Carla Esparza
Carla Esparza | |||||||||||||||
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![]() Esparza in 2022 | |||||||||||||||
Born | (1987-10-10) October 10, 1987 (age 36) Torrance, California, US | ||||||||||||||
Other names | Cookie Monster | ||||||||||||||
Residence | Redondo Beach, California, US | ||||||||||||||
Height | 5 ft 1 in (1.55 m) | ||||||||||||||
Weight | 115 lb (52 kg; 8.2 st) | ||||||||||||||
Division | Strawweight | ||||||||||||||
Reach | 63 in (160 cm) | ||||||||||||||
Style | Wrestling | ||||||||||||||
Fighting out of | Redondo Beach, California, United States | ||||||||||||||
Team | Team Oyama | ||||||||||||||
Rank | Brown belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu[1] | ||||||||||||||
Wrestling | NAIA wrestling[2] | ||||||||||||||
Years active | 2010–present | ||||||||||||||
Mixed martial arts record | |||||||||||||||
Total | 26 | ||||||||||||||
Wins | 19 | ||||||||||||||
By knockout | 4 | ||||||||||||||
By submission | 4 | ||||||||||||||
By decision | 11 | ||||||||||||||
Losses | 7 | ||||||||||||||
By knockout | 2 | ||||||||||||||
By submission | 2 | ||||||||||||||
By decision | 3 | ||||||||||||||
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |||||||||||||||
Medal record
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Carla Esparza (born October 10, 1987) is an American professional mixed martial artist and wrestler who competes in the Strawweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), in which she is the former two-time UFC Women's Strawweight Champion. Esparza was the first UFC Strawweight Champion, the first Invicta FC Strawweight Champion, and was generally considered the best Strawweight fighter in the world during both title reigns.[4][5] She first earned the UFC championship by winning a 16-woman tournament that was televised on the reality series The Ultimate Fighter. She also competed in Bellator MMA's first women's tournament.
Amateur and collegiate wrestling
Carla Esparza's path to mixed martial arts (MMA) began when she started wrestling for the varsity team during her junior year at Redondo Union High School in Redondo Beach, California.[6] After winning multiple regional and national high-school wrestling tournaments, Esparza was awarded a scholarship to Menlo College, a NAIA Division school in northern California, to wrestle under coach and former two-time Olympian Lee Allen.[7]
In 2008 and 2009, Esparza was a women's wrestling All-American with the Menlo Oaks.[2]
While in college, Esparza started training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu at the Gracie Academy in Torrance under Rener, Ryron, and Ralek Gracie. She then expanded her mixed martial arts repertoire when she began training at Team Oyama during the summer of her junior year of college.[8]
Mixed martial arts career
Bellator
In August 2010, only six months after her pro debut and with just three professional MMA fights, Esparza was called in by Bellator MMA as a last-minute replacement for Angela Magaña, who was forced to withdraw from her upcoming fight due to a foot injury.[9] Esparza was inserted in the bracket of the Bellator Season 3 115 lb women's tournament at Bellator 24. On just three days' notice, Esparza's opponent in the quarterfinal round was the undefeated and then #1 pound-for-pound female MMA fighter in the world, Megumi Fujii.[9] Esparza lost the fight to the heavily favored Fujii via second-round armbar submission.[10][11]
In June 2011, Esparza returned to the Bellator cage and faced fellow Season 3 tournament challenger Jessica Aguilar at Bellator 46.[12][13] After a three-round back and forth battle, Aguilar defeated Esparza via split decision.[14][15]
XFC and MEZ Sports
On December 2, 2011, Esparza made her XFC debut against Felice Herrig at XFC 15: Tribute in Tampa, Florida.[16] She defeated Herrig via unanimous decision.[17]
Three months later, Esparza was scheduled to face Angela Magana at Pandemonium VI for the MEZ Sports women's flyweight title.[18][19] Unfortunately, Magana was involved in a car accident on the day of the fight while in transit to the Riverside Convention Center, where the event was being staged.[20] Magana re-broke her back in the collision and was unable to compete in the fight.[21]
Invicta FC
In May 2012, it was announced that Esparza had signed with the upstart all-female Invicta Fighting Championships promotion.[22]
