Valesca Machado (born May 6, 1996), better known by her ring name Tina Black, is a Brazilian mixed martial artist (MMA) who currently competes in the strawweight division. She previously competed in the Invicta Fighting Championships, where she is a former Invicta FC Strawweight Champion.
Early life Machado grew up in a favela and was given the childhood nickname "Tinininha" by her brother. As she grew older, people began calling her "Tina." When she began her fighting career, she initially competed under the name "Tina Silva." Her friend, former UFC fighter Poliana Botelho, suggested she change her surname to "Black" due to her large afro hair. Machado has stated that while many assume the name refers to her skin color, it was originally inspired by her hair. She has since adopted the name as a statement against prejudice and a way to represent Black people in MMA.
Mixed martial arts career Early career Machado began her professional MMA career in 2016 and mainly fought in Brazil until 2022. She amassed a record of 9–3 prior to being signed by Invicta.
Machado faced Piera Rodríguez at Dana White's Contender Series 44 on October 19, 2021. She lost the fight via split decision.
Invicta Fighting Championships
Machado made her Invicta debut on September 28, 2022, at Invicta FC 49 against Liz Tracy. She won the fight via unanimous decision.
Machado faced Ediana Silva in the Invicta FC Flyweight Championship semi-final match at Invicta FC 50 on November 16. She won the fight via split decision. Later in the night, Machado faced Karolina Wójcik in the tournament final. She won the fight via unanimous decision.
Valesco defended the title against Danni McCormack on March 15, 2023 at Invicta FC 52. She lost the fight via unanimous decision.
After losing the title, Machado was scheduled to face Isis Verbeek on October 27, 2023, at Invicta FC 54: McCormack vs. Wójcik. However, Verbeek withdrew for unknown reasons and was replaced by Kalindra Faria.
Machado faced Taylor Mauldin for the A1 Combat Strawweight Championship at A1 Combat 18 on February 22, 2024. She won the bout by knockout via punches in the first round to win the title.
Machado faced Yulia Ostroverkhova on August 9, 2024, at Invicta FC 56: Maia vs. Cantuária. She won the bout via unanimous decision.
Machado faced Yasmin Castanho at Invicta FC 59 on December 13, 2024. She won the bout by unanimous decision.
The Ultimate Fighter Machado faced Melissa Amaya on September 26, 2026 in the The Ultimate Fighter 34 women's strawweight final at UFC Fight Night 289. She won the fight via a knockout in the second round, securing a contract with the UFC.
Championships and accomplishments Mixed martial arts Ultimate Fighting Championship The Ultimate Fighter 34 Women's Strawweight winner
A1 Combat A1 Combat Women's Strawweight Championship (One time) Invicta Fighting Championships Invicta FC Strawweight Championship (One time) TF Team TF Team Women's Strawweight Championship (One time) Cageside Press 2022 Women's Strawweight Prospect of the Year
Mixed martial arts record
|Win |align=center|16–4 (1) |Melissa Amaya |TKO (punches) |UFC Fight Night: Rosas Jr. vs. Barcelos | |align=center|2 |align=center|3:19 |Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
|Win |align=center| 15–4 (1) |Yasmin Castanho |Decision (unanimous) |Invicta FC 59 | |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Atlanta, Georgia, United States
|Win |align=center| 14–4 (1) |Yulia Ostroverkhova |Decision (unanimous) |Invicta FC 56 | |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Denver, Colorado, United States
|Win |align=center| 13–4 (1) |Taylor Mauldin |KO (punches) |Urijah Faber's A1 Combat 18 | |align=center| 1 |align=center| 0:50 |Lemoore, California, United States
|Loss |align=center| 12–4 (1) |Danni McCormack |Decision (unanimous) |Invicta FC 52 | |align=center| 5 |align=center| 5:00 |Denver, Colorado, United States
|Win |align=center| 12–3 (1) |Karolina Wójcik |Decision (unanimous) |rowspan=2|Invicta FC 50 |rowspan=2| |align=center| 3 |align=center| 5:00 |rowspan=2|Denver, Colorado, United States
|Win |align=center| 11–3 (1) |Ediana Silva |Decision (split) |align=center| 3 |align=center| 5:00
|Win |align=center| |Liz Tracy |Decision (unanimous) |Invicta FC 49 | |align=center| 3 |align=center| 5:00 |Hinton, Oklahoma, United States
|Win |align=center| 9–3 (1) |Janelice Moraes |Submission (rear-naked choke) |Arena Global 16 | |align=center| 1 |align=center| 4:56 |Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
|Loss |align=center| 8–3 (1) |Piera Rodriguez |Decision (unanimous) |Dana White's Contender Series 44 | |align=center| 3 |align=center| 5:00 |Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
|Win |align=center| 8–2 (1) |Karen Thalita |TKO (punches) |Shooto Brasil: Solidariedade | |align=center| 2 |align=center| 2:12 |Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
|Win |align=center| 7–2 (1) |Maria Ribeiro |TKO (punches) |Future FC 6 | |align=center| 3 |align=center| 4:03 |São Paulo, Brazil
|Win |align=center| 6–2 (1) |Janaina Soares |TKO (punches) |Watch Out Combat Show 54 | |align=center| 1 |align=center| 1:00 |Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
|Win |align=center| 5–2 (1) |Lohayne Lopes |TKO (punches) |Warriors Mix Challenger 1 | |align=center| 2 |align=center| 2:37 |Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
|Win |align=center| 4–2 (1) |Monique Adriane |Decision (split) |Shooto Brasil 88 | |align=center| 3 |align=center| 5:00 |Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
|Win |align=center| 3–2 (1) |Julia Polastri |Decision (unanimous) |Shooto Brasil 84 | |align=center| 3 |align=center| 5:00 |Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
|Loss |align=center| 2–2 (1) |Marcela Giantomassi Aguiar |Decision (split) |Shooto Brasil 78 | |align=center| 3 |align=center| 5:00 |Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
|Loss |align=center| 2–1 (1) |Maria Oliveira |Decision (split) |Angels & Fight Contest 1 | |align=center| 3 |align=center| 5:00 |Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
|Win |align=center| 2–0 (1) |Elaine Leal |Decision (split) |Champions Fight 5 | |align=center| 3 |align=center| 5:00 |Belo Horizonte, Brazil
|Win |align=center| 1–0 (1) |Cleudilene Costa |Decision (split) |Fury Fight 1 | |align=center| 3 |align=center| 5:00 |Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
|NC |align=center| 0–0 (1) |Nayara Hemily |NC (missed weight) |New Corpore Extreme 4 | |align=center| 3 |align=center| 5:00 |Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
See also List of current UFC fighters List of Dana White's Contender Series alumni List of female mixed martial artists
References
External links