Tonya Evinger
Born (1981-06-04) June 4, 1981 (age 42)
Moses Lake, Washington, United States
Other namesTriple Threat[1]
Height5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)
Weight135 lb (61 kg; 9 st 9 lb)
DivisionBantamweight
Featherweight
Reach70 in (178 cm)[2]
Fighting out ofHouston,Texas
TeamGracie Barra Champions
4 oz Fight Club[3]
Years active2006–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total28
Wins19
By knockout8
By submission7
By decision4
Losses8
By knockout2
By submission4
By decision2
No contests1
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Tonya Evinger (born June 4, 1981) is an American mixed martial artist. A professional mixed martial artist since 2006, Evinger has previously competed for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), EliteXC, Raging Wolf and Invicta Fighting Championships, and was the Invicta Bantamweight Champion.[4]

Early life

Evinger played football and wrestled while at Odessa High School in Odessa, Missouri.[5] She went on to wrestle and earn her degree at Missouri Valley College in Marshall, Missouri.[6] Evinger's younger twin brothers, Chris and Owen Evinger, are also professional mixed martial arts fighters.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Evinger faced Jennifer Tate at IFC: Warriors Challenge 21 on June 3, 2006, and lost via triangle choke in the second round.[7] The fight was the first women's bout ever sanctioned by the California State Athletic Commission.[8]

She faced Brittany Pullen at FFF 1: Asian Invasion on February 17, 2007. She won the fight via a 16-second knockout in the first round.[9]

Evinger faced Shonie Plagman at X-1: Extreme Fighting 2 on March 17, 2007. She won the fight by knockout 10 seconds into the second round.[10]

She faced Ginele Marquez at Tuff-N-Uff 2 on April 14, 2007. She won the fight by rear naked choke submission in the third round.[11]

Evinger faced Vanessa Porto at FFF 2: Girls Night Out on July 14, 2007. She lost the fight by armbar submission in the first round.[12]

EliteXC

Evinger debuted for Elite XC against Gina Carano at EliteXC: Uprising on September 15, 2007. She lost the fight by rear-naked choke submission in the first round.[13]

She faced Julie Kedzie at ShoXC: Elite Challenger Series on January 25, 2007. She won the fight by rear-naked choke submission in the first round.[14]

Post-EliteXC

Evinger faced Alexis Davis at Raging Wolf 7: Mayhem In The Mist 3 on May 8, 2010, for the Raging Wolf Women's Flyweight Championship.[15] She lost the fight by rear-naked choke submission in the third round.[16]

Evinger faced Adrienna Jenkins in a number one contender's bout at Raging Wolf 8: Cage Supremacy on July 17, 2010.[17] She won the fight by TKO in the second round.[18]

On November 6, 2010, Evinger rematched Alexis Davis at Raging Wolf 10. She was defeated by submission due to a rear-naked choke in the first round.[19]

Evinger faced Sara McMann at Titan Fighting Championships 19 on July 29, 2011, in Kansas City, Kansas.[20] The fight served as the co-main event.[21] Evinger was defeated by unanimous decision.[22]

On September 23, 2011, Evinger stepped in on short notice to face Anita Rodriguez at XFL: Rumble on the River 5 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She defeated Rodriguez by submission due to a rear-naked choke in round one.[23]

Evinger defeated Lacie Jackson by knockout in the first round at Fight Me MMA on April 13, 2012.[24]

On November 10, 2012, Evinger made her flyweight debut against Carina Damm at Fight Hard MMA. She defeated Damm by split decision.[25]

The Ultimate Fighter

In August 2013, it was announced that Evinger was one of the fighters selected to be on The Ultimate Fighter: Team Rousey vs. Team Tate.[26] In the elimination fight to get into the TUF house, Evinger faced Raquel Pennington and lost via guillotine choke submission in the second round.[27]

Invicta Fighting Championships

On December 7, 2013, Evinger faced Sarah D'Alelio at Invicta Fighting Championships 7.[28][29] She won the fight via unanimous decision.[30]

After switching camps to Houston, Texas she joined team Gracie Barra Champions and 4 oz Fight Club, training her Boxing and Kickboxing with Aaron Pena (GBC) and MMA with Jeremy Mahon (4 oz). Evinger next fought Ediane Gomes at Invicta Fighting Championships 8 on September 6, 2014.[31] She won the fight via first round submission.[32]

Evinger next fought Cindy Dandois at Invicta Fighting Championships 10 on December 5, 2014. She won the fight via second round submission, making her the front runner to fight for the vacant Invicta FC bantamweight title.[33]

