Tag: Carla Esparza

Carla Esparza Holds Firm On Retirement Despite Controversial UFC 307 Decision: ‘I’m Good With How I Left Things’

Former two-time strawweight champion Carla Esparza announced ahead of time that UFC 307 would be the final outing of her career. After losing the title to Weili Zhang at UFC 281 in November of 2022, she took a long break from her career in order to give birth to her first child. At the start […]

Continue Reading Carla Esparza Holds Firm On Retirement Despite Controversial UFC 307 Decision: ‘I’m Good With How I Left Things’ at MMA News.

Former two-time strawweight champion Carla Esparza announced ahead of time that UFC 307 would be the final outing of her career. After losing the title to Weili Zhang at UFC 281 in November of 2022, she took a long break from her career in order to give birth to her first child.

At the start of the month, she returned for one last dance, coming up against Tecia Pennington in Salt Lake City. Many felt that she deserved to get her hand raised following the final bell but this isn’t how the judges saw it.

The fight was scored as a split decision in Pennington’s favor after judges Stephen Faragher and Dan Furse overruled Sal D’Amato. Faragher gave Esparza the opening round whilst Furse saw all three rounds for Pennington and the fans in Utah certainly let their thoughts on the scorecards be heard.

Esparza obviously wouldn’t wanted to go out with a win but the controversial nature of her final bout hasn’t changed her decision to walk away at this stage. Regardless of the result, the former champion was still treated to a retirement video package from the UFC that capped off an emotional send off for her.

In an interview with MMA Fighting looking back on how things ended, she said that though she didn’t quite get the storybook ending, it’s not something that’s going to keep her up at night.

“It’s just hard. Even if I won in the first round via finish or lost a controversial decision, it’s hard to not want to go back no matter what the outcome was. I love fighting but that’s the last one for me regardless. I’m just glad I went out on a good note. It would have been much sweeter to go out with my hand raised but I’d say I’m good with how I left things.”

Continue Reading Carla Esparza Holds Firm On Retirement Despite Controversial UFC 307 Decision: ‘I’m Good With How I Left Things’ at MMA News.

‘Left It All Out There’ – Fans React As Carla Esparza Finishes Career Dropping Elbows In Retirement Fight Loss At UFC 307

Carla Esparza was given her flowers, but not a win, in her retirement fight during the early prelims at UFC 307, losing by decision to Tecia Pennington. The fight served as a rematch from both women’s time during season 20 of The Ultimate Fighter, which Esparza went on to win and become the first UFC […]

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Carla Esparza was given her flowers, but not a win, in her retirement fight during the early prelims at UFC 307, losing by decision to Tecia Pennington.

The fight served as a rematch from both women’s time during season 20 of The Ultimate Fighter, which Esparza went on to win and become the first UFC strawweight champion.

Esparza found herself in some trouble early in the opening round, as Pennington appeared to be ripping her apart on the feet, and her legs were battered by low kicks. Once the fight went to the ground, however, “Cookie Monster” was in complete control, maintaining top position for about three minutes.

The second frame proved to be close, though Pennington had the upper hand in striking once again. Esparza’s striking picked up in the third stanza, and she could have finished Pennington had there been more time in the round.

Pennington, however, continued to beat down the legs of Esparza, making her eat leg kick after leg kick.

The judges ultimately gave the close fight to Pennington, with two 29-28 cards and a 30-27.

Carla Esparza Retires Following Loss To Tecia Pennington At UFC 307

“It’s been an amazing journey, these last 15 years,” Esparza said in the Octagon following the fight. “I’ve fought the best of the best. It’s not always easy. There’s ups and downs in this sport, but I wouldn’t have done it any other way. This is the greatest sport in the world.”

Esparza was given a tribute video following the fight.

Esparza began her professional MMA career in 2010, going 6-2, including a pair of fights in Bellator, before finding a stride in the initial days of Invicta FC in 2012. At Invicta FC 4, Esparza defeated Bec Rawlings to become the inaugural strawweight champion of the promotion.

By the next year, however, “Cookie Monster” would sign with the UFC and be a contestant on season 20 of The Ultimate Fighter, which determined the UFC’s inaugural champion of its then-new women’s strawweight division.

