Jessica-Rose Clark Explained

Jessica-Rose Clark
Other Names:Jessy Jess
Birth Name:Jessica-Rose Clark
Birth Date:28 November 1987
Birth Place:Cairns, Queensland, Australia
Weight:135lb
Weight Class:Flyweight (2018)
Bantamweight (2013–2017, 2019–present)
Featherweight (2012–2013)
Reach In:64.5
Style:Brazilian jiu-jitsu
Stance:Orthodox[1]
Team:Integrated MMA (2012–2014)[2]
Igor MMA (2016)[3]
Australian Top Team (2016)
Syndicate MMA (2016–2018)[4]
Combat Sports Academy (2018–2023)[5]
Team Ferreira BJJ (2023–present)[6]
Rank:Purple Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu[7]
Years Active:2012–present
Kickbox Win:3
Kickbox Loss:0
Mma Kowin:3
Mma Subwin:2
Mma Decwin:6
Mma Subloss:3
Mma Decloss:6
Mma Nc:1
Sherdog:115991

Jessica-Rose Clark (born 28 November 1987) is an Australian mixed martial artist who competes in the women’s Bantamweight division. She formerly competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).[8]

Background

Clark was born in Cairns, Australia, as the eldest of nine children. Her ailing single mother took care of the children while living on the road in a van and communities. Jessica-Rose attended regular school for the first time in the fifth grade when the family settled in North Queensland. She attended university after graduating from high school, but dropped out during the first semester. After dropping out, she found kickboxing and gradually started training mixed martial arts.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Clark made her professional MMA debut in December 2012 in her native Australia. She fought six times over the next two years for various regional promotions, amassing a record of 5 wins and 1 loss.[9] [10]

Invicta FC

After taking nearly a year off from the sport, Clark made her debut with Invicta FC in July 2015.[11] She faced Pannie Kianzad at Invicta FC 13: Cyborg vs. Van Duin and lost the bout via unanimous decision.[12]

Clark returned to the promotion in November 2016 to face Pam Sorenson at Invicta FC 20: Evinger vs. Kunitskaya.[13] She lost the bout via split decision.[14]

Clark was scheduled to face Vanessa Porto at Invicta FC 26 in December 2017;[15] however, she was removed from the card when she was tabbed by the UFC as a replacement.[16]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Clark made her UFC debut against Bec Rawlings in a flyweight bout, replacing Joanne Calderwood at on 19 November 2017.[17] At the weigh-ins, Clark weighed in at 128 pounds, 2 pounds over the flyweight upper limit of 126 pounds. The bout proceeded at a catchweight and Clark forfeited 20% of her purse to Rawlings.[18] Clark won the fight via split decision.[19]

Clark faced Paige VanZant on 14 January 2018 at .[20] She won the fight via unanimous decision.[21]

Clark faced Jessica Eye on 23 June 2018 at UFC Fight Night 132.[22] She lost the fight via unanimous decision.[23]

Clark was expected to face Andrea Lee on 15 December 2018 at UFC on Fox 31.[24] However, Clark was forced out of the bout as she was hospitalized due to weight cutting issues and deemed medically unfit to compete by UFC physicians. As a result, the bout was cancelled.[25]

Clark was scheduled to face Talita Bernardo on 11 May 2019 at UFC 237.[26] However, it was reported on 3 April 2019 that Clark had pulled out of the bout, citing injury.[27]

Return to bantamweight

Clark faced Pannie Kianzad on 9 November 2019 at UFC on ESPN+ 21.[28] She lost the fight via unanimous decision.[29]

Clark faced Sarah Alpar on 19 September 2020 at UFC Fight Night 178[30] She won the fight via a technical knockout in round three.[31] In the fight she tore her Anterior cruciate ligament, which prevented her from fighting until mid 2021.[32]

After recovering from the surgery, Clark returned after a year to face Joselyne Edwards at UFC Fight Night 196 on 23 October 2021.[33] Clark won the fight via unanimous decision.[34]

