Felicia Dawn Spencer[1] (born November 20, 1990) is a retired Canadian mixed martial artist. She is the former Invicta FC Featherweight champion and formally competed in the Featherweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.[6]

Felicia Spencer
BornFelicia Dawn Spencer[1]
(1990-11-20) November 20, 1990 (age 34)
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Other namesFeenom
Height5 ft 6 in (168 cm)
Weight145 lb (66 kg; 10 st 5 lb)
DivisionFeatherweight (145 lb)
Lightweight (155 lb)
Reach68 in (173 cm)[2]
StyleBJJ, Kickboxing, Taekwondo
Fighting out ofOrlando, Florida, United States[3]
TeamJungle MMA
TrainerMike Lee - Head Coach[3]
RankBlack belt in Taekwondo[4]
Black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu[4][5]
Years active2012–2021
Mixed martial arts record
Total12
Wins9
By knockout3
By submission4
By decision2
Losses3
By decision3
OccupationMixed Martial Artist,
High School math teacher at Florida Virtual School[5]
UniversityUniversity of Central Florida[5]
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Background

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Spencer was born in Montreal, Quebec, and she moved to Englewood, Florida, with her family as a child, where she later graduated from Lemon Bay High School.[7] Joining her older brothers, Spencer started training in Taekwondo at the age of four.[8] At twelve years old, she started training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and added kickboxing to her training five years later.[9] She transitioned to train in MMA when she joined Jungle MMA in 2009, when she moved to Orlando to attend the University of Central Florida.[8]

Mixed martial arts career

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Early career

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Spencer started her amateur career in 2012. After winning the first "Tuff-N-Uff Future Stars of MMA" tournament where she submitted Leanne Foster and knocked out Jessica Eve Richer at the second "Tuff-N-Uff Xtreme",[10] amassing a record of 5–1, Invicta FC signed her in 2015.[11]

Invicta Fighting Championships

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Spencer made her promotional debut on September 12, 2015, at Invicta FC 14: Evinger vs. Kianzad against Rachel Wiley.[10] She won the fight via a technical knock out in round one.[12]

Her next fight came over eighteen months later on March 25, 2017, at Invicta FC 22: Evinger vs. Kunitskaya 2. She faced Madison McElhaney in a Featherweight bout[13] and she won the fight via unanimous decision with the scoreboard of (30–27, 30–27, and 29–28).[14]

On July 15, 2017, Spencer faced Amy Coleman at Invicta FC 24: Dudieva vs. Borella.[15] She won the fight via a rear-naked choke in round one.[16] The submission earned her the Performance of the Night bonus.[17]

Spencer faced Akeel Al-Hameed on January 13, 2018, at Invicta FC 27: Kaufman vs. Kianzad.[18] She won the fight via unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, and 30–27).[19] The bout earned both fighters the Fight of the Night bonus.[20]

Spencer faced Helena Kolesnyk on July 21, 2018, at Invicta FC 30: Frey vs. Grusander.[21] She won the fight via a rear-naked choke.[22] The submission earned her the Performance of the Night bonus.[23]

Spencer faced Pam Sorenson on November 16, 2018, at Invicta FC 32: Spencer vs. Sorenson for the vacant Invicta Featherweight title.[24] She won the fight via a rear-naked choke in round four.[25]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

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Spencer signed with the UFC in March 2019 after compiling an undefeated record of 6–0 competing in Invicta FC.[6]

Spencer made her promotional debut on May 18, 2019, at UFC Fight Night: dos Anjos vs. Lee against Megan Anderson.[26] Spencer won the fight in the first round by rear naked choke.[27]

Spencer faced Cris Cyborg in the co-main event on July 27, 2019, at UFC 240.[28] She lost the fight via unanimous decision.[29]

Spencer faced Zarah Fairn on February 29, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 169.[30] She would go on to win the fight via TKO in the first round.[31]

Spencer was expected to face current champion Amanda Nunes on May 9, 2020, at UFC 250.[32] However, on April 9, Dana White, the president of UFC announced that this event was postponed[33] and the bout eventually took place on June 6, 2020, at UFC 250.[34] She lost the bout via unanimous decision.[35]

Spencer was scheduled to face Danyelle Wolf on May 22, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 188.[36] However, Wolf pulled out of the fight in early May due to an undisclosed injury and was replaced by Norma Dumont.[37] Spencer lost the bout via split decision.[38]

Spencer faced Leah Letson on November 13, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 197.[39] She won the fight via technical knockout in round three.[40]

On December 2, 2021, Spencer announced her retirement from professional MMA competition.[41]

Personal life

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Spencer graduated at Lemon Bay High School before going on to earn a degree from University of Central Florida. She works as a sixth grade algebra teacher at Florida Virtual School.[5]

