When Nathaniel Wood made his UFC debut in the bantamweight division in 2018 following a successful run at Cage Warriors, he quickly turned heads. However, after just six bouts, ‘The Prospect’ realized his body could not endure the “miserable” toll of extreme weight cuts. The experience left him frustrated with fighting at bantamweight, ultimately prompting the former Cage Warriors champion to make a permanent move to the featherweight division after a string of bout cancellations.

Wood’s struggles are not unique—other fighters, including Ilia Topuria, have also found cutting weight increasingly difficult as they get older. Now, more than seven years into his professional journey, Nathaniel Wood has compiled an impressive record across both 135 lbs and 145 lbs, standing at 9-3 during his seven-year stint under Dana White & Co. Currently competing in the 145 lbs division, where he opened his UFC career with an 8-1 record, Wood is steadily cementing his reputation as a top prospect. His rise has also sparked curiosity among fans regarding the featherweight star’s nationality and ethnicity. Let’s explore.

Where is Nathaniel Wood from? his British nationality and London roots

Nathaniel Wood was born on May 8, 1993, in London. Guided by his father, a BJJ expert, Wood began training in the ground game at a young age, sparking a deep passion for fighting. His dedication grew so strong that he ultimately dropped out of carpentry college to pursue a career as a professional MMA fighter. After a successful run on the European circuit, ‘The Prospect’ struggled to find his footing in the UFC.

Now, following a permanent move to the 145-pound featherweight division, he feels much like he did before stepping into the promotion. While he has not publicly confirmed his ethnicity, his features and surname suggest European descent, likely British or Anglo-Saxon. Beyond that, fans know little about the Briton. In a Q&A session with the UFC about his personal life, Nathaniel Wood revealed, “London raised, first Cage Warriors world champion from London. Family man. Love dogs. Love business, fashion and anything with an adrenaline rush.”

True to that love of adrenaline, Nathaniel Wood thrives on the thrill of competition. He has a knack for turning weaknesses into strengths — for instance, he once used his daughter’s medical condition to sharpen his focus and dominate his opponent, leaving him bleeding inside the Octagon in a brutal fashion.

Nathaniel Wood’s early life and path to UFC

While Wood has long struggled with weight cuts, his battles with mental health have remained largely private. Behind the scenes, challenges such as OCD and anxiety affected him for years, hidden from public view. In 2022, Wood opened up about behavioral issues he experienced as a six-year-old, which were often mistaken for simply being a nervous child.

Recalling his difficult childhood, he said, “I remember I was probably six or seven years old and I was thinking, ‘Oh, my dad is working the night shift, that means I can sleep in my mum’s bed. If I sleep in my mum’s bed, that means I don’t have to do my OCDs. It breaks my heart to think that a kid was dealing with that.'”

Today, Nathaniel Wood is in a much better place, thanks to the support of his family, friends, and therapist. With that backing, he is preparing for his 13th UFC outing at UFC 321, where he aims to extend his winning streak against Jose Delgado. ‘The Prospect’ is determined to deliver his best performances in the Octagon, as he plans to retire within the next “two years” due to concerns over his brain health. Stay tuned.