Roxanne Modafferi

Roxanne Vincenta Roman (born September 24, 1982) is an American retired mixed martial artist, who most recently fought for the UFC. Though she last fought in the flyweight division, she has fought in multiple weight classes in her career. She has been a professional competitor since 2003.

Biography Roman is of Italian and Lithuanian descent. Roman's training began in Taekwondo at the age of 13 in Pennsylvania, moving on to Mark Lawler's Kenpō Karate in the high school. She then began attending the Dalton Judo Club in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Her description of that experience was: "I thought I was all cool doing Karate, like the movie stars, but then in Judo I learned what it was like to fly." She trained for three years to gain a brown belt in the style, and then graduated from Lenox Memorial High School.

Modafferi majored in Japanese Language and Literature with a minor in Linguistics at the University of Massachusetts.

Roxanne defended her FFF title against Vanessa Porto at FFF 4 – Call of the Wild on April 3, 2008. She won the fight by TKO in the third round.

She signed a contract with the American Fight League (AFL) and was scheduled to face Tara LaRosa at the AFL's November event, but fought instead at the debut Valkyrie event in Japan after the AFL's plans stalled.

Strikeforce Modafferi moved up a weight class and made her long-awaited Strikeforce debut in a rematch with Marloes Coenen at Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers on November 7, 2009, but lost the fight by armbar in the first round.

Independent promotions On January 30, 2010, Modafferi submitted Molly Helsel in the second round at King of the Cage: Toryumon in Okinawa, Japan.

Modafferi rematched Tara LaRosa at Moosin: God of Martial Arts on May 21, 2010. Strikeforce provided official permission for Modafferi to compete on the card. Modafferi won the fight by split decision.

Strikeforce return Modafferi returned to Strikeforce to challenge Sarah Kaufman at Strikeforce Challengers: del Rosario vs. Mahe on July 23, 2010. She lost the fight via knockout due to a slam in the third round.

Modafferi was released by Strikeforce on November 12, 2010, after losing both her fights with the promotion. She was scheduled to face Hitomi Akano at World Victory Road Presents: Soul of Fight on December 30, 2010, but the fight was cancelled after Modafferi suffered a stomach illness and was unable to compete.

International return Modafferi faced Rosi Sexton at Cage Warriors Fighting Championship 40 on February 26, 2011. The fight was Modafferi's debut at 125 pounds. She was defeated by unanimous decision.

Modafferi then faced Hitomi Akano in a bout rescheduled for Jewels 15th Ring on July 9, 2011. She was defeated by unanimous decision.

Modafferi was scheduled to face Aisling Daly at BlackEye Promotions 5 in Fletcher, North Carolina, on October 1, 2011. However, Daly was forced to withdraw from the card and Modafferi faced Barb Honchak instead. She was defeated by submission due to a rear-naked choke in the third round.

On February 10, 2012, it was announced that Modafferi would face Takayo Hashi at Jewels 18th Ring on March 3 in Tokyo. She was defeated by unanimous decision.

Modafferi was set to face Shizuka Sugiyama at Jewels 22nd Ring on December 15, 2012. However, she suffered a neck injury in training and withdrew from the fight on December 13.

The Ultimate Fighter 18 In August 2013, it was announced that Modafferi was one of the fighters selected to be on The Ultimate Fighter: Team Rousey vs. Team Tate. In the elimination fight to get into the TUF house, Modafferi faced Valérie Létourneau and won via a rear-naked choke submission in the first round. She later lost her first tournament fight to Jessica Rakoczy.

Ultimate Fighting Championship In November 2013, it was announced that Modafferi would make her official UFC debut against fellow TUF 18 alumni Raquel Pennington at The Ultimate Fighter 18 Finale on November 30. She lost the fight via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28).

Invicta FC Modafferi met Tara LaRosa for the third time at Invicta FC 8 on Saturday, September 6, 2014. The event was the first Invicta event to air exclusively on UFC Fight Pass. Modafferi won the fight via unanimous decision, ending her 6 fight losing streak with her first win in four years. She followed this up with a split decision win over Andrea Lee at Invicta FC 10 on Friday, December 5, 2014.

Modafferi faced Vanessa Porto at Invicta FC 12 on Friday, April 24, 2015. She lost the fight via unanimous decision. Modafferi faced Mariana Morais at Invicta FC 14: Evinger vs. Kianzad on Saturday, September 12, 2015, and won via TKO stoppage in the third round. Modafferi brought her Invicta FC record to 4-1 with a win over DeAnna Bennett in March 2016 at Invicta FC 16. She was later announced to be challenging Jennifer Maia for the Invicta FC Flyweight championship at Invicta FC 19 on September 23, 2016. The fight was Modafferi's first title fight in the Invicta FC promotion.

The Ultimate Fighter 26 In August 2017, it was announced that Modafferi would be one of the fighters featured on The Ultimate Fighter 26, where the process to crown the UFC's inaugural 125-pound women's champion will take place.

