Julia Avila Announces Retirement Following UFC Vegas 102 Defeat

Gracias! @RagingPandaMMA anuncia su retiro de la competencia #UFCVegas102 pic.twitter.com/vWHqyo6dXS

— UFC Español (@UFCEspanol) February 15, 2025

UFC bantamweight Julia Avila (9-4) called it a career inside the Octagon on Saturday.

Avila fought streaking up-and-comer Jacqueline Cavalcanti on the prelims at UFC Vegas 102 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas on Saturday. The Portuguese prospect beat up Avila for three rounds to earn a dominant unanimous decision victory, which makes her unbeaten in four Octagon trips.

Avila subsequently laid down her gloves inside the Octagon and announced her retirement from the sport.

“This is it. I want to thank God for giving me the opportunity to fight on the world’s best stage,” Avila told Daniel Cormier in her post-fight interview. “Usually I start my fight with the Psalm 144:1 — May God strengthen my fists for battle and my fingers for warfare. But today I say, God says, ‘Well done my good and faithful servant.’”

Avila made her professional debut in 2012 and went on a four-fight winning streak on the regional scene before suffering her first pro loss under the Invicta Fighting Championships banner. “Raging Panda” joined the UFC in 2019, where she racked up back-to-back wins against Pannie Kianzad and Gina Mazany before dropping a unanimous decision against Sijara Eubanks. While she rebounded with a submission win over Julija Stoliarenko, she has since suffered consecutive losses. Saturday was her first fight since December 2023.