Marachiara Romero Borella[3] (born June 3, 1986) is an Italian professional mixed martial artist who competed in the Women's Flyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Mara Romero Borella
BornMaria Chiara[1]
(1986-06-03) 3 June 1986 (age 38)
Ponte dell'Olio, Piacenza, Italy
Other namesMaravilla
NationalityItalian
Height5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)
Weight125 lb (57 kg; 8 st 13 lb)
DivisionBantamweight
Flyweight
Reach69[2] in (175 cm)
StyleJudo, Kickboxing
Fighting out ofCoconut Creek, Florida, United States[2]
TeamAmerican Top Team
RankBlack belt in Judo[2]
Brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu[2]
Black belt in Kickboxing[2]
Black belt in Shoot Boxing[2]
Years active2014–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total22
Wins11
By knockout3
By submission4
By decision4
Losses9
By knockout4
By submission3
By decision2
No contests2
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Background

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Borella taught Judo and was a personal trainer before a friend introduced her to MMA, which started her MMA career.[2]Her father is Italian, and her mother is Honduran.[4]

Mixed martial arts career

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Early career

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Borella started her professional MMA career in 2014 and fought primarily in the European circuit. Borella joined Invicta Fighting Championships (Invicta) prior to signing with the UFC in 2017.[5]

Invicta Fighting Championships

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Borella faced Milana Dudieva on July 15, 2017, at FC 24: Dudieva vs. Borella.[6] She won the fight via a split decision with the scoreboard of (30-27, 28-29 29-28).[7]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

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Borella made her UFC debut on October 7, 2017. Borella faced Kalindra Faria at UFC 216 in Las Vegas, United States, replacing Andrea Lee.[8][9] She won the fight via a submission.[10]

Borella next faced Katlyn Chookagian on January 27, 2018, at UFC on Fox 27.[11] She lost the fight via a unanimous decision.[12]

Borella faced Taila Santos on February 2, 2019, at UFC Fight Night: Assunção vs. Moraes 2.[13] She won the fight by split decision.[14]

Borella faced Lauren Murphy on August 3, 2019, at UFC on ESPN 5.[15] She lost the fight via TKO in the third round.[16]

Borella faced Montana De La Rosa on February 15, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 167.[17] She lost the fight via unanimous decision.[18]

Borella faced Cortney Casey on May 16, 2020, at UFC on ESPN: Overeem vs. Harris.[19] She lost the bout in the first round via submission through an armbar.[20]

Borella was expected to face promotional newcomer Miranda Maverick on June 27, 2020, at UFC on ESPN: Poirier vs. Hooker.[21] However, Maverick was forced to pull out due to injury. In turn, Borella was removed from the card and will be rescheduled for a future event.[22]

Borella faced Mayra Bueno Silva on September 5, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 177.[23] She lost the fight via a submission in round one.[24]

On October 2, 2020, it was reported Borella was released by UFC.[25]

Post-UFC career

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After the release, Borella again signed with the Invicta FC and was scheduled to face Brogan Walker-Sanchez at Invicta FC 44 on August 27, 2021. However, Borella was forced to withdraw from the bout due to visa issues and was replaced by Emilee King.[26]

Championships and accomplishments

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Mixed martial arts

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  • Kombat League
    • Kombat League Bantamweight Champion (One time)[2]

Controversies

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Suspension for 26 years for distributing and selling of cocaine

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Borella was arrested by Italian authorities under "Operation Flanker" for distributing and selling cocaine and cannabis[1] at sporting venues, an operation conducted by the Investigative Unit of the Carabinieri of Piacenza in Emilia and Lombardy.[27] Borella entered into plea deals in 2012 along with 33 defendants where punishments were of up to one and four years in prison. She spent a period in prison and later under house arrest for the incident.[1]

Borella was also suspended by the National Anti Doping Agency of Italy for 15 years for distributing and selling prohibited drugs. The same agency then added an additional 11-year suspension, for a total of 26 years, until 2044, for use of Italian sporting facilities while serving a suspension under the Italian Anti Doping Code article 4.12.3.[28] It was reported on October 19, 2018, that Borella was free to compete in the UFC as the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) UFC anti-doping program does not consider Borella's criminal activity a violation, as it was unrelated to performance enhancement.[29]

