Mothers Day 2023: 10 successful MMA fighter moms

On mother's day we celebrate 10 of our favorite moms who also happen to be active MMA fighters.

The rise of women's MMA has been incredible to see over the past decade. While the idea of women in the cage was frowned upon in the beginning, women's divisions across different promotions now boast some of the biggest names in the sport. Some of those badass women raise children while pursuing their fighting careers.

Amanda and Nina Nunes

Amanda and Nina Nunes might be the perfect example of an MMA power couple. Nina, who recently retired, boasts an 11-7 MMA record (5-4 in the UFC), while her partner Amanda is widely considered the women's MMA GOAT. Nunes is currently the undisputed champion in the UFC's bantamweight and featherweight divisions and on top of the women's pound-for-pound rankings.

The pair had their first daughter, Raegan, in Sep. 2020. In April 2023, they announced they are expecting a second daughter and naming her Hazel.

Julianna Peña

One of the best pictures in UFC history was captured at the UFC 277 weigh-ins. Before her rematch with Nunes, Julianna Peña brought her daughter Isabella for moral support. During the face-off, Isabella stood right behind her mom in a fighting stance.

Peña gave birth to Isabella in 2018 and has since gone 3-2 (11-5 career), including the upset over Nunes at UFC 269.

Kayla Harrison

Kayla Harrison is a decorated martial artist with Olympic medals and a PFL lightweight strap. In 2020, Harrison got full custody of her niece Kyla and nephew Emery after her stepfather's unexpected passing.

In 2022, Harrison told SunSport that being a mom is a lot harder than fighting in a cage, but she would not have it any other way.

“They changed my life and saved my life as much as I hope I’m changing theirs.”

Chris Cyborg

Chris "Cyborg" Justino is one of the most polarizing figures in women's martial arts. Not only is she 26-2 MMA, but she has ventured into grappling, Muay Thai, and boxing.

It is a little-known fact that Cyborg was the first mom to hold a UFC title after adopting her niece Gabby in 2018.

Angela Lee

Currently the ONE Championship atomweight title holder at 26, Angela Lee is a force to be reckoned with. In April 2021, Lee gave birth to her daughter Ava.

"Now that I've had Ava, it definitely makes me so much stronger as a woman," Lee told PEOPLE.

Cat Zingano

Another veteran of the sport, Cat Zingano was a mom before she became a professional MMA fighter. Her son Brayden was born two years before her pro-MMA debut in 2008. Zingano was the first mom to compete in the UFC and is currently 14-4 in her career.

Miesha Tate

Miesha Tate is a well-respected fighter and former UFC champion. Her rivalry with Ronda Rousey played a big part in popularizing women's MMA in the 2010s. Aside from her MMA accolades, Tate is a proud mother of two-- her daughter Amaia was born in 2018, and her son Daxton was born two years later.

Michelle Waterson-Gomez

Michelle Waterson-Gomez has been a professional MMA fighter for 16 years. Since entering the UFC in 2016, she has been a staple in the strawweight division and has headlined three UFC Fight Night cards.

Waterson-Gomez gave birth to her daughter Amaya in 2011. The 2016 documentary "Fight Mom" captured her daily life as a mom and MMA fighter.

Mackenzie Dern

Mackenzie Dern's Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu success translated well into her MMA career. She had a perfect 7-0 record before putting her career on pause when she got pregnant and had her daughter Moa in 2019. While her record hasn't been perfect since her return, she remains a top contender, currently No. 7 in the strawweight division.

Lauren Murphy

Lauren Murphy is clearly an impressive fighter. But not all know that she started training in her mid-20s when she drove her son Max to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes. She decided to try it herself to encourage him. Years later, she was crowned the first Invicta bantamweight champion and now competes in the UFC.