Clark faced Stephanie Egger on 19 February 2022, at UFC Fight Night 201.[35] She lost the fight via an armbar submission in the first round.[36]

Clark faced Julija Stoliarenko on 2 July 2022, at UFC 276.[37] She lost the bout via armbar submission less than one minute into round one, dislocating her elbow.[38]

Clark faced Tainara Lisboa on 13 May 2023, at UFC on ABC 4.[39] She lost the bout via rear‐naked choke in third round.[40] The fight was the final fight on her contract and she was not offered a new contract.[41] [42]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts record

|- |Loss|align=center|11–9 (1)|Tainara Lisboa|Submission (rear-naked choke)|||align=center|3|align=center|4:20|Charlotte, North Carolina, United States||-|Loss|align=center|11–8 (1)|Julija Stoliarenko|Submission (armbar)|UFC 276| |align=center|1|align=center|0:42|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Loss|align=center|11–7 (1)|Stephanie Egger|Submission (armbar)|||align=center|1|align=center|3:44|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|-|Win|align=center|11–6 (1)|Joselyne Edwards|Decision (unanimous)|||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Win|align=center||Sarah Alpar|TKO (punch and knee)|||align=center|3|align=center|4:21|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Loss|align=center|9–6 (1)|Pannie Kianzad|Decision (unanimous)| ||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Moscow, Russia||-|Loss|align=center|9–5 (1)|Jessica Eye|Decision (unanimous)|||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Kallang, Singapore||-|Win|align=center|9–4 (1)|Paige VanZant|Decision (unanimous)|||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|St. Louis, Missouri, United States||-|Win|align=center|8–4 (1)|Bec Rawlings|Decision (split)|||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Sydney, Australia||-|Win|align=center|7–4 (1)|Carina Damm|Decision (split)|Titan FC 45: Araujo vs. Capitulino||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Pembroke Pines, Florida, United States||- |Loss|align=center|6–4 (1)|Sarah Kaufman|Decision (unanimous)|Battlefield Fighting Championships||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Seoul, South Korea||-|Loss|align=center|6–3 (1)|Pam Sorenson|Decision (split)|Invicta FC 20: Evinger vs. Kunitskaya||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Kansas City, Missouri, United States||-|Win|align=center|6–2 (1)|Janay Harding|Decision (unanimous)|Eternal MMA 19||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Gold Coast, Australia||- |NC|align=center|5–2 (1)|Emiko Raika|NC (overturned)|TTF Challenge 05||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Tokyo, Japan||- |Loss|align=center|5–2|Pannie Kianzad|Decision (unanimous)|Invicta FC 13: Cyborg vs. Van Duin||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Win|align=center|5–1|Rhiannon Thompson|Decision (unanimous)|Roshambo MMA 3||align=center|5|align=center|5:00|Chandler, Australia||- |Win|align=center|4–1|Kate Da Silva|TKO (punches)|XFC Australia 21||align=center|2|align=center|4:07|Brisbane, Australia||- |Win|align=center|3–1|Zoie Shreiweis|Submission (rear-naked choke)|Unarmed Combat Unleashed 2||align=center|1|align=center|1:33|Emerald, Australia||- |Loss|align=center|2–1|Kyra Purcell|Decision (unanimous)|Fightworld Cup 16||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Nerang, Australia||-|Win|align=center|2–0|Arlene Blencowe|Submission (rear-naked choke) |Nitro MMA 9||align=center|2|align=center|3:38|Logan City, Australia||-|Win|align=center|1–0|Mae-Lin Leow|TKO (punches)|Brace for War MMA 18||align=center|3|align=center|2:17|Canberra, Australia||}[43]

