Mallory Martin
Mallory Martin is an American professional mixed martial artist competing primarily in the strawweight division (115 lbs), best known for her appearances in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and her current role as the Strawweight Champion of OKTAGON MMA.[1][2][3] Born on January 29, 1994, in Denver, Colorado, Martin began her combat sports journey inspired by watching UFC events on television and her multi-sport athletic background, including training in Muay Thai and Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ), where she holds a brown belt.[1][3] She turned professional in 2016 after winning an amateur 115-pound belt in the Sparta Combat League and earning a scholarship through the 2016 Tiger Muay Thai tryouts.[1] Standing at 5 feet 4 inches (163 cm) tall with a 63-inch reach, she trains at the Elevation Fight Team in Colorado and is noted for her aggressive striking and submission skills.[1][3] Martin's UFC career began on December 7, 2019, at UFC on ESPN 7, where she lost to Virna Jandiroba via first-round rear-naked choke submission, followed by a submission win against Hannah Cifers on August 29, 2020.[1] However, she faced setbacks with a submission loss to Polyana Viana and a decision loss to Cheyanne Vlismas, leading to her release from the promotion after a 1-3 record.[1][3] Transitioning to the European circuit, she competed on Dana White's Contender Series once in 2019 and joined OKTAGON MMA, where she won the Strawweight Championship against Katharina Dalisda on October 12, 2024, at OKTAGON 62 and defended it successfully at OKTAGON 70 on April 26, 2025, extending her professional record to 11-6-0, with four consecutive wins at that point.[2][3] As of November 2025, Martin remains an active competitor, ranked No. 1 pound-for-pound in Western Europe and Germany.[3][2] Her career highlights her resilience and positions her as a prominent figure in women's strawweight MMA.[1]Early life and background
Childhood and education
Mallory Martin was born on January 29, 1994, in Denver, Colorado, where she spent her formative years in a supportive environment that fostered her early interest in athletics.[1] Growing up in the Denver area, she developed a strong competitive drive through participation in various youth sports, which laid the foundation for her physical discipline and resilience.[4] Throughout her school years, Martin engaged in soccer, volleyball, and basketball, activities that honed her teamwork and endurance skills from a young age. In high school, she expanded her athletic pursuits to include track and powerlifting, further building her strength and determination while competing at a local level. These experiences in diverse sports emphasized her versatility and commitment to physical fitness before she explored combat disciplines.[5] Martin graduated from high school, after which she pursued her athletic interests full-time without attending college, focusing instead on training that aligned with her emerging career goals. Her early athletic background in Denver's sports scene provided the competitive edge that shaped her approach to challenges. During her high school years, she briefly transitioned into martial arts training, marking the start of her involvement in combat sports.[1]Introduction to martial arts
Mallory Martin began her martial arts training during her senior year of high school around age 17, initially focusing on Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ), Muay Thai, and wrestling at Zingano's, a local gym in Denver, Colorado. Prior to this shift, she had a background in traditional sports such as soccer, volleyball, basketball, track, and powerlifting, but she was drawn to combat sports by the inspiration of local fighter Cat Zingano, whose success motivated Martin to pursue a professional career in mixed martial arts (MMA) rather than conventional athletics.[4][5] Her early experiences at Zingano's involved intensive sessions that built her foundational skills, though personal challenges, including the loss of her father to cancer about a year after she started training, deepened her commitment; she has credited BJJ with providing purpose and direction during that difficult period. After high school graduation, Martin trained 6 to 9 hours daily, transitioning to Easton Training Center in Centennial, near Denver, where she honed her techniques under experienced coaches. This rigorous regimen marked her evolution from a high school athlete to a dedicated combat sports practitioner.[5][6] A significant milestone came in March 2025, when Martin was awarded her BJJ black belt at Easton Training Center by instructors Eliot Marshall and Peter Straub, following nearly 13 years of consistent training in the discipline. In 2016, she had won the Tiger Muay Thai tryout, earning a scholarship to train at the Phuket-based camp, where she made her amateur Muay Thai debut in June 2016 against Petchompoo Kiatpetmongkon. These achievements underscored her rapid progress and integration of striking and grappling arts into a cohesive skill set.[5][1][7]Amateur career
