ACTIVE MMA ROSTER · SOURCES FIRSTPublic profiles require a documented completed MMA bout within the past two years. Other combat sports and upcoming bouts do not renew eligibility. NR means a supported skill grade has not been published; it is not a low rating.
AgeNot listed
HeightNot publicly listed
StanceNot publicly listed
LocationIowa
GymPublic affiliation not confirmed
Index statusRanked
Record reviewVerified
Verified record brief
Public-record summary
Clayton Welch is an amateur mixed martial artist from Iowa. The VFL 7 win is included in the displayed record and initial NFI placement; the technical rating remains preliminary until a broader independent film sample is reviewed.
Record signals
013–4 public amateur MMA record after VFL 7
02Submitted 3–1 opponent Rojelio Puentes by rear-naked choke in 1:05 at VFL 7.
03The result moves the record to 3–4 and earns an opponent-quality bump without erasing the four prior losses.
Verification notes
01VFL 7 result reconciled against the completed Combat Registry ledger and Tapology event record.
02The ranking counts the completed win; announced or cancelled bouts are excluded.
03This Iowa-based athlete is ranked as Nebraska-circuit eligible after competing on the Lincoln card.
04The VFL bout was contested at 165 lb; the index uses Welterweight as the closest standard division.
Release 02 audit
Why this fighter is ranked here
Editorial decision
01Welch’s first-round submission of 3–1 Rojelio Puentes is a meaningful opponent-quality win and moves him to 3–4.
02Seven completed outcomes provide more résumé evidence than most fighters in this range.
03Four losses and Iowa residency keep the Nebraska-circuit placement below winning Nebraska-based records.
Evidence standard
01Completed results control; announcements never count as outcomes.
02MMA, bare-knuckle MMA, boxing, kickboxing, and Muay Thai records stay separate.
03Conflicts remain visible until stronger evidence resolves them.
Fighter style profileBJJ / Backpack
Primary archetype
BJJ
Submission-oriented grappling built around positional advancement and finishing threats.
Specializes as↓
Sub-archetype
Backpack
Prioritizes back exposure, hooks, and rear-choke finishing sequences.
Gold specialty ratings
These five gold grades are the tools most connected to this fighter’s assigned sub-archetype. The style definition remains separate from the athlete’s individual scores.
NFI ratings combine skill assessments, résumé, and activity. Ratings can be updated as additional fight footage and stats are reviewed. NR means no rating is available.
NFI OVR68NFI ratings · Low confidence
Stand-up30% of skill grade64
Accuracy, speed, power, defense, movement, and range craft.
Striking accuracy66
Boxing craft67
Combination craft63
Hand speed63
Hand power67
Kick craft63
Kick speed63
Kick power63
Footwork63
Range management63
Head movement63
Guard defense63
Grappling30% of skill grade64
Entries, clinch and cage work, control, defense, submissions, and transitions.
Takedown entries63
Takedown defense63
Clinch control63
Cage wrestling63
Top control66
Bottom recovery63
Scrambles67
Submission threat68
Submission defense63
Ground striking63
Athletic profile20% of skill grade63
Conditioning, recovery, durability, strength, burst, and balance.
Cardio63
Recovery63
Durability63
Core strength63
Explosiveness63
Balance63
Fight craft20% of skill grade65
Pace, poise, decision-making, adaptation, and finishing awareness.
Pace63
Composure63
Fight IQ66
Adaptability63
Round management63
Finishing instinct70
Ranking history
Board timeline
Each published NFI Rankings position appears here. New releases build the timeline without stretching one data point into a full chart.
01Sep ’26#19Opening position
Fighter desk
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