Bec Rawlings

Rebecca Anne Rawlings[1] (born 11 February 1989) is an Australian mixed martial artist and bare-knuckle boxer, who currently competes in the flyweight division.

Bec Rawlings
Rawlings in 2022
BornRebecca Anne Rawlings[1]
(1989-02-11) 11 February 1989
Launceston, Tasmania, Australia
Other namesRowdy
Height5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)
Weight125 lb (57 kg; 8.9 st)
DivisionStrawweight (2012–2016)
Flyweight (2017–present)
Reach64[2] in (163 cm)
Fighting out ofBrisbane, Queensland, Australia
TeamImpact MMA (until 2014)[3][4]
Alliance MMA (2014–present)[3]
Gamebred Combat Club (present)[4]
Years active2011–present
Professional boxing record
Total1
Losses1
Mixed martial arts record
Total17
Wins8
By knockout1
By submission4
By decision3
Losses9
By knockout2
By submission1
By decision6
Other information
Boxing record from BoxRec
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Background

Rawlings was raised in Tasmania, and frequently played sports such as basketball, gymnastics and athletics during her pre-teens.[5] As a teenager, however, Rawlings experienced rapid weight gain and suffered from a lack of motivation before turning to the sport of mixed martial arts as a way to battle her issues in 2010.[5] This is where she met Australian professional MMA fighter Dan Hyatt, and decided that she wanted to become an MMA fighter.[5]

Mixed martial arts career

Australian competition

Known for her aggressive fighting style, Rawlings began her mixed martial arts journey in Launceston, Tasmania in 2010 before relocating to Brisbane, Australia to further her opportunities and experience in early 2011. Rawlings made her professional MMA debut on 15 October 2011 at BRACE 12 in Hobart, Tasmania. Rawlings fought at bantamweight in her debut against Rhiannon Thompson. In what was declared "fight of the night" by the promotion, Rawlings lost her debut fight by way of a highlight reel head kick knockout.[6]

Bouncing back and publicly rallying within the Australian MMA circuit for more fight opportunities at her suited weight class, Rawlings secured consecutive submission victories over Sarah Morrison (at BRACE 14) and Daniela Marjanovic (at Australian Fighting Championship 3). Two more victories over Rachel Sheridan and Christina Tatnell propelled Rawlings to a four-fight winning streak in 2012. This streak, coupled with a noticeable lack of legitimate Australian opponents for Rawlings, caught North America's Invicta Fighting Championships' attention in late 2012.[7]

Invicta Fighting Championships

In November 2012, Rawlings signed a three-fight contract with Invicta Fighting Championships to compete in their strawweight division. She was originally scheduled to fight Joanne Calderwood on the undercard of Invicta FC 4: Esparza vs. Gadelha on 5 January 2013, but an injury to Cláudia Gadelha resulted in Rawlings being pushed up to an Invicta FC Strawweight Championship fight in the main event against Carla Esparza.[8] Rawlings lost the fight via unanimous decision.[9]

Her first fight outside of Australia, combined with her personality, gave her a lot of coverage in the Australian media. This led Invicta FC president Shannon Knapp to say that she had never seen anything like it,[10] and at the 2012 Women’s Mixed Martial Arts Awards she was voted 2012 Favourite Female Fighter with 265 votes by WMMA fans, 70 more than Ronda Rousey.[11]

Rawlings' next fight within Invicta Fighting Championships was against Jasminka Cive at Invicta FC 5: Penne vs. Waterson on 5 April 2013.[12][13] She won the fight via submission in the first round.[14][15]

Rawlings faced Mizuki Inoue at Invicta FC 6: Coenen vs. Cyborg on 13 July 2013.[16][17] Rawlings lost the fight via unanimous decision.[18][19]

The Ultimate Fighter

Rawlings' Invicta FC contract was assigned to the UFC on 11 December 2013 after the UFC created a women's strawweight division. The promotion also announced a women's edition of The Ultimate Fighter, which would crown the first UFC women's strawweight champion.[20][21]

Rawlings was the seventh pick to go to coach Gilbert Melendez.[22] She was initially scheduled to face Justine Kish in the preliminary round, however Kish hurt her knee during practice and was replaced by the previously eliminated Tecia Torres.[23] Rawlings went on to lose the fight in a two-round unanimous decision.[24]

After TUF

Rawlings' first fight after The Ultimate Fighter was against Heather Jo Clark at The Ultimate Fighter: A Champion Will Be Crowned Finale on 12 December 2014.[25] She lost the fight by unanimous decision.[26]

