Tina Black celebrates TUF 34 title and sends message to strawweights

Tina Black is officially a UFC fighter. The Brazilian strawweight stopped Melissa Amaya by TKO in the second round at UFC Vegas 121 on Saturday, winning the TUF 34 tournament and securing a UFC contract in the process. After the victory, Black celebrated the achievement and warned her future opponents that she can bring more than just striking to the division.

Tina Black Celebrates TUF 34 Victory

Black entered the TUF 34 finale looking to turn years of hard work into a UFC contract. The Brazilian had previously competed on Dana White's Contender Series in 2021, where she lost to Piera Rodriguez. Since that setback, Black went 7-1 inside the cage, winning an Invicta FC strawweight title in 2022 before earning another opportunity to join the UFC through TUF 34.

The 30-year-old delivered a strong performance against Amaya, who entered the fight undefeated. Black hurt the American with her striking in the first round before finishing the fight in the second.

"This is my baby (the trophy)," Black said in the Octagon after the victory. "I dreamed about this moment so much, I worked so hard to be here. Another trophy for my family, to put in my house. I'm very happy. It was very difficult to be in the house (of TUF 34). Many people focused on the same goal. I focused a lot on making my family proud of me."

Black also revealed that she and her coach had expected to finish Amaya by knockout and that she remained patient after hurting her opponent in the opening round.

"We worked very hard with my coach, we imagined this moment (the knockout)," Black said. "We knew we were going to knock her out in this fight. I just needed to stay calm. I knew I had hurt her in the first round, and I knew she would come back with everything because Melissa is a warrior. But I stayed calm and waited for the right moment to land my shot."

Tina Black Sends Message to UFC Strawweights

After finally securing her place in the UFC, Black believes she can make an immediate impact in the strawweight division. Although the Brazilian is known primarily for her striking, she insists she has not shown everything she can do inside the cage.

"I'm very happy to be here (in the UFC), with my new baby (the TUF 34 trophy)," Black told Ag Fight after the fight. "[...] I came here with a purpose. I would only leave here as the champion. Whoever was in front of me, I was going to beat them. I bring danger to the UFC. But I don't have just striking. People think I only have striking. I haven't shown everything I have yet. But I bring a lot of danger to the division. Whatever the UFC brings to me, I'm ready. I want to make money."

Black improved her professional record to 16-4 with one no contest with the victory and became the TUF 34 strawweight champion. The Brazilian has already expressed interest in making her UFC debut before the end of the year.