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Tatiana Suarez

Tatiana Suarez
Suarez interviewed before her match at UFC 228 in 2018
BornTatiana Yadira Suarez Padilla
(1990-12-19) December 19, 1990 (age 34)
Covina, California, U.S.
Height5 ft 5 in (1.65 m)
Weight125 lb (57 kg; 8.9 st)
DivisionFlyweight
Strawweight
Reach66[1] in (168 cm)
StyleWrestling
Fighting out ofRancho Cucamonga, California, U.S.
TeamMillennia MMA Gym
RankBlack belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu[2]
WrestlingUSA Wrestling World Team
Mixed martial arts record
Total10
Wins10
By knockout2
By submission5
By decision3
Losses0
Other information
UniversityLindenwood University
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Medal record
Representing  United States
Women's freestyle wrestling
World Championships
Bronze medal – third place 2010 Moscow 55 kg
Bronze medal – third place 2008 Tokyo 55 kg
World Junior Championships
Bronze medal – third place 2008 Istanbul 59 kg
Silver medal – second place 2007 Beijing 59 kg
World Cup
Silver medal – second place 2010 Nanjing 55 kg[3]
Pan American Championships
Gold medal – first place 2008 Colorado Springs 59 kg[4]
Women's Brazilian jiu-jitsu
World Jiu-Jitsu Championship
Gold medal – first place 2015 California -64 kg (blue)[5]
Gold medal – first place 2013 California -64 kg (white)[6]

Tatiana Yadira Suarez Padilla[7] (born December 19, 1990) is an American professional mixed martial artist and former wrestler who currently competes in the women's Strawweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).[8] She was the strawweight tournament winner in the 23rd season of The Ultimate Fighter reality show.[9] As of April 16, 2024, she is #1 in the UFC women's strawweight rankings and as of October 8, 2024, she is #10 in the UFC women's pound-for-pound rankings.[10]

In wrestling, Suarez was a multi-time medalist in women's freestyle at the World Championships and World Junior Championships, a silver medalist at the World Cup, and a gold medalist at the Pan American Championships.[4][3]

Background

Suarez is of Mexican 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 from Northview High School before attending Lindenwood University.[13][14]

Suarez originally competed under her stepfather's surname, Padilla.[4][15][16] In 2007, she placed second at the Junior World Championships, and was named ASICs National High School Wrestler of the Year. In 2008, she won gold at the Pan American Championships followed by bronze at the Junior World Championships in July, another bronze at the World Championships in October, and was named National 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 won silver at the World 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 the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Suarez suffered a neck injury, which derailed her Olympic aspirations. An MRI and CAT scan not only revealed a bothersome disc in her neck, but a cancerous growth on her thyroid. Suarez underwent radiation therapy and had her thyroid and several lymph nodes removed. After successful treatment, her thyroid cancer was gone and she eventually began to train again. Suarez started practicing Brazilian jiu-jitsu, which led her to mixed martial arts.[15][16]

Mixed martial arts career

Amateur career

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.

Early professional career

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.

The Ultimate Fighter 23

Suarez was chosen as a participant on the 23rd season of the reality show The 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 coach Cláudia Gadelha.[18] In the quarter-finals she faced Joanna Jędrzejczyk's number one pick and Invicta FC veteran JJ 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 teammate Kate Jackson. She submitted Jackson in the first round by guillotine choke and advanced to the live finale.[20]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Suarez faced Team Claudia teammate Amanda Cooper in the finals on July 8, 2016 at The 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 the Performance of the Night bonus.[22]

Suarez was expected to face Juliana Lima at UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Abdurakhimov on Dec 9, 2016. However, Suarez pulled out of the fight on November 23 citing injury[23] and was replaced by JJ Aldrich.[24]

Suarez faced Viviane Pereira on November 11, 2017 at UFC Fight Night: Poirier vs. Pettis.[25] She won the fight via unanimous decision.[26]

Suarez faced Alexa Grasso on May 19, 2018 at UFC Fight Night 129.[27] She won the fight via a rear-naked choke in round one.[28]

Suarez faced Carla Esparza on September 8, 2018 at UFC 228.[29] She won the fight via technical knockout in the third round.[30]

Suarez faced Nina Ansaroff on June 8, 2019 at UFC 238.[31] She won the fight via unanimous decision.[32]

