{{short description|American mixed martial arts fighter}} {{Infobox martial artist | name = Julia Avila | other_names = Raging Panda, Julia Shumate | spouse = R. Cody Shumate | image = | image_size = | alt = | caption = | birth_name = | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|mf=yes|1988|5|11}} | birth_place = Los Angeles, California, U.S.<ref name="UFC Profile">{{Cite web|url=https://www.ufc.com/athlete/julia-avila|title=Julia Avila|website=UFC.com|date=4 March 2019|access-date=January 5, 2021}}</ref> | death_date = | death_place = | death_cause = | residence = | nationality = | height = {{height|ft=5|in=7}} | weight = {{convert|135|lb|kg st|abbr=on}} | reach_in = 69<ref name="UFC Profile" /> | style = | stance = | fighting_out_of = Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | team = Bakersfield MMA (2011–2014)<ref name=invicta /><ref name=eio19>{{cite podcast|url=https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZXZlcnl0aGluZ2lzb2submV0L2V2ZXJ5dGhpbmdpc29rcG9kY2FzdD9mb3JtYXQ9cnNz/episode/NTc4NmJiOTQ0NmMzYzRiNjhmZWQ0YzVmOjU3ZDU5MzY1NDE0ZmI1MWE4OGI1YjM0Nzo1YzRlZmVkMTIxYzY3YzhkNTBmY2UxNTE|title=Julia "The Raging Panda" Avila (Episode 56)|date=January 28, 2019|host=Brad Stair}}</ref><ref>{{cite instagram|postid=qy6TimQPKx|user=ragingpandamma|author=Julia Avila|date=July 23, 2014|title=Words cannot express how I feel about the Nolan family. I am the fighter an woman that you see today because of these wonderful people taking me under their wing.}}</ref> <br /> All Powers Fitness and Fighting<br>Junkyard Dogs Fight Team <br /> Oklahoma Martial Arts Academy (2014–2021)<ref>{{cite tweet|number=1374918907878854661|author=Julia Avila|date=March 25, 2021|user=RagingPandaMMA|title=I’m so angry and lost. I got kicked out of my gym and now I’m just...floating.}}</ref> <br /> Outsiders Combat Club (2021–present)<ref>{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipuyjRE9_yY|title=Julia Avila Explains How She Founded Her Own Gym In Just Two Weeks - MMA Fighting|author=Mike Heck|date=July 5, 2021|via=YouTube}}</ref> | rank = Brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu<ref name=invicta>{{Cite web|url=https://invictafc.com/portfolio-item/julia-avila/|title=Julia Avila – Invicta Fighting Championships}}</ref> <small>under Seth Norman</small><ref name=tts17>{{cite podcast|url=https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly90aGV0cmlsemFyaWFuc2hvdy5wb2RvbWF0aWMuY29tL3JzczIueG1s/episode/aHR0cHM6Ly90aGV0cmlsemFyaWFuc2hvdy5wb2RvbWF0aWMuY29tL2VudHJ5LzIwMTctMTAtMzBUMTlfMjFfNTgtMDdfMDA|title=Episode001_with Julia Avila|host=Troy Trilzarian|date=October 31, 2017}}</ref> | years_active = 2012–2025 | mma_kowin = 4 | mma_subwin = 2 | mma_decwin = 3 | mma_koloss = 1 | mma_subloss = 1 | mma_decloss = 2 | mma_draw = | mma_nc = | url = | sherdog = 91159 | footnotes = | updated = | medaltemplates = }}
'''Julia Avila''' (born May 11, 1988) is a former American mixed martial artist who competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).<ref name="UFC Profile" /> Previously she has competed in Invicta FC, HD MMA, XKO MMA, Total Warrior Combat and King of the Cage (KOTC).
