JJ Aldrich

JJ Aldrich (born September 29, 1992) is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Flyweight division. She is currently signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship and has fought for Invicta FC.

Early life
Aldrich was born to a homeless single mother in Denver, Colorado. She grew up in homeless shelters with her mother and older sister, her father had gone to prison before she was born. Years later, Aldrich's mother established a childcare business which allowed the family to move out of the shelter. When JJ was nine, her mother brought the sisters to taekwondo classes at a local recreation center and by the age of thirteen JJ had already earned her black belt. Around those times, Aldrich's taekwondo teachers introduced her to the mixed martial arts gym – 303 Training Center – where she has been training to this day.

Aldrich is of Irish ancestry.

Amateur career
In 2010 Aldrich began looking for amateur bouts, eventually capturing several amateur titles in various organizations. During her amateur career she faced future UFC athletes like Raquel Pennington, Kailin Curran and Rachael Ostovich.

Invicta
JJ Aldrich made her professional MMA career on September 6, 2014, at Invicta FC 8: Waterson vs. Tamada and she won the fight via unanimous decision (30-27, 30–27, 30–26).

Her next fight come one year later on February 27, 2015, at Invicta FC 11: Cyborg vs. Tweet, against Jamie Moyle where she lost in round one via rear-naked choke.

Aldrich was scheduled to face Daniela Kortmann on September 12, 2015, at Invicta FC 14: Evinger vs. Kianzad; however Kortmann was forced to pull from the card due to visa issue and was replaced by  Rosa Acevedo. She won the fight via first-round knockout. She was awarded the Performance of the Night bonus award.

The Ultimate Fighter
JJ Aldrich was a contestant on The Ultimate Fighter: Team Joanna vs. Team Cláudia. In the competition, Aldrich defeated Kristi Lopez by unanimous decision in the elimination round, then lost in the quarterfinals to Tatiana Suarez in round 2 by submission via rear-naked choke.

Freestyle Cage Fighting
Aldrich faced Kathina Caton in September 2016 at Freestyle Cage Fighting 53. She won the fight in round one via technical knockout.

Return to Invicta
Aldrich faced Lynn Alvarez on November 18, 2016, at Invicta FC: Evinger vs. Kunitskaya and she defeated Alvarez via unanimous decision. She was awarded her second Invicta Performance of the Night bonus award.

Ultimate Fighting Championship
She signed with the UFC to fight Juliana Lima for UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Abdurakhimov in Albany, New York on December 9, 2016. Aldrich was a late replacement for Lima's original opponent, Tatiana Suarez, who had to pull out of the bout due to injury. She lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Aldrich faced South Korean fighter Chan-Mi Jeon in Jeon's UFC debut for UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Hunt in Auckland, New Zealand on June 11, 2017. She won the fight via unanimous decision.

Aldrich faced Danielle Taylor on January 14, 2018, at UFC Fight Night: Stephens vs. Choi. She won the fight via unanimous decision.

Aldrich faced Polyana Viana on August 4, 2018, at UFC 227. She won the fight via unanimous decision.

Return to flyweight
Aldrich returned to flyweight to face Maycee Barber at UFC Fight Night: Thompson vs. Pettis on March 23, 2019. Aldrich lost the fight via technical knockout in round two.

Aldrich faced Lauren Mueller on October 12, 2019, at UFC on ESPN+ 19 She won the fight via unanimous decision.

Aldrich faced Sabina Mazo on January 18, 2020, at UFC 246. She lost the fight by split decision.

Aldrich faced Cortney Casey on March 13, 2021 at UFC Fight Night 187. She won the fight by split decision.

Aldrich was scheduled to face Tracy Cortez on August 28, 2021, at UFC on ESPN 30. However, Cortez was pulled from the fight due to injury, and she was replaced by Vanessa Demopoulos. Aldrich won the fight via unanimous decision.

Aldrich was scheduled to face Ariane Lipski on March 12, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 203. However, Lipski was removed from her match for undisclosed reasons, and she was replaced by Gillian Robertson. She won the fight via unanimous decision.

Aldrich faced Erin Blanchfield on June 4, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 207. She lost the bout via guillotine choke in the second round.

Aldrich faced Ariane Lipski on March 11, 2023 at UFC Fight Night 221. She lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Aldrich faced Na Liang at UFC Fight Night 225 on August 26, 2023. She won the bout via ground and pound TKO stoppage at the end of the second round.

Aldrich faced Montana De La Rosa, replacing Stephanie Egger, at UFC Fight Night 229 on October 7, 2023. She won the fight via unanimous decision.

Aldrich faced Veronica Hardy at UFC on ESPN 56 on May 11, 2024. She lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Mixed martial arts

 * Invicta FC
 * Performance of the Night (two times) vs. Rosa Acevedo and Lynn Alvarez

Amateur championships

 * 2014 – Conflict MMA flyweight champion
 * 2013 – Sparta Combat League (SCL) Amateur flyweight champion
 * 2012 / 2013 – Destiny MMA Amateur flyweight champion