# Mara Romero Borella

Marachiara Romero Borella (born June 3, 1986) is an Italian professional mixed martial artist who competed in the Women's Flyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

## Background

Borella taught Judo and was a personal trainer before a friend introduced her to MMA, which started her MMA career. Her father is Italian, and her mother is Honduran.

## Mixed martial arts career
### Early career

Borella started her professional MMA career in 2014 and fought primarily in the European circuit. Borella joined Invicta Fighting Championships (Invicta) prior to signing with the UFC in 2017.

### Invicta Fighting Championships

Borella faced Milana Dudieva on July 15, 2017, at FC 24: Dudieva vs. Borella. She won the fight via a split decision with the scoreboard of (30-27, 28-29 29-28).

### Ultimate Fighting Championship

Borella made her UFC debut on October 7, 2017. Borella faced Kalindra Faria at UFC 216 in Las Vegas, United States, replacing Andrea Lee. She won the fight via a submission.
Borella next faced Katlyn Chookagian on January 27, 2018, at UFC on Fox 27. She lost the fight via a unanimous decision.
Borella faced Taila Santos on February 2, 2019, at UFC Fight Night: Assunção vs. Moraes 2. She won the fight by split decision.
Borella faced Lauren Murphy on August 3, 2019, at UFC on ESPN 5. She lost the fight via TKO in the third round.
Borella faced Montana De La Rosa on February 15, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 167. She lost the fight via unanimous decision.
Borella faced Cortney Casey on May 16, 2020, at UFC on ESPN: Overeem vs. Harris. She lost the bout in the first round via submission through an armbar.
Borella was expected to face promotional newcomer Miranda Maverick on June 27, 2020, at UFC on ESPN: Poirier vs. Hooker. However, Maverick was forced to pull out due to injury. In turn, Borella was removed from the card and will be rescheduled for a future event.
Borella faced Mayra Bueno Silva on September 5, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 177. She lost the fight via a submission in round one.
On October 2, 2020, it was reported Borella was released by UFC.

### Post-UFC career

After the release, Borella again signed with the Invicta FC and was scheduled to face Brogan Walker-Sanchez at Invicta FC 44 on August 27, 2021. However, Borella was forced to withdraw from the bout due to visa issues and was replaced by Emilee King.

## Championships and accomplishments
### Mixed martial arts

* Kombat League
** Kombat League Bantamweight Champion (One time)

## Controversies
### Suspension for 26 years for distributing and selling of cocaine

Borella was arrested by Italian authorities under "Operation Flanker" for distributing and selling cocaine and cannabis at sporting venues, an operation conducted by the Investigative Unit of the Carabinieri of Piacenza in Emilia and Lombardy. Borella entered into plea deals in 2012 along with 33 defendants where punishments were of up to one and four years in prison. She spent a period in prison and later under house arrest for the incident.
Borella was also suspended by the National Anti Doping Agency of Italy for 15 years for distributing and selling prohibited drugs. The same agency then added an additional 11-year suspension, for a total of 26 years, until 2044, for use of Italian sporting facilities while serving a suspension under the Italian Anti Doping Code article 4.12.3. It was reported on October 19, 2018, that Borella was free to compete in the UFC as the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) UFC anti-doping program does not consider Borella's criminal activity a violation, as it was unrelated to performance enhancement.

## Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown :
| 22 matches | 11 wins | 9 losses |
| By knockout | 3 | 4 |
| By submission | 4 | 3 |
| By decision | 4 | 2 |
| No contests | 2 | 2 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
| Loss | 12–9 (2) | Mayra Bueno Silva | Submission (armbar) | UFC Fight Night: Covington vs. Woodley | September 19, 2020 | 1 | 2:29 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 12–8 (2) | Cortney Casey | Submission (armbar) | UFC on ESPN: Overeem vs. Harris | May 16, 2020 | 1 | 3:36 | Jacksonville, Florida, United States | |
| Loss | 12–7 (2) | Montana De La Rosa | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Anderson vs. Błachowicz 2 | February 15, 2020 | 3 | 5:00 | Rio Rancho, New Mexico, United States | |
| Loss | 12–6 (2) | Lauren Murphy | TKO (knee and elbows) | UFC on ESPN: Covington vs. Lawler | August 3, 2019 | 3 | 1:46 | Newark, New Jersey, United States | |
| Win | 12–5 (2) | Taila Santos | Decision (split) | UFC Fight Night: Assunção vs. Moraes 2 | February 2, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Fortaleza, Brazil | |
| Loss | 11–5 (2) | Katlyn Chookagian | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on Fox: Jacaré vs. Brunson 2 | January 27, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Charlotte, North Carolina, United States | |
| Win | 11–4 (2) | Kalindra Faria | Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFC 216 | October 7, 2017 | 1 | 2:54 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 10–4 (2) | Milana Dudieva | Decision (split) | Invicta FC 24: Dudieva vs. Borella | July 15, 2017 | 3 | 5:00 | Kansas City, Missouri, United States | |
| Win | 9–4 (2) | Iren Racz | Decision (unanimous) | Mushin Fighting 3 | February 25, 2017 | 3 | 5:00 | Nuvolera, Italy | |
| Win | 8–4 (2) | Maria Casanova | Submission (armbar) | Kombat League: Colosseum 4 | November 26, 2016 | 2 | 2:34 | Sassari, Italy | |
| NC | 7–4 (2) | Lena Ovchynnikova | NC (overturned by WMMAF) | WMMAF 2016 | May 13, 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Lviv, Ukraine | Originally a split decision win for Ovchynnikova; overturned later by WMMAF after review. |
| Win | 7–4 (1) | Suvi Salmimies | Decision (Split) | Cage 34 | February 13, 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Helsinki, Finland | |
| Win | 6–4 (1) | Lucrezia Ria | Submission (armbar) | Kombat League: Colosseum 3 | December 5, 2015 | 2 | 3:45 | Sardinia, Italy | |
| Loss | 5–4 (1) | Jin Tang | TKO (punches) | Kunlun Fight 33 | October 31, 2015 | 1 | 4:35 | Changde, China | |
| Loss | 5–3 (1) | Stephanie Egger | TKO (corner stoppage) | Arena Fighting Games | October 4, 2015 | 1 | 5:00 | Milan, Italy | |
| Loss | 5–2 (1) | Anna Elmose | KO (punches) | UCL 23 | May 23, 2015 | 2 | 0:45 | Copenhagen, Denmark | |
| Win | 5–1 (1) | Liubov Tiupina | Submission (armbar) | WMMAF 2015 | April 17, 2015 | 1 | 1:40 | Lviv, Ukraine | |
| Win | 4–1 (1) | Katia Curro | TKO (punches) | Shoot Fighting Championship 16 | March 7, 2015 | 1 | 4:18 | Mazzano, Italy | |
| NC | 3–1 (1) | Donatella Panu | NC (overturned) | FIGMMA: Colosseum MMA in the Cage | December 6, 2014 | 1 | 4:00 | Sassari, Italy | Originally a submission (armbar) win for Borella; overturned by FIGMMA |
| Win | 3–1 | Elena Bondarenko | TKO (punches) | WMMAF 2014 | October 18, 2014 | 2 | 1:30 | Lviv, Ukraine | |
| Win | 2–1 | Ileana Bianzeno | Decision (unanimous) | Kombat League: Cage Fight 14 | September 13, 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | Venezia, Italy | |
| Loss | 1–1 | Debi Studer | Submission (guillotine choke) | Max Monster 2 | April 12, 2014 | 2 | N/A | Sempach, Switzerland | |
| Win | 1–0 | Sara Regini | TKO (punches) | Shoot Fighting Championship 12 | March 1, 2014 | 1 | 1:33 | Castiglione delle Stiviere, Italy | |