After a series of unfortunate injuries that sidelined her for years, Tatiana Suarez is back with a vengeance in the UFC. The 32-year-old Millennia MMA representative showcased her exceptional skills in a dominating performance against former 115-pound champion Jessica Andrade at UFC on ESPN 50.
Impressive Return to Form
Suarez’s rise to prominence was evident during her initial run in the UFC from 2016 to 2019, where she was viewed as a future title contender. However, injuries halted her momentum and kept her away from the Octagon until earlier this year. Making up for lost time, Suarez has shown remarkable resilience with two submission victories in 2023, defeating Montana De La Rosa and the formidable Jessica Andrade.
Outclassing a Former Champion
In the UFC on ESPN 50 co-main event, Suarez displayed her striking prowess against Andrade, who is feared for her stand-up game. Surprisingly, Suarez decided to trade strikes with Andrade, holding her own and showcasing her superior footwork and striking skills.
“I felt like I had the better footwork. I felt like I had the better strikes, too. People told me, ‘Remember you’re the scary one. She’s feared, but so are you,'” Suarez shared at the post-fight press conference.
However, her true strength lies in her grappling, and Suarez demonstrated this by securing three successful takedowns before finishing the fight with a second-round guillotine choke. Her grappling background, honed by years of wrestling, allowed her to execute the submission with finesse.
Deserving of a Title Shot
With her victory over Andrade and an impressive seven-fight winning streak in UFC competition, Suarez firmly believes she deserves a shot at the title. Whether it’s in the strawweight division against the winner of Weili Zhang vs. Amanda Lemos or at 125 pounds, where Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko are set for a rematch on September 16, Suarez is ready to take on any challenge.
“I think I match up well against them. I think I match up well against everybody. I think I’m going to be a world champion. I think I’m the best in the world, and I’m going for that strap. So whatever they want to give me, I’ll make it happen. But I do believe that I deserve to fight for the title,” Suarez confidently expressed.
With her exceptional skills and unwavering determination, Tatiana Suarez is undoubtedly a force to be reckoned with in the UFC, and the prospect of her fighting for the title is an exciting prospect for fight fans.
Subscribe
