Jessica Aguilar (born September 30, 1982) is an American mixed martial artist who has competed in the strawweight (115 lb) and flyweight (125 lb) divisions of several professional promotions, including Bellator MMA, ONE Championship, and the now‑defunct Invicta Fighting Championships. She is noted for being one of the early female athletes to achieve visibility in major North American mixed‑martial‑arts organizations.
Early life and background
Aguilar was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. She began training in wrestling during her high school years and later incorporated Brazilian jiu‑jitsu, Muay Thai, and boxing into her skill set. Her early exposure to multiple combat disciplines laid the foundation for a career in mixed martial arts (MMA).
Mixed martial arts career
Aguilar made her professional MMA debut in 2006. Over the following years she amassed a record that includes more than twenty sanctioned bouts, with victories achieved by knockout, submission, and decision. She fought for multiple promotions:
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Bellator MMA – Aguilar was among the first women signed by Bellator and competed in the promotion’s inaugural women’s featherweight (145 lb) and later strawweight contests. She challenged for the Bellator Women’s Strawweight Championship in 2018.
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ONE Championship – Aguilar competed in the organization’s inaugural women’s strawweight tournament, reaching the semifinals before being eliminated.
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Invicta Fighting Championships – She fought in several Invicta events, contributing to the promotion’s early development of a women‑only platform.
Aguilar’s fighting style is characterized by a strong grappling base, stemming from her wrestling background, complemented by striking proficiency.
Personal life
Outside the cage, Aguilar has been involved in coaching and mentoring programs aimed at expanding opportunities for women in combat sports. She has also advocated for the inclusion of more weight classes for female athletes in major promotions.
Legacy and impact
Jessica Aguilar is regarded as a pioneer of women's mixed martial arts in the United States. Her participation in high‑profile events helped increase visibility for female fighters and contributed to the broader acceptance of women's divisions in mainstream MMA organizations.