Women's StrawweightNOT FIGHTING

Carla Esparza

20-8

Age

Height

5'1"

Weight

1155 lbs

Reach

63"

Avg Fight Time

14:01

Gym

Team Oyama - Irvine, CA

Wins By

4 KO · 4 Sub · 12 Dec

Losses By

—

Wins by Rd

R2 1R3 8R5 1

Last 5

WWWWL

Finish Rate

40%

Bonuses

—

Style

—

Location

Los Angeles, United States

Fight History

WIN

vs Maryna Moroz

UFC Fight Night: Chiesa vs. Lee· 2025-09-27

Decision - Unanimous

R3 5:00

Decision - Unanimous·R3 5:00

WIN

vs Marina Rodriguez

UFC Fight Night: Whittaker vs. Till· 2025-09-27

Decision - Split

R3 5:00

Decision - Split·R3 5:00

WIN

vs Alexa Grasso

UFC Fight Night: Rodriguez vs. Stephens· 2025-09-27

Decision - Majority

R3 5:00

Decision - Majority·R3 5:00

WIN

vs Virna Jandiroba

UFC Fight Night: Jacare vs. Hermansson· 2025-09-27

Decision - Unanimous

R3 5:00

Decision - Unanimous·R3 5:00

LOSS

vs Randa Markos

UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Browne· 2025-09-27

Decision - Split

R3 5:00

Decision - Split·R3 5:00

WIN

vs Yan Xiaonan

UFC Fight Night: Font vs. Garbrandt· 2025-09-27

KO/TKO

Punches to Head From Crucifix

R2 2:58

KO/TKOPunches to Head From Crucifix·R2 2:58

LOSS

vs Tecia Pennington

UFC 307: Pereira vs. Rountree Jr.· 2024-10-05

Decision - Unanimous

R3 5:00

Decision - Unanimous·R3 5:00

LOSS

vs Zhang Weili

UFC 281: Adesanya vs. Pereira· 2022-11-12

Submission

Rear Naked Choke From back crucifix

R2 1:05

SubmissionRear Naked Choke From back crucifix·R2 1:05

WIN

vs Rose Namajunas

UFC 274: Oliveira vs. Gaethje· 2022-05-07

Decision - Split

R5 5:00

Decision - Split·R5 5:00

WIN

vs Michelle Waterson-Gomez

UFC 249: Ferguson vs. Gaethje· 2020-05-09

Decision - Split

R3 5:00

Decision - Split·R3 5:00

LOSS

vs Tatiana Suarez

UFC 228: Woodley vs. Till· 2018-09-08

KO/TKO

Punches to Head From Guard

R3 4:33

KO/TKOPunches to Head From Guard·R3 4:33

LOSS

vs Claudia Gadelha

UFC 225: Whittaker vs. Romero 2· 2018-06-09

Decision - Split

R3 5:00

Decision - Split·R3 5:00

WIN

vs Cynthia Calvillo

UFC 219: Cyborg vs. Holm· 2017-12-30

Decision - Unanimous

R3 5:00

Decision - Unanimous·R3 5:00

WIN

vs Juliana Lima

UFC 197: Jones vs Saint Preux· 2016-04-23

Decision - Unanimous

R3 5:00

Decision - Unanimous·R3 5:00

LOSS

vs Joanna Jedrzejczyk

UFC 185: Pettis vs Dos Anjos· 2015-03-14

KO/TKO

Punches to Head In Clinch

R2 4:17

KO/TKOPunches to Head In Clinch·R2 4:17

WIN

vs Rose Namajunas

The Ultimate Fighter: A Champion Will Be Crowned Finale

Submission

Rear Naked Choke

R3 1:26

SubmissionRear Naked Choke·R3 1:26

Fighter Archetype

Muay Thai Fighter

Clinch-Heavy Nak Muay

Why This Archetype

This fighter displays a unique approach that transcends traditional archetypes.

Striking

2.2/min

Grappling

3.28 TD

Defense

54%

⚖️Carla adapts strategy based on opponent — no predictable tendencies

📊Balanced approach can be difficult to game-plan against

Technique DNA

Striking Foundation

18 rounds of fight film analyzed

🎯

Signature Technique

Leg Kicks

Core of offensive identity

Dominant Level

50%

Of striking volume

Mastery Progress

Primary Arsenal

High Importance

Jabs

44%of arsenal

0%100%

Medium Importance

Knees

44%of arsenal

0%100%

Supporting Techniques

🤼Clinch

Elbows

39%

🥊Head/Hand

Head Kicks

28%

⭐Other

Counters

22%

Common Combinations

Distance → Clinch

4× detected

Clinch → Takedown

4× detected

Patterns detected from round-by-round fight data

Striking Pattern Analysis

◆Signature technique: Heavy reliance on Leg Kicks (50%). Opponents must prepare specifically for this threat.
▲Technical diversity: Multiple techniques used at similar rates - adapts based on situations.
●Comprehensive striker: Uses head strikes, leg kicks, and varied attacks across distance.
■Two-pillar system: Top 2 techniques account for majority (94%) of offensive output.
◇Focused arsenal: Top 5 techniques comprise 205% of offense - limited but refined.
▶Mixed martial artist: Uses both takedown techniques and submissions in the striking phase.
★Adaptive tempo: Switches between pressure and counter-fighting mid-round.