On July 28, 2012, Esparza made her Invicta debut at the promotion's second event, entitled Invicta FC 2: Baszler vs. McMann, and faced Sarah Schneider on the preliminary card.[22] Esparza won the fight via TKO (punches) at 4:28 of round two.[23]
Esparza returned to Invicta to face Lynn Alvarez at Invicta FC 3: Penne vs. Sugiyama on October 6, 2012.[24] She defeated Alvarez via TKO (punches) at 2:53 of round one.[25]
Strawweight Championship
Esparza was expected to face Ayaka Hamasaki for the Invicta FC Strawweight Championship at Invicta FC 4: Esparza vs. Hyatt on January 5, 2013.[26] However, Hamasaki withdrew from the fight in order to defend her Jewels Lightweight title in Japan. Esparza was then set to face Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt Cláudia Gadelha in the Invicta FC 4 main event,[27] but Gadelha broke her nose in training and was forced to withdraw.[28]
Esparza ultimately faced Bec Hyatt for the Invicta FC Strawweight Championship.[29] Esparza won the fight via unanimous decision to become the first Invicta FC Strawweight Champion.[30][31]
Esparza agreed to defend her title against Ayaka Hamasaki at Invicta FC 6: Coenen vs. Cyborg on July 13, 2013.[32][33] However, on June 4 she withdrew from the fight due to a knee injury.[34]
On December 7, 2013, Esparza was set to defend her strawweight title against Cláudia Gadelha at Invicta FC 7.[35] However, on the day of the event, Gadelha was taken to the hospital due to a bacterial infection and the fight was canceled. Esparza vacated the title on December 11, 2013 to compete on The Ultimate Fighter.[36]
The Ultimate Fighter
On December 11, 2013, it was announced that Esparza was signed by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) along with 10 other strawweight fighters to compete on season 20 of The Ultimate Fighter, which would crown the first ever UFC Strawweight Champion.[37]
Esparza was the top seed in the tournament. She faced Angela Hill in the preliminary round and won via submission in the first round. In the quarterfinal round, she faced Tecia Torres and won the fight via majority decision.[38] She then faced teammate Jessica Penne in the semifinal, and won by unanimous decision.[39]
Ultimate Fighting Championship
By winning the tournament on The Ultimate Fighter, Esparza advanced to the final on December 12, 2014, against Rose Namajunas.
Strawweight Champion
"She did an outstanding job. Standing on her feet and on the ground, she completely dominated. She took her down at will. I say it every season but the best rise to the top on the show, and she definitely did tonight."
—UFC President Dana White on Esparza's title victory[5]
After dominating much of the fight with her grappling and ground strikes, Esparza defeated Namajunas via rear-naked choke in the third round to become the inaugural UFC Strawweight Champion. The result also earned Esparza a Performance of the Night bonus.[40]
Kevin Iole of Yahoo Sports noted, "Namajunas tapped at 1:26 of the third round, but the fight was over long before that. Esparza was too strong, too smart and simply too good for the far less experienced Namajunas." He went on to state that "Esparza dominated her three fights on the reality show and was no less dominant on Saturday. There is clearly a gap between Esparza and the next level of challengers".[5] Following the fight, Brad Walker of MMATorch declared, "Esparza is the best fighter in her division in the world, not just in the UFC."[41]
In her first title defense, Esparza faced kickboxer Joanna Jędrzejczyk on March 14, 2015, at UFC 185. Prior to the fight, Jędrzejczyk stated, "I have lots of respect for her." She also noted, "I know she's not going to give up easy, so it's going to be a tough fight for me and for her."[42] Throughout the bout, Esparza was out-struck while standing and unable to keep Jędrzejczyk on the mat. Jędrzejczyk won via TKO in the second round. In an interview afterward, Esparza noted, "She had great takedown defense, obviously. I feel like I wasn't really setting it up, but that's on me."[43] She went on to state, "There's never any excuses. I fought my fight and I lost tonight. She did a great job."[43]
Esparza underwent shoulder surgery in mid-2015 and subsequently was out of action for the rest of the year.[44]
Rebound
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d3/Carla_Esparza.png/230px-Carla_Esparza.png)
