Carla Esparza

MMA Professional

Carla Esparza

Carla Esparza 02

Carla Esparza

Photo Credit: Unknown

Carla Esparza

Photo Credit: Unknown

Carla Esparza fight stats

No stats found

MMA 4 Submissions
3 TKOs

Carla Esparza fight records

No records found

MMA

14-6-0

Rating: 8.6/10. From 57 votes.

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Carla Esparza personal details

First Name	Carla
Last Name	Esparza
Nickname/s	Cookie Monster

Birth Name	Carla Kristen O'Connell
Age	34
Date of Birth	October 10, 1987
Born	Torrance, California, United States

Residence	Redondo Beach, California, United States

Status	Active
Nationality	American
Weight class	Strawweight
Weight range	106.1 - 116lbs / 48 - 52kg
Preferred	115lbs / 52kg
Height	5ft 1in / 154cm
Reach	64in

Carla Esparza martial arts details

MMA	Professional World Champion
Wrestling	All-American -
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu	Purple Belt World Champion
Kickboxing	Practitioner -
Boxing	Practitioner -

Carla Esparza fight history

Virna Jandiroba	Unanimous Decision		MMA	04/27/19	UFC on ESPN+ 8: Jacare vs. Hermansson, BB&T Center, Sunrise, Florida, United States
	5:00	R3 / 3×5	Pro		Strawweight • 115 lbs • Preliminary Card • Weigh-In 115.0 lbs (52.2 kgs)
Tatiana Suarez	TKO (Punches)		MMA	09/08/18	UFC 228: Woodley vs Till, American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas, United States
	4:33	R3 / 3×5	Pro		Strawweight • 115 lbs • Prelim Card • Weigh-In 115.5 lbs (52.4 kgs)
Cláudia Gadelha	Split Decision		MMA	06/09/18	UFC 225: Whittaker vs. Romero 2, United Center, Chicago, Illinois, United States
	5:00	R3 / 3×5	Pro		Strawweight • 115 lbs • Preliminary Card • Weigh-In: 116.0 lbs (52.6 kgs)
Cynthia Calvillo	Unanimous Decision		MMA	12/30/17	UFC 219: Cyborg vs. Holm, T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
	5:00	R3 / 3×5	Pro		Strawweight • 115 lbs • Main Card • Weigh-In: 115.5 lbs (52.4 kgs)
Maryna Moroz	Unanimous Decision		MMA	06/25/17	UFC Fight Night 112: Chiesa vs Lee, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
	5:00	R3 / 3×5	Pro		Strawweight • 115 lbs • Preliminary Card • Weigh-In: 116.0 lbs (52.6 kgs)
Randa Markos	Split Decision		MMA	02/19/17	UFC Fight Night 105: Lewis vs Browne, Scotiabank Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
	5:00	R3 / 3×5	Pro		Strawweight • 115 lbs • Preliminary Card • Weigh-In: 116.0 lbs (52.6 kgs)
Juliana Lima	Unanimous Decision		MMA	04/23/16	UFC 197, MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
	5:00	R3 / 3×5	Pro		Strawweight • 115 lbs • Preliminary Card • Weigh-In: 116.0 lbs (52.6 kgs)
Joanna Jedrzejczyk	KO (Punches)		MMA†	03/14/15	UFC 185 – Pettis vs. Dos Anjos
	4:17	R2	Pro		……………………………………………………………………………………..
Rose Namajunas	Rear-Naked Choke		MMA†	12/12/14	UFC – The Ultimate Fighter 20 Finale
	1:26	R3	Pro		……………………………………………………………………………………..
Jessica Penne	Unanimous Decision		MMA	08/14/14	The Ultimate Fighter 20: A Champion Will Be Crowned
	5:00	R3	Exhibition		……………………………………………………………………………………..
Tecia Torres	Majority Decision		MMA	08/06/14	The Ultimate Fighter 20: A Champion Will Be Crowned
	5:00	R2	Exhibition		……………………………………………………………………………………..
Angela Hill	Rear-Naked Choke		MMA	07/18/14	The Ultiamte Fighter 20: A Champion Will Be Crowned
	3:41	R1	Exhibition		……………………………………………………………………………………..
Bec Rawlings	Unanimous Decision		MMA†	01/05/13	Invicta FC 4 – Esparza vs. Hyatt
	5:00	R5	Pro		……………………………………………………………………………………..
Lynn Alvarez	TKO (Punches)		MMA	10/06/12	Invicta FC 3 – Penne vs. Sugiyama
	2:53	R1	Pro		……………………………………………………………………………………..
Sarah Schneider	TKO (Punches)		MMA	07/28/12	Invicta FC 2 – Baszler vs. McMann
	4:28	R2	Pro		……………………………………………………………………………………..
Felice Herrig	Unanimous Decision		MMA	12/02/11	XFC 15 – Tribute
	5:00	R3	Pro		……………………………………………………………………………………..
Jessica Aguilar	Split Decision		MMA	06/25/11	Bellator Fighting Championships 46
	5:00	R3	Pro		……………………………………………………………………………………..
Yadira Anzaldua	Rear-Naked Choke		MMA	04/15/11	ECSC – Friday Night Fights 3
	0:53	R1	Pro		……………………………………………………………………………………..
Nina Ansaroff	Split Decision		MMA	12/10/10	Crowbar MMA – Winter Brawl
	5:00	R3	Pro		……………………………………………………………………………………..
Megumi Fujii	Armbar		MMA	09/12/10	Bellator Fighting Championships 24
	0:57	R2	Pro		……………………………………………………………………………………..
Lacey Schuckman	Rear-Naked Choke		MMA	07/16/10	Ladies Night: Clash of the Titans 8
	2:37	R2	Pro		……………………………………………………………………………………..
Karina Hallinan	Rear-Naked Choke		MMA	04/18/10	LBFN 8 – Long Beach Fight Night 8
	2:16	R2	Pro		……………………………………………………………………………………..
Cassie Trost	TKO (Punches)		MMA	02/19/10	RITC 3 – Respect in the Cage 3
	0:48	R1	Pro		……………………………………………………………………………………..

