José Medina Record: 11-7-0

Early Life and Background

Jose Daniel Medina Rivero, nicknamed “Chicho,” was born on May 17, 1991, in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, a landlocked nation with limited combat sports infrastructure and relatively few athletes competing at the international level. Unlike fighters from Mexico or Brazil where regional MMA promotions have long histories and clear development pathways, Medina had to forge his own route to international competition. His early career was defined by necessity and hustle—Medina pursued formal education in veterinary medicine, using that knowledge to support himself financially outside of fighting. He worked in the poultry farming industry, managing his own farm business while simultaneously pursuing a professional fighting career. This dual commitment to both veterinary work and combat sports reflects a pragmatic approach to life where fighting was the dream, but alternative income was the security.

MMA Debut and Rise to UFC

Medina developed his professional MMA record through regional South American promotions, competing primarily in Latin America before eventually seeking UFC opportunities. He eventually relocated to Florida, attempting to position himself closer to major American MMA opportunities and major fight hubs like Miami and Fort Lauderdale. His combination of professional record and determination attracted Dana White’s attention, and Medina appeared on Dana White’s Contender Series in October 2023. Though he suffered a loss on DWCS, White still offered him a UFC contract, recognizing something in Medina’s overall package that suggested future potential. However, Medina’s UFC career has not gone as planned. He is currently on a four-fight losing streak—a brutal sequence that has tested his resilience and resolve. Whether Medina can reverse this downward trajectory remains to be seen.