Carla Esparza calls for title shot: ‘Come on Dana, let’s make it happen’

Carla Esparza nabbed herself a solid win this Saturday, finishing Yan Xiaonan with punches in the second round and netting herself a Performance of the Night bonus in the process. Esparza was the inaugural UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion after winning season 20 of the Ultimate Fighter back in 2014. Now “The Cookie Monster” has her eyes set on UFC gold yet again. She stated her case in her post fight interview:

“I want to have a chance to fight for that title, I think it’s an intriguing fight. It’s a fight everyone wants to see. Come on Dana, let’s make it happen.”

Esparza defeated Rose Namajunas, who now holds the belt, with a RNC to win the belt back in 201, now it seems that the time is right for a rematch. Namajunas has honed her wild style of kicks and flashy grappling, and has learned clever footwork and precise striking under coach Trevor Whitman. To have a throwback fight would be interesting to show how much Namajunas and Esparza have grown.

The analysis of the division below reveals her to be the most deserving of a title shot at this present moment in time.

Marina Rodriguez (14-1-2)

Esparza is now on a five fight winning streak, her most notable win during that time is against Marina Rodriguez who is climbing the ranks in her own right and is Esparza’s main competition for the next shot. Rodriguez last fight was an impressive performance on the eighth of May this year. Esparza also beat Waterson a year and one day before in 2020.

Both ladies are evenly matched performance wise but the win in 2018 pushes Esparza just that bit ahead in line. It is possible that they will rematch at some point in the near future, but until then Rodriguez has a fight in the works with the second name that could push Esparza away from a title shot.

Mackenzie Dern (11-1-0)

Dern, who has the best case after Rodriguez, might creep up on the Cookie Monster, she has been looking impressive as of late and has really bounced back from her decision loss to Amanda Ribas. She knee barred Hannah Cifers, a rare submission in the division and finished Randa Markos with an armbar. She then went onto to defeat Virna Jandiroba by decision, showing off much improved striking and showcasing her world class grappling. Most recently she stopped Nina Nunes with an armbar.

A fight against Rodriguez is already in the works for Dern, so this could easily turn into the next contender fight if she wins against her dangerous opponent.

The Rest of the Strawweight Division

Some faces are starting to gain momentum, but they are just behind Esparza whether it be bouts cancelled by COVID-19, a lose, or injury.

Claudia Gadelha had her streak broken by the last woman that Esparza just defeated, Yan Xiaonan which has halted any talks of a title shot for her at the moment.

Amanda Ribas is looking to get back in their after her KO loss to Marina Rodriguez, she was scheduled to fight but her fight was cancelled last minute to failing a COVID-19 test. The bout has been rescheduled but this unfortunate setback has slowed her momentum considerably.

The Holy Quaternity

As of now, Esparza has the best case for a title shot with her recent success. That being said, this division has a real habit of the belt being passed around and competed by four women Rose Namajunas, Weili Zhang, Joanna Jedrzejczyk, and Jessica Andrade like a hot potato so she might even have to face on of them in a contender bout. Then again they might book Joanna Jedrzejczyk vs Weili Zhang II as the first bout was so exciting and they coming off loses and while they do that if Rose Namajunas wants to stay active why not settle the score with Carla Eszparza?