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Draft:Jena Bishop

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Jena Bishop
BornJena Rae Bishop
(1986-02-22) February 22, 1986 (age 39)
St. Charles, Missouri, United States
ResidenceSan Diego, California, United States
NationalityAmerican
Height5 ft 4 in (1.63 m)
Weight125 lb (57 kg)
DivisionWomen's flyweight
Reach65.5 in (166 cm)
StyleBrazilian jiu-jitsu, Mixed martial arts
Fighting out ofSan Diego, California, United States
TeamAlliance Jiu-Jitsu San Diego
RankBlack belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu
Years active2021–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total11
Wins9
By knockout0
By submission6
By decision3
Losses2
By knockout1
By submission0
By decision1
Draws0
No contests0
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Jena Rae Bishop (born February 22, 1986) is an American professional mixed martial artist and Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion who competes in the women's flyweight division.[1] She currently holds a 9–2 professional MMA record and is scheduled to compete for the Professional Fighters League flyweight championship following her semifinal victory on June 20, 2025.[2] Bishop represents Alliance Jiu-Jitsu San Diego and is recognized as one of the most accomplished Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioners to transition into professional mixed martial arts.[3]

Early life and Brazilian jiu-jitsu career

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Jena Rae Bishop was born on February 22, 1986, in St. Charles, Missouri.[3] During high school, she participated in track and field and cross country running, excelling in sprinting distances.[3] Bishop began training Brazilian jiu-jitsu in November 2007 at age 21, influenced by her then-boyfriend, now husband Tyler Bishop.[3] She received all her belt promotions from white to black belt under instructor JW Wright at his Gracie Humaitá school in Missouri, earning her black belt on July 13, 2013.[3]

Brazilian jiu-jitsu achievements

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Bishop achieved world-class status in Brazilian jiu-jitsu competition, earning multiple championship titles.[3] Her major accomplishments include:

Major championships:

  • IBJJF World No-Gi Championship (2017) – 1st Place[3]
  • IBJJF World Masters Championship (2017) – 1st Place (Weight and Absolute)[3]
  • ADCC EC USA Trials (2019) – 1st Place[3]
  • USAJJF/IBJJF American Nationals (2017) – 1st Place[3]
  • IBJJF Pan Championship (2017) – 1st Place[3]
  • IBJJF European Open (2017) – 1st Place[3]

She is an 11-time IBJJF World Championship medalist and achieved podium finishes across multiple years of competition.[3] In 2016, Bishop and her husband moved to San Diego, California, to train in one of the world's premier Brazilian jiu-jitsu hubs and work with elite coaches including Regis Lebre.[3]

Mixed martial arts career

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Early professional career (2021–2022)

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Bishop transitioned to mixed martial arts in 2021 at age 35, making her professional debut on October 22, 2021, against Helen Lucero at LFA 116.[1] She won via rear-naked choke submission in the first round.[1] Bishop compiled a 4–0 record competing exclusively for Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA), establishing herself as a top flyweight prospect with two submission victories and two decision wins.[1]

Bellator MMA (2023)

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In October 2022, Bishop signed a multi-fight deal with Bellator MMA.[4] She made her Bellator debut at Bellator 291 on February 25, 2023, defeating Elina Kallionidou by unanimous decision.[1] Bishop then defeated Ilara Joanne at Bellator 300 on October 7, 2023, via first-round armbar submission.[1]

Professional Fighters League (2024–present)

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Bishop joined the PFL in 2024, competing in the women's flyweight tournament.[5] She began the season with a first-round armbar submission victory over Chelsea Hackett on April 4, 2024.[1] Bishop then suffered her first professional loss to Taila Santos via split decision on June 13, 2024.[1] In the 2024 PFL Playoffs semifinals, she lost to eventual champion Dakota Ditcheva via first-round TKO on August 2, 2024.[1]

2025 PFL World Tournament

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Bishop returned for the 2025 PFL World Tournament, defeating Kana Watanabe by unanimous decision on April 11, 2025.[1] She advanced to the semifinals, where she faced Ekaterina Shakalova on June 20, 2025, winning via rear-naked choke submission in the second round to secure her place in the PFL flyweight championship final.[2] The semifinal victory received substantial media coverage, with Bishop demonstrating her elite grappling skills throughout the contest.[2]

Fighting style and training

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Bishop is known for her elite grappling skills, with six of her nine professional victories coming by submission.[1] Her Brazilian jiu-jitsu world championship background provides her with significant advantages on the ground, and she has demonstrated improved striking throughout her MMA career.[6] Bishop has been a black belt for over 11 years and was encouraged to pursue MMA by former UFC title challenger Cat Zingano.[6] She trains at Alliance Jiu-Jitsu San Diego under the guidance of world-class instructors.[4]

Personal life

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Bishop is married to Tyler Bishop, also a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt and popular grappling sports commentator.[3] The couple's relationship developed alongside their Brazilian jiu-jitsu journey, marrying by the time they reached blue belt rank.[3] They reside in San Diego, California, where Jena trains full-time.[3]

Mixed martial arts record

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Professional record breakdown
11 matches 9 wins 2 losses
By knockout 0 1
By submission 6 0
By decision 3 1
Professional mixed martial arts record
Result Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 9–2 Ekaterina Shakalova Submission (rear-naked choke) PFL 2025: World Tournament 6 June 20, 2025 2 2:07 Wichita, Kansas, United States
Win 8–2 Kana Watanabe Decision (unanimous) PFL 2025: World Tournament 2 April 11, 2025 3 5:00 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Loss 7–2 Dakota Ditcheva TKO (front kick and punch) PFL 7: 2024 Playoffs August 2, 2024 1 3:54 Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Loss 7–1 Taila Santos Decision (split) PFL 4: 2024 Regular Season June 13, 2024 3 5:00 Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Win 7–0 Chelsea Hackett Submission (armbar) PFL 1: 2024 Regular Season April 4, 2024 1 4:15 Hollywood, Florida, United States
Win 6–0 Ilara Joanne Submission (armbar) Bellator 300 October 7, 2023 1 2:45 San Diego, California, United States
Win 5–0 Elina Kallionidou Decision (unanimous) Bellator 291 February 25, 2023 3 5:00 Dublin, Ireland
Win 4–0 Olivia Beeskau Submission (rear-naked choke) LFA 145 October 21, 2022 1 2:02 Prior Lake, Minnesota, United States
Win 3–0 Luana Santos Decision (split) LFA 135 July 8, 2022 3 5:00 Prior Lake, Minnesota, United States
Win 2–0 Dione Barbosa Decision (unanimous) LFA 118 November 12, 2021 3 5:00 Prior Lake, Minnesota, United States
Win 1–0 Helen Lucero Submission (rear-naked choke) LFA 116 October 22, 2021 1 3:38 Prior Lake, Minnesota, United States

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Jena Bishop". Sherdog. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
  2. ^ a b c "2025 PFL 6 video: Jena Bishop uses slick BJJ skillset to tap". MMA Junkie. June 20, 2025. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q "Jena Bishop". BJJ Heroes. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
  4. ^ a b "Bellator MMA Inks LFA Vet Jena Bishop to Multi-Fight Deal". Cageside Press. October 28, 2022. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
  5. ^ "Jena Bishop - Women's Flyweight". Professional Fighters League. June 21, 2025. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
  6. ^ a b "The Underdog". Ringside Intel. July 28, 2024. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
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