Jessica Eye

Jessica Jo-Anne Eye was born on July 27, 1986, in Akron, Ohio. At the age of 16, Eye was involved in a car accident with her father due to a drunk driver, which resulted in a broken back and a three-month recovery period. This experience is something she credits as a major driver for her commitment to mixed martial arts. She graduated from Rootstown High School and then attended the University of Akron, though she did not complete a four-year degree. Eye began her amateur mixed martial arts career in June 2008, achieving an undefeated record of 5-0 and becoming the inaugural North American Allied Fight Series (NAAFS) amateur women’s champion in December 2009. She made her professional debut in June 2010 with NAAFS, winning by TKO. Her early career also saw her become the Ring of Combat (ROC) 130 lbs women’s champion in February 2011.

Eye’s career progressed with a signing to Bellator Fighting Championships, where she debuted in September 2011. A notable victory included defeating then-champion Zoila Frausto Gurgel in December 2012 by technical submission. In August 2013, Eye signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), transitioning to the bantamweight division. Her UFC debut in October 2013 against Sarah Kaufman was initially a split decision win, later overturned to a ‘no contest’ due to a failed drug test. After a series of fights in the bantamweight division, she returned to her natural weight class of flyweight in 2017. Her return to flyweight brought a winning streak, including victories over Kalindra Faria, Jessica-Rose Clark, and Katlyn Chookagian, leading her to rise to #1 in the official UFC flyweight rankings and earn a title shot against Valentina Shevchenko in June 2019 at UFC 238.

Following her title shot, Eye continued to compete in the UFC, facing opponents like Viviane Araújo and Cynthia Calvillo, before announcing her retirement from MMA in July 2022 after her fight with Maycee Barber at UFC 276. In April 2025, Eye embarked on a new chapter in her fighting career, signing with the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC). She made a successful debut in June 2025 at BKFC 76, winning by unanimous decision against Mariya Agapova. Throughout her career, Eye has been recognized for her striking ability and aggressive fighting style, with UFC president Dana White noting her ‘great takedown defense, terrific hands and she’s got that special something about her. She’s a fighter, man.’