Notes and References

  1. News: UFC Fight Night 132 main-card breakdown: Scrappy showdowns in Singapore. 2018-06-22. MMAjunkie. 2018-06-23. en-US.
  2. Web site: Jessica-Rose Clark on UFC Debut: "It Was Always Going to Happen That Way". Melanie Gale. January 12, 2018. mmasucka.com.
  3. Web site: Jessy Jess: Gypsy Warrior. Emma Challands. October 14, 2016.
  4. Web site: Jessica-Rose Clark continues to live and learn ahead of UFC Vegas 11. Drake Riggs. September 14, 2020. mymmanews.com.
  5. Web site: Five Questions With Jessica-Rose Clark. Gavin Porter. December 12, 2018. Ultimate Fighting Championship.
  6. Jessica-Rose Clark Talks UFC Charlotte Fight, Move To Texas, New Camp, Mental Health & BW Title Run! . May 9, 2023. YouTube. Karyn Bryant.
  7. Web site: UFC Fighter Jessy Jess' Surprise BJJ Grading . MMA Media Videography . YouTube . 2019-01-22.
  8. Web site: FightLiveTV - Jessy Jess: Women in MMA has become less taboo. insidemma.com.au. 2017-11-09.
  9. Web site: Fight Path: Jessy Jess found MMA after childhood wanderlust, living in a van. MMAjunkie. 2017-11-09.
  10. Web site: MMA fighter sets her sights on the US - ABC Gold & Tweed Coasts. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 2017-11-09.
  11. Web site: Jessy Rose Clark (aka Jessy Jess) signs with Invicta FC | FSA. FightSport Asia. 2017-11-09.
  12. Web site: MMADecisions.com. MMADecisions.com. 2017-12-22.
  13. News: Jessy Jess Clark back in Action at Invicta 20 - MMASucka.com. Modafferi. Roxanne. 2016-11-18. MMASucka.com. 2017-12-22. en-US.
  14. News: 'Jessy Jess' loses split decision to Pam Sorensen at Invicta FC 20. Fight News Australia. 2017-12-22. en.
  15. News: Jessy Jess to face Vanessa Porto at Invicta FC 26. Fight News Australia. 2017-12-22. en.
  16. Web site: Milana Dudieva Replaces Jessica-Rose Clark, Meets Vanessa Porto at Invicta FC 26. Sherdog.com. Sherdog. 2017-12-22.
  17. News: Exclusive: Joanne Calderwood out–Jessy Rose-Clark steps in to take on Bec Rawlings - MMA Today. 2017-11-07. MMA Today. 2017-11-18. en-US. https://web.archive.org/web/20171108151930/https://mma-today.com/exclusive-joanne-calderwood-jessy-rose-clark-steps-take-bec-rawlings. 8 November 2017. dead.
  18. News: UFC Fight Night 121 official weigh-in results: Headliner set, but four fighters heavy. 2017-11-18. MMAjunkie. 2017-11-18. en-US.
  19. News: UFC Fight Night 121 results: Jessica-Rose Clark takes split from Bec Rawlings. 2017-11-19. MMAjunkie. 2017-11-19. en-US.
  20. News: Paige VanZant vs. Jessica-Rose Clark targeted for UFC St. Louis. MMA Fighting. 2017-11-22.
  21. News: UFC Fight Night 124 results: Jessica-Rose Clark stifles injured Paige VanZant for big win. 2018-01-15. MMAjunkie. 2018-01-15. en-US.
  22. News: Jessica Eye vs. Jessica-Rose Clark targeted for UFC Singapore. MMA Fighting. 2018-03-30.
  23. Web site: Jessica Eye Scores Emotional Win Over Jessica-Rose Clark (UFC Singapore Highlights) MMAWeekly.com. www.mmaweekly.com. en-US. 2018-06-23.
