Melissa Amaya Will Make UFC Debut Saturday in Vegas
The undefeated fighter takes on veteran Tina Black at the Apex this weekend.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Mixed Martial Arts
Local fight fans will see newcomer Melissa Amaya make her official UFC debut on Saturday, September 26, when she faces Tina Black at the Apex. Amaya enters the matchup carrying an unblemished 8-0 professional record.
Why it matters
Amaya moves to the UFC stage after proving her skills during a compressed five-week run on The Ultimate Fighter, marking a rapid ascent from Combate Global competition. She faces a significant test against the seasoned Black, who brings a 15-4 professional record to the cage.
Amaya enters the bout with an 8-0 record against Black, who holds a 15-4 career mark with one no-contest result. The UFC Fight Night main card is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. at the Meta Apex.
The players
Melissa Amaya
An undefeated fighter making her debut after competing on The Ultimate Fighter.
Tina Black
A seasoned professional fighter with a 15-4 career record.
The details
Amaya arrives at the UFC after an intensive stint on The Ultimate Fighter, where she previously submitted Anna Melisano in the first round and defeated Gigi Canuto via second-round TKO. Both fighters measure 5-feet-4-inches tall, though Amaya holds a one-inch reach advantage at 64.5 inches. The fight is the marquee debut for Amaya, who was identified by her coach as an elite athlete capable of skipping traditional amateur bouts.
Timeline
Saturday, September 26, is the date of the fight.
5 p.m. is the scheduled start time for the UFC Fight Night main card.
Beyond the Strip
Amaya follows the development path established by The Ultimate Fighter, which cycles 16 fighters through intensive five-week camps to determine new roster talent. This debut mirrors the progression seen by many prospects who utilize the show to skip amateur circuits.
Fans planning to attend the event at the Meta Apex should prepare for traffic near the venue ahead of the 5 p.m. start time. Residents should check local event parking restrictions before heading to the arena on Saturday.
The takeaway
Amaya steps into the cage this weekend as one of the most-watched newcomers on the UFC roster. Follow the results of the bout to see how the rising prospect handles a veteran opponent in her first official fight.
Further reading
For more on the current fight scene in the valley, visit the Mixed Martial Arts section.
