Lando Vannata

Mixed martial arts career

Vannata began his professional MMA career in May 2012 and built an undefeated record of 8–0 over four years before joining the UFC. He was called on two weeks' notice to replace an injured Michael Chiesa against ranked #3 lightweight Tony Ferguson at UFC Fight Night 91. In that bout, Vannata nearly finished Ferguson with strikes in the first round but lost by submission in the second; both fighters received a Fight of the Night bonus. At UFC 206, he defeated John Makdessi via a spinning heel kick knockout in the first round, earning a Performance of the Night award. Vannata then lost to David Teymur by unanimous decision at UFC 209, a fight that also received Fight of the Night honors. He was scheduled to face Abel Trujillo at UFC 216, but Trujillo was replaced by Bobby Green. During that fight, Vannata struck Green with a knee while Green was grounded, leading referee Herb Dean to deduct a point; the bout ended in a split draw, and Vannata earned another Fight of the Night award. A planned fight with Gilbert Burns at UFC on Fox 29 did not happen because Vannata was rehabilitating an arm injury. He lost to Drakkar Klose by unanimous decision at UFC 226. After that fight, Vannata left Jackson Wink MMA Academy following Donald Cerrone's departure and began training at Cerrone's BMF Ranch and Jackson's MMA Association Gym. At UFC 230, he fought Matt Frevola to a majority draw. Vannata then became a free agent but signed a new four-fight UFC contract in early 2019. He submitted promotional newcomer Marcos Rosa Mariano in the first round at UFC 234. Vannata lost to Marc Diakiese by unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night 160. He defeated Yancy Medeiros by unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night 167.