Esparza returned at UFC 197 on April 23, 2016, defeating Juliana Lima via unanimous decision. Esparza, who stepped in for Jessica Aguilar, noted, "I took this fight semi-last minute, and I kind of wanted it that way too. Even though I wasn't in the best shape I wanted to be, I just kind of wanted to avoid the stress of a long camp." She also stated, "It's a huge relief off my shoulders to go out there and get my hand raised."[45]
Esparza next faced Randa Markos on February 19, 2017 at UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Browne. She lost the fight via controversial split decision.[46] 19 of 23 media outlets scored the fight 29-28 for Esparza.[47]
Esparza faced Maryna Moroz on June 25, 2017 at UFC Fight Night 112. She won the fight via unanimous decision.[48]
Esparza faced Cynthia Calvillo on December 30, 2017 at UFC 219.[49] She won the fight via unanimous decision.[50]
Esparza faced Cláudia Gadelha on June 9, 2018 at UFC 225.[51] She lost the fight via split decision.[52]
Esparza faced Tatiana Suarez on September 8, 2018 at UFC 228.[53] Esparza lost the fight via TKO in the third round.[54]
Esparza was scheduled to face Lívia Renata Souza on April 27, 2019 at UFC Fight Night: Jacaré vs. Hermansson.[55] However, it was reported that Souza pulled out of the bout, citing ankle injury and was replaced by promotional newcomer Virna Jandiroba.[56] Esparza won the fight via unanimous decision.[57]
Esparza faced Alexa Grasso on September 21, 2019 at UFC Fight Night 159.[58] She won the fight via majority decision.[59] This fight earned her the Fight of the Night award, the first of her UFC career.[60]
Esparza was scheduled to face Michelle Waterson on April 11, 2020 at UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Harris.[61] Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was eventually postponed[62] and the bout eventually took place on May 9, 2020 at UFC 249.[63] She won the fight via split decision.[64]
On June 3, 2020, Esparza's manager announced that she had signed a new four-fight deal with the UFC.[65]
Esparza was expected to face Marina Rodriguez on July 15, 2020 at UFC Fight Night 172.[66] However the bout was cancelled after one of Rodriguez's cornermen tested positive for COVID-19.[67] The pair eventually fought at UFC on ESPN 14 on July 26, 2020.[68] Esparza won the fight via split decision.[69]
Esparza was expected to face Amanda Ribas on December 12, 2020 at UFC 256.[70] However on October 9, it was announced that Esparza was pulled due to undisclosed reasons.[71]
Esparza faced Yan Xiaonan on May 22, 2021 at UFC Fight Night 188.[72] She won the bout via TKO after dominating Yan on the ground throughout the bout.[73] This win earned her the Performance of the Night award.[74]
Second championship reign
Esparza faced Rose Namajunas in a rematch for the UFC Women's Strawweight Championship on May 7, 2022 at UFC 274.[75] Esparza won a largely uneventful fight by split decision to claim the UFC Women's Strawweight Championship for a second time. Alongside the UFC 248 main event, it was widely regarded as one of the most boring UFC title fights of all time.[76] With the victory, Esparza set a record for longest time between UFC title reigns by any fighter, male or female, at 2,612 days.[77]
In her first defense, Esparza faced Zhang Weili on November 12, 2022, at UFC 281.[78] She lost the bout and the belt by way of a rear-naked choke submission in the second round.[79]
Retirement bout
In her final bout before retirement, Esparza is scheduled to face Tecia Pennington on October 5, 2024 at UFC 307.[80]
Grappling career
Esparza stepped up on short notice to replace Rose Namajunas in a grappling match against Danielle Kelly at Fury Pro Grappling 3 on December 30, 2021.[81] After a tough match, Esparza slammed Kelly from full guard and the resulting clash of heads opened up a cut above Esparza's eyebrow. The doctors attending called the match off and the victory was awarded to Kelly as a result of the injury.[82]
Fighting style
Esparza is known for powerful wrestling and Brazilian jiu-jitsu.[5][83] On the mat, she often mounts an opponent and controls her with strikes while seeking submissions.[84] While standing, she typically clinches and attacks with punches, knees and elbows.[85]
Championships and accomplishments
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- UFC Women's Strawweight Championship (Two times; first)
