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Tag: Carla Esparza

  • Carla Esparza Holds Firm On Retirement Despite Controversial UFC 307 Decision: ‘I’m Good With How I Left Things’

    Carla Esparza Holds Firm On Retirement Despite Controversial UFC 307 Decision: ‘I’m Good With How I Left Things’

    Former two-time strawweight champion Carla Esparza announced ahead of time that UFC 307 would be the final outing of her career. After losing the title to Weili Zhang at UFC 281 in November of 2022, she took a long break from her career in order to give birth to her first child.

    At the start of the month, she returned for one last dance, coming up against Tecia Pennington in Salt Lake City. Many felt that she deserved to get her hand raised following the final bell but this isn’t how the judges saw it.

    The fight was scored as a split decision in Pennington’s favor after judges Stephen Faragher and Dan Furse overruled Sal D’Amato. Faragher gave Esparza the opening round whilst Furse saw all three rounds for Pennington and the fans in Utah certainly let their thoughts on the scorecards be heard.

    Esparza obviously wouldn’t wanted to go out with a win but the controversial nature of her final bout hasn’t changed her decision to walk away at this stage. Regardless of the result, the former champion was still treated to a retirement video package from the UFC that capped off an emotional send off for her.

    In an interview with MMA Fighting looking back on how things ended, she said that though she didn’t quite get the storybook ending, it’s not something that’s going to keep her up at night.

    “It’s just hard. Even if I won in the first round via finish or lost a controversial decision, it’s hard to not want to go back no matter what the outcome was. I love fighting but that’s the last one for me regardless. I’m just glad I went out on a good note. It would have been much sweeter to go out with my hand raised but I’d say I’m good with how I left things.”

  • ‘Left It All Out There’ – Fans React As Carla Esparza Finishes Career Dropping Elbows In Retirement Fight Loss At UFC 307

    ‘Left It All Out There’ – Fans React As Carla Esparza Finishes Career Dropping Elbows In Retirement Fight Loss At UFC 307

    Carla Esparza was given her flowers, but not a win, in her retirement fight during the early prelims at UFC 307, losing by decision to Tecia Pennington.

    The fight served as a rematch from both women’s time during season 20 of The Ultimate Fighter, which Esparza went on to win and become the first UFC strawweight champion.

    Esparza found herself in some trouble early in the opening round, as Pennington appeared to be ripping her apart on the feet, and her legs were battered by low kicks. Once the fight went to the ground, however, “Cookie Monster” was in complete control, maintaining top position for about three minutes.

    The second frame proved to be close, though Pennington had the upper hand in striking once again. Esparza’s striking picked up in the third stanza, and she could have finished Pennington had there been more time in the round.

    Pennington, however, continued to beat down the legs of Esparza, making her eat leg kick after leg kick.

    The judges ultimately gave the close fight to Pennington, with two 29-28 cards and a 30-27.

    Carla Esparza Retires Following Loss To Tecia Pennington At UFC 307

    “It’s been an amazing journey, these last 15 years,” Esparza said in the Octagon following the fight. “I’ve fought the best of the best. It’s not always easy. There’s ups and downs in this sport, but I wouldn’t have done it any other way. This is the greatest sport in the world.”

    Esparza was given a tribute video following the fight.

    Esparza began her professional MMA career in 2010, going 6-2, including a pair of fights in Bellator, before finding a stride in the initial days of Invicta FC in 2012. At Invicta FC 4, Esparza defeated Bec Rawlings to become the inaugural strawweight champion of the promotion.

    By the next year, however, “Cookie Monster” would sign with the UFC and be a contestant on season 20 of The Ultimate Fighter, which determined the UFC’s inaugural champion of its then-new women’s strawweight division.

    Esparza defeated Angela Hill, Pennington (then-Tecia Torres), and Jessica Penne before finishing Rose Namajunas to win the tournament and championship. Esparza subsequently lost the belt in her first defense at UFC 185, dropping it to Joanna Jędrzejczyk.

    The wrestling specialist went 3-3 in her next six fights before starting a noteworthy win streak in 2019, having her hand raised in six straight. That run was highlighted by a second-round finish of Yan Xiaonan and culminated in her beating Namajunas again at UFC 274 to become a two-time UFC strawweight champion.

    Esparza, again, lost the title in her first defense, getting finished by current champ Weili Zhang at UFC 281. This was Esparza’s most recent fight prior to tonight, as she gave birth to her son in September 2023.