Championships and accomplishments

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Mixed martial arts record

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Professional record breakdown
12 matches 9 wins 3 losses
By knockout 3 0
By submission 4 0
By decision 2 3
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 9–3 Leah Letson TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Holloway vs. Rodríguez November 13, 2021 3 4:25 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 8–3 Norma Dumont Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Font vs. Garbrandt May 22, 2021 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 8–2 Amanda Nunes Decision (unanimous) UFC 250 June 6, 2020 5 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States For the UFC Women's Featherweight Championship.
Win 8–1 Zarah Fairn TKO (punches and elbows) UFC Fight Night: Benavidez vs. Figueiredo February 29, 2020 1 3:37 Norfolk, Virginia, United States
Loss 7–1 Cris Cyborg Decision (unanimous) UFC 240 July 27, 2019 3 5:00 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Win 7–0 Megan Anderson Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC Fight Night: dos Anjos vs. Lee May 18, 2019 1 3:24 Rochester, New York, United States
Win 6–0 Pam Sorenson Submission (rear-naked choke) Invicta FC 32: Spencer vs. Sorenson November 16, 2018 4 4:23 Shawnee, Oklahoma, United States Won the vacant Invicta FC Featherweight Championship.
Win 5–0 Helena Kolesnyk Submission (rear-naked choke) Invicta FC 30: Frey vs. Grusander July 21, 2018 2 1:47 Kansas City, Missouri, United States Performance of the Night.
Win 4–0 Akeela Al-Hameed Decision (unanimous) Invicta FC 27: Kaufman vs. Kianzad January 13, 2018 3 5:00 Kansas City, Missouri, United States Fight of the Night.
Win 3–0 Amy Coleman Submission (rear-naked choke) Invicta FC 24: Dudieva vs. Borella July 15, 2017 1 3:17 Kansas City, Missouri, United States Performance of the Night.
Win 2–0 Madison McElhaney Decision (unanimous) Invicta FC 22: Evinger vs. Kunitskaya II March 25, 2017 3 5:00 Kansas City, Missouri, United States Featherweight debut.
Win 1–0 Rachel Wiley TKO (elbows and punches) Invicta FC 14: Evinger vs. Kianzad September 12, 2015 1 3:32 Kansas City, Missouri, United States Lightweight debut.

[43]

