFILE_
UFC · UNKNOWNLIGHTWEIGHT

Chris
Saunders

NICKNAME"The So Cal Kid"·UNITED STATES
PROFESSIONAL RECORD
16-8-0
CURRENT FORM
1W STREAK
NEXT FIGHT
NO BOUT ANNOUNCED
Chris Saunders
FIGHTER -
UNI🇺🇸
PROFILE PHOTO
PROFILE
PROFILE DATA! COLD
HEIGHT
5'8"
AGE
40
WEIGHT
Lightweight
PROFESSIONAL RECORD_
24 BOUTS
WIN
16
LOSS
8
DRAW
0
WIN RATE
67%
16/24 bouts
FINISH RATE
63%
of professional wins
LAST 5 FIGHTS1W STREAK · 4-1
WWWLW
STYLE SUMMARY_
DATA: COLD
FIGHTING STYLE
WELL ROUNDED

Well rounded fighter with no dominant single weapon — 44% of wins are by sub.

KEY STRENGTHS

Drags it to the mat and hunts the finish — submission threat opens up off transitions.

KEY RISKS

Volume strikers have outpointed across full fights — output drops after R2.

// PERFORMANCE_METRICS · 02_

STRIKE / GRAPPLE
VITALS

Observed profile rates compared with stored weight-class medians where coverage exists. Any fallback uses a labeled UFC reference average; no fallback is presented as a division median.

// SLPM▼ BELOW
1.48
Strikes Landed/Min
Reference value 2.70
// STR. ACC▼ BELOW
22%
Striking Accuracy
Reference value 45%
// SAPM▼ BELOW
2.96
Strikes Absorbed/Min
Reference value 2.70
// STR. DEF▲ ABOVE
75%
Striking Defense
Reference value 53%
// TD AVG▲ ABOVE
3.70
Takedowns/15 min
Reference value 1.50
// TD ACC▲ ABOVE
100%
Takedown Accuracy
Reference value 40%
// TD DEF▼ BELOW
0%
Takedown Defense
Reference value 59%
// SUB AVG▼ BELOW
0.00
Submissions/15 min
Reference value 0.50
// QUALITY_OF_COMPETITION · 02B_

WHO THEY
ACTUALLY FOUGHT

A record says how often a fighter won, not against whom. These ratings weigh every result by the opponent's strength at the time, then compare this fighter with the 111 rated fighters on the UFC lightweight roster (anyone with a UFC bout in the last two years or one booked).

// RATING
#110
against the 111 rated on the UFC lightweight roster · Elo 1463
// STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE
1st
percentile · average opponent rated 1471 at fight time (recent fights count most)
// RESULTS VS EXPECTATION
32nd
percentile · fell short of what opponents' ratings predicted (-0.08 per fight)

12 rated fights · opponents rated in 52% of recorded fights · last rated fight JUN 10, 2016

// CAREER_BREAKDOWN · 03_

WIN CONDITION MAP

Where the wins come from, and where the losses came from. Method splits by knockout, submission, and decision.

// WINS (16)
n = 16
KO/TKO · 3
SUB · 7
DEC · 6
3
KO/TKO
19%
7
SUB
44%
6
DEC
38%
// LOSSES (8)
n = 8
KO/TKO · 1
SUB · 3
DEC · 4
1
KO/TKO
13%
3
SUB
38%
4
DEC
50%
// PATH_TO_VICTORY_
63% FINISH
KO/TKOEARLY ROUNDS · 3 fights
19%
SUBANY ROUND · 7 fights
44%
DECFULL FIGHT · 6 fights
38%
Top win condition: ko/tko · early rounds.
// DNA_PROFILE · 04_

ATTRIBUTE FINGERPRINT

Evidence-backed 0-100 scores built only from observed profile stats and disclosed bout-history proxies. This is a fixed Blueprint scoring model, not a division percentile; missing axes remain unknown.

