Sofia Montenegro Record: 6-3-0

Building toward the big stage

The bounce-back was emphatic. In September 2023 she submitted unbeaten Sofia Landi with a first-round heel hook, a slick finish that showed range beyond her striking. She followed with a unanimous-decision win over Anyela Perez in 2024, a Muay Thai victory over Jhovanna Ruiz in early 2025, and a unanimous-decision win over Damara Vargas at MMA Mexico 5 in June 2025, stacking results across multiple countries and disciplines as she pushed toward a UFC opportunity.

Contender Series

That opportunity came in September 2025 on Dana White's Contender Series, where Montenegro faced unbeaten Jeisla Chaves (5-0). Chaves edged her by split decision over three rounds, a razor-thin result that nonetheless put Montenegro firmly on the UFC's radar and underscored how close she had come against elite competition.

Fighting style

Montenegro is a striker first, forged in kickboxing, with three of her six wins coming by knockout for a 67 percent finish rate. Her power and amateur kickboxing pedigree make her dangerous on the feet, while the heel-hook submission of Landi proved she is no liability when fights hit the canvas. Her two decision wins, over Perez and Vargas, demonstrate the conditioning and tactical patience to win rounds when the finish does not arrive. Both of her losses have come narrowly or against unbeaten opposition, and tightening her defense against power punchers — the source of her lone knockout loss — looms as the key to translating regional success to the UFC.

Career highlights

• Trailblazer from Córdoba — recognized as the only professional MMA fighter from her Argentine province, carrying her region's flag toward the UFC.
• Heel-hook finish of an unbeaten foe — submitted previously unbeaten Sofia Landi in the first round, proving her grappling alongside her striking.
• Contender Series proving ground — pushed unbeaten Jeisla Chaves to a split decision on Dana White's Contender Series, cementing her status as a flyweight prospect.