Tatiana Suarez

Summary

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

Tatiana Suarez
Suarez interviewed before her match at UFC 228 in 2018
Born (1990-12-19) December 19, 1990 (age 33)
Covina, California, United States
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
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
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]

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 edit

Suarez is of Mexican descent.[10] She started wrestling before her fourth birthday, as her older brother wrestled and she insisted that her mother let her wrestle too.[11] She graduated from Northview High School before attending Lindenwood University.[12][13]

Suarez originally competed under her stepfather's surname, Padilla.[4][14][15] 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][14] 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).[14][16]

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.[14][15]

Mixed martial arts career edit

Amateur career edit

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).[14] 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 edit

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 edit

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.[17] 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.[18] 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.[19]

Ultimate Fighting Championship edit

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.[20] This win earned her the Performance of the Night bonus.[21]

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[22] and was replaced by JJ Aldrich.[23]

Suarez faced Viviane Pereira on November 11, 2017 at UFC Fight Night: Poirier vs. Pettis.[24] She won the fight via unanimous decision.[25]

Suarez faced Alexa Grasso on May 19, 2018 at UFC Fight Night 129.[26] She won the fight via a rear-naked choke in round one.[27]

Suarez faced Carla Esparza on September 8, 2018 at UFC 228.[28] She won the fight via technical knockout in the third round.[29]

Suarez faced Nina Ansaroff on June 8, 2019 at UFC 238.[30] She won the fight via unanimous decision.[31]

Suarez was expected to return from an extended hiatus and face Roxanne Modafferi in a flyweight bout on September 25, 2021 at UFC 266.[32] However, Suarez was pulled from the event due to injury,[33] and she was replaced by Taila Santos.[34]

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.[35] She won the fight via a guillotine choke submission in round two.[36] This win earned her the Performance of the Night bonus.[37]

Suarez was scheduled to face Virna Jandiroba on August 5, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 226.[38] 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.[39] Suarez won the fight via a guillotine choke submission in the second round.[40] This win earned Suarez her third Performance of the Night bonus.[41]

Suarez was scheduled to face Amanda Lemos on February 17, 2024, at UFC 298.[42] However, Suarez was withdrawn from the event for unknown reasons and she was replaced by Mackenzie Dern.[43]

Popular media edit

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.[44]

Championships and accomplishments edit

Freestyle wrestling edit

Mixed martial arts edit

Mixed martial arts record edit

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 Return to Strawweight. 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.

[46]

Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 2–0 Jessica Pryor Decision (unanimous) Spartan Spar Promotions March 7, 2014 3 2:00 Inglewood, California, United States
Win 1–0 Elizabeth Rodriguez TKO (punches) Armoured Wings 14 February 8, 2014 1 1:19 Los Angeles, California, United States

Wrestling record edit

Res. Opponent Score Date Event Location
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

