| Tatiana Suarez | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 Suarez interviewed before her match atUFC 228 in 2018 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | Tatiana Yadira Suarez (1990-12-19)December 19, 1990 (age 34) Covina, California, U.S. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 125 lb (57 kg; 8.9 st) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Division | Flyweight Strawweight | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reach | 66[1] in (168 cm) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Style | Wrestling | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fighting out of | Rancho Cucamonga, California, U.S. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Team | Millennia MMA Gym | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rank | Black belt inBrazilian Jiu-Jitsu[2] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wrestling | USA Wrestling World Team | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mixed martial arts record | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wins | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| By knockout | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| By submission | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| By decision | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Losses | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| By decision | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| University | Lindenwood University | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mixed martial arts record fromSherdog | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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Tatiana Yadira Suarez Padilla[7] (born December 19, 1990) is an American professionalmixed martial artist and formerwrestler who currently competes in the women'sStrawweight division of theUltimate Fighting Championship (UFC).[8] She was the strawweight tournament winner in the23rd season ofThe Ultimate Fighterreality show.[9] As of February 11, 2025, she is #2 in theUFC women's strawweight rankings and #11 in theUFC women's pound-for-pound rankings.[10]
In wrestling, Suarez was a multi-time medalist inwomen's freestyle at theWorld Championships andWorld Junior Championships, asilver medalist at theWorld Cup, and a gold medalist at thePan American Championships.[4][3]
Suarez is ofMexican descent.[11] She started wrestling before her fourth birthday, as her older brother wrestled and she insisted that her mother let her wrestle too.[12] She graduated fromNorthview High School before attendingLindenwood University.[13][14]
Suarez originally competed under her stepfather's surname, Padilla.[4][15][16] In 2007, she placed second at theJunior World Championships, and was namedASICs National High School Wrestler of the Year. In 2008, she wongold at thePan American Championships followed bybronze at the Junior World Championships in July, another bronze at theWorld Championships in October, and was namedNational High School Wrestler of the Year again, the first wrestler to receive it twice.[4][15] In 2009, Suarez placed fifth at the World Championships.[4] In 2010, she wonsilver at theWorld Cup and bronze at the World Championships.[3] In 2011, she was ranked number one freestyle wrestler in the US at 55 kg (121 lb).[15][17]
While training for the2012 Summer Olympics in London, Suarez suffered a neck injury, which derailed her Olympic aspirations. AnMRI andCAT scan not only revealed a bothersome disc in her neck, but a cancerous growth on her thyroid. Suarez underwent radiation therapy and had herthyroid and severallymph nodes removed. After successful treatment, herthyroid cancer was gone and she eventually began to train again. Suarez started practicingBrazilian jiu-jitsu, which led her tomixed martial arts.[15][16]
Suarez began training in 2013. She had issues finding an opponent for her first fight due to her impressive wrestling background. On the advice of her coaches, she began using Suarez (her biological father's surname) instead of Padilla (her stepfather's surname that she used while wrestling).[15] She made her amateur debut in February 2014 defeating Elizabeth Rodriguez by TKO in the first round. She fought again one month later and defeated Jessica Pryor by unanimous decision.
Suarez made her professional MMA debut in July 2014 in the Gladiator Challenge promotion defeating Tyra Parker by unanimous decision. She returned in April 2015 and submitted Carolina Alvarez by armbar in the first round. She made her final appearance for the promotion in August 2015 defeating Arline Coban by TKO in the second round. This victory earned her the Gladiator Challenge championship in the California State Championship Series.