- Longest time between title reigns in UFC history (2,612 days)
- The Ultimate Fighter 20 Tournament Winner
- Fight of the Night (One time) vs. Alexa Grasso[60]
- Performance of the Night (Two times) vs. Rose Namajunas 1 and Yan Xiaonan[40][74]
- Tied (Joanna Jedrzejczyk & Jéssica Andrade) for second most wins in the UFC Women's Strawweight division history (10)[86]
- Tied (Jéssica Andrade) for fifth most bouts in UFC Women's Strawweight division history (15)[86]
- Most takedowns landed in the UFC Women's Strawweight division history (44)
- Tied (Yan Xiaonan, Tatiana Suarez & Loopy Godinez) for the second longest win streak in UFC Women's Strawweight division history (6)[86]
- Most split decision wins in the UFC Women's Strawweight division history (3)
- 2022 Half-Year Awards: Biggest Upset of the 1HY vs. Rose Namajunas 2[87]
- UFC Women's Strawweight Championship (Two times; first)
- Invicta FC
- Invicta FC Strawweight Championship (One time; first)
- Combat Press
- 2014 Female Fighter of the Year[88]
- MMAWeekly.com
- 2014 Female Fighter of the Year[89]
Submission grappling
- Pan-American Championship
- 2013 Pan-American Jiu-Jitsu Championship - Silver medalist, female blue belt featherweight[3]
Personal life
Esparza is of Mexican, Ecuadorian and Irish descent.[90] She married her husband Matthew Lomeli in May 2022.[91] In March 2023, Esparza announced she was pregnant with the couple's first child.[92] Their first child, a son, was born in late September 2023.[93]
Mixed martial arts record
26 matches | 19 wins | 7 losses |
By knockout | 4 | 2 |
By submission | 4 | 2 |
By decision | 11 | 3 |
Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Loss | 19–7 | Zhang Weili | Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFC 281 | November 12, 2022 | 2 | 1:05 | New York City, New York, United States | Lost the UFC Women's Strawweight Championship. |
Win | 19–6 | Rose Namajunas | Decision (split) | UFC 274 | May 7, 2022 | 5 | 5:00 | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | Won the UFC Women's Strawweight Championship. |
Win | 18–6 | Yan Xiaonan | TKO (punches) | UFC Fight Night: Font vs. Garbrandt | May 22, 2021 | 2 | 2:58 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Performance of the Night. |
Win | 17–6 | Marina Rodriguez | Decision (split) | UFC on ESPN: Whittaker vs. Till | July 26, 2020 | 3 | 5:00 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | |
Win | 16–6 | Michelle Waterson | Decision (split) | UFC 249 | May 9, 2020 | 3 | 5:00 | Jacksonville, Florida, United States | |
Win | 15–6 | Alexa Grasso | Decision (majority) | UFC Fight Night: Rodríguez vs. Stephens | September 21, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Mexico City, Mexico | Fight of the Night. |
Win | 14–6 | Virna Jandiroba | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Jacaré vs. Hermansson | April 27, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Sunrise, Florida, United States | |
Loss | 13–6 | Tatiana Suarez | TKO (punches and elbows) | UFC 228 | September 8, 2018 | 3 | 4:33 | Dallas, Texas, United States | |
Loss | 13–5 | Cláudia Gadelha | Decision (split) | UFC 225 | June 9, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Chicago, Illinois, United States | |
Win | 13–4 | Cynthia Calvillo | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 219 | December 30, 2017 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Calvillo tested positive for marijuana metabolites. |
Win | 12–4 | Maryna Moroz | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Chiesa vs. Lee | June 25, 2017 | 3 | 5:00 | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States | |
Loss | 11–4 | Randa Markos | Decision (split) | UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Browne | February 19, 2017 | 3 | 5:00 | Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada | |
Win | 11–3 | Juliana Lima | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 197 | April 23, 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
Loss | 10–3 | Joanna Jędrzejczyk | TKO (punches) | UFC 185 | March 14, 2015 | 2 | 4:17 | Dallas, Texas, United States | Lost the UFC Women's Strawweight Championship. |
Win | 10–2 | Rose Namajunas | Submission (rear-naked choke) | The Ultimate Fighter: A Champion Will Be Crowned Finale | December 12, 2014 | 3 | 1:26 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Won the inaugural UFC Women's Strawweight Championship. Won The Ultimate Fighter 20 Women's Strawweight Tournament. Performance of the Night. |
