5 Things You Might Not Know About Tatiana Suarez

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Tatiana Suarez (7-0) is a women’s strawweight combatant who plies her trade in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. In her forthcoming appearance at UFC 238 on June 8, the unbeaten 28-year-old will challenge Nina Ansaroff. A win for Suarez could potentially seal her the next title shot.

As fight day looms, here are five things that you might not know about the Millennia MMA team member.

She comes from a wrestling background

Suarez was only 3 when she started training in wrestling. Having excelled on the mat during high school, she went to college for one year before dropping out in order to focus her energy on the international level of the sport. The former U.S. wrestling team member’s accolades include bronze medals at the 2008 and 2010 world championships.

Suarez was also her country’s No. 1 ranked 55 kg (121 pounds) freestyle wrestler in 2011, and many were of the opinion she was destined to attain success at the Olympics the following year. However, the Californian’s plans were scuppered when she suffered a neck injury.

She had cancer

It was during a 2011 wrestling tournament in France -- which she won -- that Suarez felt that her arm was going numb. Tests later revealed a nerve issue, and the ensuing MRI scan showed a node on her thyroid. The then 20-year-old was confident that it was not serious, but it transpired that it was cancerous.

The treatment entailed removing her thyroid and lymph nodes. This was followed by a course of radiation therapy. After a period of convalescence, Suarez was able to reconvene her training.

She won ‘The Ultimate Fighter’

Suarez was 3-0 in the paid ranks when she was invited to join the cast of “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 23 in 2016. She used her international-caliber wrestling to emerge triumphant by decision in her elimination round bout. Suarez then employed her emerging submission skills to choke out her quarterfinal and semifinal opponents.

In the final, Suarez made her official strawweight debut and UFC bow against Amanda Cooper at The Ultimate Fighter 23 Finale in July 2016. Nearly four minutes into the first frame, Suarez seized the win and the title when she forced Cooper to concede with a D’Arce choke.

She used to be a dog trainer

Prior to signing with the UFC, the burgeoning pugilist worked as a dog trainer in order to pay the bills as she made her way up the mixed martial arts ladder. By all accounts, Suarez, a dog aficionado, enjoyed the job. But once she signed with the Las Vegas-based organization, she gave it up in order to concentrate on the fight game.

She claimed a belt in her first pro contest

Following two impressive victories on the amateur circuit, Suarez entered professional MMA at Gladiator Challenge: Night of the Champions in July 2014.

Suarez used her wrestling skills to dominate adversary Tyra Parker across three lopsided rounds. In winning the match, Suarez claimed the promotion’s vacant flyweight strap.