Many fans expected Julieta Martinez to receive a contract after her stellar performance last night against Leslie Hernandez on #DWCS, but Dana White ultimately decided against awarding the 20-year-old a contract, “Julieta, let me just say this; I cannot express to you, how much we like you and there is no doubt that you are incredibly talented, but you’re just too young right now.”
But the boss didn’t rule out the possibility of a future in the UFC for the now 8-0 Martinez, stating, “we want you in the UFC, we just think that we would be doing you an incredible disservice if we were to sign you right now.” At Sixth Round, we were surprised that she wasn’t awarded a contract for two primary reasons: she trains at the PI in Mexico and her age was a known prior to the fight.
This isn’t the first time that we’ve seen a DWCS fighter denied a contract based upon lack of experience, however. In 2022, Bo Nickal was asked to return to DWCS in a few weeks after a spectacular first-round finish of Zack Borrego.
Julieta’s age wasn’t Dana’s only concern – he believes that she is undersized for the weight division. While Dana suggested that additional size would come with time, another option might be on the table based upon Dana’s post-fight interview.
“We might end up creating another division,” White revealed, pointing to the talent that the UFC has been able to cultivate from around the world.
Dana’s interest an atomweight division is particularly interesting in light of rumors about ONE Championship’s financial woes amid Mighty Mouse’s retirement, layoffs, and a capital injection. If the UFC was able to recruit ONE phenoms like Stamp Fairtex, a women’s atomweight division could be an extremely compelling addition to the UFC.
What do you think? Will the UFC create a women’s atomweight division? Would you be interested in such a division? Should Dana have signed Julieta Martinez despite her age?