==Background== Of Mexican descent, Avila was born {{birth date|1988|5|11}} in Los Angeles, California. Julia graduated from South High School, where she was a sports standout and a member of varsity team in volleyball, soccer and track and field.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.turnto23.com/sports/local-sports/south-grad-julia-avilas-mma-start-in-bakersfield-turns-into-ufc-career|title=South grad Julia Avila's MMA start in Bakersfield turns into UFC career|date=July 16, 2019|author=Kari Osep|work=KERO-TV}}</ref><ref name=invicta /> She attended The University of Notre Dame, graduated 2010 from University of California, Santa Cruz, and is currently a geologist in Oklahoma City.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-shumate-8a581a94/|title=Julia Avila|website=linkedin.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2019/7/7/20684669/geologist-julia-avila-explains-proper-steps-for-earthquake-safety-after-ufc-239-win|title=Geologist Julia Avila explains proper steps for earthquake safety after UFC 239 win|first=MMA Fighting|last=Newswire|date=July 7, 2019|website=MMA Fighting}}</ref> She began training martial arts in 2011 after graduating from college.<ref name=invicta />
==Mixed martial arts career== Avila has notable wins over former UFC flyweight champion Nicco Montaño and Marion Reneau.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/fighters/37072-julia-avila|title=Julia Avila ("Raging Panda") | MMA Fighter Page|website=Tapology}}</ref> ===Ultimate Fighting Championship=== On March 22, 2019, Avila was signed to the UFC's women's bantamweight division. Avila was originally scheduled to face Melissa Gatto on July 6, 2019, at UFC 239. Gatto was dropped from the card due to undisclosed reasons and was replaced by Pannie Kianzad. Avila won the fight via unanimous decision.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.com/gallery/julia-avila-vs-pannie-kianzad-ufc-239-photo-gallery-mma|title=Julia Avila def. Pannie Kianzad at UFC 239: Best photos|date=July 6, 2019}}</ref>
Avila was expected to face Karol Rosa on October 26, 2019, at UFC Fight Night: Maia vs. Askren.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mmadna.nl/julia-avila-vs-karol-rosa-toegevoegd-aan-ufc-singapore-evenement/|title=Julia Avila vs. Karol Rosa added to UFC Singapore event|author=Redactie|website=mmadan.nl|date=2019-09-24|access-date=2019-09-24}}{{in lang|nl}}</ref> The fight was later cancelled due to a knee injury from Rosa.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2019/10/17/20919354/karol-rosa-hopes-fight-julia-avila-cancelled-ufc-singapore-mma|title=Karol Rosa still hopes to meet Julia Avila after canceled UFC Singapore fight|date=October 17, 2019|publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Guilherme Cruz}}</ref> The match was rescheduled to April 11, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Harris.<ref name="RosavsAvila">{{Cite web|url=https://globoesporte.globo.com/combate/noticia/depois-de-estreia-vitoriosa-no-ultimate-karol-rosa-e-escalada-para-enfrentar-julia-avila-em-abril.ghtml|title=After winning Ultimate debut, Karol Rosa is set to face Julia Avila in April|author=Raphael Marinho|publisher=Globoesporte|access-date=2019-12-27}}{{in lang|pt}}</ref> Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was eventually postponed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/03/ufc-postpones-three-events-coronavirus-pandemic|title=UFC postpones three events amid growing coronavirus outbreak|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Nolan King and John Morgan|date=2020-03-15|access-date=2020-03-16}}</ref> The pair was rescheduled to meet on May 2, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 174.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mmadna.nl/verschillende-gevechten-voor-aankomende-evenementen-bekend-gemaakt/|title=Various battles for upcoming events have been announced|author=Redactie|date=7 April 2020|publisher=mmdana|access-date=2020-04-08}}{{in lang|nl}}</ref> However, on April 9, Dana White, the president of UFC announced that the event was postponed to June 13, 2020.<ref name="Postpone">{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/29018339/dana-white-says-ufc-249-not-happen-april-18|title=Dana White says UFC 249 will not happen April 18|work=espn.com|author=Brett Okamoto|date=2020-04-09|access-date=2020-04-09}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Report: Karol Rosa vs. Julia Avila Rebooked For June 13 UFC Card {{!