DeAnna Danielle Bennett (born November 18, 1984)[1][2] is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Flyweight division. A professional since 2012, she has previously competed for Bellator MMA, Invicta Fighting Championships, and Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

DeAnna Bennett
BornDeAnna Danielle Bennett[1]
(1984-11-18) November 18, 1984 (age 39)
Fremont, California, U.S[2]
Other namesVitamin D, The Argentine Assassin
ResidencePhiladelphia, PA, U.S.
Height5 ft 4 in (1.63 m)
Weight125 lb (57 kg; 8.9 st)
DivisionStrawweight
Flyweight
Fighting out ofPhiladelphia, PA, U.S.
TeamFour7 Fight Team (formerly)
The Pit Elevated (formerly)[3]
Killer B CSA (2018–2022)[4]
Marquez MMA (2022–present)
RankBrown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Dante Rivera[5][6]
Years active2012–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total24
Wins14
By knockout2
By submission2
By decision10
Losses9
By knockout1
By submission4
By decision4
Draws1
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Background

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Bennett wrestled and played water polo for American High School before graduating in 2002.[7] Bennett briefly attended an art college, but dropped out.[8] She credits her "being a fat kid" for motivating her to join a kickboxing gym to stay in shape, and eventually competing in Muay Thai kickboxing.[3]

Mixed martial arts career

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Early career

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After a short amateur MMA career in 2011, Bennett made her professional MMA debut in February 2012 for Showdown Fights. She competed for the promotion four times over the next two years, winning all of her bouts. Notably beating stand outs Sharon Jacobson, Colleen Schneider and Julianna Peña respectively.[citation needed]

Invicta FC

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Bennett made her Invicta FC debut on September 6, 2014, at Invicta FC 8, where she defeated Michelle Ould by TKO in the second round.[9]

In her second fight for the promotion, Bennett faced Jennifer Maia on December 5, 2014, at Invicta FC 10. She won the fight by unanimous decision.[10]

Bennett next faced Norma Rueda Center on February 27, 2015, at Invicta FC 11.[11] She again won the fight by unanimous decision.[12]

The Ultimate Fighter

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In August 2017, it was announced that Bennett would be one of the fighters featured on The Ultimate Fighter 26, where the process to crown the UFC's inaugural 125-pound women's champion will take place. Bennett was selected seventh by coach Eddie Alvarez.[13] She faced Karine Gevorgyan in the opening round and won via TKO in the first round.[14] In the quarter-finals Bennett faced Sijara Eubanks losing via first round knockout.[15]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

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Bennett faced Melinda Fábián on December 1, 2017 at The Ultimate Fighter: A New World Champion#The Ultimate Fighter 26 Finale.[16] The fight ended as a majority draw and Bennett was subsequently released from the promotion.[17]

Return to Invicta

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Bennett returned to Invicta to face Karina Rodríguez on March 24, 2018 at Invicta FC 28: Morandin vs. Jandiroba.[18] She won the fight by split decision. Bennett then entered a flyweight tournament where she defeated Miranda Maverick by unanimous decision but lost in the final in a rematch against Karina Rodriguez.[19]

Bellator

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Bennett made her promotional debut against Liz Carmouche at Bellator 246 on September 12, 2020.[20] She lost the bout via a rear-naked choke submission in the third round.[21]

Bennett was scheduled to face Alejandra Lara on July 31, 2021 at Bellator 263.[22] The bout was rescheduled for unknown reasons to take place on August 20, 2021 at Bellator 265.[23] On August 13, it was announced that the bout was moved once again, this time to Bellator 266.[24] At the weigh-ins, Bennett missed weight for her bout. Bennett weighed in at 129.2 pounds, 3.2 pounds over the flyweight non-title fight limit. The bout proceeded at catchweight and Bennett was fined a percentage of her purse which went to Lara.[25] Bennett won the bout in dominant fashion via unanimous decision.[26]

Bennett faced Justine Kish on February 19, 2022 at Bellator 274.[27] She won the bout in dominant fashion via unanimous decision.[28]

