UFC MMA Fighter Carla Esparza Wiki, Bio, Age, Height, Weight

Learn about UFC MMA fighter Carla Esparza’s biography, including her age, height, weight, and captivating journey from wrestling roots to becoming the first UFC Strawweight Champion. Explore her impressive career in mixed martial arts.

About Carla Esparza

Carla Kristen Esparza is an American professional mixed martial artist who competes in the Strawweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

Carla born on October 10, 1987 in Torrance, California, United States. As of 2023, Carla Esparza is 36 years old.

Largely known for her grappling abilities, Esparza was the first UFC Strawweight Champion,.

The first Invicta FC Strawweight Champion, and was generally considered the best strawweight fighter in the world while holding each title.

She earned the UFC championship by winning a 16-woman tournament that was televised on the reality series The Ultimate Fighter.

Carla Esparza also competed in Bellator MMA’s first women’s tournament. As of May 24, 2021, she is #3 in the UFC women’s strawweight rankings and she is #9 in the UFC women’s pound for pound rankings.

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Body Measurements

Carla Esparza is 5 feet 1 inch or 1.55 meters (155 cm) tall and she weighs around 53 kg or 116 pounds.

Her body measurements are 32-26-34 inches with the bra size of 32 B.

She has Black hair and black eyes.

Family & Relationships

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Social Media Accounts

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Interesting Facts

She is of Mexican, Ecuadorian and Irish descent.

She is engaged to her partner Matthew Lomeli.

Esparza is known for powerful wrestling and Brazilian Jiu-jitsu.

On the mat, she often mounts an opponent and controls her with strikes while seeking submissions.

While standing, she typically clinches and attacks with punches, knees and elbows.

Carla Esparza’s foray into mixed martial arts (MMA) began when she started wrestling for the varsity team during her junior year at Redondo Union High School in Redondo Beach, California.

After winning multiple local and national high-school wrestling tournaments, Esparza was awarded a scholarship to Menlo College, a NAIA Division 1 school in northern California, to wrestle under coach and former two-time Olympian Lee Allen.

Mixed martial arts record

Career Of Carla Esparza

Carla Esparza’s journey into mixed martial arts (MMA) began during her junior year at Redondo Union High School in Redondo Beach, California, where she joined the varsity wrestling team. After achieving victory in various local and national high-school wrestling competitions, she earned a wrestling scholarship at Menlo College, an NAIA Division school situated in northern California, under the guidance of coach and former two-time Olympian Lee Allen.

During 2008 and 2009, Esparza achieved the status of a women’s wrestling All-American while competing for the Menlo Oaks.

While in college, Esparza initiated her Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training at the Gracie Academy in Torrance under the instruction of Rener, Ryron, and Ralek Gracie. She further expanded her MMA skill set by joining Team Oyama during her junior year’s summer break.

In August 2010, only six months after her professional debut and with a mere three professional MMA fights under her belt, Bellator MMA enlisted Esparza as a last-minute replacement for Angela Magaña, who had to withdraw due to a foot injury. Esparza entered the Bellator Season 3 115 lb women’s tournament at Bellator 24 and faced Megumi Fujii, the undefeated and then #1 pound-for-pound female MMA fighter globally, in the quarterfinal round. Despite the odds, Esparza took on the heavily favored Fujii and experienced defeat via second-round armbar submission.

In June 2011, Esparza returned to the Bellator stage to contend against fellow Season 3 tournament contender Jessica Aguilar at Bellator 46. Following an intense three-round battle, Aguilar secured victory via split decision.

On December 2, 2011, Esparza made her XFC debut at XFC 15: Tribute in Tampa, Florida, against Felice Herrig. She emerged victorious through unanimous decision.

In the subsequent months, Esparza was set to face Angela Magana at Pandemonium VI for the MEZ Sports women’s flyweight title. Tragically, Magana’s participation was hindered by a car accident on the fight day, rendering her unable to compete.

In May 2012, Esparza signed with the up-and-coming all-female Invicta Fighting Championships promotion.

On July 28, 2012, Esparza marked her Invicta debut at Invicta FC 2: Baszler vs. McMann, confronting Sarah Schneider in the preliminary card. She secured victory with a TKO (punches) in the second round.

Esparza’s journey in Invicta continued, including triumphs over Lynn Alvarez at Invicta FC 3: Penne vs. Sugiyama on October 6, 2012, and a significant championship match against Bec Hyatt for the Invicta FC Strawweight Championship. Her victory via unanimous decision saw her become the inaugural Invicta FC Strawweight Champion.

Following her remarkable achievements, Esparza joined the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) through The Ultimate Fighter Season 20, a reality show aimed at crowning the first UFC Strawweight Champion. She excelled throughout the tournament, advancing to the final and triumphing over Rose Namajunas via a rear-naked choke in the third round, thus becoming the inaugural UFC Strawweight Champion.

Esparza’s career includes a blend of powerful wrestling and Brazilian Jiu-jitsu skills, showcased through her ground control and submissions on the mat, as well as her strategic attacks while standing. Her journey, filled with triumphs and challenges, has solidified her status as a dominant force in the world of MMA.

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