“In my mind, this is 100 percent, this is the No. 1 contender fight,” former UFC women’s strawweight champion, Carla Esparza is eyeing to get her title back


“In my mind, this is 100 percent, this is the No. 1 contender fight,” former UFC women’s strawweight champion, Carla Esparza is eyeing to get her title back

Carla Esparza

The former UFC women’s strawweight champion, Carla Esparza is going to face Yan Xiaonan in the co-main event of UFC Vegas 27. Esparza is coming in this fight riding a winning streak of four fights and a win in this one can present her the next title shot.

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Carla Esparza was the first UFC women’s strawweight champion who won her title by defeating Rose Namajunas in the TUF season 20 finale. In her case, Namajunas reclaiming the title by defeating Zhang Weili at UFC 261 increased the chances for her to get the next title shot.

In her latest interview with MMA Fighting, Esparza says, “I definitely feel that’s a more highly sought after fight in the eyes of the UFC and the fans, I think that her getting that win worked out in my favor ensuring that this is a No. 1 contender’s fight.”

She added, “No one has come to me from the UFC and been like ‘this is going to happen but I know I was pretty close to potentially having the title shot before when there was some possible issues with Rose, I know I was the next in line in that case.”

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“In my mind, this is 100 percent, this is it — this is the No. 1 contender fight. On paper, that tells the same story. Especially with Rose winning the title, I think a lot of people are just seeing this as a potential match if I win this fight.”

Carla Esparza is really focused on her fight against Yan Xiaonan

Yan Xiaonan and Carla Esparza
Yan Xiaonan and Carla Esparza

Although Carla Esparza wanted to face Rose Namajunas for her first title defense, but she will be facing a really tough opponent in the form of Yan Xiaonan at UFC Vegas 27.

Xioanan is undefeated in UFC and she is coming in this fight riding a winning streak of six fights. Talking about her Esparza says, “If I’m being totally honest with myself, the title shot has crossed my mind many times, People bring it up to me so it’s hard to avoid thinking of that.”

“But I’m also really trying to be very thoughtful in keeping my mindset on the fight in front of me and focusing on my game plan and my skill set. What I need to do to win. Because without this next fight, that all goes away.”

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Esparza is determined to get her title back that was wrapped around her waist in 2015. Xiaonan will present her, one of the toughest challenges she has ever faced. Who you think will face Rose Namajunas next amongst both of these?

Also Read: UFC Vegas 27 (Co-Main Event): Yan Xiaonan vs Carla Esparza Preview and Prediction.