Nicco Montaño (born December 16, 1988) is an American mixed martial artist who last competed in the bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). She was the first and inaugural UFC Women's Flyweight Champion.[1]
| Nicco Montaño | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Nicco Montaño December 16, 1988 Lukachukai, Arizona, United States[1] |
| Height | 5 ft 5 in (165 cm) |
| Weight | 125 lb (57 kg; 8 st 13 lb) |
| Division | Flyweight (2016–2018) Bantamweight (2015–2016, 2019–present) |
| Reach | 65 in (165 cm) |
| Style | Boxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu |
| Stance | Southpaw |
| Fighting out of | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States[2] |
| Team | Fit NHB (2015–2019)[3] Jackson Wink MMA Academy (2019)[4][3] Syndicate MMA (2020–present)[2] |
| Rank | Purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Chris Jones[1] |
| Years active | 2013–present |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 7 |
| Wins | 4 |
| By knockout | 2 |
| By decision | 2 |
| Losses | 3 |
| By decision | 3 |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
Background
editMontaño was born on December 16, 1988 in Lukachukai, Arizona. She is of Navajo, Chickasaw, and Hispanic descent. She graduated from Chinle High School in 2006 then attended Arizona State University in Tempe before transferring to Diné College in Tsaile, Arizona, and finally ending up at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado. There she joined Durango Martial Arts Academy and ignited her passion for martial arts.[5]
Montaño began training in boxing at an early age. She took up Brazilian jiu-jitsu before becoming an MMA fighter in 2013.[6]
Mixed martial arts career
editAfter an amateur career that saw her produce a record of 5–0, Montaño made her professional mixed martial arts debut in November 2015. Competing primarily for King of the Cage, where she won the KOTC Women's Flyweight Championship, Montaño compiled a record of 3–2 before joining the cast of The Ultimate Fighter 26 in mid 2017.[1]
The Ultimate Fighter
editIn August 2017, it was announced that Montaño was one of the fighters selected to be on The Ultimate Fighter: A New World Champion.[7]
In her first fight on the show, Montaño faced UFC veteran Lauren Murphy. She won the fight via unanimous decision after two rounds.[8]
In the quarterfinals, Montaño faced off against Montana Stewart. She won the fight via unanimous decision after two rounds.[9]
In the semifinals, Montaño faced former Invicta FC Flyweight Champion Barb Honchak. She won the fight via unanimous decision after three rounds.[10]
Ultimate Fighting Championship
editMontaño was expected to fight Sijara Eubanks for the inaugural UFC Women's Flyweight Championship at The Ultimate Fighter 26 Finale on December 1, 2017.[10] However, Eubanks was pulled from the fight for kidney failure while trying to make weight, and was replaced by Roxanne Modafferi.[11][12] Montaño won the fight via unanimous decision and claimed the inaugural UFC Women's Flyweight Championship title.[13] This win also earned her the Fight of the Night bonus.[14] At the post fight interview, Montaño revealed her financial struggles prior to her win and her appreciation for the prize money she was about to receive:[15][16]
“We were dirt poor just before tonight in all reality. I’m going to go move to an apartment with some water pressure, and buy some good food and treats for my cats.”[16]
Montaño was scheduled to face Valentina Shevchenko on September 8, 2018, at UFC 228.[17] However, prior to the weigh-ins for the event, Montaño was transported to a hospital due to the effects of weight cutting and the bout was cancelled.[18] Montaño was subsequently stripped of the UFC Women's Flyweight title.[19]
It was reported that on April 23, 2019, Montaño was suspended by USADA for 6 months for testing positive for ostarine from an out-of-competition test conducted on October 25, 2018. Suspension retroactive from November 15, 2018. She was eligible to fight again on May 15, 2019.[20]
Montaño was expected to face Sara McMann in a bantamweight bout on July 13, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 155.[21] However, McMann pulled out of the bout citing an injury and was replaced by Julianna Peña.[22] She lost the fight via unanimous decision.[23]
Montaño was scheduled to face Macy Chiasson on February 15, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 167.[24] However, Montaño was forced to pull from the event due to injury and she was replaced by Shanna Young.[25]