Suarez was chosen as a participant on the23rd season of the reality showThe Ultimate Fighter. In her fight to get into the house she defeated Chel-c Bailey by unanimous decision. Her dominant performance caused her to be selected as the number one overall pick by coachCláudia Gadelha.[18] In the quarter-finals she facedJoanna Jędrzejczyk's number one pick andInvicta FC veteranJJ Aldrich. She submitted Aldrich in the second round by rear naked choke, advancing her to the semi-finals.[19] In her third fight she faced Team Claudia teammateKate Jackson. She submitted Jackson in the first round by guillotine choke and advanced to the live finale.[20]
Suarez faced Team Claudia teammateAmanda Cooper in the finals on July 8, 2016 atThe Ultimate Fighter 23 Finale. She won the fight by D'Arce choke in the first round to become the strawweight tournament winner.[21] This win earned her thePerformance of the Night bonus.[22]
Suarez was expected to faceJuliana Lima atUFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Abdurakhimov on December 9, 2016. However, Suarez pulled out of the fight on November 23 citing injury[23] and was replaced byJJ Aldrich.[24]
Suarez facedViviane Pereira on November 11, 2017 atUFC Fight Night: Poirier vs. Pettis.[25] She won the fight via unanimous decision.[26]
Suarez facedAlexa Grasso on May 19, 2018 atUFC Fight Night 129.[27] She won the fight via a rear-naked choke in round one.[28]
Suarez facedCarla Esparza on September 8, 2018 atUFC 228.[29] She won the fight via technical knockout in the third round.[30]
Suarez facedNina Ansaroff on June 8, 2019 atUFC 238.[31] She won the fight via unanimous decision.[32]
Suarez was expected to return from an extended hiatus and faceRoxanne Modafferi in a flyweight bout on September 25, 2021 atUFC 266.[33] However, Suarez was pulled from the event due to injury,[34] and she was replaced byTaila Santos.[35]
After a three-and-a-half-year hiatus, Suarez returned to faceMontana De La Rosa in a flyweight bout on February 25, 2023 atUFC Fight Night 220.[36] She won the fight via a guillotine choke submission in round two.[37] This win earned her thePerformance of the Night bonus.[38]
Suarez was scheduled to faceVirna Jandiroba on August 5, 2023, atUFC on ESPN 50.[39] However on June 20 it was reported that Jandiroba suffered a knee injury and pulled out of the bout, later replaced by formerUFC Women's Strawweight championJéssica Andrade.[40] Suarez won the fight via a guillotine choke submission in the second round.[41] This win earned Suarez her thirdPerformance of the Night bonus.[42]
Suarez was scheduled to faceAmanda Lemos on February 17, 2024, atUFC 298.[43] However, Suarez was withdrawn from the event because of an injury and was replaced byMackenzie Dern.[44]
Suarez was scheduled to faceVirna Jandiroba on December 7, 2024 atUFC 310.[45] However, Suarez reportedly withdrew from the fight due to an unspecified health issue and the bout was subsequently removed from the card.[46][47]
Suarez competed for theUFC Women's Strawweight Championship against current two-time championZhang Weili on February 9, 2025 atUFC 312.[48] She lost the fight by unanimous decision leading to her first loss in MMA.[49]
In 2024, an HBO documentary, "The Unbreakable Tatiana Suarez" was released. It was based on Suarez's life struggle, fighting with cancer then becoming an MMA fighter.[50]
Saurez is engaged toBellator MMA fighterPatchy Mix. They have been in a relationship since 2023.[51]
| 11 matches | 10 wins | 1 loss |
| By knockout | 2 | 0 |
| By submission | 5 | 0 |
| By decision | 3 | 1 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 10–1 | Zhang Weili | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 312 | February 9, 2025 | 5 | 5:00 | Sydney, Australia | For theUFC Women's Strawweight Championship. |
| Win | 10–0 | Jéssica Andrade | Submission (guillotine choke) | UFC on ESPN: Sandhagen vs. Font | August 5, 2023 | 2 | 1:31 | Nashville, Tennessee, United States | Performance of the Night. |