Bennett rematched Justine Kish on August 12, 2022 at Bellator 284.[29] At weigh ins, Kish came in at 128.4 lbs, 2.4 pounds over the weight limit, for the flyweight bout, resulting in her being a fined a percentage of her purse which went to Bennett and the bout proceeded at catchweight.[30] Bennett won the bout again via unanimous decision.[31]

Bennett faced Liz Carmouche in a rematch for the Bellator Women's Flyweight World Championship on April 21, 2023 at Bellator 294.[32] At the weigh-ins, Bennett weighed in at 126.2 pounds, 1.2 pounds over the title flyweight fight limit. The bout proceeded at catchweight with Bennett being fined 30% of her purse, which went to Carmouche. Carmouche also chose to keep the title on the line, meaning if she lost the fight, the title would have become vacant.[33] She lost the fight by an arm-triangle choke submission in the fourth round.[34]

Professional grappling career

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Bennett was booked to compete against Marissa Pacelli at Fury Pro Grappling 7 on May 27, 2023.[35] She lost the match by unanimous decision.[36]

Mixed martial arts record

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Professional record breakdown
24 matches 14 wins 9 losses
By knockout 2 1
By submission 2 4
By decision 10 4
Draws 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 14–9–1 Liz Tracy Decision (unanimous) Invicta FC 57 September 20, 2024 3 5:00 Kansas City, Kansas, United States
Loss 13–9–1 Viviane Pereira Submission (guillotine choke) XFC: Detroit Grand Prix 2 May 31, 2024 1 1:50 Detroit, Michigan, United States
Loss 13–8–1 Liz Carmouche Submission (arm-triangle choke) Bellator 294 April 21, 2023 4 4:29 Honolulu, Hawaii, United States For the Bellator Women's Flyweight World Championship. Bennett missed weight (126.2 lb) and was ineligible to win the title.
Win 13–7–1 Justine Kish Decision (unanimous) Bellator 284 August 12, 2022 3 5:00 Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States Catchweight (128.4 lb) bout; Kish missed weight.
Win 12–7–1 Justine Kish Decision (unanimous) Bellator 274 February 19, 2022 3 5:00 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Win 11–7–1 Alejandra Lara Decision (unanimous) Bellator 266 September 18, 2021 3 5:00 San Jose, California, United States Catchweight (129.2 lb) bout; Bennett missed weight.
Loss 10–7–1 Liz Carmouche Submission (rear-naked choke) Bellator 246 September 12, 2020 3 3:17 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Catchweight (131.7 lb) bout; Bennett missed weight.
Loss 10–6–1 Miranda Maverick Submission (neck crank) Invicta FC Phoenix Series 2 September 6, 2019 3 3:38 Kansas City, Kansas, United States Invicta FC Flyweight Tournament Final.
Loss 10–5–1 Karina Rodríguez Decision (unanimous) Invicta FC 35 June 7, 2019 3 5:00 Kansas City, Kansas, United States
Win 10–4–1 Miranda Maverick Decision (unanimous) Invicta FC 34 February 15, 2019 3 5:00 Kansas City, Missouri, United States
Loss 9–4–1 Kelly Kobold Decision (unanimous) Tuff-N-Uff: Fight Night September 14, 2018 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 9–3–1 Karina Rodríguez Decision (split) Invicta FC 28 March 24, 2018 3 5:00 Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
Draw 8–3–1 Melinda Fábián Draw (majority) The Ultimate Fighter: A New World Champion Finale December 1, 2017 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Return to Flyweight. Fábián was deducted one point in round 2 due to grabbing the fence.
Loss 8–3 Jodie Esquibel Decision (split) Invicta FC 22 March 25, 2017 3 5:00 Kansas City, Missouri, United States
Loss 8–2 Roxanne Modafferi Decision (split) Invicta FC 16 March 11, 2016 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Flyweight bout.
Loss 8–1 Lívia Renata Souza TKO (body kick and punches) Invicta FC 15 January 16, 2016 1 1:30 Costa Mesa, California, United States For the Invicta FC Strawweight Championship.
Win 8–0 Katja Kankaanpää Decision (unanimous) Invicta FC 14 September 12, 2015 3 5:00 Kansas City, Missouri, United States
Win 7–0 Norma Rueda Center Decision (unanimous) Invicta FC 11 February 27, 2015 3 5:00 Los Angeles, California, United States Strawweight debut.
Win 6–0 Jennifer Maia Decision (unanimous) Invicta FC 10: Waterson vs. Tiburcio December 5, 2014 3 5:00 Houston, Texas, United States
Win 5–0 Michelle Ould TKO (body kick) Invicta FC 8 September 6, 2014 2 1:34 Kansas City, Missouri, United States Catchweight (131.9 lbs) bout; Ould missed weight.
Win 4–0 Colleen Schneider Submission (rear-naked choke) Showdown Fights 14 June 28, 2014 1 3:02 Orem, Utah, United States Bantamweight bout.
Win 3–0 Sharon Jacobson Submission (rear-naked choke) Showdown Fights 13 January 24, 2014 1 2:12 Orem, Utah, United States
Win 2–0 Julianna Peña Decision (unanimous) Showdown Fights 10 February 8, 2013 3 5:00 Orem, Utah, United States Flyweight debut.
Win 1–0 Andrea Miller TKO (punches) Showdown Fights 6 February 24, 2012 1 2:41 Orem, Utah, United States Bantamweight debut.

