Ali Akbar Rosady
Tina Black, the triumphant winner of The Ultimate Fighter season 34, has wasted no time articulating her aspirations for a swift and impactful entry into the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s competitive strawweight division. Fresh off her September victory, the Brazilian contender, also known as Valesca Machado, has expressed a clear desire to be fast-tracked towards the top, seeking a high-ranking opponent for her official UFC debut rather than a conventional introductory bout.
Black’s journey to the TUF 34 title was a testament to her consistent performance and strategic prowess. Competing as part of former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier’s team, she navigated a challenging path through the tournament. Her initial victories included dominant performances against Natalia Alves and Delphine Benouaich, showcasing a versatile skillset that combined effective striking with strong grappling. The culmination of her efforts arrived on September 26, when she faced Melissa Amaya in the tournament final. Black secured the coveted TUF trophy by stopping Amaya, a performance she later reflected upon, stating, "It went exactly the way I imagined it would." This definitive win not only earned her a coveted UFC contract but also solidified her reputation as a force to be reckoned with.
Despite the recent physical demands of the TUF tournament, Black’s focus has immediately shifted to her official UFC debut. The 30-year-old Brazilian athlete has made it clear that she is eager to return to the octagon without delay, expressing a strong desire to compete before the close of the current year. "I still want to fight this year," Black told MMA Fighting, adding with a laugh, "I want to make my actual UFC debut wearing my UFC gear. But if it doesn’t happen, God knows everything. At least I’ve already had three fights this year, but I wanted to finish the year with a fourth fight." This statement underscores her ambition and readiness, indicating a proactive approach to her burgeoning UFC career.
Following her TUF victory, Black reported no significant injuries, which is crucial for a quick turnaround. She has already begun the process of resuming her training regimen, maintaining peak physical condition should an opportunity arise. "I’m talking to my manager to see if there’s already a fight lined up, if something comes up," she explained. "I’m ready. I didn’t suffer any injuries. I thought I had hurt my hand, but I’m here unscathed and feeling good. I’ll slowly start training again so that, if anything comes up, we’ll already be ready." This methodical preparation highlights her professionalism and dedication to seizing immediate opportunities within the promotion.
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Black’s professional record outside of the TUF exhibition bouts stands at 13 wins and 3 losses. Her official professional career has seen her accumulate significant experience and accolades, including championship reigns in respected organizations such as Invicta FC and A1 Combat. She previously held the Invicta FC Atomweight Championship, demonstrating her ability to compete and dominate across different weight classes before settling into the strawweight division. Her A1 Combat Strawweight title further cemented her credentials in her current weight class. With an official unbeaten streak extending over three years, her momentum entering the UFC is undeniable. While the TUF bouts are not officially added to a fighter’s professional record, her performances within the reality series further underscore her current form and confidence.
The call for a top-ranked opponent in her debut is a bold statement, reflecting Black’s self-belief and her ultimate goal within the UFC. "I’m prepared for any opponent who comes my way," Black affirmed. "Top 15, top 10, I don’t choose fights. I’ve never picked a fight in my career, but I hope I get a top-10 or top-15 opponent right away. I’m here to make history. I want to make history in the UFC. That’s my mindset through and through." Such an immediate challenge would be an uncommon, though not unprecedented, move for a TUF winner, typically reserved for fighters with exceptional pre-UFC résumés or those who display extraordinary potential.
The UFC strawweight division (115 pounds) is widely regarded as one of the promotion’s most talent-rich and competitive weight classes. Currently, Zhang Weili holds the championship belt, having reclaimed it from Carla Esparza. The division boasts a deep roster of elite athletes, including former champions such as Rose Namajunas and Joanna Jędrzejczyk, alongside formidable contenders like Yan Xiaonan, Amanda Lemos, Tatiana Suarez, Jéssica Andrade, Marina Rodriguez, and Mackenzie Dern. Dern, a highly decorated jiu-jitsu practitioner, has consistently remained a top contender, showcasing a dangerous ground game that has earned her several submission victories over opponents like Virna Jandiroba and Tecia Torres. For Black to immediately target a fighter within the top 10 or 15 would mean stepping into the cage with an opponent who has already proven themselves against the division’s best, offering a significant test of her capabilities from the outset.
Adding another layer of intrigue to Black’s entry into the strawweight division is her existing network of training partners and friends who also compete in the weight class. Immediately after her TUF victory, Black remained in Las Vegas to corner her friend, Aieza Bertolso, during Dana White’s Contender Series. Bertolso’s impressive performance earned her a UFC contract, meaning she now joins Black in the 115-pound division. Black also maintains close relationships with established UFC strawweights such as Tabatha Ricci, Virna Jandiroba, and Iasmin Lucindo. The unique dynamic of professional mixed martial arts often sees training partners and compatriots eventually facing each other inside the octagon. Black acknowledged this reality with a pragmatic outlook, stating, "There are a lot of people in this division that I’ve already trained with, who are friends of mine, like Tabatha [Ricci], Virna [Jandiroba] and Iasmin Lucindo. And now Aieza is coming into the division, so there are quite a few people there that I know and have trained with. Maybe we’ll end up facing each other someday. I’ve already cornered Virna and Iasmin Lucindo, and we always say that if we ever face each other, we’ll fight and then go to a bar, have a beer and celebrate." This perspective highlights the blend of fierce competition and mutual respect that often characterizes the sport at its highest levels.
Despite her aggressive ambition for an immediate top-tier challenge, Black also demonstrates a profound sense of patience and faith regarding her ultimate journey to the championship. Her path to the UFC has been a long one, including a previous appearance on Dana White’s Contender Series before her successful TUF run. This experience has instilled in her a resilient perspective on her career progression. "I’m not someone who skips steps," Black explained regarding her long-term plans. "If God wants me to have only three fights, and then fight for the belt, I’ll do it. But if He wants my journey to be a long one, what can I do? I just have to patiently wait on the Lord. I’ve waited for so long. I fought on Contender Series, and now I’ve made it to the UFC, so I have a lot of patience. I’ll wait for whatever path God has created for me." This blend of unwavering ambition and strategic patience positions Black as a formidable and grounded presence as she embarks on the next chapter of her professional fighting career.
As the UFC’s matchmakers deliberate on her debut opponent, all eyes will be on Tina Black. Her recent TUF triumph, coupled with her bold aspirations for a top-ranked challenge, sets the stage for what promises to be an exciting and closely watched entry into the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization. Her presence is poised to add another compelling narrative to the already captivating strawweight division.
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