“The Cookie Monster” Carla Esparza's Professional MMA debut
Esparza made her professional debut against Cassie Trost on February 19, 2010, fighting on the regional circuit.
She made a winning start to her career, defeating Cassie Trost who carried a 0-0-0 professional MMA record into the fight.
Carla Esparza beat Cassie Trost by Submission at 0:48 of Round 1.
“The Cookie Monster” Carla Esparza's Ultimate Fighting Championship Career
Esparza made her debut in the UFC against Rose Namajunas on December 12, 2014, fighting on the main event of The Ultimate Fighter 20 Finale having compiled a 9-2-0 professional MMA record.
Carla Esparza beat Rose Namajunas by Submission at 1:26 of Round 3. Carla Esparza took home an extra bonus after being awarded with Performance of the Night.
Since her debut, Esparza has gone on to fight a total of 15 more times in the UFC. Her UFC record stands at 10-5-0.
Winning the belt: UFC Vacant Strawweight Championship against Rose Namajunas
Esparza won the UFC Vacant Strawweight Championship defeating Rose Namajunas on December 12, 2014 at The Ultimate Fighter 20 Finale.
This was Esparza's 1st UFC championship fight.
Carla Esparza beat Rose Namajunas by Submission at 1:26 of Round 3. Carla Esparza took home an extra bonus after being awarded with Performance of the Night.
Title loss: Losing the UFC Strawweight Championship to Joanna Jędrzejczyk
Esparza lost her UFC Strawweight title to Joanna Jędrzejczyk on March 14, 2015 at UFC 185: Pettis vs. Dos Anjos.
The loss meant that Esparza had made no successful defences of the UFC strawweight title.
Carla Esparza lost to Joanna Jędrzejczyk by KO/TKO at 4:17 of Round 2.
The first woman to defeat Virna Jandiroba
Esparza defeated the previously unbeaten Virna Jandiroba on April 27, 2019, at UFC on ESPN+ 8: Jacare vs. Hermansson. Virna Jandiroba came into the fight with a 14-0-0 record. Esparza was a -125 betting favorite going into the fight. Carla Esparza beat Virna Jandiroba by Decision at 5:00 of Round 3.
The first woman to defeat Marina Rodriguez
Esparza defeated the previously unbeaten Marina Rodriguez on July 25, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Whittaker vs. Till. Marina Rodriguez came into the fight with a 12-0-2 record. Esparza was a +150 betting underdog going into the fight. Carla Esparza beat Marina Rodriguez by Decision at 5:00 of Round 3.
Winning the belt: UFC Strawweight Championship against Rose Namajunas
Esparza won the UFC Strawweight Championship defeating Rose Namajunas on May 7, 2022 at UFC 274: Oliveira vs. Gaethje.
This was Esparza's 3rd UFC championship fight.
Carla Esparza beat Rose Namajunas by Decision at 5:00 of Round 5.
Title loss: Losing the UFC Strawweight Championship to Weili Zhang
Esparza lost her UFC Strawweight title to Weili Zhang on November 12, 2022 at UFC 281: Adesanya vs. Pereira.
The loss meant that Esparza had made no successful defences of the UFC strawweight title.
Carla Esparza lost to Weili Zhang by Submission at 1:05 of Round 2.
When was Carla Esparza's last win?
Esparza's last win came against Rose Namajunas at UFC 274 on Saturday May 7, 2022. Carla Esparza beat Rose Namajunas by Decision at 5:00 of Round 5.