Daniel Marcos

Background Born on March 7, 1993, in Peru. His interest in mixed martial arts began at the age of 21.

Marcos, since the age of nine, played in the San Miguel towers. He wanted to play for "U" (Club Universitario de Deportes), but he couldn't due to financial reasons.

Marcos worked as a mobile phone lines salesman until his coach convinced him to quit his job to pursue mixed martial arts.

Mixed martial arts career Early career Marcos made his amateur debut in 2015, at the age of 21. After six consecutive victories and no defeats, Marcos began his professional career.

He debuted in professional MMA on September 11, 2015, at the age of 22, at the '300 SPARTA 8' event. Marcos faced, and defeated by technical knockout, Marcos Cubas.

In his early professional MMA career, Marcos fought in Peru, accumulating a 12-0 record with seven finishes, all by TKO or KO. He became the bantamweight champion of 300 Sparta by facing Wanderson Targino on March 10, 2017, where he won the fight by unanimous decision. He subsequently defended the title successfully six times.

Ultimate Fighting Championship Marcos made his promotional debut against Saimon Oliveira on January 21, 2023, at UFC 283. He won the fight by KO in the second round.

Marcos faced Davey Grant on July 22, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 224. He won the fight by split decision. 12 of 14 media outlets scored the contest for Grant.

Marcos was scheduled to face Daniel Santos on November 4, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 231. However, Santos pulled out due to undisclosed reasons and was replaced by promotional newcomer Victor Hugo. However, the bout was scrapped after Hugo weighed in at 138.5 pounds, two and a half pounds over the bantamweight non-title fight limit.

Marcos was scheduled to face Carlos Vera on December 9, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 233. However, the fight was canceled due to visa issues on Marcos's part.

Marcos faced Aori Qileng on February 10, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 236. The fight resulted in a no contest due to repeated accidental low blows.

Marcos faced John Castañeda on June 8, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 57. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Marcos was scheduled to face Said Nurmagomedov on December 14, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 63. However, Nurmagomedov withdrew from the fight for unknown reasons and was replaced by Adrian Yañez. Marcos won the fight by split decision.

Marcos faced Montel Jackson on May 3, 2025 at UFC on ESPN 67. He dropped the fight via unanimous decision, resulting in his first career defeat..

Marcos was scheduled to face Felipe Lima on November 22, 2025, at UFC Fight Night 265. However, Lima withdrew for unknown reasons, so Marcos was re-scheduled to face Miles Johns instead two weeks earlier on November 8, 2025, at UFC Fight Night 264. Marcos won the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in the second round.

On May 29, 2026, it was reported that Marcos was removed from the UFC roster after completed his fight contract and was not renewed by the promotion.

Professional Fighters League On June 1, 2026, it was reported that Marcos signed with the Professional Fighters League.

In his PFL debut, Marcos faced Magomed Magomedov on August 22, 2026, at PFL Tampa. He won the bout via technical knockout in round three after Magomedov suffered a shoulder injury.

Personal life Marcos married his wife, Katia Ponce, on January 19, 2022, in Peru, and they have 2 children.