UFC 306: The highest 5 Mexican fighters in UFC historical past

The second annual Noche UFC (a.ok.a. UFC 306) hits this weekend (Sat., Sept. 14, 2024) in Las Vegas, Nev. … and it’s a lot, a lot larger than the inaugural occasion final 12 months.

Certainly, fighters compete inside The Sphere, which boasts a 160,000 sq. ft. and 16K x 16K decision inside show airplane (as compared, an IMAX film display is lower than 4,000 sq. ft.), for the very first time. And in response to UFC CEO, Dana White, it is going to be the best dwell fight sports activities present ever.

Earlier than the epic pay-per-view (PPV) occasion, let’s nominate the High 5 Mexican fighters in UFC historical past (plus a couple of honorable mentions). Oh, and when you’re questioning, the fighters do not should be born in Mexico.

Cain Velasquez

Whereas there have been Mexican fighters earlier than, Cain Velasquez cracked the blended martial arts (MMA) mainstream along with his “Brown Delight.” He was the primary fighter of Mexican heritage to win a UFC title in 2010. And on prime of being a UFC champion, he was the very best heavyweight fighter of all-time within the eyes of many.

Sadly, accidents plagued Velasquez’s profession and robbed the world of his true potential. However, he completed his profession with a 14-3 document and holds wins over Junior dos Santos, Brock Lesnar and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, amongst others.

Sadly, he’s now dealing with time in jail.

Brandon Moreno

Brandon Moreno grew to become the primary Mexican-born champion in UFC historical past at UFC 263 on June 12, 2021, perpetually cementing him in sports activities historical past. Moreno’s climb to UFC champion was a feel-good story as a result of he was launched from the promotion in late 2018 and needed to return to the regional scene to show his price.

When “The Murderer Child” returned, he was a brand new fighter, rattling off three wins to get a crack at Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC 256. The bout resulted in a dreaded draw, however was a “Battle of the 12 months” contender. When UFC made Moreno and Figueiredo run it again six months later, Moreno cashed in on the Flyweight title.

Then the 30-year-old gained UFC’s Flyweight title a second time when he unified the championship towards Figueiredo at UFC 283 in Jan. 2023.

Alexa Grasso

Alexa Grasso is the primary (and solely) Mexican feminine to carry UFC gold. She upset girls’s Flyweight G.O.A.T., Valentina Shevchenko, at UFC 285 … and hasn’t misplaced the belt but (she defends it this weekend).

Like Moreno, Grasso’s profession suffered ups and downs, primarily due to her weight class. She began her UFC profession within the Strawweight division, however after going 3-3 and lacking weight twice, she made a transfer to Flyweight and fully flourished by going undefeated (4-0) to earn a shot at Shevchenko.

The remaining is historical past.

Henry Cejudo

Okay, so if we’re solely talking about stats and accomplishments, Henry Cejudo can be on the prime of this record … no questions requested. Nonetheless, Cejudo by no means represented Mexico within the UFC, and two years after his first retirement — whereas supporting his native governor — he proclaimed, “My message at the moment, guys — as a Latino-American — as a result of initially I’m American… I used to be born on this nation. I used to be raised on this nation. You guys will see me — as a lot as I like my tradition — you guys won’t ever see me with a Mexican flag.”

Nonetheless, with all of that being stated, it simply feels flawed not exclude a UFC “champ-champ” on this record, so right here he’s.

Cejudo gained UFC’s Flyweight title towards Demetrious Johnson at UFC 227 after which defended it towards T.J. Dillashaw at UFC on ESPN+ 1 again in Jan. 2019. 5 months later, he gained the vacant Bantamweight championship towards Marlon Moraes after which defended it towards Dominick Cruz at UFC 249.

Cejudo is/was the fourth fighter to carry UFC championships in two divisions concurrently.

Tito Ortiz

Although born in Huntington Seashore, Calif., Ortiz’s Mexican heritage runs deep … and his accomplishments in UFC have solidified his place among the many High 5 best-ever fighters to hail from Mexico.

Ortiz’s reign as Mild Heavyweight champion was nothing in need of dominant. Considered one of Ortiz’s most iconic rivalries was with Chuck Liddell. Their intense feud — highlighted by their thrilling trilogy of fights — performed a pivotal position in bringing UFC into mainstream conciousness. Their intense battles captivated audiences and helped to solidify MMA as a serious sport in the US.

Honorable Mentions:

• Diego Sanchez — The primary TUF winner and an absolute legend within the sport.
• Tony Ferguson — “El Cucuy” routinely involves thoughts once you consider violence and Mexican toughness.
• Roger Huerta — The primary UFC fighter to be featured on a Sports activities Illustrated cowl, which was iconic on the time.
• Nick and Nate Diaz — It was laborious to go away these two legends off the record, however no matter.
• Kelvin Gastelum — Gastelum had the entire expertise on the planet however couldn’t make 170 kilos.
• Yair Rodriguez — “El Pantera” gained the interim Featherweight championship, demolishing Josh Emmett at UFC 284 again in 2023.

LIVE! Watch UFC 306 PPV At The Sphere On ESPN+ Right here!

NOCHE UFC AT THE SPHERE! Final Preventing Championship (UFC) will stage a once-in-a-lifetime pay-per-view (PPV) extravaganza on Sat., Sept. 14, 2024, to honor Mexican Independence Day throughout Riyadh Season, an unlikely mashup topped by the Bantamweight predominant occasion between reigning champion, Sean O’Malley, and sliced-and-diced No. 1 contender Merab Dvalishvili. In UFC 306’s championship co-headliner, present Flyweight titleholder, Alexa Grasso, will settle her rating with fellow Final Fighter (TUF) 32 coach, Valentina Shevchenko, within the ultimate struggle of their epic 125-pound trilogy. UFC 306’s PPV predominant card (see it right here) may even function Brian Ortega vs. Diego Lopes, Raul Rosas Jr. vs. Aoriqileng, and a lot extra! It’s must-watch motion from “Sin Metropolis!” UFC 306’s begin time is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET (Prelims card) and 10 p.m. ET (PPV predominant card).

Don’t miss a single second of EPIC face-punching motion!

To checkout the most recent UFC 306-related information and notes click on right here.