Mario Alberto Bautista Bio
Mario Alberto Bautista (born July 1, 1993) is an American professional mixed martial artist competing in the Bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). As of October 21, 2025, he is ranked #9 in the UFC bantamweight rankings.
Early Life and Background
Bautista was born and raised in Winnemucca, Nevada. He began wrestling at age 14 and competed throughout his high school years before transitioning to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He later moved to Scottsdale, Arizona, where he joined MMA Lab and trained under coach John Crouch.
Path to MMA
Starting his professional MMA career in 2012, Bautista fought in regional promotions such as Tachi Palace Fights, Combate Americas, LFA, and SMASH Global across Arizona and California. He amassed an undefeated 6–0 record before signing with the UFC, marking his transition to the highest level of mixed martial arts competition.
Mario Alberto Bautista Career
Early Career (2012–2018)
Bautista began competing professionally in 2012, quickly establishing himself on the regional circuit with a series of wins. His early career was marked by consistent performances in various promotions, which built his reputation and prepared him for the UFC.
Ultimate Fighting Championship Breakthrough (2019–Present)
Bautista made his UFC debut on January 19, 2019, against Cory Sandhagen, stepping in as a replacement. Although he lost via first-round submission, he quickly rebounded with a unanimous decision win over Jin Soo Son in July 2019, earning Fight of the Night honors. In February 2020, he secured a technical knockout victory against Miles Johns, which garnered him the Performance of the Night award.
Despite a setback in March 2021 with a loss to Trevin Jones, Bautista continued to improve, winning several bouts by submission and decision. Notable victories include rear-naked choke submissions against Brian Kelleher and Guido Cannetti, as well as a reverse triangle armbar submission over Benito Lopez, which earned him another Performance of the Night bonus.
In 2023 and 2024, Bautista maintained strong form with unanimous decision wins over Da’Mon Blackshear, Ricky Simón, and a split decision victory against former featherweight champion José Aldo. In 2025, he defeated promotional newcomer Patchy Mix by unanimous decision but lost to Umar Nurmagomedov by unanimous decision later that year.
MMA Lab Era (2012–Present)
Throughout his career, Bautista has trained with MMA Lab in Scottsdale, Arizona, under coach John Crouch. This partnership has been integral to his development, providing him with a strong foundation in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and striking skills that complement his wrestling background.
Fighting Style and Strengths
Bautista combines wrestling and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, holding a black belt in the latter. His fighting style emphasizes grappling control and submission skills, with notable proficiency in rear-naked chokes and triangle armbar submissions. His reach of 183 cm and height of 175 cm give him a physical advantage in the Bantamweight division.
Notable Events and Milestones
Bautista has earned multiple UFC bonuses, including Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night awards. His victories over established fighters like José Aldo and Brian Kelleher highlight his rise within the bantamweight rankings. His career features a strong submission game and resilience after early setbacks.
Mario Alberto Bautista Career Wins
Bautista holds a professional record of 16 wins and 3 losses, with victories coming via knockout, submission, and decision. His diverse finishing ability and consistent performances have established him as a formidable competitor in the UFC Bantamweight division.
UFC Highlights
Since joining the UFC, Bautista has accumulated multiple wins, including key submission finishes and decision victories. His first UFC win was a unanimous decision over Jin Soo Son, followed by a technical knockout of Miles Johns. Most recently, he secured a unanimous decision over Patchy Mix in 2025, demonstrating his continued competitiveness at the elite level.
Other Wins and Performances
Before the UFC, Bautista was undefeated in regional promotions, showcasing his early potential and skill development. His black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and wrestling background contributed to his success in these circuits.
Mario Alberto Bautista Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Details about Bautista’s family background are limited. He was raised in Winnemucca, Nevada, but there is no public information regarding a family history in sports or martial arts.
Personal Life
Bautista resides in Scottsdale, Arizona. There is no publicly available information regarding his marital status or children.
2025 Season Performance
In 2025, Bautista remained active in the UFC Bantamweight division, securing a unanimous decision win over Patchy Mix at UFC 316. He was scheduled to face Marlon Vera earlier in the year, but the bout was rescheduled and ultimately replaced. Later in the year, Bautista faced Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 321, where he suffered a unanimous decision loss. His performances in 2025 reflect his position as a top-10 contender, with ongoing development under MMA Lab and continued pursuit of higher rankings in the division.