“Courage is the cornerstone of a true warrior.” Even in today’s world, where battles are no longer fought on traditional battlefields, this sentiment rings true—especially for 115lbs UFC title contender Tatiana Suarez. A former wrestler turned dominant MMA strawweight, the Covina native is closing in on a decade in the UFC. She has conquered former champions like Alexa Grasso and Carla Esparza, yet her path has been anything but smooth. Like any warrior, relentless challenges have shaped her journey, both inside and outside the cage.

Despite maintaining an undefeated record, Suarez has never rushed into a title shot. But why? After dismantling Esparza, many believed UFC gold awaited her. However, fate had other plans. A string of serious injuries kept her sidelined for nearly four years, halting her momentum just as she seemed poised for greatness. Yet, as daunting as those setbacks were, they paled in comparison to the battle she fought long before her MMA career took off. Suarez was on the verge of competing in the London Olympics in 2012 when her dreams were abruptly shattered—by cancer. But what type of cancer did she battle? Let’s take a closer look.

 The story behind Tatiana Suarez’s cancer diagnosis

At just 20 years old, while training for the 2012 London Olympics, Tatiana Suarez suffered a neck injury. But what initially seemed like a setback soon turned into something far more life-altering. An MRI and CAT scan revealed a cancerous growth on her thyroid gland—a diagnosis that changed everything. With the help of therapy and surgery, the UFC fighter battled through and emerged victorious, but the road to recovery was anything but easy.

The first two weeks after her diagnosis were especially grueling. Undergoing radioactive iodine treatment meant she had to be isolated, as her body emitted temporary radiation. Confined to a small room lined with plastic sheets, she endured one of the toughest periods of her life. Reflecting on the experience during the UFC 238 pre-fight press conference, Tatiana Suarez shared her struggle, “They told me the faster it gets out of your system, you don’t have to be in that frickin’ secluded room anymore. So my idea was to flush it out as fast as possible. I remember drinking, like, two gallons of water.”

Even in isolation, Suarez refused to stay idle. Pushing through the hardship, she kept herself active—“exercising, jumping jacks, wrestling drills”—all in a determined effort to rid her body of radiation as quickly as possible. Though cancer stole her Olympic dreams, it never broke her spirit. With unshakable resilience and the expertise of the doctors who treated her, Tatiana Suarez reclaimed her life. Although her Olympic journey ended prematurely, her pursuit of UFC gold remains stronger than ever.

The journey from the Olympics to the UFC

“She was the first teenage superstar during my time,” recalled Terry Steiner, the Olympic training coach for the women’s national team, as he reflected on Tatiana Suarez. “She was young to be on a national team…was in the perfect sport.. was a fighter—gritty, tough, hard-nosed. She had skills, but her greatest attribute was her toughness. She was mean on the mat. That’s how she wrestled.” But fate had a different path in store for the Covina native.

After successfully overcoming cancer, the multi-time wrestling medalist transitioned into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, setting the stage for a new chapter in her combat sports career. In 2014, she made an explosive entrance into amateur MMA, shocking many with a knockout victory—an unexpected outcome for a grappler. Suarez then tested herself on the regional circuit before earning a coveted spot on The Ultimate Fighter Season 23 in 2016.

With relentless determination, she battled through the competition and secured her place in the finals, where she faced Amanda Cooper. Showcasing her dominant grappling skills, Suarez locked in a D’Arce choke submission to claim victory, a UFC contract, and the Performance of the Night bonus.

Now, nearly a decade into her UFC journey, Tatiana Suarez stands on the brink of history. This weekend, at UFC 312, she steps into the Octagon for the biggest fight of her career—a shot at the UFC Women’s Strawweight Championship. But to claim the gold, she must overcome the reigning champion, Zhang Weili, in what promises to be her toughest challenge yet. Can Suarez rise to the occasion and dethrone the Chinese sensation? Share your thoughts below.