Rawlings was expected to face Seo Hee Ham on 10 May 2015 at UFC Fight Night 65.[27] However, Ham pulled out of the bout on 10 April and was replaced by Lisa Ellis.[28] Rawlings won the fight via submission in the first round.[29]

Rawling's next fight was expected to be against Joanne Calderwood at UFC Fight Night 72 on 18 July 2015.[30] However, on 11 July. Rawlings pulled out of the fight due to injury and was replaced by promotional newcomer Cortney Casey-Sanchez.[31]

Rawlings next faced Paige VanZant on 27 August 2016 at UFC on Fox 21.[32] She lost the fight via KO in the second round after being dropped by a flying head kick and a flurry of follow up punches.[33]

Rawlings next faced Tecia Torres in a rematch at UFC Fight Night: Bermudez vs. The Korean Zombie on 4 February 2017.[34] At the weigh-ins, Rawlings came in at 117.5 lbs, over the women's strawweight non-title limit of 116 lbs. As a result, Rawlings was fined 20% of her purse, which went to Tecia Torres and the bout proceeded at a catchweight.[35] Rawlings lost the fight by unanimous decision.[36]

Move up to flyweight

Rawlings was again expected to face Joanne Calderwood in flyweight bout at UFC Fight Night: Werdum vs. Tybura on 19 November 2017.[37] However, Calderwood was pulled out from the card due to undisclosed reason and she was replaced by Jessica-Rose Clark.[38] At the weigh-ins, Clark weighed in at 128 pounds, 2 pounds over the flyweight upper limit of 126 pounds. The bout proceeded at a catchweight and Clark forfeited 20% of her purse.[39] Rawlings lost the fight via split decision.[40]

Rawlings faced Ashlee Evans-Smith on 7 April 2018 at UFC 223.[41] She lost the fight by unanimous decision.[42] After losing four fights in a row, Rawlings was subsequently released from the promotion.[43]

Bellator

After going 3–0 in bare knuckle boxing, news surfaced that Rawlings had signed a contract with Bellator.[44] She made her promotional debut against Ilara Joanne at Bellator 231 on 25 October 2019.[45] She lost the fight by submission in the second round.[46]

Rawlings faced Elina Kallionidou on 22 February 2020 at Bellator 240. She won the bout via unanimous decision.[47]

On 10 July 2021, it was announced that she was no longer under contract with Bellator.[48]

Bare-knuckle boxing

Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship

On 9 May 2018, it was reported that Rawlings was released from UFC and set to appear in Bare Knuckle FC event.[49] She faced Alma Garcia at the inaugural event BKFC 1 held on 2 June 2018. Rawlings won the fight after Garcia refused to answer the bell after the second round. Shortly after her victory, the Bare Knuckle Boxing Hall of Fame awarded her the inaugural Police Gazette Women's Featherweight World Championship.[50]

As her first title defense, Rawlings faced Britain Hart at BKFC 2 on 25 August 2018. She won the fight by split decision.[51]

On 2 February 2019 at the BKFC 4 in Cancun, Mexico, Bec Rawlings beat Cecilia Flores by unanimous decision.[52]

Second stint in BKFC

On 22 July 2021, news surfaced that Rawlings had signed a new contract with the BKFC after going 1–1 in Bellator MMA. She was expected to make her return on 22 October 2021, but this return never came to fruition.[53] Rawlings was then scheduled to face Britain Hart on 13 May 2022 at BKFC Fight Night: Omaha, but the bout was cancelled due to Hart having a medical emergency.[54] The bout was then rescheduled to take place at BKFC 26: Hollywood on 24 June 2022.[55] Rawlings lost the bout via unanimous decision.[56]

She challenged Christine Ferea for the BKFC Women's Flyweight Championship at BKFC 41 on 29 April 2023 and lost by technical knockout.[57]

Professional boxing career

Rawlings made her professional boxing debut against Natasha Kurene on 3 December 2022, under Star Power promotion.[58] She lost the bout via unanimous decision.

