Undefeated prospect Melissa Amaya and veteran contender Valesca Machado are set to meet in the Season 34 finale of “The Ultimate Fighter,” kicking off the main card at UFC Fight Night 289 on Saturday at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas, according to a breakdown published by MMA Junkie.
The matchup serves as a pivotal gateway into the UFC for both athletes. Amaya enters the bout with an unblemished 8-0 professional mixed martial arts record, having secured her spot in the finale by submitting Anna Melisano in the quarterfinals and earning a technical knockout victory over Giovanna Canuto in the semifinals. On the other side, Machado brings a wealth of professional experience at 15-4, bolstered by prior competition under the Invicta FC and Dana White’s Contender Series banners. Her path to the championship round included a quarterfinal TKO against Natalia Alves and a unanimous decision win over Delphine Benouaich.
According to MMA Junkie, oddsmakers and public sentiment favor the Brazilian contender, listing Machado as a -230 favorite compared to Amaya at +184 via FanDuel. While analysts note that Amaya maintains an edge in work output and tenacity stemming from her training at Sikjitsu in the Pacific Northwest, Machado’s hard-hitting striking style and higher-level professional experience provide distinct tactical advantages. The main card opener is scheduled for approximately 8:10 p.m. ET, with live streaming available on Paramount+.