Mixed martial arts exhibition record

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Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 3–1 Daiana Torquato Submission (rear-naked choke) Invicta FC Phoenix Series 2 September 6, 2019 1 3:34 Kansas City, Kansas, United States Flyweight tournament semifinal bout.
Win 2–1 Liz Tracy Decision (unanimous) Invicta FC Phoenix Series 2 September 6, 2019 1 5:00 Kansas City, Kansas, United States Flyweight tournament quarterfinal bout.
Loss 1–1 Sijara Eubanks KO (head kick) The Ultimate Fighter: A New World Champion November 8, 2017 (air date) 1 1:25 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States TUF 26 Quarter-final round
Win 1–0 Karine Gevorgyan TKO (punches) September 6, 2017 (air date) 1 3:11 TUF 26 preliminary round

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Mixed martial arts show results Date: September 14, 2018
  2. ^ a b "DeAnna Bennett Awakening Profile". Awakeningfighters.com. Retrieved 2016-02-18.
  3. ^ a b Rob Tatum (February 24, 2015). "Invicta FC 11's DeAnna Bennett: A Little Bit Off". combatpress.com.
  4. ^ Eric Kowal (10 February 2019). "DeAnna Bennett: "I had gotten too comfortable in Utah and stopped growing as a fighter"". mymmanews.com.
  5. ^ "DeAnna Bennett - Official UFC Fighter PRofile". UFC.com. Retrieved December 1, 2017.
  6. ^ @deannadbennett (April 8, 2015). "This past Saturday I had the honor of officially testing for my purple belt under my coach Jason Mertlich's Four7 ju jitsu" – via Instagram.
  7. ^ Riley Kontek (September 3, 2014). "Invicta 8's DeAnna Bennett: Gaining Exposure, 1 Opportunity at a Time". Bleacher Report.
  8. ^ Riley Kontek (December 3, 2020). "734. Shootin the Shit with DeAnna Bennett" (Podcast).
  9. ^ "Invicta 8's DeAnna Bennett: Gaining Exposure, 1 Opportunity at a Time". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 2015-02-26.
  10. ^ "Invicta FC 10 Results: DeAnna Bennett Earns Decision Win Over Jennifer Maia". SI. Retrieved 2015-02-26.
  11. ^ "Invicta's Deanna Bennett Talks Julianna Pena Weight Cutting and Water Polo". Vice. Retrieved 2015-02-26.
  12. ^ Sanchez, Josh (28 February 2015). "Invicta FC 11 results: DeAnna Bennett outpoints Norma Rueda Center". fansided.com. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  13. ^ "Meet 'The Ultimate Fighter 26' cast: DeAnna Bennett, who used water polo to get to MMA". MMAjunkie. 2017-08-31. Retrieved 2017-11-28.
  14. ^ "TUF 26 results: DeAnna Bennett grounds Karine Gevorgyan to pick up TKO victory". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2017-11-28.
  15. ^ "The Ultimate Fighter 26, Episode 9 results: Roxanne Modafferi vs. Emily Whitmire, DeAnna Bennett vs. Sijara Eubanks". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2017-11-28.
  16. ^ "DeAnna Bennett vs Melinda Fabian added to TUF 26 Finale - MMA Mad". MMA Mad. 2017-11-28. Retrieved 2017-11-28.
  17. ^ "TUF 26 Finale results: Melinda Fabian nearly KOs DeAnna Bennett, who grinds way to majority draw". MMAjunkie. 2017-12-02. Retrieved 2017-12-02.
