TUF 34 winner Tina Black wants a top-10 or top-15 opponent for her UFC debut

The Brazilian strawweight, who stopped Melissa Amaya to win season 34 on 26 September, said she came through the final uninjured and still hopes to fight again before the end of the year.

By Combat Sports UK Staff · Published Tue 27 Oct, 21:13 UK · AI-assisted reporting

Tina Black wants a ranked opponent straight away in her UFC debut after winning season 34 of The Ultimate Fighter, and is open to being fast-tracked towards the top of the strawweight division.

Black, also known as Valesca Machado, said she would accept anyone the UFC offered but made her preference clear. She said: “I’ve never picked a fight in my career, but I hope I get a top-10 or top-15 opponent right away.” The 30-year-old beat Natalia Alves and Delphine Benouaich as part of Daniel Cormier's team on the show, then stopped Melissa Amaya in the final on 26 September. The former Invicta FC and A1 Combat champion has won six fights in a row, a run that includes the two TUF bouts that do not count on her official record, and has not lost in more than three years.

Black said she escaped the final without injury, despite initially fearing she had hurt her hand, and is speaking to her manager about whether a fight can be arranged. She is easing back into training so she is ready if an offer comes, and wants a fourth fight in 2026. She said: “I want to make my actual UFC debut wearing my UFC gear [laughs]. But if it doesn’t happen, God knows everything. At least I’ve already had three fights this year, but I wanted to finish the year with a fourth fight.” Mackenzie Dern holds the strawweight title, having beaten Virna Jandiroba for the vacant belt in Zhang Weili's absence before defending it against Gillian Robertson. Dern is waiting for the UFC to name her next challenger. Black said she would not skip steps, but added: “If God wants me to have only three fights, and then fight for the belt, I’ll do it.” The division is full of familiar faces for Black. She said she has trained with Tabatha Ricci, Jandiroba and Iasmin Lucindo, and has cornered Jandiroba and Lucindo, joking that if they ever meet in the cage they will fight and then go for a beer together. She also stayed in Las Vegas after her TUF win to help her friend Aieza Bertolso prepare for Dana White's Contender Series. Bertolso won her fight to earn a UFC contract and is now in the same weight class.

In this story

Tina Black Melissa Amaya Mackenzie Dern Virna Jandiroba Zhang Weili Gillian Robertson Tabatha Ricci Iasmin Lucindo