Daniel Marcos, the undefeated Peruvian phenom with a 16-0 record, has left UFC fans in awe with his thrilling fighting style—particularly his signature flying knee jab and penchant for knockout victories. The bantamweight star is steadily climbing the ranks toward a shot at the title, and his story is quickly becoming a legend in the making.

As one of the few fighters to represent Peru in the UFC, alongside Valentina Shevchenko, Marcos takes immense pride in his heritage. His nickname, ‘Soncora’ is closely tied to his Peruvian roots and carries a unique and powerful significance. It is a nod to the strength, resilience, and warrior spirit deeply embedded in Peruvian culture. Let’s dig in more about Marco’s moniker.

What is the meaning behind Daniel Marcos’ nickname ‘Soncora’?

Despite his impressive rise to the UFC, much about Daniel Marcos’s nickname, ‘Soncora’ remains a mystery. However, in Quechua, ‘Soncora’ represents resilience, strength, and an unyielding will to persevere—qualities that Marcos has embodied throughout his life. While his dynamic fighting style and undefeated record speak for themselves, Marcos has never fully explained the origin of his moniker.

The Peruvian phenom, who once worked as a phone seller for a major company in his home country, has kept the story of his nickname close to his chest, adding an air of intrigue to his persona. Marcos’s journey to the UFC hasn’t been easy. He’s opened up about his struggles, revealing in a previous interview that financial difficulties kept him from pursuing a university education.

In his quest for greatness, Marcos made the bold decision to leave behind his well-paying 9-to-5 job to pursue his dream of becoming a professional fighter. His life became consumed by training, eating, and sleeping MMA. His dedication and sacrifice paid off when the fateful call came—an invitation to compete in Dana White’s Contender Series, a pivotal opportunity for up-and-coming fighters to showcase their talents and earn a spot in the UFC.

Just when it seemed that Marcos had overcome the toughest hurdles in his journey, life threw another curveball. The very next day after receiving the call for DWCS, the bantamweight prospect was involved in a severe electric scooter accident. He sustained a head injury that required 12 stitches—a setback that would have sidelined most. But not Marcos. True to his nature, he pushed through the pain, showing up at the Contender Series and delivering a stellar performance that earned him his much-deserved ticket to the UFC.

It’s moments like these that make the nickname ‘Soncora’ so fitting for him. The same resilience and hunger to win has also given him an undefeated record of 16 wins, so let’s see how he got to this stage of success.

A look at Daniel Marcos’ MMA and UFC record

“I was born for this, that I will be the best in history, not only a bird of passage but also the best,” Marcos told UFC in a revealing interview, giving fans a glimpse into the unwavering ambition that has driven his journey in combat sports. From a young age, the Peruvian fighter set his sights on greatness, and at 31 years old, he’s steadily working towards that goal.

Marcos began his professional MMA career with 300 Sparta 8, where he earned a dominant victory over Marco Cubas via ground-and-pound in the second round. That win marked the start of an 11-fight winning streak, despite the constant frustration of canceled bouts. His resilience eventually paid off, as he earned a spot on the Dana White’s Contender Series, where he defeated Brandon Lewis by unanimous decision in Round 3.

After making his UFC debut, Marcos continued his success with a two-fight win streak in 2023. However, his momentum was interrupted by three canceled bouts that year, adding yet another layer of adversity to his already challenging career. When 2024 arrived, Marcos faced 15-0 Aoriqileng, but that fight ended in disappointment as it was ruled a no-contest after both fighters suffered accidental fouls, including groin shots and an eye poke.

Despite the setbacks, Marcos demonstrated his resilience and determination, bouncing back with a hard-fought victory over John Castaneda at UFC on ESPN: Cannonier vs Imavov in June 2024. After so many challenges—canceled fights, injuries, and tough competition—Marcos is ready for his next test against Adrian Yanez in Tampa. Can he break into the top 15 and cement his place among the bantamweight elite? Let us know in the comment section below!