Montaño was scheduled to face Julia Avila on August 8, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 174.[26] However, due to Montano's coach John Wood testing positive for COVID-19, the bout was rescheduled to UFC Fight Night 176.[27] However, Montaño tested positive for COVID-19 and the bout was moved to UFC Fight Night: Holm vs. Aldana.[28] Subsequently, on September 3, it was announced that Montaño withdrew from the bout due to travel restrictions. In turn Avila was rescheduled to face Sijara Eubanks at UFC Fight Night 177 on September 12.[29]
Montaño was scheduled to face Karol Rosa on February 6, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 184.[30] However, for undisclosed reason, she was pulled from the bout and was replaced by Joselyne Edwards.[31]
Montaño was scheduled to face Wu Yanan on July 31, 2021, at UFC on ESPN 28.[32] However, due to Montaño missing weight by seven pounds at the weigh-ins, her fight against Yanan was canceled.[33]
On August 3, 2021, Montaño was released by the UFC.[34]
Championships and accomplishments
editMixed martial arts
edit- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- UFC Women's Flyweight Champion (One time, inaugural)
- Fight of the Night (One time) vs. Roxanne Modafferi[14]
Mixed martial arts record
edit| 7 matches | 4 wins | 3 losses |
| By knockout | 2 | 0 |
| By decision | 2 | 3 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 4–3 | Julianna Peña | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: de Randamie vs. Ladd | July 13, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Sacramento, California, United States | Return to Bantamweight. |
| Win | 4–2 | Roxanne Modafferi | Decision (unanimous) | The Ultimate Fighter: A New World Champion Finale | December 1, 2017 | 5 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Won the inaugural UFC Women's Flyweight Championship. Won The Ultimate Fighter 26 Women's Flyweight Tournament. Fight of the Night. Montaño was stripped of the title on September 7, 2018 after being hospitalized due to her weight cut for UFC 228. |
| Loss | 3–2 | Julia Avila | Decision (unanimous) | HD MMA 7: Avila vs. Montaño | January 7, 2017 | 5 | 5:00 | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States | For the HD MMA Women's Bantamweight Championship. |
| Win | 3–1 | Jamie Milanowski | TKO (punches) | KOTC: Social Disorder | October 8, 2016 | 4 | 4:34 | Sloan, Iowa, United States | Won the KOTC Women's Flyweight Championship. |
| Win | 2–1 | Shana Dobson | Decision (unanimous) | KOTC: Will Power | August 13, 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States | Flyweight debut. |
| Loss | 1–1 | Pam Sorenson | Decision (split) | KOTC: Frozen War | February 20, 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Walker, Minnesota, United States | |
| Win | 1–0 | Stacey Sigala | TKO (punches) | KOTC: Evolution | November 20, 2015 | 1 | 4:15 | Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States | Bantamweight debut. |
Mixed martial arts exhibition record
edit| Exhibition record breakdown | ||
| 3 matches | 3 wins | 0 losses |
| By decision | 3 | 0 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 3–0 | Barb Honchak | Decision (unanimous) | The Ultimate Fighter: A New World Champion | November 22, 2017 (air date) | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | TUF 26 Semi-Finals. |
| Win | 2–0 | Montana De La Rosa | Decision (unanimous) | November 15, 2017 (air date) | 2 | 5:00 | TUF 26 Quarter-Finals. | ||
| Win | 1–0 | Lauren Murphy | Decision (unanimous) | September 20, 2017 (air date) | 2 | 5:00 | TUF 26 preliminary round. |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d "Meet 'The Ultimate Fighter 26' cast: Nicco Montano, the daughter of a boxer trying to make it". MMAjunkie. 2017-09-02. Retrieved 2017-11-25.
- ^ a b Rick Wright (July 11, 2020). "Combat sports notes: Means in, Montaño out on Aug. 8". abqjournal.com.
- ^ a b Marc Raimondi (September 20, 2017). "TUF 26's Nicco Montano began following late father's legacy before she ever realized it". mmafighting.com.
- ^ "Ex-UFC champ Nicco Montano to face Macy Chiasson at Feb. 15 event in New Mexico". mmajunkie.com. December 3, 2019.
- ^ "Official Website of Nicco Montaño". Archived from the original on 2018-07-22. Retrieved 2018-07-24.
- ^ "TUF 26's Nicco Montano began following late father's legacy as a drug lord before she ever realized it". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2017-11-23.
- ^ "Barb Honchak, Roxanne Modafferi among TUF 26 cast members revealed". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2017-11-25.
- ^ "Episode No. 4 recap: 'The Ultimate Fighter 26: A New World Champion'". MMAjunkie. 2017-09-23. Retrieved 2017-11-25.
- ^ "Episode No. 10 recap: 'The Ultimate Fighter 26: A New World Champion'". MMAjunkie. 2017-11-15. Retrieved 2017-11-25.
- ^ a b "Episode No. 11 recap: 'The Ultimate Fighter 26: A New World Champion'". MMAjunkie. 2017-11-23. Retrieved 2017-11-23.