}} Fightful MMA|url=https://www.fightful.com/mma/report-karol-rosa-vs-julia-avila-rebooked-june-13-ufc-card|website=www.fightful.com|language=en|access-date=2020-05-22}}</ref> Instead, Avila faced Gina Mazany, replacing Rosa, on June 13, 2020, at UFC on ESPN: Eye vs. Calvillo.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Heck|first=Mike|date=2020-06-04|title=With Karol Rosa out, Julia Avila now faces Gina Mazany at UFC event on June 13|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2020/6/4/21281036/with-karol-rosa-out-julia-avila-now-faces-gina-mazany-at-ufc-event-on-june-13|access-date=2020-06-08|website=MMA Fighting|language=en}}</ref> She won the bout via first-round technical knockout just 22 seconds into the fight.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Evanoff|first=Josh|date=2020-06-13|title=UFC on ESPN 10 Results: Julia Avila Swarms Gina Mazany|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2020/06/13/ufc-espn-10-results-julia-avila-vs-gina-mazany/|access-date=2020-06-14|website=Cageside Press|language=en-US}}</ref>
Avila was scheduled to face Nicco Montaño on August 8, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 176.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Dorff|first=Marcel|date=2020-06-18|title=Nicco Montaño will meet Julia Avila again after three years, this time on August 8 in the UFC|url=https://mmadna.nl/nicco-montano-treft-julia-avila-na-drie-jaar-opnieuw-ditmaal-op-8-augustus-in-de-ufc/|access-date=2022-11-18|language=nl}}</ref> However, due to Montano's coach John Wood testing positive for COVID-19, the bout was rescheduled to UFC Fight Night 177.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Heck|first=Mike|date=2020-07-11|title=Nicco Montano vs. Julia Avila matchup moved to UFC event on Sept. 5 following coach's positive COVID-19 test|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2020/7/11/21321100/nicco-montano-vs-julia-avila-matchup-moved-to-ufc-sept-5-following-coachs-positive-covid-19-test|access-date=2020-07-12|website=MMA Fighting|language=en}}</ref> However, Montaño tested positive for COVID-19 and the bout was moved to UFC Fight Night: Holm vs. Aldana.<ref name="Nicco">{{Cite web|last=Heck|first=Mike|date=2020-08-29|title=Nicco Montano tests positive for COVID-19, rematch with Julia Avila moved to Oct. 3 UFC event|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2020/8/29/21406871/nicco-montano-tests-positive-for-covid-19-rematch-with-julia-avila-moved-to-oct-3-ufc-event|access-date=2020-08-30|website=MMA Fighting|language=en}}</ref> Subsequently, on September 3, it was announced that Montaño withdrew from the bout due to travel restrictions. After negotiating a new contract with the UFC, Avila faced Sijara Eubanks on September 12, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 177.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2020/9/3/21422209/with-karol-rosa-out-sijara-eubanks-now-faces-julia-avila-at-ufc-event-on-sept-12|title=With Karol Rosa out, Sijara Eubanks now faces Julia Avila at UFC event on Sept. 12|publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Mike Heck and Guilherme Cruz|date=2020-09-03|access-date=2020-09-04}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2020/9/12/21430580/julia-avila-predicts-theres-gonna-be-blood-in-ufc-vegas-10-sijara-eubanks-none-of-its-gonna-be-mine|title=Julia Avila predicts 'there's gonna be blood' vs. Sijara Eubanks at UFC Vegas 10, but 'none of it's gonna be mine'|author=Mike Heck|date=September 12, 2020|publisher=mmafighting.com}}</ref> She lost the fight via unanimous decision.<ref name="Evanoff">{{Cite web|last=Evanoff|first=Josh|date=2020-09-12|title=UFC Vegas 10 Results: Sijara Eubanks Defeats Julia Avila In Wild Fight|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2020/09/12/ufc-vegas-10-results-sijara-eubanks/|access-date=2020-09-13|website=Cageside Press|language=en-US}}</ref>
Avila was expected to face Julija Stoliarenko at UFC on ESPN 21 on March 20, 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2021/1/5/22215084/julia-avila-vs-julija-stoliarenko-set-for-ufc-event-on-march-20|title=Julia Avila vs. Julija Stoliarenko set for UFC event on March 20|date=January 5, 2021|publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Mike Heck}}</ref> However at the weigh ins, Stoliarenko suffered a syncopal episode on the scale and the fight was scrapped.