Who Is Marina Toybina? 7x Emmy Award Winner Behind UFC Noche Octagon Girls’ Costume

When it comes to unforgettable style moments, UFC Octagon girls are about to receive a significant upgrade, not just any upgrade. For this weekend’s historic Mexican Independence Day event at The Sphere, the UFC has engaged a true visionary: Marina Toybina, a seven-time Emmy Award-winning costume designer.

She is known for turning music stages and television screens into fashion spectacles, and her work aims to inject storytelling, culture, and high fashion into the Octagon like never before. But who is this creative powerhouse collaborating with the UFC for the event? Let’s find out.

Marina Toybina’s Background and Career Journey

Born in Moscow, Russia, Marina Toybina immigrated to the United States at 11. She settled in Phoenix, Arizona, and rapidly became interested in fashion and design. After high school, she relocated to Los Angeles to attend the famous Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM), where she got a degree in fashion design and started her signature line, GLAZA, while still a student.

Marina Toybina’s early work drew notice from the entertainment industry, and she started designing for music videos, arena shows, and fashion editorials. Her creations have graced worldwide runways, primetime television, and the pages of major periodicals, including Billboard, Rolling Stone, and the New York Times.

The 43-year-old’s ability to combine storytelling with visual spectacle has made her a trusted collaborator of global superstars. Throughout her career, Toybina has collaborated with some of the biggest stars in music and entertainment, including Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, Nicki Minaj, Carrie Underwood, and P!nk.

She has also designed for television series such as FOX’s So You Think You Can Dance and The X Factor, bringing her fashion knowledge to various live and televised performances. Her work has earned her seven Emmy Awards, cementing her status as one of the industry’s most accomplished costume designers.

Marina Toybina’s UFC Noche Collaboration

For UFC Noche at The Sphere, Marina Toybina has transformed the Octagon girls’ wardrobe into a high-fashion, culturally resonant spectacle. The event will feature eight new Octagon girls, six native-born Mexicans and two second-generation Mexicans, each designed to fit the event’s thematic narrative.

The production will premiere “For Mexico, For All Time,” a film told in six 90-second chapters displayed across the Sphere’s interior screen during the PPV portion of the event. Each chapter delves into a different period of Mexican history and culture. Toybina’s costumes and makeup are created to mirror these eras, making the Octagon girls an essential element of the storytelling experience.

By combining historical and cultural references with contemporary fashion, Marina Toybina is elevating the visual presentation of the Octagon girls beyond traditional ring attire. The end product is a flawless blend of performance, storytelling, and couture, bringing a new artistry to UFC events and redefining what fans may expect from in-ring style.

Marina Toybina’s Lasting Impact on Fashion and Entertainment

Marina Toybina’s influence extends far beyond individual projects or celebrity collaborations. Her approach consistently blends narrative, culture, and spectacle, influencing music, television, and fashion trends. She proved that costumes are more than just functional; they can be powerful storytelling tools that improve the whole experience of an event.

Her work with top performers and global businesses reveals a unique ability to establish visual identities that appeal to people worldwide. The 43-year-old has reimagined the intersection of fashion and performance on stage and television by combining technical skill with a flair for theatricality.

With her UFC Noche collaboration, Toybina continues to break new ground, proving that her ability extends beyond traditional entertainment mediums. Her creative approach to design and costume artistry guarantees that her impact will continue to change the look and feel of major live events, leaving a lasting mark on fashion, culture, and sports entertainment.