Irene Aldana Bio
Irene Aldana Robles, born March 26, 1988, is a Mexican professional mixed martial artist competing in the women’s Bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Known for her striking ability and resilience, Aldana has earned recognition within the UFC, achieving notable victories and performance bonuses throughout her career.
Early Life and Background
Irene Aldana was born in Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico. She later moved to Guadalajara, Jalisco, where she resides and trained. Aldana graduated from college in Guadalajara with a degree in graphic design. During her college years, she developed an interest in mixed martial arts and began training at the local Lobo Gym in 2010, marking the start of her journey into professional fighting.
Path to MMA
Aldana began her professional MMA career in 2012, competing primarily in the Bantamweight division. Early in her career, she fought in various promotions, including Jungle Fight in Brazil, where she challenged for the vacant Women’s Bantamweight Championship in 2013 but suffered her first professional loss. She later signed with Invicta Fighting Championships in 2014, where she secured multiple submission victories and gained valuable experience that paved the way for her entry into the UFC.
Irene Aldana Career
Early Career (2012–2015)
Starting her professional career in 2012, Aldana quickly made a name for herself with her grappling and striking skills. Her tenure at Invicta FC was marked by impressive submission wins, including a first-round rear-naked choke victory over Peggy Morgan in 2014. Despite some fight cancellations due to illness and opponent changes, Aldana demonstrated consistent growth and resilience during this period.
Ultimate Fighting Championship Breakthrough (2016–Present)
Aldana signed with the UFC in 2016, debuting against Leslie Smith. Although she lost by unanimous decision, the bout earned her the Fight of the Night bonus. She secured her first UFC win in 2018 against Talita Bernardo by unanimous decision, followed by notable victories over fighters like Lucie Pudilová and Bethe Correia. Aldana’s knockout win against Ketlen Vieira in 2019 earned her the Performance of the Night award, highlighting her striking prowess.
Throughout her UFC career, Aldana has faced top contenders including Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes. She has earned multiple Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night bonuses, underscoring her exciting fighting style. In 2023, Aldana headlined UFC 289 in a Bantamweight Championship match but was defeated by Amanda Nunes. Later that year, she won a unanimous decision against Karol Rosa in a bout that set records for significant strikes and leg kicks landed.
Lobo Gym MMA Era (2010–Present)
Training out of Lobo Gym MMA in Guadalajara, Aldana has developed a reputation for her striking and durability. Her partnership with the gym has been central to her preparation and success in the UFC. She continues to compete at a high level in the Bantamweight division, maintaining a top-ten ranking as of 2024.
Driving Style and Strengths
Aldana is known for her striking ability, combining power and precision with resilience inside the cage. She effectively uses her reach advantage and exhibits strong stand-up skills complemented by solid grappling submissions. Her fighting style is aggressive yet strategic, often overwhelming opponents with volume and accuracy.
Notable Events and Milestones
Key milestones in Aldana’s career include multiple Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night bonuses, a title shot against Amanda Nunes in 2023, and record-setting performances such as the 349 significant strikes landed in a single fight against Karol Rosa. These moments highlight her status as a top contender in women’s MMA.
Irene Aldana Career Wins
As of 2024, Irene Aldana holds a professional MMA record of 15 wins and 8 losses. Her victories include 6 by decision, 2 by knockout, and 3 by submission, demonstrating versatility and finishing ability across different fight scenarios.
UFC Highlights
Aldana’s UFC tenure features significant wins over fighters like Talita Bernardo, Bethe Correia, Vanessa Melo, Ketlen Vieira, Yana Kunitskaya, Macy Chiasson, and Karol Rosa. Her first UFC win came in 2018, and she has since earned multiple performance bonuses. Her knockout of Ketlen Vieira and upkick knockout of Macy Chiasson stand out as career highlights.
Other Wins & Performances
Before joining the UFC, Aldana competed in Jungle Fight and Invicta FC, where she gained valuable experience and showcased her submission skills. Although she lost a title fight in Jungle Fight, her performances there and in Invicta helped establish her as a rising talent in women’s MMA.
Irene Aldana Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Details about Aldana’s family background are limited publicly. There is no verified information regarding a family history in combat sports or martial arts.
Personal Life
Aldana resides in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. Public information about her personal relationships or family life is not available.
2025 Season Performance
Looking ahead to the 2025 season, Irene Aldana is expected to remain a key competitor in the UFC women’s Bantamweight division. With her experience and skill set, she aims to secure more victories and contend for another title shot. Her ongoing training at Lobo Gym MMA and previous performances suggest she will continue to be a formidable presence in the division.