Check out the list of new UFC fighters signed in January 2024. Get to know Kayla Harrison, Luis Rodriguez, and Carlos Vera. Stay updated with the latest MMA news at MMA Junkie.
| Fighter | Record | Signing Type | Weight Class | Age | Debut Date | Opponent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kayla Harrison | 16-1 | Straight up | Bantamweight | 33 | April 13 | Holly Holm |
| Luis Rodriguez | 16-2 | Straight up | Flyweight | 24 | Feb. 24 | Denys Bondar |
| Carlos Vera | 11-3 | Short-notice | Bantamweight | 36 | Feb. 17 | Rinya Nakamura |
The UFC roster continues to expand with fresh faces appearing on nearly every card. Here at MMA Junkie, we’ve got you covered with the list of fighters added to the UFC roster in January 2024.
Kayla Harrison
- Record when signed: 16-1
- Signing type: Straight up
- Weight class: Bantamweight
- Age: 33
- Debut: April 13 vs. Holly Holm (15-6 MMA, 8-6 UFC) at UFC 300 in Las Vegas
Kayla Harrison needs no introduction. As an Olympic gold medalist in judo, she is one of the highest-profile UFC signings in recent memory. After winning PFL championships in 2019 and 2021, Harrison suffered an upset loss in the 2022 final. Since then, she has only competed once, securing a unanimous decision victory over Aspen Ladd in November 2023.
Luis Rodriguez
- Record when signed: 16-2
- Signing type: Straight up
- Weight class: Flyweight
- Age: 24
- Debut: Feb. 24 vs. Denys Bondar (19-4 MMA, 0-2 UFC) at UFC Fight Night in Mexico City
Nicknamed "Lazy Boy," Luis Rodriguez has finally made it to the UFC. Rodriguez previously fought for a UFC contract on "Dana White’s Contender Series" in 2020 but lost a controversial split decision. Since then, he has gone on to win five straight fights, four of which were under the Lux Fight League banner.
Carlos Vera
- Record when signed: 11-3
- Signing type: Short-notice
- Weight class: Bantamweight
- Age: 36
- Debut: Feb. 17 vs. Rinya Nakamura (8-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC) at UFC 298 in Anaheim, Calif.
Carlos Vera’s journey to the UFC may not have been the quickest, but it was a successful one. Growing up in Ecuador, Vera began training in taekwondo at a young age. After moving to the United States and competing in taekwondo at various levels, he transitioned to MMA. With a professional record of 11-3, Vera competed on "The Ultimate Fighter 31" and made it to the quarterfinals. He now gets his shot in the UFC.
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