‘A tremendous journey’… Two-time UFC champion retires in emotional scene after shedding last battle at UFC 307

Two-time UFC strawweight champion Carla Esparza hung up her gloves on Saturday evening after shedding an in depth resolution in her last battle.

The legendary 115lb star, recognized to followers as ‘Cookie Monster’, was defeated by Unanimous Resolution towards Tecia Pennington at UFC 307 within the last battle of a 27-fight profession. She had made her plan recognized previous to battle evening, and introduced it weeks forward of the event.

Nevertheless it nonetheless made for an emotional second as she laid down her gloves within the octagon in entrance of the Salt Lake Metropolis crowd. A former title holder in a number of organizations, Esparza has been combating professionally since earlier than girls have been allowed within the UFC.

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Former strawweight world champion Carla Esparza loses to Tecia Pennington at UFC 307

After a prolonged profession spanning nearly a decade-and-a-half, Carla Esparza determined to name it a day following her newest UFC outing. She had been out of motion for nearly two years after shedding her belt to Weili Zhang in 2022, throughout which era she had been specializing in her household.

Esparza gave delivery to her first baby with husband Matthew Lomeli in September of final 12 months, and he or she had been taking time to get well over the next 12 months. And whereas she was eager to get again in battle form as soon as extra, she deliberate to hold up her gloves shortly after.

She ended up being booked to face Pennington, who had struggled to 2 cut up resolution wins in her previous few outings. The pair met throughout their season of The Final Fighter again in 2014, however that two-round bout led to controversy as Esparza took a uncommon Majority Resolution.

Pennington gave the impression to be touchdown the larger strikes within the first spherical, and Esparza appeared harm at one level midway by way of the opening stanza. However the former champion received her down, and took management because the seconds ticked away earlier than the bell.

A famend wrestler, Esparza struggled to get the takedown within the second as she was tagged a number of occasions. However because the pair started to actually commerce and Pennington started to land impactful pictures, she did get that elusive takedown – albeit with restricted harm.

For the ultimate time in her life, Esparza headed to the nook forward of the third, with the story of the bout itself being Pennington’s spectacular leg kicks. And with seconds to go, she lastly received her takedown and ended her illustrious profession in a prime place.

The choice didn’t go Esparza’s means, with Pennington taking two 29-28 scorecards and one vast 30-27.

Carla Esparza retires with emotional speech after 14-year profession

The gang gave Esparza a giant reception following her defeat, with many booing Pennington after the controversial scorecards. Even a respectful interview, the winner was booed away earlier than the previous champion introduced her son into the octagon in a Cookie Monster costume to a rousing reception.

“You already know what, thanks guys a lot, this crowd was superior,” she advised Joe Rogan after the actual fact. “Can’t depart it to the judges, I’ll have to return and watch it. Proud to battle with a veteran from TUF.”

Esparza was then proven a tribute video to her profession, after which she choked again tears earlier than telling Rogan: “It’s been a tremendous journey this final 15 years. I’ve fought the most effective of the most effective and it’s not all the time straightforward, however I like this sport, thanks guys a lot.”

She then thanked her teaching crew and household as she was given the prospect to put down her gloves. Rogan and broadcast associate Daniel Cormier admitted that they have been nearly moved to tears after the actual fact, earlier than each claiming the outcome was a theft.

Carla Esparza introduced plans to retire earlier than UFC 307 battle

The retirement announcement from Esparza was not a lot of a shock to battle followers, given she had confirmed plans to hold up the gloves earlier than the battle. Throughout media day she made a degree that the outcome wouldn’t matter, and that she plans to stay to her resolution in contrast to many different fighters.

“Most positively,” she advised the press when requested how critical she was about planning to retire on battle evening. “Irrespective of the result; one-minute end, I feel that is it for me. I’m sort of prepared to maneuver on to that subsequent chapter in life, simply staying house with my son, possibly rising an even bigger household.

“It’s going to be a little bit bit arduous to get again within the octagon, massive stomach like that… I’m actually simply attempting to benefit from the second and sort of have a extra carefree perspective and simply have enjoyable with everybody – usually, I’d simply be a hermit in my room and tremendous centered.

“However now I’m simply having fun with each side of it, attempting to take extra photos, doc a little bit bit extra. I’m doing an after-party and having all my pals which might be popping out for lunch after weigh-ins, simply having enjoyable and appreciating the individuals and the expertise of battle week.”

Carla Esparza leaves enviable legacy behind after 14-year profession

California native Esparza is among the unique names in girls’s MMA, and her profession as a prime fighter pre-dates even having feminine athletes within the UFC. When she was defeating Bec Rawlings for the Invicta belt in January 2013, the game’s greatest promotion have been nonetheless weeks away from their first girls’s bout.

Esparza ended up arriving within the UFC as a double champ of types. She gained The Ultimate Fighter season 20, which additionally culminated in a strawweight world champion being topped, by taking a Rear Bare Choke win within the third spherical of her assembly with Rose Namajunas.

She rapidly misplaced that belt to Joanna Jedrzejczyk, however she caught with it and thru a tough up-and-down journey within the octagon, she received again to rivalry in 2022. There, she confronted Namajunas once more and landed a cut up resolution victory that noticed her reclaim the title eight years on from her first victory.

“I’d say the most important factor I would like individuals to recollect from my story isn’t depend your self out,” she mentioned this week. “You possibly can fall, however you’ll be able to all the time construct your means again up, and when you put sufficient work in and also you need it sufficient, you’ll be able to all the time come again higher.”

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