<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.mmafighting.com/2021/3/19/22340239/video-julija-stoliarenko-faints-on-scale-at-ufc-vegas-22-weigh-ins|title= Video: Julija Stoliarenko faints on scale at UFC Vegas 22 weigh-ins, bout with Julia Avila cancelled|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Mma Fighting newswire|date=2021-03-19|access-date=2021-03-19}}</ref> The pair was rescheduled and took place at UFC Fight Night 190.<ref name="WBWrescheduled">{{Cite web|last=Boussenaf|first=Jamal|date=2021-06-08|title=Julia Avila vs. Julija Stoliarenko verplaatst naar 26 juni|url=https://mmadna.nl/julia-avila-vs-julija-stoliarenko-verplaatst-naar-26-juni/|access-date=2022-11-18|website=MMA DNA|language=nl}}</ref> Avila won the fight via rear naked choke submission in round three.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Behunin|first=Alex|date=2021-06-26|title=UFC Vegas 30 Results: Julia Avila Submits Julija Stoliarenko In Wild Scrap|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2021/06/26/ufc-vegas-30-results-julia-avila-submits-julija-stoliarenko-in-a-wild-scrap/|access-date=2021-06-26|website=Cageside Press|language=en-US}}</ref>
Avila was scheduled to face Raquel Pennington on December 18, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 199.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Dorff|first=Marcel|date=2021-09-29|title=Raquel Pennington treft Julia Avila tijdens laatste UFC evenement van 2021 op 18 december|url=https://mmadna.nl/raquel-pennington-treft-julia-avila-tijdens-laatste-ufc-evenement-van-2021-op-18-december/|access-date=2022-11-18|website=MMA DNA|language=nl}}</ref> However, Avila was forced to pull from the event due to injury.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Lee|first=Alexander K.|date=2021-12-05|title=Julia Avila out of UFC Vegas 45 matchup against Raquel Pennington due to injury|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2021/12/5/22817913/julia-avila-out-of-ufc-vegas-45-matchup-against-raquel-pennington-due-to-injury|access-date=2021-12-06|website=MMA Fighting|language=en}}</ref> She was replaced by Macy Chiasson.<ref name="replaced">{{Cite web|url=https://mmadna.nl/short-notice-partij-voor-macy-chiasson-tegen-raquel-pennington-op-18-december-in-las-vegas/|title=Short notice partij voor Macy Chiasson tegen Raquel Pennington op 18 december in Las Vegas|publisher=mmadna.nl|author=Marcel Dorff|date=2021-12-07|access-date=2021-12-07}} {{in lang|nl}}</ref>
After a two-years hiatus, Avila returned against former UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion Miesha Tate on December 2, 2023, at UFC on ESPN 52.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-09-20 |title=Former champion Miesha Tate set for UFC return vs. Julia Avila |url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2023/09/ufc-news-miesha-tate-vs-julia-avila |access-date=2023-09-20 |website=MMA Junkie |language=en-US}}</ref> She lost the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in round three.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2023/12/2/23985800/ufc-austin-video-miesha-tate-taps-out-julia-avila-nasty-rear-naked-choke-following-one-sided-mauling |title=UFC Austin video: Miesha Tate taps out Julia Avila with nasty rear-naked choke following one-sided mauling |date=Dec 2, 2023 |work=MMA Fighting |access-date=Dec 3, 2023 |language=en-US}}</ref>
Avila faced former LFA Women's Bantamweight Champion Jacqueline Cavalcanti on February 15, 2025 at UFC Fight Night 251.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2024/11/6/24288703/morning-report-michael-chandler-warned-jon-jones-im-coming-to-steal-the-show-at-ufc-309|title=Morning Report: Michael Chandler warned Jon Jones ‘I’m coming to steal the show’ at UFC 309|publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Alexander K. Lee|date=2024-11-06|access-date=2024-11-06}}</ref> She lost the fight by unanimous decision.<ref name="UFN251">{{Cite web|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2025/02/15/clean-sweep-on-scorecards-as-jaqueline-cavalcanti-beats-julia-avila-to-open-ufc-vegas-102/|title=Clean Sweep on Scorecards as Jaqueline Cavalcanti Beats Julia Avila, Who Retires at UFC Vegas 102|publisher=cagesidepress.com|author=Jay Anderson|date=2025-02-15|access-date=2025-02-15}}</ref> She retired from MMA competition after the bout.<ref name="UFN251"/>
==Personal life== Avila is married. Avila and her husband had their first child, a daughter, on October 20, 2022.<ref>{{cite tweet|number=1583835101825478657|title=Baby Eris Luisa. 10/20/22|date=October 22, 2022|author=Julia Avila|user=RagingPandaMMA}}</ref>
