Issue 165

March 2018

Coming in at just 3-2 against a eld of veterans, few people other than Nicco Montaño’s closest supporters expected her to make much of a dent in the 26th season of The Ultimate Fighter. She was the 14th seed in a field of 16 fighters, and almost all of them had more professional experience than her.

But she made her way past the third, sixth and second seeds to reach the final, before taking a wide unanimous decision over the top- ranked woman in the tournament bracket, Roxanne Modafferi in the TUF 26 Finale, to become the inaugural world champion in the UFC’s newest division.

“The feeling of being the champion of the UFC is a dream,” she said, clutching her new belt after her victory. “I really didn’t think I’d be able to accomplish it in such a short amount of time. I’m really proud of myself, even though I thought I could have done better!”

The product of the Fit NHB gym in Albuquerque, New Mexico is now likely to be one of the most in-demand opponents in the world, with flyweight contenders looking to take on a new title-holder that is perceived as vulnerable because of her inexperience. Montaño recognizes that she has room for improvement, but if she continues to develop at the same pace after she returns from foot surgery, it would be difficult to see her maintaining her underdog status for much longer.

“I feel like I have a lot to learn. In the short amount of time I’ve been fighting MMA – about four or five years – I’ve come a long way,” she added. “I don’t know what

I have until I’m pushed to my limit and exceed it.

“I’m going to keep doing what I’m doing. Obviously, I’m doing the right thing, I just need to get more time in. My time becoming the fighter I can be is still within reach.

“I don’t think I’ve climaxed.

I don’t think I’m where I’m going to stay. I’m definitely going to keep growing and I can’t wait to see what I can do.”