Amateur career

Epinosa made his amateur debut in June 2009, beginning his career as a flyweight. His third opponent was Ronnie White, whom he defeated by TKO due to punches.^[7] In his fifth amateur fight, he faced Joby Sanchez for the Que Loco CF Bantamweight title. Espinosa lost by submission in the third round. His sixth amateur fight would beagainst Jeremy Robledo. Espinosa won a unanimous decision. Espinosa achieved victory in his next three fights as well, with submission wins over Corey Cline and Noah Gagstatter, as well as a decision victory over Aaron Arvanitis. Espinosa finished his amateur career with a 8–1 record.^[8]

Early career

Espinosa made his professional debut in 2012 at Fostoria Fight Night, where he faced Joshua Killion. Espinosa won the fight by way of brabo choke.^[9]

Prior to appearing on Dana White's Contender Series, Espinosa had amassed a 10–5 record, finishing eight of his ten wins. During this time he won the TSE Bantamweight title, with a decision win over Brett Roller,^[10][11] and had spent the first part of his mixed martial arts career as a bantamweight, and fought two catchweight bouts.

Espinosa faced Nick Urso in a rematch on August 22, 2017, at Dana White's Contender Series 7 , after their first fight in the regional circuit ended in a no contest.^[12] He won the rematch by a technical submission via a d'arce choke.^[13] However, he was not awarded a UFC contract after this win.

Espinosa then faced C.J. Hamilton at an Alliance MMA event in March 2018 and won by split decision.

Returning to the Contender Series, he fought Riley Dutro during Dana White's Contender Series 12.^[14] Espinosa won the fight by TKO at the very end of the third round.^[15] Following the win, Espinosa was awarded a UFC contract.^[16]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Espinosa was scheduled to make his UFC debut on November 10, 2018, at UFC Fight Night: The Korean Zombie vs. Rodríguez against Mark De La Rosa.^[17] However, prior to the fight, Epsinosa suffered a knee injury and was replaced by Joby Sanchez.^[18]

Espinosa subsequently made his debut on March 23, 2019, against Eric Shelton at UFC Fight Night: Thompson vs. Pettis. Espinosa won the fight by unanimous decision.^[19]

Espinosa's next faced Matt Schnell at UFC on ESPN: Covington vs. Lawler on August 3, 2019. He lost in the first round by triangle choke submission.^[20]

Espinosa next faced Alex Perez at UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. dos Santos on January 25, 2020. He lost the fight in the first round by technical submission due to an arm triangle choke.^[21]

Espinosa was scheduled to face Zhalgas Zhumagulov at a UFC in Kazakhstan on June 13, 2020.^[22] However, the event for Kazakhstan was later cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and moved to a location in the United States.^[23]

Espinosa faced Mark De La Rosa at UFC on ESPN: Eye vs. Calvillo on June 13, 2020.^[24] He won the fight via unanimous decision.^[25]

Espinosa faced David Dvořák on September 19, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Covington vs. Woodley.^[26] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.^[27]

Espinosa was expected to face Tim Elliott on January 16, 2021, at UFC on ABC 1.^[28] However, Espinosa tested positive for COVID-19 in late December and the pairing was moved to UFC 259.^[29] Espinosa lost the fight via unanimous decision.^[30]

On March 11, 2021, it was announced that Espinosa was released from the UFC.^[31]