Felicia Spencer


Felicia Spencer is a Canadian former mixed martial artist. She is the former Invicta FC Featherweight champion and formerly competed in the Featherweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Background

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. Joining her older brothers, Spencer started training in Taekwondo at the age of four. At twelve years old, she started training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and added kickboxing to her training five years later. 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.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

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", amassing a record of 5–1, Invicta FC signed her in 2015.

Invicta Fighting Championships

Spencer made her promotional debut on September 12, 2015, at Invicta FC 14: Evinger vs. Kianzad against Rachel Wiley. She won the fight via a technical knock out in round one.
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 and she won the fight via unanimous decision with the scoreboard of.
On July 15, 2017, Spencer faced Amy Coleman at Invicta FC 24: Dudieva vs. Borella. She won the fight via a rear-naked choke in round one. The submission earned her the Performance of the Night bonus.
Spencer faced Akeel Al-Hameed on January 13, 2018, at Invicta FC 27: Kaufman vs. Kianzad. She won the fight via unanimous decision. The bout earned both fighters the Fight of the Night bonus.
Spencer faced Helena Kolesnyk on July 21, 2018, at Invicta FC 30: Frey vs. Grusander. She won the fight via a rear-naked choke. The submission earned her the Performance of the Night bonus.
Spencer faced Pam Sorenson on November 16, 2018, at Invicta FC 32: Spencer vs. Sorenson for the vacant Invicta Featherweight title. She won the fight via a rear-naked choke in round four.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Spencer signed with the UFC in March 2019 after compiling an undefeated record of 6–0 competing in Invicta FC.
Spencer made her promotional debut on May 18, 2019, at UFC Fight Night: dos Anjos vs. Lee against Megan Anderson. Spencer won the fight in the first round by rear naked choke.
Spencer faced Cris Cyborg in the co-main event on July 27, 2019, at UFC 240. She lost the fight via unanimous decision.
Spencer faced Zarah Fairn on February 29, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 169. She would go on to win the fight via TKO in the first round.
Spencer was expected to face current champion Amanda Nunes on May 9, 2020, at UFC 250. However, on April 9, Dana White, the president of UFC announced that this event was postponed and the bout eventually took place on June 6, 2020, at UFC 250. She lost the bout via unanimous decision.
Spencer was scheduled to face Danyelle Wolf on May 22, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 188. However, Wolf pulled out of the fight in early May due to an undisclosed injury and was replaced by Norma Dumont. Spencer lost the bout via split decision.
Spencer faced Leah Letson on November 13, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 197. She won the fight via technical knockout in round three.
On December 2, 2021, Spencer announced her retirement from professional MMA competition.

Personal life

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.

Championships and accomplishments