Jessica Eye

Jessica Eye
Eye in 2016
Born (1986-07-27) July 27, 1986
Rootstown, Ohio, United States[1]
Other names Evil
Residence Cleveland, Ohio
Nationality American
Height 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)[2]
Weight 125 lb (57 kg; 8.9 st)
Division

Flyweight 2010-2013, 2017-present

Bantamweight (2013-2016)
Reach 66 in (168 cm)[2]
Style Boxing, Muay Thai, Wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu
Stance Orthodox
Fighting out of Independence, Ohio
Team Strong Style Fight Team
Years active 2008-present
Mixed martial arts record
Total 20
Wins 13
By knockout 3
By submission 1
By decision 9
Losses 6
By submission 1
By decision 5
No contests 1
Other information
Website http://www.jessicaevileye.com/
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Jessica Eye (born July 27, 1986) is an American professional mixed martial artist. She currently competes as a flyweight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Called "one of the best strikers in the women's division" by FoxSports.com,[3] Eye is known for her quick boxing, agility, and defense. She began competing in mixed martial arts (MMA) in 2008, amassing an undefeated amateur record through 2010. Eye found additional success after turning pro, winning each of her fights in Bellator and holding a 10-1 record upon signing with the UFC in 2013. As of September 11, 2018, she is #9 in official UFC women's flyweight rankings.[4]

Outside of MMA, Eye has modeled for Cosmopolitan and been referenced in music by recording artist Machine Gun Kelly.

Early life

Jessica Eye was born in Akron, Ohio to Randy Allen and Colleen Joanne Eye. She joined the home with her half sisters, Jennifer Carlisle-Brunner and Heather Carlisle-Hunter and brother, Randy Miles Eye. Her parents went through a bitter, violent, painful divorce which separated the family when she was only 6 years old. Her mother and sisters were forced to move to the Washington D.C suburbs of Virginia. Eye attended elementary school in Virginia but returned to Ohio as her father earned full custody of her. She then grew up first in Cuyahoga Falls and finished her childhood in Rootstown Ohio; where she graduated high school and was a shining star athlete at Rootstown High. When Jessica was 16 years old, a drunk driver plowed into Eye and her father Randy while they were trying to start her stranded car on the roadside. She suffered a broken back, among other injuries, and was bed-ridden for three months. She credits this incident with creating her drive towards success in mixed martial arts. She graduated in 2005 from Rootstown High School and Maplewood Career Center.[5] She then attended the University of Akron, but never finished her four-year degree.[6]

Mixed martial arts career

NAAFS and ROC

Eye made her amateur debut in mixed martial arts (MMA) in June 2008. She was undefeated as an amateur, winning five matches in total and becoming the first North American Allied Fight Series (NAAFS) amateur women's champion on December 5, 2009.[7]

In June 2010, Eye made her professional MMA debut with North American Allied Fight Series in her native state of Ohio, defeating Amanda LaVoy by TKO (elbows).[8] She defeated Marissa Caldwell in her second pro bout.

Eye became the Ring of Combat (ROC) 130 lbs women's champion on February 4, 2011, defeating Ashley Nee by TKO (punches).[9]

She suffered her first loss on June 4, 2011 in an NAAFS professional women's flyweight championship bout against Aisling Daly.[10][11]

Eye returned to NAAFS to face Angela Magaña in the main event at NAAFS: Rock N Rumble 6 on August 17, 2012. She defeated Magaña by unanimous decision.[12]

Bellator Fighting Championships

Following her first professional loss, Eye signed with Bellator Fighting Championships. She made her debut in September 2011, defeating Casey Noland by split decision at Bellator 51.[13][14]

After winning two fights for NAAFS,[15] Eye next competed at Bellator 66 on April 20, 2012. She was originally scheduled to face Aisling Daly in a rematch, but Daly withdrew from the fight due to an ear infection.[16] Eye faced Anita Rodriguez instead and defeated Rodriguez by unanimous decision.[17][18]

In her third fight with Bellator, Eye defeated then-champion Zoila Frausto Gurgel at Bellator 83 on December 7, 2012, winning with a standing arm-triangle choke in less than one minute. The bout was a non-title bout.[19]

Eye was set to face Munah Holland at Bellator 95 on April 4, 2013.[20] However, Eye suffered a back injury during practice that left her temporarily unable to walk and she was forced to withdraw from a fight for the first time in her career.[21]

On June 1, 2013, Eye defeated Carina Damm by unanimous decision at NAAFS: Fight Night in the Flats 9.[8]