| Win | 9–0 | Montana De La Rosa | Submission (guillotine choke) | UFC Fight Night: Muniz vs. Allen | February 25, 2023 | 2 | 2:51 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Flyweight bout. Performance of the Night. |
| Win | 8–0 | Nina Ansaroff | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 238 | June 8, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Chicago, Illinois, United States | |
| Win | 7–0 | Carla Esparza | TKO (punches) | UFC 228 | September 8, 2018 | 3 | 4:33 | Dallas, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 6–0 | Alexa Grasso | Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFC Fight Night: Maia vs. Usman | May 19, 2018 | 1 | 2:44 | Santiago, Chile | |
| Win | 5–0 | Viviane Pereira | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Poirier vs. Pettis | November 11, 2017 | 3 | 5:00 | Norfolk, Virginia, United States | |
| Win | 4–0 | Amanda Cooper | Submission (brabo choke) | The Ultimate Fighter: Team Joanna vs. Team Cláudia Finale | July 8, 2016 | 1 | 3:43 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Strawweight debut. WonThe Ultimate Fighter 23 Strawweight Tournament. Performance of the Night. |
| Win | 3–0 | Arline Coban | TKO (punches) | Gladiator Challenge: California State Championship Series | August 22, 2015 | 2 | 0:48 | San Jacinto, California, United States | |
| Win | 2–0 | Carolina Alvarez | Submission (armbar) | Gladiator Challenge: California State Championship Series | April 11, 2015 | 1 | 2:01 | San Jacinto, California, United States | |
| Win | 1–0 | Tyra Parker | Decision (unanimous) | Gladiator Challenge: Night of the Champions | July 19, 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | Rancho Mirage, California, United States | Flyweight debut. Won the vacant Gladiator Challenge Flyweight Championship. |
| Exhibition record breakdown | ||
| 3 matches | 3 wins | 0 losses |
| By submission | 2 | 0 |
| By decision | 1 | 0 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 3–0 | Kate Jackson | Submission (guillotine choke) | The Ultimate Fighter: Team Joanna vs. Team Cláudia | July 7, 2016 (airdate) | 1 | 2:52 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | TUF 23 Semifinal round. |
| Win | 2–0 | JJ Aldrich | Submission (rear-naked choke) | May 3, 2016 (airdate) | 2 | 3:14 | TUF 23 Quarterfinal round. | ||
| Win | 1–0 | Chel-c Bailey | Decision (unanimous) | April 20, 2016 (airdate) | 2 | 5:00 | TUF 23 Elimination round. |
| Amateur record breakdown | ||
| 2 matches | 2 wins | 0 losses |
| By knockout | 1 | 0 |
| By decision | 1 | 0 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 2–0 | Jessica Pryor | Decision (unanimous) | Spar Star MMA: Friday Night Fights | March 7, 2014 | 3 | 2:00 | Inglewood, California, United States | |
| Win | 1–0 | Elizabeth Rodriguez | TKO (punches) | Mansion Fights XIV | February 8, 2014 | 1 | 1:19 | Los Angeles, California, United States |
| 2010 World Championships bronze medalist at 55kg | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win |  Maria Gurova | Fall | September 9, 2010 | 2010 World Championship | Moscow | ||
| Win |  Um Ji-eun | 1–0, 5-4 | |||||
| Loss |  Saori Yoshida | 0–3, 0–7 | |||||
| Win |  Ana Maria Pavăl | 1–3, 3–3, 6–0 | |||||
| Win |  Zalina Sidakova | 2–0, 7–4 | |||||
| 2009 World Championships at 55kg | |||||||
| Loss | Alena Filipava | 2–5, 0–3 | September 24, 2009 | 2009 World Championships |  Herning | ||
| Loss |  Sona Ahmadli | 0–1, 1–2 | |||||
| Win |  Geeta Phogat | Fall | |||||
| Win |  Gudrun Høie | 3–0, 6–0 | |||||
| 2008 World Championships bronze medalist at 55kg | |||||||
| Win | Ana Maria Pavăl | 5–4 | October 11, 2008 | 2008 World Championship | Tokyo | ||
| Loss |  Tetyana Lazareva | 2–5 | |||||
| Win | Tatyana Grigorieva | 5–2 | |||||
| Win |  Rivera Velazquez | 8–1 | |||||
| Win |  Sofia Poumpouridou | 6–1 | |||||
Updated to 11 February 2025 |
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Updated to 11 March 2025 | ||||||