Personal life

Rawlings was previously married to Dan Hyatt.[5] Rawlings filed for divorce in 2013.[59]

Rawlings has two sons.[60]

As of January 2014 Bec started going by her maiden name (Rawlings) and was in a relationship with fellow Australian mixed martial artist Ben Wall.[61] The two have since separated. As of 2018, Rawlings is in a relationship with Australian professional boxer Adrian Rodriguez.[59]

Championships and accomplishments

Bare-knuckle boxing

Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown
17 matches 8 wins 9 losses
By knockout 1 2
By submission 4 1
By decision 3 6
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 8–9 Elina Kallionidou Decision (unanimous) Bellator 240 22 February 2020 3 5:00 Dublin, Ireland
Loss 7–9 Ilara Joanne Submission (kneebar) Bellator 231 25 October 2019 2 3:35 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Loss 7–8 Ashlee Evans-Smith Decision (unanimous) UFC 223 7 April 2018 3 5:00 Brooklyn, New York, United States
Loss 7–7 Jessica-Rose Clark Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Werdum vs. Tybura 19 November 2017 3 5:00 Sydney, Australia Return to Flyweight; Clark missed weight (128 lbs).
Loss 7–6 Tecia Torres Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Bermudez vs. The Korean Zombie 4 February 2017 3 5:00 Houston, Texas, United States Catchweight (117.5 lbs) bout; Rawlings missed weight.
Loss 7–5 Paige VanZant KO (switch kick and punches) UFC on Fox: Maia vs. Condit 27 August 2016 2 0:17 Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Win 7–4 Seo Hee Ham Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Hunt vs. Mir 20 March 2016 3 5:00 Brisbane, Australia
Win 6–4 Lisa Ellis Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC Fight Night: Miocic vs. Hunt 10 May 2015 1 4:09 Adelaide, Australia
Loss 5–4 Heather Jo Clark Decision (unanimous) The Ultimate Fighter: A Champion Will Be Crowned Finale 12 December 2014 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 5–3 Mizuki Inoue Decision (unanimous) Invicta FC 6: Coenen vs. Cyborg 13 July 2013 3 5:00 Kansas City, Missouri, United States
Win 5–2 Jasminka Cive Submission (armbar) Invicta FC 5: Penne vs. Waterson 5 April 2013 1 3:30 Kansas City, Missouri, United States Flyweight bout.
Loss 4–2 Carla Esparza Decision (unanimous) Invicta FC 4: Esparza vs. Hyatt 5 January 2013 5 5:00 Kansas City, Missouri, United States For the Invicta FC Strawweight Championship.
Win 4–1 Christina Nicole Tatnell TKO (punches) Nitro MMA: Nitro 7 20 October 2012 1 0:37 Brisbane, Australia
Win 3–1 Rachel Sheridan Decision (majority) Valor Fight 1: Resolution 9 June 2012 3 3:00 Launceston, Australia
Win 2–1 Daniela Marjanovic Technical Submission (rear-naked choke) Australian Fighting Championship 3 14 April 2012 1 0:21 Melbourne, Australia
Win 1–1 Sarah Morrison Submission (armbar) BRACE 14 18 February 2012 2 1:30 Canberra, Australia
Loss 0–1 Rhiannon Thompson KO (head kick) BRACE 12 5 October 2011 1 2:30 Hobart, Australia

Mixed martial arts exhibition record
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 0–1 Tecia Torres Decision (unanimous) The Ultimate Fighter: A Champion Will Be Crowned 12 November 2014 (airdate) 2 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States TUF 20 Elimination round

Bare knuckle record
Professional record breakdown
5 matches 3 wins 2 losses
By knockout 1 1
By decision 2 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 3–2 Christine Ferea TKO (doctor stoppage) BKFC 41: Colorado 29 April 2023 2 2:00 Broomfield, Colorado, United States For the BKFC Women's Flyweight Championship.
Loss 3–1 Britain Hart Decision (unanimous) BKFC 26: Hollywood 24 June 2022 5 2:00 Hollywood, Florida, United States
Win 3–0 Cecilia Flores Decision (unanimous) BKFC 4: USA vs. Mexico 2 February 2019 5 2:00 Cancun, Mexico Defended Police Gazette Women's Featherweight World Championship and won the World Boxing Foundation Latin American championship.
Win 2–0 Britain Hart Decision (split) BKFC 2: A New Era 25 August 2018 5 2:00 Biloxi, Mississippi, United States Defended the Police Gazette Women's Featherweight World Championship.
Win 1–0 Alma Garcia TKO (doctor stoppage) BKFC 1: The Beginning 2 June 2018 2 2:00 Cheyenne, USA Awarded the inaugural Police Gazette Women's Featherweight World Championship.