Along with Jessica Aguilar, Eye was released by Bellator on August 13, 2013 following the dissolution of its Women's division. Aguilar and Eye were the last remaining female fighters on the Bellator roster.[22]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Bantamweight division

In August 2013, Eye signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), moving up to the bantamweight division.[23] The anticipation surrounding her debut was covered by USA Today and FoxSports.com.[24][25]

In her first fight with the promotion, Eye faced Sarah Kaufman at UFC 166 on October 19, 2013. She won the fight via split decision. However, in February 2014, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation changed the result to "no decision" with no reason initially given for the change.[26] It was later revealed that Eye had failed her post-fight drug test after testing positive for marijuana and was subsequently fined $1,875 and put on probationary suspension for a year.[27][28]

Eye faced Alexis Davis on February 22, 2014 at UFC 170. Eye lost the fight via split decision.[8]

She then fought Leslie Smith at UFC 180, winning the fight due to doctor stoppage.[8]

In March 2015, it was announced that Eye would face Miesha Tate on July 25, 2015 at UFC on Fox: Dillashaw vs. Barão 2, with the victor expected to receive a shot at the UFC Women's Bantamweight Championship.[29] Eye expressed confidence heading into the bout, stating, "I know I'm better everywhere it goes. The striking, cage work, ground, everything."[30] Tate remarked that she expected "the best Jessica Eye that anyone has ever seen," and called Eye a tough opponent.[31] Eye lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Eye returned to face Julianna Peña at UFC 192 on October 3, 2015. She lost the fight by unanimous decision.[8]

Eye next faced Sara McMann at UFC Fight Night 88 on May 29, 2016. She lost the fight via unanimous decision. She fought Bethe Correia at UFC 203 on September 10, losing by split decision.[8] Afterward, Eye announced that she planned to take a year-long hiatus from MMA competition.[32]

She agreed to a grappling-only rematch with Miesha Tate at a Submission Underground show on December 11, 2016, which was won by Tate in overtime.[33] In May 2017, she announced plans to compete in the UFC's newly created 125-pound flyweight division.[34]

Eye was scheduled to face Aspen Ladd on July 7, 2017 at The Ultimate Fighter 25 Finale.[35] However, the day of the event Ladd fell ill and the bout was canceled.[36]

Return to flyweight

In August 2017, ESPN reported that Eye would make her UFC flyweight debut against Paige VanZant at UFC 216 on October 7.[37] However, VanZant pulled out of the fight on September 25 citing a back injury. Subsequently, Eye was expected to be rescheduled against a separate opponent at another event.[38]

Eye faced Kalindra Faria on January 14, 2018 on UFC Fight Night: Stephens vs. Choi in her debut in the UFC's flyweight division.[39] She won the fight via split decision.[40]

Eye faced Jessica-Rose Clark on June 23, 2018 at UFC Fight Night 132.[41] She won the fight via unanimous decision.[42]

Eye was scheduled to face Sijara Eubanks on December 29, 2018 at UFC 232.[43] The fight could still go ahead, though its current status is unknown.

Fighting style

In a 2015 interview, UFC president Dana White said the following about Eye:

She's got great takedown defense, terrific hands and she's got that special something about her. She's a fighter, man. She's one of those fighters like I talk about, who is pure fighter. When it's go time, she's as tough as there is, and she loves it.[44]

Known as an agile striker, Eye is largely recognized for exceptional hand speed and her use of variety.[45][46] During exchanges, she often utilizes quick jabs, looping hooks, combinations, and body shots.[47][48] Against Leslie Smith at UFC 180, she landed 32 strikes in the first two minutes.[46]

In a 2015 commentary, ESPN's Brett Okamoto noted that Eye "makes a concerted effort to pick opponents apart, dart in and out, move laterally and work behind her jab."[49] However, he also described her as predictable at times due to her extensive focus on boxing. Following Eye's UFC debut, Gregg Doyel of CBSSports.com called her "a skilled striker with fast hands."[50] Damon Martin of FoxSports.com has described Eye as "one of the best strikers" in women's MMA.[3]

In addition to her boxing, she makes regular use of body kicks.[48] She is also known for her active striking during a clinch. When pressing an opponent against the cage, she normally attacks with knees, elbows, and uppercuts.[51]

In July 2015, Eye was considered for the cover of Cosmopolitan as part of a feature on female athletes.[52] She modeled for the article and discussed how her upbringing had led her to become a fighter. Elizabeth Narins, the publication's fitness and health editor, called Eye "strong and amazing".[53][54]

