Mario Bautista, the UFC bantamweight who trains at The MMA Lab, has “Death Before Dishonor” across his chest and “Battle Born” split between his forearms. A colorful design sits on his right thigh. The photos show a mix of lettering and illustrations, with space between the larger pieces.
Death Before Dishonor on the chest
In a UFC 307 photo against Jose Aldo, Bautista’s chest faces the camera enough to read “Death Before Dishonor.” The words are written in decorative black script below the collarbones, with a sweeping line beneath them.
The phrase expresses a preference for honor over disgrace. The tattoo doesn’t establish a specific event or prove how Bautista would respond in every fight; it’s a motto, and his reason for choosing it hasn’t been explained here.
Battle Born across the forearms
At a weigh-in, Bautista crosses his arms so “Battle” on the right forearm and “Born” on the left read together. Both words are large, flowing script with extended strokes.
“Battle Born” is associated with Nevada, where Bautista comes from. The public connection is clear, though the photos don’t say when he got the tattoos or what else the phrase means to him.
A closer look at the Born lettering
A hotel training photo brings “Born” on Bautista’s left forearm close to the camera. His navy UFC shirt covers the chest, and his black gloves are up as he works a pad. The lettering remains clear without the crossed-arms pose.
Coverage has also mentioned a ram skull on the other forearm and the number 775 on an upper arm, but the selected images don’t show either clearly enough to confirm the details. For another fighter’s extensive tattoo coverage, see Alessio Sakara’s tattoos.
The colourful right-thigh tattoo
Against Patchy Mix at UFC 316, Bautista raises his right thigh and exposes part of a colorful tattoo. The visible section has a patterned border, colored details and an animal-like face. The shorts cover its upper edge, and the frame cuts off part of the lower design.
Some descriptions call the figure lion-like, but this crop doesn’t establish its exact identity or cultural source. It’s more pictorial than the black script on Bautista’s chest and arms.
Training at The MMA Lab
This pad-work photo shows Bautista training in a navy shirt at The MMA Lab in Glendale, Arizona. His chest phrase is covered, while some forearm lettering remains visible.
The MMA Lab has been a long-standing part of Bautista’s career. UFC coverage has discussed his connection to the gym and its earlier fighters; the training setting adds context, not an explanation for his tattoos.
Work on the mats
In the wider hotel photo, Bautista works on the mats with a partner in a red shirt as another person warms up behind them. A small part of the thigh design shows below his shorts, but the distance makes it hard to examine.
The video below is Bautista’s UFC Las Vegas Octagon interview after a fight.