  24. News: Jessica-Rose Clark vs. Andrea Lee announced for UFC on FOX 31. mmafighting.com. MMA Fighting Newswire. 2018-09-04. 2018-09-04.
  25. Web site: Jessica-Rose Clark vs. Andrea Lee Pulled From UFC on FOX 31. Ravens. Andrew. MMA. LowKick. 2018-12-14. LowKickMMA.com. en-US. 2018-12-14.
  26. Web site: Jessica-Rose Clark keert terug tijdens UFC 237 in Rio de Janeiro tegen Talita Bernardo. Dorff. Marcel. nl. 2023-06-16.
  27. Web site: Undefeated newcomer Melissa Gatto replaces injured Jessica-Rose Clark at UFC 237. Cruz. Guilherme. 2019-04-03. MMA Fighting. 2019-04-04.
  28. Web site: Rematch tussen Jessica-Rose Clark en Pannie Kianzad tijdens UFC Moskou. Dorff. Marcel. nl. 2023-06-16.
  29. Web site: UFC Moscow Results: Pannie Kianzad Cruises to Decision Win in Rematch with Jessica-Rose Clark. Anderson. Jay. 2019-11-09. Cageside Press. en-US. 2019-11-09.
  30. Web site: 2020-07-11. Jessica-Rose Clark faces Sarah Alpar on September 26 UFC card. 2020-08-03. fightful.com. David Tees. en.
  31. Web site: Anderson. Jay. 2020-09-19. UFC Vegas 11 Results: Jessica-Rose Clark Smashes Sarah Alpar, Repeatedly. 2020-09-20. Cageside Press. en-US.
  32. Web site: Harkness. Ryan. 2020-10-01. Jessy Jess tore her ACL in last fight, out until mid-2021. 2020-10-02. MMAmania.com. en.
  33. Web site: Jessica-Rose Clark to return from ACL injury vs. Joselyne Edwards at Oct. 23 UFC event. Mike Heck. July 30, 2021. mmafighting.com.
  34. Web site: Evanoff. Josh. 2021-10-23. UFC Vegas 41 Results: Jessica-Rose Clark Outwrestles Joselyne Edwards. 2021-10-23. Cageside Press. en-US.
  35. Web site: Behunin . Alex . Jessica-Rose Clark vs. Stephanie Egger Set For February 19 UFC event . Cageside Press . 23 December 2021.
  36. Web site: Anderson. Jay. 2022-02-19. UFC Vegas 48: Stephanie Egger's Judo the Story, Taps Jessica-Rose Clark with Arm-Bar. 2022-02-20. Cageside Press. en-US.
  37. Web site: ATSteveDuncan . 2022-04-21 . Jessica-Rose Clark vs. Julija Stoliarenko agregado a UFC 276 . 2022-04-22 . MMA.uno, #1 En noticias de Artes Marciales Mixtas (MMA) en Español. . es.
  38. Web site: Behunin . Alex . 2022-07-02 . UFC 276: Julija Stoliarenko Hits Arm-Bar, Leaves Jessica-Rose Clark With Mangled Limb . 2022-07-03 . Cageside Press . en-US.
  39. Web site: ATSteveDuncan . 2023-02-08 . Jessica-Rose Clark vs. Tainara Lisboa agregado a UFC Fight Night del 13 de mayo . 2023-02-08 . MMA.uno, #1 En noticias de Artes Marciales Mixtas (MMA) en Español. . es.
  40. Web site: Bitter . Shawn . 2023-05-13 . UFC Charlotte: Tainara Lisboa Endures Nasty Cut, Submits Jessica-Rose Clark . 2023-05-13 . Cageside Press . en-US.
  41. Web site: Newswire . MMA Fighting . 2023-05-16 . Jessica-Rose Clark, two others are no longer on UFC roster . 2023-05-17 . MMA Fighting . en.
  42. Web site: Ji Yeon Kim Off Roster Following Controversial Fight, Two Other Fighters Gone Following UFC Charlotte. Jay Anderson. May 16, 2023. cagesidepress.com.
  43. Web site: Jessica-Rose. Sherdog.com. Sherdog. 2019-11-10.