You only get one Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) debut.
Six rookies stepped into the Octagon this weekend (Sat., Feb. 28, 2026) at UFC Mexico City inside Arena CDMX in Mexico City, Mexico. The promotion’s latest batch of newcomers went an impressive 5-1, with several scoring violent finishes.
Now that the dust has settled, let’s hand out grades.
Imanol Rodriguez
The only rookie to land on the Paramount+-streamed main card was Imanol Rodriguez … and for good reason. He’s ultra-aggressive and a genuinely high-upside prospect.
Things nearly went sideways, though. Kevin Borjas clipped him with a clean counter left hook that had Rodriguez badly hurt. It looked like the Mexican’s debut might end in disaster. Instead, Rodriguez secured a timely takedown, survived the round on top and reset.
Round two was vintage Rodriguez. After a measured start, he blasted Borjas with a right hand to the temple, dropped him, and swarmed for the finish (watch highlights).
This is what you get with Rodriguez: chaos, danger, violence. He puts himself at risk, and if you don’t finish him, he will drown you in pressure.
Docking him slightly for getting rocked, but the recovery and finish matter more.
Give me Rodriguez vs. Rei Tsuruya next.
Final grade: A-
Ryan Gandra
Ryan Gandra needed just 41 seconds to send Jose Medina packing out of UFC (hopefully), marking the fastest stoppage loss of Medina’s career (watch highlights).
There’s not much to dissect. Gandra used push kicks to establish range, blitzed forward and flattened him. It was clinical and vicious.
With six first round stoppages, Gandra is pure violence. He’s a welcome addition to Middleweight and should deliver fireworks for years.
Book him against Ismail Naurdiev next.
Final grade: A+
Javier Reyes
Colombia’s Javier Reyes didn’t have a smooth debut. He was cracked twice early by UFC veteran, Douglas Silva de Andrade, before rallying. Reyes dropped Andrade with a right hand and unleashed brutal ground-and-pound, forcing the referee to intervene.
It was exciting, but not clean. Reyes was eight years younger and physically bigger, yet still absorbed big shots. Maybe adversity woke him up.
Still, he finished a seasoned veteran … and that counts.
If healthy, match him with Kaan Ofli in Perth.
Final grade: B–
Regina Tarin
Taking the fight on three days’ notice, 21-year-old Regina Tarin went to war with Ernesta Kareckaite in one of the most entertaining women’s bouts in recent memory.
It was three rounds of pocket trading. Tarin adjusted well in round two with sharper Muay Thai and nasty knees, then pushed the pace in the final frame, even mixing in a takedown.
She won via unanimous decision, though it felt a lot closer.
At just 21, she’s still very raw. And the lack of head movement is concerning; however, she’s fearless and fun. The upside is obvious.
I do hope the promotion matches her up smartly. She should fight Yuneisy Duben in her sophomore outing.
Final grade: B+
Damian Pinas/Wes Schultz
Two rookies who claimed contracts on Season 9 of Contender Series went head-to-head to kick off UFC Mexico City in a “Striker vs. Grappler” matchup … and it did not take long.
Damian Pinas wasted no time making a statement against Wes Schultz.
Efficient. Violent. Impressive.
He was one of Contender Series’ most exciting prospects last season, and he proved why.
I would like to see him against Andrey Pulyaev next.
Final grade: A+
As for Schultz … rough night.
He struggled with distance, couldn’t secure sustained grappling, and was overwhelmed on the feet. If his wrestling doesn’t dictate terms, he’s going to have problems at this level.
I’m not predicting an 0-4 skid — his grappling is tricky — but if opponents defend it, he’s in trouble. He is essentially a Middleweight Ryan Hall.
I guess he could fight Ryan Loder next.
