Tatiana Suarez Falls Short in Title Bid: What’s Next for the Strawweight Contender?

Tatiana Suarez’s long-awaited shot at UFC gold ended in disappointment as she suffered her first professional loss to reigning strawweight champion Zhang Weili at UFC 312 in Sydney, Australia. Despite entering as a slight betting favorite, Suarez found herself thoroughly outclassed by the Chinese superstar over five grueling rounds.

Lowkey, this is one of the most significant wins in the history of this women’s fighting.

Tatiana Suarez always seemed destined to become Champion.

Weili ended her undefeated streak and showed her she was levels above her. pic.twitter.com/6FZMsxBmxP

— MMA History Today (@MMAHistoryToday) February 9, 2025

The fight began promisingly for Suarez, who secured an early takedown in the opening frame. However, Zhang’s improved grappling was on full display as she quickly reversed position and nullified Suarez’s vaunted wrestling. As the bout progressed, Zhang’s striking superiority became evident, with the champion landing punishing blows that left Suarez bloodied and battered.

Zhang’s dominance was reflected in the lopsided scorecards, with judges awarding her the unanimous decision victory by scores of 49-46, 49-46, and 49-45. The loss marks a significant setback for Suarez, who had been touted as a future champion since winning The Ultimate Fighter in 2016.

Despite the defeat, Suarez remains one of the top contenders in the division. As she looks to rebound and work her way back to title contention, here are three potential opponents who could be next for the talented grappler:

Amanda Lemos

A matchup with Brazilian striker Amanda Lemos makes sense as Suarez’s next fight. Lemos was originally scheduled to face Suarez at UFC 298 before an injury forced Suarez to withdraw. Both fighters are coming off losses to Zhang Weili, with Lemos dropping a decision to the champion in August 2023.

Stylistically, this bout presents an intriguing clash between Suarez’s wrestling and Lemos’ powerful striking. It would allow Suarez to showcase her grappling against a dangerous opponent while giving her a chance to defeat a recent title challenger. A win over Lemos would put Suarez right back in the title picture.

Marina Rodriguez

Marina Rodriguez represents another compelling option for Suarez’s return fight. Rodriguez is coming off a close decision loss to Jessica Andrade at UFC 300 and remains a top-five ranked contender in the division. The Brazilian striker has proven difficult to take down and keep on the mat, which would test Suarez’s wrestling and top control.

This matchup would pit Suarez’s grappling against Rodriguez’s striking in a classic styles clash. A victory over Rodriguez would be a strong statement for Suarez and likely put her just one win away from another title shot. For Rodriguez, defeating the previously unbeaten Suarez would solidify her own case as a title contender.

Yan Xiaonan

A bout with Yan Xiaonan could serve as an eliminator to determine the next title challenger. Yan is coming off a loss to Zhang Weili at UFC 300 but remains one of the top contenders in the division. Her strong takedown defense and volume striking would present a stern test for Suarez.

This matchup would likely determine who gets the next crack at the strawweight title. Both fighters are looking to rebound from losses to Zhang and prove they deserve another shot at UFC gold. Suarez’s wrestling against Yan’s striking would make for an exciting stylistic clash with high stakes for the winner.

As Suarez looks to bounce back from her first career defeat, any of these matchups would provide a stern test and opportunity to reassert herself as a top contender. At 34 years old, time is of the essence for Suarez to make another run at the title she’s long been destined to challenge for.

While the loss to Zhang was undoubtedly disappointing, Suarez’s talent and potential remain undeniable. How she responds to this setback will be crucial in determining whether she can fulfill her championship aspirations. With the right opponent and a return to the dominant form she’s shown throughout her career, Tatiana Suarez may yet have her moment atop the strawweight division.