Roxanne Modafferi

Roxanne Modafferi is an American mixed martial artist who has been fighting professionally since 2003, accumulating a 25-21 record across multiple weight classes and promotions. Born in Wilmington, Delaware, she trained extensively in judo (brown belt), Brazilian jiu-jitsu (black belt), and Muay Thai before becoming a journeyman competitor in Japan, Strikeforce, Invicta FC, and independent circuits. After nearly a decade outside the UFC, she signed with the promotion in 2013 and has remained active in the flyweight division ever since, competing at an age (40+) when most fighters have retired.

Modafferi's fighting style is grounded in technical grappling, with a particular emphasis on submissions (especially chokes and armbars) and clinch work. Her statistics show she lands over three significant strikes per minute while absorbing nearly six, indicating a high-output, high-pressure style rooted in durability and volume rather than knockout power. She is a brown belt judoka and black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and her submission wins reflect a deep well of grappling knowledge accumulated over two decades.

Her career reached its peak unexpectedly in December 2017 when, while competing on The Ultimate Fighter 26, she was elevated to a title shot against Nicco Montano for the inaugural UFC women's flyweight championship after Sijara Eubanks withdrew due to kidney failure. Although she lost via unanimous decision, the bout earned her a Fight of the Night bonus and cemented her status as a respected veteran. Since then, Modafferi has recorded mixed results against contenders like Taila Santos, Jennifer Maia, and Antonina Shevchenko, with her most recent fights showing a pattern of close losses to rising opponents.

Fans call her 'The Happy Warrior' not only for her positive demeanor but for her evident passion for combat sports and her willingness to face anyone on any card. She has earned a degree in Japanese Language and Literature and taught English in Japan, lending her an intellectual and cultured dimension that stands apart from typical fighter profiles. Her longevity, technical mastery, and genuine humility have made her a beloved figure in MMA, representing the sport's older generation of grinders who built their legacies far from the spotlight.