Liana Jojua

Liana Jojua (born March 22, 1995) is a Georgian mixed martial artist who competes in the flyweight and bantamweight divisions. She has formerly fought in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), and she was also the inaugural and former Fight Nights Global Women's Bantamweight Champion.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Jojua's interest in MMA started after watching Gina Carano's fights as a 16-year-old. Coming from a background in Muay Thai, she made her MMA debut in September 2015. After winning her initial fight, she went on a two-fight skid in 2016, but Jojua hit her stride and went on a five-fight win streak which culminated in her winning the FNG Women's Bantamweight Championship against Marina Mokhnatkina.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Jojua faced Sarah Moras on September 7, 2019, at UFC 242. At the weigh-ins, Moras weighed in at 138 lbs, 2 pounds over the bantamweight non-title fight limit of 136 lbs. Moras was fined 20% of her fight purse to Jojua, and the bout proceeded at catchweight. Jojua lost the fight via TKO in the third round.

Move down to flyweight Jojua faced Diana Belbiţă at UFC on ESPN: Kattar vs. Ige on July 16, 2020. She won the fight via armbar in first round.

Jojua faced Miranda Maverick on October 24, 2020 at UFC 254. She lost the fight via technical knockout in round one.

Jojua was expected to face Cortney Casey on August 21, 2021, at UFC on ESPN 29. However, Jojua was forced out of the fight due to visa issues. The matchup was rescheduled at UFC Fight Night 197 on November 13, 2021. At the weigh-ins, Jojua weighed in at 128.5 pounds, two and a half pounds over the flyweight non-title fight limit. The bout proceeded at a catchweight with Jojua fined 30% of her purse, which went to her opponent Casey. Jojua lost the bout via unanimous decision.

After the loss, it was announced that Jojua was released from UFC.

Post UFC Jojua made her first appearance post UFC release and faced Dariya Zheleznyakova on May 20, 2022 at Ares FC 6. She lost by the way of unanimous decision.

Personal life

She is a teacher and graduated from Moscow State Pedagogical University. She also has a secondary musical education in vocals and piano.

Championships and accomplishments Fight Nights Global FNG Women's Bantamweight Championship (One time; inaugural)

Mixed martial arts record Win

Jaqueline Ferreira TKO (punches) GFC 29

Tbilisi, Georgia Loss

Dariya Zheleznyakova Decision (unanimous) Ares FC 6

Paris, France Loss

Cortney Casey Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Holloway vs. Rodríguez

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Miranda Maverick TKO (doctor stoppage) UFC 254

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Win

Diana Belbiţă Submission (armbar) UFC on ESPN: Kattar vs. Ige

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Loss

Sarah Moras TKO (punches) UFC 242

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Win

Marina Mokhnatkina Decision (majority) Fight Nights Global 83: Alibekov vs. Aliev

Moscow, Russia Win

Viktoriya Shalimova Submission (heel hook) Emir FC: Selection 1

Moscow, Russia Win

Karina Vasilenko Submission (armbar) Fight Nights Global 71: Mineev vs. Michailidis

Moscow, Russia Win

Tao Li Submission (armbar) Kunlun Fight MMA 7

Beijing, China Win

Valeria Pak Submission (armbar) SLMMA 7: Ivanov vs. Karapetyan

Moscow, Russia Loss

Liang Na Submission (rear-naked choke) WLF E.P.I.C. 7

Zhengzhou, China Loss

Zamzagul Fayzallanova Decision (split) Alash Pride: Atyrau the Beautiful

Atyrau, Kazakhstan Win

Tatyana Pevneva TKO (punches) Octagon Fighting Sensation 5

Yaroslavl, Russia