- ^ "Roxanne Modafferi replaces Sijara Eubanks in TUF 26 Finale's inaugural title fight". MMAjunkie. 2017-11-30. Retrieved 2017-11-30.
- ^ "'TUF 26' finalist Sijara Eubanks breaks silence on weight miss that scrapped UFC title shot". MMAjunkie. 2017-11-30. Retrieved 2017-11-30.
- ^ "TUF 26 Finale results: Nicco Montano outlasts courageous Roxanne Modafferi to claim UFC title". MMAjunkie. 2017-12-02. Retrieved 2017-12-02.
- ^ a b "Bonus Time! Johns, Meerschaert Lead TUF 26 Winners". MMAmania.com. Retrieved 2017-12-02.
- ^ "TUF 26 Finale salaries: New UFC champ Nicco Montano banks $100,000". MMAjunkie. 2017-12-04. Retrieved 2017-12-05.
- ^ a b "New UFC women's flyweight champ Nicco Montano fought Roxanne Modaferri with broken foot". MMAjunkie. 2017-12-02. Retrieved 2017-12-05.
- ^ Ariel Helwani (2018-07-18). "Nicco Montaño to defend flyweight title vs. Valentina Shevchenko at UFC 228". espn.com. Retrieved 2018-07-18.
- ^ Brett Okamoto (2018-09-07). "UFC women's flyweight champion Nicco Montano won't defend title after being transported to hospital". espn.com. Retrieved 2018-09-07.
- ^ "Dana White says Nicco Montaño is no longer the UFC women's flyweight champion". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2018-09-07.
- ^ Sherdog.com. "Nicco Montano, Sean O'Malley Among Four Fighters Suspended by USADA for Ostarine". Sherdog. Retrieved 2019-04-24.
- ^ "Cynthia Calvillo-Livinha Souza, Ryan Hall-Darren Elkins among UFC Sacramento bouts announced". MMA Junkie. 2019-05-15. Retrieved 2019-05-15.
- ^ Damon Martin (2018-06-19). "With Sara McMann out, Nicco Montano expected to face Julianna Pena at UFC Sacramento". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2019-06-19.
- ^ "UFC Sacramento: Julianna Pena grinds out decision victory over Nicco Montano". FanSided. 2019-07-13. Retrieved 2019-07-14.
- ^ Anderson, Jay (2019-05-04). "UFC Rio Rancho: Chiasson vs. Montano, Clark vs. Antigulov Announced". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2019-12-03.
- ^ Staff (2020-02-11). "Injury forces Nicco Montano out of UFC Rio Rancho; Macy Chiasson to fight Shanna Young". mmajunkie. Retrieved 2020-02-11.
- ^ "Nicco Montaño will meet Julia Avila again after three years, this time on August 8 in the UFC". 2020-06-18. Retrieved 2020-06-18.
- ^ Heck, Mike (2020-07-11). "Nicco Montano vs. Julia Avila matchup moved to UFC event on Sept. 5 following coach's positive COVID-19 test". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2020-07-12.
- ^ Heck, Mike (2020-08-29). "Nicco Montano tests positive for COVID-19, rematch with Julia Avila moved to Oct. 3 UFC event". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2020-08-30.
- ^ Mike Heck and Guilherme Cruz (2020-09-03). "With Karol Rosa out, Sijara Eubanks now faces Julia Avila at UFC event on Sept. 12". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2020-09-04.
- ^ DNA, MMA (2020-10-16). "Nicco Montaño en Karol Rosa treffen elkaar op 6 februari". MMA DNA. Retrieved 2020-10-18.
- ^ DNA, MMA (2021-01-27). "Joselyne Edwards pakt short notice partij tegen Karol Rosa op 6 februari aanstaande". MMA DNA. Retrieved 2021-01-27.
- ^ DNA, MMA (2021-06-16). "Voormalig kampioene Nicco Montaño treft Wu Yanan tijdens UFC evenement op 31 juli". MMA DNA. Retrieved 2021-06-17.
- ^ DNA, MMA (2021-06-16). "Voormalig kampioene Nicco Montaño treft Wu Yanan tijdens UFC evenement op 31 juli". MMA DNA. Retrieved 2021-06-17.
- ^ "UFC releases former champion Nicco Montano after 7-pound weight miss". MMA Junkie. 2021-08-04. Retrieved 2021-08-04.
- ^ Sherdog.com. "Nicco Montano MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, Biography - Sherdog.com". Sherdog. Retrieved 2019-09-23.