Of Navajo, Chickasaw, and Hispanic descent, Montaño was born in Lukachukai, Arizona. She graduated from Chinle High School in 2006 then she attended Arizona State University, in Tempe, AZ before transferring to Diné College in Tsaile, AZ, and finally ending up at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado. It was there, in Durango she signed up at Durango Martial Arts Academy and ignited her passion for martial arts. Montaño began training in boxing at an early age. She eventually took up jiu-jitsu before becoming an MMA fighter in 2013.
In August 2017, it was announced that Montaño was one of the fighters selected to be on . In her first fight on the show, Montaño faced UFC veteran Lauren Murphy. She won the fight via unanimous decision after two rounds. In the quarterfinals, Montaño faced off against Montana Stewart. She won the fight via unanimous decision after two rounds. In the semifinals, Montaño faced former Invicta FC Flyweight ChampionBarb Honchak. She won the fight via unanimous decision after three rounds.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Montaño was expected to fight Sijara Eubanks for the inaugural UFC Women's Flyweight Championship at The Ultimate Fighter 26 Finale on December 1, 2017. However, Eubanks was pulled from the fight for kidney failure while trying to make weight, and was replaced by Roxanne Modafferi. Montaño won the fight via unanimous decision and claimed the inaugural UFC Women's Flyweight Championship title. This win also earned her the Fight of the Night bonus.. At the post fight interview, Montaño revealed her financial struggles prior to her win and her appreciation for the prize money she was about to receive:
“We were dirt poor just before tonight in all reality. I’m going to go move to an apartment with some water pressure, and buy some good food and treats for my cats.”
Montaño was scheduled to face Valentina Shevchenko on September 8, 2018 at UFC 228. However, prior to the weigh-ins for the event, Montaño was transported to a hospital due to the effects of weight cutting and the bout was cancelled. Montaño was subsequently stripped of the UFC Women Flyweight title. It was reported that on April 23, 2019, Montaño was suspended by USADA for 6 months for tested positive for ostarine from an out-of-competition test conducted on October 25, 2018. Suspension retroactive from November 15, 2018. She is eligible to fight again in May 15, 2019. Montaño was expected to face Sara McMann in a bantamweight bout on July 13, 2019 at UFC on ESPN+ 13. However, McMann pulled out of the bout citing an injury and was replaced by Julianna Peña. She lost the fight via unanimous decision. Montaño was scheduled to face Macy Chiasson on February 15, 2020 at UFC Fight Night 167. However, Montaño was forced to pull from the event due to injury and she was replaced by Shanna Young. Montaño was scheduled to face Julia Avila on August 8, 2020 at UFC Fight Night 174. However, due to Montano’s coach John Wood testing positive for COVID-19, the bout was reschedule to UFC Fight Night 177.
