Regina Tarin Eyes WWE Crossover — But Not Until MMA Comes First

Regina Tarin had a WWE contract in hand. Three days later, the UFC called — and the choice wasn't close. The 8-0 Mexican prospect, still weeks shy of her 22nd birthday, walked into a pro wrestling tryout, made the cut, then dropped it for a spot in the octagon. She debuted in February on short notice and beat Ernesta Kareckaite by decision to stay unbeaten.

Now she's back for a much tougher test. Tarin faces flyweight veteran JJ Aldrich this Saturday at Noche UFC in Glendale, Arizona — Aldrich's 18th trip to the cage, and she arrives on the back of consecutive wins over Andrea Lee and Jamey-Lyn Horth. Tarin, meanwhile, carries a 75 percent finish rate into the fight, with four of her eight wins coming by knockout.

The WWE door isn't closed, though. Since TKO Group Holdings folded both promotions under one roof in late 2023, a crossover isn't the fantasy it once was. Tarin says she'd consider wrestling later — maybe alongside MMA, maybe even both at once — but insists the priority is winning fights and building in the UFC. With over 500,000 Instagram followers, she already has the platform the WWE tends to reward.

The 'Kill Bill' Pitch

The nickname comes from Beatrix Kiddo — blonde, unhinged, and out to kill everyone, as Tarin puts it with a laugh. She's leaning into that this weekend, predicting a knockout finish rather than another set of scorecards. It fits the profile: half her career wins have ended inside the distance, and she's clearly not interested in coasting to a decision against a name like Aldrich.

The bigger difference this time, by her account, is preparation. Her debut came on short notice; this camp was full, with time to study Aldrich and an easier weight cut on the horizon. Tarin says the hunger is identical, but the version of her stepping in Saturday comes with a game plan attached — a 'prepared Regina,' as she put it, rather than one improvising under the lights.

The obvious storyline is youth versus experience. Aldrich has spent years accumulating octagon time; Tarin logged a long amateur run before turning pro in 2023, which she believes narrows the gap. She says she respects the veteran — right up until the cage door shuts. After that, by her telling, the respect evaporates and she's going for the win, full stop.