Anthony Romero’s path to the UFC was built almost entirely on the Southern California regional scene, where he put together a 7-2 professional MMA record with one no contest before getting his shot on three days’ notice. At 5-foot-6 and 135 pounds, Romero’s resume shows the kind of steady climb that often goes unnoticed until the UFC comes calling.
Romero’s pro career began after an amateur record that dates back to October 2015, when he stopped Eric Morache in 36 seconds at GetDown Fights 19. After a pro debut loss and a 17-month layoff, he returned under the Up Next Fighting banner and eventually made UNF the home for every pro fight that followed.
From regional regular to UFC call
Romero’s UFC arrival did not come after a single breakout moment. It came after years of competing across California and stacking results. He stopped Joseph Sonmez in November 2019 at California Fight League 15, then beat David Marroquin in January 2020 at SSP Fight Night before finishing David Acuna in 66 seconds in August 2021.
His first loss came against Steve Mora at Fight Club OC 69 on 2 December 2021, when Mora stopped him with punches at 3:51 of the second round. Romero answered that setback with a strong run that included a third-round finish of Bryen Dao at UNF 7, a last-second stoppage of Brandon Aviles at UNF 9, and a 56-second knockout of Valodya Frangulyan at UNF 14.
He also showed he could win a longer fight. In February 2024, Romero fought Ricardo Dias for 15 minutes at UNF 16 and earned his first professional decision victory. That mattered because it added another layer to a record that already showed finishing ability.
What his record looked like before the call
Romero’s recent stretch also included adversity. His bout with Ryan Lilley at UNF 19 ended in a no contest after an accidental groin kick at 2:18 of the first round. He then submitted Brandon Spencer with an armbar in September 2024 at UNF 20, lost a decision to Johnny Robles in March 2025, and bounced back in August 2025 by submitting Keenan Lewis with a rear-naked choke with five seconds left at UNF 27.
Across 14 pro fights, Romero built a profile that is easy to understand: a compact bantamweight with finishing skill, toughness, and enough experience to survive ups and downs on the regional circuit. Six of his seven wins came by finish, which is a big part of why he got an opportunity in the UFC even without a long national profile.
The move represents a major step up in competition, but it also fits the kind of track record UFC teams often notice. Romero had already proven he could finish opponents, recover from setbacks, and keep winning in a crowded Southern California scene. That combination eventually led to the short-notice call, the same sort of opportunity highlighted in Marcus Mcghee Gets Anthony Romero on Three Days' Notice for UFC 332.
