Undefeated Natividad earns UFC contract in 70 seconds on eight days' notice

Christian Natividad (10-0) secured a UFC contract in emphatic fashion at Dana White’s Contender Series 2026 Week 5, stopping Colton Loud (7-2) via liver-shot knockout just 70 seconds into their flyweight bout after accepting the fight on eight days’ notice.

Natividad was a late replacement for Frank da Silva Castro, who withdrew due to visa issues. Despite the short turnaround, the 29-year-old showed no signs of unpreparedness. He absorbed a heavy body kick early before countering with a liver shot that dropped Loud, with the referee waving off the contest almost immediately after.

The finish made Natividad the second member of his family to earn a UFC deal, following his older brother Kevin Natividad, who signed with the promotion in 2020. Kevin’s time in the Octagon proved difficult — he lost all three of his UFC appearances before being released in 2022 — but Christian credited him as an indispensable part of his own rise.

“I’m pretty sure my brother loves just me being here as well,” Christian said in his post-fight interview. “For him being able to pave the path for me, I’m super blessed. I’m blessed to have a best friend, a training partner, a coach, all in one. He’s always by my side and I’ve always got his back, 24x7, all the time.”

Kevin Natividad returned to regional competition after his UFC release, suffering a loss before returning to the win column this past May. His younger brother, meanwhile, enters the UFC with a perfect 10-0 record and momentum that few Contender Series winners have matched in recent weeks.