Liana Jojua: The Grappler Behind UFC's 'She Wolf'

Liana Jojua's official style listing says Muay Thai. Her results tell a different story, though. The clear majority of her professional wins have come by submission, not by strikes. That gap between label and reality is part of what makes her worth knowing.

Who Is Liana Jojua?

Liana Jojua was born on March 22, 1995, in Tbilisi, Georgia. Fans know her by the nickname "She Wolf." She discovered mixed martial arts as a teenager, after watching Gina Carano compete on television. She began her own career from a Muay Thai base. Over time, her grappling became the more decisive part of her game (Wikipedia).

How She Started

Jojua made her professional MMA debut in 2015. She built her early career on the regional Russian and Eastern European circuit. In February 2018, she won the inaugural Fight Nights Global Women's Bantamweight Championship, beating Marina Mokhnatkina by majority decision. That breakout win helped put her on the radar for a UFC contract.

Competitive Record and Notable Wins

Jojua's professional record stands at 8 wins and 5 losses. The finish rate is the detail that stands out most. Six of her eight career wins have come by submission, according to her official UFC athlete profile (UFC.com). She competed in the UFC across the 2019 to 2021 stretch, fighting in both the bantamweight and flyweight divisions. A UFC win by armbar over Diana Belbiţă stands out as one of her clearest finishes at that level.

Fighting Style: Submissions From a Striking Base

Jojua trains out of Grozny, Russia, representing Akhmat Fighting Club and Syndicate MMA. Her fight style pairs a Muay Thai foundation with sharp, high-percentage submission grappling. She's willing to strike her way into range first. Then she finishes the fight on the ground once it gets there. That's exactly why her listed specialty and her actual finish stats don't quite match up. Since leaving the UFC roster, she's kept competing, most recently picking up a TKO win in December 2024 (Wikipedia).

Legacy and Current Status

Jojua is no longer on the UFC roster. She remains an active professional fighter on the regional circuit, though. Her submission rate — 75% of her career wins finished on the ground — makes her one of the more grappling-effective fighters to come out of the Georgian MMA scene. Off the mats, she's also an educator, holding a degree from Moscow State Pedagogical University.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Liana Jojua's professional MMA record? 8 wins and 5 losses, with 6 of her 8 wins coming by submission.

What team does Liana Jojua train with? Akhmat Fighting Club and Syndicate MMA, based out of Grozny, Russia.

Is Liana Jojua still fighting in the UFC? No — she's no longer on the UFC roster, but she remains active on the regional circuit.

What is Liana Jojua's fighting style? Officially listed as Muay Thai, though her results lean heavily grappling, with the majority of her wins finished by submission.

The Bottom Line

Liana Jojua's fight sheet tells you more than her official style listing does. Six of eight career wins by submission is a real number, not a fluke. She built that record on a striking base, then closed fights out on the ground. That combination still makes her one of the more interesting names to come out of the Georgian MMA scene.