Kagan graduated from Goucher College with a degree in business management and began her amateur MMA career in March 2010, recording five wins and two losses.[7] Kagan made her professional MMA debut in September 2012.[1] She competed twice that year, winning both fights by decision.[1]
Invicta Fighting Championships
In 2013, Kagan signed with the Invicta FC promotion. She made her debut on January 5, 2013 at Invicta FC 4. She lost to Rose Namajunas by submission in the third round. Kagan rebounded in her second fight for the promotion at Invicta FC 6 on July 13, 2013. She defeated Ashley Cummins by split decision.[1]
Ultimate Fighting Championship
The Ultimate Fighter
On December 11, 2013, it was announced that Kagan was signed by the UFC along with ten other strawweight fighters to compete on The Ultimate Fighter: A Champion Will Be Crowned, which will crown the first ever UFC strawweight champion.[8][9]
In the first episode, it was revealed that the UFC had seeded the fighters. Kagan was seeded 15th of 16 fighters and was paired with the no. 2 seed, Joanne Calderwood. Calderwood was picked third by Team Pettis, thereby sending Kagan to Team Melendez. In their fight, she lost the bout via majority decision.[10]