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.

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.

Mixed martial arts

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

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.