Mexican prospect Regina Tarin will make her UFC debut on short notice at UFC Mexico City after Sofia Montenegro withdrew from her fight against Ernesta Kareckaite. The bout has been set at a 130-pound catchweight. The event, scheduled for February 28, 2026, in Mexico City's Arena CDMX, has seen other changes including the main event.
UFC Mexico City has undergone several adjustments leading into the February 28, 2026, event at Arena CDMX. Originally, Sofia Montenegro was set to face Ernesta Kareckaite in a women's flyweight bout, but Montenegro withdrew for undisclosed reasons. Undefeated 21-year-old Mexican fighter Regina Tarin, with a 7-0 professional record, has stepped in on three days' notice to make her Octagon debut. The fight will take place at a 130-pound catchweight.
Tarin, nicknamed "Kill Bill," has finished six of her seven professional wins inside the distance, including four knockouts and two submissions. She turned pro in 2023 and secured victories in promotions like Combate Global and Budo Sento Championship, where she won the women's bantamweight belt with a fourth-round TKO against Luisa Cifuentes in 2024. Her most recent fight was a knockout of Yuriva Jimenez in November 2024 at Tough N Xtreme 1125 in Costa Rica. Tarin also defeated former Ultimate Fighter competitor Kaytlin Neil last summer and had participated in a WWE tryout in January 2026 at the WWE Performance Center.
Kareckaite, from Lithuania, earned her UFC contract on Dana White's Contender Series in 2023 with a split decision over Carli Judice. She debuted with a unanimous decision loss to Dione Barbosa at UFC 301 and rebounded with a split decision victory over Nicolle Caliari in January 2025. This will be her return after more than a year away.
The card has faced other disruptions, with Asu Almabayev withdrawing from the main event due to injury, leading to Lone’er Kavanagh facing two-time flyweight champion Brandon Moreno. The co-main event features Marlon Vera against David Martinez. Other bouts include Daniel Zellhuber vs. King Green, Edgar Chairez vs. Felipe Bunes, and Ryan Gandra vs. Jose Medina on the prelims.
