New Mexico Native and UNM Alumnus Melissa Amaya Takes on The Ultimate Fighter Challenge

The new season of The Ultimate Fighter has kicked off, featuring Melissa Amaya, a mixed martial artist with deep roots in Southern New Mexico. Premiering after the UFC White House fight card on Sunday and continuing every Tuesday on Paramount+, the show showcases Amaya among 10 female strawweight competitors vying for a coveted UFC contract.

Growing up in Chaparral, New Mexico, Amaya was never particularly drawn to fighting. With three brothers, she often engaged in various athletic pursuits but never envisioned a career in mixed martial arts. After earning her nursing degree from the University of New Mexico in 2018, her life took a transformative turn as she candidly shared her experiences with severe depression and suicidal thoughts. “I think I just got kind of tired of being like, ‘Yeah, I'm good,’ every day when I was just lying,” she reflected on her decision to become open about her struggles.

Amaya found a breakthrough through ketamine therapy, which she described as giving her mind a much-needed reset. “It just gave my mind a restart from being bombarded from all those signals,” she explained. It was during her time at nursing school that a friend encouraged her to try a kickboxing class, an experience that unexpectedly ignited her passion for the sport. “Little did I know I was going to be hooked from day one,” she recalled, quickly transitioning from kickboxing to wrestling and MMA training.

Now 31, Amaya enters The Ultimate Fighter with an impressive undefeated record of 8-0 in professional fights, having never competed at the amateur level. She balances her rigorous training at Sikjitsu MMA in Spokane, Washington, a gym known for producing UFC talent, with her responsibilities as a nurse. Reflecting on her journey, Amaya expressed surprise at how far she has come. “I trained my whole life. (I’m a) super, super obsessed athlete,” she stated, sharing her earlier aspirations of becoming a professional basketball player.

Amaya's husband, Lawrence Sena, who she met during her time at UNM, is currently serving in the Air Force, leading them to relocate frequently. Her professional journey gained momentum after a decisive sparring match at Sikjitsu MMA, prompting her coach to encourage her to pursue fighting seriously. “He was like, ‘well, you should,’” she recalled, marking the beginning of her pro career. With newfound determination following injuries in her previous fights, Amaya is now focused on achieving her goal of becoming a UFC fighter, hoping to inspire pride in her hometown. “Growing up in a small town, you want to be a source of pride for people back home,” she said.