// DNA_PROFILE_
3 OBSERVED7 DERIVED0 UNKNOWN
// BENCHMARK
FIXED SCORE SCALE
// LINKED SAMPLE
24 BOUTS
// PROFILE UPDATED
OCT 3, 2026
// RECORDED SOURCE
ufcstats
Fighter attribute fingerprint10 of 10 attributes have evidence-backed scores on the Blueprint fixed scale. Unknown axes are not plotted and no score represents a division percentile.KO POWER27TD DEFENSE20GRAPPLING60CHIN83STRIKING20CARDIO53AGGRESSION25SUB THREAT20STR DEFENSE100RECOVERY63
// BANDS
90+ELITE
70-89STRONG
45-69AVERAGE
30-44BELOW
<30LOW
N/AUNKNOWN
Highest scored axis: Str Defense. Lowest scored axis: Sub Threat.
// EVIDENCE REGISTER
10 SCORED · 0 OPEN
KO Power27
DERIVED PROXY

KO wins divided by total career wins

N=16 wins
TD Defense20
OBSERVED INPUT

Observed takedown defense rate (0%)

Grappling60
DERIVED PROXY

Composite of observed takedown volume, accuracy, and submission rate

Chin83
DERIVED PROXY

KO-loss durability proxy from career record

N=24 bouts
Striking20
DERIVED PROXY

Composite of observed striking volume and accuracy

Cardio53
DERIVED PROXY

Long-fight exposure proxy from bout duration and decision-win share

Aggression25
DERIVED PROXY

Activity proxy from observed strike and takedown volume

Sub Threat20
OBSERVED INPUT

Observed submission rate (0 per 15 min)

Str Defense100
OBSERVED INPUT

Observed striking defense rate (75%)

Recovery63
DERIVED PROXY

Share of recorded losses followed by a win in the next recorded bout.

N=8 losses
Fighter attribute fingerprint accessible data summary
AttributeScoreProvenanceEvidenceSample
KO Power27 out of 100DERIVED PROXYKO wins divided by total career wins16 wins
TD Defense20 out of 100OBSERVED INPUTObserved takedown defense rate (0%)Not recorded
Grappling60 out of 100DERIVED PROXYComposite of observed takedown volume, accuracy, and submission rateNot recorded
Chin83 out of 100DERIVED PROXYKO-loss durability proxy from career record24 bouts
Striking20 out of 100DERIVED PROXYComposite of observed striking volume and accuracyNot recorded
Cardio53 out of 100DERIVED PROXYLong-fight exposure proxy from bout duration and decision-win shareNot recorded
Aggression25 out of 100DERIVED PROXYActivity proxy from observed strike and takedown volumeNot recorded
Sub Threat20 out of 100OBSERVED INPUTObserved submission rate (0 per 15 min)Not recorded
Str Defense100 out of 100OBSERVED INPUTObserved striking defense rate (75%)Not recorded
Recovery63 out of 100DERIVED PROXYShare of recorded losses followed by a win in the next recorded bout.8 losses
// CAREER_MOMENTUM · 05_

THE ARC SO FAR

Rolling momentum score (0-100) recomputed after every bout. Weighted blend of result, opponent context, and method-of-finish, designed to show the shape, not the destination.

// MOMENTUM_TIMELINE_
SCOREWINLOSS
0255075100JUL 2009WJUL 2009WAUG 2009LNOV 2009WDEC 2009WFEB 2010WAPR 2010WMAY 2010WJUN 2010WNOV 2010WAPR 2011LJUL 2011LJUN 2012LOCT 2012LMAR 2013WJUL 2013LNOV 2013WAPR 2014LAUG 2014WAPR 2015WJUN 2015WOCT 2015WFEB 2016LJUN 2016WAPR 2017// SCORE

  1. Start, JUL 2009, momentum score 45.
  2. Start, JUL 2009, momentum score 55, SUB R2.
  3. Start, AUG 2009, momentum score 62, DEC R3.
  4. Start, NOV 2009, momentum score 55, SUB R2.
  5. Start, DEC 2009, momentum score 62, DEC R3.
  6. Start, FEB 2010, momentum score 71, KO/TKO R2.
  7. Start, APR 2010, momentum score 81, SUB R1.
  8. Start, MAY 2010, momentum score 88, DEC R3.
  9. Start, JUN 2010, momentum score 95, DEC R3.
  10. Start, NOV 2010, momentum score 100, KO/TKO R4.
  11. Start, APR 2011, momentum score 100, KO/TKO R2.
  12. Start, JUL 2011, momentum score 93, DEC R3.
  13. Start, JUN 2012, momentum score 86, SUB R1.
  14. Start, OCT 2012, momentum score 79, DEC R3.
  15. Start, MAR 2013, momentum score 72, KO/TKO R3.
  16. Start, JUL 2013, momentum score 82, SUB R2.
  17. Start, NOV 2013, momentum score 75, DEC R3.
  18. Start, APR 2014, momentum score 85, SUB R3.
  19. Start, AUG 2014, momentum score 78, SUB R1.
  20. Start, APR 2015, momentum score 87, SUB R1.
  21. Start, JUN 2015, momentum score 97, SUB R2.
  22. Start, OCT 2015, momentum score 100, SUB R1.
  23. Start, FEB 2016, momentum score 100, DEC R3.
  24. Start, JUN 2016, momentum score 93, DEC R5.
  25. Start, APR 2017, momentum score 100, DEC R3.

