Argentina’s 20-year-old Julieta Martinez achieved victory over Mexico’s 26-year-old Leslie Hernandez via split decision in the Dana White Contender Series (DWCS).
In the DWCS season 8, four out of five winners got a UFC contract. However, Julieta Martinez was the only one who didn’t receive an offer for a UFC contract.
Highlights
- Julieta Martinez, aka “The Ninja Ferret,” was born on 14 September 2004.
- The Argentinian MMA fighter was told that she was too young and undersized for the strawweight division, which is why she didn’t get a UFC contract.
- Dana White was so impressed by Martinez’s performance that he hinted at the possibility of creating a new atomweight division (105 lbs).
Much like “Road to UFC,” Dana White Contender Series helps fighters make their way into the UFC.
Martinez, who competed at strawweight and defeated Hernandez, had a rough start in her fight. But she quickly regained her composure and pushed forward.
She dominated the final rounds, finally winning the battle.
Martinez May Not Have Gotten A Contract, But Might Help To Kick Off A New Division
Julieta Martinez may not have gotten a UFC contract, but she could end up helping to establish a women’s atomweight division.
Dana White is open to adding atomweight and/or other weight classes in the future ⚖️ pic.twitter.com/bcEv1Q65iv
— Uncrowned (@uncrownedcombat) October 16, 2024
During the media interaction, the UFC CEO explained why she didn’t get a contract; she was too young and undersized for the UFC strawweight division.
“Julieta, let me just say this: I cannot express how much we like you, and there is no doubt that you are incredibly talented, but you’re just too young right now. You just turned 20, and you’re undersized for the division.”
Dana White
The young MMA fighter stands 5-foot-1-inch tall and weighs 114.5 pounds. Only a half-pound below the strawweight limit.
As Brian Mazique of Forbes reported, more than weight, her frame appeared small, and it was hard not to notice how young she looked.
Mazique added,
“I’m not sure I have ever seen a fighter in the UFC who looked younger,”
Forbes’s Brian Mazique agreed with Dana White’s decision not to sign Julieta Martinez.
He believes waiting will benefit her in the long run if she stays determined. Brian also mentioned the possibility of the UFC adding two new women’s divisions.
Although she didn’t get a contract, Martinez was invited to train at the Performance Institute and to gain experience so they might add her to the roster later.
When asked if Julieta would ever be able to fit into the strawweight division, the UFC CEO said he was unsure.
However, he hinted at the possibility of creating a new atomweight division to cultivate talent from South America and East Asia.
“As you start to talk about South America; as you start to talk about Asia, whether it is China, Japan or Korea, as we keep cultivating talent in these places, we might end up creating another division.”
Dana White
Nevertheless, Julieta Martinez fought like a warrior. She is definitely a woman worthy of a spot on the UFC’s roster.
Additional Information
- Julieta turned professional at just 18 years old.
- She has an undefeated record of 8 wins with no losses.
- Martinez trains at Brazilian Fight Argentina a well-known gym in her home country.