Esparza defeated Angela Hill, Pennington (then-Tecia Torres), and Jessica Penne before finishing Rose Namajunas to win the tournament and championship. Esparza subsequently lost the belt in her first defense at UFC 185, dropping it to Joanna J?drzejczyk.

The wrestling specialist went 3-3 in her next six fights before starting a noteworthy win streak in 2019, having her hand raised in six straight. That run was highlighted by a second-round finish of Yan Xiaonan and culminated in her beating Namajunas again at UFC 274 to become a two-time UFC strawweight champion.

Esparza, again, lost the title in her first defense, getting finished by current champ Weili Zhang at UFC 281. This was Esparza’s most recent fight prior to tonight, as she gave birth to her son in September 2023.

Continue Reading ‘Left It All Out There’ – Fans React As Carla Esparza Finishes Career Dropping Elbows In Retirement Fight Loss At UFC 307 at MMA News.

Carla Esparza Teases Throwing ‘Cool Moves’ She’s Held Back For Retirement Fight At UFC 307

Former two-time UFC women’s strawweight champion Carla Esparza could be set to let her hair down inside the Octagon this weekend. Saturday’s UFC 307 pay-per-view event boasts a number of notable storylines, one of which comes on the early preliminary card in the form of a retirement fight for one of the female roster’s all-time […]

Continue Reading Carla Esparza Teases Throwing ‘Cool Moves’ She’s Held Back For Retirement Fight At UFC 307 at MMA News.

Former two-time UFC women’s strawweight champion Carla Esparza could be set to let her hair down inside the Octagon this weekend.

Saturday’s UFC 307 pay-per-view event boasts a number of notable storylines, one of which comes on the early preliminary card in the form of a retirement fight for one of the female roster’s all-time greats.

Having not competed since having her second reign on the 115-pound throne ended by Zhang Weili in late 2022 — after which she became pregnant — Esparza will feel the Octagon floor beneath her feet one final time.

To exit the sport on a win, “Cookie Monster” is tasked with once again getting the better of Tecia Pennington, whom she outpointed during season 20 of The Ultimate Fighter back in 2014.

And to do so, Esparza might be dusting off some special weapons…

Esparza Willing To Embrace ‘Risk’ For Farewell Fight

During a recent interview with MMA Junkie’s Mike Bohn, Esparza looked ahead to her final walk to the Octagon this weekend in Salt Lake City.

When asked whether she’s planning to showcase anything new that she’s been holding back, the former champ admitted she has plenty of ‘risky’ moves that could come out now that her sights aren’t set on regaining the strawweight gold.

“I have so many fun tools in my toolbox that I haven’t gotten display,” Esparza said. “I’ve always had the mentality in my fights where I want to win but I don’t want to be so risky. Because, you know, the goal is always to move up toward the title fight, and in order to do that, you need wins.

“I just had things that I didn’t necessarily want to show but I had in my pocket if I did need to,” Esparza continued. “You never know how the fight’s going to go, but I would love the chance to kind of just have fun out there, do some cool moves that I haven’t gotten to show in fights before.”

Regardless of the result on Saturday night, Esparza will go down as one of the most successful women to compete under the UFC banner. But she’ll still hope to cap off her career with one last triumph at the expense of Pennington.

Continue Reading Carla Esparza Teases Throwing ‘Cool Moves’ She’s Held Back For Retirement Fight At UFC 307 at MMA News.

Two-Time UFC Champion Carla Esparza States Hall Of Fame Ambition Ahead Of Retirement Fight

Carla Esparza recently shared her aspiration to secure a place in the UFC Hall of Fame as she approaches her retirement fight. Esparza is gearing up to step into the Octagon for the final time, as she is set to face Tecia Pennington on the preliminary card of UFC 307. This highly anticipated pay-per-view event […]

Continue Reading Two-Time UFC Champion Carla Esparza States Hall Of Fame Ambition Ahead Of Retirement Fight at MMA News.

Carla Esparza recently shared her aspiration to secure a place in the UFC Hall of Fame as she approaches her retirement fight.

Esparza is gearing up to step into the Octagon for the final time, as she is set to face Tecia Pennington on the preliminary card of UFC 307. This highly anticipated pay-per-view event will take place this Saturday at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The 36-year-old Californian has previously announced that UFC 307 will mark the end of her illustrious 15-year career as she prepares to hang up her gloves for good.

