All RSS feed content is owned by the respective 3rd party website.
UFC strawweight contender Tatiana Suarez made her first public remarks since her first career loss to Zhang Weili at UFC 312.
Tatiana Suarez entered the Octagon at UFC 312 as a modest betting favorite against the UFC strawweight champion Zhang Weili. But after five rounds with the champ, Suarez left the Octagon empty-handed.
Despite a sluggish start, Weili defeated Suarez by unanimous decision to retain her title at UFC 312 in Sydney. Weili was able to stop most of Suarez’s takedown attempts and outclassed her on the feet, leaving Suarez’s face a bloody mess after their fight.
It was a stunning performance from Weili after Suarez entered the cage as a rare favorite, despite being a first-time title challenger. Before the loss to Weili, Suarez won her first 10 professional fights, including a win over former titleholder Jessica Andrade that earned herself the next shot at the belt.
After suffering from the jaws of defeat for the first time in the UFC, Suarez addressed her fans three days after UFC 312.
Tatiana Suarez speaks on loss to Zhang Weili at UFC 312
In a recent Instagram post, Suarez reflected on her first career defeat at UFC 312.
“Champions don’t show up to get everything they want; they show up to give everything they have.” And that’s what I’ll do every single time. No matter what!” Suarez said. “I love it all. Win, lose or draw, I’m right where I want to be. Doing what I love to do every single day of my life. I have the best people around me that love me for me. Living the dream! It’s all about the right mindset and life has taught me time and time again. I’ve experienced it all thrill, agony, happiness, heartbreak. That’s what life is all about. I’m blessed to have this life. And I’ll share these experiences with my children and the future generations to come.
“Thank you to my friends, family, teammates, coaches and fiancé for being there every single time no matter what. Love you guys! On to the next!”
Suarez suffered a nasty gash on her leg just under two rounds into her strawweight title fight with Weili. During a scramble against the fence, Suarez sliced her leg open during an accidental fence brush, but she continued to compete the full five-round distance.
[embedded content]
MORE BLOODY ELBOW NEWS
Tatiana Suarez has a path to redemption after first setback in the Octagon
Suarez underwent a long road to the strawweight title shot after a series of health issues postponed her ascent. Before UFC 312, Suarez had fought just twice since 2019, after multiple injuries forced a four-year hiatus from the cage.
Suarez made a triumphant return in Feb. 2023, submitting Montana De La Rosa in the second round. She finished Andrade at UFC Nashville to secure her place in the strawweight title discussion.
Suarez was supposed to face Virna Jandiroba in a No. 1 contender fight at UFC 310 before withdrawing due to injury. Jandiroba wasn’t rebooked for the card and, instead, Suarez earned a boost to the next title shot.
Suarez could potentially earn a rematch against Weili down the line. But for now, she’s focused on building back better in her return to the Octagon later this year.
[embedded content]
