Long-distance dedication: Jose Ochoa says girlfriend said yes after UFC 328

NEWARK, N.J. – Jose Ochoa met the media Saturday after his win over Clayton Carpenter at UFC 328.

Ochoa (9-2 MMA, 2-2 UFC) bloodied and battered Carpenter (8-3 MMA, 2-3 UFC) to take a unanimous decision sweep of the scorecards to open the prelims at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.

After his win, Ochoa closed his post-fight interview in the cage by saying he was proposing to his girlfriend – though she was not in attendance in at the fight. But afterward, Ochoa confirmed he got the response he was hoping for.

He also had his father in his corner, making the entire fight a memorable one.

Castigo constante por parte del poderoso peruano 🇵🇪 Ochoa #UFC328 | Ver en vivo por @PPlusDeportespic.twitter.com/JFjIsznmrV— UFC Español (@UFCEspanol) May 9, 2026

"Obviously she said yes. She was just waiting for the right moment," Ochoa said at his post-fight news conference. "I’m very happy with my performance and this victory. I knew no matter what that I was going to take the victory home, and I’m even happier to dedicate this win to my father, my team and my whole family."

Ochoa, from Peru, had finishes in his first seven pro fights. But in the UFC, he's finding things are a little harder. He's had to go the distance in three of his four fights in the promotion.

But the win over Carpenter was the first time he's gone 15 minutes and gotten his hand raised, which lends a new bit of confidence to his game.

"I’m happy with everything I did," Ochoa said. "I’m not surprised by anything that happened inside the cage. I thought I was going to get a knockout, but it went the full 15 minutes. I’m prepared for that, too."

Check out Ochoa's post-fight interview in the video above.

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Jose Ochoa says girlfriend said yes after UFC 328