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Carla Esparza to be sidelined for six to eight months after shoulder surgery

Carla Esparza has experienced the highest highs and lowest lows of being an MMA fighter in just 12 months.

Last year, Esparza won The Ultimate Fighter 20 and became the first-ever UFC women's strawweight champion. Then, at UFC 185 in March, she was knocked out by Joanna Jedrzejczyk in the second round. Now? "Cookie Monster" is announcing she needs shoulder surgery and she'll be out six to eight months. FOX Sports was the first to report the news.

Esparza (10-3) is still one of the very best 115-pound women's fighters in the world and a former Invicta FC champion in the weight class.