Carla Esparza, the trailblazing UFC strawweight champion, has officially hung up her gloves, bringing an end to her remarkable 15-year career in mixed martial arts. The 36-year-old mother made the emotional announcement following her unanimous decision loss to Tecia Pennington at UFC 307.
Esparza’s decision to retire wasn’t entirely unexpected, as she had hinted at it on social media back in August. Despite her passion for the sport, she felt it was time to prioritize her family, particularly her young son. “Being a mom and fighting is definitely possible, but for me, I feel like I’m in a place to take this next chapter and give all that passion and focus to being a mother,” she explained.
Throughout her illustrious career, Esparza racked up an impressive record of 19-7 in MMA and 10-5 in the UFC. She holds the distinction of being a two-time UFC women’s strawweight champion, a former Invicta FC strawweight champion, and the winner of Season 20 of “The Ultimate Fighter.” Her exceptional wrestling skills earned her the record for most takedowns landed in strawweight history with 44.
Before transitioning to MMA, Esparza was an NAIA All-American in women’s wrestling at Menlo College in California. She made her professional MMA debut in 2010 and went on to compete in Bellator and Invicta FC before joining the UFC. Her greatest achievement came in 2014 when she became the first women’s champion at 115 pounds, submitting Rose Namajunas in the process.
Esparza’s legacy extends beyond her impressive resume. She paved the way for future generations of female fighters, showing that women can excel in the sport while also being mothers. As she bid farewell to the Octagon, Esparza was overcome with emotion, saying, “Fighting has made all of my dreams come true. It set me up in life and gave me a lifestyle I never thought I could have. I literally got to do what I love every single day and make a living off of it. I couldn’t be more grateful for what this sport has given me. It has been my everything.”
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