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It is widely known that those who overcome extreme life challenges, become real life champions of humanity. Hardships may be difficult to overcome, but overcome hardships mold the toughest and most successful humans. UFC Strawweight star, Tatiana Suarez, is a walking example of a real life fighter who continues to allow hardships to be ways of growth rather than demise.
Hardships don't kill Suarez, nah. They only make her stronger. At 21 years old, Tatiana Suarez was a lock for a spot on Team USA’s wrestling team for the London Summer Games. Unfortunately, she was dealt with a cancer diagnosis that all so ended her dream of wrestling at the Olympics. A gut wrenching revelation, gut wrenching so severe that most people would bow down to the difficult life pitch. What did Tatiana decide in the moment? She created determination to conquer the diagnosis feat, and made her mind that her new dream to conquer, was now UFC Championship galore. Stone cold inspiration. Who gon stop her, who gon stop her, huh?
So far, no one in human form. Suarez won TUF 23 to win a UFC contract and was running through the strawweight division with 4 dubs, including finishes over former champ Carla Esparza and current champ, Alexa Grasso. You read that right. She mauled 'em both. Now you're interested, huh. I'll save you the time, check out Suarez maul two of the best:
Suarez was on a tear and seemed like the next best thing in the woman's division as she approached her bout with Nina Nunes. Then Tatiana got struck to the core once again, as she suffered a severe neck injury that would ultimately force her out of action for over two years. Another gut wrenching injury/experience right at the peak of her career. Again, hardships can't stop her from what she wants. Suarez got on the horse of recovery, and found her way back to a scheduled bout. Suarez was back on a high, as she knew she had another crack at her dream of being UFC champion. Life decided she needed one more setback, first.
Just after recovering from the neck injury, Suarez severely injured her knee in a training session for her scheduled bout against Roxanne Modafferi. Suarez tore up her MCL; ACL; LCL; and meniscus. The injury was massive, and capped off a total of 4 years that was taken away from Tatiana's prime in MMA competition. Miraculously, it still didn't deplete Suarez from her dreams. It only made her stronger, as she released a badass message for anyone to be inspired from:
After the four year hiatus, Suarez returned to the Octagon in February, dismantling Montana De La Rosa with a Guillotine choke. Suarez took the opportunity to demand higher competition as she isn't willing to waste any more time. She was granted her wish, and in short order as she got dealt the powerhouse, Jessica Andrade, for some August violence. The naysayers came out of hiding, and set their forks to Suarez- stating Andrade was too big of a jump in competition. Hmm, how has doubting Suarez gone for everyone?
Suarez was a bit sloppy in the opening minutes, but her spacing and gameplan was right on point. She is so universally sound and diversed in talent. Suarez completely disabled Andrade's power. Clinch work was fabulous, which helped her continue to set the pace on the ground as well as with helping eliminate that differential in the power department. Andrade knew in the first round that she had no business on the ground with Suarez. In the quick control situation, Suarez was far better than Andrade as she found a quick choke with ease, and even brought it to a standing choke before the round concluded. Suarez knew that she was far better on the ground- and went right for the leg to start round two. It wasn't long after that for the hand to start clappin'. Suarez took a guillotine to end Andrade quick, solidifying herself as a TRUE championship contender. Check out her guillotine led resurgence:
What a career resurgence indeed. People began to forget about her, she seemed to be an after thought. Four years goes by and then boom- here comes Tatiana Suarez up the ranks of the UFC Strawweight division once again. Two dubs in 2023, including a massive one over the 5th ranked Jessica Andrade. Andrade may be on a three fight skid, but the other two losses came from Yan and Blanchfield. This was no fluke win for Suarez. She needs to be considered in the bag of contenders with this victory. You can book Yan Xiaonan or have her do a prove it fight against either Dern or a rematch with Carla Esparza. That should be the direction.
Suarez officially has her eyes back set on winning a UFC championship. Considering what she has overcome in both her MMA career, as well as in her life- it is a spectacular feat for her to now have realistic UFC championship goals. Especially at this point of her career. To conquer serious neck and leg injuries is so impressive and commending. Suarez needs her flowers as an athlete and competitor. Like for real, for real. Just unreal. I am excited to see where she takes her career from this win. She is a force to be reckoned with, and a walking example of a true winner. Suarez never gave up, never gave in. She allowed hardships not to break her, but to make her form her strongest form. A true champion. With or without a title belt to show it.
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