Felicia Spencer (7-0) is a women’s featherweight combatant who competes in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. For her next outing and sophomore UFC appearance, the unbeaten 28-year-old will square off against former featherweight queen Cris Cyborg. That matchup will happen in the co-main event of UFC 240, which takes place at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, on July 27.
In the build-up to the pivotal clash, here are five things that you might not know about the women they call “Feenom.”
She more often than not wins via rear-naked choke
Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt Spencer has emerged victorious from four of her seven bouts via rear-naked choke. She has notably triumphed in each of her last three contests using this technique. In the Canadian export’s most recent fight and promotional debut at UFC Fight Night 152, she used her favourite submission to dispatch Megan Anderson.She calls Florida home
Spencer hails from Montreal, Canada. And it was there that the future fighter spent her formative years. However, at the age of 18, the teenager moved south to Florida, where she set up home in Orlando. There, the new arrival studied at the University of Central Florida. She juggled her studies alongside combat training at The Jungle MMA & Fitness, under coaches Mike Lee and Seth Petruzelli. The now 28-year-old Spencer continues to call the city and gym home to this day.She is a lifelong martial artist
At the tender age of 4, “Feenom” commenced her martial arts journey. Initially, she practised Taekwondo before transitioning to Brazilian jiu-jitsu eight years later, when she was 12. She would go on to earn black belts in both disciplines. At the age of 17, Spencer added kickboxing to her training regime. And a year later, on her arrival in Orlando, she began training in mixed martial arts.She is a teacher
Spencer has always combined her MMA career with teaching. She is currently employed as a sixth-grade algebra teacher by the Florida Virtual School. “Feenom” enjoys working for the internet-based public high school, and despite her success in the cage, has no plans to give up the job. She also coaches children in martial arts at her gym, The Jungle MMA & Fitness. Spencer said in one interview, “Teaching is always going to be a part of my life.”In fact, one of the reasons she did not try out for the 28th season of The Ultimate Fighter last year was because she didn’t want to quit her day job. Spencer was confident that as long as she kept winning, then her opportunity with the UFC would eventually come, and there was no need to disrupt her teaching post in order to participate in the show.
She has won a title
Prior to signing with the UFC, “Feenom” had competed solely for Invicta FC. Following a successful amateur tenure, she had her first bout with the all-women’s promotion back in September 2015. Spencer would go unbeaten across six fights with Invicta FC.In her last outing with the promotion in November last year, the Canadian export fought Pam Sorenson for the vacant featherweight strap. The 28-year-old seized the win and the belt with a fourth-round rear-naked choke. Spencer would never defend her title, as soon after the triumph, she joined the UFC.