After suffering a broken back at 16 years old when she was hit by a drunk driver, not many people could have predicted that Jessica Eye would make a full recovery. During her arduous, three-month confinement to a bed, even fewer could have guessed a career in MMA was in her future.

But not many people know how to fight like Eye.

A mere three years after the accident, Eye discovered MMA through a gym friend and began a journey that saw her rise through the amateur ranks and eventually sign with the UFC.

Heading into Submission Underground 2 on Sunday, Dec. 11, the now 30-year-old Eye faces a familiar challenge in former UFC bantamweight champion Miesha Tate, who Eye last fought in July 2015. The two veteran fighters are squaring off once again in a submission-only bout in the co-main event, which also features a matchup between former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones and MMA legend Dan Henderson, at Portland, Oregon's Roseland Theater.

Early Years

Eye went 5-0 as an an amateur MMA fighter, winning twice by decision, twice by knockout, and once by submission. In that time, she picked up a NAAFS amateur title and beat Barb Honchak, who later went on to become an Invicta FC champion.

Eye turned professional with the NAAFS promotion in the summer of 2010 and won her two fights that year against Amanda LaVoy and Marissa Caldwell. At Ring of Combat 34, she then picked up the ROC 130-pound title with an early knockout of Ashley Nee.

In her fourth career fight, Eye fought for the NAAFS flyweight title but lost to future UFC strawweight Aisling Daly by second-round submission. Eye was able to bounce back when she was drafted by Bellator for her next fight and won a split decision against Casey Noland.

That bout was the beginning of a tremendous seven-fight winning streak as Eye went back an forth between NAAFS and Bellator. Wins over fighters such as Carina Damm and Angela Magana were impressive, but Eye's highlight win was undoubtedly against Zoila Frausto Gurgel, who entered the bout at Bellator 83 having only lost to Miesha Tate in 13 career fights.

Signing with UFC

When Bellator stopped promoting women's MMA in 2013, Eye was released from her contract and soon after signed with the UFC -- home of her teammate at Strong Style Fight Team and current heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic.

In her debut, Eye was pitted against 16-2 veteran Sarah Kaufman at UFC 166, which featured one of the greatest UFC cards of all time.

Even though Eye emerged victorious on the night, it turned out to be a disappointing debut as the result was switched to a no-contest due to a failed drug test for marijuana. For the indiscretion, Eye was fined $1,875 and placed on probationary suspension for a year.

At UFC 170, Eye returned against Alexis Davis. That fight ended by split decision and Davis was given the next shot at the bantamweight title, which was then held by Ronda Rousey.

A Recent Slide

Despite the setback, it didn't take Eye long to get herself into another No. 1 contender fight. At UFC 180, she beat Leslie Smith after bursting her cauliflower ear, which earned Eye a fight with future UFC champion Miesha Tate. Eye entered the bout knowing a win could potentially set up a title shot. Although Eye fought well and had her moments, Tate won a unanimous decision and went on to beat Holly Holm for the bantamweight belt.

Eye's next fight also ended in a unanimous-decision loss, but it was not without controversy when she had a point taken for an illegal knee on her opponent Julianna Peña.

A third decision loss in a row -- this time to Sara McMann -- followed in May 2016 before Eye's woes continued at UFC 203. There, she lost in her home town of Cleveland to former title contender Bethe Correia in a fight many people scored the other way around.

After four straight losses, Eye announced a year-long hiatus from MMA, but she is not staying away from the cage altogether -- watch Eye in her Submission Underground debut this Sunday in the co-headlining bout against Tate.

By Sean Sheehan

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