Amateur record
Mallory Martin amassed an amateur mixed martial arts record of 6 wins and 1 loss before transitioning to professional competition in late 2016.[8] Her amateur career spanned from April 2014 to August 2016, encompassing seven total bouts primarily in regional promotions based in Colorado, such as Fight to Win (FTW), Sparta Combat League (SCL), Resurrection Fighting Alliance (RFA), and Jeremy Horn's Elite Fight Night (JHEFN). During her time with the Sparta Combat League, she won the amateur 115-pound championship.[1][8] Of her six victories, three came by submission—including armbars in her debut against Nekah Dmitriyeva at FTW Animals and against Grace Cleveland at Prize FC 8—while the other three were by unanimous decision.[8] Martin's sole defeat occurred by unanimous decision to Audrey Perkins at FTW Fight Club Denver in August 2014.[8] This record highlighted her early proficiency in grappling, informed by training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and Muay Thai.[8]Notable amateur fights
Mallory Martin's amateur MMA career began on April 18, 2014, at Fight to Win: Animals in Denver, Colorado, where she secured a submission victory over Nekah Dmitriyeva via armbar at 1:00 of the second round. This debut performance showcased her developing Brazilian jiu-jitsu skills, as she transitioned from top control to the finish after an early takedown.[9] She followed with a unanimous decision win against Laura Dettman on June 29, 2014, at SCL Summer Brawl, dominating the standup exchanges and ground positions over three rounds to improve to 2-0. Her first setback occurred shortly after, on August 15, 2014, at Fight to Win: Fight Club Denver, where Audrey Perkins outpointed her via unanimous decision after a competitive grappling-heavy bout that went the distance. This sole loss, Martin's only defeat in six amateur contests, emphasized the demands of full three-round fights and contributed to her overall development by highlighting areas for endurance and decision-making refinement.[10] Martin rebounded with key submission wins that solidified her grappling reputation. On March 6, 2015, at Prize FC 8 in Denver, she defeated Grace Cleveland by armbar at 1:44 of the second round, capitalizing on a scramble to secure the tap after defending a counter-submission attempt. Later, on January 15, 2016, during the amateur undercard of RFA 34 in Broomfield, Colorado, she submitted Melissa Oddessa Parker via rear-naked choke at 2:09 of the third round, advancing her record to 4-1 after a resilient performance that included multiple position reversals. These finishes, along with unanimous decision victories over Brittany Camozzi on April 23, 2016, at SCL: AVM 7 and Destiny McCubbin on August 12, 2016, at Jeremy Horn's Elite Fight Night 28—both marked by consistent pressure and control—demonstrated her evolution into a well-rounded grappler, culminating in a 6-1 amateur record.[11][12][13][14] To broaden her striking arsenal ahead of her professional transition, Martin ventured into amateur Muay Thai in 2016 after winning a scholarship to Tiger Muay Thai in Phuket, Thailand. On June 8, 2016, she faced experienced Thai fighter Petchompoo Kiatpetmongkon at Bangla Stadium, gaining valuable clinch and kickboxing exposure in her debut bout outside MMA rules. This experience, combined with her amateur MMA successes, honed her technical versatility and prepared her for the demands of professional competition.[7][15]Professional mixed martial arts career
Early professional career