  18. ^ "Seven fights announced for Invicta FC 28, including debut of Pearl Gonzalez". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2018-02-07.
  19. ^ Anderson, Jay (8 June 2019). "Invicta FC 35 Results: Karina Rodriguez Defeats DeAnna Bennett in Surprising Decision". cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  20. ^ "Liz Carmouche vs. DeAnna Bennett, Campos vs. Huerta among Bellator 246 additions". mmajunkie.com. August 21, 2020.
  21. ^ "Bellator 246 results: Liz Carmouche finishes DeAnna Bennett in third". MMA Junkie. 2020-09-13. Retrieved 2021-07-04.
  22. ^ "Alejandra Lara vs. DeAnna Bennett added to Bellator 263 lineup". MMA Junkie. 2021-07-04. Retrieved 2021-07-04.
  23. ^ "Bellator 265 heads to South Dakota, adds Alejandra Lara vs. DeAnna Bennett matchup". MMA Junkie. 2021-07-19. Retrieved 2021-07-20.
  24. ^ "Bellator 266: Yoel Romero to make promotional debut against Phil Davis on Sept. 18 card in San Jose". CBSSports.com. 13 August 2021. Retrieved 2021-08-13.
  25. ^ Staff (2021-09-17). "Bellator 266: Davis vs. Romero Weigh-In Results". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-09-17.
  26. ^ Anderson, Jay (2021-09-18). "DeAnna Bennett Honors Late Father with Bellator 266 Win over Alejandra Lara". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-09-19.
  27. ^ "Bellator 274 adds DeAnna Bennett vs. Justine Kish after main card fight falls through". MMA Junkie. 2022-01-18. Retrieved 2022-01-18.
  28. ^ Anderson, Jay (2022-02-19). "Bellator 274: DeAnna Bennett Spoils Debut of Justine Kish". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-02-20.
  29. ^ Riggs, Drake (2022-06-16). "DeAnna Bennett and Justine Kish set to rematch at Bellator 284". MMAmania.com. Retrieved 2022-06-16.
  30. ^ "Bellator 284 weigh-in results: Ilima-Lei Macfarlane, two others heavy; one fight canceled". MMA Junkie. 2022-08-11. Retrieved 2022-08-11.
  31. ^ Sherdog.com. "Bellator 284 'Gracie vs. Yamauchi' Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring". Sherdog. Retrieved 2022-08-13.
  32. ^ "Flyweight champ Liz Carmouche rematches DeAnna Bennett in Bellator 294 headliner April 21 in Hawaii". MMA Junkie. 2023-02-15. Retrieved 2023-02-16.
  33. ^ Lee, Alexander K. (2023-04-20). "Bellator 294 weigh-in results: DeAnna Bennett misses for flyweight title fight, another fighter heavy by over 6 pounds". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2023-04-20.
  34. ^ Anderson, Jay (2023-04-22). "Bellator 294: Liz Carmouche Submits Extremely Game DeAnna Bennett in Fourth round". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-04-22.
  35. ^ Lindsey, Alex (17 May 2023). "Fury Pro Grappling 7 Lineup Confirmed". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
  36. ^ "Fury Pro Grappling 7 Full Results And Review". JitsMagazine. 28 May 2023. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
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