She is a four-time High School Wrestling National Champion, two-time World Medalist in Freestyle Wrestling, and the 2013 IBJJF World Champion as a white belt, and the 2015 IBJJF World Champion as a blue belt.
Tatiana’s biggest fight however was outside off the wrestling mat and outside of the MMA cage. She was diagnosed with and overcame thyroid cancer.
In 2011, Padilla was ranked No. 1 ranked in the nation at 55 kilograms by Team USA and was an apparent lock to represent the United States at the 2012 London Olympic Games.
A serious neck injury, and a subsequent diagnosis of thyroid cancer, stopped her in her tracks and Padilla put her dream aside while spending the next two years focused on getting healthy again.