  • Carla Esparza Teases Throwing ‘Cool Moves’ She’s Held Back For Retirement Fight At UFC 307

    Former two-time UFC women’s strawweight champion Carla Esparza could be set to let her hair down inside the Octagon this weekend.

    Saturday’s UFC 307 pay-per-view event boasts a number of notable storylines, one of which comes on the early preliminary card in the form of a retirement fight for one of the female roster’s all-time greats.

    Having not competed since having her second reign on the 115-pound throne ended by Zhang Weili in late 2022 — after which she became pregnant — Esparza will feel the Octagon floor beneath her feet one final time.

    To exit the sport on a win, “Cookie Monster” is tasked with once again getting the better of Tecia Pennington, whom she outpointed during season 20 of The Ultimate Fighter back in 2014.

    And to do so, Esparza might be digging deep into her ‘toolbox’ of offensive weaponry.

    Esparza Willing To Embrace ‘Risk’ For Farewell Fight

    During a recent interview with MMA Junkie’s Mike Bohn, Esparza looked ahead to her final walk to the Octagon this weekend in Salt Lake City.

    When asked whether she’s planning to showcase anything new that she’s been holding back, the former champ admitted she has plenty of ‘risky’ moves that could come out now that her sights aren’t set on regaining the strawweight gold.

    “I have so many fun tools in my toolbox that I haven’t gotten display,” Esparza said. “I’ve always had the mentality in my fights where I want to win but I don’t want to be so risky. Because, you know, the goal is always to move up toward the title fight, and in order to do that, you need wins.

    “I just had things that I didn’t necessarily want to show but I had in my pocket if I did need to,” Esparza continued. “You never know how the fight’s going to go, but I would love the chance to kind of just have fun out there, do some cool moves that I haven’t gotten to show in fights before.”

    Regardless of the result on Saturday night, Esparza will go down as one of the most successful women to compete under the UFC banner. But she’ll still hope to cap off her career with one last triumph at the expense of Pennington.

  • Two-Time UFC Champion Carla Esparza States Hall Of Fame Ambition Ahead Of Retirement Fight

    Two-Time UFC Champion Carla Esparza States Hall Of Fame Ambition Ahead Of Retirement Fight

    Carla Esparza recently shared her aspiration to secure a place in the UFC Hall of Fame as she approaches her retirement fight.

    Esparza is gearing up to step into the Octagon for the final time, as she is set to face Tecia Pennington on the preliminary card of UFC 307. This highly anticipated pay-per-view event will take place this Saturday at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.

    The 36-year-old Californian has previously announced that UFC 307 will mark the end of her illustrious 15-year career as she prepares to hang up her gloves for good.

    “Cookie Monster” began her professional journey in February 2010, securing a first-round TKO victory against Cassie Trost under the regional promotion Respect in the Cage. She fought her way through various organizations before ultimately entering the UFC as a contestant on The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) season 20 in 2014.

    Esparza etched her name in the history books by submitting Rose Namajunas in the third round, becoming the first UFC strawweight champion at the TUF season finale. However, her reign was short-lived, as she later lost the title to Joanna Jedrzejczyk at UFC 185 in March 2015.

    Esparza endured an arduous journey of 11 fights over seven years to reclaim the 115-pound championship, ultimately securing a split-decision victory against Namajunas at UFC 274 in May 2022.

    Esparza Wants To Join The Ranks Of Jedrzejczyk & Ronda Rousey To Cap Off Her MMA Career

    During a recent interview with Brian Campbell, “Cookie Monster” reflected on her journey in MMA, with a particular focus on her time in the UFC. When asked about her place in the history of the division, which has significantly evolved during her tenure, the former two-time strawweight champion expressed her desire to conclude her career with an induction into the UFC Hall of Fame.

    “I’d love to eventually be in the Hall of Fame. I mean, that would be so cool,” Esparza said. “I think winning the title the first time was like seeing where I was as a fighter then to where I am now; there’s been so much growth. I mean, you have to grow to still stay in this division with all these killers. Everyone is so good, and there’s young blood constantly coming through the UFC. You have to be at such a high level even just to compete with these people, so it’s cool to have been able to stay at this high level and compete with all these youngsters coming in.”

    Should Esparza be inducted into the Hall of Fame, she would become just the third woman in UFC history to receive this honor, standing alongside the legendary Jedrzejczyk and Ronda Rousey.

