{{Short description|American bare-knuckle boxer and mixed martial artist (born 1989)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=October 2024}} {{Infobox martial artist | name = Jessica Borga | other_names = The Black Widow | image = Jessica Borga (born 1989) in the video 'BKFC Champ Jessica Borga Talks About How the Fued with Fellow Champ Christine Ferea Started!'.png | image_size = | alt = | caption = In a 2025 interview | birth_name = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1989|12|18}} | birth_place = Lakeland, Florida, United States | death_date = | death_place = | death_cause = | residence = | height = {{height|ft=5|in=7}} | weight = {{convert|136|lb|kg st|abbr=on}} | weight_class = Featherweight (2018-present)<br>Bantamweight (2025) | reach = Brazilian jiu-jitsu | style = | stance = | fighting_out_of = Lakeland, Florida, United States | team = Champions Mixed Martial Arts | rank = | wrestling = | years_active = 2022–present (bare-knuckle boxing)<br>2018-2021 (MMA) | mma_kowin = 2 | mma_subwin = 1 | mma_decwin = | mma_koloss = 2 | mma_subloss = | mma_decloss = 2 | mma_draw = | mma_nc = | am_label = Bare-knuckle boxing record | am_win = 3 | am_loss = 1 | am_kowin = 2 | url = | sherdog = 234159 | footnotes = | updated = }}
'''Jessica Borga''' (born December 18, 1989) is an American bare-knuckle boxer and mixed martial artist. She currently competes in the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship in the women's featherweight division, where she is the current and inaugural BKFC Women's Featherweight Champion. As a mixed martial artist, she most notably competed in Bellator MMA.
==Background== Borga was born in Lakeland, Florida, United States. Her father worked as a police officer. When she was young, her brother had been killed in a car accident.<ref name="CP1"/> She had gotten into fights in school, often defending those who were unable to defend themselves.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.muscleandfitness.com/athletes-celebrities/interviews/bellator-star-jessica-borga-explains-her-roots-and-passion-for-mma/|title=Bellator Star Jessica Borga Explains Her Roots and Passion for MMA|publisher=Muscle & Fitness|date=February 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220215204616/https://www.muscleandfitness.com/athletes-celebrities/interviews/bellator-star-jessica-borga-explains-her-roots-and-passion-for-mma/|archive-date=February 15, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> After her father's death, Borga discovered a gym called Champions Mixed Martial Arts and signed up with it. After a month of training, she became pregnant and subsequently had her first son before resuming training a few years later.<ref name="CP1">{{cite web|url=https://combatpress.com/2015/11/breakthrough-mma-18s-jessica-borga-mma-mirrors-life/|title=Breakthrough MMA 18’s Jessica Borga: MMA Mirrors Life|first=Amber|last=Boone|publisher=Combat Press|date=November 4, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151108100819/http://combatpress.com/2015/11/breakthrough-mma-18s-jessica-borga-mma-mirrors-life/|archive-date=November 8, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Mixed martial arts career== Borga competed in amateur MMA from 2015 to 2017 and posted a 6-4 record. She made her professional MMA career against Premier FC 25 on March 10, 2018, at Premier FC 25, winning the bout by TKO. She then won two more bouts and lost one, also all by TKO.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Jessica-Borga-234159|title=Jessica Borga|website=Sherdog|access-date=December 2, 2023}}</ref>
Borga faced Amber Leibrock on September 7, 2019, at Bellator 226. She won the bout via first round armbar submission.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sherdog.com |title=Bellator 226 Highlight Video: Jessica Borga Taps Amber Leibrock |url=https://www.sherdog.com/videos/highlightreels/Bellator-226-Highlight-Video-Jessica-Borga-Taps-Amber-Leibrock-14307 |access-date=2023-02-28 |website=Sherdog |language=en}}</ref>
Borga was scheduled to face Marina Mokhnatkina on December 10, 2020 at Bellator 254. The bout was cancelled for unknown reasons.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-12-01 |title=Marina Mokhnatkina vs. Jessica Borga removed from Bellator 254 |url=https://mymmanews.com/marina-mokhnatkina-vs-jessica-borga-removed-from-bellator-254/ |access-date=2021-04-26 |website=MyMMANews.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
