Chris Padilla vs Jai Herbert — Fight recap

Chris Padilla defeated Jai Herbert by split decision in Round 3 at 5:00 on March 22, 2025. Padilla edged the significant-strike count 39-38 despite Herbert attempting more, with Padilla landing at 39% compared with Herbert’s 31%.

Neither fighter scored a knockdown or completed a takedown, but Padilla’s six attempts helped him create clinch exchanges and impose a more physical, grappling-oriented approach. The clearest statistical separation came in control time: Padilla accumulated 3:41, while Herbert recorded only 0:01.

Herbert operated primarily as the longer-range striker and targeted the head often, but he landed just 19 of 92 significant head strikes. Padilla mixed his offense more effectively, including 13 significant leg strikes, and used forward pressure to limit Herbert’s space near the cage.

With the striking totals nearly even, Padilla’s positional work, pressure, and sustained control likely provided the decisive edge on two scorecards. The result positioned Padilla for a step up against another established UFC lightweight.