    “Cookie Monster” is set to make her return to the Octagon after nearly two years, following her defeat to Zhang Weili, who submitted her in the second round at UFC 281 in November 2022.

  • MMA News Today: Sean O’Malley Criticizes Conor McGregor’s ‘Slow & Sloppy’ Pad Work, Amped Up Belal Muhammad & Alexander Volkanovski Trade Barbs After UFC 304, & More

    MMA News Today: Sean O’Malley Criticizes Conor McGregor’s ‘Slow & Sloppy’ Pad Work, Amped Up Belal Muhammad & Alexander Volkanovski Trade Barbs After UFC 304, & More

    Welcome to MMA News Today, a daily feature running down the most interesting stories in the world of mixed martial arts. For August 2, 2024, we’re taking a look at:

    • O’Malley reviews latest McGregor footage
    • Muhammad and Volkanovski trade words after UFC 304 comments
    • Former strawweight champion set to return at UFC 307

    Sean O’Malley Critiques Conor McGregor’s Latest Pad Work Video On Social Media

    After taking some time to recover from his injury that led to the cancellation of his return at UFC 303, Conor McGregor appears to be getting back to work.

    “The Notorious” is hopeful of returning later this year but he appeared to have taken his foot off the gas once June 29 was ruled out.

    His latest training footage came courtesy of his own social media accounts, with the Irishman seen working on his boxing and hitting pads.

    UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley, who has engaged in some interactions with McGregor as of late, gave his review via a reply to the post.

    McGregor also commented in response, calling for O’Malley to try and do better whilst telling him to “cheer up”.

    Belal Muhammad & Alexander Volkanovski Beef After Pre-Fight Comments

    During a recent episode of Remember The Show, Belal Muhammad hit back at all his fellow fighters that doubted him ahead of UFC 304.

    The new welterweight champion specifically referenced Alexander Volkanovski, who was in attendance this past weekend in Manchester, and suggested that Muhammad would be a good style clash for him.

    “You guys were hating, all these guys wanted to come out. Volkanovski, ‘Man I think Belal’s a good match-up for me if I fight him.’ Shut up bro, I’ll smack the hell out of you. All these guys right, there’s nobody in the UFC that will beat me.”

    Volkanovski responded on social media where he doubled down on his previous statement and told Muhammad to say that to him the next time they cross paths.

    “@bullyb170 you have every reason to hate on what I said about you being a good stylistic match up for me but I truly believe that, even after your last fight, you didn’t show me anything different. You still mad because I accidentally missed your call…pathetic! Say ‘shut up, I’ll smack the shit out of you’ to my face and see what happens.”

    “Remember The Name” had the final word on the matter in a follow-up post with a short and to the point message.

    Carla Esparza Set To Return At UFC 307 In Utah Against Former Foe

    Former UFC strawweight champion Carla Esparza is expected to return for the first time since losing her title to Weili Zhang in November of 2022.

    She took the majority of 2023 and 2024 off after giving birth to her son and is now targeted to compete in a rematch at UFC 307 on October 5.

    Esparza and Tecia Pennington first met back on The Ultimate Fighter a decade ago with “Cookie Monster” getting the nod in that quarterfinal clash before going on to win the series.

    MMA Junkie’s Nolan King reported the fight which will see both women look to return to the win column for the first time in several years.

    Read more on the story here.

    For more MMA news, check out:

  • Carla Esparza Announces UFC 307 Return Will Be Her Retirement Fight: ‘I Feel It’s Time’

    Carla Esparza Announces UFC 307 Return Will Be Her Retirement Fight: ‘I Feel It’s Time’

    Former UFC strawweight champion Carla Esparza has announced that her next outing inside the Octagon will be her last.

    News recently broke, via MMA Junkie’s Nolan King, that she is set to return from a near two-year lay off to face Tecia Pennington at UFC 307 in Salt Lake City, Utah on October 5.

    Esparza has been inactive since losing her title to Weili Zhang at UFC 281 in November of 2022.

    In the following months, the 36-year old announced that she was pregnant with a son and therefore, has been taking some time off before working towards one last dance.

    Carla Esparza Says ‘It’s Time’ To End Her Near 15-Year Career

    Esparza announced on social media that her recently reported fight will be the final outing of her 27-fight pro career.

    Having made her pro back in 2010, “Cookie Monster” would go on to win season 20 of The Ultimate Fighter which saw her be crowned as the inaugural UFC women’s strawweight champion by defeating Rose Namajunas in the final.