Win | 9–2 | Bec Rawlings | Decision (unanimous) | Invicta FC 4: Esparza vs. Hyatt | January 5, 2013 | 5 | 5:00 | Kansas City, Kansas, United States | Won the inaugural Invicta FC Strawweight Championship. |
Win | 8–2 | Lynn Alvarez | TKO (punches) | Invicta FC 3: Penne vs. Sugiyama | October 6, 2012 | 1 | 2:53 | Kansas City, Kansas, United States | |
Win | 7–2 | Sarah Schneider | TKO (punches) | Invicta FC 2: Baszler vs. McMann | July 28, 2012 | 2 | 4:28 | Kansas City, Kansas, United States | |
Win | 6–2 | Felice Herrig | Decision (unanimous) | XFC 15: Tribute | December 2, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Tampa, Florida, United States | |
Loss | 5–2 | Jessica Aguilar | Decision (split) | Bellator 46 | June 25, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Hollywood, Florida, United States | |
Win | 5–1 | Yadira Anzaldua | Submission (rear-naked choke) | ECSC: Friday Night Fights 3 | April 15, 2011 | 1 | 0:53 | Clovis, New Mexico, United States | |
Win | 4–1 | Nina Ansaroff | Decision (split) | Crowbar MMA: Winter Brawl | December 10, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | Grand Forks, North Dakota, United States | |
Loss | 3–1 | Megumi Fujii | Submission (armbar) | Bellator 24 | August 12, 2010 | 2 | 0:57 | Hollywood, Florida, United States | Bellator Season 3 Women's Flyweight (115 lb) Tournament Quarterfinals. |
Win | 3–0 | Lacey Schuckman | Submission (rear-naked choke) | NMEF - Ladies Night: Clash of the Titans 8 | July 16, 2010 | 2 | 2:37 | Castle Rock, Colorado, United States | |
Win | 2–0 | Karina Hallinan | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Long Beach Fight Night 8 | April 18, 2010 | 2 | 2:16 | Long Beach, California, United States | |
Win | 1–0 | Cassie Trost | TKO (punches) | Respect in the Cage 3 | February 19, 2010 | 1 | 0:48 | Pomona, California, United States |
Exhibition record breakdown | ||
3 matches | 3 wins | 0 losses |
By knockout | 0 | 0 |
By submission | 1 | 0 |
By decision | 2 | 0 |
Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Win | 3–0 | Jessica Penne | Decision (unanimous) | The Ultimate Fighter: A Champion Will Be Crowned | December 10, 2014 (airdate) | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | TUF 20 Semifinal round |
Win | 2–0 | Tecia Torres | Decision (majority) | December 3, 2014 (airdate) | 2 | 5:00 | TUF 20 Quarterfinal round | ||
Win | 1–0 | Angela Hill | Submission (rear-naked choke) | October 1, 2014 (airdate) | 1 | 3:42 | TUF 20 Elimination round |
[94]
See also
References
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- ^ a b "Menlo All-Americans". MenloAthletics.com. Archived from the original on 2017-08-21. Retrieved 2012-10-14.
- ^ a b "Results Pan IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2013". www.ibjjfdb.com. Retrieved 2023-11-20.
- ^ Thomas Gerbasi (2015-03-11). "UFC Magazine: Carla Esparza Profile". UFC.com. Retrieved 2016-07-16.
- ^ a b c d Kevin Iole (2014-12-13). "Carla Esparza dominates Rose Namajunas to win UFC strawweight title". Yahoo!. Retrieved 2016-07-16.
- ^ "Sea Hawks will host wrestling tournament". my.hsj.org. 2005-01-21. Archived from the original on 2013-04-15. Retrieved 2012-10-14.
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- ^ "Bellator 46 Prelims: Aguilar Takes Split Decision, 'Popo' Impresses". Sherdog.com. 2011-06-25. Retrieved 2012-10-14.
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- ^ "Invicta FC 4 results: Esparza outlasts Hyatt for belt, Davis chokes out Baszler". MMAjunkie.com. 2013-01-05. Archived from the original on 2013-01-08. Retrieved 2013-01-13.
- ^ "Carla Esparza vs Ayaka Hamasaki Targeted For Invicta FC 6". MMARising.com. 2013-04-13. Retrieved 2013-04-15.
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- ^ "Carla Esparza vs Claudia Gadelha Targeted For Invicta FC 7". MMARising.com. 2013-09-18. Retrieved 2013-09-20.
- ^ "Invicta FC Strawweight title vacated". Retrieved 2013-12-13.
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- ^ a b Staff (December 12, 2014). "TUF 20 Finale bonuses: Esparza, Medeiros, Penne, Markos win $50,000". MMAjunkie.com.
- ^ "ROUNDTABLE: Predictions for Carla Esparza vs. Joanna Jedrzejczyk title bout at UFC 185". mmatorch.com. 2015-03-13. Retrieved 2016-07-16.