Pay-per-view bouts

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No. Event Fight Date Venue City PPV buys
1. UFC 250 Nunes vs. Spencer June 6, 2020 UFC Apex Enterprise, Nevada, United States 85,000[44]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Mixed martial arts show results Date: June 6, 2020
  2. ^ a b "Stats | UFC". ufcstats.com. Retrieved 2021-09-11.
  3. ^ a b "Felicia Spencer". Tapology. Retrieved 2017-12-23.
  4. ^ a b Shawn Bitter (March 17, 2019). "Welcome to the UFC: Felicia Spencer". Cageside Press.
  5. ^ a b c d Ruiz, Stephen. "Winter Park woman awaits first pro MMA fight". OrlandoSentinel.com. Retrieved 2017-12-23.
  6. ^ a b Riggs, Drake (2019-03-10). "Invicta FC featherweight champion Felicia Spencer signed by the UFC". The Body Lock. Retrieved 2019-03-10.
  7. ^ "Englewood native Spencer gets second UFC fight". Charlotte Sun. Adams Publishing Group. 2019-07-13. Retrieved 2021-06-27.
  8. ^ a b "Invicta FC 14's Felicia Spencer: Ready For Anything in Pro Debut". Combat Press. Retrieved 2017-12-23.
  9. ^ "Felicia Spencer talks Invicta return, Nunes VS Rousey, 155lb division, training at Jungle MMA, career beginnings and lots more". WMMA Rankings. 2016-12-24. Archived from the original on 2017-07-10. Retrieved 2017-12-23.
  10. ^ a b "Felicia Spencer welcomes challenge of fighting in hostile territory". AXS. Retrieved 2017-12-23.
  11. ^ Sherdog.com. "Felicia". Sherdog. Retrieved 2017-12-23.
  12. ^ "PIC: Lightweight Rachel Wiley has an entirely different forehead after Saturday night Invicta defeat". SportsJOE.ie. Retrieved 2017-12-23.
  13. ^ "Felicia Spencer VS Madison McElhaney set for Invicta FC 22". WMMA Rankings. 2017-03-02. Archived from the original on 2020-08-21. Retrieved 2017-12-23.
  14. ^ "Invicta Results: Felicia Spencer Takes Out Madison McElhaney". MMA Imports. 26 March 2017. Retrieved 2017-12-23.
  15. ^ "Felicia Spencer 'Confident in Every Area' Against Amy Coleman at Invicta FC 24". MMAWeekly.com. 15 July 2017. Retrieved 2017-12-23.
  16. ^ "Wrestle World - Invicta FC 24 official results". www.pro-wrestling.com. Retrieved 2017-12-23.
  17. ^ a b Tim Peterson [@TimWMMAToday] (July 16, 2017). "Invicta FC 24 Bonuses: FOTN - @SunnaTsunami vs @KellyADAngelo POTN - @FeeNom479 and @Kari_Rod8" (Tweet). Retrieved April 28, 2022 – via Twitter.
  18. ^ "Undefeated featherweight prospect Felicia Spencer to fight at Invicta FC 27". AXS. Retrieved 2017-12-23.
  19. ^ "Invicta Fighting Championships 27 Results". Fightful MMA. Retrieved 2018-07-24.
  20. ^ a b Invicta Fighting Championships [@InvictaFights] (January 14, 2018). "#InvictaFC27 FOTN Bonuses: Sharon Jacobson and Ashley Nichols, Felicia Spencer and Akeela Al-Hameed" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  21. ^ "Invicta FC 30's Felicia Spencer says co-main slot is a dream come true". Bloody Elbow. Archived from the original on 2018-07-25. Retrieved 2018-07-24.
  22. ^ "Invicta FC 30 results: Jinh Yu Frey rallies to claim vacant atomweight title over stunned Minna Grusander". MMAjunkie. 2018-07-22. Retrieved 2018-07-24.
  23. ^ a b Jay Pettry (July 22, 2018). "Fight Facts: Invicta FC 30". Sherdog.
  24. ^ "Felicia Spencer vs. Pam Sorenson for vacant featherweight belt headlines Invicta FC 32". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2018-09-02.
  25. ^ "Invicta FC 32 results: Felicia Spencer claims vacant title with gutsy win over Pam Sorenson". MMAjunkie. 2018-11-17. Retrieved 2018-11-17.
  26. ^ "Ex-Invicta FC champs Megan Anderson, Felicia Spencer meet at UFC on ESPN+ 9". MMA Junkie. 2019-03-26. Retrieved 2019-03-26.
  27. ^ Bitter, Shawn (2019-05-18). "UFC Rochester Results: Felicia Spencer Upsets Megan Anderson with Quick Submission". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2019-05-19.
  28. ^ Adam Guillen Jr. (2019-05-29). "Cris Cyborg vs Felicia Spencer set as UFC 240 co-main event on July 27 in Edmonton". mmamania.com. Retrieved 2019-05-29.
  29. ^ Evanoff, Josh (2019-07-28). "UFC 240 Results: Cris Cyborg defeats tough Felicia Spencer". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2019-07-28.
  30. ^ Marcel Dorff (18 December 2019). "Felicia Spencer treft Zarah Fairn Dos Santos tijdens UFC Norfolk" (in Dutch). Retrieved 2022-01-21.
  31. ^ Fuentes, Jon (2020-02-29). "UFC Norfolk Results: Felicia Spencer Beats Down Zarah Fairn". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-03-01.
  32. ^ Brett Okamoto (2020-03-05). "Amanda Nunes to defend featherweight title against Felicia Spencer at UFC 250". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2020-03-05.
  33. ^ Brett Okamoto (2020-04-09). "Dana White says UFC 249 will not happen April 18". espn.com. Retrieved 2020-04-09.
  34. ^ Marcel Dorff (5 May 2020). "Amanda Nunes vs. Felicia Spencer opnieuw ingepland voor Featherweight titel tijdens UFC 250" (in Dutch). Retrieved 2022-01-21.
  35. ^ Damon Martin (June 6, 2020). "Amanda Nunes completely dominates Felicia Spencer in lopsided decision to defend title at UFC 250". MMAFighting.com. Retrieved June 6, 2020.
  36. ^ Marcel Dorff (2021-02-22). "Felicia Spencer treft drievoudig US National Boxing kampioene Danyelle Wolf op 22 mei". MMA DNA (in Dutch). Retrieved 2022-01-21.
  37. ^ Marcel Dorff (2021-05-06). "Norma Dumont pakt short notice partij tegen Felicia Spencer op 22 mei in Las Vegas". MMA DNA (in Dutch). Retrieved 2022-01-21.
  38. ^ Anderson, Jay (2021-05-22). "UFC Vegas 27 Results: Felicia Spencer Falls to Norma Dumont in Split Decision". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-05-23.
  39. ^ Dorff, Marcel (2021-09-01). "Voormalig titeluitdaagster Felicia Spencer treft Leah Letson op 13 november in Las Vegas". MMA DNA (in Dutch). Retrieved 2021-09-01.
  40. ^ Anderson, Jay (2021-11-13). "UFC Vegas 42: Felicia Spencer Dominates Returning Leah Letson". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-11-13.
  41. ^ "Former UFC title contender Felicia Spencer announces retirement". www.mmafighting.com. 2 December 2021. Retrieved 2021-12-03.
  42. ^ a b c d Mike Bohn (November 14, 2021). "UFC Fight Night 197 post-event facts: Max Holloway first to crack 3,000 total UFC strikes landed". MMAjunkie.com.
  43. ^ Sherdog.com. "Felicia". Sherdog. Retrieved 2020-06-07.
  44. ^ "UFC 250: Nunes vs. Spencer | MMA Event". Tapology. Retrieved 2022-09-08.
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Awards and achievements
Preceded by 3rd Invicta FC Featherweight Champion
November 16, 2018 – March 26, 2019
Succeeded by