“Cookie Monster” began her professional journey in February 2010, securing a first-round TKO victory against Cassie Trost under the regional promotion Respect in the Cage. She fought her way through various organizations before ultimately entering the UFC as a contestant on The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) season 20 in 2014.

Esparza etched her name in the history books by submitting Rose Namajunas in the third round, becoming the first UFC strawweight champion at the TUF season finale. However, her reign was short-lived, as she later lost the title to Joanna Jedrzejczyk at UFC 185 in March 2015.

Esparza endured an arduous journey of 11 fights over seven years to reclaim the 115-pound championship, ultimately securing a split-decision victory against Namajunas at UFC 274 in May 2022.

Esparza Wants To Join The Ranks Of Jedrzejczyk & Ronda Rousey To Cap Off Her MMA Career

During a recent interview with Brian Campbell, “Cookie Monster” reflected on her journey in MMA, with a particular focus on her time in the UFC. When asked about her place in the history of the division, which has significantly evolved during her tenure, the former two-time strawweight champion expressed her desire to conclude her career with an induction into the UFC Hall of Fame.

“I’d love to eventually be in the Hall of Fame. I mean, that would be so cool,” Esparza said. “I think winning the title the first time was like seeing where I was as a fighter then to where I am now; there’s been so much growth. I mean, you have to grow to still stay in this division with all these killers. Everyone is so good, and there’s young blood constantly coming through the UFC. You have to be at such a high level even just to compete with these people, so it’s cool to have been able to stay at this high level and compete with all these youngsters coming in.”

Should Esparza be inducted into the Hall of Fame, she would become just the third woman in UFC history to receive this honor, standing alongside the legendary Jedrzejczyk and Ronda Rousey.

“Cookie Monster” is set to make her return to the Octagon after nearly two years, following her defeat to Zhang Weili, who submitted her in the second round at UFC 281 in November 2022.

Continue Reading Two-Time UFC Champion Carla Esparza States Hall Of Fame Ambition Ahead Of Retirement Fight at MMA News.

MMA News Today: Sean O’Malley Criticizes Conor McGregor’s ‘Slow & Sloppy’ Pad Work, Amped Up Belal Muhammad & Alexander Volkanovski Trade Barbs After UFC 304, & More

Welcome to MMA News Today, a daily feature running down the most interesting stories in the world of mixed martial arts. For August 2, 2024, we’re taking a look at: Sean O’Malley Critiques Conor McGregor’s Latest Pad Work Video On Social Media After taking some time to recover from his injury that led to the cancellation of his […]

Continue Reading MMA News Today: Sean O’Malley Criticizes Conor McGregor’s ‘Slow & Sloppy’ Pad Work, Amped Up Belal Muhammad & Alexander Volkanovski Trade Barbs After UFC 304, & More at MMA News.

Welcome to MMA News Today, a daily feature running down the most interesting stories in the world of mixed martial arts. For August 2, 2024, we’re taking a look at:

  • O’Malley reviews latest McGregor footage
  • Muhammad and Volkanovski trade words after UFC 304 comments
  • Former strawweight champion set to return at UFC 307

Sean O’Malley Critiques Conor McGregor’s Latest Pad Work Video On Social Media

After taking some time to recover from his injury that led to the cancellation of his return at UFC 303, Conor McGregor appears to be getting back to work.

“The Notorious” is hopeful of returning later this year but he appeared to have taken his foot off the gas once June 29 was ruled out.

His latest training footage came courtesy of his own social media accounts, with the Irishman seen working on his boxing and hitting pads.

UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley, who has engaged in some interactions with McGregor as of late, gave his review via a reply to the post.

McGregor also commented in response, calling for O’Malley to try and do better whilst telling him to “cheer up”.

Belal Muhammad & Alexander Volkanovski Beef After Pre-Fight Comments

During a recent episode of Remember The Show, Belal Muhammad hit back at all his fellow fighters that doubted him ahead of UFC 304.

The new welterweight champion specifically referenced Alexander Volkanovski, who was in attendance this past weekend in Manchester, and suggested that Muhammad would be a good style clash for him.

