Tatiana Yadira Suarez Bio
Tatiana Yadira Suarez Padilla, born December 19, 1990, is an American professional mixed martial artist and former wrestler competing in the women’s Strawweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). She gained prominence by winning the strawweight tournament in the 23rd season of The Ultimate Fighter reality show. As of late 2025, she is ranked #2 in the UFC women’s strawweight rankings and #12 in the UFC women’s pound-for-pound rankings.
Early Life and Background
Tatiana Suarez was born in Covina, California, and is of Mexican descent. She began wrestling before the age of four, inspired by her older brother’s involvement in the sport. Suarez graduated from Northview High School and later attended Lindenwood University. During her wrestling career, she competed under her stepfather’s surname, Padilla, before switching to Suarez for her MMA career.
Suarez was a decorated wrestler, earning multiple medals at the World Championships and World Junior Championships, including gold at the Pan American Championships and silver at the World Cup. She was recognized twice as the National High School Wrestler of the Year, a first in the sport. In 2011, she was ranked the number one freestyle wrestler in the United States at 55 kg.
While training for the 2012 Summer Olympics, Suarez suffered a neck injury that ended her Olympic aspirations. During medical examinations, she was diagnosed with thyroid cancer and underwent successful treatment. After recovery, she transitioned to Brazilian jiu-jitsu and eventually to mixed martial arts.
Path to MMA
Suarez began training in mixed martial arts in 2013. Due to her strong wrestling background, she initially faced challenges finding opponents. Following her coaches’ advice, she adopted her biological father’s surname, Suarez, for her MMA career. She made her amateur debut in February 2014, winning by TKO, and quickly followed with a unanimous decision victory.
Her wrestling skills and grappling proficiency helped her stand out early in MMA. Suarez’s transition was marked by rapid success, leading to her participation in the UFC’s The Ultimate Fighter 23 tournament, where she was the number one overall pick by coach Cláudia Gadelha.
Tatiana Suarez Career
Early Career (2014–2016)
Suarez made her professional MMA debut in July 2014, competing in Gladiator Challenge. She secured victories by unanimous decision and submission, culminating in winning the Gladiator Challenge California State Championship Series. Her early career was characterized by dominant grappling performances and quick finishes.
Her success in regional promotions set the stage for her entry into the UFC and participation in The Ultimate Fighter 23, where she showcased her submission skills and wrestling dominance.
The Ultimate Fighter 23 Breakthrough (2016)
In 2016, Suarez competed in The Ultimate Fighter 23 strawweight tournament. She earned her place in the house with a unanimous decision win and was selected as the top pick by coach Cláudia Gadelha. Suarez advanced through the tournament by submitting JJ Aldrich and Kate Jackson, demonstrating her submission prowess.
She won the tournament finale against Amanda Cooper via first-round D’Arce choke, earning the Performance of the Night bonus. This victory marked her arrival on the UFC stage as a top contender in the strawweight division.
Millennia MMA Gym Era (2014–Present)
Training out of Millennia MMA Gym, Suarez has maintained an active presence in the UFC strawweight division. She has amassed an 11-1 professional record, with victories over notable opponents such as Carla Esparza and Nina Ansaroff. Her fighting style emphasizes wrestling control and submission skills, earning her multiple Performance of the Night bonuses.
After a hiatus due to injury and health issues, Suarez returned in 2023 with a submission win over Montana De La Rosa. She continued her momentum with a guillotine choke victory against Jéssica Andrade. In 2025, Suarez challenged for the UFC Women’s Strawweight Championship but suffered her first professional loss by unanimous decision to Zhang Weili. She rebounded with a unanimous decision win over Amanda Lemos later that year.
Driving Style and Strengths
Tatiana Suarez is known for her wrestling-based fighting style, utilizing strong grappling and ground control. Her Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt skills complement her wrestling, allowing her to secure submissions effectively. She excels in controlling opponents on the mat and applying pressure, often finishing fights via submission or ground-and-pound.
Notable Events and Milestones
Suarez’s career highlights include winning The Ultimate Fighter 23 strawweight tournament, earning multiple Performance of the Night bonuses, and competing for the UFC Women’s Strawweight Championship. Her comeback from thyroid cancer and neck injury adds to her reputation as a resilient and determined athlete.
Tatiana Suarez Career Wins
Throughout her professional MMA career, Tatiana Suarez has secured 11 wins out of 12 fights. Her victories include 5 submissions, 2 knockouts, and 1 decision, showcasing her versatility and finishing ability in the strawweight division.
UFC Highlights
Suarez’s UFC career is marked by dominant performances and key submission victories. Her first UFC win came at The Ultimate Fighter 23 Finale in 2016. She has consistently defeated top contenders and earned Performance of the Night awards for her exciting finishes. Her most recent UFC win was a unanimous decision over Amanda Lemos in 2025, following a title challenge earlier that year.
Other Wins & Performances
Before joining the UFC, Suarez won the Gladiator Challenge California State Championship Series, demonstrating early dominance in regional MMA promotions. Her amateur career was brief but successful, with two wins by TKO and decision.
Tatiana Suarez Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Tatiana Suarez comes from a family supportive of wrestling, with her older brother inspiring her early involvement in the sport. She initially competed under her stepfather’s surname but later adopted her biological father’s surname for her MMA career. Details about her parents are not publicly documented.
Personal Life
Suarez is engaged to fellow UFC fighter Patchy Mix. They have been in a relationship since 2023 and reside in Rancho Cucamonga, California. Suarez maintains a private personal life focused on her fighting career and recovery from past health challenges.
2025 Season Performance
In 2025, Tatiana Suarez remained a top contender in the UFC women’s strawweight division. She challenged Zhang Weili for the UFC Women’s Strawweight Championship at UFC 312 but lost by unanimous decision, marking her first professional defeat. Later that year, she secured a unanimous decision victory over Amanda Lemos, demonstrating resilience and continued elite performance.
Her training at Millennia MMA Gym and partnership with her coaching team have kept her competitive at the highest level. Despite setbacks, Suarez’s 2025 season showcased her determination to remain among the division’s elite fighters and her ability to rebound from adversity.