Carla Esparza, known as “Cookie Monster,” is a pioneering figure in women‘s mixed martial arts.
As the first-ever UFC Women‘s Strawweight Champion and a 2-time title holder, Esparza has left an indelible mark on the sport.
In this article, you will learn about Carla Esparza’s net worth, salary, career earnings, contract, stats, wife, career overview, and more.
Carla Esparza’s Biography
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Carla Esparza |
| Date of Birth | October 10, 1987 |
| Place of Birth | Torrance, California, USA |
| Ethnicity | Mexican, Ecuadorian, and Irish descent |
| Education | Menlo College (Wrestling scholarship) |
| Nickname | Cookie Monster |
| Height | 5 ft 1 in (155 cm) |
| Weight | 115 lb (52 kg) |
| Division | Strawweight |
Early Career
Carla Esparza’s journey in combat sports began with wrestling. She excelled in high school, becoming a 2-time All-American.
At Menlo College, she continued to shine, earning a scholarship and becoming the first woman to win a national title for the school.
Her transition to MMA was natural, given her strong grappling background. Esparza made her amateur MMA debut in 2009 and quickly turned professional in 2010, showcasing her potential from the start.
Professional Career
Esparza’s professional MMA career has been nothing short of impressive. She competed in various promotions, including Bellator and Invicta FC, before joining the UFC.
In 2014, she participated in The Ultimate Fighter 20, which crowned the inaugural UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion.
Throughout her career, Esparza has been known for her relentless wrestling and ground control, earning her the nickname “Cookie Monster” for her ability to crumble opponents.
Spouse
Carla Esparza is happily married to Matthew Lomeli. The couple tied the knot in May 2022, celebrating their love with family and friends.
In a joyous announcement in March 2023, Esparza revealed that she was pregnant with their first child. The couple welcomed their son in late September 2023.
Carla Esparza’s Net Worth Details
Carla Esparza’s net worth is estimated to be $1 million as of 2025.
Contract
She signed a new four-fight deal with the promotion in June 2020. This contract likely includes performance bonuses and pay-per-view points for title fights.
Fight Purses
| Event | Opponent | Result | Purse |
|---|---|---|---|
| UFC 274 | Rose Namajunas | Win | $262,000 |
| UFC Fight Night: Rodriguez vs. Waterson | Yan Xiaonan | Win | $201,000 |
| UFC Fight Night: Covington vs. Woodley | Michelle Waterson | Win | $95,000 |
| UFC 185 | Joanna Jędrzejczyk | Loss | $100,000 |
| The Ultimate Fighter 20 Finale | Rose Namajunas | Win | $100,000 |
Endorsements
Carla Esparza has secured several endorsement deals throughout her career, including:
- Reebok (during their partnership with the UFC).
- Monster Energy.
- Venum (current UFC apparel sponsor).
- Nutrition and supplement companies.
Career Stats
| Opponent | Result | Event | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rose Namajunas | Win | UFC 274 | May 7, 2022 |
| Yan Xiaonan | Win | UFC Fight Night: Rodriguez vs. Waterson | May 22, 2021 |
| Michelle Waterson | Win | UFC 249 | May 9, 2020 |
| Joanna Jędrzejczyk | Loss | UFC 185 | March 14, 2015 |
| Rose Namajunas | Win | The Ultimate Fighter 20 Finale | December 12, 2014 |
FAQs
1. Who is Carla Esparza?
Carla Esparza is a retired American professional mixed martial artist and wrestler, best known as the first UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion. She also became the first Invicta FC Strawweight Champion and held the UFC Strawweight title twice during her career. Esparza was renowned for her wrestling and Brazilian jiu-jitsu skills.
2. What are Carla Esparza’s biggest achievements in MMA?
Carla Esparza’s major achievements include winning the inaugural UFC Women’s Strawweight Championship in 2014, reclaiming it in 2022, and being the winner of The Ultimate Fighter Season 20. She also holds records for the most takedowns in UFC Women’s Strawweight history and tied for the second-most wins in the division.
3. What is Carla Esparza’s fighting style?
Carla Esparza specialized in wrestling and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Her fighting style focused on takedowns, ground control, and submissions. While standing, she often utilized clinches and strikes such as punches, knees, and elbows to dominate her opponents.
4. When did Carla Esparza retire from MMA?
Carla Esparza retired from professional MMA on October 5, 2024, after her unanimous decision loss to Tecia Pennington at UFC 307. She ended her career with a professional record of 20 wins and 8 losses.
5. What is Carla Esparza’s personal background?
Born on October 10, 1987, in Redondo Beach, California, Carla Esparza has a multicultural heritage with roots in Ecuador, Ireland, and Mexico. She attended Menlo College on a wrestling scholarship and later pursued Brazilian jiu-jitsu and other martial arts disciplines.
6. Is Carla Esparza married? Does she have children?
Yes, Carla Esparza is married to Matthew Lomeli, a family physician. The couple tied the knot in May 2022, shortly after she won her second UFC Strawweight title. They have one son, born in September 2023.
7. How did Carla Esparza become the first UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion?
Carla Esparza won the inaugural UFC Women’s Strawweight Championship by defeating Rose Namajunas via rear-naked choke in the third round at The Ultimate Fighter 20 Finale in December 2014. Her dominant performance earned her the title and a Performance of the Night bonus.
8. What is Carla Esparza’s nickname, and why is she called that?
Carla Esparza is nicknamed “Cookie Monster,” inspired by her love for cookies. The nickname reflects her fun personality outside the octagon while contrasting with her fierce fighting style inside it.
9. What records does Carla Esparza hold in UFC history?
Carla Esparza holds several records in UFC history: most takedowns landed in the Women’s Strawweight division (48), tied for second-most wins (10), and longest time between title reigns (2,612 days). She also has three split-decision victories, the most in her division.
10. How has Carla Esparza contributed to women’s MMA?
Carla Esparza played a pivotal role in advancing women’s MMA by becoming the first UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion and setting high standards for grappling-based fighters. Her success demonstrated that wrestling could be a dominant force in women’s divisions, inspiring future generations of fighters.