In the opening round, Modafferi faced Shana Dobson and won by TKO due to punches in the first round, allowing her to move on to the next stage of the competition. In the quarterfinals, Modafferi faced Emily Whitmire and won the fight via technical knockout in round one. In the semifinals, Modafferi faced Sijara Eubanks and she lost via unanimous decision after three rounds.

UFC return Modafferi was scheduled to face fellow semifinalist Barb Honchak on December 1, 2017, at The Ultimate Fighter 26 Finale. However, on the day of the weigh in, Sijara Eubanks was pulled from the fight for kidney failure and was replaced by Modafferi to face Nicco Montaño for the Flyweight title. She lost the fight via unanimous decision. The fight earned her the Fight of the Night bonus.

The rematch between Modafferi and Barb Honchak was rescheduled to take place July 6, 2018, at The Ultimate Fighter 27 Finale. Modafferi won the fight via technical knockout in round two.

Modafferi faced Sijara Eubanks at UFC 230 on November 3, 2018. At the weigh-ins, Eubanks weight at 127.2 pounds, 1.2 pounds over the flyweight non-title fight limit of 126 and she was fined 20 percent of her purse, which went to her opponent Modafferi. She lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Modafferi faced Antonina Shevchenko on April 20, 2019, at UFC on ESPN+ 7. She won the fight via split decision. The victory earned Modafferi the distinction of being the first female UFC fighter to win a bout in Russia.

Modafferi was expected to face Liz Carmouche on July 20, 2019, at UFC on ESPN 4. However, Carmouche was pulled from that bout in favor of a rematch with current champion Valentina Shevchenko in August at UFC Fight Night 156. Modaffer then faced Jennifer Maia in a rematch of their 2016 Invicta FC Flyweight Championship bout, which Maia won via split decision. At the weigh-ins, Maia weighed in at 129 pounds, 3 pounds over the women's flyweight non-title fight limit of 126. As a result she was fined 30 percent of her purse, and the bout proceeded as scheduled at a catchweight. Modafferi lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Modafferi faced Maycee Barber on January 18, 2020, at UFC 246. Modafferi won the one-sided fight by unanimous decision.

Modafferi faced Lauren Murphy on June 20, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Volkov. She lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Modafferi faced Andrea Lee on September 12, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 177. She won the fight via unanimous decision.

Modafferi was briefly scheduled to face Viviane Araújo on January 30, 2021, at UFC on ESPN 20. However, the fight was rescheduled and took place 10 days earlier at UFC Fight Night 185 instead. She lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Modafferi was scheduled to face Taila Santos on May 8, 2021, at UFC on ESPN 24. However, Modafferi was forced to pull out from the event citing a meniscus tear.

Modafferi was expected to face Tatiana Suarez on September 25, 2021, at UFC 266. However, Suarez was pulled from the event due to injury, and she was replaced by Taila Santos She lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Modafferi faced Casey O'Neill on February 12, 2022, at UFC 271. On November 4, 2021, she announced via Instagram that this would be her final MMA fight. She lost the fight via split decision and retired. 19 out of 19 media scores gave it to O'Neill.

Professional grappling career Modafferi competed in the first women's divisions at the ADCC World Championships on May 27 and 28, 2005. She lost to Alessandra 'Leka' Vieira in the opening round of the under 60 kg division.

On October 25, 2020, Modafferi faced Danielle Kelly in the main event of Submission Hunter Pro 60 for the inaugural 130 lbs no gi title and was submitted with a toehold.

Modafferi was given the opportunity to challenge Amanda Loewen for the SUG absolute title at Submission Underground 21 on March 28, 2021. Neither woman was able to win during regulation time and the match went to EBI overtime, with Loewen winning by armbar at 0:59 of the first round of overtime.

Modafferi faced Michele Oliveira in a superfight at UFC Fightpass Invitational 2 on July 3, 2022, and lost a decision.

Writing Modafferri writes a regular column titled Dear Roxy for MMA website Bloody Elbow. She is also an author and has published two books, How to be Positive: Mental Training by the Happy Warrior and Memoirs of a Happy Warrior.

Personal life Modafferi married fellow MMA fighter Chris Roman on October 16, 2022. On March 2, 2024 she revealed that she was pregnant with her first child. On July 21, she posted that she had given birth to a son, Maximus Edwin Roman.

Championships and accomplishments Mixed martial arts Ultimate Fighting Championship Fight of the Night (One time) vs. Nicco Montaño UFC.com Awards 2019: Ranked #4 Upset of the Year 2020: Upset of the Year International Sport Karate Association ISKA Women's World Middleweight Championship (One time) International Fighting Championships IFC Women's Middleweight Championship (One time) Fatal Femmes Fighting FFF Women's Lightweight Championship (two times) K-GRACE K-GRACE Women's Openweight Tournament Winner Smackgirl Smackgirl World ReMix 2004 Openweight Tournament Semifinalist AwakeningFighters.com WMMA Awards 2014 Flyweight of the Year Sherdog 2020 Upset of the Year vs. Maycee Barber ESPN 2020 Upset of the Year

Submission grappling North American Grappling Association 2002 North American Grappling Association Fighter of the Year Abu Dhabi Combat Club 2005 ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championships -60 kg Quarterfinalist

