Valesca Machado vs. Melissa Amaya
UFC Fight Night · September 26, 2026 · Meta Apex · Prelims 5:00 PM ET
The brief
- What kind of fight
- TUF tournament final
- Finish likelihood
- Medium
- The line
- No line posted yet
- The stakes
- Women's Strawweight · Prelims
The read
Machado's durability and championship-level experience make her a tough puzzle for a finalist making the jump from regional competition, but Amaya's undefeated record and finishing instincts mean she isn't just happy to be there.
A competitive final that could go the distance given Machado has never been stopped.
The matchup
This is the women's strawweight final of The Ultimate Fighter season 34, pairing Machado's championship pedigree and decision-heavy durability — she has never been finished — against Amaya's perfect record and well-rounded finishing rate built on the regional Combate Global circuit.
Experience favors Machado; youth and an unblemished record favor Amaya.
Tale of the tape
| 15-4 | Record | 8-0 |
| 30 | Age | — |
| — | Height | — |
| — | Reach | — |
| — | Stance | — |
| Brazil | Country | United States |
| — | Team | — |
The numbers
Career UFC averages. Red bar = statistical edge.
The fighters
Valesca Machado 15-4
“Tina Black”
Valesca 'Tina Black' Machado is a 30-year-old Brazilian strawweight and former Invicta FC and A1 Combat champion who has never been finished across 19 professional fights, all four of her losses coming by decision. She reached the Ultimate Fighter season 34 women's strawweight final on Team Cormier, where she meets a still-perfect Melissa Amaya (8-0) for the tournament title.
UFC debut — no prior UFC bouts.
Melissa Amaya 8-0
“La Mamba”
Melissa 'La Mamba' Amaya is an undefeated American strawweight from Spokane, Washington, who built her entire 8-0 record inside the Combate Global cage without a single amateur fight. She punched her way into the Ultimate Fighter season 34 final with a rear-naked choke and a decision win inside the house, and now meets the more experienced Valesca Machado for the tournament title.
Has never lost.
UFC debut — no prior UFC bouts.