    Having already become the inaugural Invicta strawweight champion before signing to the UFC, she remained in this weight class her entire career and put together her best-ever streak before the loss to Zhang in November of 2022.

    Winning six-straight, including victories over the likes of Alexa Grasso and Yan Xiaonan, Esparza would defeat Namajunas once again at UFC 274 to become a two-time UFC champion at 115-pounds.

    Now she feels, as she said herself on social media, it’s the right time for her to ride off into the sunset following a rematch with Pennington who she defeated a decade ago on route to winning The Ultimate Fighter.

    “*RETIREMENT FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENT*
    I will be stepping into The UFC Octagon on Saturday, October 5th for the final time. After almost 15 years as a professional, fighting the best of the best, I feel it’s time to hang up my gloves. This choice is made for my body and my family; 20+ years doing combat sports takes its toll.

    I wanted to give my ‘Cookie Monster’ fans, who have never been there to watch me live, one final opportunity. It feels bittersweet to leave this sport that I love so much, but I’m happy to be doing it on my own terms.”
    #UFC307

    Read also: José Aldo, Kayla Harrison Have Returns In The Works For UFC 307 On October 5

  • Carla Esparza’s First Fight Since Zhang Weili Title Loss In 2022 Targeted For UFC 307

    Carla Esparza’s First Fight Since Zhang Weili Title Loss In 2022 Targeted For UFC 307

    The comeback of former two-time UFC women’s strawweight champion Carla Esparza is in the works for this fall.

    Esparza hasn’t entered the Octagon since losing the 115-pound gold to Zhang Weili by way of submission at UFC 281 in November 2022. The 36-year-old announced that she was pregnant four months later and gave birth to her son in September 2023.

    “Cookie Monster” is now ready to resume her fighting career, and per MMA Junkie’s Nolan King, that’s expected to begin with a rematch of sorts against fellow veteran contender Tecia Pennington.

    The pair previously collided on The Ultimate Fighter back in 2014, with Esparza emerging victories over Pennington in a quarterfinal contest en route to winning the entire strawweight tournament.

    King’s report revealed that their second dance is targeted for the UFC 307 pay-per-view on October 5, expected to take place in Salt Lake City, Utah.

    Esparza vs. Pennington In The Works For UFC 307

    Should this matchup be made official, both Esparza and Pennington will be searching for their first wins in years.

    Esparza (19-7) dropped from contention back in 2018 after falling to consecutive losses against Cláudia Gadelha and Tatiana Suarez. But she followed that skid with a five-fight winning run comprised of triumphs over Virna Jandiroba, Alexa Grasso, Michelle Waterson-Gomez, Marina Rodriguez, and Yan Xiaonan to earn a shot at two-time champ status.

    “Cookie Monster” achieved that feat at UFC 274 in May 2022, getting the judges’ nod in a lackluster rematch with Namajunas to capture the strawweight belt once again. But having relinquished her grip on it months later against Zhang, Esparza will return in pursuit of becoming the woman to regain a title twice in the UFC.

    Out to ensure that run doesn’t get out the starting blocks looks set to be Pennington (13-7). Like Esparza, “The Tiny Tornado” took a break in her career to give birth. That came after a narrow split decision loss to Mackenzie Dern in April 2022, a result that snapped her three-fight winning run.

    Pennington made her return this past May at the UFC Fight Night in St. Louis, once again falling on the wrong side of a split verdict, this time against Tabatha Ricci. After celebrating her wife Raquel Pennington’s bantamweight title crowning earlier this year, “The Tiny Tornado” will look to enjoy her own success inside the Octagon again on October 5.

    With this addition, the fights currently expected to take place at UFC 307 are as follows:

    • Movsar Evloev vs. Aljamain Sterling (featherweight)
    • José Aldo vs. Mario Bautista (bantamweight)
    • Carla Esparza vs. Tecia Pennington (women’s strawweight)
    • Chris Curtis vs. Kevin Holland (middleweight)
    • Ketlen Vieira vs. Kayla Harrison (women’s bantamweight)
    • Marina Rodriguez vs. Iasmin Lucindo (women’s strawweight)
    • Ihor Potieria vs. César Almeida (middleweight)
    Carla Esparza & Tecia Pennington
    Carla Esparza & Tecia Pennington (Image: UFC.com)

  • Rose Namajunas vs. Carla Esparza Reportedly Set For UFC 274

    UFC Strawweight Champion Rose Namajunas will reportedly defend her title against Carla Esparza next in a rematch years in the making at UFC 274.