A re-mixed version of the song "Till I Die", by Machine Gun Kelly, references Eye.[55]

In March 2016, Eye was featured in Pressure Life, a Cleveland-based theme magazine.[56]

Mixed martial arts record

Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 13–6 (1) Jessica-Rose Clark Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Cowboy vs. Edwards June 23, 2018 3 5:00 Kallang, Singapore
Win 12–6 (1) Kalindra Faria Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Stephens vs. Choi January 14, 2018 3 5:00 St. Louis, Missouri, United States Return to Flyweight.
Loss 11–6 (1) Bethe Correia Decision (split) UFC 203 September 10, 2016 3 5:00 Cleveland, Ohio, United States
Loss 11–5 (1) Sara McMann Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Almeida vs. Garbrandt May 29, 2016 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 11–4 (1) Julianna Peña Decision (unanimous) UFC 192 October 3, 2015 3 5:00 Houston, Texas, United States Eye was deducted one point in round 2 due to an illegal knee.
Loss 11–3 (1) Miesha Tate Decision (unanimous) UFC on Fox: Dillashaw vs. Barão 2 July 25, 2015 3 5:00 Chicago, Illinois, United States
Win 11–2 (1) Leslie Smith TKO (doctor stoppage) UFC 180 November 15, 2014 2 1:30 Mexico City, Mexico
Loss 10–2 (1) Alexis Davis Decision (split) UFC 170 February 22, 2014 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
NC 10–1 (1) Sarah Kaufman NC (overturned) UFC 166 October 19, 2013 3 5:00 Houston, Texas, United States Bantamweight debut. Originally a split decision win for Eye; overturned after she tested positive for marijuana.
Win 10–1 Carina Damm Decision (unanimous) NAAFS: Fight Night in the Flats 9 June 1, 2013 3 5:00 Cleveland, Ohio, United States Catchweight (132 lbs) bout; Damm missed weight.[57][58]
Win 9–1 Zoila Frausto Technical Submission (standing arm-triangle choke) Bellator 83 December 7, 2012 1 0:58 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win 8–1 Angela Magaña Decision (unanimous) NAAFS: Rock N Rumble 6 August 17, 2012 3 5:00 Cleveland, Ohio, United States
Win 7–1 Anita Rodriguez Decision (unanimous) Bellator 66 April 20, 2012 3 5:00 Cleveland, Ohio, United States Catchweight (131 lbs) bout.
Win 6–1 Kelly Warren Decision (unanimous) NAAFS: Caged Vengeance 10 February 18, 2012 3 5:00 Cleveland, Ohio, United States
Win 5–1 Jennifer Scott Decision (unanimous) NAAFS: Night of Champions 2011 November 23, 2011 3 5:00 Canton, Ohio, United States
Win 4–1 Casey Noland Decision (split) Bellator 51 September 24, 2011 3 5:00 Canton, Ohio, United States Catchweight (128 lbs) bout.
Loss 3–1 Aisling Daly Submission (rear-naked choke) NAAFS: Fight Night in the Flats 7 June 4, 2011 2 4:00 Cleveland, Ohio, United States For the NAAFS Women's Flyweight Championship.
Win 3–0 Ashley Nee TKO (punches) Ring of Combat 34 February 4, 2011 1 4:34 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Won the ROC 130 lbs Women's Championship.
Win 2–0 Marissa Caldwell Decision (unanimous) NAAFS: Eve of Destruction 1 September 18, 2010 3 5:00 Akron, Ohio, United States
Win 1–0 Amanda LaVoy TKO (elbows) NAAFS: Fight Night in the Flats 6 June 5, 2010 2 3:18 Cleveland, Ohio, United States