Borga faced Talita Nogueira on April 9, 2021 at Bellator 256.<ref>{{cite web |title=Fight booking wire (March 22–28): Nogueira-Borga, Law-Ghareeb added to Bellator 256 |url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/lists/ufc-schedule-bellator-fight-bookings-this-week-march-22-28 |website=MMA Junkie |access-date=22 March 2021 |date=22 March 2021}}</ref> She lost the bout via a unanimous decision, even with Nogueira's one point deduction in the second round due to an illegal blow to the back of Borga's head.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bellator 256 'Bader vs. Machida 2' Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring |url=https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Bellator-256-Bader-vs-Machida-2-PlaybyPlay-Results-Round-Scoring-178681 |website=Sherdog |access-date=10 April 2021}}</ref>
Borga faced Leah McCourt on 1 October 2021 at Bellator 267. She lost the one-sided bout via unanimous decision.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Anderson|first=Jay|date=2021-10-01|title=Bellator 267 Results: Leah McCourt Wins One-Sided Decision Over Jessica Borga|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2021/10/01/bellator-267-results-leah-mccourt-vs-jessica-borga/|access-date=2021-12-19|website=Cageside Press|language=en-US}}</ref>
==Bare-knuckle boxing career== Making her bare-knuckle boxing and BKFC debut, Borga was scheduled to face Brooke Gilley on November 5, 2022, at BKFC 32.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/story/sports/mma/2022/10/05/bkfc-32-card-jessica-borga-geane-herrera-reggie-barnett-jr-ufc-bellator/81105101007/|title=BKFC 32 set for Orlando with bantamweight headliner, debut of former Bellator fighter Jessica Borga|publisher=MMA Junkie|date=October 5, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fightbookmma.com/brooke-gilley-to-make-her-bare-knuckle-debut-against-jessica-borga-at-bkfc-32/|title=Brooke Gilley to Make Her Bare Knuckle Debut against Jessica Borga at BKFC 32|publisher=Fightbook MMA|date=October 4, 2022}}</ref> However, Gilley withdrew from the bout and was replaced by Sarah Click.<ref name="CP2"/> Borga won the bout by knockout in the first round.<ref name="CP2">{{cite web|url=https://combatpress.com/2023/04/quiggin-out-mma-podcast-ep-69-jessica-the-black-widow-borga/|title=Quiggin’ Out MMA Podcast Ep. 69: Jessica ‘The Black Widow’ Borga|publisher=Combat Press|date=April 27, 2023}}</ref>
Borga faced Katharina Lehner on April 12, 2024 at BKFC Fight Night 13.<ref>{{Cite web |title=BKFC Fight Night Clearwater |url=https://www.bkfc.com/events/bkfc-fight-night-clearwater:2367d9ae-09e7-4d9b-8ee8-135b17929a42 |access-date=2024-03-30 |website=Bare Knuckle Fighting Championships}}</ref> She won the bout by knockout in the first round.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-12 |title=BKFC Fight Night: Clearwater Results |url=https://combatpress.com/2024/04/bkfc-fight-night-clearwater-results/ |access-date=2024-04-13 |website=Combat Press |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://combatpress.com/2022/11/bkfc-32-barnett-vs-herrera-results/|title=BKFC 32 Results: Barnett Handles Herrera for the Win|date=November 5, 2022|author=Dan Kuhl|publisher=combatpress.com}}</ref>
Borga faced Hannah Rankin for the inaugural BKFC Women's Featherweight Championship at BKFC 72 Dubai: Day 2 on April 5, 2025 at the Dubai Tennis Stadium in Dubai, UAE.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Iskenderov |first1=Parviz |title=BKFC Dubai: Britain Hart faces Tai Emery, Hannah Rankin meets Jessica Borga |url=https://www.fightmag.com/bkfc-dubai-britain-hart-faces-tai-emery-hannah-rankin-meets-jessica-borga/ |work=FIGHTMAG |date=19 February 2025}}</ref> She won the fight by knockout in the first round to become the inaugural champion.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Iskenderov |first1=Parviz |title=Kai Stewart defeats Tommy Strydom to retain 145-pound title at BKFC 72 |url=https://www.fightmag.com/bkfc-72-photos-kai-stewart-defeats-tommy-strydom-to-retain-145-pound-title/ |work=FIGHTMAG |date=6 April 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lowkickmma.com/hannah-rankin-vs-jessica-borga/|title=Jessica Borga Sleeps Hannah Rankin in 32 Seconds to Win Inaugural Featherweight Title – BKFC 72 Highlights|publisher=lowkickmma.com|accessdate=7 April 2025}}</ref>