    News of the booking was first reported by Justin Barrasso of Sports Illustrated.

    Namajunas is coming off of back-to-back wins over Zhang Weili in 2021, including most recently in an immediate title rematch at UFC 268. She reclaimed UFC gold by knocking Weili out with a head kick at UFC 261.

    Namajunas has won three straight fights since losing her strawweight title to Jéssica Andrade at UFC 237, before getting revenge against Andrade in a non-title bout at UFC 251.

    Carla Esparza
    Carla Esparza, Image Credit: Getty Images

    Esparza makes her return to the strawweight title fight following five-straight wins. She most recently earned a dominant second-round submission of Yan Xiaonan last May after winning a close split decision over Marina Rodriguez.

    Esparza won the then-vacant strawweight championship following a win over Namajunas on The Ultimate Fighter 20. She went on to lose to Joanna Jędrzejczyk in her first title defense at UFC 185.

    Namajunas hasn’t had many stumbles since the loss to Esparza. She has earned dominant wins over Jędrzejczyk, Paige VanZant, and Michelle Waterson, to name a few.

    UFC 274 will be headlined by a lightweight title bout between Charles Oliveira and Justin Gaethje. It’s expected that Namajunas vs. Esparza 2 will serve as the co-main event.

    UFC 274 will take place in Phoenix, AZ at the Footprint Center on May 7. UFC president Dana White has recently hinted that the winner of the matchup will face Rodriguez for the next title bout.

    What is your prediction for Rose Namajunas vs. Carla Esparza 2?

  • Jędrzejczyk: Namajunas Is On A Different Level Than Esparza

    Joanna Jędrzejczyk believes we will hear “And Still” when Rose Namajunas rematches Carla Esparza sometime later this year at a date TBD.

    Namajunas and Esparza first fought back in 2014 for the inaugural strawweight title which Esparza won by third-round submission in the finale of TUF 20. After that, Jędrzejczyk went on to beat Esparza to win the belt and had it until Namajunas knocked her out in 2017.

    With Namajunas reclaiming the belt in 2021, she now appears set to rematch Esparza sometime this year. It’s an intriguing matchup as Esparza has had a career turnaround of sorts but in the rematch, Jędrzejczyk believes it will be Namajunas getting her hand raised this time around.

    I'm so proud of you' – Rose Namajunas shares touching moment with her parents after beating Zhang Weili at UFC 268

    “I think that Rose will defend her belt,” Jedrzejczyk told MMA Junkie. “Carla won back in the day in 2014, but both of them are totally different fighters, different athletes with different mentality, as well, but I think that Rose will win this fight. She’s very strong. She’s very, very fast. Her timing is just perfect with her footwork. Of course, Carla has a few wins streak, but Rose is a different level, I think.”

    If Rosa Namajunas does defeat Carla Esparza as Joanna Jędrzejczyk thinks it’s likely Marina Rodriguez would be next for the champ. However, the Pole has made it known she still wants the third fight against ‘Thug’ even though she’s 0-2 to the champ.

    The plan for Jędrzejczyk is to rematch Weili Zhang sometime this year and should she win, she could very well earn another title shot. She still remains a big name in the sport and she could help sell the fight against Namajunas, which could happen sometime in 2023 as she looks to reclaim her belt.

    Who do you think will win the fight between Rose Namajunas and Carla Esparza?

  • Archives: Esparza & Jędrzejczyk Offended By Fedor’s Comments (2015)

    Months ago, Khabib Nurmagomedov made headlines after implying that women’s mixed martial arts is inferior to men’s mixed martial arts. Specifically, Khabib used Julianna Peña’s victory over Amanda Nunes at UFC 269 as an example in support of his claim and, unsurprisingly, Peña took issue with these remarks.

    Seven years ago, another Russian MMA legend, Fedor Emelianenko, made very similar remarks. And then-champion Carla Esparza as well as Joanna Jędrzejczyk both were offended, not unlike Julianna Peña years later.

    The following article was published on this day seven years ago. It is presented to you in its original, unaltered form, courtesy of The MMA News Archives.

