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No match for Zhang in title defense
Esparza lost to Zhang Weili via submission (Rear-naked choke) at 1:05 of Round 2 at UFC 281 on Saturday in New York.
ANALYSIS
Esparza tried to work her wrestling in this one, but it was all for naught, as her clearly stronger opponent would inevitably get the upper hand once the fight hit the mat. This left "Cookie Monster" on an island in the Octagon, as she was also no match for the power Zhang produced on the feet. Esparza's story is one of a scrappy wrestle-boxer who kept up with MMA as the sport evolved, enough to capture gold for a second time while riding a six-fight win streak. Where she goes from here remains to be seen, as it's tough to see much enthusiasm for a rematch at this point. Esparza falls to 20-7-0 in professional MMA as a result of the loss.
Esparza tried to work her wrestling in this one, but it was all for naught, as her clearly stronger opponent would inevitably get the upper hand once the fight hit the mat. This left "Cookie Monster" on an island in the Octagon, as she was also no match for the power Zhang produced on the feet. Esparza's story is one of a scrappy wrestle-boxer who kept up with MMA as the sport evolved, enough to capture gold for a second time while riding a six-fight win streak. Where she goes from here remains to be seen, as it's tough to see much enthusiasm for a rematch at this point. Esparza falls to 20-7-0 in professional MMA as a result of the loss.
Set to fight Weili Zhang
Esparza will defend her title against Weili Zhang in a strawweight bout at UFC 281 on Nov. 12, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Esparza is coming off of six-straight wins, most recently against Rose Namajunas via split decision in May. Weili Zhang recently experienced two-consecutive losses to Namajunas, but bounced back with a win against future hall-of-famer Joanna Jedrzejczyk in June to cement her status as the top contender at 115 pounds.
Esparza is coming off of six-straight wins, most recently against Rose Namajunas via split decision in May. Weili Zhang recently experienced two-consecutive losses to Namajunas, but bounced back with a win against future hall-of-famer Joanna Jedrzejczyk in June to cement her status as the top contender at 115 pounds.
Two-time UFC champion
Esparza won the UFC Women's Strawweight Championship on Saturday, defeating Rose Namajunas via split decision (47-48, 49-46, 48-47) at UFC 274 in Phoenix.
ANALYSIS
Let's be clear, Esparza didn't actually "win" anything, but she did walk out of the arena with the championship, making her a two-time UFC title holder. In addition, Carla absorbed no damage, which is key because she is scheduled to get married next week. Esparza and Namajunas conspired to produce arguably the worst title fight in UFC history. The first three rounds were impossible to score because neither woman did anything. Esparza finally collected two takedowns in Round 4, her only two of the bout on 11 attempts. She allowed Rose to land a takedown and arguably the biggest punch of the fight in Round 5. All told, Carla landed 30 total strikes, while Namajunas landed 38. Neither number is a misprint. Ultimately, two of three judges thought it was enough. Esparza wasn't the champion when the night began and she is now, which is all that matters. Carla's first challenger is difficult to pinpoint at the moment. There is zero chance the UFC can run this combo back a third time. At least not at this point.
Let's be clear, Esparza didn't actually "win" anything, but she did walk out of the arena with the championship, making her a two-time UFC title holder. In addition, Carla absorbed no damage, which is key because she is scheduled to get married next week. Esparza and Namajunas conspired to produce arguably the worst title fight in UFC history. The first three rounds were impossible to score because neither woman did anything. Esparza finally collected two takedowns in Round 4, her only two of the bout on 11 attempts. She allowed Rose to land a takedown and arguably the biggest punch of the fight in Round 5. All told, Carla landed 30 total strikes, while Namajunas landed 38. Neither number is a misprint. Ultimately, two of three judges thought it was enough. Esparza wasn't the champion when the night began and she is now, which is all that matters. Carla's first challenger is difficult to pinpoint at the moment. There is zero chance the UFC can run this combo back a third time. At least not at this point.
Will face Namajunas May 7
Esparza will take on Rose Namajunas in the co-main event of UFC 274 on May 7, Justin Barrasso of Sports Illustrated reports.
ANALYSIS
Esparza will seek a sixth consecutive victory in the Octagon after defeating Yan Xiaonan in May of 2021 for her fifth straight win. Last time these two fought in 2014, Esparza defeated Namajunas via submission to become the inaugural UFC strawweight champion, but Namajunas has certainly been the more relevant fighter as of late. Nevertheless, if Esparza can add another win to her current streak against an opponent like Namajunas, it would certainly add to her legacy within the division.
Esparza will seek a sixth consecutive victory in the Octagon after defeating Yan Xiaonan in May of 2021 for her fifth straight win. Last time these two fought in 2014, Esparza defeated Namajunas via submission to become the inaugural UFC strawweight champion, but Namajunas has certainly been the more relevant fighter as of late. Nevertheless, if Esparza can add another win to her current streak against an opponent like Namajunas, it would certainly add to her legacy within the division.
Next in line for title shot
UFC President Dana White confirmed Monday that Esparza is next in line to face Rose Namajunas for a shot at the UFC Strawweight Championship, Damon Martin of MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
While the UFC has yet to set a date for this event, most in MMA circles have believed for quite a while that this is the next move for the division. Esparza has won five fights in a row, including a convincing second-round finish of Yan Xiaonan in May. Even champion Rose Namajunas has acknowledged that Esparza deserves to be next up. When it happens, it will be a rematch of a fight that took place on The Ultimate Fighter finale all the way back in December of 2014. Esparza won that fight via third-round submission, recording five takedowns and out-landing Namajunas 42-to-28. A lot has changed since then, as Namajunas has developed her striking game while participating in five title fights, earning the belt on multiple occasions.
While the UFC has yet to set a date for this event, most in MMA circles have believed for quite a while that this is the next move for the division. Esparza has won five fights in a row, including a convincing second-round finish of Yan Xiaonan in May. Even champion Rose Namajunas has acknowledged that Esparza deserves to be next up. When it happens, it will be a rematch of a fight that took place on The Ultimate Fighter finale all the way back in December of 2014. Esparza won that fight via third-round submission, recording five takedowns and out-landing Namajunas 42-to-28. A lot has changed since then, as Namajunas has developed her striking game while participating in five title fights, earning the belt on multiple occasions.