- ^ Mike Bohn (2015-03-08). "UFC 185's Joanna Jedrzejczyk dismisses Esparza's wrestling: 'I'm going to be better'". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-07-16.
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- ^ "UFC Fight Night 105's Randa Markos: Victory speech on bullying directed at Carla Esparza". MMAjunkie. 2017-02-20. Retrieved 2017-06-26.
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- ^ "UFC Fight Night 112 results: Carla Esparza uses exquisite takedowns to dominate Maryna Moroz". MMAjunkie. 2017-06-26. Retrieved 2017-06-26.
- ^ Dana Becker (2017-09-27). "First three fights announced for UFC 219". fightline.com. Retrieved 2017-09-27.
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- ^ "Carla Esparza vs. Claudia Gadelha announced for UFC 225 in Chicago". MMAjunkie. 2018-02-15. Retrieved 2018-02-15.
- ^ "UFC 225 results: Claudia Gadelha survives early trouble, outpoints Carla Esparza, much to crowd's dismay". MMAjunkie. 2018-06-10. Retrieved 2018-06-10.
- ^ Dorff, Marcel (18 July 2018). "Strawweightclash tussen Carla Esparza en Tatiana Suarez tijdens UFC 228 in Dallas". mmadna.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 2023-10-23.
- ^ "UFC 228 results: Tatiana Suarez stays perfect, dominates former champ Carla Esparza". MMAjunkie. 2018-09-09. Retrieved 2018-09-09.
- ^ Dorff, Marcel (23 February 2019). ""The Cookie Monster" treft "The Brazilian Gangster" tijdens UFC Miami" (in Dutch). Retrieved 2023-10-27.
- ^ Cruz, Guilherme (2019-04-04). "Invicta FC champ Virna Jandiroba replaces injured Livinha Souza, meets Carla Esparza at UFC Fort Lauderdale". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2019-04-04.
- ^ Shillan, Keith (2019-04-27). "UFC Fort Lauderdale Results: Carla Esparza Takes Close Fight from Virna Jandiroba". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2019-04-29.
- ^ Anderson, Jay (2019-07-08). "UFC Mexico City Adds Carla Esparza vs. Alexa Grasso". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2019-07-08.
- ^ "UFC on ESPN+ 17 results: Carla Esparza edges Alexa Grasso after armbar scare". MMA Junkie. 2019-09-22. Retrieved 2019-09-22.
- ^ a b Fernando Quiles Jr (2019-09-22). "UFC Mexico City Bonuses & Attendance Revealed • MMA News". MMA News. Retrieved 2019-09-22.
- ^ Anderson, Jay (2020-02-08). "UFC Announces Dates for Portland, Oregon and Oklahoma City Events". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-02-09.
- ^ Nolan King and John Morgan (2020-03-15). "UFC postpones three events amid growing coronavirus outbreak". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2020-03-16.
- ^ "REVISED – UFC 249: Ferguson vs. Gaethje Fight Card | MMAWeekly.com". 2020-04-27. Retrieved 2020-05-03.
- ^ Doherty, Dan (2020-05-09). "UFC 249 Results: Carla Esparza Takes Close Decision From Michelle Waterson". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-05-10.
- ^ Martin, Damon; Cruz, Guilherme (June 3, 2020). "Carla Esparza faces Marina Rodriguez in July after inking new four-fight deal with UFC". MMA Fighting.
- ^ Martin, Damon (2020-06-03). "Carla Esparza faces Marina Rodriguez in July after inking new four-fight deal with UFC". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2020-06-11.
- ^ Cruz, Guilherme (2020-07-03). "Marina Rodriguez vs. Carla Esparza off of July 15 UFC event due to positive COVID-19 test". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2020-07-04.
- ^ "Carla Esparza vs. Marina Rodriguez reset for July 25 UFC show in Abu Dhabi". MMA Junkie. 2020-07-05. Retrieved 2020-07-06.
- ^ Fuentes, Jon (2020-07-25). "UFC Fight Island 3 Results: Carla Esparza Edges Out Marina Rodriguez". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-07-26.
- ^ Staff (2020-09-09). "UFC sets duel between Amanda Ribas and Carla Esparza for UFC 256 in December". sportv.globo.com. Retrieved 2020-09-09.(in Portuguese)
- ^ Guilherme Cruz, Damon Martin, and Mike Heck (2020-10-09). "Carla Esparza no longer fighting Amanda Ribas at UFC 256". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2020-10-09.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Dorff, Marcel (2021-02-27). "BREAKING: Yan Xiaonan en Carla Esparza treffen elkaar op 22 mei". MMA DNA (in Dutch). Retrieved 2023-10-27.
