Christian Natividad thrilled to follow brother's UFC footsteps, distribute 'Hawaiian Punch'
· Yahoo Sports
LAS VEGAS – The Natividad family functions will now feature two UFC fighters: one past and one present.
Christian Natividad Hawaiian-punched his ticket into the UFC on Tuesday when he finished Colton Loud with a brutal body shot a mere 70 seconds at Dana White's Contender Series 91. The performance earned an easy "yes, please" from Dana White.
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Upon signing, Natividad (10-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC) will join his brother Kevin Natividad in the UFC history books.
"The first person I called (when I got this offer) was actually my brother," Natividad told MMA Junkie and other reporters at a post-fight news conference. "My brother has always been there for me. He ain't going anywhere anytime soon. He's going to be by my side throughout this whole journey."
Kevin competed three times in the UFC from 2020 to 2023, with losses against Miles Johns, Batgerel Danaa, and Ricky Turcios. At 33 years old, he still competes professionally and is coming off a May split decision win over David Perez for Arizona-based regional promotion RUF MMA.
He was in the corner and and perhaps more riled up than Natividad himself when the finish came.
"Having a finish like that, he was actually telling me backstage that I got the body shot he's always dreamed of having," Natividad said. "I'm not saying I took that away from him. I'm pretty sure the next best thing, having a body shot finish like that, is having his younger brother finish somebody like that."
It's been a long road for Natividad, 29. He began his competitive MMA career more than a decade ago. Despite his undefeated career as an amateur and pro, it took 10 years for his chance to come. It came on nine days' notice – and Natividad capitalized.
"With everything that I've went through throughout my career, having two long layoffs and my most recent layoff, things were kind of dark," Natividad. "I didn't know where my career was going to go next. Just being here, obviously it's somewhat in a way, a dream come true. But it's really just a stepping stone. I'm here to take over the flyweight division and we'll see what's next."
Though he trains at the MMA LAB in Phoenix, Natividad was born in Hawaii and still represents every chance he can – and what better way to do that than to live up to his nickname?
"'The Hawaiian Punch' has arrived," Natividad said. "I'm here. I'm ready to take over."
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Christian Natividad thrilled to follow brother's UFC footsteps, distribute 'Hawaiian Punch'