Irene Aldana (born March 26, 1988) is a Mexican professional mixed martial artist.
She currently competes in the Women’s Bantamweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
As of January 23, 2024, she is #4 in the UFC women's bantamweight rankings and #14 in the UFC women's pound-for-pound rankings.
Aldana graduated from college with a degree in graphic design.
During her college studies, she grew an interest in mixed martial arts and started training at local Lobo Gym.
2013
In her lone fight with Brazilian mixed martial arts promotion Jungle Fight, Aldana faced Larissa Pacheco for the vacant JF Women's Bantamweight Championship at JF: Jungle Fight 63 on December 21, 2013.
She lost the fight via third-round TKO, giving her the first loss of her professional career.
2014
Aldana signed with Invicta FC in mid-2014, and made her debut against Peggy Morgan at Invicta FC 8: Waterson vs. Tamada on September 9, 2014, submitting Morgan with a rear-naked choke in the first round.
She was then expected to face Marion Reneau at Invicta FC 10: Waterson vs. Tiburcio on December 5, 2014, but Aldana was forced out of the bout due to an illness and the fight was taken off the card.
2015
Aldana was scheduled to face Melanie LaCroix at Invicta FC 11: Cyborg vs. Tweet on February 27, 2015, however, LaCroix withdrew from the bout for undisclosed reasons and was replaced by promotional newcomer Colleen Schneider.
She won the fight via first round rear-naked choke.
2016
On November 6, 2016, it was announced that Aldana was signed to the UFC and would face Leslie Smith on December 17, 2016 at UFC on Fox 22.
Aldana lost the fight by unanimous decision.
Despite the loss, the bout earned Aldana her first Fight of the Night bonus award in the UFC.
2018
Aldana faced Talita Bernardo on January 14, 2018 at UFC Fight Night: Stephens vs. Choi.
Aldana won the fight via unanimous decision.
Aldana was scheduled to face Bethe Correia on August 4, 2018, at UFC 227; however, the bout was pulled when Correia withdrew due to injury.
Instead, Aldana faced Lucie Pudilová on September 8, 2018, at UFC 228, winning a close fight via split decision and earning her and Pudilová Fight of the Night award.
2019
Her bout with Bethe Correia was rescheduled and is expected to take place on May 11, 2019 at UFC 237.
At the weigh-ins, Correia weighed in at 141 lbs, 5 pounds over the bantamweight limit of 136 lbs.
She was fined 30% of her fight purse and the bout proceeded at catchweight.
Aldana won the fight via submission in round three.
Aldana faced Raquel Pennington on July 20, 2019 at UFC on ESPN 4.
Aldana lost the fight via split decision.
Aldana was scheduled to face Marion Reneau on September 21, 2019 at UFC on ESPN+ 17.
However, Reneau pulled out of the bout on September 11 for undisclosed reasons.
Reneau was replaced by promotional newcomer Vanessa Melo.
At the weigh-ins, Melo weighed in at 140 pounds, 4 pounds over the bantamweight non-title fight limit of 136.
She was fined 30% of her purse and her bout with Aldana proceeded at a catchweight.
Aldana won the fight by unanimous decision.
Aldana faced Ketlen Vieira on December 14, 2019 at UFC 245.
Aldana won the fight via knockout in round one.
This win earned her the Performance of the Night award.
2020
Aldana was scheduled to face Holly Holm on August 1, 2020 at UFC Fight Night 173.
However, it was reported on July 22 that Aldana pulled out of the fight for undisclosed reasons.
Mere hours after the news surfaced, Aldana revealed that the reason for withdrawal was testing positive for COVID-19.
As a result, Holm was removed from the card as well and the pairing was left intact and rescheduled for October 4, 2020 at UFC on ESPN: Holm vs. Aldana.
Aldana lost the fight via unanimous decision.
Aldana faced Yana Kunitskaya on July 10, 2021 at UFC 264.
At the weigh-ins, Aldana weighed in at 139.5 pounds, three and a half pounds over the bantamweight non-title fight limit.
