Julia Avila

Julia Avila (born May 11, 1988) is a former American mixed martial artist who competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). She began training martial arts in 2011 after graduating from college.

Ultimate Fighting Championship On March 22, 2019, Avila was signed to the UFC's women's bantamweight division. Avila was originally scheduled to face Melissa Gatto on July 6, 2019, at UFC 239. Gatto was dropped from the card due to undisclosed reasons and was replaced by Pannie Kianzad. Avila won the fight via unanimous decision.

Avila was expected to face Karol Rosa on October 26, 2019, at UFC Fight Night: Maia vs. Askren. The fight was later cancelled due to a knee injury from Rosa. The match was rescheduled to April 11, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Harris. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was eventually postponed. The pair was rescheduled to meet on May 2, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 174. However, on April 9, Dana White, the president of UFC announced that the event was postponed to June 13, 2020. Instead, Avila faced Gina Mazany, replacing Rosa, on June 13, 2020, at UFC on ESPN: Eye vs. Calvillo. She won the bout via first-round technical knockout just 22 seconds into the fight.

Avila was scheduled to face Nicco Montaño on August 8, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 176. However, due to Montano's coach John Wood testing positive for COVID-19, the bout was rescheduled to UFC Fight Night 177. However, Montaño tested positive for COVID-19 and the bout was moved to UFC Fight Night: Holm vs. Aldana. Subsequently, on September 3, it was announced that Montaño withdrew from the bout due to travel restrictions. After negotiating a new contract with the UFC, Avila faced Sijara Eubanks on September 12, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 177. She lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Avila was expected to face Julija Stoliarenko at UFC on ESPN 21 on March 20, 2021. However at the weigh ins, Stoliarenko suffered a syncopal episode on the scale and the fight was scrapped. The pair was rescheduled and took place at UFC Fight Night 190. Avila won the fight via rear naked choke submission in round three.

Avila was scheduled to face Raquel Pennington on December 18, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 199. However, Avila was forced to pull from the event due to injury. She was replaced by Macy Chiasson.

After a two-years hiatus, Avila returned against former UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion Miesha Tate on December 2, 2023, at UFC on ESPN 52. She lost the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in round three.

Avila faced former LFA Women's Bantamweight Champion Jacqueline Cavalcanti on February 15, 2025 at UFC Fight Night 251. She lost the fight by unanimous decision. She retired from MMA competition after the bout.

Championships and accomplishments Invicta FC Performance of the Night (one time) vs. Alexa Conners HD MMA HD MMA Bantamweight Championship (one time; former)

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Jacqueline Cavalcanti Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Cannonier vs. Rodrigues

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Miesha Tate Submission (face crank) UFC on ESPN: Dariush vs. Tsarukyan

Austin, Texas, United States Win

Julija Stoliarenko Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC Fight Night: Gane vs. Volkov

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Sijara Eubanks Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Waterson vs. Hill

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Gina Mazany TKO (punches) UFC on ESPN: Eye vs. Calvillo

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Pannie Kianzad Decision (unanimous) UFC 239

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Alexa Conners TKO (front kick and punches) Invicta FC 32

Shawnee, Oklahoma, United States Win

Ashley Deen KO (punches) HD MMA 13

Shawnee, Oklahoma, United States Loss

Marciea Allen TKO (hand injury) Invicta FC 29

Kansas City, Missouri, United States Win

Candace Maricle Submission (armbar) HD MMA 9

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States Win

Nicco Montaño Decision (unanimous) HD MMA 7

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States Win

Carolyn Biskup-Roe TKO (punches) Xtreme Knockout 32

Dallas, Texas, United States Win

Marion Reneau Decision (unanimous) The Warriors Cage 13

Porterville, California, United States

Beast Games Shumate competed on Team Strong in Beast Games season 2 but was eliminated in the opening challenge of Episode 1.