LAS VEGAS – Valesca Machado, aka Tina Black, has made a dream come true by officially becoming a UFC fighter – but knows it’s time to really get to work.
At UFC Fight Night 289, Black won the women’s strawweight final of Season 34 of “The Ultimate Fighter” by stopping Melissa Amaya with powerful strikes in the second round. For Black, it was a long time coming, and a result that validated years of hard work.
“I’m happy with this dream, this dream come true,” Black told MMA Junkie and other reporters during a post-fight news conference. “I’ve dreamed so much. I’ve had so many dreams of being here, in front of the camera with this trophy, and here I am.”
This wasn’t Black’s first attempt at entering the UFC. She competed on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2021, but lost a unanimous decision to Piera Rodriguez. After a successful run on the regional scene, entering the TUF house provided another opportunity, which she fully capitalized on, but she admits the road was very mentally challenging, as she questioned her career path.
“It was difficult to put my mind in the right headspace – to give up on dreams and just think if this was really right for me,” Black said. “But I have a God, and a God who has not failed me, and that has put me in the right spot, that has come through in his promises, that has always been there for me. That God promised me that I would be here, and here I am.”
Now that she’s officially among UFC strawweight competitors, Black is ready to get to work climbing the ranks. She has no opponents in mind, but she’s ready to get back in the octagon after winning TUF without any injuries to keep her out of action.
“When the UFC calls, I’ll be ready,” Black said. “I didn’t get injured whatsoever. Ready to go. Call me up in November, I’ll be ready to go.”
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Tina Black soaking in dream-making ‘TUF 34’ win, ready for UFC debut
Reporting by Matthew Wells and Ken Hathaway, MMA Junkie / MMA Junkie
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