Mixed martial arts record

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Professional record breakdown
22 matches 11 wins 9 losses
By knockout 3 4
By submission 4 3
By decision 4 2
No contests 2
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 12–9 (2) Mayra Bueno Silva Submission (armbar) UFC Fight Night: Covington vs. Woodley September 19, 2020 1 2:29 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 12–8 (2) Cortney Casey Submission (armbar) UFC on ESPN: Overeem vs. Harris May 16, 2020 1 3:36 Jacksonville, Florida, United States
Loss 12–7 (2) Montana De La Rosa Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Anderson vs. Błachowicz 2 February 15, 2020 3 5:00 Rio Rancho, New Mexico, United States
Loss 12–6 (2) Lauren Murphy TKO (knee and elbows) UFC on ESPN: Covington vs. Lawler August 3, 2019 3 1:46 Newark, New Jersey, United States
Win 12–5 (2) Taila Santos Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Assunção vs. Moraes 2 February 2, 2019 3 5:00 Fortaleza, Brazil
Loss 11–5 (2) Katlyn Chookagian Decision (unanimous) UFC on Fox: Jacaré vs. Brunson 2 January 27, 2018 3 5:00 Charlotte, North Carolina, United States
Win 11–4 (2) Kalindra Faria Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC 216 October 7, 2017 1 2:54 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 10–4 (2) Milana Dudieva Decision (split) Invicta FC 24: Dudieva vs. Borella July 15, 2017 3 5:00 Kansas City, Missouri, United States
Win 9–4 (2) Iren Racz Decision (unanimous) Mushin Fighting 3 February 25, 2017 3 5:00 Nuvolera, Italy
Win 8–4 (2) Maria Casanova Submission (armbar) Kombat League: Colosseum 4 November 26, 2016 2 2:34 Sassari, Italy
NC 7–4 (2) Lena Ovchynnikova NC (overturned by WMMAF) WMMAF 2016 May 13, 2016 3 5:00 Lviv, Ukraine Originally a split decision win for Ovchynnikova; overturned later by WMMAF after review.
Win 7–4 (1) Suvi Salmimies Decision (Split) Cage 34 February 13, 2016 3 5:00 Helsinki, Finland
Win 6–4 (1) Lucrezia Ria Submission (armbar) Kombat League: Colosseum 3 December 5, 2015 2 3:45 Sardinia, Italy
Loss 5–4 (1) Jin Tang TKO (punches) Kunlun Fight 33 October 31, 2015 1 4:35 Changde, China
Loss 5–3 (1) Stephanie Egger TKO (corner stoppage) Arena Fighting Games October 4, 2015 1 5:00 Milan, Italy
Loss 5–2 (1) Anna Elmose KO (punches) UCL 23 May 23, 2015 2 0:45 Copenhagen, Denmark
Win 5–1 (1) Liubov Tiupina Submission (armbar) WMMAF 2015 April 17, 2015 1 1:40 Lviv, Ukraine
Win 4–1 (1) Katia Curro TKO (punches) Shoot Fighting Championship 16 March 7, 2015 1 4:18 Mazzano, Italy
NC 3–1 (1) Donatella Panu NC (overturned) FIGMMA: Colosseum MMA in the Cage December 6, 2014 1 4:00 Sassari, Italy Originally a submission (armbar) win for Borella; overturned by FIGMMA
Win 3–1 Elena Bondarenko TKO (punches) WMMAF 2014 October 18, 2014 2 1:30 Lviv, Ukraine
Win 2–1 Ileana Bianzeno Decision (unanimous) Kombat League: Cage Fight 14 September 13, 2014 3 5:00 Venezia, Italy
Loss 1–1 Debi Studer Submission (guillotine choke) Max Monster 2 April 12, 2014 2 N/A Sempach, Switzerland
Win 1–0 Sara Regini TKO (punches) Shoot Fighting Championship 12 March 1, 2014 1 1:33 Castiglione delle Stiviere, Italy

