Lina Länsberg

Lina Länsberg (born 13 March 1982) is a Swedish former professional mixed martial artist. She is most notable for her time in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

Muay Thai career Länsberg started training in Muay Thai in 2003, at the age of 21. During her decorated Muay Thai career she fought on the biggest stage, winning the gold medal at the IFMA World Championship two times, 2008 and 2012. She won the silver medal two times, 2010 and 2011, and bronze once, 2007. She also won the gold medal at the IFMA-EMF European Muay Thai Championships in 2013, and the bronze medal in 2012.

In addition to the international success, she won the Swedish Muay Thai Championship three times, in 2007, 2012 and 2013 as well as winning the Nordic Championship in 2010. She also won the WMC Scandinavian Professional Muay Thai title in 2012. Her Muay Thai record stands at 37-11, including fights against top names such as Valentina Shevchenko.

Mixed martial arts career In her professional MMA debut, Länsberg fought fellow Swedish rising star Pannie Kianzad on 29 December 2012, at Trophy MMA 1.

She would then go on to win her next 6 fights (4 by TKO, 2 by decision) as she competed in Cage Warriors and other European promotions. This included her defeating Alexandra Buch by TKO in the first round on 16 May 2015, at Superior Challenge 12, to win the promotional Women's Bantamweight title. Another big victory came by unanimous decision against Lucie Pudilová on 28 November 2015, at Battle of Botnia 2015.

Ultimate Fighting Championship Länsberg made her UFC debut, as a big underdog, in the main event against Cris Cyborg on 24 September 2016, at UFC Fight Night 95. She lost the fight by TKO in the second round.

Länsberg was first expected to face Veronica Macedo on 18 March 2017, at UFC Fight Night 107. However, Macedo later had to pull out due to injury. Länsberg instead had a rematch with Lucie Pudilová at the same event. It was a back-and-forth fight, with Länsberg appearing to be in control over the first two rounds and Pudilová rallying for a comeback in the third, in the end Länsberg won by unanimous decision. Afterwards, she expressed disappointment with her performance, saying she believed that Pudilová maybe should have been awarded the victory. Despite this, a majority of the media score cards still agreed with the judges and had Länsberg as the winner.

Länsberg was expected to face Leslie Smith on 16 July 2017, at UFC Fight Night 113. However, she later had to withdraw from the fight due to an injury and was replaced by Amanda Lemos.

Länsberg faced Aspen Ladd on 21 October 2017, at UFC Fight Night 118. She lost the fight via TKO in round two.

Länsberg faced Gina Mazany on 27 May 2018, at UFC Fight Night 130. She won the fight via unanimous decision.

Next she faced former Invicta FC Bantamweight Champion Yana Kunitskaya on 6 October 2018, at UFC 229. She lost the fight via unanimous decision

Länsberg faced former long time Invicta FC Bantamweight Champion Tonya Evinger on 1 June 2019, at UFC Fight Night 153. Despite entering the contest as a big underdog, she won the fight via unanimous decision.

In her next fight, Länsberg faced Macy Chiasson on 28 September 2019, at UFC Fight Night 160. She won the fight by unanimous decision.

Länsberg faced Sara McMann on 25 January 2020, at UFC Fight Night 166. She lost the fight via unanimous decision.

After two years away from competing due to giving birth, Länsberg faced Pannie Kianzad on 16 April 2022 at UFC on ESPN 34. Länsberg lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Länsberg faced Karol Rosa at UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi on 22 October 2022. She lost the bout via majority decision.

Länsberg faced Mayra Bueno Silva on 18 February 2023, at UFC Fight Night 219. She lost the fight via a kneebar submission in round two.

After the bout, Länsberg retired from MMA.

Personal life Länsberg and UFC veteran Akira Corassani have a daughter (born 2021).

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts Superior Challenge SC Women's Bantamweight Championship (one time; first) Nordic MMA Awards 2019 Female Fighter of the Year

Muay Thai Professional World Muaythai Council 2012 WMC Scandinavian Professional Muay Thai Championship (-63,5 kg) Amateur IFMA 2007 IFMA World Championship Bronze (-63,5 kg) 2008 IFMA World Championship Gold (-63,5 kg) 2010 IFMA World Championship Silver (-63,5 kg) 2011 IFMA World Championship Silver (-63,5 kg) 2012 IFMA-EMF European Championship Bronze (-63,5 kg) 2012 IFMA World Championship Gold (-63,5 kg) 2013 IFMA-EMF European Championship Gold (-63,5 kg) Regional championships 2006 Swedish National Muay Thai Championship Silver (-63,5 kg) 2007 Swedish National Muay Thai Championship Gold (-63,5 kg) 2007 Nordic Muay Thai Championship Silver (-63,5 kg) 2007 Thailand, Bangla Boxing Stadium Championship Gold (-63,5 kg) 2010 Nordic Muay Thai Championship Gold (-63,5 kg) 2011 Nordic Muay Thai Championship Silver (-63,5 kg) 2012 Antalya Turkey Championship Bronze (-63,5 kg) 2012 Swedish National Muay Thai Championship Gold (-63,5 kg) 2013 Swedish National Muay Thai Championship Gold (-63,5 kg)

Shootfighting Swedish Shootfighting League 2010 National Women's Featherweight Shootfighting Championship Gold

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Mayra Bueno Silva Submission (kneebar) UFC Fight Night: Andrade vs. Blanchfield

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Karol Rosa Decision (majority) UFC 280

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Loss

Pannie Kianzad Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Luque vs. Muhammad 2

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Sara McMann Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. dos Santos

Raleigh, North Carolina, United States Win

Macy Chiasson Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Hermansson vs. Cannonier

Copenhagen, Denmark Win

Tonya Evinger Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Gustafsson vs. Smith

Stockholm, Sweden Loss

Yana Kunitskaya Decision (unanimous) UFC 229

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Gina Mazany Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Thompson vs. Till

Liverpool, England Loss

Aspen Ladd TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Cowboy vs. Till

Gdańsk, Poland Win

Lucie Pudilová Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Manuwa vs. Anderson

London, England Loss

Cris Cyborg TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Cyborg vs. Länsberg

Brasília, Brazil Win

Maria Hougaard Djursaa TKO (punches) Odense Fight Night 5

Odense, Denmark Win

Lucie Pudilová Decision (unanimous) Battle of Botnia 2015

Umeå, Sweden Win

Alexandra Buch TKO (punches and elbows) Superior Challenge 12

Malmö, Sweden Win

Laura Howarth TKO (retirement) Cage Warriors FC 71

Amman, Jordan Win

Emma Delaney TKO (punches and elbows) Cage Warriors FC 66

Ballerup, Denmark Win

L.J. Adams Decision (unanimous) Heroes FC

Halmstad, Sweden Loss

Pannie Kianzad TKO (punches) Trophy MMA 1

Malmö, Sweden