Photos: Carla Esparza through the years

Jun 24, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Carla Esparza weighs in for UFC fight night at Renaissance Waterford Oklahoma City Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Sean Pokorny-USA TODAY Sports

Dec 30, 2017; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Cynthia Calvillo moves in with a hit as Carla Esparza defends during UFC 219 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Jun 9, 2018; Chicago, IL, USA; Claudia Gadelha (red gloves) fights Carla Esparza (blue gloves) during UFC 225 at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Jun 9, 2018; Chicago, IL, USA; Claudia Gadelha (red gloves) fights Carla Esparza (blue gloves) during UFC 225 at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Jun 9, 2018; Chicago, IL, USA; Claudia Gadelha (red gloves) fights Carla Esparza (blue gloves) during UFC 225 at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Jun 9, 2018; Chicago, IL, USA; Claudia Gadelha (red gloves) fights Carla Esparza (blue gloves) during UFC 225 at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Sep 8, 2018; Dallas, TX, USA; Carla Esparza (red gloves) fights Tatiana Suarez (blue gloves) during UFC 228 at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Sep 20, 2019; Mexico City, MEX; Carla Esparza poses during weigh ins for UFC Fight Night at JW Marriott. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

Sep 20, 2019; Mexico City, MEX; Carla Esparza (left) and Alexa Grasso (right) participate in staredowns following weigh ins for UFC Fight Night at JW Marriott. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

Sep 21, 2019; Mexico City, MEX; Carla Esparza (red gloves) fights Alexa Grasso (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Mexico City Arena. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

Sep 21, 2019; Mexico City, MEX; Carla Esparza (red gloves) fights Alexa Grasso (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Mexico City Arena. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

Sep 21, 2019; Mexico City, MEX; Carla Esparza (red gloves) defeats Alexa Grasso (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Mexico City Arena. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

May 9, 2020; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Carla Esparza (red gloves) fights Michelle Waterson (blue gloves) during UFC 249 at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

May 7, 2022; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Carla Esparza fights against Rose Namajunas during UFC 274 at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

May 7, 2022; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Carla Esparza reacts following her championship victory against Rose Namajunas during UFC 274 at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Nov 12, 2022; New York, NY, USA; Carla Esparza before her bout against Zhang Weili during UFC 281 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Jessica Alcheh-USA TODAY Sports

Nov 12, 2022; New York, NY, USA; Carla Esparza before her bout against Zhang Weili during UFC 281 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Jessica Alcheh-USA TODAY Sports

Nov 12, 2022; New York, NY, USA; Carla Esparza (red gloves) and Zhang Weili (blue gloves) during UFC 281 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Jessica Alcheh-USA TODAY Sports

Carla Esparza was a cast member of Season 20 of "The Ultimate Fighter," a tournament to crown the inaugural UFC strawweight champion. The former Invicta FC 115-pound champ was the No. 1 seed and lived up to her ranking by defeating Angela Hill, Tecia Torres and Jessica Penne, en route to a finals showdown with Rose Namajunas, where went on to win the title and the tournament. She wasn't able to defend, however, as she lost to Joanna Jedrzejczyk and has been on the climb back ever since. (MMA Junkie)