Martin transitioned to professional mixed martial arts in 2016 following a successful amateur career that included multiple wins and a regional belt, allowing her to build a strong foundation in striking and grappling before entering the paid ranks.[16] She established herself in the strawweight division, competing at 115 pounds, a weight class that suited her frame and aggressive style honed through years of training.[8] Her professional debut took place on December 15, 2016, at Kunlun Fight MMA 7 in Beijing, China, where she faced Heqin Lin on the main card.[8] Martin secured a unanimous decision victory after three rounds, outworking Lin with consistent pressure and effective takedown defense to earn her first professional win. The bout marked a significant step, as it was her inaugural international fight, requiring extensive travel from the United States to compete in a foreign promotion. This early victory set the stage for Martin's entry into larger promotions, demonstrating her readiness to handle the demands of professional competition while navigating logistical challenges like long-haul flights and adapting to an overseas environment.[17] With a 1-0 record, she gained valuable experience in a high-stakes setting, solidifying her commitment to the strawweight division.[8]Invicta Fighting Championships
Martin made her Invicta Fighting Championships debut on March 25, 2017, at Invicta FC 22: Evinger vs. Kunitskaya II, where she faced Sunna Rannveig Davíðsdóttir in a strawweight bout. Competing in her second professional fight overall, Martin lost via unanimous decision after three rounds, with judges scoring the contest 30-27 across the board.[8][18] Following the setback, Martin adjusted her training regimen, relocating to Tiger Muay Thai in Thailand to spar with high-level fighters from promotions like ONE FC and the UFC, which helped refine her striking and overall conditioning. She returned to Invicta FC on January 13, 2018, at Invicta FC 27: Kianzad vs. Kaufman, securing a TKO victory over Tiffany Masters in the second round via punches at 3:36. Later that year, on September 1, 2018, at Invicta FC 31: Jandiroba vs. Morandin, Martin earned another stoppage win against Ashley Nichols, finishing with elbows in the third round at 1:05.[16][8] Martin made a third appearance with the promotion on November 1, 2019, at Invicta FC 38: Murata vs. Ducote, defeating Cynthia Arceo by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) in a dominant performance that showcased her improved grappling and control. By this point, she had trained primarily out of Easton Training Center in Denver, Colorado, emphasizing a balanced approach to wrestling and submissions between her regional bouts. Martin's tenure in Invicta FC spanned 2017 to 2019 across multiple stints, culminating in an overall record of 3-1 with the all-women's promotion.[8][18]Legacy Fighting Alliance
Mallory Martin made her debut in the Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA) on September 8, 2017, at LFA 22: Heinisch vs. Perez in Broomfield, Colorado, where she faced undefeated prospect Maycee Barber in a strawweight bout.[8] Martin lost the fight via unanimous decision after three rounds, with scores of 30-27, 29-28, and 29-28, marking a setback in her early professional career as Barber dominated with superior striking and grappling control.[20] This matchup highlighted Martin's resilience against top regional talent, though it exposed areas for improvement in her defensive wrestling. Following a successful return to Invicta FC, Martin rebounded in the LFA on April 27, 2018, at LFA 38: Hughes vs. Greene in Minneapolis, Minnesota, against Linsey Williams. Drawing from her prior experience in women-only promotions like Invicta, she secured a submission victory via rear-naked choke in the second round at 3:18, showcasing her improved grappling prowess and finishing ability.[8] This win propelled her momentum, contributing to a five-fight winning streak that included performances on Dana White's Contender Series, ultimately earning her a UFC contract in 2019.[21] Martin's overall record in the LFA stood at 1-1 across these two appearances, serving as a crucial stepping stone in her development within a promotion known for its mixed-gender events and talent pipeline to major leagues. Her time in the LFA emphasized her evolution as a well-rounded strawweight, blending submission skills with endurance tested against diverse opponents.[3]Ultimate Fighting Championship