Peaked at 100 (W vs Valdez), bottomed at 45 (Debut). Current reading: 100.

// KILL_SHOT_MATRIX · 06_

WHEN THE FINISHES COME

Cross-tab of fight outcome by method and round. Reads top-down for method, left-right for round. Cyan intensity scales with frequency.

// METHOD × ROUND_
24/24 fights mapped
METHOD ↓ / ROUND →R1R2R3R4R5FREQ
KO/TKO
-
2
8%
1
4%
1
4%
-
4
total
SUB
5
21%
4
17%
1
4%
-
-
10
total
DEC
-
-
9
38%
-
1
4%
10
total
// PRIMARY KILL ZONE
R1-R2 KO/TKO · 2 of 24 mapped
// LATE-FIGHT GAP
No R5 finishes either way
// DECISION RATE
42%, fights often go the distance
// FIGHT_HISTORY · 08_

BOUT LOG
24 FIGHTS

Detailed bout records for the indexed tenure. Sorted most recent first.

W
VS Derion ChapmanApr 29, 2017
DecisionR3 · 5:00
CXF 7 - Locked and Loaded
SECONDARY DETAILS
METHOD
DETAIL
Decision (Unanimous)
L
VS Chris CulleyJun 10, 2016
DecisionR5 · 5:00
BAMMA Badbeat 20 - Saunders vs. Culley
SECONDARY DETAILS
METHOD
DETAIL
Decision (Split)
W
VS Darren Smith Jr.Feb 20, 2016
DecisionR3 · 5:00
WSOF 28 - Moraes vs. Barajas
SECONDARY DETAILS
METHOD
DETAIL
Decision (Unanimous)
W
VS Kevin BostickOct 2, 2015
SubmissionR1 · 0:29
BAMMA USA - Badbeat 17
SECONDARY DETAILS
METHOD
DETAIL
Submission (Guillotine Choke)
W
VS Brandon MorrisJun 26, 2015
SubmissionR2 · 1:28
BAMMA USA - Badbeat 16
SECONDARY DETAILS
METHOD
DETAIL
Submission (Guillotine Choke)
W
VS Darren Smith Jr.Apr 10, 2015
SubmissionR1 · 1:14
BAMMA USA - Badbeat 15
SECONDARY DETAILS
METHOD
DETAIL
Submission (Guillotine Choke)
L
VS Dominic ClarkAug 10, 2014
SubmissionR1 · 1:09
LOP - Chaos at the Casino 5
SECONDARY DETAILS
METHOD
DETAIL
Submission (Guillotine Choke)
W
VS Dominic GutierrezApr 12, 2014
SubmissionR3 · 1:03
LOP - Chaos at the Casino 4
SECONDARY DETAILS
METHOD
DETAIL
Submission (Guillotine Choke)
L
VS Sevak MagakianNov 23, 2013
DecisionR3 · 3:00
LOP - Chaos at the Casino 3
SECONDARY DETAILS
METHOD
DETAIL
Decision (Unanimous)
W
VS Shad SmithJul 13, 2013
SubmissionR2 · 1:10
RITC - Respect in the Cage
SECONDARY DETAILS
METHOD
DETAIL
Submission (Triangle Choke)
L
VS Akop StepanyanMar 7, 2013
KO/TKOR3 · 3:55
Bellator MMA - Bellator 92
SECONDARY DETAILS
METHOD
DETAIL
TKO (Kick to the Body and Punches)
L
VS Thiago MellerOct 19, 2012
DecisionR3 · 5:00
Samurai Pro Sports - Samurai MMA Pro 4
SECONDARY DETAILS
METHOD
DETAIL
Decision (Unanimous)
// FAQ · 09_

CITATION-READY ANSWERS

Quick answers based on the public fighter profile and fight history shown on this page.

Lightweight. Professional record 16-8. Unranked at the time of indexing.

Research Chris Saunders

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// FORECAST_AVAILABLE_
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// LAST INDEX SYNC · 2026-10-28