When Magaña was five, she lived in the streets of Los Angeles with her mother who was addicted to heroin. She slept in back alleys and ate out of garbage cans. Eventually her grandparents gained custody, but Magaña was already scarred with the issues she'd experienced. Her mother overdosed and died when Magaña turned 17. Magana's father is a Mexican national who was deported to Mexico when she was a child. At the age of 14 she was raped by the father of some children that she babysat for while the children's mother watched. The man was convicted for the crime and served 10 years of a 14-year sentence, while the wife was not charged with any crime. In 2007 Magaña broke her back by falling downthree stories of stairs. She has suffered two auto accidents, one of which put her in a coma for several days.
Magaña started her MMA career on March 23, 2007 at Gladiator Challenge 60 against Tia Castillo. She won via TKO in the first round. She suffered her first defeat when she tapped out to an armbar by Jessica Aguilar. Magaña then submitted her next two opponents both by armbar. A rematch was set between her and Aguilar at WFC 6, she lost via technical submission. After a split decision victory over Nicdali Rivera-Calanoc at FCF 19, Magaña defeated Aguilar in their trilogy fight in the first round of the HOOKnSHOOT GFight 2009 Grand Prix via majority decision. Magaña fought Van do in the semi finals. She won via rear-naked choke, and will face Lisa Hugo in the finals. She lost via unanimous decision. After going 8-3 Magaña was set to face future Invicta FC Atomweight ChampionJessica Penne. She lost via submission. She then went on a three fight win streak including a victory over Barb Honchak.
Magaña took part as one of the Strawweights on TUF 20. In her preliminary round bout, Magaña faced Irish stand out Aisling Daly. She lost via TKO in round three.
Magaña made her UFC debut at taking on former teammate Tecia Torres. She lost via decision. Magaña returned to the octagon to take on the debuting former Invicta FC Atomweight Champion Michelle Waterson at. She lost the fight via submission in the third round. Angela Magaña fought in UFC 218 on December 2, 2017 against runner-up Amanda Cooper. She lost the fight via TKO in the second round. On December 3, 2017, Magaña publicly announced on Twitter that her contract with the UFC had been terminated after a 0-3 record.
In April 2019, Magana was left in an unresponsive coma after complications following spinal surgery at University Hospital in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Two days later she woke up from her coma.