Martin signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship in late 2019 after appearing on Dana White's Contender Series Season 3, where she defeated Micol Di Segni by unanimous decision but did not receive an immediate contract offer; she was later invited to make her promotional debut on short notice.[22] Her UFC debut occurred on December 7, 2019, at UFC on ESPN 7: Overeem vs. Rozenstruik, against Virna Jandiroba, where Martin lost via rear-naked choke submission at 1:16 of the second round after a competitive first round.[8] Following a period of recovery and preparation building on her prior successes in promotions like the Legacy Fighting Alliance and Invicta FC, Martin returned on August 29, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Smith vs. Rakić. She secured her first UFC victory against Hannah Cifers by rear-naked choke submission at 1:33 of the second round, mounting a dramatic comeback from early adversity to earn the Performance of the Night bonus.[23][8] Martin's momentum was halted in 2021 with back-to-back losses. On February 13, 2021, at UFC 258: Usman vs. Burns, she fell to Polyana Viana via armbar submission at 3:18 of the first round.[8] Her final UFC bout came on December 4, 2021, at UFC on ESPN: Font vs. Aldo, resulting in a unanimous decision loss to Cheyanne Vlismas after three rounds.[8] Compiling a 1-3 record during her UFC tenure, Martin completed her contract without renewal, marking the end of her time in the promotion and prompting a shift in her career trajectory toward international opportunities.[24]Post-UFC career
Following her departure from the Ultimate Fighting Championship in early 2022, Martin signed with the European promotion OKTAGON MMA, marking a shift toward international competition to rebuild her career.[25][2] Her OKTAGON debut came on October 15, 2022, against Katharina Dalisda at OKTAGON 36, where she suffered a unanimous decision loss after three rounds, dropping her record to 7-6.[8][20] After a year-long layoff, Martin returned on December 29, 2023, at OKTAGON 51, defeating Magdalena Sormova via split decision in a three-round bout, securing her first win in the promotion and improving to 8-6.[8][20] She followed this with a unanimous decision victory over Anita Bekus on May 4, 2024, at OKTAGON 57, extending her winning streak to two fights and demonstrating improved grappling control throughout the contest.[8][20] In a highly anticipated rematch, Martin challenged Dalisda for the OKTAGON Women's Strawweight Championship on October 12, 2024, at OKTAGON 62, winning by unanimous decision over five rounds to claim the title and avenge her earlier defeat, bringing her record to 10-6.[26][8] Martin made her first title defense on April 26, 2025, at OKTAGON 70 against Eva Dourthe, retaining the championship via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 50-45) after five rounds, maintaining her four-fight winning streak and updating her professional record to 11-6.[27][3] As of November 2025, Martin remains the OKTAGON Strawweight Champion with no further fights recorded.Fighting style and training
Fighting style
Mallory Martin employs a grappling-heavy fighting style rooted in her Brazilian jiu-jitsu expertise, where she holds a black belt earned in March 2025 after over 12 years of training.[5] Her submission game emphasizes chokes, particularly rear-naked chokes, with two professional victories secured via this technique against opponents like Hannah Cifers in 2020 and Linsey Williams in 2018.[1][8] This ground-oriented approach allows her to control positions and seek finishes, often transitioning from top control to back takes for the choke.[28] Complementing her grappling, Martin integrates striking elements from her Muay Thai background, which began in high school and includes winning the 2016 Tiger Muay Thai tryouts for a training scholarship.[1][4] She focuses on clinch work, utilizing knees and elbows to wear down opponents, as evidenced by her TKO win via elbows against Ashley Nichols in 2018.[8] This blend enables her to pressure forward while setting up takedowns, with two TKO victories overall demonstrating her ability to finish with strikes after gaining dominant positions.[1] Martin's defensive wrestling serves as a cornerstone, allowing her to dictate fight pace and neutralize takedown attempts from opponents, evolving her early-career vulnerabilities exposed in submission losses like her 2019 UFC debut to Virna Jandiroba.[28] By 2025, her style has matured into a more balanced framework, reflected in a 4-1 record post-2021 that includes a strawweight title win in OKTAGON MMA, prioritizing control and decision wins (seven in her career) over high-risk exchanges.[8][2] At 5 feet 4 inches tall with a 63-inch reach and 36-inch leg reach, Martin leverages these attributes in the strawweight division (115 pounds) to maintain distance for kicks and knees while closing for clinches, enhancing her pressure-heavy orthodox stance.[1][29]Training regimen and coaches
