Mexico has a rich history in combat sports, particularly in boxing, producing legends like Julio Cesar Chavez and Saul "Canelo" Alvarez. UFC President Dana White has predicted that Mexico will soon dominate in MMA as it has in boxing, thanks to the growing pool of talented fighters emerging from the country. While Brazil has traditionally been the dominant force in MMA, Mexico has been steadily producing exceptional fighters who have left their mark on the sport.
Here's a look at some of the top fighters of Mexican heritage who have made significant contributions to MMA:
1. Brandon Moreno
Brandon Moreno made history as the first Mexican-born fighter to win a UFC title. He is THE Mexican star in MMA. 'The Assassin Baby' has beaten Deiveson Figueiredo and Kai Kara-France (both twice) along with top contenders Amir Albazi, Brandon Royval and Jussier Formiga.
With a win over Steve Erceg this weekend in the main event of UFC Mexico City, Tijuana’s Brandon Moreno would enter the history books as the Mexican-born UFC fighter with the most wins (11). Moreno has 3 losses (exhibition included) to the current champion Alexandre Pantoja, hoping to one day become a three-time champion for Mexico.
2. Alexa Grasso
Alexa Grasso is the first and only fighter to defeat Valentina Shevchenko in the UFC women’s flyweight division. Current flyweight champion Alexa Grasso made history at UFC 285 when she defeated longtime champion Valentina Shevchenko.
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In round 4 of their title fight, Grasso secured the back of Shevchenko after she had spinned. Grasso locked in a rear-naked choke, squeezing as tight as she can until Shevchenko tapped out, half of her face red from the pressure. In the trilogy at UFC 306 Shevchenko took Grasso down at will.
3. Cain Velasquez
In the 2010’s, the baddest man on the planet had Mexican roots. A fighter out of San Jose, California, Cain Velasquez defeated a murderer’s row of heavyweights in his heyday. Velasquez’s feats include taking out a prime 265lb+ Brock Lesnar in the first round, repeat wins over Junior Dos Santos and Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva and much more.
Velasquez still holds onto the longest heavyweight title reign of all time at 896 days - something to behold for Jon Jones, who could end up breaking the record. Velasquez went 12-3 in the UFC with his final fight coming at the hands of a powerful Francis Ngannou in 2019. Win, lose or draw, not many fighters embody the Mexican fighting spirit like Cain Velasquez does.
4. Yair Rodriguez
Yair Rodriguez was one win away from becoming an undisputed champion. Rodriguez eventually bounced back with two stoppage wins over Brian Ortega and Josh Emmett, winning the interim featherweight title. The 5’11” Rodriguez stood a tall test for Volkanovski, however, in the third round, the striker was taken down and stopped with punches at UFC 276.
Rodriguez has wins over Brian Ortega, Josh Emmett, The Korean Zombie, Dan Hooker and BJ Penn. ‘El Pantera’ has nine performance bonuses in his 10 wins - tied with Brandon Moreno for most wins as a Mexican-born fighter.
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5. Diego Lopes
Diego Lopes transitioned from Brazil to Mexico at age 19, where he taught Brazilian jiu-jitsu and competed in local promotions. Since his debut in May 2023, Lopes has earned three Performance of the Night and three Fight of the Night honors, including a technical knockout over Jean Silva at UFC Fight Night 259.
Other Notable Mexican UFC Fighters
Besides the top contenders, several other fighters of Mexican heritage have made their mark in the UFC:
- Henry Cejudo: Former two-division champion.
- Tony Ferguson
- Irene Aldana: Top ranked contender in the bantamweight division.
- Raul Rosas Jr.: One of the most promising up-and-comers in the UFC.
These fighters, along with many others, have contributed to the growth and popularity of MMA in Mexico. They serve as role models and inspire a new generation of athletes to pursue their dreams in the world of mixed martial arts.
The rise of Mexican talent in the UFC mirrors the country’s long tradition of combat sports and martial arts. From world title reigns to show-stealing performances, these fighters have shaped the sport and inspired a generation of athletes.
Mexico's Finest Champions - Yair Rodriguez, Brandon Moreno & Alexa Grasso
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