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b "Stats | UFC". ufcstats.com. Retrieved 2021-10-10.
  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 2023-11-20.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Padilla, Tatiana (USA)". whatsmat.uww.org. Retrieved 2023-11-20.
  5. ^ Samura. "World Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2015 – Results - IBJJF - International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation". IBJJF. Retrieved 2020-04-13.
  6. ^ Samura. "World Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2013 – Results - IBJJF - International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation". IBJJF. Retrieved 2020-04-13.
  7. ^ "Tatiana Padilla". Teamusa.org. Archived from the original on April 25, 2012. Retrieved 2016-07-08.
  8. ^ Rizk, Gabriel (6 July 2016). "MMA: Tatiana Suarez storms into TUF 23 finals - Press Enterprise". Pe.com. Retrieved 2016-07-08.
  9. ^ "UFC Rankings, Division Rankings, P4P rankings, UFC Champions | UFC.com". www.ufc.com. Retrieved 2024-04-16.
  10. ^ "Tatiana Suarez on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  11. ^ Chuck Mindenhall (August 31, 2018). "Tatiana Suarez's undefeated record goes far beyond simple wins and losses". mmafighting.com.
  12. ^ "MMA: TUF finalist Suarez defeated cancer, now has new UFC journey". 8 July 2016.
  13. ^ Walker Van Wey (July 22, 2021). "The Lindenwood University Wrestling To UFC Pipeline". Ultimate Fighting Championship.
  14. ^ a b c d e Gross, Josh (Jun 7, 2019). "Tatiana Suarez will leave you screaming for her UFC title shot". The Athletic. Retrieved 2023-11-20.
  15. ^ a b Brian Martin (2016-07-07). "TUF 23 finalist Tatiana Suarez, having defeated cancer, has new UFC journey". dailynews.com. Retrieved 2016-07-09.
  16. ^ "Tatiana Padilla". teamusa.org. Archived from the original on May 23, 2015. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
  17. ^ Mike Sloan (2016-04-20). "'TUF 23' Recap: Episode 1". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2016-07-09.
  18. ^ Mike Sloan (2016-05-04). "'TUF 23' Recap: Episode 3". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2016-07-09.
  19. ^ Mike Sloan (2016-07-06). "'TUF 23' Recap: Episode 12". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2016-07-09.
  20. ^ Brent Brookhouse (2016-07-08). "TUF 23 Finale results: Tatiana Suarez taps Amanda Cooper to become 'Ultimate Fighter' champ". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-07-09.
  21. ^ a b Tristen Critchfield (2016-07-08). "TUF 23 Finale bonuses: Jedrzejczyk, Gadelha earn fight of the night for spirited battle". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2016-07-09.
  22. ^ Staff (2016-11-24). "Tatiana Suarez injured, out of UFC Fight Night 102 fight with Juliana Lima". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-11-24.
  23. ^ Thomas Gerbasi (2016-12-02). "Safarov and Aldrich to make debuts in Albany". ufc.com. Retrieved 2016-12-02.
  24. ^ "Report: 'TUF 23' winner Tatiana Suarez meets Viviane Pereira at UFC Fight Night 120 in Norfolk". MMAjunkie. 2017-08-30. Retrieved 2017-10-05.
  25. ^ "UFC Fight Night 120 results: Tatiana Suarez dominates in return, overwhelms Viviane Pereira". MMAjunkie. 2017-11-12. Retrieved 2017-11-12.
  26. ^ "UFC officially announces May 19 event in Chile, five bouts". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2018-02-27.
  27. ^ "UFC Fight Night 129 results: Tatiana Suarez steamrolls Alexa Grasso, earns first-round submission". MMAjunkie. 2018-05-20. Retrieved 2018-05-20.
  28. ^ DNA, MMA (18 July 2018). "Strawweightclash tussen Carla Esparza en Tatiana Suarez tijdens UFC 228 in Dallas". mmadna.nl. Retrieved 2018-07-18.
  29. ^ "UFC 228 results: Tatiana Suarez stays perfect, dominates former champ Carla Esparza". MMAjunkie. 2018-09-09. Retrieved 2018-09-09.
  30. ^ Damon Martin (2018-03-11). "Tatiana Suarez vs. Nina Ansaroff set for UFC 238". MMAWeekly.com. Retrieved 2019-03-11.
  31. ^ "UFC 238 results: Tatiana Suarez tested but outpoints Nina Ansaroff". MMA Junkie. 2019-06-09. Retrieved 2019-06-09.
  32. ^ Kevin Binoy (2021-06-30). "Flyweight fight between Tatiana Suarez and Roxanne Modafferi booked for UFC 266". Essentially Sports. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
  33. ^ Heck, Mike (2021-07-27). "Tatiana Suarez out of UFC 266, promotion seeks new opponent for Roxanne Modafferi". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2021-07-28.
  34. ^ DNA, MMA (2021-08-19). "Meerdere updates UFC partijen voor verschillende evenementen". MMA DNA. Retrieved 2021-08-20.
  35. ^ Curtis Calhoun (2023-01-06). "Tatiana Suarez's Long-Awaited UFC Return Booked, Opponent Revealed". MMA News. Retrieved 2023-01-06.
  36. ^ Anderson, Jay (2023-02-25). "UFC Vegas 70: Tatiana Suarez Returns from Multi-Year Layoff, Submits Montana De La Rosa". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-02-26.
  37. ^ a b Matt Erickson. "UFC Fight Night 220 bonuses: All finishers get $50,000 in Las Vegas". mmajunkie.usatoday.com.
  38. ^ Riggs, Drake (2023-05-18). "Tatiana Suarez draws Virna Jandiroba for strawweight return in August". MMAmania.com. Retrieved 2023-05-20.
  39. ^ Martin, Damon (2023-06-20). "Jessica Andrade vs. Tatiana Suarez booked at UFC Nashville, more fights announced". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2023-07-02.
  40. ^ Law, Eddie (2023-08-05). "Tatiana Suarez Defeats Another Former Champion, Submits Andrade". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-08-06.
  41. ^ a b UFC Staff Report (2023-08-06). "BONUS COVERAGE - UFC FIGHT NIGHT: SANDHAGEN VS FONT". Retrieved 2023-08-06.
  42. ^ Calhoun, Curtis (2023-12-12). "Tatiana Suarez's Return Booked For UFC 298, Opponent Revealed". MMA News | UFC News, Results & Interviews. Retrieved 2023-12-12.
  43. ^ Newswire, MMA Fighting (2024-01-16). "Tatiana Suarez out of UFC 298, Mackenzie Dern now faces Amanda Lemos". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2024-01-17.
  44. ^ "Watch The Exclusive Trailer For 'The Unbreakable Tatiana Suarez' HBO Doc". Yahoo Life. 2024-01-17. Retrieved 2024-03-06.
  45. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l UFC (August 6, 2023). "UFC Fighter Stats - Women's Strawweight". UFC.
  46. ^ Sherdog.com. "Tatiana Suarez MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, Biography - Sherdog.com". Sherdog. Retrieved 2018-09-14.

External links edit

  • "About Tatiana Suarez Padilla | TATIANA SUAREZ PADILLA". Tsp115.com. 2016-06-29. Retrieved 2016-07-08.
  • Tatiana Suarez at UFC
  • Professional MMA record for Tatiana Suarez from Sherdog