Evinger next fought Irene Aldana for the vacant Invicta FC bantamweight title at Invicta Fighting Championships 13 on July 9, 2015.[34] She dominated the fight from bell to bell, almost finishing the fight early with an arm bar. Evinger would go on to stop Aldana in the 4th round via TKO (punches), claiming the Invicta FC bantamweight title.[35]

Evinger next fought undefeated prospect, Pannie Kianzad. This was originally set as a title defense but both Evinger and Kianzad were unable to make weight, both being fined a percentage of their purse and was changed to a five-round non-title fight. Evinger ended up dispatching Kianzad in the 2nd round by TKO due to punches.[36]

Evinger next fought Colleen Schneider at Invicta Fighting Championships 17 on May 7, 2016. Evinger successfully defended her bantamweight title by unanimous decision. Following the fight, Evinger celebrated her victory by kissing interviewer Laura Sanko on the lips.[37]

Evinger would lose her bantamweight championship in an upset defeat to Russian newcomer Yana Kunitskaya by armbar submission in the first round on November 18, 2016. The loss was controversial because the referee told her to move from a legal position which may have led directly to the submission. Evinger appealed her loss and on December 1, 2016, the loss was changed to a no contest, so Evinger retained her title.[38]

Evinger faced Kunitskaya in a rematch in the main event of Invicta FC 22 on March 25, 2017. She won the fight by submission in the second round to retain her title.[39]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

On June 27, 2017, it was announced that Evinger had signed with the UFC and was set to face Cris Cyborg for the vacant UFC Women's Featherweight Championship at UFC 214.[40] She lost the fight by TKO in the third round.[41]

Evinger was scheduled to face Marion Reneau at UFC Fight Night: Cowboy vs. Medeiros in Austin, Texas, Texas on February 18, 2018.[42] However, on January 9, 2018, she was forced to pull out fight, citing injury.[43]

Evinger was scheduled to face Ketlen Vieira on September 22, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 137.[44] However, on August 7, 2018, Vieira pulled out due to a knee injury.[45] In turn, Evinger was pulled from the card and scheduled to face Aspen Ladd two weeks later at UFC 229.[46] She lost the fight via TKO in the first round.[47]

