“Whoever wins between Xiaonan and Carla will fight for the belt,” says Yan Xiaonan’s coach

“Whoever wins between Xiaonan and Carla will fight for the belt,” says Yan Xiaonan’s coach

Yan Xiaonan

The undefeated women’s contender Yan Xiaonan is going to face the former champion Carla Esparza at the co-main event of UFC Vegas 27, although this fight isn’t being promoted as the No.1 contender fight, Yan’s coach believes otherwise.

Speaking to MMA Fighting, her jiu-jitsu coach Ruy Menezes said, “We have it basically agreed with the UFC, before Zhang Weili fight with Rose, that whoever wins between Xiaonan and Carla will fight for the belt. But the UFC can change, right? So, we’re not thinking about the belt at the moment. We’re thinking about defeating Carla. That’s the focus.”

“This [fight] is very important for China. Chinese people don’t have a preference [between Yan, Zhang and Jingliang Li], they are all treated the same way.”

He explained, “Zhang Weili had more attention after she won the belt, obviously, but Jingliang was the superstar before that, especially because he’s a man in a communist country. But I think this victory for Xiaonan will be very important because it opens a door for China to have another belt.” (h/t MMA Fighting.com)

Yan Xiaonan will try to knock Carla Esparza out but her coach believes she will win via decision

Yan Xiaonan Carla Esparza
Yan Xiaonan vs Carla Esparza

Yan’s coach revealed a conversation he had with her about a month ago where he asked her to go for a stoppage in this one, he said, “I spoke with her a month ago about it. I told her, ‘Look, you’re coming off decisions, and Carla is that bureaucratic fighter that goes for takedowns and ground and pound, that basic game she does pretty well. The UFC will look at you with different eyes if you win by knockout or submission.”

He continued, “If they have doubts about who to give a title shot, that would change their minds. I’m just saying that because that’s how the business works, but winning is obviously what matters.’”

“I think it will be via decision because of Xiaonan’s game, she’s not a knockout artist, and that’s pretty clear for everyone by now. Maybe one hand lands, a knee, but I think it’s going to be a decision.”

Also read: “I win this fight and my next step will be to challenge for the championship,” Yan Xiaonan talks about her fight with Carla Esparza