Esparza, 36, retires after 14 years of professional fighting, including nearly a decade in the UFC. She was the first-ever UFC women’s strawweight champion, winning gold in the “TUF 20” Finale against Rose Namajunas. She lost the title in her following bout against Joanna Jedrzejczyk.

Carla Esparza, a two-time strawweight champion and a pioneer in women's MMA, retired from the sport following a unanimous decision loss to Tecia Pennington at UFC 307.

Former two-time UFC strawweight titleholder and the organization’s inaugural 115-pound champ Carla Esparza announced her retirement following a close loss at UFC 307.

Carla Esparza is a fighter who won the hard way, as a grinding wrestler who did not have top-tier athleticism but worked hard, day in, and day out, and still was not appreciated by fans for her style.

Carla Esparza didn’t end her career the way she wanted after following through with her retirement following a decision loss to Tecia Pennington at UFC 307