[30]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "MMA, riassunto squalifica Mara Romero Borella - 4once.it". www.4once.it (in Italian). 14 September 2018. Retrieved 2018-09-17.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h "Mara Romero Borella - Official UFC Profile". UFC.com. 14 September 2018. Archived from the original on September 17, 2018. Retrieved September 17, 2018.
  3. ^ "STATE OF NEVADA DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS AND INDUSTRYATHLETIC COMMISSION" (PDF). boxing.nv.gov. October 7, 2017. Retrieved August 6, 2019.
  4. ^ "La sfida più grande di Mara Romero Borella". www.ultimouomo.com (in Italian). Retrieved 2020-10-25.
  5. ^ "Mara Romero Borella ("Kunoichici") | MMA Fighter Page | Tapology". Tapology. Retrieved 2018-09-17.
  6. ^ Admin (2017-07-15). "Invicta FC 24 main event now Milana Dudieva vs. Mara Romero Borella". Roll Till You Puke. Archived from the original on 2018-09-17. Retrieved 2018-09-17.
  7. ^ "Invicta 24: Mara Borella vence russa; brasileira Bárbara Acioly é nocauteada". sportv.globo.com/site/combate (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2018-09-17.
  8. ^ Sherdog.com. "Report: Andrea Lee Removed From UFC 216 Bout Against Kalindra Faria". Sherdog. Retrieved 2018-09-17.
  9. ^ "UFC's Jeff Novitzky explains exemption for Kalindra Faria and Mara Romero Borella". MMAjunkie. 2017-10-06. Retrieved 2018-09-17.
  10. ^ "UFC 216 results: Mara Romero Borella makes easy work of Kalindra Faria for 1st-round tap". MMAjunkie. 2017-10-08. Retrieved 2018-09-17.
  11. ^ "Mara Romero Borella e Katlyn Chookagian faccia a faccia - 4once.it". www.4once.it (in Italian). 27 January 2018. Retrieved 2018-09-17.
  12. ^ "UFC on FOX 27 results: Katlyn Chookagian outworks Mara Romero Borella for decision". MMAjunkie. 2018-01-28. Retrieved 2018-09-17.
  13. ^ "Six fights added to UFC Fortaleza". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2018-11-30.
  14. ^ "UFC Fortaleza results: Mara Romero Borella takes split call over Taila Santos". MMAjunkie. 2019-02-03. Retrieved 2019-02-03.
  15. ^ Staff (2018-06-20). "Octagon returns to Newark on August 3". ufc.com. Retrieved 2019-06-20.
  16. ^ Doherty, Dan (2019-08-03). "UFC Newark Results: Lauren Murphy Finishes Mara Romero Borella With Beautiful Knee". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2019-08-04.
  17. ^ Jay Anderson (2019-11-23). "Montana De La Rosa vs. Mara Romero Borella set for February 15, 2020". cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 2019-11-26.
  18. ^ Anderson, Jay (2020-02-15). "UFC Rio Rancho Results: Montana De La Rosa Tops Mara Romero Borella in History-Making Fight". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-02-17.
  19. ^ Martin, Damon (2020-05-01). "UFC reveals full fight cards for May 13 and May 16 events". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2020-05-04.
  20. ^ "Cortney Casey vs. Mara Romero Borella Results and News - UFC FIGHT NIGHT: Overeem vs. Harris - MMA Fighting". www.mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2020-05-17.
  21. ^ Staff (2020-06-18). "Mara Romero Borella meets UFC debutante Miranda Maverick on June 27". mmadna.nl. Retrieved 2020-06-18. (in Dutch)
  22. ^ "Miranda Maverick out of UFC on ESPN 12 bout with Mara Romero Borella due to injury". MMA Junkie. 2020-06-24. Retrieved 2020-06-25.
  23. ^ DNA, MMA (2020-07-17). "Mayra Bueno Silva treft Mara Romero Borella tijdens UFC evenement op 5 september". MMA DNA. Retrieved 2020-07-17.
  24. ^ Anderson, Jay (2020-09-19). "UFC Vegas 11 Results: Mayra Bueno Silva Submits Mara Romero Borella". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-09-20.
  25. ^ Martin, Damon (2020-10-02). "Mara Romero Borella, Iuri Alcantara, Jeff Hughes and Khadis Ibragimov released by UFC". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2020-10-03.
  26. ^ Guilherme Cruz (August 23, 2021). "Mara Romero Borella, Monique Adriane knocked out of upcoming Invicta FC 44 card". mmafighting.com.
  27. ^ "L'inchiesta - Cocaina e rugby, fermata una campionessa di body building" (in Italian). Retrieved 2018-09-17.
  28. ^ "UFC flyweight Mara Romero Borella slapped with 26-year suspension by Italian Anti Doping Agency | BJPenn.com". | BJPenn.com. 2018-09-13. Retrieved 2018-09-17.
  29. ^ "USADA: Despite Italian ban, Mara Romero Borella cleared to fight". MMAjunkie. 2018-10-20. Retrieved 2018-10-20.
  30. ^ Sherdog.com. "Mara". Sherdog. Retrieved 2021-09-27.
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