Nicco Montano is an American professional mixed martial artist, best known for winning the inaugural UFC Women’s Flyweight Championship. She gained recognition after participating in The Ultimate Fighter reality series.
Here we have Nicco Montano’s net worth, prize money earnings, career, MMA record, and more.
Nicco Montano’s Biography
| Personal Details | |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Nicco Montaño |
| Date of Birth | December 16, 1988 |
| Birthplace | LeChee, Arizona, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 5 ft 5 in (165 cm) |
| Weight | 125 lb (56.7 kg) |
| Division | Flyweight |
| MMA Debut | 2015 |
| Style | Wrestling, Muay Thai, Jiu-Jitsu |
Nicco Montaño was born on December 16, 1988, in LeChee, Arizona, USA. She hails from a Native American background, belonging to the Diné (Navajo) tribe. Montaño’s early athletic pursuits included wrestling, which she transitioned into a professional MMA career.
Her cultural heritage plays a big role in her identity, and she proudly represents her indigenous roots.
Professional Career
Nicco Montaño made her MMA debut in 2015 and quickly earned a reputation for her solid wrestling base and striking ability. Her breakthrough came when she entered The Ultimate Fighter Season 26, a tournament to crown the first-ever UFC Women’s Flyweight champion.
On December 1, 2017, Montaño made history by defeating Roxanne Modafferi via unanimous decision at The Ultimate Fighter 26 Finale, becoming the inaugural UFC Women’s Flyweight Champion.
Unfortunately, Montaño was stripped of her flyweight title in 2018 due to complications related to weight-cutting.
She fought against Julianna Peña in July 2019, where Montaño lost via unanimous decision.
Achievements
- Inaugural UFC Women’s Flyweight Champion (2017)
- Winner of The Ultimate Fighter Season 26
What Happened to Nicco Montano?
Nicco Montaño made history as the first UFC Women’s Flyweight Champion, a title she earned after defeating Roxanne Modafferi in the finale of The Ultimate Fighter 26 in 2017.
Despite this significant achievement, Montaño’s career has been hindered by a series of canceled fights due to injuries and struggles to meet the weight limit. These issues led to her being stripped of the flyweight title in 2018.
Since then, her only fight was at UFC Fight Night in July 2019, where she lost to Julianna Peña via unanimous decision.
Nicco Montano’s Net Worth Details
Nicco Montano’s net worth is estimated to be $300,000 as of 2025, primarily from her UFC fight purses and endorsements.
Montaño earned significant prize money during her stint in The Ultimate Fighter, and her title-winning bout against Modafferi garnered her the largest payout of her career, around $100,000.
Additional earnings from fight bonuses and sponsorships have contributed to her wealth.
Prize Money Earnings
| Fight | Opponent | Date | Event | Fight Purse (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TUF 26 Finale | Roxanne Modafferi | Dec 1, 2017 | TUF 26 Finale | $100,000 (estimated, including bonuses) |
| Julianna Peña | Jul 13, 2019 | UFC Fight Night | $30,000 (reported base salary) | |
| Ultimate Fighter Series Earnings | Various | 2017 | TUF 26 | $50,000 (estimate, total from episodes + finale) |
Endorsements
Nicco Montaño has endorsed brands such as Reebok during her time with the UFC. As a champion, she garnered attention from companies that seek to promote athletes with strong cultural backgrounds and community ties.
MMA Records
| 7 matches | 4 wins | 3 losses |
| By knockout | 2 | 0 |
| By decision | 2 | 3 |
FAQs
1. Who is Nicco Montano?
Nicco Montano is an American mixed martial artist of Navajo, Chickasaw, and Hispanic descent. She became the inaugural UFC Women’s Flyweight Champion in 2017 and is recognized as the first Native American to win a UFC title. Born in Lukachukai, Arizona, she began training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu before transitioning to MMA in 2013.
2. What is Nicco Montano’s fighting record?
Montano holds a professional MMA record of 4 wins and 3 losses. Notable victories include her UFC Flyweight Championship win over Roxanne Modafferi, while her losses include a 2019 unanimous decision to Julianna Peña in her final UFC bout.
3. How did Nicco Montano become UFC champion?
She won the inaugural UFC Women’s Flyweight Championship on December 1, 2017, defeating Roxanne Modafferi via unanimous decision at The Ultimate Fighter 26 finale. The victory also earned her the “Fight of the Night” bonus and a six-figure UFC contract.
4. Why was Nicco Montano stripped of her UFC title?
Montano was hospitalized in 2018 due to complications from weight-cutting ahead of her scheduled title defense against Valentina Shevchenko. As a result, the UFC stripped her of the Flyweight Championship on September 7, 2018.
5. What caused Nicco Montano’s USADA suspension?
In 2019, Montano received a six-month suspension from USADA after testing positive for ostarine, a banned substance, during an out-of-competition test. The suspension was retroactive to November 2018, and she attributed the result to contamination.
6. Why was Nicco Montano released from the UFC?
The UFC released Montano in August 2021 after she missed weight by seven pounds for a bantamweight fight. This marked her third weight-related issue, prompting UFC president Dana White to state, “This might not be the sport for her.”
7. What is Nicco Montano’s connection to the Navajo Nation?
Raised on the Navajo Nation reservation, Montano is a cultural icon for her community. After her UFC championship win, the Navajo Nation declared December 3, 2017, “Nicco Montano Day” and celebrated her with parades and potlucks.
8. How has Nicco Montano supported her Indigenous community?
Montano launched a utilities program to provide water, electricity, and internet access to Navajo Nation. She also mentors Indigenous youth through MMA classes, emphasizing cultural pride and resilience.
9. What fighting style is Nicco Montano known for?
Montano utilized a striking-heavy approach combined with grappling skills honed through Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Her endurance and adaptability were highlighted during her championship run on The Ultimate Fighter.
10. What is Nicco Montano doing post-UFC?
Since her release, Montano has focused on community advocacy and personal growth. She continues to promote Indigenous rights and has expressed interest in documenting her journey through film, though she remains open to returning to MMA under the right circumstances.
