Melissa Mullins Record: 7-2-0

Building a contender

In November 2022 at Ares FC 9, Mullins stopped the previously unbeaten Darya Zheleznyakova with first-round ground-and-pound, a finish that announced her as a genuine prospect and earned her a UFC opportunity. She made the most of it in October 2023, edging Irina Alekseeva by unanimous decision in her promotional debut. The step up in competition then bit back in April 2024, when she was stopped by knees and head kicks against Nora Cornolle in the second round.

Bouncing back and the rematch

Mullins responded to that setback in November 2024 with a gritty second-round TKO of Klaudia Syguła, reminding the division of her finishing instincts. In June 2025 she met Darya Zheleznyakova again — this time the Russian got her revenge, taking a three-round unanimous decision to even their series. Mullins next steps back into the octagon in June 2026.

Fighting style

Mullins is an aggressive, finish-oriented fighter whose 7-2 record splits into four knockouts and three decisions, a 57% finish rate. Her hands are her calling card — her two opening pro knockouts and the ground-and-pound stoppage of Zheleznyakova show real power and a willingness to push the pace. That striking pairs with a decorated no-gi grappling base that makes her dangerous in scrambles and from top position. Her two losses, the stoppage to Cornolle and the decision rematch with Zheleznyakova, point to the gap that remains against the division's most polished strikers, but for a fighter who only laced up gloves in 2016, the trajectory has been remarkable.

Career highlights

• IBJJF No-Gi Worlds double gold — won two brown-belt titles at the 2023 No-Gi Worlds, underlining a grappling pedigree built in just a few years.
• Prospect-making finish — stopped the previously unbeaten Darya Zheleznyakova by first-round ground-and-pound to earn her UFC call-up.
• Winning UFC debut — outpointed Irina Alekseeva by unanimous decision to open her octagon run in the win column.