Elise Reed Biography: Husband, Age, Military Service, Height, Net Worth, Parents, Career

Elise Caroline Reed, known professionally as Elise “The Problem” Reed, is an American mixed martial artist competing in the UFC’s Strawweight division.

A third-degree Taekwondo black belt with a background in kickboxing, she holds a professional record of 8 wins and 5 losses, with notable victories over Cory McKenna, Melissa Martinez, and Jinh Yu Frey.

Reed, who earned her UFC contract through a unanimous decision win at Cage Fury Fighting Championships (CFFC) in 2020, is recognized for her striking precision and mental toughness, shaped by her military service and ownership of Kickside Martial Arts in New Jersey.

Profile

• Full Name: Elise Caroline Reed
• Stage Name: Elise “The Problem” Reed
• Born: 5, December 1992
• Age: 32 years old
• Birthplace: Princeton, New Jersey, USA
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: Mixed Martial Artist, Martial Arts School Owner, Army Reservist
• Height: 1.52m
• Parents: Mr. Reed, Mrs. Reed
• Siblings: Unknown
• Spouse: None
• Children: None
• Relationship: Not married
• Net Worth: $150,000

Early Life and Education

Elise Caroline Reed was born on December 5, 1992, in Princeton, New Jersey, to parents whose names are not publicly disclosed. Information about her siblings is unavailable.

She began training in Taekwondo at age six, earning a third-degree black belt, and transitioned to kickboxing at 15.

Reed attended the Virginia Military Institute (VMI), where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering in 2014, becoming the first female Regimental Executive Officer (RXO) in the school’s history. While at VMI, she competed in NCAA Division I swimming and water polo.

Her ethnicity is American, and her religious beliefs are not publicly known.

Career

Elise Caroline Reed began her martial arts journey at six, competing in Taekwondo and later kickboxing, with her first amateur MMA fight at 20 in 2012. She compiled a 4-1 amateur record, winning titles like the 105-pound Spartyka and Cage Wars Championships.

Turning professional in 2019, she debuted at Bellator 231, defeating Rebecca Bryggman via first-round TKO. Reed captured the CFFC Strawweight Championship in August 2020 against Jasmine Jasudavicius, earning a unanimous decision victory and a UFC contract later that year.

Her UFC debut on July 24, 2021, at UFC on ESPN 27 resulted in a first-round TKO loss to Sijara Eubanks, but she showcased resilience in subsequent fights.

In 2022, Reed secured a split decision win over Cory McKenna at UFC Fight Night: Volkov vs. Aspinall, followed by a third-round TKO loss to Sam Hughes. She rebounded with a unanimous decision victory over Melissa Martinez at UFC 279 in September 2022.

Facing challenges in 2023, Reed lost via second-round submission to Loma Lookboonmee at UFC 284 and Loopy Godinez at Noche UFC but earned a unanimous decision win over Jinh Yu Frey at UFC on ESPN 46, demonstrating her striking prowess. In 2024, she defeated former Invicta FC Atomweight Champion Jessica Penne via unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night 245, improving her UFC record to 4-3.

Reed’s most recent fight on May 17, 2025, at UFC Fight Night 256 saw her lose to Denise Gomes via second-round TKO, bringing her professional record to 8-5. Despite this setback, she remains ranked #29 in the women’s Strawweight division, training out of Kickside Martial Arts and with King’s MMA in California.

Reed’s military background as an Army Reservist First Lieutenant and her role as a martial arts instructor inform her disciplined approach, while her advice to “seek failure” in training reflects her philosophy of growth through adversity. Her contributions to MMA extend to mentoring students at her two New Jersey gyms, aiming to inspire the next generation.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @elisereed_ufc
• Facebook Handle: Elise Reed

Personal Life

Elise Caroline Reed is currently single and has not publicly shared any information regarding romantic partners or children, choosing to keep her personal life private. She is deeply committed to her passion for martial arts, owning and operating two Kickside Martial Arts schools located in New Jersey.

With over two decades of experience in various martial arts disciplines, Elise dedicates herself to teaching and mentoring her students, fostering their physical skills as well as their personal growth.

Net Worth

Elise Caroline Reed has an estimated net worth of $150,000 as of 2025. Her income primarily comes from UFC fight purses, estimated at $20,000 to $30,000 per fight, supplemented by occasional performance bonuses.