Jessica Penne is one of the toughest pioneers in women’s MMA, having held the Invicta FC Atomweight title before making waves in the UFC.
Known for her incredible resilience and high-level grappling, she has faced some of the sport’s biggest names over a career spanning nearly two decades.
In this article, you will know Jessica Penne’s net worth, career earnings, career overview, stats, relationship status, and more.
Jessica Penne’s Biography
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jessica Penne |
| Date of Birth | January 30, 1983 |
| Age | 42 |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Cal State Fullerton (BA in Communications) |
| Height | 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m) |
| Weight | 115 lbs (52 kg) |
| Turned Pro | 2006 |
| Net Worth | Estimated $350,000 – $500,000 |
| Career Earnings | Est. $450,000+ (Gross) |
| Partner/Husband | Private |
| @jessicapenne | |
| Twitter (X) | @JessicaPenne |
Early Career
Jessica Penne started her martial arts journey with a strong foundation in grappling. She earned a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and later added a brown belt in Judo to her skillset.
Before the UFC even had a strawweight division, Jessica was already making history in other organizations. In 2009, she competed in the first-ever women’s bout in Bellator history, where she secured a victory.
Her biggest early achievement came when she joined Invicta FC, a promotion dedicated entirely to women. Jessica moved down to the Atomweight division (105 lbs) and became the first-ever Invicta FC Atomweight Champion in 2012 by defeating Naho Sugiyama.
She was widely considered one of the best female fighters in the world at that weight class. Although she eventually lost the title to Michelle Waterson, her success in Invicta proved she was an elite talent ready for the big stage.
Professional Career
Jessica Penne joined the UFC in 2014 as part of The Ultimate Fighter Season 20, which was created to crown the first UFC strawweight champion. She performed well on the show, reaching the semifinals before losing to her friend and eventual winner, Carla Esparza.
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Despite the loss, she earned an official spot on the UFC roster and won her debut fight against Randa Markos, picking up a “Fight of the Night” bonus.
Her skills earned her a title shot against the dominant champion Joanna Jędrzejczyk in 2015. Although Jessica lost via TKO in a bloody and gritty battle, she earned another “Fight of the Night” bonus for her toughness.
Her career then faced a major hurdle when she was sidelined for four years due to USADA suspension issues. She made an emotional and successful return in 2021, winning back-to-back fights, including a “Performance of the Night” armbar against Karolina Kowalkiewicz.
Since then, she has remained a veteran presence in the division, facing tough rising contenders.
Jessica Penne’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Jessica Penne’s net worth is estimated to be between $350,000 and $500,000. While she has earned significant bonuses during her UFC career, long periods of inactivity and legal fees during her suspension likely impacted her total savings.
Fight Purses
| Opponent | Event | Result | Est. Payout |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elise Reed | UFC Vegas 99 (Oct 2024) | Loss | ~$36,000 |
| Emily Ducote | UFC ABC 3 (Jul 2022) | Loss | ~$36,000 |
| Karolina Kowalkiewicz | UFC 265 (Aug 2021) | Win | ~$98,000* |
| Lupita Godinez | UFC ESPN 22 (Apr 2021) | Win | ~$44,000 |
| Joanna Jędrzejczyk | UFC Fight Night 69 (Jun 2015) | Loss | ~$65,000** |
Career Earnings
| Year | Est. Gross Earnings |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $36,000 |
| 2023 | $34,000 |
| 2022 | $36,000 |
| 2021 | $142,000 |
| 2015 | $80,000 |
Career Stats
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Record | 14-8-0 (varies by source) |
| Strikes Landed Per Min | 2.56 |
| Striking Accuracy | 33% |
| Takedown Average | 1.35 (per 15 min) |
| Takedown Accuracy | 23% |
| Submission Average | 0.6 (per 15 min) |
| Fight Win Streak | 0 (Current) |
FAQs
1. Is Jessica Penne still an active fighter in the UFC?
Yes, she continues to compete actively in the UFC strawweight division. She fought as recently as October 2024 against Elise Reed, demonstrating her ongoing commitment to professional competition despite her long tenure in the sport.
2. Why did Penne take a four-year break from fighting?
USADA suspended her following a failed drug test, which initiated a long and expensive legal battle. She maintained her innocence, attributing the result to prescribed medication, and eventually returned to the octagon after serving the ban.
3. Did Jessica Penne ever hold a world championship belt?
She achieved significant success as the first-ever Invicta FC Atomweight Champion. She captured this title by defeating Naho Sugiyama but later dropped the belt to Michelle Waterson before eventually moving up to the UFC strawweight division.
4. What is Penne’s educational background outside of MMA?
She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from California State University, Fullerton. She completed her university education before fully transitioning into a full-time professional fighting career, providing her with skills beyond the cage.
5. Does Penne have any specific martial arts ranking?
She possesses a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and a brown belt in Judo. Her fighting style heavily relies on this high-level grappling pedigree, as she often looks to take opponents to the mat to secure submissions.
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