There are many firsts that a person experiences throughout their lifetime. First steps, first words, first airplane ride, first love, the list could go on and on. However, not many people can say that they’ve been a first champion in a sport.
UFC strawweight Carla Esparza is one of the few that gets to claim that title. Flash back over eight years ago on December 12, 2014, when Esparza stepped into the UFC Octagon to fight for the inaugural UFC strawweight title against Rose Namajunas. It was The Ultimate Fighter: A Champion Will Be Crowned Finale, which was the first season in the show’s history to feature only female fighters.