Two-time UFC strawweight champion Carla Esparza announces her pregnancy and plans to return to competition in mid-2024.
Carla Esparza, the two-time UFC strawweight champion, announced on Saturday that she is pregnant with her and husband Matthew Lomeli’s child, expecting a September arrival. Esparza made the announcement via Instagram, where she shared that they had waited 14 weeks before revealing the news to the public. She also stated in her post that she hopes to return to competition in mid-2024.
Esparza has been out of action since losing her strawweight title to Zhang Weili via second-round submission at UFC 281 this past November. That loss ended a six-fight win streak for Esparza, a successful run that culminated in her becoming the UFC’s inaugural 115-pound champion for the second time, earning a split decision win over Rose Namajunas at UFC 274.
In her Instagram caption, Esparza wrote: “So we’ve been keeping a little secret for the last 14 weeks… we’re expecting! Baby Cookie Monster Grand Entrance September 2023. Excited for this next chapter… and hoping to make my return early to mid-2024.” Fans of the mixed martial artist will surely be looking forward to her return to the octagon and the arrival of the new addition to her family.