Finish Techniques

Striking Finishes

50% of career finishes

Submission Finishes

50% of career finishes

⚡ Knockout Arsenal (1 techniques)

Punches to Head From Crucifix

100% of KOs

🔒 Submission Arsenal (1 techniques, 1 total finishes)

From Back Control

Rear Naked Choke

100% of subs

Finish Pattern Analysis

⚡⚔️ Balanced finisher: 50% KO/TKO, 50% submissions. Equally lethal on feet and ground.
🎯🎯 Signature KO: Punches to Head From Crucifix (1x, 100% of KOs). Opponents specifically game-plan for this threat.
🔒🔐 Specialized submission: Relies exclusively on Rear Naked Choke (1x). Single-threat grappling finisher.
🎪📊 Style profile: Threat across all ranges. Can finish standing or on ground - all-around dangerous.

Fighter Skills Radar

Key Insights

⚖️

Balanced fighter: Threatens equally on feet and mat. No clear weaknesses.

💪

Peak strengths: TD/15min (3.3) and Strike Def% (54%).

⚠️

Vulnerability: Sub/15min is below average (11/100). Opponents exploit this.

🛡️

Defensive stance: Strong defense (54%) limits opponent output. Conservative approach.

📈

Pace builder: Output increases in later rounds (150% in R3). Outworks opponents.

Striking Profile

Striking Accuracy

39%

Below Avg

0%100%

Striking Defense

54%

Average

0%100%

Range Breakdown

Distance

29% acc57%

Clinch

60% acc13%

Ground

72% acc30%

Striking Differential-0.68/min

2.19 landed/min2.87 absorbed/min

2.19

Landed/Min

2.87

Absorbed/Min

0.00

KD Avg

1st Rd Finishes

Sig. Strikes Landed492

Sig. Strikes Attempted1247

Key Insights

Carla is active on the ground (30%).

Primarily a headhunter with 74% targeting the head.

Utilizes an effective jab.

Effective ground striker: 30% from ground at 72% accuracy.

Iron chin: exceptional durability under fire.

Grappling Profile

TD Accuracy

36%

Below Avg

0%100%

TD Defense

47%

Average

0%100%

TD Success Rate

19%

Landed

Defended

110

Total

135

3.28

TD / 15min

0.27

Sub / 15min

TD Landed

135

TD Attempted

Extended Grappling

Clinch Takedowns

Landed

252

Attempted

37%

Accuracy

Submission Timing

4 total attempts

Opportunistic

25%

50%

25%

Key Insights

Aggressive wrestler averaging 3.28 TD/15min.

TD defense at 47% could be a vulnerability.

4 career submission wins.

Submission timing: "Opportunistic" — consistent threat.

Ground active: 30% of output from ground position.

Offensive vs Defensive Balance

Damage Exchange

Offensive dominance vs damage absorbed per fight

Dealt

888

0.77

Ratio

Absorbed

1,160

Chin Rating

Iron

KD Exchange

0/0

KD Recovery

Never Dropped

Pace & Momentum

Fight pacing and round-over-round performance trends

Engagement Score

47.1

Elite Activity

Strikes/Min

6.0

Standing %

73%

R3 vs R1 Output

150%

Strong Finisher

Key Insights

⚠️ Damage ratio below 1.0 (0.77x) - absorbs more than deals.

🥊 Iron chin - rarely compromised by strikes.

⚙️ High engagement score (47.1) - maintains relentless pace.

📈 Improves dramatically in late rounds - R3 output 150% of R1.

Round-by-Round Profile

Career average across 16 fights

R1 Control

1:39

R2 Control

1:18

R3 Control

1:13

R1 to Final

+56%

In-Fight Adaptation

Detected across career, comparing R1 vs R3+ patterns

Adapts targeting and range based on opponent and fatigue.

Target Selection Evolution

Head

-2.7pp

Body

-1.2pp

Leg

+3.9pp

Range Preference Evolution

Ground Shift

-3.2pp

Round Patterns

⬇️ Stronger in early rounds – starts fast

🔄 Low control time – movement-focused fighter

Championship Rounds

Based on 1 five-round fight

Rounds 1-3 Avg

10.6

sig strikes / round

Rounds 4-5 Avg

6.5

sig strikes / round

Output Change

61%

R4-5 vs R1-3

Fades Significantly

Competitive Profile

Strength of Schedule

Opponent quality and career progression

Avg Opponent ELO

3009

Championship

Career-wide opponent strength

Elite Wins (ELO 3000+)

/ 4

0% Win Rate

Conclusions Summary

Fighter characteristics, strengths, patterns, and competitive insights