Borga faced Christine Ferea for the inaugural "Queen of Violence" title in a bantamweight bout at BKFC 82 on October 4, 2025, at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.<ref>{{cite news |title=BKFC 82: Christine Ferea faces Jessica Borga, Frankie Edgar meets Jimmie Rivera |url=https://www.fightmag.com/bkfc-82-christine-ferea-faces-jessica-borga-frankie-edgar-meets-jimmie-rivera/ |work=FIGHTMAG |date=20 August 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=BKFC Announces Inaugural 'Queen of Violence' Title FightBetween Two Champions |url=https://www.si.com/fannation/boxing/bkfc-announces-inaugural-queen-of-violence-title-fightbetween-two-champions |work=KO On SI |date=15 August 2025}}</ref> She lost the fight by technical knockout in the fourth round.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.si.com/fannation/boxing/bkfc-82-results-mike-perry-defends-king-of-violence-title-against-jeremy-stephens|title=BKFC 82 Results: Mike Perry Defends King of Violence Title Against Jeremy Stephens|work=Sports Illustrated|author=Jaren Kawada|date=2025-10-04|access-date=2025-10-04}}</ref>
==Personal life== Borga is married and has three children.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://voyagetampa.com/interview/check-out-jessica-borgas-story/|title=Check Out Jessica Borga’s Story|publisher=VoyageTampa|date=November 5, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251203035210/https://voyagetampa.com/interview/check-out-jessica-borgas-story/|archive-date=December 3, 2025|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Championships and accomplishments== * '''Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship''' **BKFC Women's Featherweight Championship (One time, current, inaugural)
== Mixed martial arts record == {{MMArecordbox |nc= |ko-wins=2 |ko-losses=2 |sub-losses= |sub-wins=1 |dec-wins= |dec-losses=2 |dq-wins= |dq-losses= |other-wins= |other-losses= }} {{MMA record start}} |- |{{no2}}Loss |align=center| 3–4 |Leah McCourt |Decision (unanimous) |Bellator 267 |{{dts|2021|October|1}} |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |London, England | |- |{{no2}}Loss |align=center|3–3 |Talita Nogueira |Decision (unanimous) |Bellator 256 |{{dts|2021|April|09}} |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Uncasville, Connecticut, United States |{{small|Nogueira was deducted one point in round 2 due to repeated blows to the back of the head.}} |- | {{yes2}}Win | align=center|3–2 |Amber Leibrock |Submission (armbar) |Bellator 226 |{{dts|2019|September|7}} |align=center| 1 |align=center| 4:45 |San Jose, California, United States | |- | {{yes2}}Win | align=center| 2–2 | Lucie Bertaud |TKO (punches) |Titan FC 54 |{{dts|2019|April|26}} |align=center|1 |align=center|3:36 |Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States | |- | {{no2}}Loss | align=center| 1–2 | Shanna Young | TKO (submission to punches) | Valor Fighting Challenge 54 |{{dts|2019|January|19}} |align=Center|3 |align=center|3:24 |Knoxville, Tennessee, United States | |- | {{yes2}}Win | align=center| 1–1 | Hayley Turner | TKO (punches) | Battleground MMA: Live in Tampa Bay | {{dts|2017|May|20}} | align=center| 1 | align=center| 3:39 | Largo, Florida, United States | |- | {{no2}}Loss | align=center| 0–1 | Sarah Payant | TKO (punches) | Premier FC 25 | {{dts|2018|March|10}} | align=center| 2 | align=center| 1:33 | Agawam, Massachusetts, United States |{{small|Featherweight debut.}} |- {{end}}
==Bare knuckle record== {{MMArecordbox |ko-wins=3 |ko-losses=1 |sub-wins= |sub-losses= |dec-wins= |dec-losses= }} {{MMA record start}} |- |{{no2}}Loss |align=center|3–1 |Christine Ferea |KO (punch) |BKFC 82 |{{dts|2025|October|4}} |align=center|4 |align=center|0:26 |Newark, New Jersey, United States |{{small|Bantamweight debut. For the symbolic Queen of Violence championship.}} |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center|3–0 |Hannah Rankin |KO |BKFC 72 Dubai: Day 2 |{{dts|2025|April|5}} |align=center|1 |align=center|0:32 |Dubai, United Arab Emirates |{{small|Won the inaugural BKFC Women's Featherweight Championship.}} |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center| 2–0 |Katharina Lehner |KO (punch) |BKFC Fight Night Clearwater: Richman vs. Lozano |{{dts|2024|April|12}} |align=center|1 |align=center|0:53 |Clearwater, Florida, United States | |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center|1–0 |Sarah Click |KO (punches) |BKFC 32 |{{dts|2022|November|5|format=mdy}} |align=center|1 |align=center|1:15 |Orlando, Florida, United States | |- {{end}}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{Sherdog}} * {{Instagram}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Borga, Jessica}} Category:1989 births Category:Living people Category:Sportspeople from Lakeland, Florida Category:American female mixed martial artists Category:Mixed martial artists from Florida Category:Featherweight mixed martial artists Category:American bare-knuckle boxers Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing Brazilian jiu-jitsu Category:21st-century American sportswomen