Suarez was expected to return from an extended hiatus and face Roxanne Modafferi in a flyweight bout on September 25, 2021 at UFC 266.[33] However, Suarez was pulled from the event due to injury,[34] and she was replaced by Taila Santos.[35]

After a three-and-a-half-year hiatus, Suarez returned to face Montana De La Rosa in a flyweight bout on February 25, 2023 at UFC Fight Night 220.[36] She won the fight via a guillotine choke submission in round two.[37] This win earned her the Performance of the Night bonus.[38]

Suarez was scheduled to face Virna Jandiroba on August 5, 2023, at UFC 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 former UFC Women's Strawweight champion Jéssica Andrade.[40] Suarez won the fight via a guillotine choke submission in the second round.[41] This win earned Suarez her third Performance of the Night bonus.[42]

Suarez was scheduled to face Amanda Lemos on February 17, 2024, at UFC 298.[43] However, Suarez was withdrawn from the event because of an injury and was replaced by Mackenzie Dern.[44]

Suarez was scheduled to face Virna Jandiroba on December 7, 2024 at UFC 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 is scheduled to compete for the UFC Women's Strawweight Championship against current two-time champion Zhang Weili on February 9, 2025 at UFC 312.[48]

In 2024, an HBO documentary, "The Unbreakable Tatiana Suarez" was released. It was based on Tatiana Suarez's life struggle, fighting with cancer then becoming a MMA champion.[49]

Championships and accomplishments

Freestyle wrestling

Mixed martial arts

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
10 matches 10 wins 0 losses
By knockout 2 0
By submission 5 0
By decision 3 0
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
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. Won The 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.
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.

[51]

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

Wrestling record

Res. Opponent Score Date Event Location
2010 World Championships bronze medalist at 55kg
Win Russia Maria Gurova Fall September 9, 2010 2010 World Championship Russia Moscow
Win South Korea Um Ji-eun 1–0, 5-4
Loss Japan Saori Yoshida 0–3, 0–7
Win Romania Ana Maria Pavăl 1–3, 3–3, 6–0
Win Belarus Zalina Sidakova 2–0, 7–4
2009 World Championships at 55kg
Loss Belarus Alena Filipava 2–5, 0–3 September 24, 2009 2009 World Championships Denmark Herning
Loss Azerbaijan Sona Ahmadli 0–1, 1–2
Win India Geeta Phogat Fall
Win Norway Gudrun Høie 3–0, 6–0
2008 World Championships bronze medalist at 55kg
Win Romania Ana Maria Pavăl 5–4 October 11, 2008 2008 World Championship Japan Tokyo
Loss Ukraine Tetyana Lazareva 2–5
Win Belarus Tatyana Grigorieva 5–2
Win Puerto Rico Rivera Velazquez 8–1
Win Greece Sofia Poumpouridou 6–1