Professional boxing record
1 fight 0 wins 1 loss
By decision 0 1
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
1 Loss 0–1 Australia Natasha Kurene UD 5 3 December 2022 Australia The Star Gold Coast, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia

See also

References
  1. "Mixed martial arts show results" (PDF). State of Nevada, Department of Business and Industry - Athletic Commission. 12 December 2014. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
  2. "Bec Rawlings | UFC". Ultimate Fighting Championship. 14 September 2018. Retrieved 29 June 2022.
  3. Jeff Cain (18 August 2014). "Bec Rawlings Plans To Do Australia Proud on The Ultimate Fighter 20". mmaweekly.com.
  4. Emma Bramford (13 July 2013). "'I'm going to be punching her in the face really hard' – 'Rowdy' Bec Hyatt". fiveroundswithemma.
  5. Chiappetta, Mike (5 January 2013). "For Invicta title fighter Bec Hyatt, shortcut to stardom was always part of the plan". MMAFighting.com. Retrieved 9 January 2013.
  6. Harvy, Ben (3 November 2012). "Bec Hyatt Slated For Invicta Showdown". News.com.au. Archived from the original on 17 November 2012. Retrieved 9 January 2013.
  7. Sherwood, Jeff (9 January 2013). "Bec Hyatt's Mixed Martial Arts Record". Sherdog.com. Retrieved 9 January 2013.
  8. Chiappetta, Mike (31 December 2012). "Bec Hyatt gets call to fight in Invicta FC 4 strawweight title match". MMAFighting.com. Retrieved 4 January 2013.
  9. Knapp, Brian (5 January 2013). "Carla Esparza Outpoints Bec Hyatt, seizes vacant Invicta Strawweight Championship". Sherdog.com. Retrieved 6 January 2013.
  10. Hunt, Loretta (3 January 2013). "Underdog Bec Hyatt is quickly making a name for herself". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 4 January 2013.
  11. Sargent, Robert (4 January 2013). "2012 Women's Mixed Martial Arts Awards Winners". MMARising.com. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
  12. Sargent, Robert (28 January 2013). "Bec Hyatt vs Jasminka Cive Targeted For Invicta FC 5 On April 6". MMARising.com. Retrieved 28 January 2013.
  13. Miller, J. (11 February 2013). "Invicta FC brings women's world championship doubleheader to Ameristar Casino Hotel Kansas City Friday, April 5". InvictaFC.com. Archived from the original on 26 February 2013. Retrieved 20 February 2013.
  14. Breen, Jordan (5 April 2013). "'Cyborg' Savages Muxlow, 'Karate Hottie' Crowned Via Dramatic Submission at Invicta FC 5". Sherdog.com. Retrieved 12 April 2013.
  15. Sargent, Robert (6 April 2013). "Invicta FC 5 Results: Michelle Waterson, Barb Honchak Win Titles". MMARising.com. Retrieved 12 April 2013.
  16. Sargent, Robert (13 April 2013). "Mizuki Inoue vs Bec Hyatt in the Works For Invicta FC 6". MMARising.com. Retrieved 15 April 2013.
  17. Pishna, Ken (16 April 2013). "Carla Esparza to Defend Belt at Invicta FC 6 in July; Bec Hyatt Also Returns". MMAWeekly.com. Retrieved 19 April 2013.
  18. Sargent, Robert (13 July 2013). "Invicta FC 6 Results: Cris Cyborg Wins Featherweight Title". MMARising.com. Retrieved 20 July 2013.
  19. Staff, MMAjunkie.com (13 July 2013). "Invicta FC 6 results: Cris 'Cyborg' claims featherweight belt with TKO win". MMAjunkie.com. Archived from the original on 17 July 2013. Retrieved 20 July 2013.
  20. "UFC Launches Women's Strawweight Division; Crown Champ on The Ultimate Fighter". TopMMANews.com. 11 December 2013. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
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  22. Jeremy Brand (9 October 2014). "TUF 20 Episode 1 Recap and Reactions". mmasucka.com.
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  25. Matt Erickson (11 December 2013). "TUF 20 Finale adds six fights in Las Vegas, including Herrig-Ellis, Torres-Magana". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
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  27. Staff (17 February 2015). "UFC Fight Night 65 official for Australia with Hunt-Miocic, Tavares-Whittaker, more". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 17 February 2015.
  28. Staff (10 April 2015). "Lisa Ellis replaces Seo Hee Ham, meets Bec Rawlings at UFC Fight Night 65". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 10 April 2015.