[59]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Fighter Bio". Retrieved 2013-08-31.
  2. 1 2 "Fight Card - UFC Fight Night Dillashaw vs. Barao 2". UFC.com. Retrieved July 26, 2015.
  3. 1 2 Martin, Damon (2015-07-17). "A day in the life of Jessica Eye as she prepares for Miesha Tate". FoxSports.com. Retrieved 2015-07-20.
  4. ↑ "Fighter Rankings - UFC ®". UFC. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
  5. ↑ "Jessica Eye was driven by car accident". Cleveland.com. 2012-04-19. Retrieved 2012-12-07.
  6. ↑ "Jessica Eye UFC Bio".
  7. ↑ "NAAFS Fighters - Amateur Women". NAAFS.tv. Archived from the original on 2007-01-05. Retrieved 2012-12-07.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Jessica Eye MMA Stats". Sherdog.com. 2012-12-07. Retrieved 2012-12-07.
  9. ↑ "Jessica "Evil" Eye Wins ROC Women's Championship". MMARising.com. 2011-02-04. Retrieved 2012-12-07.
  10. ↑ "NAAFS: "Fight Night In The Flats 7" Play-By-Play & Results". MMARising.com. 2011-06-04. Retrieved 2012-12-07.
  11. ↑ "Daly Blindsides Eye, Lozano Wins Again in Ohio". Sherdog.com. 2011-06-06. Retrieved 2012-12-07.
  12. ↑ "Jessica Eye Defeats Angela Magana At NAAFS: Rock N Rumble 6". MMARising.com. 2012-08-17. Retrieved 2012-12-07.
  13. ↑ "Spectacular Knockouts Highlight Bellator 51 Undercard". Sherdog.com. 2011-09-24. Retrieved 2012-12-07.
  14. ↑ "Weekend Recap: Jessica Eye, Tonya Evinger Earn Victories". MMARising.com. 2011-09-25. Retrieved 2012-12-07.
  15. ↑ "Jessica Eye Outpoints Kelly Warren At "Caged Vengeance 10"". MMARising.com. 2012-02-18. Retrieved 2012-12-07.
  16. ↑ "Daly Out, Jessica Eye To Face Anita Rodriguez At Bellator 66". MMARising.com. 2012-04-11. Retrieved 2012-12-07.
  17. ↑ "Alvarez Batters Aoki at Bellator 66; Weedman, Hawn, Goncalves, Spang Advance". Sherdog.com. 2012-04-20. Retrieved 2012-12-07.
  18. ↑ "Bellator 66 Results: Jessica Eye Decisions Anita Rodriguez". MMARising.com. 2012-04-20. Retrieved 2012-12-07.
  19. ↑ "Jessica Eye Chokes Out Zoila Gurgel In Bellator 83 Grudge Match". MMARising.com. 2012-12-07. Retrieved 2012-12-07.
  20. ↑ "Jessica Eye vs Munah Holland Planned For Bellator 95 On April 4". MMARising.com. 2013-01-28. Retrieved 2013-01-28.
  21. ↑ "Jessica Eye Suffers Back Injury, Out Of Bellator 95 Bout On April 4". MMARising.com. 2013-03-24. Retrieved 2013-03-24.
  22. ↑ "With final three females released, Bellator issues statement on women's division". MMAjunkie.com. 2013-08-13. Archived from the original on 2013-08-17. Retrieved 2013-08-13.
  23. ↑ "UFC Signs Jessica Eye, Targets Sarah Kaufman as First Opponent". MMAWeekly.com. 2013-08-21. Retrieved 2013-08-21.
  24. ↑ Marrocco, Steven (2013-10-18). "'Evil' Eye has no worries over heavier weight". USA Today. Retrieved 2013-10-19.
  25. ↑ Martin, Damon (2013-10-18). "Eye On The Prize". Fox Sports. Retrieved 2013-10-19.
  26. ↑ Whitman, Mike (2014-02-01). "Texas Commission Changes Eye/Kaufman Verdict from UFC 166 to No Decision". Sherdog.com. Retrieved 2014-02-01.
  27. ↑ Jesse Holland (2014-02-03). "Report: UFC 170's Jessica Eye fined and suspended one year following failed drug test". MMAmania.com. Retrieved 2014-02-03.
  28. ↑ Steven Marrocco (2014-02-10). "Commission: Jessica Eye tested positive for marijuana following UFC 166". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-02-10.
  29. ↑ Thomas Gerbasi (2015-04-14). "Dillashaw-Barao II highlights Chicago Fox card". UFC.com. Retrieved 2015-04-14.
  30. ↑ "Jessica Eye talks her reaction when Dana pulled the Rousey fight, and her facing Tate". f4wonline.com. 2015-05-14. Retrieved 2015-05-16.
  31. ↑ Morgan, John (2015-05-19). "Miesha Tate: Third fight with Ronda Rousey on tap with win over Jessica Eye". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-05-20.
  32. ↑ Ordonez, Milan (2016-10-28). "Jessica Eye 'taking a year off' after being given 'one more chance' by UFC". BloddyElbow.com. Retrieved 2016-11-06.
