Carla Esparza, a mixed martial artist, is Carla Esparza. She competes in UFC's strawweight division. She is currently the UFC strawweight champion. This is her second title defense after losing her title in her first title defense against Cyborg at Invicta FC 6: Coenen II (2013).
Carla Esparza works as a mixed-martial artist
Carla Esparza is an American mixed martial artist. She is currently a UFC women's strawweight champion. She is currently UFC Women's Strawweight Champion.
Esparza rose first to prominence in 2012, after signing with Invicta FC. Invicta FC2 saw Sarah Schneider lose to Esparza in 2012. Esparza got on the back of Schneider early with a heel hook and then attacked the Argentine. She controlled her opponent's head and briefly tried to apply a rear-naked choke.
She is currently UFC strawweight champion
Carla Esparza began professional fighting in 2010. She is the first UFC strawweight champion, and the first Invicta FC champion. She is currently ranked #4 in UFC's women's strawweight rankings as of January 2021. After winning the Ultimate Fighter 20 women’s strawweight tournament, Esparza made her UFC debut.
Carla Esparza's record is not perfect, as she has lost to Jessica Andrade, Claudia Gadelha, and Randa Markos. She has also been in close fights against Jessica Andrade, Weili Zi, and Marina Rodriguez. This could be a red flag, considering her five-fight winning streak.
She lost her first title defense at InvictaFC 6: Cyborg Vs. Coenen (2) (2013)
Coenen is an aggressive, determined fighter, but Cyborg has the upper-hand. Despite an opening round that featured leg kicks from both fighters, Coenen was unable to stop Cyborg's relentless assault. Cyborg took down Coenen and landed a number of punches in the second round. Coenen tried to escape but the "Cyborg", managed to score a takedown and land several power punches to end the round.
Cyborg is expected to defend her featherweight title against Coenen. The Strikeforce featherweight champion, Cyborg, won their first TKO fight. Coenen is coming into this bout after a streak of two wins. The winner will take on either Ayako or Carla Hamasaki.
In 2007, she suffered nerve damage.
Carla Esparza was able to return to fighting in the last few years despite nerve damage sustained in 2007. Rose Namajunas, who was Rose's opponent in the UFC strawweight division, defeated Esparza. In November, she is expected to defend her title against former champ Zhang Weili. Recent updates on social media were posted by her regarding her fight camp.
Esparza was hospitalized after the accident. She paid over $30,000 for her hospital bills, but she was determined to fight. InvictaFC7 card saw her fight again against Maya Hamasaki the next year. Claudia Gadelha defeated her later, but Gadelha suffered from stomach problems.
She won two title bouts against Rose Namajunas
Rose Namajunas (formerly women's lightweight champion) and Carla Esparza (previous title fights). Namajunas was awarded the title in April and it was retained in November. Although the bout was close throughout it, neither fighter was able to score a knockout. Esparza won the fight 48 to 47.
Esparza's record was 3-3 in 29 month prior to the title fight. However, Esparza's victory over Virna Jacinda in April 2019 set the tone for a 5-fight win streak. She then beat Yan Xiaonan during a COVID/quiet UFC APEX Las Vegas fight, finishing in just eight minutes. She defended her title by knockout in round one of the UFC APEX event in Las Vegas, June 2019.