Evinger faced Lina Länsberg on June 1, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 153.[48] She lost the fight by unanimous decision and was subsequently released from the promotion.[49][4]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
28 matches 19 wins 8 losses
By knockout 8 2
By submission 7 4
By decision 4 2
No contests 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 19–8 (1) Lina Länsberg Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Gustafsson vs. Smith June 1, 2019 3 5:00 Stockholm, Sweden
Loss 19–7 (1) Aspen Ladd TKO (punches) UFC 229 October 6, 2018 1 3:26 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Return to Bantamweight.
Loss 19–6 (1) Cris Cyborg TKO (knees) UFC 214 July 29, 2017 3 1:56 Anaheim, California, United States For the vacant UFC Women's Featherweight Championship.
Win 19–5 (1) Yana Kunitskaya Submission (rear-naked choke) Invicta FC 22: Evinger vs. Kunitskaya II March 25, 2017 2 4:32 Kansas City, Missouri, United States Defended the Invicta FC Bantamweight Championship.
NC 18–5 (1) Yana Kunitskaya NC (overturned) Invicta FC 20: Evinger vs. Kunitskaya November 18, 2016 1 1:59 Kansas City, Missouri, United States Retained the Invicta FC Bantamweight Championship. Originally a submission (armbar) win for Kunitskaya; overturned after Evinger appealed the loss due to a controversial referee call. Evinger subsequently reinstated as champion.
Win 18–5 Colleen Schneider Decision (unanimous) Invicta FC 17: Evinger vs. Schneider May 7, 2016 5 5:00 Costa Mesa, California, United States Defended the Invicta FC Bantamweight Championship.
Win 17–5 Pannie Kianzad TKO (punches) Invicta FC 14: Evinger vs. Kianzad September 12, 2015 2 3:34 Kansas City, Missouri, United States Non-title bout; Kianzad missed weight (136.7 lbs). Performance of the Night.
Win 16–5 Irene Aldana TKO (punches) Invicta FC 13: Cyborg vs. Van Duin July 9, 2015 4 4:38 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Won the vacant Invicta FC Bantamweight Championship.
Win 15–5 Cindy Dandois Submission (armbar) Invicta FC 10: Waterson vs. Tiburcio December 5, 2014 2 1:23 Houston, Texas, United States
Win 14–5 Ediane Gomes Submission (armbar) Invicta FC 8: Waterson vs. Tamada September 6, 2014 1 3:31 Kansas City, Missouri, United States Performance of the Night.
Win 13–5 Sarah D'Alelio Decision (unanimous) Invicta FC 7: Honchak vs. Smith December 7, 2013 3 5:00 Kansas City, Missouri, United States Return to Bantamweight.
Win 12–5 Carina Damm Decision (split) Fight Hard MMA November 10, 2012 3 5:00 St. Charles, Missouri, United States Flyweight debut.
Win 11–5 Lacie Jackson KO (punch) Fight Me MMA April 13, 2012 1 1:47 St. Charles, Missouri, United States
Win 10–5 Anita Rodriguez Submission (rear-naked choke) XFL: Rumble on the River 5 September 23, 2011 1 1:57 Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States
Loss 9–5 Sara McMann Decision (unanimous) Titan FC 19 July 29, 2011 3 5:00 Kansas City, Kansas, United States Catchweight (140 lbs) bout.
Loss 9–4 Alexis Davis Submission (rear-naked choke) RW 10: Mayhem in the Mist 5 October 6, 2010 1 1:25 Niagara Falls, New York, United States For the Raging Wolf Women's Bantamweight Championship.
Win 9–3 Adrienna Jenkins TKO (punches) RW 8: Cage Supremacy July 17, 2010 2 3:16 Salamanca, New York, United States
Loss 8–3 Alexis Davis Submission (rear-naked choke) RW 7: Mayhem in the Mist 3 May 8, 2010 3 1:47 Niagara Falls, New York, United States For the Raging Wolf Women's Bantamweight Championship.
Win 8–2 Sarah Schneider Decision (unanimous) True Fight Fans June 6, 2008 3 5:00 Missouri, United States
Win 7–2 Julie Kedzie Submission (rear-naked choke) ShoXC: Elite Challenger Series January 25, 2008 1 1:43 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Catchweight (140 lbs) bout.
Win 6–2 Katrine Alendal Submission (armbar) PFP: Ring of Fire December 9, 2007 1 N/A Manila, Philippines
Loss 5–2 Gina Carano Submission (rear-naked choke) EliteXC: Uprising September 15, 2007 1 2:53 Honolulu, Hawaii, United States Catchweight (140 lbs) bout.
Loss 5–1 Vanessa Porto Submission (armbar) FFF 2: Girls Night Out July 14, 2007 1 2:14 Compton, California, United States
Win 5–0 Ginele Marquez Submission (rear-naked choke) Tuff-N-Uff 2 April 14, 2007 3 1:58 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 4–0 Shonie Plagmann KO (punch) X-1: Extreme Fighting 2 March 17, 2007 2 0:10 Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
Win 3–0 Angela Hayes TKO (punches) Kick Enterprises March 10, 2007 1 1:02 Ft. Myers, Florida, United States
Win 2–0 Brittany Pullen KO (punch) FFF 1: Asian Invasion February 17, 2007 1 0:16 Los Angeles, California, United States
win 1–0 Brittany Pullen KO (punches) IFC: Warriors Challenge 21 June 3, 2006 2 1:56 Tuolumne, California, United States

[50]

Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 0–1 Raquel Pennington Submission (guillotine choke) The Ultimate Fighter: Team Rousey vs. Team Tate September 4, 2013 2 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Preliminary bout.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Tonya Evinger Awakening Profile". Awakeningfighters.com. Retrieved 2014-02-24.
  2. ^ "Tonya Evinger | UFC". www.ufc.com. 14 September 2018. Retrieved 2018-12-12.
  3. ^ "Tonya Evinger MMA Stats". Sherdog.com. 2010-08-09. Retrieved 2010-08-09.
  4. ^ a b Jay Pettry (March 19, 2020). "14 Fighters No Longer Part of UFC Roster Following Cuts, Free Agency". sherdog.com.
  5. ^ "Why isn't Tonya Evinger in the UFC? | MMA Junkie". 2 November 2016.
  6. ^ "WATCH OUT tap or sleep midwest is still on the rise". YorkBlog.com. 2009-01-27. Retrieved 2010-07-08.
  7. ^ "Jennifer Tate Interview". FighterGirls.com. 2010-01-07. Retrieved 2010-07-08.
  8. ^ "Sacramento IFC Card Coming Together". Sherdog.com. 2006-03-24. Retrieved 2010-03-04.
  9. ^ "Ward, Modafferi and Case Win on All-Women's Card". Sherdog.com. 2007-02-18. Retrieved 2010-07-08.
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  11. ^ "MMA Tournament Debuts in Las Vegas". Sherdog.com. 2007-04-15. Retrieved 2010-07-08.
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  13. ^ "Elite XC notes: Carano carries torch for sport". Yahoo! Sports. 2007-06-16. Retrieved 2009-08-09.
  14. ^ "ShoXC Play-by-Play". Sherdog.com. 2008-01-25. Retrieved 2010-07-08.
  15. ^ "Davis To Defend Against Evinger At Raging Wolf 7". MMARising.com. Retrieved 2010-04-29.
  16. ^ "Alexis Davis retains championship belt". SLAM! Fighting. 2010-05-09. Archived from the original on July 15, 2012. Retrieved 2010-05-09.((cite web)): CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
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  18. ^ "Evinger Dominates Jenkins At Raging Wolf 8". MMARising.com. Retrieved 2010-07-19.
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  28. ^ "INVICTA FC 7 COMING TO KANSAS CITY ON DECEMBER 7TH". InvictaFC.com. 2013-10-11. Retrieved 2013-10-17.
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  31. ^ Hammond, Mick (2 September 2014). "Tonya Evinger Heads Into Saturday's Invicta FC Bout With Ediane Gomes With A Plan In Hand". mmaweekly.com. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
  32. ^ Sanchez, Josh (6 September 2014). "Invicta FC 8 results: Tonya Evinger dominates Ediane Gomes en route to first-round finish". fansided.com. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
  33. ^ "Nick Newell, Jake Ellenberger, Tonya Evinger, Torin Hill by MMA Roasted | Free Listening on SoundCloud". Soundcloud.com. 2015-04-29. Retrieved 2015-05-03.
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  35. ^ Redux, Unambig (10 July 2015). "Video: New Invicta FC bantamweight champion Tonya Evinger 'pissed off' by Dana White photo". mmamania.com. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
  36. ^ Bohn, Mike (13 September 2015). "Invicta FC 14 results: Tonya Evinger stops overweight Pannie Kianzad in headliner". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
  37. ^ MMA Junkie Staff (31 March 2016). "Tonya Evinger defends 135 title vs. Colleen Schneider in Invicta FC 17 main event". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
  38. ^ Critchfield, Tristen (1 December 2016). "Tonya Evinger Retains Invicta Title After Loss to Yana Kunitskaya Overturned to No-Contest". sherdog.com. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
  39. ^ Raimondi, Marc (25 March 2017). "Invicta FC 22 results: Tonya Evinger gets revenge, submitting Yana Kunitskaya to retain title". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
  40. ^ "Cyborg to face Evinger as Anderson withdraws". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2017-06-28.
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  42. ^ "Tonya Evinger vs. Marion Reneau Official for UFC Austin". Cageside Press. 2017-12-26. Retrieved 2017-12-26.
  43. ^ "With Tonya Evinger out, Marion Reneau needs new opponent for UFC Fight Night 126". MMAjunkie. 2018-01-09. Retrieved 2018-01-10.
  44. ^ "Report: Ketlen Vieira vs. Tonya Evinger targeted for UFC Fight Night: Sao Paulo". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved 2018-07-29.
  45. ^ "Ketlen Vieira out of UFC Sao Paulo fight with Tonya Evinger, will require surgery". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2018-08-28.
  46. ^ Staff (2018-08-29). "Tonya Evinger moves to UFC 229, will face undefeated Aspen Ladd". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2018-08-29.
  47. ^ "UFC 229 play-by-play and live results". MMAjunkie. 2018-10-06. Retrieved 2018-10-06.
  48. ^ DNA, MMA (3 April 2019). "Tonya Evinger treft de Zweedse Lina Länsberg tijdens UFC Stockholm". Retrieved 2019-04-03.
  49. ^ "UFC on ESPN+ 11 results: Lina Lansberg batters Tonya Evinger en route to wipeout on scorecards". MMA Junkie. 2019-06-01. Retrieved 2019-06-02.
  50. ^ Sherdog.com. "Tonya". Sherdog. Retrieved 2018-12-12.

External links

Awards and achievements Preceded byLauren Murphy 2nd Invicta FC Bantamweight Champion July 9, 2015 – July 3, 2017 Succeeded byYana Kunitskaya
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