    On This Day Seven Years Ago…

    [ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED MARCH 12, 2015, 1:48 PM]

    At the UFC 185 open workouts on Wednesday, UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion Carla Esparza and number one contender Joanna Jędrzejczyk took exception to recent comments made by MMA legend Fedor Emelianenko.

    During a recent WHOA TV interview, the former PRIDE Heavyweight Champion Fedor Emelianenko controversially stated that he felt MMA is a man’s sport, adding that women have no business fighting in MMA.

    Esparza and Jędrzejczyk, who compete in the co-main event this Saturday night at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, disagree.

    “I like him so much and he’s a living legend,” Jędrzejczyk said. “But I think we can do a pretty good job, you know? I think it’s not right. We can fight good, we can bring the audience and we can make the show better. That’s all.”

    “Facts speak for themselves,” Esparza agreed. “He’s one of the greats. I have nothing against him. Maybe we differ a little bit in opinion. You know, I think Ronda and the crowd she brought in to LA, the proof is in the pudding. It shows right there.”

    Esparza continued, “I think female MMA is basically the biggest female sport out there right now. We’re being put on the same stage as the guys, and obviously, Ronda is headlining even above all the guys. It just goes to show, we’re on top right now.”

    “Some people are always going to feel the way they feel. But I think day-by-day, fight-by-fight, I’m hearing those whispers a lot less than I used to I think if we go out there and keep showing that we have skills, that we have heart — I feel like a lot of times girls bring it even more than the guys just with their tenacity and they’re just non-stop. That’s why it is where it is right now because they keep proving themselves.”

    Esparza concluded, “We’re legit and we’re here to stay. Nothing is going to stop this momentum that’s been going with the women.”

    What do you think about Fedor’s comments about WMMA?

  • White On Rodriguez Facing Esparza/Namajunas Winner: “Makes Sense”

    It appears that UFC strawweight contender Marina Rodriguez did enough to earn a No. 1 contender spot in her win over Yan Xiaonan at UFC 272.

    Rodriguez won a closely-contested top-5 matchup against Xiaonan in a back-and-forth war on the feet. Rodriguez struggled with Xiaonan’s speed early in the fight but found a rhythm with her pacing as the bout went on.

    Rodriguez has been on a roll in the strawweight division after an impressive 2021. She earned three-straight wins last year including lopsided victories over the likes of Michelle Waterson and Mackenzie Dern.

    During his UFC 272 post-fight press conference, UFC President Dana White said it “makes sense” that Rodriguez would face the winner of Rose Namajunas vs. Carla Esparza.

    The promotion has been working on booking the Namajunas/Esparza rematch in 2022. Although it hasn’t been formally announced, it’s widely expected to be the next title fight at 115 pounds.

    Rodriguez made her UFC debut back in 2018 following a gruesome knockout of Maria Oliveira on Dana White’s Contender Series. She has yet to face Namajunas in the UFC but lost in a close split decision against Esparza in July 2020.

    Namajunas earned her second stint as the strawweight queen by knocking out Zhang Weili at UFC 261. She would follow it up by earning a decision win over Weili in their rematch at UFC 268.

    Rodriguez is looking to become the latest Brazilian UFC champion and the first Brazilian strawweight champion since Jéssica Andrade held the title in 2019. She’ll have the chance to prove herself with her next Octagon appearance, which is expected to be for a championship belt.

    Do you think Marina Rodriguez is a future UFC champion?

  • Yan Xiaonan Reveals What She Learned From Carla Esparza Defeat

    Ahead of her next battle against Marina Rodriguez, Yan Xiaonan reflects on her recent defeat against Carla Esparza.

    Last May, Xiaonan saw her 11-fight win streak come to an end. The “Cookie Monster” devastated her in the cage with punches that ended the fight in round 2.

    Carla Esparza is a fierce opponent in the Octagon. Even the current strawweight champion, Rose Namajunas, was finished by Esparza when they fought back in 2014.

    Similar to Namajunas, Xiaonan felt the loss was a lesson and showed where improvements need to be made.

    Carla Esparza and Yan Xiaonan
    Carla Esparza and Yan Xiaonan, Photo Credit: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

    “The biggest lesson is you have to be ready for a big fight like that. 100% ready. Another lesson is the direction—how you prepare for the fight. So, we had some problems on that in my last fight camp. So, yeah, everything, I learned a little bit of everything in that fight,” Xiaonan told LowKickMMA.

    Most fighters will tell you that preparation for a fight is more important than the fight itself. You have to go into the ring mentally and physically fit enough to defeat your opponent.

