Former UFC champion Carla Esparza made her final walk to the Octagon at UFC 307, where she faced Tecia Pennington in a strawweight bout. Esparza, a two-time women's strawweight champion and TUF 20 champion, announced her retirement following the fight. Despite a close and emotional battle, Esparza lost the fight by decision, with local Utah judge Dan Furse scoring it 30-27 in favor of Pennington. Esparza's career, which concludes with a final record of 20-8, was celebrated with a highlight video by the UFC, acknowledging her contributions as a pioneer in women's MMA. Esparza's heartfelt post-fight speech and the tribute video underscored her impact on the sport, marking the end of a remarkable career.