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  30. Erickson, Matt (22 May 2015). "Scotland's Joanne Calderwood meets Bec Rawlings at UFC Fight Night 72 in Glasgow". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 22 May 2015.
  31. "Bec Rawlings Injured, Joanne Calderwood Gets New UFC Glasgow Opponent". mmaweekly.com. 10 July 2015.
  32. "Paige VanZant will fight Bec Rawlings at UFC on FOX 21". mmmafighting.com. 23 June 2016. Retrieved 23 June 2016.
  33. Brent Brookhouse (27 August 2016). "UFC on FOX 21 results: Paige VanZant knocks out Bec Rawlings with jumping head kick headliner". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
  34. "Tecia Torres vs. Bec Rawlings rematch slated for UFC Fight Night 104 in Houston". MMAjunkie.com. 15 December 2016.
  35. Staff (3 February 2017). "UFC Fight Night 104 weigh-in results: Bermudez (145.5) and Jung (145.5) official, Rawlings off mark". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 3 February 2017.
  36. Ben Fowlkes (4 February 2017). "UFC Fight Night 104 results: Tecia Torres makes easy work of Bec Rawlings in rematch". MMAjunkie.com.
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  39. "UFC Fight Night 121 official weigh-in results: Headliner set, but four fighters heavy". MMAjunkie. 18 November 2017. Retrieved 18 November 2017.
  40. "UFC Fight Night 121 results: Jessica-Rose Clark takes split from Bec Rawlings". MMAjunkie. 19 November 2017. Retrieved 19 November 2017.
  41. "Ashlee Evans-Smith drops to flyweight, meets Bec Rawlings at UFC 223". MMAjunkie. 4 February 2018. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  42. "UFC 223 results: Ashlee Evans-Smith outworks Bec Rawlings for decision sweep". MMAjunkie. 8 April 2018. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
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  45. Dave Doyle (18 September 2019). "Bec Rawlings debuts against Ilara Joanne at Bellator 231". mmajunkie.com.
  46. "Bellator 231 results: Ilara Joanne spoils Bec Rawlings' debut, wins via submission". MMA Junkie. 26 October 2019. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
  47. Anderson, Jay (22 February 2020). "Bellator 240 Results: Bec Rawlings Back in Win Column, Takes Decision Over Elina Kallionidou". Cageside Press. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
  48. "Bellator parts ways with 18 fighters: Daniel Straus, Tywan Claxton, Liam McGeary included". MMA Junkie. 10 July 2021. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
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  50. "@RowdyBec Rawlings Diamond-Studded Police Gazette Diamond Belt; 1st Female in History to be awarded America's Oldest Belt". BKB Hall of Fame. Retrieved 7 February 2019.
  51. Marc Raimondi (25 August 2018). "Bare Knuckle FC 2 results: Bec Rawlings wins split decision over Britain Hart, retains title". mmafighting.com.
  52. Tom Taylor (3 February 2019). "BKFC 4 results: Leonard Garcia KOs Julian Lane, Bec Rawlings and Chris Lytle pick up wins". bjpenn.com.
  53. Damon Martin (22 July 2021). "Bec Rawlings signs new deal to return to BKFC, next fight expected in October". mmafighting.com.
  54. Damon Martin (3 May 2022). "Britain Hart forced out of BKFC rematch with Bec Rawlings due to medical emergency, fight expected to be rescheduled". mmafighting.com.
  55. Danny Segura (2 June 2022). "Bec Rawlings returns to BKFC for a rematch vs. Britain Hart on June 24". MMAjunkie.com.
  56. "BKFC 26 live blog: Bec Rawlings vs. Britain Hart 2". mmafighting.com. 24 June 2022.
  57. Damon Martin (15 February 2023). "Mike Perry, Chad Mendes and Ben Rothwell return at April 29 BKFC event in Denver". mmafighting.com.
  58. Farah Hannoun; Nolan King (2 December 2022). "Bec Rawlings has fallen in love with boxing, lacing up gloves to stay busy until BKFC calls again". MMAjunkie.com.
  59. Josh Peter (24 August 2018). "How violence outside ring nearly destroyed 'queen of bare-knuckle boxing'". USA Today.
  60. Jitsu, Girl (10 December 2012). "2012 Every Day MaMA's - Bec Hyatt". Girl-Jitsu.com. Archived from the original on 17 October 2013. Retrieved 9 January 2013.
  61. "'Rowdy' Bec Rawlings". 15 January 2014. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
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