Mallory Martin has been affiliated with the Elevation Fight Team in Denver, Colorado, since 2020, where she conducts the majority of her training camps.[15][30] This gym provides a collaborative environment with high-level sparring partners, including UFC fighters like Rose Namajunas and Miranda Maverick, allowing her to refine her skills in a professional setting.[30] Her coaching team includes George Hickman, who served as her head MMA coach during earlier stints at Tiger Muay Thai in Phuket, Thailand, focusing on technical striking and integration of disciplines.[3] For grappling, Martin trains extensively at Easton Training Center, earning her black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under instructors Eliot Marshall and Peter Straub, who emphasize positional control and submission chains tailored to MMA applications.[5][3] At Elevation, Peter Straub continues as her primary jiu-jitsu coach, complemented by Eliot Marshall and Christian Allen for overall fight preparation.[30] Martin's typical regimen involves 3 to 4 hours of daily training split between sessions, incorporating Brazilian jiu-jitsu drills, Muay Thai sparring, and strength conditioning to build explosive power and endurance.[31] Outside of fight camps, she prioritizes weight training and conditioning; during the 8-week fight camp, this shifts to speed work, wrestling, pad mitts, and live sparring.[15] Following her mental health challenges in 2020, including anxiety that impacted her preparation for early UFC fights, Martin has placed greater emphasis on recovery protocols, such as extended rest periods, therapy integration, and lighter loading phases to prevent burnout and support long-term sustainability.[32] For international bouts with OKTAGON MMA in Europe, Martin adapts her regimen by incorporating travel acclimation, such as jet lag management and localized sparring upon arrival, while maintaining core elements from her Denver base to ensure consistency.[2]Personal life
Mental health and advocacy
Mallory Martin has openly discussed her long-standing battle with depression, which began after the death of her father—her only parent—at age 17. This loss left her grappling with significant emotional challenges during her early adulthood, though she initially managed without formal intervention.[33] In 2020, Martin experienced a severe escalation in her mental health struggles, including intense anxiety and depression exacerbated by career pressures and her UFC debut loss to Virna Jandiroba in late 2019. Halfway through her training camp for UFC Vegas 8, she found herself unable to eat properly and fixated on weight management, prompting her to seek professional help from a therapist alongside support from her coaches. This intervention proved crucial, helping her regain mental stability and contributing to her renewed motivation in her fighting career.[33] Martin's submission victory over Hannah Cifers in August 2020 marked a pivotal turning point in her recovery, as she later credited the opportunity to fight—and the win itself—with pulling her out of a profoundly dark period where she felt she had "nothing to look forward to." In post-fight interviews, she emphasized how overcoming these internal "demons" during the bout restored her sense of self and purpose.[34] Through public discussions in outlets like MMA Fighting, Martin has advocated for greater awareness of mental health issues within the MMA community, aiming to destigmatize seeking help among fighters facing similar pressures. She has continued integrating therapy into her routine post-2020, crediting it with ongoing personal growth and improved performance under stress. Additionally, Martin incorporates mental training techniques, such as visualization, to maintain mindfulness and resilience in her daily life.[33][35][4]Coaching and community involvement
Mallory Martin has served as the Centennial Kids BJJ Coach at Easton Training Center in Centennial, Colorado, where she instructs youth Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes.[5] In this role, she emphasizes discipline, focus, and confidence-building through martial arts training, helping young students develop resilience and goal-setting skills.[36] Martin's coaching extends to broader community involvement in the Denver area, where she participates in Easton's women's programs to promote empowerment and accessibility in MMA for female practitioners.[36] She encourages women to challenge themselves against higher belts, fostering a supportive environment that bridges local studios with the wider MMA community.[5] Balancing her professional fighting career, Martin integrates her experiences into mentoring, particularly following her promotion to black belt in March 2025, which has strengthened her influence as a role model in youth and women's programs.[5]Career statistics