- ^ Doherty, Dan (2021-05-22). "UFC Vegas 27 Results: Carla Esparza Mauls Yan Xiaonan, Gets Stoppage". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-05-23.
- ^ a b Haynes, Stephie (2021-05-22). "UFC Vegas 27 post-fight bonuses: Esparza KO's Xiaonan for POTN honors". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved 2021-05-23.
- ^ Al-Shatti, Shaun (2022-03-16). "Rose Namajunas vs. Carla Esparza 2 set for UFC 274 co-main event". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2022-03-17.
- ^ "Carla Esparza edges Rose Namajunas in major snoozefest at UFC 274". Empire Sports Media. 2022-05-08. Retrieved 2022-05-08.
- ^ "UFC 274: Carla Esparza captures strawweight crown with unwatchable win over Rose Namajunas". 8 May 2022.
- ^ Martin, Damon (2022-08-18). "Carla Esparza to defend strawweight title against Zhang Weili at UFC 281". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2022-08-18.
- ^ Dewar, Val (2022-11-13). "UFC 281: Zhang Weili Impresses, Regains Title by Submitting Carla Esparza". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-11-13.
- ^ MMA Junkie Staff (2024-08-02). "Former champ Carla Esparza says UFC 307 vs. Tecia Pennington is her retirement fight". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2024-08-02.
- ^ "Carla Esparza Replaces Rose Namajunas at Fury Pro Grappling 3". 29 December 2021.
- ^ "Carla Esparza Replaces Rose Namajunas at Fury Pro Grappling 3". 29 December 2021.
- ^ Dave Reno (2016-04-23). "UFC 197: Carla Esparza dominates Juliana Lima after over a year away from the cage". fightbooth.com. Retrieved 2016-07-16.
- ^ Todd Martin (2016-04-23). "UFC 197 results: Jon Jones defeats Ovince St. Preux by unanimous decision". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2016-07-16.
- ^ Elias Cepeda (2014-12-12). "TUF Finale Recap: Esparza becomes first UFC strawweight champ with submission win". Fox Sports. Retrieved 2016-07-16.
- ^ a b c UFC (November 11, 2023). "UFC Fighter Stats - Women's Strawweight". UFC.
- ^ Thomas Gerbasi (July 6, 2022). "The Upsets - 2022 Half-Year Awards". Ultimate Fighting Championship.
- ^ Amber Boone (22 June 2023). "Combat Press 2014 MMA Awards: Female Fighter of the Year – Carla Esparza". Combat Press.
- ^ "MMAWeekly 2014 Female Fighter of the Year: Carla Esparza". mmaweekly.com. 5 January 2015.
- ^ "For those asking about my nationality, I am Ecuadorian, Irish, and Mexican". Retrieved 2014-12-13.
- ^ "Something New". Los Angeles Times. 15 May 2022. Retrieved 2022-05-15.
- ^ Tristen Critchfield (2023-03-26). "Carla Esparza announces pregnancy, targets UFC return in 2024". Sherdog.com. Retrieved 2023-03-28.
- ^ Sayan Nag (September 28, 2023). "Former 2-Time UFC Strawweight Queen Carla Esparza Announces Birth of Son". Sherdog.
- ^ Sherdog.com. "Carla". Sherdog. Retrieved 2018-09-14.
External links
- Professional MMA record for Carla Esparza from Sherdog
- Carla Esparza at UFC
- Carla Esparza at Invicta FC
- Carla Esparza Awakening Profile
Awards and achievements | ||
---|---|---|
Preceded by | 7th UFC Women's Strawweight Championship May 7, 2022 – November 12, 2022 | Succeeded by |
Preceded by New championship | 1st UFC Women's Strawweight Championship December 12, 2014 – March 14, 2015 | Succeeded by |
Preceded by New championship | 1st Invicta FC Strawweight Champion January 5, 2013 – December 11, 2013 | Succeeded by |
- v
- t
- e
Carla Esparza
Joanna Jędrzejczyk
Rose Namajunas
Jéssica Andrade
Zhang Weili
Rose Namajunas (2)
Carla Esparza (2)
Zhang Weili (2 - current)