  33. ↑ Gates, Billy (2016-12-11). "Jon 'Bones' Jones, Miesha Tate win main event at Submission Underground 2 in Portland". oregonianlive.com. Retrieved 2016-12-12.
  34. ↑ Barnes, Katie (2017-05-09). "UFC confirms addition of women's flyweight division". ESPN. Retrieved 2017-05-21.
  35. ↑ Staff (2017-07-05). "Tom Gallicchio vs. James Krause joins Dhiego Lima vs. Jesse Taylor to complete TUF 25 Finale lineup". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2017-07-05.
  36. ↑ "Jessica Eye vs. Aspen Ladd scratched from tonight's TUF 25 Finale lineup". MMAjunkie. 2017-07-07. Retrieved 2017-07-11.
  37. ↑ Brett, Okamoto (2017-08-31). "Paige VanZant, Jessica Eye tapped for UFC 216". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2017-09-03.
  38. ↑ Ariel Helwani (2017-09-25). "Paige VanZant vs. Jessica Eye expected to be pulled from UFC 216". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2017-09-25.
  39. ↑ "Vitor Belfort vs. Uriah Hall, Jessica Eye vs. Kalindra Faria added to UFC St. Louis". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2017-11-15.
  40. ↑ "UFC Fight Night 124 results: Jessica Eye takes split from Kalindra Faria to snap four-fight skid". MMAjunkie. 2018-01-15. Retrieved 2018-01-15.
  41. ↑ "Jessica Eye vs. Jessica-Rose Clark targeted for UFC Singapore". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2018-03-30.
  42. ↑ "Jessica Eye Scores Emotional Win Over Jessica-Rose Clark (UFC Singapore Highlights) | MMAWeekly.com". www.mmaweekly.com. Retrieved 2018-06-23.
  43. ↑ "Sijara Eubanks e Jessica Eye se enfrentam no UFC 232 | MMA Brasil". MMA Brasil (in Portuguese). 2018-08-29. Retrieved 2018-08-30.
  44. ↑ Iole, Kevin (2015-07-20). "Meet the fighter who believes she may be ready for Rousey". Yahoo!. Retrieved 2015-07-20.
  45. ↑ Gordon, Lee (2014-01-05). "Explosive Power Tips from UFC Fighter Jessica Eye". stack.com. Retrieved 2015-03-13.
  46. 1 2 Martin, Damon (2014-11-15). "Fight Blog Recap: Fabricio Werdum TKO's Mark Hunt to claim interim heavyweight title". foxsports.com. Retrieved 2015-03-13.
  47. ↑ Sargent, Robert (2014-11-25). "Women's MMA Report: Eye stops Smith at UFC 180, VanZant shines in octagon debut". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-03-13.
  48. 1 2 Sargent, Robert (2013-10-19). "Jessica Eye Wins UFC Debut, Defeats Sarah Kaufman At UFC 166". mmarising.com. Retrieved 2015-03-13.
  49. ↑ Okamoto, Brett (2015-07-23). "UFC on Fox preview: Tate versus Eye". ESPN. Retrieved 2015-07-23.
  50. ↑ Doyel, Gregg (2013-10-18). "UFC 166 Results: Velasquez def. dos Santos via fifth round TKO". CBSSports.com. Retrieved 2015-07-20.
  51. ↑ Wolff, Dwayne (2014-11-10). "UFC 180: Breaking Down Jessica 'Evil' Eye versus Leslie 'The Peacemaker' Smith". fightbooth.com. Retrieved 2015-03-13.
  52. ↑ Ziegler, P.J. (2015-07-23). "Cleveland's Jessica 'Evil' Eye closing in on UFC title". Fox8.com. Retrieved 2015-11-06.
  53. ↑ Narins, Elizabeth (2015-08-12). "The 5 Strongest Female Athletes Don't Care That You Think They're 'Too Muscular'". Cosmopolitan.com. Retrieved 2015-11-06.
  54. ↑ Narins, Elizabeth (2015-07-17). "bts with jessicaevileye at cosmopolitan". Twitter.com. Retrieved 2015-07-20.
  55. ↑ Martin, Damon (2015-06-14). "Machine Gun Kelly re-records Cleveland anthem for Jessica Eye". FoxSports.com. Retrieved 2015-06-14.
  56. ↑ Maxwell, Sarah (2016-03-19). "Eye Believe: Jessica 'Evil' Eye - PressureLife". Pressure Life. Retrieved 2016-04-14.
  57. ↑ "Jessica Eye talks win over Carina Damm". 6 June 2013.
  58. ↑ "Carina Damm misses weight but main event still a go for Fight Nite in the Flats IX". 1 June 2013.
  59. ↑ Sherdog.com. "Jessica". Sherdog. Retrieved 2018-09-14.
  • "Jessica Eye". UFC.com.
  • Professional MMA record for Jessica Eye from Sherdog
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