Carla Esparza has called time on her illustrious MMA career.
Following a unanimous decision loss to Tecia Pennington at UFC 307 on Saturday night Esparza left her gloves in the centre of the Octagon.
Carla Esparza retires at 36 years oldGETTY
It was a nip-and-tuck affair that many felt Esparza had done enough to win.
However, all three judges scored the fight in Pennington’s favour with scorecards of 29-28, 29-28 and 30-27.
Esteemed MMA journalist Ariel Helwani tweeted: “I had it 29-28 Esparza. Tough for her to end the career like that. Thought Carla won 1 and 3.”
Meanwhile, several fans on social media branded it a ‘robbery’.
Speaking in the immediate aftermath of her defeat, Esparza said: “Can’t leave it to the judges.
“I thought I won it, but I’m honoured to go out fighting a veteran.”
A highlight reel of Esparza’s career was then shown on the big screen as Esparza held her son.
As the video ended, the camera cut back to Esparza, who was taken back by the gesture.
A tearful Esparza added: “It’s been an amazing journey the last 15 years.
“I’ve fought the best of the best. It’s not always easy.
“There are ups and downs in this sport but I wouldn’t have done it any other way. This is the greatest sport in the world.”
The decision didn’t come as a surprise; the 36-year-old had already disclosed to her Instagram followers two months ago that her fight with Pennington would be her last outing.
Asked at Wednesday’s media day if she will hang up her gloves this weekend regardless of the result, she replied: “Most definitely – no matter the outcome, (even if it’s a) one-minute finish, I think this is it for me.
“I’m kind of ready to move on to that next chapter in life, just staying home with my son, maybe growing a bigger family.
“It’s going to be a little bit hard to get back in the octagon, big belly like that.”
Esparza has enjoyed a fruitful career in MMA and will be remembered as one of the pioneers of the women’s side of the sport.
‘Cookie Monster’ became the UFC’s first strawweight world champion when she defeated Rose Namajunas in The Ultimate Fighter 20 finale via rear-naked choke in 2014 before dropping the belt to Joanna Jedrzejczyk.
Eight years later she defeated Namajunas again to become a two-time strawweight champion but like her first reign; she lost the title immediately after – this time, to Zhang Weili.
Outside of the UFC, she also won the inaugural Invicta FC strawweight world title.