“You guys were hating, all these guys wanted to come out. Volkanovski, ‘Man I think Belal’s a good match-up for me if I fight him.’ Shut up bro, I’ll smack the hell out of you. All these guys right, there’s nobody in the UFC that will beat me.”

Volkanovski responded on social media where he doubled down on his previous statement and told Muhammad to say that to him the next time they cross paths.

“@bullyb170 you have every reason to hate on what I said about you being a good stylistic match up for me but I truly believe that, even after your last fight, you didn’t show me anything different. You still mad because I accidentally missed your call…pathetic! Say ‘shut up, I’ll smack the shit out of you’ to my face and see what happens.”

“Remember The Name” had the final word on the matter in a follow-up post with a short and to the point message.

Carla Esparza Set To Return At UFC 307 In Utah Against Former Foe

Former UFC strawweight champion Carla Esparza is expected to return for the first time since losing her title to Weili Zhang in November of 2022.

She took the majority of 2023 and 2024 off after giving birth to her son and is now targeted to compete in a rematch at UFC 307 on October 5.

Esparza and Tecia Pennington first met back on The Ultimate Fighter a decade ago with “Cookie Monster” getting the nod in that quarterfinal clash before going on to win the series.

MMA Junkie’s Nolan King reported the fight which will see both women look to return to the win column for the first time in several years.

Read more on the story here.

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Continue Reading MMA News Today: Sean O’Malley Criticizes Conor McGregor’s ‘Slow & Sloppy’ Pad Work, Amped Up Belal Muhammad & Alexander Volkanovski Trade Barbs After UFC 304, & More at MMA News.

Carla Esparza Announces UFC 307 Return Will Be Her Retirement Fight: ‘I Feel It’s Time’

Former UFC strawweight champion Carla Esparza has announced that her next outing inside the Octagon will be her last. News recently broke, via MMA Junkie’s Nolan King, that she is set to return from a near two-year lay off to face Tecia Pennington at UFC 307 in Salt Lake City, Utah on October 5. Esparza […]

Continue Reading Carla Esparza Announces UFC 307 Return Will Be Her Retirement Fight: ‘I Feel It’s Time’ at MMA News.

Former UFC strawweight champion Carla Esparza has announced that her next outing inside the Octagon will be her last.

News recently broke, via MMA Junkie’s Nolan King, that she is set to return from a near two-year lay off to face Tecia Pennington at UFC 307 in Salt Lake City, Utah on October 5.

Esparza has been inactive since losing her title to Weili Zhang at UFC 281 in November of 2022.

In the following months, the 36-year old announced that she was pregnant with a son and therefore, has been taking some time off before working towards one last dance.

Carla Esparza Says ‘It’s Time’ To End Her Near 15-Year Career

Esparza announced on social media that her recently reported fight will be the final outing of her 27-fight pro career.

Having made her pro back in 2010, “Cookie Monster” would go on to win season 20 of The Ultimate Fighter which saw her be crowned as the inaugural UFC women’s strawweight champion by defeating Rose Namajunas in the final.

Having already become the inaugural Invicta strawweight champion before signing to the UFC, she remained in this weight class her entire career and put together her best-ever streak before the loss to Zhang in November of 2022.

Winning six-straight, including victories over the likes of Alexa Grasso and Yan Xiaonan, Esparza would defeat Namajunas once again at UFC 274 to become a two-time UFC champion at 115-pounds.

Now she feels, as she said herself on social media, it’s the right time for her to ride off into the sunset following a rematch with Pennington who she defeated a decade ago on route to winning The Ultimate Fighter.

“*RETIREMENT FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENT*
I will be stepping into The UFC Octagon on Saturday, October 5th for the final time. After almost 15 years as a professional, fighting the best of the best, I feel it’s time to hang up my gloves. This choice is made for my body and my family; 20+ years doing combat sports takes its toll.

I wanted to give my ‘Cookie Monster’ fans, who have never been there to watch me live, one final opportunity. It feels bittersweet to leave this sport that I love so much, but I’m happy to be doing it on my own terms.”
#UFC307

Read also: José Aldo, Kayla Harrison Have Returns In The Works For UFC 307 On October 5

Continue Reading Carla Esparza Announces UFC 307 Return Will Be Her Retirement Fight: ‘I Feel It’s Time’ at MMA News.