Carla Esparza announces retirement fight with Tecia Pennington at UFC 307
Carla Esparza is ready to hang up the gloves.
MMA Fighting confirmed with sources with knowledge of the matchup that Esparza and Tecia Pennington are set to face off at UFC 307, which is expected to take place at Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Oct. 5. MMA Junkie was first to report the strawweight bout.
Esparza, a two-time champion at 115 pounds, announced Friday that this is to be the final fight of her 15-year career.
*RETIREMENT FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENT*
— Carla Esparza (@CarlaEsparza1) August 2, 2024
I will be stepping into The UFC Octagon on Saturday, October 5th for the final time. After almost 15 years as a professional, fighting the best of the best, I feel it’s time to hang up my gloves. #UFC307 pic.twitter.com/NUZwPcOqxx
The Oct. 5 matchup is actually a rematch from 2014, when Esparza defeated Pennington (then Torres) via majority decision in an exhibition bout to advance to The Ultimate Fighter 20 semifinals. Esparza went on to win that season’s tournament and become the UFC’s inaugural strawweight champion.
Esparza (19-7) has not fought since a loss to Zhang Weili at UFC 281 in November 2022, which ended her brief second reign as strawweight champion. The following March, Esparza announced that she was pregnant and she gave birth this past September.
Among Esparza’s career highlights are a who’s who of notable wins, including Rose Namajunas (twice), Yan Xiaonan, Marina Rodriguez, Michelle Waterson-Gomez, and Alexa Grasso.
Also a proud mom, Pennington (13-7) recently returned from a long layoff after giving birth in June 2023. She lost a split decision to Tabatha Ricci in her most recent outing.