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Carla Esparza’s Bio

Carla Esparza is a female fighter from the United States.

She made her professional MMA debut in 2010.

She was awarded her Purple Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in March of 2013.

Previously signed to Invicta Fighting Championships, Carla was part of the first group of athletes to be signed to the UFC‘s Strawweight division, in December of 2013. She won season 20 of The Ultimate Fighter, becoming the UFC’s first ever Strawweight World Champion.

Personal Life

Carla attended University for four years, where she wrestled while earning her degree in Business with a concentration in Sports Management.

Achievements

MMA Titles

2014 - UFC Strawweight World Champion (inaugural)
2012 - Invicta Fighting Championships Strawweight Champion (inaugural)

MMA Awards

2012 - WMMA Press Awards | Strawweight Fighter of the Year
2010 - WMMA Press Awards | Super Flyweight of the Year

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Titles

2013 - IBJJF Pan Ams | Blue Belt Featherweight Division Silver
2011 - IBJJF No-Gi National Champion
US Open Advanced No-Gi Champion
Pan American Advanced No-Gi Champion

Wrestling Titles

2009 - Women’s Wrestling All-American | Menlo College
2008 - Women’s Wrestling All-American | Menlo College
2 x High School All-American
2 x High School Regional Champion
2004 - USGWA National Placer Bronze
2003 - USGWA National Placer (10th)
2003 - Fargo Freestly National Placer Bronze

Media Appearances

TV

The Ultimate Fighter 23: Team Joanna vs Team Claudia (2016) - Team Joanna Guest Coach
The Ultimate Fighter Season 20: A Champion Will Be Crowned (2014)

Team Details

Name	Role
Team Oyama	Gym / Affiliations
Gracie Academy	Gym / Affiliations
Rener, Ryron and Ralek Gracie	Trainer / Instructor / Coach
Lee Allen (2008-2009)	Trainer / Instructor / Coach
SuckerPunch Entertainment	Management

Rose Namajunas vs. Carla Esparza at The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 20 photo credit MMAmania.com

Carla Esparza punching Maryna Moroz from UFC Facebook

Carla Esparza defeats Cynthia Calvillo from UFC Facebook

Carla Esparza vs Juliana Lima April 22nd 2016 at UFC 197 from UFC Facebook

Jeri Sitzes, Felice Herrig and Carla Esparza by Michelle Keim Photography

Carla Esparza by Michelle Keim Photography

Carla Esparza at UFC 185 Open Workout from UFC Facebook

Carla Esparza vs Joanna Jedrzejczyk at UFC 185 13-03-15 from UFC Facebook

Carla Esparza vs Joanna Jedrzejczyk at UFC 185 13-03-15 Fight Week Media Day by Esther Lin for MMA Fighting

Carla Esparza vs Joanna Jedrzejczyk at UFC 185 13-03-15 by Esther Lin

TUF20 Carla Esparza

Carla Esparza vs Joanna Jedrzejczyk

Carla Esparza vs Rose Namajunas 11-12-14 at the Ultimate Fighter 20 Finale photo by Esther Lin

Carla Esparza TUF 20 Finale Weigh In

TUF 20 Team Pettis, Justine Kish, Jessica Penne, Alex Chambers, Felice Herrig, Carla Esparza, Aisling Daly, Joanne Calderwood, Randa Markos-Thomas

TUF 20 Joanne Calderwood, Rose Namajunas, Bec Rawlings, Jessica Penne, Angela Magana, Angela Hill, Heather Clark, Tecia Torres, Emily Kagan, Aisling Daly, Lisa Ellis, Alex Chambers, Carla Esparza, Randa Markos-Thomas, Justine Kish, Felice Herrig