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Casey O'Neill Decision (split) UFC 271

Houston, Texas, United States | Loss

Taila Santos Decision (unanimous) UFC 266

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Viviane Araújo Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Chiesa vs. Magny

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Win

Andrea Lee Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Waterson vs. Hill

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Lauren Murphy Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Blaydes vs. Volkov

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Maycee Barber Decision (unanimous) UFC 246

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Jennifer Maia Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: dos Anjos vs. Edwards

San Antonio, Texas, United States Win

Antonina Shevchenko Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Oleinik

Saint Petersburg, Russia Loss

Sijara Eubanks Decision (unanimous) UFC 230

New York City, New York, United States Win

Barb Honchak TKO (elbows) The Ultimate Fighter: Undefeated Finale

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Nicco Montaño Decision (unanimous) The Ultimate Fighter: A New World Champion Finale

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Sarah D'Alelio TKO (elbows) Invicta FC 23: Porto vs. Niedźwiedź

Kansas City, Missouri, United States Win

Priscila de Souza Submission (armbar) Fusion Fight League: Ladies Fight Night

Billings, Montana, United States Loss

Jennifer Maia Decision (split) Invicta FC 19: Maia vs. Modafferi

Kansas City, Missouri, United States Win

DeAnna Bennett Decision (split) Invicta FC 16: Hamasaki vs. Brown

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Mariana Morais TKO (punches) Invicta FC 14: Evinger vs. Kianzad

Kansas City, Missouri, United States Loss

Vanessa Porto Decision (unanimous) Invicta FC 12: Kankaanpää vs. Souza

Kansas City, Missouri, United States Win

Andrea Lee Decision (split) Invicta FC 10: Waterson vs. Tiburcio

Houston, Texas, United States Win

Tara LaRosa Decision (unanimous) Invicta FC 8: Waterson vs. Tamada

Kansas City, Missouri, United States Loss

Raquel Pennington Decision (unanimous) The Ultimate Fighter: Team Rousey vs. Team Tate Finale

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Takayo Hashi Decision (unanimous) Jewels 18th Ring

Koto, Japan Loss

Barb Honchak Submission (rear-naked choke) BEP 5: Breast Cancer Beatdown

Fletcher, North Carolina, United States Loss

Hitomi Akano Decision (unanimous) Jewels 15th Ring

Kabukicho, Japan Loss

Rosi Sexton Decision (unanimous) Cage Warriors: 40

North London, England Loss

Sarah Kaufman KO (slam) Strikeforce Challengers: del Rosario vs. Mahe

Everett, Washington, United States Win

Tara LaRosa Decision (split) Moosin: God of Martial Arts

Worcester, Massachusetts, United States Win

Molly Helsel Submission (rear-naked choke) KOTC: Toryumon

Okinawa, Japan Loss

Marloes Coenen Submission (armbar) Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers

Hoffman Estates, Illinois, United States Win

Chisa Yonezawa Decision (unanimous) Valkyrie 01

Tokyo, Japan Win

Vanessa Porto TKO (knees) Fatal Femmes Fighting 4: Call of the Wild

Los Angeles, California, United States Win

Marloes Coenen Decision (split) K-GRACE 1

Tokyo, Japan Win

Megumi Yabushita Decision (unanimous) K-GRACE 1

Tokyo, Japan Win

Hee Jin Lee Submission (armbar) K-GRACE 1

Tokyo, Japan Win

Cassandra Rivers-Blasso Decision (split) Fatal Femmes Fighting 1: Asian Invasion

Los Angeles, California, United States Loss

Shayna Baszler Submission (hammerlock) MARS: BodogFIGHT

Tokyo, Japan Win

Megumi Yabushita Decision (unanimous) G-Shooto: G-Shooto 05

Tokyo, Japan Loss

Tara LaRosa Decision (unanimous) Mix Fighting Championships: Boardwalk Blitz

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Loss

Laura D'Auguste Decision (unanimous) Ring of Combat 8

Asbury Park, New Jersey, United States Win

Jennifer Howe Submission (triangle choke) International Fighting Championships: Eve of Destruction

Salt Lake City, Utah, United States Loss

Megumi Yabushita Decision (unanimous) Smackgirl: World ReMix 2004

Shizuoka, Japan Win

Ana Carolina Decision (unanimous) Smackgirl: World ReMix 2004

Shizuoka, Japan Win

Jennifer Howe Decision (unanimous) HOOKnSHOOT: Evolution

Evansville, Indiana, United States Win

Natsuko Kikukawa Decision (unanimous) Smackgirl: F8

Tokyo, Japan Win

Keiko Tamai Decision (unanimous) Greatest Common Multiple: Cross Section 1

Japan Win

Hikaru Shinohara Submission (armbar) Smackgirl: Third Season 7

Tokyo, Japan Loss

Sijara Eubanks Decision (unanimous)

(air date)

Win

Emily Whitmire TKO (elbows) (air date)

Win

Shana Dobson TKO (elbows) (air date)

Loss

Jessica Rakoczy TKO (slam and punches)

(air date)

Win

Valérie Létourneau Submission (rear-naked choke) (air date)