    A bad day can lead to a bad fight just as well as being undertrained. But losing can also be a humbling experience, and many fighters have come back stronger from it.

    This Saturday, Xiaonan will face Brazil’s Marina Rodriguez at UFC 272. They hold spots in the top 5 of the strawweight rankings, and after their match, one will be much closer to the title shot.

    What are your thoughts on how Yan Xiaonan reflects on her loss to Carla Esparza?

  • Rose Namajunas Says She Needed To Lose To Carla Esparza In 2014

    Strawweight champion Rose Namajunas recently reflected on her loss to former champion Carla Esparza in an interview with UFC’s “Run It Back” series on Youtube.

    In 2014, Namajunas and Esparaza made it to the final round of the TUF 20 finale, where they held the inaugural strawweight championship. There, Esparza became the first strawweight champion in the company’s history, submitting Namajunas in the third round via rear-naked choke.

    This was just the 22-year-old’s second loss in her fourth professional fight, but with it being on the biggest stage, she has learned a lot from the loss and reflected on it again recently.

    “Man, I just had to stop being an a**hole. No I mean, not that, but just like be, have self-awareness you know what I mean like, I was just kinda floating through life and just no direction with anything. I needed a piece of the humble pie, ya know,” said Namajunas.

    Since her title loss to Esparza in 2014, Namajunas went on to win six of her next seven fights, while capturing the strawweight title in 2017 as she TKO’d Joanna Jędrzejczyk in dramatic fashion at UFC 217. Her first title defense would be another rematch victory over Jędrzejczyk via unanimous decision at UFC 223.

    Namajunas would taste defeat for the first time nearly three years later from her last loss as she was slammed unconscious by former champion, Jéssica Andrade. Again, Rose was victorious in their rematch over a year later at UFC 251.

    The Zhang Weili Chapter

    Rose Namajunas Zhang Weili
    Photo via Instagram @espnmma

    Zhang Weili secured the strawweight title as she made quick work of Andrade for what would have been Andrade’s first and only title defense as she TKO’d Andrade in under a minute in her home country of China. Weili’s first title defense would be a fight against Namajunas.

    Namajunas showed improvements in her game again and rose to the occasion, as she TKO’d Weili in the first round at UFC 261, securing the title for her second time. Namajunas would then defeat Zhang again at UFC 268 and is a perfect 3-0 in rematches.

    The next rematch for Namajunas is the one with Esparza, which is what Namajunas and the UFC are eyeing as they are working on making that fight official. Esparza is currently on a five-fight win streak and boasts an impressive 18-6 record. And she, too, would of course love to secure UFC gold again.

    Who do you think will win the rematch between Rose Namajunas and Carla Esparza?

  • Rose Namajunas vs. Carla Esparza 2 Is “100 Percent” Next Per Dana White

    According to Dana White, the next strawweight title bout is in the works.

    Rose Namajunas is quickly proving that she could be the long-term face of the UFC’s strawweight division. She has now defended her title and already has her next opponent lined up.

    According to UFC President Dana White, Namajunas’ next title challenger will be none other than the first strawweight champion, Carla Esparza.

    “Carla Esparza (is next),” White told ESPN. “100 percent.”

    This should not come as a shock since Namajunas has been asking for Esparza since her win and vice versa. Esparza is currently on a five-fight winning streak. Her last win came over Yan Xiaonan in May. Since then, Esparza has been waiting for her shot at the belt. Now, her time is coming, and the bout with Namajunas will be a familiar one.

    Carla Esparza, Rose Namajunas
    Carla Esparza, Rose Namajunas In 204

    Namajunas and Esparza were both members of The Ultimate Fighter Season 20. Both made it to the finale, and it was Esparza who walked away with the win over Namajunas and the belt wrapped around her waist. She later lost the belt to Joanna Jędrzejczyk.

    Namajunas’s skills have grown immensely in the years after her first fight with Esparza. Since this loss, she has had 11 fights in the UFC and has finished five of those opponents.

    Since Esparza lost her title, Namajunas has won it, lost it, and won it again. She is continuing to prove that she is one of the best in the world at 115 pounds. She now holds wins over every other former strawweight champion except Esparza. If she can beat Esparza, perhaps she can claim the title of UFC strawweight GOAT.

    Do you think Carla Esparza will have what it takes to dethrone Rose Namajunas when they meet for the second time?