La Pantera's Path to Power

From Panama to the Pinnacle

For every fighter who reaches the UFC, there is a unique origin story. For Joselyne “La Pantera” Edwards, that story began on the streets of Panama City, where she first laced up boxing gloves. “Contact sports have always been my passion,” Edwards recalls. She loved boxing, but when she discovered mixed martial arts, she was immediately captivated. “I thought, that looks more aggressive. I like that,” she says. The choice was made. She left boxing behind to dedicate herself fully to MMA.

Edwards quickly proved to be a natural, running through the competition in Panama and neighboring countries. But as an undefeated prospect, she hit a ceiling. “You know when you reach the top and you need to jump to the next level? That’s why I left Panama, to look for my opportunity.” That leap of faith led her to the sport’s biggest stage. In 2021, she made history as the first Panamanian woman to step into the Octagon. The moment, a short-notice fight against Wu Yanan, was almost overwhelming. “When I saw so many cameras and the lights, it was like, ‘Wow, I’m really here,’” she remembers. “I couldn’t believe I was in the UFC. The dream had come true.” Despite the nerves, her natural grit took over, and she earned a hard-fought victory.

The Las Vegas Evolution

Making it to the UFC was one dream; staying there was another. In her early fights, Edwards admits her focus was misplaced. “My fights went to decision because I focused more on not getting taken down,” she explains. “When you fight with that stress… you don’t end up fighting well.” She knew she had all the tools, but she wasn’t executing properly. A change was necessary, and she found it in the fight capital of the world.

The move to Las Vegas to train at Xtreme Couture, she says, “changed the course of my career.” Surrounded by a murderer’s row of elite talent, with half the gym seemingly on the UFC roster, she finally found the environment she needed to truly grow. “The difference from when we first met till now is everything’s gotten better,” says her coach. Edwards credits her team for helping her learn and improve, especially after a loss. “My coaches are with me in defeat and in victory,” she says. “When I’ve had losses, it’s like, ‘Okay, let’s get to work.’”

A Finisher's Mentality

That work has transformed her from a patient fighter into a certified threat. Her recent string of victories showcases a new, dangerous mindset. Against Ji Yeon Kim, she was determined to get a stoppage. When the knockout didn't come, she adapted and found a submission. Facing a notorious “bully” in Lucie Pudilová, she decided to be explosive from the opening bell. And against knockout artist Priscila Cachoeira, a fighter who had never been stopped with strikes, Edwards played a patient game. “I waited for her to throw, I covered up, and then I could throw with more power,” she says, detailing the strategy that led to a historic finish.

Perhaps most telling was her recent rematch against Nora D'Ambrosio, who had handed her a loss in 2023. This time, Edwards’s resolve was absolute. “My mentality was that this fight was not going to go to a decision,” she states. “I had the opportunity to show that I am better.” She did exactly that, securing a decisive victory and proving her evolution was complete.

Eyes on the Prize

With four consecutive wins, Joselyne Edwards has finally achieved her long-term goal of breaking into the official UFC rankings. But for “La Pantera,” this is just the beginning. A new objective has taken shape, one that burns brighter than ever before. “Now that I’m in the rankings, I need to climb,” she says with conviction. “I’m getting closer to what I want, the objective, which is the title.” The path is difficult, and the competition is fierce, but Edwards’s self-belief is unshakeable. “These four victories are very important to me because I know I’m close. It’s not easy, but it’s not impossible. I think I can be a champion, and with the focus I have, I am going to achieve it very soon.”