Esparza, 36, retires after 14 years of professional fighting, including nearly a decade in the UFC. She was the first-ever UFC women’s strawweight champion, winning gold in the “TUF 20” Finale against Rose Namajunas. She lost the title in her following bout against Joanna Jedrzejczyk.

Carla Esparza, a two-time strawweight champion and a pioneer in women's MMA, retired from the sport following a unanimous decision loss to Tecia Pennington at UFC 307.

After losing to a long-term rival at UFC 307, one trailblazer was left feeling emotional in the octagon as the curtain came down on her glittering MMA career.

Unlike a lot of sports retirements, particularly ones in MMA it seems, Carla Esparza said hers will be permanent.

Carla Esparza gave it her all in her final UFC fight but it was not enough, with Tecia Pennington scoring a debated decision at UFC 307.

We have you covered for all of tonight's UFC 307 results, including the women's strawweight bout between Carla Esparza and Tecia Pennington.

The new mom and former two-time strawweight champ, balancing being selfish and selfless, is back for one last bout Saturday against Tecia Pennington

Carla Esparza, the former two-time UFC strawweight champion and a pioneer for women's MMA, suffered a unanimous decision loss to Tecia Pennington in the final fight of her career at UFC 307 on Saturday in Salt Lake City.

UFC 307 continues with a fight between Carla Esparza and Tecia Pennington. Check out our UFC odds series for our Esparza-Pennington prediction.

Ahead of her final fight at UFC 307 against Tecia Pennington, Carla Esparza is opening up on her fighting career.