See also

References

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  2. ^ @tatianasuarezufc (August 7, 2023). ""Memories I'll remember for the rest of my life. These are the moments I live for. (...)"". Retrieved August 13, 2023 – via Instagram.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Suarez, Tatiana Yadira (USA)". whatsmat.uww.org. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Padilla, Tatiana (USA)". whatsmat.uww.org. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  5. ^ Samura. "World Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2015 – Results - IBJJF - International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation". IBJJF. Retrieved April 13, 2020.
  6. ^ Samura. "World Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2013 – Results - IBJJF - International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation". IBJJF. Retrieved April 13, 2020.
  7. ^ "Tatiana Suarez | MMA Fighter Page". Tapology. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  8. ^ "Tatiana Padilla". Teamusa.org. Archived from the original on April 25, 2012. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
  9. ^ Rizk, Gabriel (July 6, 2016). "MMA: Tatiana Suarez storms into TUF 23 finals - Press Enterprise". Pe.com. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
  10. ^ "Rankings | UFC". www.ufc.com. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
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  12. ^ Chuck Mindenhall (August 31, 2018). "Tatiana Suarez's undefeated record goes far beyond simple wins and losses". mmafighting.com.
  13. ^ "MMA: TUF finalist Suarez defeated cancer, now has new UFC journey". July 8, 2016.
  14. ^ Walker Van Wey (July 22, 2021). "The Lindenwood University Wrestling To UFC Pipeline". Ultimate Fighting Championship.
  15. ^ a b c d e Gross, Josh (June 7, 2019). "Tatiana Suarez will leave you screaming for her UFC title shot". The Athletic. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  16. ^ a b Brian Martin (July 7, 2016). "TUF 23 finalist Tatiana Suarez, having defeated cancer, has new UFC journey". dailynews.com. Retrieved July 9, 2016.
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  19. ^ Mike Sloan (May 4, 2016). "'TUF 23' Recap: Episode 3". sherdog.com. Retrieved July 9, 2016.
  20. ^ Mike Sloan (July 6, 2016). "'TUF 23' Recap: Episode 12". sherdog.com. Retrieved July 9, 2016.
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  24. ^ Thomas Gerbasi (December 2, 2016). "Safarov and Aldrich to make debuts in Albany". ufc.com. Retrieved December 2, 2016.
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  26. ^ "UFC Fight Night 120 results: Tatiana Suarez dominates in return, overwhelms Viviane Pereira". MMAjunkie. November 12, 2017. Retrieved November 12, 2017.
  27. ^ "UFC officially announces May 19 event in Chile, five bouts". MMA Fighting. Retrieved February 27, 2018.
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  29. ^ DNA, MMA (July 18, 2018). "Strawweightclash tussen Carla Esparza en Tatiana Suarez tijdens UFC 228 in Dallas". mmadna.nl. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
  30. ^ "UFC 228 results: Tatiana Suarez stays perfect, dominates former champ Carla Esparza". MMAjunkie. September 9, 2018. Retrieved September 9, 2018.
  31. ^ Damon Martin (March 11, 2018). "Tatiana Suarez vs. Nina Ansaroff set for UFC 238". MMAWeekly.com. Retrieved March 11, 2019.
  32. ^ "UFC 238 results: Tatiana Suarez tested but outpoints Nina Ansaroff". MMA Junkie. June 9, 2019. Retrieved June 9, 2019.
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  34. ^ Heck, Mike (July 27, 2021). "Tatiana Suarez out of UFC 266, promotion seeks new opponent for Roxanne Modafferi". MMA Fighting. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
  35. ^ DNA, MMA (August 19, 2021). "Meerdere updates UFC partijen voor verschillende evenementen". MMA DNA. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
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  38. ^ a b Matt Erickson (February 26, 2023). "UFC Fight Night 220 bonuses: All finishers get $50,000 in Las Vegas". mmajunkie.usatoday.com.
  39. ^ Riggs, Drake (May 18, 2023). "Tatiana Suarez draws Virna Jandiroba for strawweight return in August". MMAmania.com. Retrieved May 20, 2023.
  40. ^ Martin, Damon (June 20, 2023). "Jessica Andrade vs. Tatiana Suarez booked at UFC Nashville, more fights announced". MMA Fighting. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  41. ^ Law, Eddie (August 5, 2023). "Tatiana Suarez Defeats Another Former Champion, Submits Andrade". Cageside Press. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
  42. ^ a b UFC Staff Report (August 6, 2023). "BONUS COVERAGE - UFC FIGHT NIGHT: SANDHAGEN VS FONT". Retrieved August 6, 2023.
  43. ^ Calhoun, Curtis (December 12, 2023). "Tatiana Suarez's Return Booked For UFC 298, Opponent Revealed". MMA News | UFC News, Results & Interviews. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
  44. ^ "Suarez out, Dern in for UFC 298 fight vs. Lemos". ESPN.com. January 17, 2024. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  45. ^ Jed Meshew (September 17, 2024). "Tatiana Suarez vs. Virna Jandiroba set for UFC 310 in December". mmafighting.com. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
  46. ^ Damon Martin (October 21, 2024). "Tatiana Suarez out of UFC 310 fight against Virna Jandiroba". mmafighting.com. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
  47. ^ Nolan King (November 20, 2024). "UFC squeezes Chris Weidman vs. Eryk Anders rebooking onto 2024 schedule". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
  48. ^ Lee, Alexander K. (December 7, 2024). "Dricus du Plessis vs. Sean Strickland 2, Zhang Weili vs. Tatiana Suarez announced for UFC 312 in Australia". MMA Fighting. Retrieved December 8, 2024.
  49. ^ "Watch The Exclusive Trailer For 'The Unbreakable Tatiana Suarez' HBO Doc". Yahoo Life. January 17, 2024. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
  50. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l UFC (August 6, 2023). "UFC Fighter Stats - Women's Strawweight". UFC.
  51. ^ Sherdog.com. "Tatiana Suarez MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, Biography - Sherdog.com". Sherdog. Retrieved September 14, 2018.
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