Championships and accomplishments
- OKTAGON MMA Women's Strawweight Champion (1x); won the vacant title via unanimous decision against Katharina Dalisda (49-46, 50-45, 50-45) on October 12, 2024, at OKTAGON 62 in Frankfurt, Germany.[37]
- Successfully defended the OKTAGON MMA Women's Strawweight Championship via unanimous decision (50-45, 49-46, 49-46) against Eva Dourthe on April 26, 2025, at OKTAGON 70 in Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic.[38]
- UFC Performance of the Night: August 29, 2020, for submission (rear-naked choke) victory over Hannah Cifers at UFC Fight Night in Las Vegas, Nevada.[39]
- Invicta FC Fight of the Night: March 25, 2017, shared with Sunna Davidsdottir for unanimous decision loss at Invicta FC 22 in Kansas City, Missouri.[40]
- Notable submission victory: Rear-naked choke in the second round against Linsey Williams at LFA 38 on April 27, 2018, in Prior Lake, Minnesota.[20]
- Professional MMA record of 11–6 with a four-fight win streak as of her most recent fight on April 26, 2025.[3]
Mixed martial arts record
Mallory Martin's professional mixed martial arts record includes 17 bouts, resulting in 11 wins (2 by TKO, 2 by submission, and 7 by decision) and 6 losses (2 by submission and 4 by decision), as of her most recent fight on April 26, 2025.[8]| Result | Opponent | Event | Date | Location | Method | Round | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | Heqin Lin | Kunlun Fight - Kunlun Fight MMA 7 | Dec 15, 2016 | Beijing, China | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 5:00 |
| Loss | Sunna Rannveig Davidsdottir | Invicta FC 22 - Evinger vs. Kunitskaya 2 | Mar 25, 2017 | Kansas City, Missouri, United States | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 5:00 |
| Loss | Maycee Barber | LFA 22 - Heinisch vs. Perez | Sep 08, 2017 | Cabazon, California, United States | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 5:00 |
| Win | Tiffany Masters | Invicta FC 27 - Kianzad vs. Kaufman | Jan 13, 2018 | Kansas City, Missouri, United States | TKO (Punches) | 2 | 3:36 |
| Win | Linsey Williams | LFA 38 - Hughes vs. Greene | Apr 27, 2018 | Prior Lake, Minnesota, United States | Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) | 2 | 3:18 |
| Win | Ashley Nichols | Invicta FC 31 - Jandiroba vs. Morandin | Sep 01, 2018 | Kansas City, Missouri, United States | TKO (Elbows) | 3 | 1:05 |
| Win | Micol DiSegni | Dana White's Contender Series - Season 3, Episode 9 | Aug 20, 2019 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 5:00 |
| Win | Cynthia Arceo | Invicta FC 38 - Murata vs. Ducote | Nov 01, 2019 | Kansas City, Missouri, United States | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 5:00 |
| Loss | Virna Jandiroba | UFC on ESPN: Overeem vs. Rozenstruik | Dec 07, 2019 | Washington, D.C., United States | Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) | 2 | 1:16 |
| Win | Hannah Cifers | UFC Fight Night: Smith vs. Rakić | Aug 29, 2020 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) | 2 | 1:33 |
| Loss | Polyana Viana | UFC 258: Usman vs. Burns | Feb 13, 2021 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Submission (Armbar) | 1 | 3:18 |
| Loss | Cheyanne Vlismas | UFC on ESPN: Font vs. Aldo | Dec 04, 2021 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 5:00 |
| Loss | Katharina Dalisda | Oktagon MMA 36: Eckerlin vs. Oliveira | Oct 15, 2022 | Bratislava, Slovakia | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 5:00 |
| Win | Magdalena Sormova | Oktagon MMA 51: Final | Dec 29, 2023 | Prague, Czech Republic | Decision (Split) | 3 | 5:00 |
| Win | Anita Bekus | Oktagon MMA 57: Eckerlin vs. Broz | May 04, 2024 | Frankfurt, Germany | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 5:00 |
| Win | Katharina Dalisda | Oktagon MMA 62: Eckerlin vs. Jungwirth | Oct 12, 2024 | Frankfurt, Germany | Decision (Unanimous) | 5 | 5:00 |
| Win | Eva Dourthe | Oktagon MMA 70: Kristofic vs. Humburger | Apr 26, 2025 | Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic | Decision (Unanimous) | 5 | 5:00 |