==Championships and accomplishments== *'''Invicta FC''' **Performance of the Night (one time) <small>vs. Alexa Conners</small><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ufc.com/news/invicta-fc-32-rewind|title=Invicta FC 32 Rewind|author=Walker Van Wey|date=November 21, 2018|work=Ultimate Fighting Championship}}</ref> *'''HD MMA''' **HD MMA Bantamweight Championship (one time; former)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2020/7/11/21321100/nicco-montano-vs-julia-avila-matchup-moved-to-ufc-sept-5-following-coachs-positive-covid-19-test|title=Nicco Montano vs. Julia Avila matchup moved to UFC event on Sept. 5 following coach's positive COVID-19 test|author=Mike Heck|date=July 11, 2020|publisher=mmafighting.com}}</ref>
==Mixed martial arts record== {{MMArecordbox |draws= |ko-wins=4 |sub-wins=2 |dec-wins=3 |ko-losses=1 |sub-losses=1 |dec-losses=2 }} {{MMA record start}} |- |{{no2}}Loss |align=center|9–4 |Jacqueline Cavalcanti |Decision (unanimous) |UFC Fight Night: Cannonier vs. Rodrigues |{{dts|2025|February|15}} |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |- |{{no2}}Loss |align=center|9–3 |Miesha Tate |Submission (face crank) |UFC on ESPN: Dariush vs. Tsarukyan |{{dts|2023|December|02}} |align=center|3 |align=center|1:15 |Austin, Texas, United States | |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center|9–2 |Julija Stoliarenko |Submission (rear-naked choke) |UFC Fight Night: Gane vs. Volkov |{{dts|2021|June|26}} |align=center|3 |align=center|4:19 |Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |- |{{no2}}Loss |align=center|8–2 |Sijara Eubanks |Decision (unanimous) |UFC Fight Night: Waterson vs. Hill |{{dts|2020|September|12}} |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center| 8–1 |Gina Mazany |TKO (punches) |UFC on ESPN: Eye vs. Calvillo |{{dts|2020|June|13}} |align=center|1 |align=center|0:22 |Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center| 7–1 |Pannie Kianzad |Decision (unanimous) |UFC 239 |{{dts|2019|July|6}} |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center | 6–1 |Alexa Conners |TKO (front kick and punches) |Invicta FC 32 |{{dts|2018|November|16}} |align=center | 2 |align=center | 4:43 |Shawnee, Oklahoma, United States |{{small|Performance of the Night.}} |- | {{yes2}}Win | align=center | 5–1 | Ashley Deen | KO (punches) | HD MMA 13 | {{dts|2018|August|25}} | align=center | 1 | align=center | 2:08 | Shawnee, Oklahoma, United States | |- |{{no2}}Loss |align=center|4–1 |Marciea Allen |TKO (hand injury) |Invicta FC 29 |{{dts|2018|May|4}} |align=center|1 |align=center|0:49 |Kansas City, Missouri, United States | |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center | 4–0 |Candace Maricle |Submission (armbar) |HD MMA 9 |{{dts|2017|July|22}} |align=center | 1 |align=center | 1:18 |Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States | |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center | 3–0 |Nicco Montaño |Decision (unanimous) |HD MMA 7 |{{dts|2017|January|7}} |align=center| 5 |align=center| 5:00 |Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States |{{small|Won the HD MMA Women's Bantamweight Championship.}} |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center | 2–0 |Carolyn Biskup-Roe |TKO (punches) |Xtreme Knockout 32 |{{dts|2016|August|27}} |align=center| 1 |align=center| 1:28 |Dallas, Texas, United States | |- |{{yes2}}Win |align=center | 1–0 |Marion Reneau |Decision (unanimous) |The Warriors Cage 13 |{{dts|2012|January|27}} |align=center| 3 |align=center| 5:00 |Porterville, California, United States |{{small|Bantamweight debut.}} |- {{end}} <ref name="auto1"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/mma/fighter/_/id/3117376/julia-avila|title=Julia Avila|website=ESPN.com}}</ref>
== Beast Games == Shumate competed on Team Strong in Beast Games season 2 but was eliminated in the opening challenge of Episode 1.{{Citation needed|date=March 2026}}
==See also== * List of female mixed martial artists
== References == {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{UFC|julia-avila}} * {{Sherdog|91159}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Avila, Julia}} Category:1988 births Category:Living people Category:Mixed martial artists from Oklahoma Category:Bantamweight mixed martial artists Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing Brazilian jiu-jitsu Category:American female Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioners Category:American female mixed martial artists Category:Ultimate Fighting Championship female fighters Category:American people of Mexican descent Category:Sportspeople of Mexican descent Category:21st-century American sportswomen